TUESDAY 16TH AUGUST 2022

term Atiku,

mission in politics is to serve people Wike berates

PDP

Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Francis Sardauna in Katsina, Daji Sani in Yola and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia any other person, or promise to make payments” to or on behalf of various Nigerian officials,

... Page

for

Says

Ayu: I’ve Not Resignedand Won’t Resign

for allegedly ganging up against

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar acknowledging cheers from party faithful when he received 160,000 decampees from the All Progressives Congress into the PDP at the Ribadu Square in Yola, Adamawa State … yesterday

Ruto Wins Kenya’s Election, Buhari Salutes President-elect

Page 5 Chebukati, announced that Ruto had won the vote, his deputy, Juliana Cherera, told the media at a separate location that she and three other commissioners disowned the results. "We are not able to take own ership of the results that will be

Page 6

not secure for election Nigeria

receive 160,000 defectors from APC Presidential

CBN: Budget Deficit, Public Debt Hamper Fiscal Sustainability...

www.thisdaylive.com Tuesday 16 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9989. Price: N250 TRUTH & REASON his closest rival, ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who got 48.85 per cent (6,942,930), in a tight race watched by diplomats and other international observers. President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated the Kenyan president-elect on his victory in the August 9 election. However, some senior election officials disowned the poll result, fuelling fears of violence, like that seen after previous disputed polls, Reuters reported. But hailing the electoral com mission members as "heroes", Ruto said, "There is no looking back. We are looking to the future. We need all hands on deck to move forward." The 55-year-old had made Ke nya's class divisions the centrepiece of his campaign to become the country’s fifth president, promising to reward low-income "hustlers" and pouring scorn on Kenya’s political dynasties. That was a barely veiled jab at his opponent, Odinga, and President Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the nation's first vice president and president, respectively.Ruto,who headed the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) Alliance, had appeared to be leading long-time opposition leader, Odinga, as Kenyans awaited final results of the election held nearly a week ago. Minutes before the chairman of the electoral commission, Wafula Continued on page 10

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Nigeria has levelled fresh claims of fraud against a little-known offshore firm, Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID), which earlier won an $11 billion arbitration award against the country, ramping up the pressure ahead of one of the biggest London trials to take place nextTheyear.federal government would seek to prove to the court that P&ID did not make full disclosure to the court in the first place in the course of the case. As it attempts to show the court that the contract was corruptly procured, it would also urge the firm in the eye of the storm to answer the following questions: “Did P&ID, or any individual or company associated with P&ID, make, procure to be made by he’s elected four-year Okowa, Sambo, Fintiri, others hopeful says his party elders him alleges 20 LGAs in Katsina moves to prove firm secured contract through bribery, lies

FG Raises Fresh Fraud Claims against P&ID Ahead $11bn Trial

WHY I WANT TO SERVE YOU...

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Oluchi Chibuzor in Lagos with agency report Kenya's electoral commission yesterday declared the deputy president, William Ruto, winner of the country’s presidential election. Ruto polled 50.49 per cent of the total votes cast (7,176,141) to defeat Afenifere: Nigerians Living in Fear, Uncertainty 12 Rising Food, Commodity Prices Drive Inflation to 19.64%... Continued on page 10 Continued on page 10 Ayu, yesterday, dismissed speculations about his status as the leader of the party, saying he has not resigned and would not be forced to resign

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available resources and with a singular focus on results over the medium term. He said this approach was a significant departure from the conventional method of prepar ing an annual budget, which is iterative and overlooks the future potential costs and benefits of public programmes.Hassan,nonetheless, noted that, “research conducted by the World Bank has shown that these efforts have been insufficient to meet the standards of sound practice.

TUESDAY, THISDAY 5

L-R: MD/CEO, Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood; Flight Pilots, World Wide Aircraft Ferry, Capt. Mike Mckenna and Capt. Brian Price, and Director, Air Transport Regulation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, during the presentation of UMZA Express aircraft to be operated by Aero Contractors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja…recently

TNBA ’ll Make Nigerian Broadcasting Formidable, Say Murray-Bruce, Alumona

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said budget deficit and public debt could exert direct and negative consequences on fiscal sustainability, adding that these remained essential factors in as sessing macroeconomic policies' credibility.CBNDirector, Monetary Policy Department, Dr. Mahmud Hassan, made the remarks at the opening of the Regional Course on MediumTerm Budgetary Frameworks (MTBFS), organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in HeAbuja.noted that the ongoing turmoil in the global economy had impacted every policy area, including fiscal policy over the past two years, pointing out that, “member countries have experienced a significant worsening in their fiscal balance and dramatic growth in their public debt, which have put them at risk of debt distress and, in some cases, even debt distress.”

“Institutional and operational weaknesses are still embedded in the budgetary systems, most of which result from capacity constraints.”However, he said the training seeks to expose participants from WAIFEM member countries including Nigeria to international standards and country cases that will significantly assist in addressing the capacity issues. Among other things, he said the capacity-building programme will also make it possible for participants to implement fiscal policy strategi cally and forward-looking in order to realise its long-standing broader objectives, including achieving macro-economy stability and maximising public expenditures' allocative and operational efficiency, to strengthen macroeconomic management and service delivery and ensure fiscal transparency and accountability.Also,inhisremarks, the DirectorGeneral, WAIFEM, Dr. Baba Yusuf Musa, said the course became inevitable against the backdrop of the immense macroeconomic and fiscal challenges facing member countries including Nigeria. He said economic shocks arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing regional conflicts, and the resurgence of domestic health and security issues had complicated fiscal management by disrupting fiscal prioritisation, widening budget deficits, and sharply increasing the public debt of members, adding that, “These difficulties do not appear to be going away anytime soon.”Represented by WAIFEM Director, Mr. Yakubu Aliyu, Musa said, while there was enormous pressure to increase discretionary and non-discretionary expenditures continuously, revenue growth was not keeping pace with even the anticipated moderate growth rates. He said reclaiming the fiscal policy space by implementing a more strategic approach to the budgeting process through which government policies were implemented remained one way to begin addressing these challenges. He said the course builds on existing efforts and aims to guide further improvements and provide participants with a platform for exploring and better understanding the numerous national, regional, global experiences and sound practices pertaining to MTBFs, in addition to the various options for reforming budget policy and financial management systems.

CBN: Budget Deficit, Public Debt Hamper Fiscal Sustainability

NEWSGroup News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580 UMZA EXPRESS AIRCRAFT PRESENTATION...

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

“However, when the Senate Committee further called for the vouchers backing up the transac tions, Dr. Akabogu requested that the former Managing Directors under whose tenures, the transac tions were made, be invited to provide further answers especially with regards to the vouchers. “The current management is not in possession of the vouchers and hence, informed the Senate Committee that the contents of the container in the premises of the fund, where the former Managing Directors allegedly left the vouchers have succumbed to the elements.

The Chairman, Steering Committee, The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (TNBA), Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce, has declared that the awards billed to hold in November this year would make the Nigerian broadcasting sector a formidable force in the black world. Murray-Bruce, who is President of the Silverbird Group, made the declaration yesterday, during an interview on Wazobia FM. TNBA, promoted by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) had been described as a first-of-its-kind professional excellence recognition and reward platform.

Represented by the CBN Deputy Director, Monetary Policy Depart ment, Dr. Yusuf Bulus, Hassan, however, pointed out that the government budget's significant influence on a country's economy cannot be over-emphasised. He noted that several develop ing countries, including WAIFEM member countries have made concerted efforts over the past 15 years to reform their public financial management (PFM) systems, budget systems, and mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of public spending while preserving fiscal soundness and at least some degree of fiscal discipline and transparency. He said, in the process, the member countries have adopted the medium-term budgetary frame works known as the MTBFs as well as the Medium-term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEFs) in some countries.According to him, the MTBF is a multi-year approach to budgeting that links expenditure plans to the policy objectives of the government based on a reliable estimate of

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has stated that the 2018 audit report by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation which raised 50 queries on misappropriation of N17.158 billion had nothing to do with the current management which came into office on June 1, 2021. In a statement yesterday in Abuja, by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NSITF, Ijeoma Okoronkwo the fund stated that the financial violations were committed under the management that ran the agency between 2012 and 2017. It stated that the probe by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts was in exercise of its statutory oversight functions, “it is overly important to inform the general public that what is under investigation, are not new infractions but cumulative financial violations under the management that ran the agency between 2012 and“These2017. infractions are not new. They have in fact been subject of probe since the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation first raised the red flag in 2015. We make it clear therefore that the negative trails of these breaches, have nothing to do with the present management beyond assisting the Senate Committee, carry out its oversight functions, knowing James Emejo in Abuja

According to Murray-Bruce, the primary objective of the awards was to motivate professionals to attain higher standards as a means of further contributing to national development.“Ifpeopleare recognised and rewarded, they will be motivated to do more and if they do more, they will make the Nigerian broadcast ing industry a formidable force in the black world,” he said. He added that the committee he chairs would soon announce a call for entries into the 13 award categories and calls on broadcast professionals to enter their works for consideration by a panel of judges that would soon be an nounced.Alsospeaking on the programme, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Outcomes Limited, consultants to TNBA, Mr. Jenkins Alumona, described the awards as independent, saying they would be “given by broadcasters to broadcasters.”

Hassan, a member of the Technical Committee of the Board of Governors of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), added that for most member nations of WAIFEM, the prospect of growth that would contribute to a substantial reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio and regaining fiscal equilibrium is not immediately on the horizon. He said, “In the meantime, our economies are preparing for post-pandemic recovery, adjusting to externally induced inflationary pressures, and working toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG).“However, we continue to face the challenge of revenues while the pressure for increased spending continues to build up.”

NSITF Explains N17.15 Billion Senate Probe

“TNBA will be awards by broadcasters to broadcasters and devoid of sponsors’ influence. While we seek sponsorship back ing for the awards, sponsors will have no role in adjudication, as entries will be rated by a panel of judges comprising active and retired broadcasters with integrity and stellar professional records. “The process will be also be run by a top audit firm as a way of stamping fidelity on it,” said Alumona.Healso called on sponsors to take advantage of the visibility the platform provides, as the awards have secured the buy-in of about 300 BON member private and public radio and television stations across the country. “TNBA, as a marketing platform, is the equivalent of buying one and getting 300 free. All BON-member stations are fully plugged into the awards, giving would-be sponsors immense mileage for their messages and positioning them as supporters of national development through higher information dissemination standards. “Higher professional broadcasting standards will earn the sector and the country more respect across the globe,” he said. Murray-Bruce and Alumona expressed similar sentiments in an interview on BEAT FM, with duo saying that a jump in profes sional standards, the aim of TNBA, would make broadcasting more appealing to the coming generation, as intending broadcasters would be confident that their excellence would be recognised.

full well, that government is a continuum.“Onrecord, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has probed and taken the former Chairman of the Board and five other senior officials, including the Managing Director and three Directors to court over some of the“Hugeissues.sums of money as well as property were also recovered, while some of the indicted staff members were equally removed from“Indeed,office. when the Senate Committee initiated this current probe, the Managing Director, Dr. Michael Akabogu set up an internal committee to retrieve from First Bank and Skye Bank respectively, detailed transactions involving the fund under the period in probe. The documents were subsequently submitted to the Senate AgainstCommittee.”thebackground of reports that the documents used for the transactions under probe have been eating up by termites, the NSITF explained that the contents of the container where they were kept in the premises of the fund had succumbed to elements.

6 TUESDAY, THISDAY NEWS

Rising Food, Commodity Prices Drive Inflation to 19.64%

Despite the tough situation for businesses, which he blamed on COVID-19 and the Russian/ Ukraine War, the Eterna CEO said the company had been able to record N4.1 billion gross profit in the first half of 2022. He attributed the financial performance to the quality of staff the new management met on ground and those that came onTheboard.Chief Financial Officer of Eterna Plc, Mr. Abudukerimu Sule, said Nigeria should not be carried away by the current wave of energy transition, arguing that the country's focus at the moment should rather be on achieving energyNotingsecurity.thatAfrica ranks the least in energy consumption per capita, the CFO said it was imperative for both political and business leaders in Nigeria to collaborate with their counterparts in other African countries to ensure massive investment in energy within the African space in the most costeffective way.

RECEPTION

PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE

James Emejo in Abuja

Oil Marketer Laments FX Scarcity, InadequateDelivery Ships on Product Marketing and progress in the power sector; and to transparently highlight the improvements and growth achieved within the power sector in order to change the negative public opinion about the power sector, which has become a hindrance and constraint to attracting much needed long term investments in the power sector. The organisers added that the programme would celebrate the efforts and achievements of deserv ing public and private organisations and individuals across the entire NESI value chain and the renewable energy/off-grid sector. It stated that the award would beam the spotlight on the innova tion, growth and progress achieved by the organisations and individu als, highlighting their efforts and achievements within the power sector since the conclusion of the power sector privatisation. In addition, according to the statement, the power sector awards would provide a unique platform for networking, stimulate top level interactions and deepen collabora tions within the power sector. "The awards will bring together key stakeholders, top-level state government officials involved in the power sector at sub-national levels, top officials from Nigeria’s power and energy sector, ministers and top government officials in the power sector ministries and regulatory organisations, top level members of the National Assembly, of banks, financial institutions, development finance institutions and private equity infrastructure funds that are power sector focused, core investors of Gencos and Discos, amongst other high-level dignitaries expected to attend the awards."

The organisers said the broad award categories were structured to highlight and recognise every segment of the NESI including Electricity Power Generation Category, Electricity Distribution Category, Independent Power Provider of the Year (Captive Generation), Most Innovative Power Technology Category, Renewable Energy Category, and Gas Supply Company of the Year. Other award categories included: Transaction/Deal Category, Public Sector Organisation of the Year, Development Finance Institution of the Year, Bank/Financial Institution of the Year, Best State Government in the Power Sector, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards. According to the statement, there would also be a posthumous award to be given to the Late Engr. Joseph Makoju, whose contributions and achievements in the power sector was exceptional in developing the NESI.The unbundling and privatisation of the Nigerian power sector was concluded since 2013. However, due to a myriad of challenges, the power sector has not yet delivered on the envisaged benefits of privatisation in terms of reliable electricity supply. In spite of the challenges bedevil ing the NESI, the award organisers argued that the power sector has undoubtedly achieved measurable but modest progress and improve ments since the conclusion of the privatisation.Maintaining that the sector was on the path of growth, the award planners said it was unfortunate that the improvements and progress were often overshadowed by challenges in the sector. "We believe that it is time to highlight, showcase and celebrate the improvements and progress so far achieved within the power sector, in the form of an annual power sector award event. “It is on this basis, that we are organising the Nigeria Power Sector Awards, which we intend to become the premier power sector award event in Nigeria. "Nominations for the respective awards are currently open and will close on the 30th of September 2022. "In conclusion, we are very excited to recognize the growth in the power sector and we are pleased to pioneer this remarkable award event. Despite the current challenges in the sector, we are determined to celebrate the mod est improvements, progress and innovative strides within the sector every year in order to achieve the objectives of power sector privatisa tion," the organisers added.

Announcing the programme in a statement issued yesterday and signed by the Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, Racheal Salehu, the organisers said the awards aims to achieve three broad objectives. These it listed to include to reward and incentivise organisations and individuals, who have contributed in measurable ways to the improvements, growth and progress in the sector. The award, it further explained, would also catalyse further im provements, growth, innovation FOR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE PRESIDENT HONOURED BY REPUBLIC OF NIGER...

Peter Uzoho Downstream oil and gas operator, Eterna Plc has lamented the effect of the intractable scarcity of foreign exchange (FX) and the inadequate number of delivery ships techni cally known as 'Mother vessels', bringing imported petroleum products to Nigeria. The newly- appointed Manag ing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the oil marketing firm, Mr. Benjamin Nwaezeigwe, who said the foregoing challenges had put marketers in a tough business situation, however, urged the federal government to urgently deregulate the downstream sector and allow a free market environ ment to Nwaezeigwethrive. made the assertions yesterday in Lagos, during an interactive session with journalists, explaining that the Russia-Ukraine war had also made accessing petroleum products like other import commodities costlier and difficult.Hesaid the continuous existence of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited as the sole importer of petrol poses a major challenge to marketers. He pointed out that the current ex-depot price and pump price of petrol was difficult for them to cope with, considering the rise in their cost of Nwaezeigweoperation.addedthat the non-refining activities at the four NNPC's refineries, which are now under-going rehabilitation, have compelled marketers to import the products outside the country, with attendant risk of exposure to foreign exchange challenge and high demurrage payments owing to inadequate mother vessels to load products from. He explained, "Scarcity of FX is there, and these days, the most recent one has been, there is a daughter vessel, but you don't have the mother vessel to load from. So, these things bring in a lot of "So,demurrage.it'sbeentough. We've seen a situation in January, where you can do $140,000 and as at today, it has risen to as far as $260,000 to hire just one vessel. From $17,000 per day, it's today at about $45 to $50,000 Lagos-Lagos. And it's been pretty tough. "The bank rate, with 20 to 25 per cent even though the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) rate is 13 per cent. Of course, they will definitely give you something higher. With 20 to 25 per cent, there is little or nothing you can really do with such fund. “So, that has also been part of the challenges we've been facing. But we hope things will improve. It's been tough, but in spite of that, we've been able to pull"Thethrough.scarcity of mother vessel is a challenge. You get the Private Finance Initiatives (PFI), you pay, you should be able to circle out in 26 days, from payment, to loading to discharging at your facility to trucking out. Now, when you don't do that, the interest begins to accrue. So, the mother vessel is not Thethere."Eterna boss added, "You have a daughter vessel, the mother vessel is not there, demurrage starts counting on you. In fact, it's even difficult for you to start planning for a daughter vessel when you don't even have a mother vessel you want to load from. So, those challenges are just there. "And when this mother vessel eventually comes, everybody wants to load out first because we are all waiting. So, God have mercy when you are the last to load, definitely, you are going to incur some demurrage and this has a way of eating into the slim margin you are already trying to protect." However, to address the chal lenges, Nwaezeigwe advocated for more investments into shipping to close the gap in that area of the business, adding that govern ment should also deregulate the downstream sector so that more investors would be willing to invest in modular refineries and help to make the products available locally.

Peter Uzoho For the first time since the existence of the Nigerian Electricity Sup ply Industry (NESI), an award programme has been birthed to recognise achievements in the power sector and also push for its further growth and development. Organised by the Nigeria Power Sector Awards Limited, the maiden edition of the NESI's premier award programme has been scheduled to hold in Abuja on November 23, 2022.

Nigeria's Power Sector Births Premier Award Programme

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services increased to 19.64 per cent in July, compared to the 18.60 per cent it was the previous month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosedHowever,yesterday.ona year-on-year comparison, the CPI stood at 17.38 per cent in the corresponding month of 2021. The NBS attributed the 2.27 per cent rise in the headline index to the uptick in the food and core indexes.Foodinflation rose by 0.99 per cent to 22.02 per cent year-on-year in July compared to 21.03 per cent in According2021. to the CPI report for July which was posted on the statistical agency’s website, the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products potatoes, yam and other tubers, meat, fish, oil, and fat. On a month-on-month basis, food inflation declined by 0.01 per cent to 2.04 per cent in July, which was an insignificant reduction compared to 2.05 per cent. The NBS however attributed the decline to a reduction in the prices of some food items namely tubers, maize, garri, and vegetables. The average annual rate of food inflation for the 12-month period ending July 2022, over the previous 12-month average was 18.75 per cent, which was a 1.42 per cent decline from the 20.16 per cent average annual rate of change recorded in July 2021. Similarly, the “All items less farm produce’’ or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce increased by 2.54 per cent to 16.26 per cent year-on-year compared to 13.72 per cent in 2021. On a month-on-month basis, core inflation rose by 0.20 per cent to 1.75 per cent in July compared to 1.56 per cent recorded in June. According to the statistical agency, the highest increases in core inflation were recorded in prices of gas, liquid fuel, solid fuel, passenger transport by road, air, garments, cleaning, repair and hire of Meanwhile,clothing. year-on-year, food inflation was most severe in Kwara (29.28 per cent), Akwa Ibom (27.22 per cent), and Kogi (26.08 per cent), while Kaduna (17.16 per cent), Jigawa (17.46 per cent) and Anambra (19.25 per cent) recorded the slowest rise. On a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Kwara (3.90 per cent), Delta (3.61 per cent), and Benue (2.94 per cent), while Taraba (0.14 per cent), Gombe (0.94 per cent), and Niger (1.13 per cent) recorded the slowest rise. On the other hand, core inflation year-on-year basis was highest in Akwa Ibom (22.88 per cent), Ebonyi (22.51 per cent), Kogi (22.08 per cent), while Jigawa (16.62 per cent), Kaduna (17.04 per cent) and Borno (18.04 per cent) recorded the slowest rise in the headline index.

L-R: State House Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Tijjani Umar; State Chief of Protocol (SCOP), Amb. Lawal Kazaure; Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Event, Mallam Mohammed Sarki Abba, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Ade Ipaye, during a reception hosted in honour of two Principal Officers of the President Conferred with Republic of Niger National Honours by President Bazoum…yesterday

Seeks total downstream deregulation, building of more modular refineries Severe in Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Kogi others

TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 • THISDAY 7

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

revenue to the insurance entities and taxes to the government. "In our action plan we will solicit the cooperation of your ministry to institute an insurance task force that would enforce compulsory insurance in the country. The task force that will be deployed, should be made of the Police, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and Nigerian Civil Defense." He stated that the commission would begin the recapitalisation of the insurance industry and ensure the restoration of its prominence. He vowed to sanitise the insurance market by taking out companies that failed to measure up to Saniexpectations.added:"Weshall enforce the professional code of ethics among the insurance entities. strengthen their corporate governance, which the board believes will sanitize the"Themarket.NAICOM Board will revisit the matter of recapitalisation of the insurance industry and will clean up its act with the enforcement of code of ethics of insurance profession and practice, and code of good corporate governance in companies.“Theboard is working to sanitise the market, and will be taking out companies that are not majoring up to "Andexpectations.wewill install the mechanism to review all the actuarial valuations submitted to the commission for assessment and consideration. In order to enhance the performance of the regulatory body, its strategic plan will be reviewed to align with the objectives of the commission as contained in the matching order and directives, where the Minister specifically asked the Board to uplift the insurance industry to a greater height, on the day our Board was inaugurated. "The Board is seeking for your support to search for investors that would make Nigerian insurance industry robust to effectively strengthen the entities to play their roles in making other businesses thrive in the country. "The NAICOM will organise an insurance investment forum in Nigeria and abroad with the sole aim of wooing potential investors to take advantage of the potentials in investing in Nigeria Insurance Industry."TheBoard, he added, would seek the collaboration of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, National Assembly committee on Diaspora, and other insurance jurisdictions across the globe. He stressed: "We want to extend our investment campaign to Europe, the Middle East and America."Furthermore, we will need your support to exterminate the menace of lake insurance policies in the country, which deny huge revenue to the insurance entities and taxes to the government."

FG Urges

Photo: ENOCK REUBEN

8 TUESDAY, THISDAY NEWS

NAICOM to DeepenInsurance Penetration

Mulls completion of ongoing projects

tion in the Country: There would be a need to achieve more insurance penetration in the country. In this regard, there is need to evolve new insurance products and policies. "Members should commit to develop and implement policies that would promote the reputation of the Industry through prompt payment of claims. Your target should be to take the Industry to greater and enviable heights during your tenure," she added. In his remarks, the Chairman Governing Board of NAICOM, Dr. Abubakar Sani, disclosed that the Commission was set to put in place a task force to enforce compulsory Insurance across the country.According to Sani: "We will need your support to exterminate the menace of lake insurance policies in the country, which deny huge

L-R: Senior Technical Assistance to the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Mej Bassey; Minister of State, Chief, Henry Ikoh; Minister of Science and Technology, Sen. Adeleke Mamora; Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, (ICRC), Michael Ohiani, and Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Halilu Shara, during the official presentation of the Full Business Case (FBC) Certificate for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) project to the minister by the agencies in Abuja...yesterday

An estimated budget size of N459 billion is being projected for the 2023 fiscal year by the Delta State Government as the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration seeks to finish strong by striving to complete ongoing projects across theThestate.State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Barry Gbe, at the commencement of budget defense by respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Asaba yesterday, hinted that the, "indicative figure" was subject to modifications before the final budget estimate. Gbe stressed that the budget projection was influenced by spiral ing inflation and high exchange rate in the country occasioned by poor showing of the naira against major international currencies, noting that the financial realities have had adverse effects on Delta State's contractual obligations. This situation, the Commis sioner said, necessitated general upward review of contract sums for various ongoing projects in the light of inevitable demands by the contractors. The projected budget figure would accommodate these dif ferentials and it was based on Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Anya, Awosika to Headline NIPR Summit on National Integration

PRESENTATION OF FULL BUSINESS CASE CERTIFICATE FOR PPP...

Delta Proposes N459bn in 2023 Appropriation Bill

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof. Anya O. Anya and Chair man of Access Bank, Mrs Dere Awosika, are expected to headline next week’s Citizen’s Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security.Thesummit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), President of the organisation, Mallam Muktar Sirajo, said, is a product of research conducted by the governing council of the institute to identify factors responsible for current ‘sad and unfortunate developments' in the country.Inabriefing in Abuja yesterday, Sirajo stated that the outcome revealed a widening trust deficit between government and the citizens, among the various ethnic and sociology cultural groups, and among the citizens. The NIPR chief stated that these have tended to weaken the fabrics of Nigeria’s unity, revealing that the research further showed a collapse of core national values, citizens despondency and apathy on issues of national development. “Today, it is a common knowledge that relationships amongst our people are not what they used to be; mutual suspicion and antagonism seem to have taken over the place of our once beautiful and relatively peaceful coexistence that was least influenced by ethno-religious and other primordial differences. “Realising that at the core of the mandate of the public relations profession is the birthing and sustenance of mutually beneficial relationships and mending them where they crack or even break down, the institute came to the conclusion that our beloved country, Nigeria, needs more than a shot in the arm in this regard. No nation thrives and progresses in an atmosphere of distrust,” he noted. The organisation, Sirajo added, recognises trust as a key element in nation-building and the role of dialogue in societal well-being and development, and has decided to take up the challenge of rebuilding the broken trust through reopening channels of effective dialogue. According to him, there is a need to entrench a culture of social justice for national integration and sustainable peace and to develop a new communication culture and thrust for Nigeria. “ There is need for effective national mediation, reconciliation and investment in peace building for national integration. There is need to reengage and include the Nigerian youths, women, and people with disabilities in leadership and governance. “There is need to strive for balance, equity, fairness, and justice as our way of life. These are part of what this summit intends to achieve,” he said. Sirajo stressed that for the country to move forward, Nigeria must change the paradigm on how we engage the citizens and the techniques of dialogue, adding that the government must learn modern art of citizens engagement. “The summit will address at the plenary, issues such as - Nigeria: Where we missed it, the need to rethink; it will also look into the path to reinventing our nationhood; rebuilding trust and enabling the culture and practice of non-violent communication.“Thewholeidea of the sum mit is to activate the process of rebuilding a new Nigeria that works, based on raising the new Nigerians that will build the new Nigeria. A nation that will be governed by strong national values that promote oneness and equity among the diverse people of the country. “It is also important to state that we are not in this alone; the institute is undertaking this project in collaboration with 70 other organisations, who share same vision and hope of a greater Nigeria,” he said. Other speakers expected on the occasion include: Chief Audu Ogbe, Mrs. Adepeju Jaiyeoba, Mr. JJ Omojuwa, amongst others.

projected national benchmark of $70 per barrel, oil price in the international market. Gbe said, "While the current price of oil stands at $107 per barrel as against $57 per barrel as at 2022, we will organise the budget on a benchmark of $70 per barrel in advent of fall in oil prices."We do not want to leave a huge debt profile for the incoming administration by May 2023." He said the budget would, therefore, accommodate payment of outstanding interest on bank loans to the state. To certain extent, the Russia versus Ukraine war has been a blessing in disguise for Nigeria as more countries currently bought the nation's crude oil, he noted, adding that the huge oil subsidy in the country.

The federal government has advised the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to deepen insurance penetration in the country by encouraging players in the industry to evolve new insurance products and policies. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, who gave the directive in Abuja, while receiving the Governing Board of NAICOM on a courtesy visit, yesterday, said there was the need to achieve more insurance penetration in the country.Underscoring the need to evolve new insurance products and policies, the minister urged members of the board to commit to developing and implementing policies that would promote the reputation of the industry through prompt payment of claims. She said the target should be to take the industry to greater and enviable heights during your tenure.Theminister charged NAICOM to increase the industry's contribu tion to the nation’s Gross Domestic ProductLamenting(GDP).the current state of the insurance sector, Ahmed specifically charged the chairman of the board to deepen insurance penetration through new insurance policies for the sector. She called on the board and the management of the commission to work harmoniously in order to actualise the mandate of the Commission.Sheadded: "It is of utmost importance for the new board and the management of the National Insurance Commission to work harmoniously together in order to actualise the mandate of the Commission."TheBoard has to develop strategies to systematically build the capacity of members through Workshops, Seminars, Study Tours, etc. to enable effective contribution towards the growth of the Industry, especially as some members were not drawn from the insurance sector."Members should note that there are guidelines, regulations and circulars that guide the operation and conduct of Governing Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions and should be strictly adhered to Fre quency of meetings; entitlements of Board members, Travel guidelines and related "Deepeningmatters.Insurance penetra

TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 • THISDAY 9

PDP Alleges 20 LGAs inKatsina Not Secure for Election Citing incessant attacks by terrorists on communities, Katsina State chapter of PDP alleged that about 20 local government areas in the state were not safe for the 2023 general election. PDP chairman in the state, Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, who disclosed this in an interview with some journalists in Katsina, said many eligible voters would be disenfranchised in the state during the forthcoming polls due to the activities of the hoodlums. Majigiri said the security chal lenges posed serious threat to the 2023 elections, because many polling units in the frontline local governments were inaccessible and inhabitable by both the electorate and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).According to him, "The security situation in Katsina State is worsen ing day by day. People are being attacked in the daylight and many are leaving their villages everyday. So, security situation is worsening in almost all parts of the state. "There is a serious threat to this election, because there are some places in the state, where you cannot go to campaign or even vote. The insecurity will affect free, fair and credible elections, because if people are not protected to go and cast their votes, they will be disfranchised. "About 20 local governments are not safe for election in the state. So, if these local governments are not secure with the atmosphere that people can go freely and cast their votes, many people will be prevented from discharging their constitutional rights. "If you take the Funtua zone, for instance, the 11 local governments in the zone are not safe. Local governments like Batsari, Jibia, Safana, Danmusa, Dutsin-Ma, Kurfi, Kankia, and even parts of Batagarawa and Katsina are equally notHesecure.”calledon the state and federal governments to wake up to their constitutional responsibility of securing the lives and property of the citizenry in the state in order to ensure credible and acceptable elections in 2023.

AYU: I’VE NOT RESIGNED AND WON’T RESIGN

Speaking on behalf of the sup porters and over 160,000 defectors from various wards across the state, a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly from Fufore Gurin constituency, Hon. Shuaibu Babbbas, affirmed their loyalty and commitment to PDP in its quest to oust APC and fix the broken state of the country’s socio-economic and political fabrics.

On arrival at the Yola International Airport, where he was received to a rousing welcome, earlier, Atiku proceeded to the palace of the Lamido Adamawa, His Royal Highness Aliyu Musdafa, on a courtesy visit. He was accompanied by Fintiri, Okowa, and Ayu. It was the first time that the presidential standard bearer would be visiting his home state after the presidential primary election of PDP. In his remarks at the Lamido’s palace, Atiku said his presentation to the Lamido as the presidential candidate of PDP gave him a sense of nostalgia, because his political career would not have attained this mark but for the prayers and support that he enjoyed from the traditional ruler, his palace, and the entireAtikustate.stated, “I am an ambas sador of this palace, Adamawa State, and Nigeria. I am appreciative of the reception I received today, which is historic and I am promising you that I will represent you and the entire Nigeria well in the assignment ahead of me as your worthy son.”

asked why he was not interested, he replied, ‘Sir, let me hold what God has given me. I don't want to lose the two.’”

Wike Berates Rivers PDP Elders for Ganging Up against HimRivers State Governor Nyesom Wike condemned some elders in the state for allegedly ganging up against him when they could not secure the PDP governorship ticket. He alleged that those elders had on his birthday last year come to him on their own accord and showed a commitment that they would stay to see through what they came to convince him about. The governor explained that some of them, who indicated interest to fly the ticket, but failed, went to Abuja to plot against him. Wike spoke yesterday during the 74th birthday reception organised to honour a former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, at a private residence built and donated to him by the state government at Old Government Residential Area, in Port Harcourt. The governor explained, "On my last birthday, 12 midnight, some of our elders called me that they wanted to see me. They came to me and said they came to wish me happy birthday. Then, they presented me a letter that I should run for president. All of them, including Dr. Abiye Sekibo, signed the document. "I say, okay, you people, too, should go and give me someone, who will be governor after me. They all sat there, looking left and right. I asked them, those of you who are interested to be governor should raise your hands. Everybody raised his hand. One person didn't raise his hand, Senator Bari Mpigi. I announced, because of the opaque nature of this last phase of the general election," Cherera said. The electoral commission has seven beencommission'scommissionersthespoke,theobserversDiplomatscommissioners.andinternationalwerewhiskedoutoftallyinghallbeforeChebukatiasscufflesbrokeout.BeforeannouncingRutoaswinner,ChebukatisaidtwoandtheelectoralChiefExecutivehadinjuredandwerebeingtreated.

Wike said the elders also signed to a document that they would abide by whatever became the outcome of the governorship primary. But he claimed since they were not successful, they had turned around to allege that he was pursuing a third term bid. He said, "Some persons don't know the history. They go and tell all kinds of stories. But the truth is this, all of them (elders) signed the document prepared by O.C.J. Okocha that whoever I will bring, they will abide to by it. "But now, they went to Abuja, that I must not be vice president. I also read, yesterday, when I was in Paris, one of them saying I told him that if they do to me what they did to Dr. Odili, that I will collapse the system. "I am not an ungrateful person and I will never be ungrateful in my life. What's important is that I have done well as a governor. I am happy and I am leaving office a happy man." He recalled that when Odili was to run for the office of president, he had a large crowd following happily, but noted that when the issue of governorship of Rivers State was to be decided and he did not give those who wanted it, they all left him, and ran to Abuja to thwart his presidential ambition. Wike, however, said he had held on to the advice of Odili, hence, he was not surprised at the turn of events and the outcome of the PDP presidential primary. He described Odili as a true leader of men, who groomed many, and supported a lot of persons to political limelight, particularly, in Rivers State and across the country. Wike said of the former governor, "There was a time every political class abandoned Dr. Odili. This is a man who gave us everything. Some people called him Mr. Donatus. There was no abuse he did not get. Everybody he tried to help and their families, but at the end of the day, they all betrayed him. "For us, we have used him as a school and we thank him for making himself available for us to use him to learn so that we won't be shocked about whatever that is going to happened." Wike expressed gratitude for the opportunity to know Odili and to celebrate him. He pointed to several encouragements and gains from the political tutelage under Odili that had made him successful in politics.Wike added that Odili's benevolence made it possible for Ikwerre sons to emerge governors of Rivers State. In his response, Odili said he and his wife, Hon. Justice Mary Odili (retired), were overwhelmed by the birthday gift courtesy of the stateHegovernment.explainedthat during his tenure as governor, Wike was the best performing council chairman in the state. He lauded the governor for investing in human capacity development, infrastructure, and building the best law school campus in Port Harcourt. In his goodwill message, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State emphasised the need for all Nigerians to work together to enthrone fairness, justice, and equity in all facets of the society, which Odili had always stood for.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, noted that Odili was a great leader, who had impacted on many lives across the country. Similarly, a former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, com mended Odili for being a role model and comporting himself very well after leaving office. In his homily at the thanksgiving mass, Monsignor Pius Kii said Nigeria missed the opportunity of having Odili as president, because he would have used his farsighted ability, courage and adaptive capaci ties to solve many problems in the country.

including one Ms Taiga, Mr. Tijani, Mr Dikko, Mr. Rilwanu Lukman or Mr “DidIbrahim?P&IDcollude with and/or communicate with and/or enter into a corrupt agreement with and/ or make payments to Mr Shasore and/or any other person directly or indirectly involved in the FRN's defence (including Ms Adelore and Mr Oguine), before, during or after the arbitration, with a view to influencing the conduct of the FRN's defence in the arbitration? "In what circumstances did the FRN engage Mr Shasore (and/or his firm) in respect of the arbitration? Did Mr Shasore conduct the arbitration in a manner contrary to Nigeria’s interests and/ or instructions, and if so, why?” “Did P&ID induce Ms Taiga or any other Nigerian official to depart from the terms of the FRN's model arbitration clause in the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA)?” according to court filing. An update on the legal tussle also showed that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FRN) has been successful in its bid at the London High Court to obtain further documentation in support of its efforts to set aside the $11 billion arbitration award. In the recent hearing, Mr. Justice Jacobs judged that the approach taken by P&ID to providing disclosure of WhatsApp/SMS messages had not been entirely satisfactory to date and as such it would be reasonable and proportionate for P&ID to disclose further information related to private WhatsApp/SMS messages sent between key figures associated with the company over a period of several years. Nigeria’s government hoped that disclosure of the messages would further reveal the questionable activities of the company ahead of the High Court trial due to begin in January 2023. A spokesperson for the Federal Republic of Nigeria who pleaded to remain anonymous, was quoted to have said: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria remains dedicated to overturning arbitral award of around $11 billion and is leaving no stone unturned in its fight through the“Thiscourts.isanother step in our long running effort to reveal who stands to benefit from one of the world’s largest scams. Today’s judgment will help us have greater access to messages sent between the senior figures associated with P&ID which is vital ahead of the trial which will begin in the High Court in JanuaryHowever,2023.”aBloomberg report yesterday stated that Nigeria would try to overturn the penalty by proving that P&ID secured a gas-supply contract and the subsequent arbitration victory through bribes and lies. The federal government had sought to convince a United Kingdom (UK) High Court that the purported $9.6 billion contract, which had now generated additional interest with P&ID, for a 20-year deal to turn Nigeria's gas reserves into electricity, was a scam ab initio. The lawyers representing the Nigerian government told Sir Ross Cranston, head of the court, that P&ID knew from the beginning that there was no deal, noting that it was only a facade to fleece the Nigerian people. P&ID founded by the late Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill, the lawyers told the court, had no intention to perform any obligation concerning the purported contract, reason the company went about bribing Nigerian government officials at the time. The company had taken legal action against Nigeria for alleged breach of contract, with a panel of three arbitrators voting 2-1 to award P & ID the full sum of its claim of $6.6 billion at the time, plus interest, which spiked the arbitration value to about $9.6 billion.InJanuary 2010, Nigeria allegedly signed the gas-processing project, but two years later, the company began an arbitration process, alleging breach of contract. In July 2015, a London tribunal gave judgement in favour of the company and in January 2017, gave the final award of $6.6 billion, with an interest rate of seven per cent, pre and post judgement. Citing fraud, the federal govern ment had ordered an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in January requested a hearing to present evidence that the so-called deal was a fraud. The project first started under the petroleum minister at the time, Mr. Rilwanu Lukman, who died in 2014, whom the Nigerian legal representative said yesterday spearheaded the alleged fraud. The federal government told the judge that Lukman and several government officials knew the agreement was a sham and stood to make financial gains. A tribunal granted the company the damages in early 2017, after finding that the government had breached the original agreement. P&ID didn’t respond to a request for comments, according to Bloomberg, but had repeatedly denied the allegations. It insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government concocted the claims to avoid its legal obligation

Continued on page 11 TEN 10 TUESDAY, THISDAY

The Lamido, in his response, said he was pleased and proud to welcome Atiku home after his emergence as the presidential candidate of a major political party. He told the PDP presidential candidate, “Your triumph is not just a victory for this emirate but the country at large as we continue to provide good leadership. I will implore you to use your experience in the task ahead of you. As a detribalised Nigerian, I am confident of your capacity to lead the nation. “Your investment in human capital development is a good example of your contribution to the society. I pray that the Almighty remains with you as you strive to become the next president of this country.”

FG RAISES FRESH FRAUD CLAIMS AGAINST P&ID AHEAD $11BN TRIAL

RUTO WINS KENYA’S ELECTION, BUHARI SALUTES PRESIDENT-ELECT now, because he was elected for a four-year tenure. Ayu’s statement came as presi dential candidate of PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, led other chieftains of the party to receive some defectors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State into PDP. Those that accompanied Atiku, aside from Ayu, included ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo; PDP presidential running mate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Atiku, who personally received the defectors, said his mission in politics in over 30 years had been to serve the people. But Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who appeared not to be giving up his fight against certain forces in the party, accused some PDP elders in the state of ganging up against him when they failed to clinch the party’s governorship ticket. In a related development, the Katsina State chapter of PDP alleged that about 20 local government areas in the state were not secure for the 2023 elections because of incessant attacks by terrorists on communities. A statement from Ayu’s Media Office stated, "We restate, therefore, that the PDP national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years. "Sections 45 and 47 of the PDP constitution is clear on the removal and/or resignation of the national chairman. Those who don't know this should get copies of the party's constitution for more information on the Earlier,matter."inatweet, Ayu’s Special Adviser on Media and Communica tion, Simon Imobo'tswam, wrote, “The PDP national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years.” Imobo'tswam followed up with a formal statement that said Ayu’s attention was drawn to a story in some national news media, purporting he had resigned, and particularly insinuating that the alleged resignation letter was with former Senate President David Mark. The statement said, “If Dr. Ayu had resigned, he would give his resignation letter to the Deputy Chairman (North), not Senator Mark. Section 45 (i and ii) of the party's constitution is clear on this. "So, where does Distinguished Senator David Mark come in here, being that he is not even a member of the party's National Working Committee (NWC)? It appears that those who have been procured to blackmail the national chairman out of office are not even aware of what the party's constitution says about the matter. "The national chairman is on a crucial assignment to lead the PDP on a historic rescue mission, come February 2023. And he will not be deterred or distracted by media terrorism or political blackmail. PDP members and the general public are advised to ignore any story of such phantom resignation." Meanwhile, while receiving some new members into PDP at the Ribadu Square in Yola, Ayu said the rate of defection from APC to PDP was increasing by the day. He said this was an indication that the opposition party was waxing stronger.According to a statement by Atiku's Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Ayu said, “It is clear everywhere that the PDP is back. Today, we are here to take in new members into the PDP. Very soon, this venue shall be hosting the president of Nigeria, who is your very own son. “I welcome the new entrants to our party and I, therefore, hand them over to Governor Fintiri. I urge the governor to continue with his good work in making Adamawa better than he met it.” Atiku also welcomed the new members of the party, and promised to work with them. The former vice president told the new PDP members, “I have been serving the people since I joined politics 30 years ago and that is my promise to you all today. I believe that Governor Fintiri has done a good job and that we should join hands to make sure he wins his second term election.”

The winning candidate must get 50 per cent of votes plus one. About 14 million Kenyans voted, with voter turn-out about 65 per cent as against 78 per cent in 2017. Odinga did not attend the announcement of the results. Amid fears that vote-rigging allegations could lead to bloody scenes, like those that followed presidential polls in 2007 and 2017, Cherera urged the parties to pursue any disputes through theThecourts.electoral commission had introduced many checks and bal ances to try to prevent disputes like those that led to violence in which more than 1,200 people were killed following the 2007 election. In 2017, more than 100 people were killed after the Supreme Court quashed the initial result over irregularities in the electoral process.Kenya's dollar-denominated government bonds fell by as much as 2.9 cents on the dollar, Tradeweb dataTheshowed.nextpresident would have to confront an economic and social crisis in East Africa's most advanced economy, where poor Kenyans already reeling from the impact of COVID-19 have been hit by global rises in food and fuel prices. The worst drought for 40 years had devastated the country's north, leaving 4.1 million people dependent on food aid, while its debt levels have soared. Kenyatta, who has served his two-term limit as president, fell out with Ruto after the last election and this time endorsed Odinga, making his fifth stab at the presidency. In Kisumu, an Odinga stronghold in the west of the country, the reaction was immediate. Several black plumes of smoke rose around a roundabout as people burned piles of Amidtires.shouts of "We need Raila now!" "Chebukati must go!" and "No Raila, no peace!", motorcycle drivers honked their horns and people blew into vuvuzelas and whistles.Inhisacceptance speech, Ruto promised to run an open and democratic government. He said there were no losers, but the people of Kenya were the winners. He commended Odinga and pledged to build on the achieve ments of outgoing President Kenyatta.Meanwhile, Buhari, in a state ment issued yesterday by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, commended the people of Kenya for the peaceful and transparent outcome of the elec tion. The president stated that the election once again demonstrated that the democratic process, values and principles remained the best way for the people to select their leaders and hold them accountable. According to him, Nigeria values Kenya as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. He said partnership Kenya was buoyed by a long history of friendship, economic and trade ties, and effective col laboration through international organisations, such as African Union, United Nations, and the Commonwealth.Whilewishingthe deputy presi dent, Ruto, a successful inauguration and tenure in office, Buhari said he looked forward to more fruitful and robust engagements between the two countries on shared priori ties, such as enhancing peace and security on the continent, democracy, and greater economic prosperity and social development. The Nigerian president also hailed President Uhuru Kenyatta for his statesmanship and exemplary leadership to the people of Kenya in the past nine years. He com mended the profound legacies of the Kenyatta administration on infrastructure, education, healthcare reforms, and tourism as well as strong influence and support on regional security.

In his speech, Executive Director of YRIDO, Kieghe, said his vision was to see youths turn away from unprofitable lifestyles and embrace a new and righteous way of life. He urged parents not to give up on their loved ones, saying there was always a possibility for every bad person to change.

FG RAISES FRESH FRAUD CLAIMS AGAINST P&ID AHEAD $11BN TRIAL to compensate the British Virgin Islands-registered company. The potentially costly crisis for Nigeria stems from a deal struck in 2010, where the government agreed to provide gas to a plant P&ID proposed to build. Buhari’s administration now argues the project was a “sham” from the outset designed by the company and corrupt public officials to engineer the successful arbitration claim that a tribunal delivered more than five years ago. The government introduced the fraud allegations after a UK judge ruled in August 2019 that P&ID could enforce the award, which has increased with interest from an initial $6.6 billion. Nigeria discovered late last year that P&ID was, “in possession of numerous documents which might be privileged and confidential” to the government, it said in documents prepared for a London court hearing last month. While the “full details” of how P&ID obtained the documents “remain obscured,” it was to be “inferred” they were provided to the company by a former legal director at the petroleum resources ministry and “other corrupted individuals” acting on behalf of the government, Nigeria claimed. Granting Nigeria permission to proceed to a full trial, Judge Cranston had said in September 2020 the government had established a strong case that the contract was “procured by bribes” and the arbitration was “tainted.” There is “a possibility” that Olasupo Shasore, the state’s lawyer during most of the arbitration, was “corrupted,” he had said. Shasore didn’t respond to a request for comments, according to P&IDBloomberg.rejected Cranston’s conclusions in its skeleton argument last month, telling the court that Nigeria’s allegations are “clearly unfounded.” The eight-week fraud trial is scheduled to start in January. The Nigerian government “keenly awaits the opportunity to present its case before the High Court” and “is confident that justice will finally be served,” a spokesman told Bloomberg by email. An image of at least one of the privileged documents was supplied to P&ID by Adetunji Adebayo, a Nigerian businessman active in the oil and gas industry, who signed an agreement with the company in 2014 instructing him to facilitate negotiations around a potential settlement during the arbitration, according to the government’s skeletonAdebayoargument.wasentitled to up to half of any pay-out above $1 billion, the court document said.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

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The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has applauded a non-governmental organisation, Youth Rescue International Devel opment Organisation (YRIDO) for impacting meaningfully in the lives of some popular notorious cultists and drug addicts in Niger Delta. The Interim Administrator of PAP, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd), made the commendation in Port Harcourt, during the 2022 gradu ation ceremony of the repentant cultists, trained by YRIDO. Represented by his Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Mr. Wilfred Musa, Dikio congratulated the repentant cultists for choosing a new path of life. Dikio who appealed to the government and other institutions in the region to support the initia tive, described the efforts of the NGO, founded by an ex-agitator turned Pastor, Nature Keigha, as contributing to the peace in the region.Hesaid: "We in the Presidential Amnesty Programme are extremely proud of YRIDO. It is hoped that governments in the Niger Delta region would also key in and support the program. "These are people who have real stories to tell about life. They have been on a difficult journey. They understand what darkness is and have now seen light. It is a total transformation for them. “We are happy they made the decision to exit darkness and embrace light. We pray that God will use them all as influencers and agents of positive change. "But I must add that it is not over yet. People will laugh at you but don't hate them. Show them that you have truly changed from your old ways. “Flee from your past completely. Hope and always pray. You paid the price to be here and you will definitely succeed. "We sincerely look forward to this programme becoming bigger, an international event with a global calendar. A proogramme that will be held at stadiums with massive attendance."Wecallon government at all levels, corporate organisations and other entities to be part of this. We urge all the institutions that have a stake in the Niger Delta to work with you, support, encourage you and give you the resources that you need. Like I said earlier, for us in the PAP, we have decided to identify with this program".

Obaseki Charges Local Communities on Securing Oil, Gas Installations

ASUU Seeks NUC, Edo Govt’s Intervention on AAU Ekpoma Crisis

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Presidential Amnesty Applauds NGO for Transforming Notorious Cultists, Others in Niger Delta not relented in your pursuit that has led you to this commissioning. I am impressed with the level of work and commitment you have put into achieving this milestone.” He noted that, “For us as a government, this commissioning will boost Edo State's contribution to the nation's ability to meet its oil production allocation by OPEC and make Edo one step ahead in cementing our place as a force to reckon with in the oil and gas industry.“Edotoday is leading in the Ease of Doing business in Nigeria and you may want to know why? His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Executive Governor of Edo State has made lofty efforts to make Edo an investment haven as security infrastructure is being prioritised and invested in. “We have a security architecture that is community based. Some of the infrastructure we have very close here in Orhionmwon built by Governor Godwin Obaseki include the Abudu Township Road with three adjoining streets and a bridge. Others are Ugo Skill Acquisition Center in Niyekorhionmwon and the Town Hall in Obazogbe-Nugu. We have also completed the new Police Area Command Office in Urhomehe.“Thereare more to come in our efforts as a government to improve and protect the well-being of our residents.”According him, “As you may very well know, we now have two modular refineries which will start operations very soon. The first being a 6600 barrels per day modular refinery established by Edo Refinery and Petrochemi cal Limited and AIPCC Energy Limited.“Thesecond was established by Duport Midstream Company Limited. We are not stopping here. We are poised to attract more investments to Edo. The third may just be established by Newcross Petroleum Limited because I believe in your capacity as a forthright industry player.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the National Universities Com mission (NUC) and the Edo State Government to urgently intervene in the lingering industrial crisis at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, in order to reposition the institution for better learning andThedevelopment.ASUU,Benin Zone, made the call yesterday in Benin City, at a news conference, which the union’s Coordinator, Prof. Fred Esumeh said, became expedient due to propaganda, mischief and blackmail against the branch of the union in the institution. Esumeh, who was joined by the chairmen of branches under the zone, said the union frowned at the poor funding and mismanagement of the university’s resources and the management’s inability to meet its obligation of payment of staff emoluments, hence a resort to irregular and selective payment of Accordingsalaries. to him, the recent reduction in the monthly subvention of the university to an abysmally low N41.3 million from N270 mil lion had led to the workers being owed 20 month salary arrears, from 2020 to date, with 15 months of unremitted sundry deductions to staffThis,unions.hesaid had put the total amount the university owed the union members and associations at N4 “Thetrillion.stategovernment must of a necessity intervene at this point to clear the arrears of emoluments of workers of the university. “For what it is, the problem is a catalyst for industrial crisis and therefore a threat to the smooth running of the academic calendar and the general administration of the university,” he said. The ASUU leader also described the current management model in the institution as bizarre and far from the idea administrative style of university administration in the country. The institution, he noted was being run on ad-hoc basis with an amendment to its law, which step up Special Intervention Team (SIP) as against Governing Council required by the NUC. Esumeh averred that the man agement might be de-marketing the quality and value of certificate of degree programmes in the school by forcing the resumption of academic activities in the school and illegal conduct of examinations with the input of relevant course lecturers.Otherissues, the ASUU coordina tor said needed the stakeholders’ immediate attention included the suppression of staff right and freedom of association, controversial and inconclusive biometrics among others.Toachieve industrial peace at the university, the union leader said the management and the Edo government would have to return to the path of truth, dialogue and sincere commitment to the resolution of the crisis. “All outstanding emoluments –salaries, check-off dues and other deductions of staff in the university should be paid without further delay to avoid the continuation of the local strike when the national strike is suspended. “The Edo Government should approve a bail-out fund for the university and satisfactorily increase the monthly subvention to the university.“Theongoing academic fraud in the university should be inves tigated and dealt with decisively. We therefore call on the regulatory agency, the NUC to immediately do the “Theneedful.EdoGovernment should make haste to release a white paper on the report of the Special Visita tion Panel to the university in Oct. 2020 to deter further embezzlement of the finances of the university and mismanagement of its affairs,” heEsumehsaid. therefore, called for the restoration of governing council to pave way for immediate ap pointment of substantive principal officers.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has charged local com munities on protecting oil and gas installations in the state. Obaseki who was represented by the State Commissioner for Min ing, Oil and Gas, Ethan Uzamere, yesterday, at the inauguration of the Efe Field OML152 in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state, stated that the asset would boost Edo State's contribution to the nation's ability to meet its oil production allocation by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). He said: "On behalf of Edo State Government, I want to specially congratulate Newcross Petroleum Limited for this feat as you have secured the start-up and stabilisation of production from the Efe field - OML152. “I know it gives your manage ment a sense of fulfilment as today serves as a landmark for your success story ever since you showed interest in this asset. I know that ever since you fulfilled all regulatory requirements for the conversion of the asset here from an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) phase to an Oil Mining License (OML) phase, you have OF GUINNESS HERITAGE TOUR...

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L-R: Guinness Brand Ambassador, Nengi Hampson; Big Brother Naija Season 5 1st Runner Up, Dorathy Bachor, Guinness Global Brand Ambassador, Padraig fox; Guinness Nigeria Brand ambassador, Prince Nelson Enwerem; and Big Brother Naija Season 5 winner, Olamilekan Moshood Agbeleshe (aka Laycon), during the Home of Guinness Heritage Tour at the Saint James Open Gate Brewery Dublin, Ireland… recently

NEWS 12 TUESDAY, THISDAY

Segun James A pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the handling of the security situation in Nigeria by the federal government as akin to ceding the country to terrorists.Inastatement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere described the confession by President Muham madu Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, that terrorists ‘deceived’ the government into releasing his wife and children without releasing victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train as “very unfortunate and an admission of failure” as a government. “In view of the fact that govern ment is expected to possess superior power in virtually everything than any others in a country, because the primary responsibilities of the government are the provision of security and welfare for the people and because the present administra tion has failed to provide either

L-R: Series Director, Naija Star Search, Christopher Chou; Managing Director/CEO, Parallex Bank, Femi Bakre; CEO, Kennis Music, Keke Ogungbe; CEO, StarTimes, Alex Jian, during a courtesy visit to Parallex Bank in Lagos…. SUNDAY ADIUGUN

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

IGP Rewards Kano DPO for Rejecting $200,000 Bribe in Armed Robbery Case In Gun Duel, Police Kill

It was gathered that investiga tions by operatives led by Amah led to the arrest of the suspected armed robbery syndicate in Kano. Consequently, the case was trans ferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on the directive of IGP for discreet investigation. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, when contacted, confirmed the arrest, adding the lawyer and other suspects involved in the matter have a case to answer, even though they were still on it.

Afenifere: Nigerians Living in Fear, Uncertainty

He admonished members of the public to continue to cooperate with security agencies in the ongoing war against terrorists in the state.

The presidential aides who received the Nigerien highest honour were the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP), Lawal Kazaure and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Domestic Affairs, Sarkin Ada. According to Gambari, those countries sharing borders with Nigeria, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, Chad and Niger Republic, shared artificial boundaries through same interests and cultural affinities, binding them together. He said "All these boundaries are very much artificial. The Europeans in Congress of Berlin just took a piece of paper and were drawing Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has presented a certificate of Award to Nassarawa Divisional Police Officer, SP Daniel Itse Amah for rejecting $200,000 offered him as a bribe in a case of alleged armed robbery. In the letter of commendation, Amah was commended for exhibiting sound professionalism leading to the arrest of Ali Zaki, a Kano-based legal practitioner and some police officers.

Many Terrorists in Katsina lines across places, where they have never been; they never intended to be, separated people, who should be united and uniting people, perhaps, who should be separated. “But the leaders of Africa decided that it's wise to keep those boundaries artificial as they may be, because to change them other than peacefully, will be creating even more problems than they can solve. But in any case, whether by those lines, whether artificial or not, Niger/Nigeria share common boundaries, common interests, common concerns their families across the Speakingborders."onBuhari's foreign policy, he said, "In his (Buhari's) earlier incarnation, as Head of State, the defining feature of his policies was concentric circle of Nigerian foreign policy. That our interests, our efforts, will be concentrated on promoting Nigeria's interests in concentric circles at the epicenter; the defence of Nigeria's integrity, the prosperity, the welfare of its people.“But next is the neighboring countries, then West Africa, then Africa, and then the rest of the world. And he has proved the continuity of Nigeria foreign policy in this sense by the fact that the first countries he visited after being sworn in, were the neighboring countries."Onhis part, State House Permanent Secretary, Tijjani Umar, congratulated the awardees, and added that the challenge of COVID-19, climate change and lately, the Russian/Ukraine war, have impacted the population negatively and as such, it has become important for countries to watch each other's back. According to him, the honour conferred on the presidential aides has further strengthened the bonds between Nigeria and NigerRespondingRepublic.on behalf of his fellow awardee, Kazaure, said the international award was in recognition of the enviable strides made by the president even as he lauded Buhari for exposing them locally and internationally.

Ogun Senator Defends Amosun, Says Abiodun Rejected APC’s Reconciliatory Moves Nigeria Has Artificial Boundaries With Neighbours

The current lawmaker representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, yesterday defended ex-Governor Ibikunle Amosun, maintaining that the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun rejected all the peace efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Amosun and Abiodun had been engaging in war of words in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, with the former governor recently alleging that Abiodun did not win the 2019 poll that brought him to power.Ina statement he personally signed titled : “Ogun APC Crisis: Before the Lies Go Viral”, Odebiyi stated no matter the attempt by revisionists to do so, no one can discountenance the role Amosun and his group in what the APC has become today. Stressing that Amosun is not the devil the “emergency hirelings” are attempting to paint him, Odebiyi noted that Abiodun has done worse things than Amosun was accused of in the run-up to the 2019 election. According to him, efforts by party leaders to ensure reconciliation of the differences between the two leaders have been rebuffed by the current governor of the state, accusing him of always being in competition with himself and illusory rivals. “What were those things the fault-finders accused Senator Amosun of, in the lead-up to the 2019 elections, that the incumbent hasn’t done even worse? “Or shall we ask: what reconciliatory move or effort has the incumbent undertaken since assuming office almost four years ago to improve the lot of the APC in Ogun State? Rather, he’s always in competition with himself and illusory rivals. “But when things got to a head, the national leadership intervened in Ogun and a few other states, where the internal crises seemed to have peaked with threats of implosion and came up with a sharing formula, just so the contending forces were accommodated for peace sake. “What did the incumbent do? He declined the recommendations – all of them – and further set the party on fire,” Odebiyi alleged. He pointed out that it was obvious that the development forced some loyal members out of the party to seek placement in other parties that could accommodate their interests. Odebiyi added that Amosun should not take the blame for the obvious failure of the incumbent, “compounded by his arrogant and infantile choices, a disposition evident in his underwhelming performance in the state.” He further stated that Amosun did a lot to stop some of his men from leaving the party, but could not stop them from crying when the incumbent wouldn’t stop flogging them.He said that even when many core members considered it expedi ent to leave the party in the face of the unceasing persecution by the incumbent, they still left for a party that would not undermine the politics and aspiration of the party at the national level. “This is because they had resolved that head or tail, our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would be elected Nigeria’s president in 2023 and would work hard enough to see it through. But this resolution cannot be extended to the local politics of Ogun State, which directly affects them, their aspirations and support base. “For the record, Senator Amosun nurses no more ambition since he yielded his presidential bid to Asiwaju Tinubu. In addition, his decision to leave the senate was personal and he has yet to renege on it. To this end, those concocting lies and imaginary possibilities just so their retainership is secured, can start pondering other avenues to survive.“Conversely, however, while this is not in any way entertaining any form of distraction or dignifying help lessly inane and feeble minds, with questionable character, occasioned by defective upbringing, Ogun State has never been anyone’s inheritance and no one could lay claims to such, even if under an influence. “But, indeed, it is our com monwealth – too important and too dear to the people of the state, to be left in the hands of simpletons or plunderers of our common patrimony.“Letit be known, therefore, and for the record, that the battle to save the state is not personal, but in collective interest and for the good of all,” Odebiyi stressed.

Francis Sardauna in Katsina Many terrorists have been killed and many others wounded in a fierce gun duel with opera tives of the Katsina State Police Command in Dadawa and Barkiya villages in Kurfi Local Government Area of the state. The command's public rela tions office, Gambo Isah, in a statement, said the hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons, launched simultane ous attacks on the villages on Monday afternoon. On receipt of the information, he said, the command deployed its tactical teams to the area and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun duel, where they successfully repelled the attacks. Isah, in the statement, said: "The team successfully repelled the terrorists and recovered 74 sheep, 34 goats and two cows. Many terrorists were feared killed and/or fatally wounded during the encounter." The superintendent of police added that a team of policemen was still combing the area with a view to arresting the wounded terrorists or recovering the dead.

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Says Buhari's diplomatic policy 'concentric'

security or welfare for the people of Nigeria in recent times, one may not be wrong to state that President Buhari’s government greatly lost the confidence, trust and hope that were invested in it at inception. It is aAccordingpity” to Afenifere, what came out of Shehu’s disclosures confirmed suspicion and allegation that have been in the public domain for a long time, to wit: That government not only knows the terrorists, it is aware of where they are! Why the government refuses to confront them and put an end to the needless loses and agonies of Nigerians is a riddle that one finds difficult to unravel.” Afenifere said, “the action of the government in this respect could be likened to that of a father, who does not frown at, perhaps allows, or encourages, bandits not only to come into his household to rape his daughters but also to haul his sons into bondage. Sometimes, the invading bandits even allow his wife to be abused. Such is confounding and can hardly be explained or rationalised through any theory.”

Gambari:

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, has declared that the boundaries existing between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries were not original but artificial. This is as he also described the diplomatic policy of the Buhari-led administration in the last seven years as Gambari'concentric'.spoke yesterday at the State House, Abuja, at a reception organised in honour of two principal officers of the president recently honoured by the President of Niger, Mohammed Bazoum.

yesterday PHOTO:

The group went further to say the manner insecurity issue was being handled was, unfortunately, lending credence to the views of those who are alleging that there could be a hidden agenda to this issue of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, “otherwise, the govern ment would have been more decisive in the way it tackles the monster that is fast eroding the very essence of our being.”

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1THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 202216 Tuesday August 16, 2022 Vol 27. No 9988 www.thisdaylive.com opinion@thisdaylive.com

communication EDITORIAL KADUNA AND THE GRIP OF TERRORISTS See page 17 See page 17

T U S N See page 18

INCITEMENT AND THE 2023 POLLS SEGUN AWOSANYA

THE

HOW NOT TO BE A SPOKESMANCAMPAIGNPHRANKSHAIBU reckons

in

I jumped at the opportunity to take a onefriend who could not attend my recent book to Rwanda? HILLS AND VALLEYS OF KIGALI were marked emphatically and clearly in black Ihetu, a former Managing Director/Chief Executive takes on the growing intolerance of the online supporters of a presidential candidate that the spokesman for the APC, Festus Keyamo, could do better political One thing that anyone on the road would notice is the order and discipline of their Boda boda (Okada) motorcycle taxis who are organised under cooperatives. What immediately stands out is that, without exception, both riders and passengers wore red helmets. All motorcycles were of the same make or specification Kigali, Rwanda, is a place to visit, writes GODSWILL IHETU

AND

In the past few weeks, there has been a growing attempt to silence voices of reason through cyber bullying, blackmail, character assassination and deployment of threat to life in some cases. Some of the victims of these malicious attacks include Mr Reno Omokri, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Mr Sam Omatseye, Deji Adeyanju, Aare Dele Momodu and most recently Mr Femi Anikulapo Kuti whose family was threatened alongside the promise to set the African Shrine ablaze. Sadly, the Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi keeps riding the wave of these online violence and cyber bullying with inciting words that are mostly semiotics of social standing and cultural posturing (half information and pretentious piety). The Cable quoted him as saying, “We’re going to take back Nigeria and give to the Youth” as though he is not part of the same old system he has chosen to target for harassment. He knows quite clearly that the mob he is leading on are void of independent thoughts and were mostly secession agitators amongst other hate groups that have found a comfortable abode under his negligently chaotic, mendacious and divisive campaign, that disturbs public peace within the online community and may soon degenerate into civil disobedience if the coercion and abuse is not curbed. To the extent that Nigeria belongs to us all, no one can give to the youth what already belongs to them. The click bait campaign will not upstage the dominant contenders. Peter Obi must therefore stop raising false hopes and address the real issues. Insults and abuses are no structures and encouraging division must of promising to give to people what already belongs to them is like picking their pocket and displaying what was stolen from them. reservations some deep thinkers have about Peter Obi’s campaign (which is mostly implemented by his mob in the form of campaign of calumny against dissent). Meanwhile, Nigerians do not need deceivers posing as a solution at this point now more than ever in yet another quest to solve their leadership crisis and what is substantial is for the candidates to prove to us WHY they should be supported and HOW they will mitigate the critical issues this account the valid criteria for attracting audience would be the presentation of documented manifesto that the people can study and ask crucial questions during the campaign and debates in order to make objective decision in the know. bar and reduce logical national discourse to sentimental rhetoric set to further incite and divide the people along ethnic and religious lines. It usually begins with the coordinated the people rely on for factual and objective engagement on national issues. The irony here is the fact that other presidential contenders like Prince Adewole Adebayo Esq, the AAC’s Omoyele Sowore and NNPP’s Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, have all remained on topic addressing critical issues. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition PDP and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling APC are not deceiving anybody. None of the supporters of these prominent contenders have gone rogue enough to threaten the unity of Nigeria or the freedom of expression and association of others like some ‘Obidiots’ have chosen to do so brazenly.That empathy, responsibility and conscientiousness are all being defenestrated in the political amoral macabre dance is because there are no consequences for political recklessness in Nigeria, despite the rising security vulnerability of our clime. Little wonder then that the aim of most politicians is to usurp power enough to own everything that works across sectors. It explains why politicians own/fund beliefs and ideas. The same way politicians of ‘saving it in the business they trust’ and bragging about this fraudulent unethical behaviour during campaign to the cheers of copiously ignorant unfortunate ethnically bigotedMajoritysouls.of Nigerians are susceptible to the entertainment of reality TV shows which is more like a desired bride of the PostModernistic age, where people embrace the simulation just to avoid the harshness of reality. DSTV rakes in millions if not more annually with their Big Brother reality TV show. A lot of our youth erroneously believe reality shows, forgetting that they are principally shows, designed for people in our society and create narratives around them as though it were some game, we can vote on. This has been taken into our politics.Themore uncertain the real world gets the more people long for escape. We often take refuge behind our surrogate lives on social-media, where we can do the impossible virtually to compensate for our failures and uncertainties in reality.

SEGUN AWOSANYA takes on the growing intolerance of the online supporters of a presidential candidate

As far as media spokespersons in Nigeria go, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Minister of State for Labour and spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council must, by convention, should be able to self-edit. For the avoidance of doubt, a good spokesman is attuned to his audience, and is aware of boundaries, and knows what will motivate people to stick with his message; case of Festus Keyamo, the opposite seems to be the case. Far from working hard to make friends for his principal and the APC, he does everything to attract the wrath of the Nigerian public to himself and his paymasters. I watched Keyamo’s interview recently on the popular Channels TV programme, Politics Today and have come away feeling of Keyamo should never go anywhere near Public Relations had just been reinforced. I will take the three or four issues he raised during theFirst,interview.Keyamo was asked to explain what the federal government was doing to end the lingering strike embarked on by the Academic response was predictable: Keyamo literally declared that the striking lecturers should “go to Accordinghell”. to him, “Let them go back to classes. They are not the only ones in Nigeria. They are not the only ones feeding from the federal purse. The nation cannot grind to a halt because we want to take care of the demands of WhateverASUU.” message Keyamo intended to convey in that remark was lost by his choice of words. To be sure, Ngige was asked to hands his arrogance. Keyamo is not better. Keyamo’s solution is that parents of university students I thought I had seen the worst of Keyamo’s brashness until he was asked to explain what the federal government was doing to end the problem of banditry currently ravaging the North West and North Central geopolitical zones of the country. But Keyamo dismissed the dare-devil bandits who are currently holding many passengers of the ill-fated Abuja train in captivity as comedians. Isn’t that terrible for a government that has failed to deliver on the three key campaign promises it made to KeyamoNigerians?holdsthe view that “when the jungle matures,” and not the moment, can he properly and fairly assess Buhari’s custodianship of Nigeria. He says the agonies of the moment will yield to the nation the proper gains in the fullness of time when the President will start commissioning projects. In response, I can only say that we await that fullness of time but believes, nonetheless, that the seven years of Buhari’s stewardship compels a provisional assessment of what will be called the “The Dark Buhari Years, 20152023”.The outstanding feature of the period has interrogation of the last seven years reveals that the Nigerian economy, potentially Africa’s most viable, is now one of the continent’s most disastrous under Buhari. But not so the personal fortunes of those in the corridors of

Awosanya is the CEO of a futuristic Brand, Media, Tech, Research, Business & Strategy

HOW NOT TO BE A SPOKESMANCAMPAIGN

INCITEMENT THE 2023 POLLS

3THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 17 power.Itis public knowledge that APC members who were living from hand to mouth before the party came to power in 2015 are now reputedly among of the world’s richest men. Conversely, ordinary Nigerians are now resigned to what seems a hopeless fate, sleeping with only one of their eyes closed because of the high level of insecurity that has never been witnessed before in this country. Only last May, the National Bureau of rate at 17.71 per cent but the ordinary Nigerian who can barely manage to feed in no way actually represent the reality of his daily existence. A further pauperization of the marginalized Nigerian majority has been achieved under President Muhammadu Buhari, courtesy of the IMF whose mandatory prescriptions the country has The Naira has been devalued by more than for about N230 in December 2015 at the parallel market is now going for N700. This is APC’s report card –of blood, tears and sweat; this is the honest truth that Nigerians expect to hear from Keyamo, how a Bola Ahmed Tinubu will transform Nigeria into an Eldorado. Regarding his comments on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, I will forgive Keyamo if he does not remember the executive powers that Vice President Atiku Abubakar wielded between 1999 and 2007. I was not too young during the period under reference but in case Keyamo was, or in case he needs some schooling on Atiku Abubakar’s record, a peep into the events of the Obasanjo presidency will In the period leading to the return to democratic governance in 1999, Nigeria was a pariah nation in the international community. The United States and other countries placed several embargoes on sector and other areas of diplomatic interaction. Foreign investments were pulled out of Nigeria and directed to other nations. Shaibu is Special Assistant to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on CommunicationPublic

PHRANK SHAIBU reckons that the spokesman for the APC, Festus Keyamo, could do better in political communication

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

The Nigerian State is under siege on all fronts, with more frontiers opening at every turn. But the state of lawlessness that pervades Kaduna cannot be allowed to continue

Letters to the Editor LETTERS

That every day, news coming out of Nigeria is laden with the rampage of kidnappers continues to reduce Nigeria both locally and internationally. amok and the state is struggling to contain them. If Nigeria`s security forces have been putting in a decent shift to stem the by the systemic rot embedded in Nigeria`s security architec ture.Iffor many years there were wild fears that Nigeria would not be ready to cope with relentless assaults from the enemies of the country, those fears are now being harshly realized, and the price Nigerians are paying is indeed a steep one. Kidnapping in Nigeria is not at all an isolated crime. It is just one of a number of violent crimes convulsing Nigeria at the moment. And unless Nigeria mobilizes to meet it headlong as a way of ridding the country of dangerous crimes and crimi of Africa. Kene Obiezu, Twitter: @kenobiezu

4 THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022

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. Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

As leadership continues to fail in Nigeria, foisting impossible certainty and disorder, have continued to reinvent themselves and mop up their tactics to rush headlong into what has now become Nigeria`s thriving market of oddities and illegalities. It explains the frenetic increase in the activities of non-state actors all over the country. It unmistakably explains why vi olent crimes are on the rise all over the country. Above all, it explains why life in a once peaceful and prosperous country has suddenly become a cut-throat rat race. According to a recently published report by SBM titled “The Economics of Nigeria`s Kidnap Industry” about N653.7 mil lion was paid as ransom in Nigeria between July 2021 and June 2022.By the report, more than 500 incidents of kidnapping were recorded and 3,420 people were abducted across Nigeria, with 564 others killed in violence associated with abductions in the one-year demandedperiod.inransom in the period considered of which only 2022 that are being released in batches. A breakdown of the harrowing scourge that kidnapping has become by region shows that in the one-year period, the Northpersons kidnapped and 331 casualties; the North-east record and 37 casualties; the South-south recorded 67 incidents of kidsons kidnapped and 106 casualties, and the South-east had a total of 62 kidnapping incidents with a total of 112 persons kidnapped and 51 casualties. Even amidst Nigeria`s widely publicized paucity of data, than anything, they show how Nigeria has become a favour others, hold them hostage and cause them to part with huge sums of money, that is if they do not part with their lives in the process.

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

EDITORIAL

The authorities must demonstrate the capacity to secure the lives and property of Nigerians

KADUNA AND THE GRIP OF TERRORISTS

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

THE SCOURGE OF KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM 18

Terrorists are increasingly consolidating their grips on Kaduna, Nigeria’s most North. In a recent leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir ElRufai wrote that these criminals have formed a parallel governing authority over many communities and are exercising control over social and economic activities. And Last Thursday, while receiving the 2022 First Quarter Security Report, the Governor expressed similar concern over the heavy presence of Boko Haram and the Ansaru terrorists in two local government areas of Birnin Gwari and Giwa in the state. From the pathetic picture painted by the governor for the president, terrorists, bandits and criminals of all stripes have more or less seized control of many areas, extracting taxes, conducting marriage ceremonies and dispensing their own brand of justice. In many communities, these violent criminals also impose all kinds of “protection” levies on farmers in return for permission to cultivate the land, similar to their activities in neigbouring Niger, another state under terrorists’ siege. Besides, they have enacted a law banning all forms of political activity or campaign ahead of the 2023 general election in areas that are now practically under their control. Citing a series of intelligence report, El-Rufai informed the president that terrorists had advanced plans to make Kaduna forest areas their “permanent operational base” for the Northwest region. “Observed movement patterns and intercepted communications of migrating terrorists have shown a clear interest in setting up a base with the stretches of forest area between Kaduna and Niger States strongly considered,” he wrote. It is indeed worrisome that Kaduna State is increasingly becoming a converging point for armed gangs involved in kidnapping for ransom, arms dealing, cattle rustling, and highway robbery. In the last few years, the state has been witnessing all variants of terrorists – from Boko Haram, splinter groups and and Ansaru - which reportedly pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in 2020 and claimed responsibility for the increasing presence of these terror groups and bandits in Kaduna and other states like Katsina, Zamfara, the problem of insecurity has moved from the Northeast to the Northwest which the governor noted is potentially “more dangerous” as it will have grave implications for the entire area. Over the last few years, Kaduna has perhaps recorded the highest number of violence in northern Nigeria, except perhaps Borno State—home of the Boko Haram insurgency. According to the Armed Data Project, some 220 violent events have resulted in nearly a thousand fatalities. Moreover, there have been about 400 persons abducted for ransom and hundreds of communities destroyed leading to the displacement of many people. Only last week, the Samuel Aruwan, in his security report, said 360 persons were killed either by bandits, terrorists or communal violent clash between January and March 2022. In response to Kaduna’s worsening security, the federal government has established a special Joint Military Task Force under the mandate of Operation Accord. But the growing instability in Kaduna suggests in the past that the security forces needed to do more, while also asking for more boots on the ground. It is time to take the war to the criminals. Kaduna is in real and present danger. The Nigerian State is under siege on all fronts, with more frontiers opening at every turn. But the state of lawlessness that pervades Kaduna cannot be allowed to continue. It is incumbent on the authorities to demonstrate the capacity to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.

TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 • THISDAY 19

APGA’s Unending Leadership Tussle

In this regard, Oye as the substantive national Chairman wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify the commission of the party’s plan to hold an elective convention on May 19 as required by the Electoral Act. The letter stated the date and venue of the convention to be May 2019 and at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Memorial Women Development Centre in AsAwka.required by law, INEC sent a team to observe the proceeding at the APGA’s national convention in Awka during which Oye and other members of the National Working Committee were re-elected for another four-year tenure. As one of the Chieftains of the party said, it was not possible for INEC to send representatives to monitor the convention and to submit their report if the exercise was not sanctioned by or met the constitutional provisions.

The genesis of the current crisis could be traced to the build-up to the last general election in 2019 when the party held its national convention to re-elect national officers for a new tenure and subsequently proceeded to conduct primaries to chose candidates for the election.

In 2019, APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Oye, after duly notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the party’s plan for an elective national convention proceeded to hold same on May 29 in Awka, the Anambra state capital

Okorie Umeh Oye

Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes that from the epic battle between Chekwas Okorie and Victor Umeh over control of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the current leadership led by Victor Oye, the party is yet again facing another battle for survival ahead of the 2023 general election

POLITICS Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY ) 20 THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is one political party that seemed to have earned itself the proverbial ‘Cat with nine lives’ reputation judging from the many leadership and legal battles it is wading through since its formation. After surviving series of crisis of leadership in the past, the party has witnessed yet another round of leadership squabble which dragged the party into legal confrontation with an aggrieved group led by Jude Okeke and later Chief Edozie Njoku. Apparently the resurgent tussle is being propelled by the interest in the 2023 general elections and the desire to be part of the players. After APGA had conducted it’s presidential primaries and elected a former Chief Judge of Anambra state, Prof. Peter Umeadi as the presidential candidate, the group led by Njoku held a parallel convention to elect its own presidential candidate in the person of the sacked pioneer national chairman of APGA, Chekwas Okorie, who has given an account of how he was drafted back into the leadership tussle in his former party. Okorie while reacting to the call by the leadership of the party for his arrest by the Police, said in a statement that it was a deliberate attempt “to obfuscate a legitimate call for a just cause”. “The call for my arrest is not only gratuitous, it is a preposterous demand that either lacks understanding of issues being canvassed or a deliberate attempt to obfuscate a legitimate call for a just Okoriecause:.whoclaimed he only responded to the invitation by a splinter group led by Chief Edozie Njoku to come and rejoin the party, said some people in the party became panicky because the truth has come out. He also said contrary to the claim that he was sacked by the party for anti party activities, he voluntarily left the party in 2012. He said: “I founded APGA in 2002. None of these individuals were there. When brigands were sponsored to destroy APGA, and billions of naira spent to fight me, I chose to step aside so as not to destroy a vision that encapsulates the political aspirations of Ndigbo. I voluntarily surrendered the certificate of our great party to INEC in “INEC2012.wrote to me in 2009 to reaffirm my chairmanship of APGA. These are facts that can be checked at the relevant agencies. It is also in my book, APGA and the Igbo Question. A delegation was led to my home to apologise and plead with me to return to the party I founded by Chief Edozie Njoku and the NWC. I really had no option but to accept and I re-registered as a Themember”.genesisof the current crisis could be traced to the build-up to the last general election in 2019 when the party held its national convention to re-elect national officers for a new tenure and subsequently proceeded to conduct primaries to chose candidates for the election. In 2019, APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Oye, after duly notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the party’s plan for an elective national convention proceeded to hold same on May 29 in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

In the Supreme Court case reference No. SC/ CV/687/2021, the apex court dismissed the Appeal filed by Okeke. The apex court affirmed the judgement of the Appeal court which declared Oye as the substantive national chairman of APGA. It also struck out application for joinder filed by Njoku. The apex court further awarded N1 million cost against the Appealants and in favour of APGA and Oye. While responding to the claim of the Njoku group that the party leadership which emerged on the 31 of May 2019 in Awka was illegal, Oye said such claim has no basis in law. He also challenged the Njoku group to show evidence of its notification to the INEC for their convention and the party’s constitution which they were citing in their suit. According to Oye, it was the APGA’s constitution ratified at the convention in Awka that the rebel group are quoting in their court case against the party and yet they claimed it was notHeauthentic.saidthe Supreme Court had looked at all issues brought against his NWC by Njoku and gave an unambiguous judgement affirming the Appeal Court ruling that recognized him and his National Working Committee (NWC) as the authentic and rightful national leadership of APGA.From the above historical account of the fued in APGA, it appears that both Njoku and Okorie are playing the role of meddlesome interloper in a party where they have nothing at stake. In the words of Oye, the duo are, not members of APGA but part of a gang bent on reaping where they did not sow. However, among the posers that Oye have left for his alleged traducers and which none of them has yet provided response to are: Where did the Njoku and his group purchase his nomination forms (if any) that qualified him to stand for election to the office of the national chairman in 2019 (as he claimed)? Can they show a copy of their nomination form duly stamped at the national secretariat of APGA? Who was the national Chairman of APGA that was in office when they held their national convention on May 31, 2019 in Owerri and who handed over to them the reins of authority of the party, if any? Given that they held a national convention in Owerri, can they name the national officers of APGA in attendance. Was the national leader and Board of Trustees chairman of APGA, then Governor Willie Obiano in attendance at the national convention on May 31, 2019 in Owerri? In all the suits the splinter group filed from 2019 to 2021, which constitution did it use? Did your convention in 2019 produce any constitution? Were they a party to the appeal filed by Okeke at the Supreme Court in which judgment was delivered by the court on October 14, 2021? If the answer is yes, publish a copy of the suit filed by Okeke at the apex court. Perhaps the splinter group may need to respond to these issues raised by the Oye-led APGA before they can convince anyone of the seriousness of their contention. With this recent development it shows that the party’s leadership crisis won’t end anytime soon, with the emergence of this other faction questioning the authentic leadership of the party.

Speaking on the activities of a splinter group led by Edozie Njoku, the national chairman of APGA said it is unfortunate that someone who is not a member of APGA will be claiming to be theOyechairman.said:“All the stories about factions in APGA were mere conjectures, they have no truth, they have no facts. All those people parading themselves as national leadership of the party are mere Interlopers, they are nothing but fraudsters.

APGAhas only one leadership under my direction. The security agencies ought to have arrested the illegal group to put paid to the activities”. It is pertinent at this point to examine the legality of the conventions that affirmed the re-election of the Oye-led national executive of APGA and the other one that produced the aggrieved group led by Njoku. The group had gone to court to challenge the emergence of Oyeled national executive committee of APGA at national convention. The legal contest that gave rise to the latest challenge of the APGA leadership could be further traced to the court case instituted by Okeke. Okeke had challenged the authenticity of the Oye leadership at a Federal High Court in Jigawa where Judgment was given in his favour. However, the Jigawa court judgment was set aside by an Appeal Court in Kano for lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process. Okeke then proceeded to the Supreme Court to seek nullification of the appellate court’s decision.

At the convention, all the members of the National Working Committee led by the national Chairman, Victor Oye, were re-elected for another four-year tenure. The convention also reconstituted members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of APGA, under the chairmanship of the then Governor of Anambra state, Chief WillieWhileObiano.theconvention of APGA in Awka went on smoothly and produced a leadership to run the affairs of the party for another four years, a splinter group led by Jude Okeke and Chief Edozie Njoku held another election in Owerri, Imo state capital and claimed to have elected new leaders for the party. In justifying his group’s action, Njoku claimed there was an experte order which stopped the APGA’s national convention at Awka. In his argument, Njoku said the court order first stopped the meeting by the APGA’s National Executive Coucil, (NEC) which took place on May 14, 2019 and which gave approval for the national convention that was held in Awka, thereby rendering the whole exercise null andTherevoid.was no evidence, that the splinter group led by Njoku had duly notified the INEC of the date and venue of it’s convention in Owerri as required by law, nor was the commission represented during the exercise. However, the leadership of APGA led by its National Chairman, Chief Oye had dismissed the claim by the Njoku group on the legality of the May 19, 2019 Convention held at Awka.First, it said the Convention met the constitutional provisions of APGA one of which states that the Chairman “shall have powers to summon and preside over the meeting NEC, Convention and National Working Committee of the party”.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke

LAWYER TRUTH & REASONA WEEKLY PULLOUTTUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022

ASUU Strike: Any End in Sight?

Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige

IN THIS EDITION II TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERSLAWYER Validity of Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State Page IV LAWYER TRUT REASON A WEEKLY PULLOUT TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 ASUU Strike: Any End in Sight? Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige QUOTABLE Because, as Africans, we hear people say that they think it is rude for you to criticise the President ….Well, if it was not rude for the President to ask for my vote, why should it be rude for me to ask him questions? Democracy is about contestation….We are not living in an authoritarian regime.’ - His Grace, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; Convener, National Peace Committee Body of Benchers Denies SecretaryInvestigationReportedofNJCPageV

Lack of Comportment & Shouting Down Interviewers Last Monday, I felt a wave of real depression sweep over me while I was watching Arise TV’s Morning Show interview of APC’s Adebayo Shittu, former Minister of Commu nications (who is alleged not to have done the mandatory one year NYSC). He was cocky, condescending, loud, aggressive and verbally abusive to his interview ers, showcasing a lack of understanding of the meaning of a basic word that Tundun Abiola used in a comment/question - ‘buoyed’ (“keep someone or something afloat”) - so much so that he thought there was a negative connotation to him when Tundun used the word, for which he then proceeded to have a go at her, without even knowing the meaning of what she had said. Mr Shittu seemed to have found Rufai Oseni’s questions annoying, lashed out at him and transferred his aggression to Tundun. It was disgraceful. I felt sad at how low Nigeria has sunk. How could someone who displayed such a total lack of comportment, have been a Federal Minister representing Nigeria? Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Minister of State of Labour, was only slightly better than Mr Shittu in his own interview with Seun Okinbaloye last week on Channels TV’s Politics Today. He proffered absolutely no panacea for the ASUU crisis, and instead, was only interested in selling the Tinubu/Shettima ticket. Aside from trying to pass the buck (another favourite past time of most members of this administration) to Ministry of Education, Mr Keyamo’s remedy to the pending crisis, is to ask Parents to go and plead with ASUU to return to work! Nigerians did not vote in the APC to become beggars, or listen to buck passing, excuses and whining about what PDP did in the past; on the contrary, APC was voted in to bring about a positive change and right the wrongs of the past, which they had undertaken to do. As a PVC-carrying voter who never fails to exercise her civic duty, I find it off-putting when candidates bring those who haven’t done much with their own portfolios, to represent them as campaign spokespersons - I see it as a bad omen; obnoxious empty barrels, whose noises succeed in doing nothing more than riling the public and turning them against the candidates they represent. Why would any right-thinking person have any confidence in spokespersons, who in their own roles, have failed to serve Nigerians well? While I certainly am not saying that the ASUU Strike was caused by Mr Keyamo (because it was not); my question is, as Minister of State of Labour, what has he done to try to end the imbroglio? Even if he hasn’t been successful in his attempts, I have not heard ASUU Negotiators on any fora, once commend Mr Keyamo for his efforts in trying to end the deadlock. The only thing that these interviewees are adept at doing, is shouting down their interviewers. Usually, when their principal is victorious at the polls. those who have played an important role in campaign organisations are rewarded with important positions when a new government is formed. Therefore, our real apprehension and feelings of trepidation, emanate from the fear that these same people and their ilk, who, if anything, have contributed to Nigeria sinking to an all-time low, may form part of a new Government again in 2023. Where then, is the hope for a better Nigeria? As for Governor Lalong, while his demeanour was pleasant enough in the news clip I watched, I found it so amusing when I heard him draw His Holiness, the Pope, into his decision to be the Campaign Manager for a Muslim/Muslim ticket, claiming that the Pope did not object to him accepting the role! Meaning? That he calls His Holiness, the Pope, to seek his opinion or permission each time he’s making a decision, because he is a Knight of the Catholic Church, and therefore enjoys unlimited access to the Pope? That cannot be true. I know this because my Mother, Dame Priscilla Kuye, has been a Papal Medalist for over 40 years. There are probably thousands of Knights/Papal Medalists all over the world. Special Audiences are arranged to see the His Holiness, the Pope; he is well respected by Catholics as the Head of the Church, and is certainly not called upon on a daily basis, to listen to baloney or drivel. What will these politicians not say, to justify themselves, to stay relevant and win votes? As Bishop Matthew Kukah rightly concluded, “If you live in Nigeria, you know that the average Nigerian politician is concerned with three things - myself, myself and myself!”. I concur.

Journalism and Its Role in Society

IIITHISDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THE ADVOCATE

The Advocate ONIKEPOonikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.comonikepob@yahoo.comBRAITHWAITE

By virtue of my job description, I watch a lot of television interviews, and I must say that while many politicians and government officials sometimes lose their composure when they are confronted with questions from Journalists that they do not care for or cannot answer, many in this APC administration are not just intolerant, they are verbally abusive to their interviewers ‘wrong and strong’ in a feeble attempt to cover up their failures and inadequacies. Considering the fact that some of these people are what Yorubas call ‘èlèkè ebu’, which literally means ‘abusive cheeks’ or ‘cheeks of abuse’ - they were quick to dish out criticisms and heap abuses on the previous administration when they were in the op position - but now that the shoe is on the other foot, they cannot tolerate constructive criticism or any form of criticism at all. Many observations made about the shortcomings of this administration, are seen as an attack, hate speech or demarketing Nigeria to the world. Unfortunately, sometimes there is too fine a line or no line at all between reporting true, accurate facts about the country and demarketing it, because the truth can also be bitter. I know that as the saying goes, ‘one shouldn’t talk about dry bones when old ladies are around’, but why should questions about performance or the lack of it be a stimulant to aggression - are these people not accountable to Nigerians? Why get nasty when Journalists put you in remembrance of your unfulfilled promises, or ask APC members to give account? Maybe it’s time to remind us about what the role of Journalism is in society. There are different types of journalism including but not limited to Investigative, Political, Business and Crime Journalism. According to Pesach Benson (HonestReport ing 2019), “Apprising us of current events, is the most obvious purpose of journalism…..A lesser-considered purpose of journalism, is to serve as a forum for public debate (setting the tone of public debate)”. Definitely, a Journalist is meant to be unbiased and balanced in his/ her presentations, but it seems that even having or sharing a balanced opinion is a crime in present-day Nigeria, seeing as most of our realities are discouraging (to put it Lastmildly).week, Rotus Odiri shared some statistics on the Morning Show; that the Average GDP Growth Rate has been on a steady decline from 7.7% by the end of Obasanjo’s tenure to 7.1% Yar’Adua, 5.5% Jonathan to Buhari 1.1%. Should Rotus have changed 1.1% to 8.1% in his report, to show that he’s patriotic, and loves Nigeria and this administration? The percentage change in the Exchange Rate was 26% by the end of Obasanjo’s tenure, and is currently 150.2% in the Buhari Administration. Should Rotus, perhaps, have talked about flowers and candy instead, or said the economy is improving when it isn’t? The statistics also showed that our External Debt had risen from $3 billion by the end of Obasanjo’s tenure, to Yar’Adua, $10 billion, Jonathan, $15 billion and now, Buhari, $40 billion. If it’s any consolation to APC Members, Rotus did state that apart from the Obasanjo administration which ended with $43.17 billion in External Reserves, the Buhari administration comes in second with $39.18 billion, Yar’Adua third, with $32.34 billion and Jonathan last with $28.57Goodbillion.journalism is about reporting accurate facts. According to the Nigeria Security Incidents Tracker by Beacon Consulting, “7,222 Nigerians have been killed and 3,823 abducted, as the country witnesses 2,840 incidents of insecurity between January 1 and July 29, 2022”. Does this mean that Beacon Consult ing is biased or demarketing the country by making these statistics available to the public? Or it is only when government officials are then asked to explain this unfortunate state of affairs on television shows which they have willingly agreed to appear on, that it becomes a demarketing problem? Self-Defence, Provocation & Nigerian Government Officials In a way, the scenario of verbally abusive interviewees, reminds me of the legal concept of self-defence. In M.A.Sanusi v The State 1984 10 S.C. Page 166 at 197 per Oputa JSC, the Apex Court held that “Provocation does not excuse murder, it merely has the effect of reducing it to lesser offence of manslaughter. Self-defence is a complete answer to the charge of murder. In Uwae kweghinya v State 2005 9 N.W.L.R. Part 930 Page 227 at 254 per Belgore JSC, the Supreme Court held that “The purport of self-defence in law is to negate the existence of an offence, so that where a person kills another in self-defence, the killing, unlike in provocation as a defence, does not amount to offence, but total exoneration of the accused. Thus, the accused is discharged and acquitted of any offence”. But,“a man is justified in using against an assailant, a proportionate amount of force in defence of himself” - see Audu v State 2003 7 N.W.L.R. Part 820 Page 516 at 563 per Ogbuagu JCA. Assuming that the interviewers’ questions is the murder charge, in most cases, the pleas of self-defence of government officials/APC members and spokespersons are usually not viable (their self-defence usually being either that PDP caused the problem, or the drop in oil prices, Covid-19 or a global downturn) and cannot give them a complete answer, and absolve them of culpability of the charge, that is, their failure in governance. At best, if a few of the excuses are valid, they will only succeed in reducing the offence from murder to manslaughter. Interviewees (the Defendants in the case), especially APC ones, use more proportionate force than is necessary to defend themselves against interviewers (Prosecutors in the murder case), when they are asked questions about thorny issues. Even if some of the questions fielded by the interviewers may be seen as provocation, at best, it will only prove that the interviewer failed to ask the questions properly; it doesn’t change the charge of murder, nor the fact that the attempt by the interviewees to use self-defence as their defence to the charge, will not fly.

“….. many in this APC administration are not just intolerant, they are verbally abusive to their interviewers - ‘wrong and strong’ in a feeble attempt to cover up their failures and inadequacies…… sometimes there is too fine a line or no line at all between reporting true, accurate facts about the country and demarketing it, because the truth can also be bitter”

Conclusion As long as the situation in the country remains discouraging, most questions fielded by Journalists which are nothing more than a demand for an account of APC’s stewardship and an explana tion for some of its failures, especially vis-à-vis its 2014/2015/2019 campaign promises - for instance, the rising insecurity in the country (instead of its decline, based on APC’s promise to fight insecurity to a standstill), despite the fact that, for example, close to $500 million was expended on the purchase of Super Tucano Jets to fight insecurity, must be asked. According to Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel in their book, ‘The Elements of Journalism’ which sets out “10 elements common to good journalism”, “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth”; Its first loyalty is to the citizens; It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise”. The role of a good Journalist, is certainly not to pander to the whims and caprices of the interviewees, and paint them in a positive light which they have not earned, in order to massage their egos and to show that they are unbiased and patriotic.

Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

When Failure is A Stimulant

Former NBA President, Dame Priscilla Kuye in an audience with His Holiness, Pope Francis at the Vatican

and

1.

2. SURV. (MRS.) ALUKO KIKELOMO SIKIRAT 3. SURV. ADEDEJI OLANREWAJU 4. SURV. ADAMS BENJAMIN OLUGBENGA 5. SURV. MEKULEYI OLUSEYI SAMUEL 6. SURV. ALIU SAMUEL 7. SURV. FASHINA ADEDAPO PLAINTIFFS And 1. THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE 2. SURVEYORS’ COUNCIL OF

Issue for Determination in the Substantive Suit

Survey

6. SURV.

3. SURV.

Surveying

Preliminary Objection Dismissed; Reliefs in the Originating Summons Granted. Representation Osaretin Ogbebor for the Plaintiff. T.E. Akinbiyi (Mrs) for the 1st, 3rd and 10th Defendant.UzeziAmawhe-Okoh, holding brief of Suraju Haruna, for the 2nd Defendant. Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

5. SURV.

IV TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY LAW REPORT

LATEEF 10. ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Resolution of the 1st, 3rd – 10th Defendant’s Preliminary Objection In determining the Preliminary Objection, the court held that to determine the jurisdiction of the court, it is the pleadings of the Plaintiff that would be considered. From the affidavit of the Plaintiff in this instance, it is evident that the claim before the court borders on the interpretation of the Constitution, the SURCON Act and the SURCON Guidelines for the purpose of determining who has the power to regulate survey practice in Nigeria. By Section 251(1) (p-r) of the 1999 Constitution, the SURCON Act being an enactment of the National Assembly is under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. The 2nd and 11th Defendant are agencies of the Federal Government and interpretation of constitutional provisions as they affect any agency of the Federal Government is within the ambit of the Federal High Court. The preliminary objection was thus, dismissed.Deciding the substantive suit, the court referred to Paragraphs 25 and 26 on the Concurrent Legislative List set out in Part II of the Second Schedule to the Constitution. Paragraph 25 particularly empowers the National Assembly to make laws in respect to survey, while Paragraph 26 empowers the State House of Assembly to make laws in respect to survey, subject to the Paragraph 25. Guided by the foregoing provisions, the court held that the inclusion of “subject to” in Paragraph 26 operated as a limitation to the powers of the State House of Assembly, to make such laws and makes the powers subject to those of the National Assembly. The court referred to the interpretation given to the phrase in EZENWOSU v NGONADI (1992) NWLR (Pt. 228) Pg. 159. His Lordship held that, the National Assembly in exercising its legislative powers under Item 25 on the Concurrent Legislative List, enacted the SURCON Act and clothed the 2nd Defendant with the exclusive powers to regulate survey practice in Nigeria. The 2nd Defendant is thus, the only body vested with the powers to regulate and control survey practice/profession throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In pursuance of these powers, the SURCON Act by Section 19 thereto validly provided that all registered Surveyors shall be entitled to practice as a Surveyor through the Federation, and the only restriction it provided with respect to a registered Surveyor’s entitlement to practice, is only as regards his qualifications. Referring to the decision in INEC v MUSA (2003) FWLR (Pt. 145) 729 at 811 – 813 and the statement of Dr Chukwuma A.J. Chinwo in his book - Principle and Practice of Constitutional Law in Nigeria, 2nd Edition at Page 105, the court held that by the doctrine of covering the field, where the law made by the National Assembly on a subject in the Concurrent List, from its items, nature or subject-matter is intended as a complete statement of the law regarding a particular matter or set of rights and duties, then a State law which regulates or applies to the same subject-matter or relations is regarded as a detraction from the full operation of the Federal Law and thus, inconsistent. By the above legal principle, it is crystal clear that Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State which restricts licensed Surveyors in Nigeria from carrying out survey works on any land owned by or acquired by the Lagos State Government without the prior written consent of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State, is at variance with the provisions of Section 19 of the SURCON Act and Section 1(3) and (5) of the Guidelines for the Conduct of Survey Practice in Nigeria 2020 which provide a right to nationwide practice, both on public and private parcels of land, without any hindrance whatsoever for all qualified and registered Surveyors. Section 5 of the Survey Law undoubtedly, is professionally restrictive, and this runs contrary to the general intent and purpose of the Surveying Act which permits the free practice of any licensed Surveyor in any part of Nigeria. On the basis of the foregoing, the court invoked the Blue Pencil Rule, and struck down Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos. The court also invalidated the engagement of the 3rd – 9th Defendant by the 1st Defendant’s Circular dated 15th September, 2020 as the only Surveyors to carry out surveys in Mende Revocation Area, for being in gross violation of the SURCON Act. An order of perpetual injunction was also made, restraining the Defendants from giving effect to the said Circular.

4. SURV.

Facts The Survey Law of Lagos State was enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly, with respect to the conduct of surveys on lands in Lagos State. Section 5 thereof, required that licensed Surveyors must first obtain the prior written consent of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State - the 1st Defendant - before conducting survey on any State land or land acquired by Lagos State Government. In giving effect to this provision, it was required that the 1st Defendant must counter-sign survey plans of State lands in Lagos State, before they can be accepted forInlodgement.furtherance of Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State, the 1st Defendant issued a circular letter dated 15th September, 2020 with Reference No. OSSG/CAD/2020/VOL. 1/033, appointing the 3rd – 9th Defendant as the only Surveyors authorised to carry out surveys in Mende Revocation Area of Lagos State, to the exclusion of every other registered Surveyor in Nigeria. Aggrieved by this development, the Plaintiffs filed an Originating Summons before the Federal High Court challenging the validity and constitutionality of Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State. The case of the Plaintiffs was that Section 5 of the Survey Law and the engagement of the 3rd to 9th Defendant as the only Surveyors to carry out surveys in Mende Revocation Area pursuant to the said provision, ran in contravention of Section 19(1) of the Surveyors Registration Council Act (“SURCON Act) and Sections 1(3 & 5) and 3 of SURCON’s Guidelines for the Conduct of Survey Practice in Nigeria, 2020 which provides that a registered Surveyor can practice freely throughout Nigeria. They sought inter alia, a declaration that the 2nd Defendant is the only body vested with the powers to regulate survey practice throughout Nigeria, and to issue Guidelines in exercise of the powers. They also sought a declaration that the Lagos State House of Assembly acted unconstitutionally in enacting Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State, and the 1st Defendant being a member of the 2nd Defendant, is bound to follow the Guidelines issued by the 2nd Defendant. It was also their position that the 1st Defendant lacks the power to deny the Plaintiffs or any other registered Surveyor the right to conduct surveys on any parcel of land in Lagos State, or to demand and insist on counter-signing a survey plan prepared by a registered Surveyor. The Plaintiffs thereby, sought an order setting aside the engagement of the 3rd - 9th Defendant by the 1st Defendant, as the only surveyors authorised to carry out surveys in Mende Revocation Area, and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from giving effect to the said circular. The 1st, 3rd to 10th Defendant filed a joint Counter-affidavit and written address, as well as a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the competence of the suit. The 2nd and 11th Defendants on their parts, filed written addresses on points of law.

The following issue was considered by the court in its determination of the Originating Summons. Whether the 2nd Defendant is the only body or authority vested with the powers to regulate and control the practice and profession of surveying throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and whether Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Surveyors Registration Act which regulates the practice and profession of surveying in Nigeria.

1st,Arguments3rd–10th Defendant’s Preliminary Objection

J) “Section

7. SURV.

9. SURV.

Validity of Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State

11. ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF

DEFENDANTS (Judgement delivered by Honourable

Honourable

In the Federal High Court of Nigeria In the Lagos Judicial Division Holden at Lagos On Tuesday, the 2nd day of August, 2022 Before Their Lordships Daniel Emeka Osiagor Judge, Federal High FHC/L/CS/1789/2020Court Between SURV. ADARANIJO IBIKUNLE GANIYU RAFIU NIGERIA OLATUNBOSUN DAVID O. ADESINA ADELEKE AKOMOLAFE A.O. ODETUNMOBI O. OLUFEMI MRS AKINRARO O.O.D. MICHAEL ADEBISI ALONGE EGBEYEMI OF LAGOS STATE THE FEDERATION Daniel Emeka Osiagor, 5 of the Survey Law undoubtedly, is professionally restrictive, this runs contrary to the general intent and purpose of the Act which permits the free practice of any licensed Surveyor in Nigeria. On the basis of the foregoing, the court invoked the Blue Pencil Rule, and struck down the Law of Lagos” Daniel Emeka Osiagor, J

any part of

Section 5 of

8. SURV.

The 1st, 3rd to 10th Defendant challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit on the ground that the subject-matter related to the constitutionality of acts of officials of the Lagos State Government and the validity of a State law, which are not matters within the judicial competence of the Federal High Court. Arguments on the Substantive Suit Counsel for the Plaintiff submitted that, by Section 4(d) of the SURCON Act, the 2nd Respondent is the only body vested with the statutory powers to regulate and control survey practice throughout Nigeria. He argued further that the Guidelines for the Conduct of Survey Practice in Nigeria, 2020 was issued by the 2nd Defendant in exercise of its statutory powers, and the 1st Defendant being a statutory member of the 2nd Defendant is not only bound by the Guidelines, he also has a duty to apply the provisions of the Guidelines and ensure their observance in Lagos State. Counsel for the Plaintiffs submitted that that once a Surveyor has met the requirement for registration under Section 9 of the SURCON Act and is issued with a Certificate of Registration by the 2nd Defendant, such a Surveyor can practice anywhere in Nigeria, and the provisions of Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State limiting the right of a registered Surveyor in Lagos to lands other than State lands is at variance with Section 19(1) of the SURCON Act. He submitted further that since the National Assembly had enacted Section 19(1) of the SURCON Act to cover the field with respect to the entitlement of any registered Surveyor to practice anywhere in Nigeria, the Lagos State House of Assembly is precluded from legislating on the same issue as it purportedly did through the enactment of Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State. He relied on A-G LAGOS STATE v EKO HOTELS LTD & ANOR (2017) LPELR-43713 (SC). Respective counsel for the 2nd and 11th Defendants, aligned themselves with the submissions of the Plaintiffs. They submitted further that by virtue of Items 25 and 26 of the Second Schedule of Part II of the 1999 Constitution, survey is one of the items that falls within the concurrent legislative list that can be legislated upon by both the Federal Government and the State Government, and should the State make any law on surveying, it must be subject to that made by an Act of the National Assembly. Counsel for the 1st, 3rd to 10th Defendant on his part, submitted that consent under Section 5 of the Survey Law of Lagos State refers to the permission to enter a State land, and not regulation of practice as a Surveyor or a limitation to the right of a registered Surveyor to practice in Lagos State. He submitted that Section 19 of the SURCON Act deals with qualification to practice, as opposed to permission which is the purport of Section 5 of the Survey Law. He contended that the doctrine of covering the field does not apply, as the Survey Law of Lagos State has not in any way introduced any provision that is in conflict with the provisions of SURCON Act. He argued that Lagos State Government reserves the right to engage the Surveyor of its choice to carry out survey jobs on State lands, just the way an individual reserves the right to engage a Surveyor of his or her choice.

MacArthur, NBA Organise Two-Day Workshop For Lawyers, Police Officers in Delta

#upjudicialsalaries

The Body of Benchers (BoB) has refuted reports alleging the initiation of a probe against the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), over the just completed BoB Secretariat project, describing it as false. The statement signed by the BoB Secretary, Daniel M. Tela, and made available to press, described a report alleging the initiation of a probe against the Secretary of the NJC over the just completed BoB Secretariat project, as completely false. According to the statement, the BoB lacks the jurisdiction to carry out such investigation. It described the report that the Body will at its meeting slated for 29th September, 2022 discuss the report of a Committee on the subject- matter, as unfounded andPartincorrect.ofthestatements read: “The attention of the Body of Benchers has been drawn to an online publication by the CITY LAWYER alleging that the Body of Benchers is investigating the Secretary of the National Judicial Council, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq on payments made to a Contractor.“Consequently, I am directed to make necessary clarification to the effect that, at no point did the Body of Benchers cause an investigation to be carried out against the Secretary of the National Judicial Council as reported. Indeed, the Body of Benchers does not have the jurisdiction to carry out such an investigation.“Furthermore, the statement to the effect that the Body of Benchers will, at its meeting slated for 29th September, 2022 discuss the report of a Committee on the subject, is unfounded and incorrect.”

Chairman, NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Mr Tobenna Erojikwe, described the Police as critical stakeholders in the implementation of the Act. He advised the participants to focus on Section 17 of the Act which made taking particulars of suspects mandatory, and urged the participants to share the experience gained during the training with their colleagues, for them to also gain more experience.Presenting a paper titled "The Need for the Nigeria Police to Comply With the Principles of Human Rights and Respect for the Rule of Law in Fulfilling their Law Enforcement Mandate”, Mr Saka Azimazi, former Deputy Director, Legal and Investigation, National Human Rights Commission, stressed the need for collaboration between Lawyers and Police in the implementation of the Act. Mr Idris Bawa, Advisor, Police Programme, GIZ Africa-Nigeria, in his paper presentation titled "The role of the Nigeria Police in the Speedy and Successful Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act", stressed the need for the procurement of recording gadgets for statements from suspects as provided for in the Act. He said there was the need for coordination amongst all the judicial actors, in the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act. Secretary, National Human Rights Committee, NBA, Mr Benard Onigah, while presenting a paper titled "The Nigeria Police and Citizens Engagement; Highlighting NBA Human Rights Intervention", canvassed for synergy between the Police and Lawyers to achieve same goal in justice delivery.Ayoung Lawyer and participant at the event, Miss Faith Anigboro, commended the organisers of the workshop, noting that she gained a lot from the lectures and engagement by both Lawyers and Policemen at the event.

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

VTUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY NEWS

“There are stories of retired Nigerian Judges - including those from the Supreme Court - dying in abject poverty.” - Dr Chile Eboe-Osuji, former President, International Criminal Court

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation, recently concluded a two-day sensitisation workshop for Police officers and Lawyers on the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. Among other aspects, the training was also aimed at making officers to comply with principles of human rights in law enforcement in the South SouthSpeakingzone.at the the event, President of NBA, Olumide Akpata, said the workshop was part of his administration’s policy to assess the level of Administration of Criminal Justice law enacted in 2015, and examine the successes and challenges of it's implementation. He disclosed that the workshop was carried out in 28 of the 36 States across the country, which was being rounded up in Warri, Delta State.Speaking at the commencement of the workshop in Warri, on Monday, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Isaiah Bozimo, commended the organisers and urged the participants to take advantage of the training. Bozimo, who was represented by Mrs E. J. Odogwu, said the training was part of efforts to ensure that stakeholders imbibe the new normal and justice for the common man. He gave assurance that the participants would be better off after the training, and that the system would be better at the end of the day. As the 62nd Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBAAGC) with the themed "Bold Transitions" approaches, preparations for the event are in top gear. Lawyers from all corners of Nigeria will in a matter of days, converge on the audacious Eko Atlantic City in Lagos for the AGC that has over the years, been known to be the largest gathering of Lawyers anywhere in the world. As the August 19th date for the commencement of the Conference draws close, and with the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) having unveiled the various Conference activities, indications are emerging that the Olumide Akpata-led NBA administration is on course to deliver a legacy conference, that sets a standard that will become a benchmark for subsequent NBA conferences.TobennaErojikwe, the TCCP Chairman, had earlier said the core objective of the NBAAGC 2022 is “to host a worldclass conference, with in-depth discourse on critical issues affecting the legal profession and the country, facilitated by the most eminently qualified resource persons able to galvanise all Conference attendees towards the path of becoming better legal practitioners and experts in their chosen fields; shape public opinion on critical issues; and inspire Lawyers to build the law firms of the future”. So far, the activities lined up for the 2022 Annual General Conference are generating a high level of interest and enthusiasm among Lawyers. One exciting event for many Lawyers who have registered for the Conference, is the Presidential Candidates' session, where the candidates of the major political parties in the 2023 Presidential election are expected to speak on "Democratic Transitions in 21st Century Nigeria: 2023 and Beyond". Already, the TCCP has confirmed that two of the four leading candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP), have given their word that they will be present, while Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) are yet to confirm theirUnderscoringavailability.the importance of the Presidential Candidates’ plenary, a first in the history of the NBA AGC, the TCCP said it would present an opportunity to critically assess Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, identify key challenges which have perennially bedevilled the polity, and evaluate sustainable solutions to these challenges. The session will also aim at encouraging greater citizen participation in the governance of Nigeria, with Lawyers playing a leading role. “With the poor state of our economy, mounting insecurity, comatose educational system, decaying infrastructure, persistent inter-ethnic crises and general high cost of living, the 2023 elections may be a watershed moment for Nigeria. This session will provide a platform for the key Presidential candidates in the 2023 elections, to give insights on their respective roadmaps for addressing Nigeria’s key challenges and leading Nigeria’s next democratic transition”, Erojikwe said. Many prospective participants are also looking forward to the Keynote Speech by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and several other works. The multiple awardwinning author who has delivered two landmark TED talks – her 2009 TED Talk “The Danger of A Single Story” and her 2012 TEDx Euston Talk “We Should All Be Feminists” – will be speaking at the opening ceremony of the Conference.

NBA-AGC 2022: TCCP Set for Record-Setting Conference Body of Benchers Denies Reported Investigation of NJC Secretary Stories by Steve Aya

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ari Muhammed Ali, urged the participants to understand that such training was an opportunity for them to acquire more knowledge. Ari, represented by CSP Emmanuel Yakubu, expressed the hope that the participants would learn core values of some key principles of law regarding administration of criminal justice act. “I urge us to consider this training as a policy of paramount importance, aimed at dictating the roles and mandate of the Nigeria Police Force.”

Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning, Tobenna Erojikwe

“……when it comes to Practice Directions, the Assembly has, by the aforesaid provisions of the Electoral Act, directly ceded that power to only the President of the Court of Appeal. Tellingly, no such power is given to the CJ of the FHC”

Introduction The recent conclusion by political parties of primary elections for the purpose of selecting candidates in next year’s general elections, is the signal for launching so-called ‘pre-election’ matters or litigation contemplated by the 1999 Constitution Yes, the Constitution (vide Section 285(14) thereof) because, curiously, the Electoral Act, 2022 does not, in terms, refer to or define ‘pre-election’ matters; it only defines ‘election’ and ‘petition’ - in Section 152 thereof - as “any election held under this Act” and “an election petition under this Act”, respectively. Does this mean that the Electoral Act only applies to challenges to the results of a general election, or does the Act also apply to pre-election matters as defined in Section 285(14) of the Constitution, as aforesaid? That is the question.Thisseeming ambiguity has, however, not deterred the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court from introducing the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2022. Signed off on the 28th day of June, 2022 they took immediate effect, with their Preamble stating that they were made pursuant to Sections 254, 285(9), (10) and (14) of the 1999 Constitution (amended) as well as Sections 29(5) and 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022. That being the case, it is imperative to examine those constitutional and statutory provisions to determine whether they justify the enact ment of the Directions, or whether there is anything in any law or the Constitution which (as I believe is the case) might rob the Hon. C J of the FHC (with the greatest respect) of the authority to enact them.

The Supposed Enablers of the Directions As previously stated, the said Directions are supposedly anchored on the following provisions:i.Sections 254, 285(9), (10) and 14 of the Constitution, which provide as follows, respectively: - 254: “Subject to the provisions of any Act of the National Assembly, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court may make rules for regulating the practice and procedure of the Federal High Court”; - 285(9): “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, every pre-election matter shall be filed within 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained of in the suit”; - 285(1): “A Court in every pre-election matter shall deliver its judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of filing of the Suit”; - 285(14): “For the purpose of this Section, “pre-election matter” means any suit by –(a) An aspirant who complains that any of the provisions of the Electoral Act or any Act of the National Assembly regulating the conduct of the primaries of political parties and the provision of the guidelines of a political party for the conduct of party primaries has not been complied with by a political party in respect of the selection or nomination of candidates for an election; (b) An aspirant challenging the actions, decisions or activities of the Independent National Electoral Act or any Act of the National Assembly regulating elections in Nigeria has not been complied with by the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of the selection or nomination or candidates; (c) a political party challenging the actions, decisions or activities of the Independent National Electoral Com mission disqualifying its candidate from participating in an election or a complaint that the provisions of the Electoral Act or any other applicable law has not been complied with by the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of the nomination of candidates of political parties for an election, timetable for an election, registration of voters and other activities of the commission in respect of preparation for an election”. It can be seen that, of all the foregoing provisions, only Section 254 of the Constitution is directly relevant in terms of enacting rules of practice and procedure by the CJ of the FHC. To the extent that Practice Directions are at par with rules of court and have the force of law (See ORAEKWE v CHUKWUKA (2010) LPELR – 9128), it is clear that the provisions of Section 254 of the Constitution should be read along with those of Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act. The latter provides that: “The Chief Judge may, with the approval of the National Council of Ministers make rules of court for carrying this Act into effect”. It goes without saying that the validity of any rule of court or Practice Direction enacted by the CJ of the FHC, depends on the approval thereto of the National Council of Ministers having first been had and obtained. Did the subject Directions secure this approval? That is the However,question.assuming without conceding that the Directions enjoy that status, the more fundamental question, to my mind, is whether anything in the Constitution or the Electoral Act, 2022 impinges on the validity of the Directions. The reason is obvious. The Constitution is supreme, whilst the Electoral Act is a specific statute dealing with a specific subject-matter, namely, elections. Starting with the former, Section 4(3) and Items 22 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List as well as Paragraphs 2(b) of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution, collectively empower the National Assembly (to the exclusion of any other person or authority) to enact rules of practice and procedure relating to “elections into any office to which a person may be elected under (the) Constitution”. In this regard, Section 140 of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that: “(1) the Rules of procedure to be adopted for election petitions and appeals arising therefrom shall be as set out in the First Schedule to this Act”; (2) The President of the Court of Appeal may issue Practice Directions to the – (a) Court of Appeal, in respect of pre-election and post-election appeals; and (b) Election Tribunal, in respect of post-election matters”. Further to the foregoing, Paragraph 54 of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that “Subject to the express provisions of this Act, the practice and procedure of the Tribunal or the Court in relation to an election petition shall be as nearly as possible, similar to the practice and procedure of the Federal High Court in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction and the Civil Procedure Rules shall apply with such modifications as may be necessary to render them applicable having regard to the provisions of this Act, as if the petitioner and the respondent were respectively the Plaintiff and the Defendant in an ordinary civil action”. The first thing to note about the foregoing is that, even though, under the Constitution, only the National Assembly possesses the sole authority to enact rules of practice/procedure relating to elections as aforesaid, when it comes to Practice Directions, the Assembly has, by the aforesaid provisions of the Electoral Act, directly ceded that power to only the President of the Court of Appeal. Tellingly, no such power is given to the CJ of the FHC. This is crucial, because it is a settled principle of statutory interpretation that the express mention of one thing in a statute, implies the exclusion of others which otherwise might be implied. This is commonly expressed in latin as expresso unius est exclusion alterius: See P.C.H.S.Ltd. v MIGFO NIG. LTD. (2012) All FWLR Pt. 642 Pg. 1615 at 1643D. I believe that this fact, coupled with the specific nature of the Electoral Act, as well as the provisions of Items 22 and 68 of the Exclusive Legislative List read along with Paragraph 2(b) of Part III of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution simply means that the CJ of the FHC lacks any constitutional or statutory authority to make the FHC (Pre-Election) Practice Directions 2022. This is because of another canon of statutory interpretation expressed in the maxim: specialibus generalia derogant (special things derogate from general things). See INDEPENDENT TELEVISION & RADIO v EDO STATE BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (2014) All FWLR Pt. 759 Pg. 1144 at 1167G. Conclusion Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 254 and 285 of the Constitution (under which the FHC (Pre-Election) Practice Directions 2022 were supposedly enacted), to the extent that they don’t specifically authorise the CJ of the FHC to introduce the Directions, they do not avail for that purpose. Only the President of the Court of Appeal possesses that authority, in the case of appeals to that court and proceedings at Election Tribunals. In terms of pre-election matters, the Electoral Act has conferred that ‘power’ on (rather, adopted the provisions of) the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules) 2019. The validity, vel non, of those Rules (having regard to Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act, as aforesaid, is another matter. Suffice it to say that the foregoing scenario calls to mind the dictum of the British High Court in ST. JOHN SHIPPING CORP. v J. RANK LTD. (1975) 1 Q.B. 267 at 282 (adopted by our Supreme Court in IFEZUE v MBADUGHA (1984) LCN/223 - SC), where it observed that “one must not be deterred from enunciating the correct principle of law (simply) because it may have startling, even calamitous, results”.

Why the FHC (Pre-Election) Practice Directions Might be Invalid

Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja

VI TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY INSIGHT ABUBAKAR D. SANI XL4sure@yahoo.com 08034533892

VIITUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY

“The build-up was what was expected of Enugu Rangers vs Mighty Jets Football Club (of Jos), or Raccah Rovers vs NNB, Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin vs IICC Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, football championship final encounters of the seventies and eighties. I was then in Secondary School and University. National Stadium, Lagos, Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Liberty Stadium, Benin City, Adamansigba Stadium, Ibadan, Kano Stadium, and Jos Stafium, Jos, were a must to watch these matches. Nigeria then stood still and on tenterhooks on weekends. A pin drop could be heard, in any of the stadia where these legendary clubs played. Fans and spectators figuratively stopped breathing. Ace commentators, Ernest Okonkwo, Tolu Fatoyinbo and Folorunsho Ishola blared, their names. “Chair man” Christian Chukwu, “Mathematical” Segun Odegbami, “Chief Justice” Adokie Amiesimeka”, the Atuegbu brothers, Haruna Ilerika of Stationery Stores of Lagos, Emmanuel Okala, Felix Owolabi, Mudashiru Lawal, Bright Omokaro, Friday Elaho, and Joe Erico, amongst others, held sway. Sam Garba Okoye, Ismaila Mabo, Yakubu Mabo, Benedict Akwuegbu, Olayiwola Olagbemiro, Sam Pam, Ifeanyi Onyedika, Ogidi Ibeabuchi, Christian Madu, Jossy Lad, Amusa Adisa, Samuel Ojebode, Joe Appiah, Moses Otolorin, Kunle Awesu, Alabi Aisien, Kadiri Ikhana, Sunday Eboigbe, George Omokaro, Agbonifo, Sylvanus Oriakhi, and Henry Ogboe, reigned supreme. “Sorry, pardon me, if I digressed too far off, as this write up is not about football. It was to show the passion with which the clubs played, and the high expectations of Nigerians. Football in those days was food. It was life. Nothing else mattered. It was the oxygen Nigerians breathed. Glued to small radio sets and the 4pm black and white television sets, Nigerians watched with bated animation as these clubs slugged it out. Enemies suddenly became friends. All Nigerians were united. No foe. “That was the same way Nigerians expected PMB to hit the ground running. They expected him to be, not just a magician in the mould of Professor Peller, but also a miracle worker in the mould of Chris Oyakhilome, all rolled into one. The stakes were very high during the campaigns. They are higher today after his unexpected victory. (To be continued). Serious and Trivial “Nigeria is a wonderful country. It borrows from China, spends it in Niger Republic, and leaves debt for Nigerian future generations”.

See How President Buhari Turned Me Into a Nostradamus and Clairvoyant (Part 1)

CONSTITUTIONALTALKING DEMOCRACY

President Muhammadu Buhari

DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN 0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

“Nigerians from all works of life appear shellshocked at a country they can no longer recognise, within seven years of Buhari’s disastrous government. Well, I am not one of them. I had seen this ugly situation coming. Like Nostradamus…….”

Introduction Today, Nigeria is in a terrible quagmire; a deadly dilemma; a complete cul-de-sac. There is trouble; real trouble. In all aspects of life, Nigeria is sick. Very sick. Critically ill. To say she is on an uneasy life–support machine, is simply saying the obvious. Everywhere and everything is toxic. Even the air we breathe is toxic. It reeks of odious and smelly putrefaction from caked blood of innocent Nigerians, split open by afternoon baking sun (apologies, Ayikwei Armah: “The beautiful Ones Are Not yet Born”). Our farmlands are death mines, laden with deadly booby-traps set up by rampaging Fulani herdsmen. They hug AK-47 riffles that spit fire on a daily basis, against innocent farmers who have offered no provocation. The once-upon-a-time teeth-stained, kolanut-chewing, smiling and friendly herders moved harmlessly across the highways, footpaths and farm-paths. We, as children growing up in the 60s and 70s, usually came out to sing with our near national anthem rendition, to herald them in. What has happened? I don't know. Or, do you? They have since turned into vicious, blood-sucking monsters that decimate our local population. Our song in those days was, “Malu koga, malu, koga, daba daba koga; ikpisa yeghe the akhia; edunu kpotha mho abo; ne the gbea kpu pku” (translated: “cows with hooves, cows with hooves; they are led by weak elderly men; men who carry sticks, with which they flog the cows kpu kpu”). We would come out of our huts, hailing them, giving them water to conserve in their pitchers made of cow skin and tied to their shoulders. Those were the good beautiful old days. Not anymore.Today,however, like in Wole Soyinka’s metamorphosis of Brother Jero in “Jero’s Metamorphosis” (1973), which followed “The trials of Brother Jero” (1963), these once innocent herders have metamorphosed into murderous and remorseless savages, killing, maiming, piling and raping farm owners and peaceful indigenous land owners right on their farms and in their homes, with gusto, eclat and a vainglorious sense of triumphalism. In our homes and on the roads, Nigerians are no longer safe. In the markets, schools, workplaces, air, train, waterways and forests, death stares the average Nigerian on his wrinkled face. Nigeria has become a grizzly killing ground. She has become the poverty capital of the world, snatching the diadem from India. There is searing agony, mass disenchantment and grave disillusionment. Hunger and abject penury, live with us. Melancholy and gnashing of teeth, overwhelm Nigerians. Hopelessness and haplessness sleep with us, on the same wretched beds. Hot tears, sorrow, pains, pangs and blood remain gods and goddesses in whose pulpits Nigerians worship in their homes. Schools are hurriedly and prematurely shut down, not from fixed holidays; not even from unanswered ASUU’s six months’ strike engineered by a clueless Government; but, to prevent students from being abducted and kidnapped by rampaging armed bandits and kidnappers, who operate as a State within a State. The Government watches helplessly, wriggling its hands with shocking resignation to fate. Non-State actors now commonly challenge the sovereignty and suzerainty of Nigeria, planting their flags on Nigerian soil, collecting taxes from, and giving citizens passes and identity cards. Armed bandits kidnap school children and instruct their parents to procure for them, large quantities of atarodo, tatashe, tomatoes, maggi, onions, garri, beans, rice, palm oil, vegetable oil, salt and other condiments. They need the ingredients to feed their children, and keep them alive for ransom to be paid for their release. This is glaring evidence of a failed FightingState.corruption, a mantra once hugged by this Government during political campaigns, has since graduated from a kindergarten school to a post graduate institution, strutting about unchallenged, like a proud peacock. Government appointees brazenly steal billions of Dollars, with the EFCC and ICPC still busy pursuing ruling Government’s political opponents. They use the ugly and primitively stolen money to mop up scarce Dollars, leaving to the present horrific artificial shortage of Dollars, a situation of $1 exchanging for about N740; and, still counting. Didn’t this Government meet the Dollar at between N160 – N175 in 2015? Gosh! We are now No.148 out of 180, and the second most corrupt Nation in West Africa (Courtesy, Transparency International’s Anti-corruption Perception Index). Inflation increases geometrically. Debts accumulate daily. We now borrow money to service debts, not payment of the real debt! Next generations have mountainous debts hanging on their necks. The present Government has mortgaged our individual and collective future, with reckless abandon. Nigeria has never been so polarised and divided along primordial ethnic, religious and linguisticNigerianscleavages.from all works of life appear shell-shocked at a country they can no longer recognise, within seven years of Buhari’s disastrous government. Well, I am not one of them. I had seen this ugly situation coming. Like Nostradamus, the man who saw tomorrow; like the Oracle at Ile-Ife that gazes into the future and pronounces a future Ooni, I saw these perilous times coming. I had predicted all this, in the very first 50 days of this government. Buharists, Buharideens, his bootlickers, ego masseurs and obsequious fawning passengers in the corridors of power mocked me. They abused and bayed, for my innocent and patriotic blood. But, history and current happenings have now completely vindicated me. Oh, thou sweet history. Oh archivist google that never forgets!!! In this piece, I now serve you my predictions, after analysing Buhari’s first 50 days in office, in a piece titled, “Is President Buhari overwhelmed by serious issues of Governance?” (http:// overwhelmed-by-serious-issues-of-governance-issues-of-governance/.president-buhari-overwhelmed-by-serious-thestreetjournal.org).https://thestreetjournal.org/opinion-is-https://thestreetjournal.org/is-president-buhariby-chief-mike-ozekhome-san/.Thispiecewaswrittenandfirst published on 19th July, 2015, just after 50 days of Buhari’s tenure! Now, read on: “Is President Buhari Overwhelmed by Serious Issues of Governance? “Let me confess that, I am aware of some commentators’ argument that it is too early in the day to assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s thrust and style of governance. After all, they argue that he has only spent about 50 days out of the expected 1,460 days of his four-year tenure. That may very well be so. But, a proverb in my Weppa-Wanno, Etsako language (I disagree with some irredentists who try to label my language a dialect), states that, “oto laza le aghua noa khi ukpuwah” (It is the very day a puppy is littered, that people would decipher if it would develop a curved tail). In other words, the morning tells the “Althoughday. he has himself publicly confessed that he cannot be expected to perform optimally at the same pace, and with the same vigour and strength as when he was Governor of old Borno State at the youthful age of 33, and later, Head of State at 40, it would be most uncharitable, even disingenuous to accuse him of senility, or anything near it. Far from it, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) is still very agile and quick witted. After all, octogenarians (near nonagenarians), such as Chief E.K. Clark, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, et al, stormed the Nigerian National Conference in 2014. Their intellectual prowess, coupled with their Plenary and Committee contributions to all issues were such as to leave us, the younger generational elements, panting and gasping for breath. Indeed, 85-year-old Alhaji Ahmed Joda, (one of the famous “Super Permanent Secretaries” of the Gowonian era, step out, Chief Philip Asiodu, Chief Allison Ayida, et al; more on this later), headed PMB’s Transition Committee. Not a few Nigerians believed however, that the slow pace of the Committee’s work was ascribable to its gerontocratic leaning. I have no opinion here! “The Build Up of Expectations “The campaign mantra of the APC was “change”. It was APC’s campaign that former President Goodluck Jonathan had performed woefully, below expectations. The party tagged him clueless, lily-livered, and that he ran a very corrupt administration. Many, nay, most Nigerians, bought this heavy propaganda. Social media activists especially, took Jonathan to the cleaners, tearing him to pieces, tarring him with the paintbrush of shame, odium and gross underperformance. “The build-up was high. The anti-corruption mantra was held aloft like a banner of victory. The taming and extirpation of insecurity, root and branch, was orchestrated like a stuck record (remember PMB’s famous “I will lead from the front”). He was believed, because he is a retired Military General and former Head of State. “Some Comparable Reminiscences

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK A self-fulfilling prophecy is an assumption or prediction that, purely as a result of having been made, cause the expected or predicted event to occur and thus, confirms its own 'accuracy”. (Paul Watzlawick)

of the issues. The Minister at several fora has also declared that Nigeria is broke (saying the obvious!), and that the Federal Government does not have the funds to meet its obligations in the Agreement signed with the Unions. He has therefore, called for renegotiation of the terms of the Agreement with ASUU, in the effort to end the ongoing strike by University staff.

Background ASUU embarked on the current strike to press home its demands for: the renegotiation of the ASUU/FGN 2009 agreement, deployment of UTAS to replace IPPIS, release of the reports of Visitation Panels to Federal Universities, funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, poor funding of State Universities and promotion arrears. I have not been privileged to read the Nimi Briggs Report; but, snippets in the newspapers and other information outlets indicate that a major part of the report is increment in salary. Nigerian lecturers are now the poorest paid in Africa, and it is obvious that such a system can never retain the best. We know from the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, that the Nimi Briggs Committee proposed “109 to 185% increase in the University wage structure”, and that “the Federal Government will incur an additional N560 billion as salaries alone”. The Minister has opined that negotiating with ASUU without simultaneously doing so with other university-based unions, only delays the strike as it will not achieve a quick resolution

President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke President Muhammadu Buhari

ASUU Strike, the ConflictingIssues and Panacea Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede

Since February 14, 2022, over six months and counting, the nation’s universities have been under lock and key because of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strike. The seemingly interminable strikes have the potential of causing serious damage to Nigeria’s tertiary education system, if they haven’t already done so. In the last 13 years, ASUU has gone on strike nine times, keeping students out of school for various periods of time ranging from one week (2016 warning strike) to nine months in 2020. Aside from the fact that students end up spending a longer period of time to complete their studies because of the interruptions caused by the strikes, foreign universities and countries are said to be eyeing degrees obtained from Nigerian public universities with suspicion, unlike before. This may be due to the fall in the standard of education which is inevitable, due to numerous breaks occasioned by the strikes, and subsequent rush to complete the syllabus on resumption. What options are left for students and parents? Not too many. Private universities are too expensive. The prevailing foreign exchange rates, have also priced foreign universities out of the reach of majority of Nigerians. Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, Norrison Quakers, SAN, Jefferson Uwoghiren and Kede Aihie delve into the issues and proffer possible solutions for ending the ASUU Strike, and and putting measures in place to prevent any future reoccurrences

VIII TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY

ASUU Strike: Any End in Sight?

President Muhammadu Buhari recently gave a two-week ultimatum, which has since expired, for the negotiating parties to resolve the Federal GovernmentASUU imbroglio. Some of us who have been in the educational sector long enough and have witnessed the aberrations knew it was a tall order, and more fittingly, an impossible condition. This is not because the matter cannot be resolved in less than two weeks, but because it was clearly discernible that the parties involved and other stakeholders in university education, have not been telling ourselves the bitter truth. The closest to uprightness, was the statement by the Honourable Minister of Labour that the Federal Government does not have the funds to meet its obligations in the agreement signed with the Unions, and that the country is broke. How else can one explain a 2009 agreement, that is still begging for implementation in 2022? What is the assurance that a follow-up agreement in 2022 will be implemented before another 13 years (2035), if the prevailing conditions remain unaltered? I struggled within me, in deciding whether to send my modest suggestions covertly to the major parties involved, or put it in the public domain. I have however, come to the conclusion that it will serve greater public good with the latter approach, since virtually all Nigerians are stakeholders. The unwary public has the right to know what is responsible for this seemingly intractable challenge, the ultimate solution, and what should be their role in resolving the issues. It is embarrassing that the current ASUU strike which began on 14th February, 2022 has again been “rolled over” for another four weeks. Other staff Unions on our campuses (SSANU, NASU and NAAT), have not fared better. The last ASUU strike in 2020 lasted for nine months, and from all indications, the current strike may last longer. Must we continue this way? Is incessant strike the solution to the decadence in the educational system? Have the strikes been effective, or of any overall benefit to the stakeholders? The answer to all these questions is ambiguous, and clearly dependent on the side to which the individual belongs.

COVER “Nigerian lecturers are now the poorest paid in Africa, and it is obvious that such a system can never retain the best….. I will propose that the Government conveys an expanded assembly of critical stakeholders….to deliberate and take critical decisions that will move the education sector forward…..”

Grouses of ASUU If we continue this way, the negotiations are unlikely to record any significant achievement Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs (Pro-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo), chairing the current negotiating Panel, and other members of the Panel are reputable and highly revered individuals with very deep insight of university education. They have, over the years, proven their devotion and total commitment to the growth and development of higher education in the country. However, the fact remains that they have to work within the ambit of their terms of reference.TheCommittee inaugurated on March 7, 2022 had three months to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, and, as expected, it submitted its report on schedule. However, the efforts of the 7-member renegotiating team now appear to be inadequate in resolving the present impasse, reopening our universities and keeping our campuses functional. It will be necessary to know the suggestions proffered by the Renegotiating Committee, on how the Federal Government would source the funds to meet the proposed salary increase. Another major grouse of ASUU and the other Staff Unions with the Federal Government, is the

Compromise & Solutions Instead of ASUU insisting on the use of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), and the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) marketing the University Peculiar Payroll Payment System (U3PS), relocating and shedding the control of IPPIS for Federal Universities to the National Universities Commission (NUC) will be a fair compromise. My opinion! The peculiarities of the University system, such as sabbatical leave, appointment of expatriate staff and other practices necessary to internationalise and make a university world-class, can then be continuously built into the IPPIS software domiciled in NUC. It could ideally be referred to as IPPIS-U. I do not expect ASUU to agree with this suggestion, just as I also would not expect the Federal Government to concur. This is because ASUU is known to fight “until the last man” for a just cause, and on the part of the Federal Government, egos of those who have maintained the “IPPIS or nothing” stance may be However,bruised. for the sake of the system, and to bring some stability to our universities, it appears to me to be the best solution, and gladiators must at this point sheath their swords. The unending expectation of a positive outcome from the integrity test by the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) for both UTAS and U3PS, should be a source of worry to all Nigerians. We have had enough of IPPIS politics! No software, no matter how robust, would eliminate the negative factors identified with IPPIS, particularly if some of the operators are attuned to selfish and dishonest pursuits, and offenders are not severely and promptly punished. The very best financial accountability software in the world can always be compromised, but such occurrences are minimised where and when there are active deterrents. It is time for the stakeholders in the education sector to now come to “reason together”, and stop acting in silos and fiefdoms. Government must declare an emergency in the education sector, and all critical stakeholders must now dialogue, and come to amicable and reasonable solution. Truth be told, this is not the time for negotiations spanning months; it smirks of insincerity or failure to grasp the enormity of the problem. While not ignoring the letter and spirit of the Trade Dispute Act on resolution of industrial actions, I will propose that the Government conveys an expanded assembly of critical stakeholders, and not just the Ministries and the Unions, to deliberate and take critical decisions that will move the education sector forward, and ensure that our students, who have been at home for six months, resume immediately. The meeting should have representatives of; the core Ministries (Education, Labour, Finance, and Science and Technology), the staff Unions (ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT), the students, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Head of Service of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Tertiary Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives. The Federal Ministry of Education/National Universities Commission should coordinate the meetings, which ideally should be chaired by the Minister of Education. If discussions at such a forum is open and sincere, it will be possible to chart a new course for University education in the country, and forestall any future strikes and closure of our higher institutions. We all know the truth but, we must now allow the truth to set us free. A quick background information on the current financial contribution of students in our Federal Universities, will shed some light on the insincerity pervading the system. Allow me to use Obafemi Awolowo University as an example. The students still pay N90, with N2,500 maintenance fees per session for accommodation, even in situations where the session extends beyond 12 months. The N90 is the same amount I paid as a student in the same University, in the 1970s. The cost of the receipt issued for the payment is probably more than the amount paid, and it would have been more “economical” for the university if offered free! The charging of “fees” is not supported by the Federal Government, but in OAU, undergraduate students pay ‘’Departmental charges” of N5,000 per session for Arts, N10,000 for Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology and Law, and N15,000 for Medicine and other courses in the Health Sciences. These charges were fixed over 20 years ago, and the uproar that followed has ensured that it remained theOAUsame.with a student population of about 25,000, runs an annual Personnel budget of approximately N10 billion. This, in essence, means N400,000 per student per session will double the personnel budget. Of course, it will be ridiculous to expect that all students must pay the same amount of fees. It may mean payments of between N200,000 and N600,000 per student per session, depending on the course. This is nowhere near the N900,000 to N3 million per session, that students pay in most private universities today. Students would be charged based on the standard staff-student ratio and the number of lectures per course, with a standard fee fixed for each lecture.

“Federal Government must be committed to adequate funding of the education sector….. Withholding the salaries of aggrieved workers in public tertiary institutions, is definitely not the best solution…..public office holders must be mandated vide legislation, to have their children enrolled in public institutions..…The Federal Government should not arrogantly insist on renegotiation of the terms of the Agreement with ASUU….”

ASUU Strike: Any End in Sight?

Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede,Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 2017-2022

A personal experience would suffice. I was in a University in South Africa, as Visiting Professor in 2002, and the Department could not deliver a lecture because it fell on a Public holiday that was never envisaged. It was the last week of formal lectures, just before the examinations, and the department had to negotiate with the students to find a suitable time. The students had to be persuaded that the lecture would be beneficial to them, and really worth sacrificing their revision time. It was strange to me, that lecturers had to plead with students for a lecture to be delivered. My host then explained to me that, failure to give the lecture would mean a refund by the Department to the students, but, that to him was not the problem. The real challenge was that the next set of students would reject that lecture because it would be deemed as inconsequential and unnecessary, if an earlier set could graduate without it. In Nigeria of today, such a lecture would never be given, and it would be rationalised. If students pay for lectures, no matter how minimal, they can boldly and justifiably exercise their right to quality delivery and regularity of theManysession.would ask, if fees are introduced, what would happen to those who cannot afford the fees? Between 10 and 20% of the fees collected (an estimated N1-2 billion for OAU), should be set aside for partial or full scholarships to indigent students. While many may want to falsify and lower their status in order to qualify, two or three key criteria such as primary and secondary schools attended (fee-paying or non-fee-paying), loss of parents etc. would easily differentiate indigent students. As Vice-Chancellor for five years (2017 to 2022), the incarceration of University administration on the issue of fees was quite distressing to me. Even when the students are willing to contribute financially, the Staff Unions led by ASUU had always been against the introduction of fees. The Federal Government also insists that the annual appropriation budget had taken care of all necessary expenditure, and that 25% of any income generated must even be remitted to the Federal Government. In 2020, the National Assembly passed a resolution that Universities should refund Acceptance fees (N20,000 per newly admitted student for OAU). It became a big issue and the University had to refund, even when we had a 9-month extension to the session due to ASUU strike, and the financial situation of the Federal institutions were highly precarious. Also, in October 2019, the University of Maiduguri introduced a modest increment in their charges and were forced to revert to the old charges by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. In ordering the University of Maiduguri to suspend the plan to raise the fees imposed, the House of Representatives concluded “Irrespective of the justification that may have informed the decision, either to address operational and managerial realities of the school, such decision is ill-timed, given the desire by the Federal Government, the Borno State Government and well-meaning Nigerians, to tackle the educational needs of Borno State and its environs”. A better approach, instead of the outright reversal of the charges, would have been to set up a special fund for Scholarships and Bursaries, for those who may not be able to afford the increment, due to the plight of the people in the North-East. Unfortunately, the prevailing situation in the region in 2019 has now spread to other parts of the country. The University of Benin announced a similar increase in some charges in September 2021, which also had to be reversed. These occurrences are worrisome and confirmatory of our desire in a post-oil boom era to have everything for free, including university education.Somehave argued that education is a right and not a privilege, and that funding of education as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution is the responsibility of Government and not parents. Must we allow the demise of our public primary and secondary schools, which we have all witnessed, to occur in our public universities? It is deceitful to expect that University education in today’s Nigeria, will continue to be free. The evidence and situation on ground, does not support such a grandiose illusion. There are currently 217 universities in the country, of which only 49 are Federal, 57 State, and majority 111 are Private. If the Federal universities will survive, we must be sincere enough to admit our prostration, and be courageous to take far-reaching decisions. It is possible, with the support of all and sundry. We must always remember that, strong connections have been established between rising criminality and idle youths. It is dangerous for the country to continue to nurture university students that are wasting away at home, without the slightest idea of a possible date of resumption. We must not forget that “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. All involved must resolve to end this strike, and rapidly chart a better course for the future of university education in the country. I come in peace!

How to Resolve the Protracted ASUU Strike Norrison Quakers, SAN Introduction A microscopic appraisal of issues in our fatherland, will reveal that the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria seemingly never depletes. Regrettably, one of these is the incessant strikes in tertiary institutions over non-implementation of the Agreement that the Federal Government reached with Unions in public tertiary institutions, most especially in the case of the Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede Norrison Quakers, SAN

IXTUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY cont'd on page X

COVER introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). The IPPIS is domiciled in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF). The IPPIS project, which commenced in 2007, centralises the payment of salaries and wages directly to the bank accounts of all Federal Government employees in Nigeria. It is one of the major issues that led to the 9-month strike by the ASUU in 2020, and the follow-up industrial actions by SSANU and NASU early in 2021. The challenges of IPPIS are enormous for all stakeholders, and especially for the Universities. Due to the peculiarities of the Universities, there are major challenges with the use of IPPIS. Most of these are, to all extent and purposes, human problems. The Scheme has become an albatross bedevilling the tertiary education system in the country, and further undermining the autonomy earlier enjoyed by the Universities. Interestingly, while the Unions are agitating, University administrators are lukewarm about the use of IPPIS, because it has shifted the heat and agitations on salaries and wages from the campuses to Abuja.

Norrison I. Quakers, SAN, FCArb, Lagos To End ASUU Incessant Strikes Jefferson Uwoghiren

“Owing to administrative failures and incompetent management of the Educational sector, the Academic unit has developed and weaponised strikes and academic disruptions, as legal instruments of blackmail, to disrupt and violate, not just their condition of employments, but the academic lives of thousands of students”

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), over adequate funding of public tertiary institutions.Itissurprising that since February 14, 2022 public tertiary institutions in the country, with the exception of a few State universities, have been shut over the failure of the Federal Government to honour the over two decades old Agreement on issues bordering on funding of public tertiary institutions. It is even more befuddling that there is a new dimension to this, with the postulation that the Federal Government does not have the funds to meet its obligations.

The Convention Against Discrimination in Education (CADE, 1960) which is the first instrument in the field of the right to education defined education in Article 1(2) as follows - “all types and levels of education, including access to education, the standard and quality of education and the conditions under which it is given”. Of note, Section 18(1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution provides - “18(1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels… (3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide: free, compulsory and universal primary education; free University education; and free adult literacy programme.”

The legal relations between Government as employers of labour and university lecturers, as with other employees of Government, is governed by contract, which defines the elemental services and public goods of the lecturers, and which said law makes for voluntary conditions of service. Owing to administrative failures and incompetent management of the Educational sector, the Academic unit has developed and weaponised strikes and academic disruptions, as legal instruments of blackmail, to disrupt and violate, not just their condition of employments, but the academic lives of thousands of students. In pursuit of collective action, in satisfaction of self-assured bloated collective good, the Unions have mastered the art of selective incentives, electing to its offices, professional experts in agitation and propaganda.Thereason for the current action, is obvious and simple. The Union wants more money for its members. Government says it’s broke and can’t afford same, which is evidently so. No employer or government can pay more than it can afford to, nor commit itself to agreements financially impossible to implement. Thus, required balanced understanding, considerations and reality by the union. But, with a professional detachment that defeats reasons, they have plunged the once thriving Ivory Tower into a bibulous tower of conflicts by its periodic economic strikes, sympathy strikes, sit down strikes, wild cat strikes, slowdown strikes to intermittent strikes.

Kede Aihie University Students have been at home for six months, due to the ASUU strike. Yes, for the avoidance of doubt, students have spent six months at home. In any rational society, something urgent would have been done to resolve the impasse between the government and the striking union. It does not look like, it is going to end soon. What is the strike about, why has it not been resolved and most importantly, what is the way forward? The disagreement stems from a 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, over implementation of the 2009 pact and Memorandum of Agreement on welfare, improved funding to universities, the proliferation of universities, discontinuation of the controversial Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) for University Transparency and Accountability Payment System (UTAS). The Federal Government has not Fulfilled its Part of the Agreement, Pleading Lack of Funds Going by the comments of Minister of State of Labour, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on national TV, I doubt if the Government has any intention of negotiating in good faith. The Minister arrogantly said the Federal Government is not going to borrow N1.2 trillion to settle ASUU’s demands, and that education as a sector is competing with others for limited Government resources. He did not make any meaningful suggestions, but asked that lecturers should be patriotic and return back to theTheclassroom.strikehas further eroded confidence in the Nigerian educational system. Parents are bearing the financial burden of sending their children to private universities, even going the extra mile to send them outside the country. A loss of an academic session for students, also has serious consequences for those who have to complete their professional qualifications. What happens to final year Law students or medical students. Additionally, students will also miss out on serving NYSC. What are the wider implications for the ongoing strike? For starters, uncertainty about the graduation of students, miss out on furthering their professional careers. So, final year Law students will not be able to attend Law School, and will miss their scheduled Call to the Bar. It sends the wrong signal generally, and to the international community, on the premium we place on education - little or none.

The foregoing is in recognition of the importance of education globally and nationally.

The Causes Asides the non-implementation of the Agreement that the Federal Government reached with Unions in public tertiary institutions, there is the introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System which has caused disaffection among the members of ASUU. Other reasons can be adduced, as causes of this lingering crisis. A situation where public office holders have children schooling abroad leaves the educational sector underfunded, with no commitment by the said public office holders. Another is the nature of persons that are elected and appointed into public offices, who lack true leadership qualities to manage the affairs of Nigerians and less concerned about the children of the poor.

The resultant effect of the ongoing strike, is numerous. Parents are currently having trouble keeping their wards, some of whom have returned home (not to mention the those refusing to return home) from public tertiary institutions, gainfully engaged due to idleness. Of note, even their counterparts who are graduates are unemployed or underemployed. The affected students are mostly depressed, and some are already engaging in despicable conducts. Some lecturers of public tertiary institutions have left the country to pursue their careers abroad, whilst some few students of privileged backgrounds have opted for Private Universities or admission into Universities abroad. Families of lecturers are not left out, since their source of livelihood has been depleted. Many who benefit from businesses tied to public tertiary institutions, are left to bear the hardship as well.

The Solution Federal Government must be committed to adequate funding of the education sector, to Jefferson Uwoghiren

Suggestion The major consequences of these perennial disruptions is the dislocation of tertiary education in Nigeria, with privately owned universities now the beautiful brides. Since Government cannot compel a return to classrooms and the Lecturers have failed to force Government to agree fully to their requests, something must give way now, in the interest of the traumatised students. Government should sell off these universities, to willing and capable investors! The fear of cutthroat school fees, will be mitigated by the forces of demand and supply. Teaching is an essential social service, payable for when affordable!

The Consequences

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X TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY

At the heart of the conflictual, habitual, polarising annual disputes between the Federal Government and ASUU, is the benign exploit and abuse of the rights to form or join labour organisation, to bargain collectively and engage in other activities like strikes in furtherance of collective bargaining.

ASUU Strike: Any End in Sight? resolve the lingering crisis. Withholding the salaries of aggrieved workers in public tertiary institutions, is definitely not the best solution.Nigerians must ensure that good leaders are elected to represent them; this is the profit of democracy. Also, public office holders must be mandated vide legislation, to have their children enrolled in public institutions. Stakeholders in public tertiary institutions - (ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT) must have a sincere examination of conscience, meeting with the relevant Government Ministries (Finance, Education, Labour, and Science and Technology). The Federal Government should not arrogantly insist on renegotiation of the terms of the Agreement with ASUU, since the position of law as captured in the Latin maxim - pacta sunt servanda meaning - “agreements must be kept” is sacrosanct. Sincerity of purpose between parties to this impasse, is germane. A situation in which funds are being diverted, the worrisome state of non-prioritisation of the educational sector, and embezzlement of public funds by public office holders leaves much to be desired. Likewise, there is a need to reconsider the adoption of strike as a sole mechanism in resolving the decadence in the educational system; sadly, workers in the public tertiary institutions have been left with few choices, owing to the lackadaisical approach of Government towards the educational sector.

Jefferson Uwoghiren, Constitutional and Human Rights Lawyer, Benin City

The Need to Urgently Resolve the Impasse

Kede Aihie

The need to address this menace is expedient. We already have a situation in which eligible students of public tertiary institutions cannot be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, and those to proceed to Nigerian Law School are equally stranded. Overall, the ripple effect on the citizenry, the economy, the education sector and the country at large, is such that will stick with us like chameleon faeces for a very long time, since our public tertiary institutions constantly have to compete at the continental and global level. As the impasse lingers, the average Nigerian impacted by this stalemate in negotiations, wonders what the dividends of democracy are exactly.

Going Forward The reality is that, a new policy on education is required. The Government is broke, and even when it was in the position to, it didn't. Nigeria may need to take a leaf from the UK model of funding. Universities are funded by endowments, funding councils paid for by taxation, and tuition fees levied on students. Kede Aihie, Publisher, Nigeria Magazine, London

What Does ASUU Want?

Conclusion The various demands of workers in the public tertiary institutions are definitely not such that should be downplayed; sadly, the mismanagement of the economy with poor decision-making has negatively impacted all sectors of the economy. As lecturers are complaining, the Judges who should serve as arbiter of the Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities impasse, are also complaining over poor remuneration. This in itself is tragic!

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LSPWC men at site

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 XV

LSPWC Fills Potholes on Third Mainland Bridge, Other Roads Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Discussing the near absence of skilled artisans in the country, the immediate past President of FOCI, Engr Nasiru Dantata, said training artisans in the sector would reduce the need to employ labour from outside theDantatacountry.said FOCI estab lished a skills academy in Abuja and had been partnering stakeholders to train artisans in latest skills so as to acquire the competencies to take up jobs in the sector, adding that this would resolve the challenge. He said, “We will continue to support the training of artisans in the industry. What this does is that it reduces the need to Members of FOCI after their 66th Annual General Meeting in Abuja …recently

Lagos State Public Works Corporation has carried out maintenance work on sec tions of the Third Mainland Bridge as part of its ongoing state-wide road maintenance and rehabilitation operations.

The Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), an umbrella body for construc tion companies in Nigeria, has said building infrastructure in the country is becoming more challenging with the mindless fall of the Naira against other currencies, which is making the procure ment of construction equipment cumbersome.ThenewPresident of FOCI, Chief Vincent Barrah stated this during his investiture as President and Chairman of Council at the 66th Annual General Meeting of FOCI in Abuja,Barrahrecently.said,“The free-fall of the Naira against other currencies which has made purchase of construction equipment almost a nightmare. “This situation, therefore, affects the fate of construction projects and activities in the country, critically disrupting contract execution, cash flows and the economics of job creation tied to these ongoing projects.”According to him, “We have issues like the recent hyper inflationary trend on the basic prices of key construction resources in the country which has become a great concern for our members. This has made the current allowance for variation of prices (VOP) of 5 per cent in ongoing projects meaningless.”

Thinkmint to Host REDA August 30 Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Lagos Residents’

The keynote address is to be delivered by Bruce Haswell, Project Director, Turner and Townsend, with Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, as the special guest of Withhonour.the conference, exhibition and awards run ning into its fourth year, the REDA Conference has proven to be the region’s largest real estate event gathering the most senior investors, developers, operators and professionals, providing the perfect platform to do deals across the region. employ labour, because as a country of more than 200 million estimated population, there’s no reason to import basic labour that we can train locally. So, our member companies are concentrating on doing that. “We’ll continue to provide infrastructure that is long lasting to Nigeria that you need little to repair and that will last long.”

The Real Estate Discussions & Awards (REDA) is set to hold from August 30 to 31st at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria-Island, Lagos. This year’s edition, themed, “Recovery” is powered by Thinkmint Nigeria and Thinkmint Europe. The Managing Partner of Thinkmimt Nigeria, Imelda Usoro-Olaoye mentioned that the event is a stand-alone op portunity to discuss current trends, share industry experiences, enjoy insightful debates, showcase real estate products/ investment opportunities and acquire high ROI real estate developments from leading real estate organisations.speakersthetheinvestmentHighlightingcompanies.thenumerousopportunitiesincountry,shestatedthatconferencewillhost70fromtoprealestateThisyear’seditionissupportedbyPurple,Yahshud,HomeworkGroup,FederalHousingAuthorityMortgageBank,ElanOrrisRealEstateandSabreworksServices.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni told journalists there would be “an extensive and consultative review of the tariffs to meet the rising cost of operations from September 1, while new prices will commence on October1.”

provide the one-off intervention on critical sections which are not only slowing down traffic, but also lead to accidents in some cases. He said further that “this effort is in furtherance of Mr Governor’s commitment to unhindered movement of persons and goods in Lagos in order to promote its status as the commercial nerve center of the Engr.country’’Somide said that his agency chose to fix the Third Mainland Bridge between 9:00am and 4:00pm on Sunday when traffic is usually lighter on the corridor. This, he said is in line with the Corporation’s sensitivity to minimising inconvenience on road users whenever its menare on the road.Speaking on maintenance work recently carried out across the state, Engr. Somide said that since the break of heavy downpour witnessed in the past weeks, the Corporation has continued to extend its operations to many parts of Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu Commissions PH Flyover,Commends Julius Berger Bennett Oghifo

Waste Bill to Increase by 50%

He said, “PSP operators and residents’ associations will be allowed to fix the new tariff for domestic waste, since its management is dependent on lifestyles of individual tenement.” However, he said the state government has approved additional subsidies to the PSPs to enable them perform better, and help them to evacuate the increasing heaps of waste on the streets of Lagos. Odumboni also urged Lagos residents to have a better attitude to waste disposal to avoid conflict with the law, adding that 4,083 residents were cited for different environmental infractions between January and August, 2022. Eighty three of those arrested, he said, were jailed, “1,000 sentenced to community service, while 3,000 paid fines of different categories.”

He said the government has started an adopt-a-bin campaign and that it would prosecute tenements without bins from October 1, adding that residents are allowed to have a minimum of a 24-litre waste bin per tenement. He said LAWMA plans to operate a two-bin system, one would be for recyclables and the other for organic waste, but that “We are trying to ensure that we are not introducing any change that will automatically disenfranchise people and cause the menace of waste in our immediate society. “PSP, CDA/CDC and LAWMA will take part in the review process, we want to appeal to tenements, the quicker we resolve this the better it will be for us in terms of the percentage increase.“Insome cases, it might be less than that because waste is dependent on your individual lifestyles.”Hesaid dumpsters and other trucks for evacuating waste would be retrofitted to use cleaner energy like gas in addition to diesel, stating that they had begun introducing dual fuel systems for their trucks. “Two trucks have already been converted to dual fuel systems, 50 per cent diesel and 50 per cent gas for efficiency.” Chairman of the PSP operators and President of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr. David Oriyomi, said “the unstable exchange rate and rising diesel price had informed the high cost of operation.”

Bennett Oghifo Lagos residents are to pay 50 per cent more money for the disposal of their waste because of the increase in the cost of diesel, vehicle parts and other ancillaryAccordinginputs.to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and its partners, the Private Sector Participants (PSPs), the planned increase is on account of a “300 per cent increase in operational cost.”

Speaking during an inspec tion of the work, the Corporation’s General Manager, Engr. Lateef Somide noted that even though maintenance of the bridge is under the purview of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Lagos State Government decided to

Naira Fall against Other Currencies Makes Equipment Purchase Nightmare, Says FOCI Bennett Oghifo

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulatedthe Rivers State Government and commended Julius BergerPlc., for the construction of the Orochiri-Worokwu flyover bridge in Port Harcourt. The projects inaugurated bythe Rivers State Government in Port Harcourt included a flyover, a dualised road, and new quarters for members of the State House of Assembly. There was a flag off of another road dualisation project. Julius Berger’s regional manager, Engr. Juergen Fischer who represented the company’s managing directorat the events, on behalf of the executive management and the board, expressed the company’s appreciation to the government and people ofRivers State for the confidence reposed in Julius Berger asthe contractor to deliver the key infrastructural projects.Fischer said the OrochiriWorokwu flyover was the 7th in the series of successfully constructed flyovers by Julius Berger for the Rivers State Government. According toFischer, with the commis sioning of the Orochiri/ Worokwu Flyover and all its adjoining service roads,turns and roundabouts, , the project closes the last gaps on the strategic Aba expressway within the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, freeing it of every travel obstruction. Fischer also proudly recalled Julius Berger’s landmark construction and deliveryof the Rebisi, Rumuola, Oroabali as well as the new GRA flyovers, promising successful deliveries of other ongoing projects being handled by the company for the Rivers State Government.Anothermajor infrastruc tural project, the Ogbunabli/ Eastern Byepass also constructed by Julius Berger Plc, was commissioned by the Rivers State Government during the ceremonies. The Special Guest of Honour for the ceremonywas the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko. He congratulated Governor Wike and the Rivers people for the superb quality of the dualised road and commended Julius Berger for a job well executed.The Rivers State House of Assembly quarters also built by Julius Berger was commis sioned by the Special Guest of Honour, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representa tives, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the serial project commissioning events in Port Harcourt. For the flag of a new project to be constructed by the ever-reliable Julius Berger for the Rivers StateGovernment, the dualisation of the Azikiwe/Iloabuchi road in Port Harcourt, the former Governor of Ondo State, H.E. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was in Port Harcourt as SpecialGuest of Honour. At this event, Gov. Wike said that “Julius Berger has continued to prove to us that it can take on any construction and engineering job; they deliver to specification and on time. No delay, no story.”

He called for deliberate ac tions to tackle the challenges in the construction industry.

XVI/ 16.8.2022

BUSINESS WORLD Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email

Food Inflation Continues to Surge as Poultry Feed Rises by 168% 21 Continued on page 22 FOOD COMMODITIES PRICE TODAY THISDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has stated that Nigeria’s food inflation rose to 18.37 per cent in April amid increase in prices of staple food across the country.Thefood inflation situation has also contributed to the rising cost of poultry feed which has risen by at least 168 per cent in the last three years in the midst of persistent rise in the prices of feed ingredients such as maize and soya to the increase in the cost of THISDAYproduction.gathered that this has resulted to a broiler being sold for between N5,500 and N7,000 currently as against N1,500 and N2,500 in 2018, while a crate of eggs rose from N800 to N1,800. This, expert noted is a huge surge that underlines the scale of Nigeria’s food inflation in the last few years. On average, a 25 kilogramme of poultry feed, made mainly from maize, soybean, wheat, and millet, rose from N3,600 in 2019 to between N8,500 and N10,000 in July 2022, according to market surveys by the Centre for Journalism and Innovation Development (CJID). Food prices in Nigeria accelerated 20.6 per cent in June over the previous year, the fastest pace in 11 months, according to the NBS. Headline inflation shot to 18.60 per cent, a five-year high. Prices of goods and services have rocketed in Nigeria stoked by several factors. Inflation worsened in 2019 after the government closed the borders to check smuggling and boost rice production and other essential food production. But low domestic production slowed supplies amid huge demand, driving prices. The pandemic lockdowns, shortage of foreign currency, insecurity, high fuel prices, and lately, Russia’s war in Ukraine complicated the problem.Indeed, the National President of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Ezekiel Ibrahim in a chat with THISDAY explained that the 168 per cent price hike surge is occasioned by the several challenges faced by poultry farmers in the country, ranging from the persistent rise in the prices of feed ingredients such as maize and soya, especially, to the increase in the cost of production. He said that Nigeria’s poultry industry is worth $4.2 billion, citing the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, and is also a major protein source for over 200 million people. According to him, the sector, which contributes nine to 10 per cent to the GDP, has struggled Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Again, Nigeria has hit a new oil production loss record as a result of disruptions to its crude assets due to maintenance challenges, community issues and prolonged forceLatestmajeure.data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) indicated that in June, a whopping 9.425 million barrels were lost to the upstream challenges. This figure excludes the much-talked-about oil theft in the Niger Delta region, which is estimated to be 400,000 bpd. The NNPCL has been unable to contribute a kobo to the Federation Account since this year, thereby crippling most dollar-related transactions in the Nigerian economy. In a document in which the national oil company explained its operations to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), it told the body that the nation lost the 9.425 million barrels during the month, in nine major incidents in the course of its operations. Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector has struggled in the last one year, due to deteriorating facilities occasioned by waning investment as well as oil theft, sabotage and community issues. With an estimated oil price of about $110 for that month, it is estimated that the country may have lost as much as $1.036 billion to the phenomena during the period under review. The Bonny terminal took the biggest hit during the period, with force majeure declared as a result of the shutdown of the terminal. The facility lost 3.545 million barrels during the month of June. “Crude oil production at Bonny terminal has dropped significantly to an average of about 3mb since the 21st of March 2022 till date. The terminal operator has declared force majeure on all outstanding Bonny programme,” the NNPCL stated in theDuringreport.the month, the QUA IBOE terminal was also shut down for maintenance work, losing 2.056 million barrels, while production on Forcados was curtailed to the tune of 980,244 barrels as a result of the closure of the facility for pipelineNigeria,repairs.Africa’s largest oil producer and a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has tried to stamp out sabotage on its pipeline network in recent years without much success. Some operators have said they receive as little as 5 per cent of crude volumes pumped through the TNP pipeline, for instance, reflecting a larger issue for Nigeria which is already facing shrinking investment and hasn’t been able to meet its OPEC+ oil-production quota in order to benefit from a surge in prices. But the loss of revenues to the Nigerian economy, according to THISDAY’s analysis, was further exacerbated by the decrease in production on the d d terminal with losses as high as 937,663 barrels. The lack of drilling was due to maintenance repairs, while Jones Creek lost 809, 600 barrels as it was unable to restart due to workers’ protest on Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42. Also, at the Bonga terminal, Nigeria lost 558,085 barrels because of flex work which was ongoing and required that the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility be “kept at 16 meters draft to facilitate the repair work.” Similarly, Brass was closed due a ruptured delivery line caused by sabotage, leading to the shedding of 315,000 barrels for the month, while Ukpokiti and Aje terminals lost 210,00 barrels and 11,000 barrels respectively due to a fire incident and maintenance work. oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com08056356325

NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE SORGHUM 100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG50KG50KG JIGAWAKADUNALAGOSBENUEENUGUDELTAABIA N23,000N17,000N9,000N8,500N8,500N23,000N23,000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE RICE 100KG50KG50KG50KG50KG50KG50KG50KG RIVERSKWARASOKOTOPLATEAUABUJA(JOS)LAGOSOYOEDO N23,000– N25,000 N23,500- N25,000 N23,000– N26,500 N11,500– N13,000 N22,000- N25,000 N24,000– N27,000 N23,000– N26,500 N17,000– N20,000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE COCOA 1 TON 1 TON 1 TON 1 TON 1 TON CROSSONDOEDOAKURESOUTH,ONDOOSUNRIVER —––N740,000N760,000N720,000N740,000N730,000N755,000N730,000–N750,000N700,000–N720,000 RATES AS AT AUGUST 15,2022 MONEY MARKETREPOS & P INDEX S & P INDEXEXCHANGE RATE OPR 11.25% CALL 10.25% INDEX LEVEL 613.31% 1/4 TO DATE -0.85%N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR* OVERNIGHT 11.50% 1-MONTH 9.56% 1-DAY 0.16% YEAR TO DATE 7.64%*AS AT LAST FRIDAY 3-MONTH 10.52% MONTH-TO-DATE 0.44%

Barrels

Amid Massive Under-production, Nigeria Posts Record 9.4m Oil Loss to Shut-ins, Others

Gilbert Ekugbe

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Another poultry farmer and Chairman of the 2021 Poultry Show for South West States, Mr. Olalekan Odunsi, stated that poultry farmers are facing lots of socio-economic challenges, which is negatively affecting the industry trajectories.

The West African Power Pool (WAPP), is planning to create a Liquidity Enhancement Revolving Fund (LERF) for the region’s electricity market, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said. Chairman, Executive Board of WAPP, Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, stated this during the 54th meeting of the executive board meeting of WAPP held in Cotonou, Benin Republic, according to a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs of the organisation, Ndidi Mbah.

“For the residents of Ekiti State and its environs, the additional 204MW capacity to the grid means that more bulk supply will be readily available for offtake by Benin Disco for its customers in Ekiti and environs, he Inadded.hisremarks, the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi said, the state receives just only 26MW of electricity from the national grid. He added, “This level of electricity supply is worrisome and grossly inadequate going by the energy need of our population, estimated to be around 150Mw in 2014.”

Gilbert Ekugbe One of the leading agricultural trading companies in Africa, Sourcing and Produce (SP), has called on the federal government to support exporters in the non-oil export sector with loans that could drive Nigeria’s agro commodity trade.The Chief Executive Officer of SP, Mr. Lanre Awojoodu, in a statement said the federal government must support Nigerian exporters with loans to encourage them in the regulated global commodity platform. Awojoodu said that export companies need capital which would enable them to compete globally.According to him, it is a crucial time for the government to make funds available for export companies for agricultural produce export.Hesuggested that an export pre-financing scheme would be the best option, saying that it would enable the government to identify serious exporters, who have a track record of export AMID MASSIVE UNDER-PRODUCTION, NIGERIA POSTS RECORD 9.4M BARRELS OIL LOSS TO SHUT-INS, OTHERS Not long ago, THISDAY reported that a combination of huge oil pipeline repair cost and high-level theft of crude oil was bleeding out the Nigerian economy, with losses amounting to at least $29 billion in the last six years, spanning between 2015 and 2021. A review of the NNPCL’s latest data indicated that the company spent N8.352 billion during the month under review on pipelines security and maintenance. The amount that the NNPCL spent in a month is almost the entire budgeted sum for the year for the purpose, which should be N8.792 billion for the 12 months of However,2022. the massive jump in security and maintenance costs may not be unconnected with the renewed moves by the authorities to rein in record oil theft in the Niger Delta. The government recently deployed more troops to the region to curb the menace. On Saturday, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari announced cash rewards for anyone who blows the whistle on oil thieves and vandals, disclosing that he was personally spearheading the move to ensure that the identity of the whistle-blowers is kept under wraps.He also announced that the NNPCL had deployed cameras to monitor its assets real time as well as the disclosure of the launch of an application to ensure the menace is brought to the barest minimum. The GCEO stressed that many of the “illegal” refineries were being destroyed, but added that the major problem was the large-scale theft for export to neighbouring countries. He warned that Nigeria will soon begin to take action against countries which buy stolen crude from the country.Latest OPEC data shows that Nigeria’s production quota fell to 1.083 million barrels per day in July. The country’s allocation for the month or how much it was supposed to supply to the global oil market was 1.8 million bpd.

Expert Calls for Improved Loans to Drive Nigeria’s Agro-Commodity Trade Regional Power Pool Plans Liquidity Fund to Enhance Electricity Supply

Odunsi lamented that insecurity, high cost animal feeds and exchange rate have forced some poultry farmers out of the business, saying these challenges have cut numbers of poultry farmers producing eggs, chickens and other products with many of them closing down their shops. On the immediate effect of the current situation, Odunsi said Nigerians should prepare for high cost of poultry products. He also stated that apart from the issue of maize and soya, prices of other ingredients being used in the production of poultry feeds, are on the high side. He said: “What is also impeding more on poultry production is foreign exchange. A lot of things we used are imported only maize and soybeans are grown in the country, all the additives, multivitamin, medicament that we are using, we import all of them. Even the fish feeds, we are not producing locally, we import. So, all these are impeding very much on the cost of production. So, let’s brace up, but we will try our best to make sure people have good meat to eat.”

22 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS

Post-harvest Losses: FG Pledges Support to Research Institutes

He however stated that his company has been working to unlock the potential of the agricultural sector to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth for Africa, saying that his company had exported agricultural commodities to 27 countries globally from Nigeria. He revealed that the company has established its footprints across African markets, especially with the incorporation of Sourcing and Produce Tanzania Limited. Awojoodu noted that the agricultural sector had limitless opportunities that could be explored in the export market. He urged investors to take advantage of this unique opportunity by doing business with credible export organisations, noting that this would help to meet growing demands for agricultural produce and earn better returns on their investments. He stated that it was gratifying to note that despite the limited access to investment capital which has further negatively impacted agricultural export growth, the company was defying all the odds to make agriculture produce available to its customers in several parts of the world.

“The creation of this fund will provide the ECOWAS regional electricity market with a very important tool for electricity trading by reducing the level of outstanding bills, thereby providing stakeholders in the trade with a high degree of robustness and sustainability,” Abdulaziz stated. In his remarks, the Secretary General of WAPP Executive Board, Siengui Ki Apollinaire, emphasised that the latest financial statements complied with international standards. “The 2021 budget was executed transparently and rigorously, and it is with pleasure that I announce that the 2021 consolidated financial statements of our organisation have been declared regular, sincere, and compliant with international standards by a well known independent auditor.Meanwhile, the federal government has begun the construction of a 132 kilovolts transmission line and a 2×60MVA transmission substation as well as a switching station in Ekiti state to raise the state’s capacity by 204 megawatts (MW). The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, according to a statement, during the ground-breaking ceremony in Ado Ekiti, said the project consists of a 50 kilometre stretch of 132kV transmission line from Ikere (Ado Ekiti) with a turn-in-turn-out at Ijesa Isu that terminates at Ilupeju Ekiti. It also has a 2X60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation with four line bays at Ijesa Isu Ekiti with a switching station at Ikere (Ado Ekiti) in the state. Aliyu was represented by Abdulaziz at the event. “For TCN, this is a very strategic project and we believe it will have a massive impact on bulk power transmission in Ekiti and environs. “The projects are part of the many projects being undertaken by the TCN in pursuit of its grid expansion programme which is in line with Mr. President’s mandate for the expansion of the power sector for sustainable development,” he said. The minister said that in various transmission regions, nationwide, TCN is equally executing substations and lines projects which are all at various stages of work. “These are a clear indications that the federal government is not relenting in its determination to ensure that the nation’s power sector receives the desired boost.

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development) FOOD COMMODITIES PRICE TODAY NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE ONIONS 100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG BENUEIBADANDELTAENUGUKANOGOMBELAGOSABIA N25,000N27,000N21,000N15,000N10,000N12,000N25,000N29,000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE PALM OIL 25CL25CL25CL25CL25CL25CL LAGOSIBADANEDOPHIMOABUJA NNN20,000-N25000N18,000-N22,00019,000–N21,000N19,500–25,00021,000–N24,500N19500-N25000 NAME COMMODITYOF S IZE LOCATION PRICE MAIZE 100KG100KG100KG100KG50KG JIGAWADELTALAGOSENUGUABIA NNNNN900015000135002400014000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZE STATE PRICE TOMATOES 25KG40KG40KG40KG40KG BENUEABIADELTAKADUNALAGOS N15,000N18,000N17000N5,000N9,500 TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, revealed this at the presentation of International Standard Organisation (ISO) accreditation certification to Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) Accreditation Certificate to the Minister in Abuja. Shehuri, who was represented by the Director, Agric Land and Climate Change Management Service, Mr. Shehu Bello, disclosed that post-harvest loss was worrisome situation that threaten the food security. He said: “Unfortunately not much attention has been paid to address the problem as much as it is done for production.”He,however, commended NSPRI for its attainment of accreditation certificate in a bid to address the challenge of production and post-harvest losses in the agric sector. He said that research institutes are important agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was established in 1948 as West African Stored Products Research (WASPRU) has the mandate to engage in post-harvest storage research of all farm produce, animal products and fisheries inclusive, through the acquisition of enabling infrastructure, tools, and equipment amongst others. Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Agric Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN, Garuba Sharubutu, spoke about the process of obtaining certification and revealed that NSPRI was qualified to receive the accreditation certificate having gone through the rigorous exercise and come top in their certification procedures. In her remarks, the Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Dr. Patricia Pessu, commended the ministers, the executive secretary of ARCN, and the Senate Committees on Agriculture as well as the House of Representatives for their immense guidance support over the years. businesses.Awojoodu explained: “I would suggest a Non-Oil Export (NXP) pre-financing scheme, this will help the government and exporters. Government makes available affordable loans for exporters who have a track record of NXP’s. Let us say a situation where you can get a loan of 50-70 per cent of your NXP value of the previous year in a loan. If you default, then you are blacklisted. Capital needs to be cheaper to be able to compete on prices globally. A framework along this line will be positive. The Government will see more exporters using Importer and Exporter FX window.”

Gilbert Ekugbe The federal government has pledged its unwavering support to research institutions in their bid to address postharvest losses in the nation’s agricultural sector. Also, the government has lamented the threat posed to food security by post-harvest as report has revealed that over N3.5 billion is lost annually to post-harvest losses.

FG SEEKS SUPPORT OF STAKEHOLDERS, NGOS TO IMPROVE NIGERIA’S ANIMAL WELFARE PRACTICE in the last three years and many operators have abandoned their businesses due to high costs. The renowned poultry farmer stated that his members are lamenting the high feed costs. Ibrahim explained that the current developments in the country’s poultry sector over skyrocketing prices in animal feeds and cost of production following shortage of foreign exchange nationwide is the major reason for continuous price review upward for approval for a new price for the sale of a crate of eggs by poultry farmers in the country. He said: “It might interest you to know that poultry farmers are facing serious challenges ranging from the consistent rise in the prices of feed ingredients such as maize and soya especially. The decision was borne out of the desire to safeguard the poultry industry from imminent collapse and to keep our members in business.”

PRIVATISED NNPC AS SOLUTION Yusuf, however, commended the federal government for its decision to make the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) an independent, autonomous organisation. This proposition would unlock the huge investment opportunities in the oil and gas sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. He hoped that the models of Saudi Arabian Oil Company [Saudi Aramco] and the Petrobras of Brazil would be replicated with this transformation.

Top on the list of challenges confronting the sector, according to Ajayi-Kadri, is high operating cost environment occasioned largely by inadequate electricity supply and the high cost of alternative sources amongst others. He noted that manufacturers are heavy users of electricity in Nigeria and this naturally necessitates our keen interest in all electricity and alternative energy supply related discourse and development. He said: “The MAN is greatly concerned about the implications of the over 200 per cent increase in the price of AGO on the Nigerian economy and the manufacturing sector.” He, therefore, asked: “Should manufacturing companies that are already battered with multiple taxes, poor access to foreign exchange and now over 200 per cent increase in price of diesel be advised to shut down operations? Should we fold our arms and allow the economy to slip into the valley of recession again?” He was not alone in raising concerns about the skyward trend in the cost of diesel. On July 21, the National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. John C. Udeagbala, added his voice and said that the soaring price of diesel have become prohibitively expensive and forcing a lot of enterprises to shut down or scale down their operations. The situation puts to question the readiness of Nigeria to compete in the global economy especially under trade agreements like the AfCFTA.

Similarly, the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, projected that in the third quarter of 2022, many factors would weigh on growth such as the rising energy costs with diesel above N800/litre. Cole said: “These price levels will continue to aggravate production costs which may lead to restrained manufacturing and eventual job losses. We expect to experience some fiscal constraints because of debt overhang accompanied by a high debt service burden and heavy subsidy costs. There are, therefore, heightened fears of contracting output, constrained production, and recession risks as we navigate the murky waters of 2022.” However, the Nigerian industrial sector might be assailed with higher energy prices at least in the short term. A recent United Nations’ report said that “energy prices are still high, above pre-war levels, suggesting further turmoil in energy markets, with significant global implications.”

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This is contained in the United Nations’ report that titled the “Global Impact of war in Ukraine: Energy crisis – UN Global Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance, August 2022.” The report, which was released on August 3 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD), said that “the world is in the grip of a major energy crisis with countries worldwide affected by extremely high and volatile prices, particularly of fossil fuels as rising energy prices may price out many developing countries, with a high level of impact on the most vulnerable citizens, from energy mar UKRAINEkets.”WAR IMPACT The UN said that the war in Ukraine has further disrupted fossil fuel supplies and the overall market in which the Russian Federation is the leading exporter of natural gas and the second largest exporter of oil. It said: “Rising energy prices may price out many developing countries, with a high level of impact on the most vulnerable citizens, from energy markets. Such a situation is already impacting hard-won gains in the provision of access to energy and the reduction of energy poverty, and progress had already been set back due to the pandemic. “A potential ‘scramble for fuel,’ in which only those countries paying the highest price can gain access, would be devastating for a multilateral system based on trust and proportionality. Sky-high prices and growing social discontent are putting many Governments under pressure.” The UN, therefore, advised governments that the best policies would mix urgency and strategy. “Energy policy measures must balance the need for urgency and long-term sustainable development. Without such policies, there is a risk that some countries, especially those without adequate funding, might, under pressure, set a course for high-emission, expensive energy in future,” it said. It also tasked the international community to jointly take stock of how to manage the energy crisis in a way that would safeguard meeting the target in the Paris Agreement of not exceeding a global rise of 1.5°C above preindustrial temperatures. Multilateral action is critical, yet each country and region will need to develop a tailored response, in accordance with current human capacity, infrastructure, access to finance and localized challenges. The UN said that “the world needs to double down on the use of renewable energy sources to achieve the net zero goal, tackle energy poverty and boost and diversify the global energy mix.

Still Mired in Energy Trap

23 BUSINESSWORLD INDUSTRY

THISDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022

Last month, most the organisations that in one way or the other represent the interests of the Nigerian manufacturing sector raised their voices in lamentation. They were lamenting the negative impact of the escalating cost of energy on the productive capacity and competitiveness of the Nigerian industrial sector. According to them, the current upsurge in the price of AGO, popularly known as diesel in Nigeria, is threating their businesses with closures, especially those in the small and medium scaled manufacturers. In July, the price of diesel was N720 per litre and is still climbing. For instance, on July 8, he Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a public statement titled, “The Position of MAN on the Recent Increase in the Price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” said that the Nigerian manufacturing sector has been battered by numerous familiar challenges that have plummeted the number of industries in Nigeria and converted industrial hubs in many parts of the country to warehouses of imported goods and event centres.

Renewable energy production is often the leastcost source with the shortest installation time, with some variation by source and geography. “The International Renewable Energy Agency, in a recent report, highlighted that in 2021, over two thirds of newly installed renewable energy power was cheaper than the cheapest fossil fuel alternative in member countries of the Group of 20. Renewable energy sources also enable the greatest reduction in exposure to fossil fuel prices, especially in countries with a high level of import “Renewabledependence.energy projects, especially decentralized installations, can be implemented much faster than conventional energy projects. This is true in both energy-intensive and energy-poor countries, yet while advanced economies can continue to fund renewable energy production, developing economies need domestic and international finance frameworks that can support investments in this sector or will be at risk of being left further behind. The crisis is an opportunity to bolster support to developing economies for the rapid growth of renewable energy production, rather than permitting the gap to widen.”

CHALLENGES

It also recommended that developing countries should be provided with technical and capacity support in developing evidence-based paths to emissions reduction goals, with sectorial plans and investment requirements, including through economic models that gauge positive and negative externalities that a changing energy mix might have on food production costs, especially in terms of fertilizer prices. The MAN has called on federal government to licence its members to import diesel from nearby Republic of Niger and the Chad Republic while the LCCI championed the resuscitation of Nigeria’s local refining capability. Similarly, national president of NACCIMA has said that the association is keen to see the progress of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) formed between Nigeria and Germany during the visit of the then German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel and her business delegation which included Mr. Joe Kaeser, Siemens AG CEO and signed as an agreement in July 2019, to among other things, to increase operational capacity of Nigeria’s national grid.He added that “as the private sector awaits the progress of the PPI, immediate intervention is required in the oil and gas sector for which we depend on for our production and transportation needs.Italso called for “urgent action in terms of fixing the domestic refineries, which we continue to harp on at every press briefing, or the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act which is currently hobbled by the petroleum subsidy regime.” An Economist and the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, identified high and increasing energy cost as one of the biggest concerns of economic players in the first half of 2022. Yusuf said that investors across sectors in the economy are concerned about the high and increasing energy costs especially the cost of diesel, which has gone up by over 300 per cent, the cost of gas which has increased by over 100 per cent while the cost of PMS (petrol) is still moderately tolerable because of the subsidy regime that is still currently being provided by government. He noted that the frequent collapse of the national grid has made it even more difficult for many businesses to continue to sustain their operations, creating serious business sustainability concerns among investors. He said: “Costs have become elevated, profit margins are being eroded, purchasing power has been weakened and business sustainability is at risk. The cost of transportation has reached unprecedented levels especially the cost of haulage because of the escalating cost of diesel.”

RISING ENERGY COST

A recent report by the United Nation that posited that fossil energy might be priced out of the reach of developing countries raises concern about Nigerian manufacturers that rely on diesel as its major source of energy, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

ADDRESSING BOTTLENECKS It, therefore, urged governments to identify and address bottlenecks in renewable energy supply to foster clean energy and economic growth and leverage opportunities for a just transition. It said: “Renewable energy scale-up depends on a stable policy environment, providing long-term revenue certainty and the transparent granting of permits. National energy plans, or equivalent economy-wide energy planning to achieve de-carbonisation goals, enable long-term political commitment and policy signaling to the private sector, the public and the world. “Governments can accelerate private sector investment and implementation by sending clear policy signals, through robust and detailed country-level renewable and high-efficiency energy transition plans and policy mandates; binding de-carbonisation targets; and a clear trajectory for achieving such targets by supporting infrastructure planning and investment, such as with regard to an enabling infrastructure for renewable energy sources. (e.g. smart grids and electric vehicle charging stations).”

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 12Aug-2022, unless otherwise stated. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date. ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com

Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS Coral Balanced Fund 4,079.21 4,134.68 7.65% Coral Income Fund 3,600.31 3,600.31 6.20% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.04% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.11 1.11 4.00% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/AN/AN/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/AN/AN/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/AN/AN/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.59 1.62 12.40% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,162.19 1,162.19 5.88% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.29 12.35 12.61% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.69% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.77 101.77 9.58% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.07% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.65 1.68 4.54% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.76 11.79 5.26% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.47% PACAM Equity Fund 1.44 1.46 1.44% PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.05 119.97 2.81% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 130.04 132.63 4.74% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,607.05 3,648.47 6.59% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 240.79 240.79 2.22% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.44 1.46 15.08% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 324.30 324.31 3.57% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 266.28 270.36 14.19% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.07% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,931.76 12,101.95 9.40% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.33 1.33 3.14% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 119.36 119.36 2.10% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 111.35 111.35 4.68% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund        0.98 1.01 10.64% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.36 1.38 4.30% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.15 1.17 11.48% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 4.41% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.90 1.90 3.90% United Capital Eurobond Fund 122.51 122.51 3.41% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.51% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.74 13.86 4.15% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.90 16.07 8.84% Zenith Income Fund 22.99 22.99 4.73% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.67% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.80 3.90 -5.26% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund6.03 6.13 3.21% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund17.99 18.19 1.74% Vetiva Money Market Fund1.00 1.00 8.71% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund18.33 18.53 -8.24% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund147.97 149.97 -6.17% REITS Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn SFS REIT 117.96 4.16% Union Homes REIT51.82 1.90% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Bid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 14.39 14.49 2.88% SIAML Pension ETF 40 134.29 137.58 5.61% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund102.35 104.53 2.57% MERGROWTH ETF16.40 16.50 -3.16% MERVALUE ETF17.10 17.20 20.09% INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.59 0.00% info@anchoriaam.com MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 189.59 190.74 14.30% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.83% Nigeria International Debt Fund 308.60 308.60 6.63% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 104.23 105.38 5.66% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund NameBid PriceOffer PriceYield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 4.86% Anchoria Equity Fund 139.95 141.53 0.50% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.18 1.18 3.38% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 21.33 21.97 5.15% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 509.66 525.03 12.97% ARM Ethical Fund 42.69 43.98 9.58% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.07 1.08 -0.40% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.06 3.75% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.04% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 96.0196.01-0.96% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,081.24 1,081.24 8.12% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/AN/AN/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/AN/AN/A CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,013.16 1,013.16 4.77% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund NameBid PriceOffer PriceYield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.011.015.19% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.39% Paramount Equity Fund 19.4219.7711.45% Women's Investment Fund 147.76 149.58 4.11% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.83% Cordros Milestone Fund 132.83 133.76 6.68% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.69 110.69 5.00% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/AN/AN/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/AN/AN/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A EMERGING AFRICA

FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com

Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1488.51488.511.34% FBN Balanced Fund 194.23 195.50 10.83% FBN Halal Fund 122.38 122.38 10.69% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.34% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) 125.22 125.22 5.78% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 159.59 161.73 5.52% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.89% Legacy Debt Fund 3.74 3.74 -6.61% Legacy Equity Fund 1.88 1.92 8.06% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.24 1.24 2.55% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

MARKET NEWS 24 TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 • THISDAY

Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.99% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 8.75% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.04 1.04 4.60% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 103.00 103.00 1.90%

Afrinvest West Africa Limited Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com Brokerage Asset Management Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Investment Research TickerPricePrice Chg % TickerPricePriceWAPIC0.444.8%HONYFLOUR2.836.0%WAPCO24.956.2%JAIZBANK0.917.1%ABCTRANS0.307.1%MULTIVERSE2.448.4%IKEJAHOTEL1.279.5%COURTVILLE0.569.8%NEM4.4110.0%BUAFOODS59.9510.0%Chg % RTBRISCOE0.38-2.6%TRANSCORP1.07-2.7%ARDOVA12.50-3.8%CHAMPION3.80-4.0%ACADEMY2.02-5.2%UNITYBNK0.43-6.5%ELLAHLAKES4.00-7.0%CUTIX2.05-8.9%CHAMS0.28-9.7%BUACEMENT52.95-9.9% Top 10 Gainers Top 10 Losers TickerVolumePrice Chg % TickerValuePriceHONYFLOUR6.66.0%TRANSCORP6.6-2.7%STERLNBANK6.72.7%GTCO7.5-0.2%JAIZBANK8.87.1%ZENITHBANK9.7-0.7%UBA13.20.7%FBNH30.51.4%WAPIC37.14.8%ETRANZACT77.60.0%Chg % STANBIC60.5-0.2%BUAFOODS87.310.0%DANGCEM90.8-2.3%UBA92.70.7%BUACEMENT114.6-9.9%MTNN124.00.0%GTCO154.0-0.2%ETRANZACT176.90.0%ZENITHBANK207.4-0.7%FBNH333.21.4% Top 10 Trades by Volume Top 10 Trades by Value Ticker CurrentPrice PreviousPriceChange WeightingCurrent ChangePriceYTD IndexChangePricetoDate ROEROAP/EP/BV DivindendYield EarningsYield THISDAY AFRINVEST 402430.16-0.15%31.0%143.0%26.0%4.9%4.8x0.8x6.8%13.8% 1 Airtel Africa PLC 1,905.40 0.0% 50.1%99.5%10.0%19.2%6.7%1.1% 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 201.00 0.5% 7.0%2.0%-12.6%144.8%14.4%12.1x15.3x6.5%8.3% 3 BUA Cement Plc 53.20 0.5% 4.4%-20.7%-26.0%23.3%12.1%20.0x4.5x4.9%5.0% 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 20.35 -0.2% 4.2%-21.7%-0.7%19.8%3.2%3.4x0.7x14.7%29.8% 5 Zenith Bank PLC 21.70 2.1% 4.2%-13.7%0.0%20.6%2.6%2.7x0.5x14.4%36.6% 6 Dangote Cement PLC 258.80 0.0% 3.6%0.7%-5.9%44.2%15.8%12.9x5.8x7.8%7.8% 7 Lafarge Africa PLC 24.95 0.0% 2.8%4.2%-5.5%15.6%11.1%6.7x1.0x8.2%14.9% 8 FBN Holdings Plc 10.75 -2.3% 2.5%-5.7%-7.3%20.5%1.9%2.3x0.4x3.2%43.5% 9 Nestle Nigeria PLC 1,300.00 0.0% 2.4%-16.5%-7.1%178.2%15.1%22.4x35.7x3.8%4.5% 10 SEPLAT Energy PLC 1,419.90 0.0% 2.8%118.4%9.2%9.9%5.1%10.9x1.1x3.3%9.2% 11 Access Holdings PLC 8.55 -2.8% 2.0%-8.1%-8.1%17.9%1.6%1.9x0.3x8.2%53.5% 12 United Bank for Africa PLC 7.00 -0.7% 1.6%-13.0%-6.0%15.6%1.4%2.0x0.3x14.2%49.8% 13 Nigerian Breweries PLC 47.15 0.0% 1.2%-5.7%-19.8%13.4%4.9%16.0x2.1x3.7%6.3% 14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 216.90 0.0% 1.4%52.7%0.0%52.6%30.4%9.7x4.8x3.6%10.3% 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 10.60 0.0% 1.3%21.8%0.0%20.0%1.1%2.1x0.4x6.3%47.0% 16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 28.05 0.2% 1.1%-22.1%-16.4%15.6%2.1%5.9x0.9x10.7%16.9% 17 International Breweries PLC 5.00 -2.0% 0.9%1.0%-20.6%-2.4%-0.9%1.0x-2.5% 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 30.30 0.0% 0.9%6.9%-6.8% 0.6x7.0% 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 3.06 0.3% 0.6%20.0%-10.5%13.3%1.2%2.3x0.3x11.4%43.0% 20 Guinness Nigeria PLC 84.00 0.0% 0.6%115.4%-7.2%19.1%8.1%11.7x2.0x8.5%8.5% 21 Presco PLC 142.60 -10.0% 0.4%62.4%-13.6%53.7%20.2%6.3x3.3x4.6%15.9% 22 FCMB Group Plc 3.49 4.2% 0.4%16.7%0.9%12.4%1.2%2.3x0.3x6.0%43.6% 23 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 1.86 0.0% 0.4%-19.8%-7.0%5.7%1.7%9.2x0.5x13.4%10.9% 24 United Capital PLC 12.15 -2.0% 0.4%22.7%-4.7% 5.8x2.7x12.3%17.2% 25 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 16.00 -4.2% 0.4%-8.0%-1.8%23.2%8.7%6.5x1.4x6.2%15.3% 26 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 1.08 0.9% 0.3%12.5%-12.2%19.0%4.3%2.6x0.4x1.9%37.8% 27 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 10.25 0.0% 0.3%68.0%6.8% 7.8x1.1x2.6%12.8% 28 Cadbury Nigeria PLC 15.40 0.0% 0.2%75.0%-10.7% 8.7x1.9x3.5%11.4% 29 UAC of Nigeria PLC 10.80 0.0% 0.2%13.7%-2.7%3.6%1.6%18.0x0.7x6.0%5.6% 30 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 234.50 0.0% 0.2%5.7%0.0% 1.8x 31 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 25.90 0.0% 0.2%15.9%-2.3%19.1%2.1%5.5x0.8x9.7%18.2% 32 Custodian and Allied Insurance 6.80 0.0% 0.2%-13.9%-2.9%18.2%5.2%4.1x0.7x7.4%24.4% 33 Wema Bank PLC 3.50 -0.3% 0.2%386.1%9.7%15.7%0.9%8.8x1.8x6.9%11.4% 34 Unilever Nigeria PLC 13.50 0.0% 0.1%-6.9%-8.8%7.2%4.3%42.0x1.2x3.7%2.4% 35 Jaiz Bank PLC 0.88 -3.3% 0.1%57.1%-3.3%20.0%1.5%6.4x1.3x4.5%15.6% 36 Oando PLC 4.90 0.0% 0.1%10.9%-13.6% -21.5%-183.5% 37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 5.80 0.0% 0.1%-1.7%-5.7%6.4%0.7%9.3x0.6x10.8% 38 Sterling Bank PLC 1.50 -0.7% 0.1%-0.7%-1.3%10.3%1.0%2.7x0.3x6.7%36.5% 39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 62.50 0.0% 0.0%0.0%0.0%-17.7%-4.1%1.8x-1.8% 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc 6.25 0.0% 0.0%16.2%0.0% 1.0x1.1% Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX Tuesday, August 16, 2022 Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com TUESDAY, A THISDAY 25

He started his career with HEINEKEN in 2005 as a Finance Management Trainee and rose through the ranks, holding various senior finance roles within HEINEKEN Netherlands. He served as Manager Finance of HEINEKEN Netherlands Supply in 2014 and later in America as Manager Business Control in 2016. Ben Wessel Boers replaces Rob Kleinjan, who completes his tenure as Finance Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc on August 31, 2022 and has been appointed Finance Director for HEINEKEN, United Kingdom.

BUSINESS/ MONEYGUIDE BOI Concludes Fresh €1bn Landmark Transaction to Enhance Capacity MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3) 48,865,823.53 -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 167,956.2 Money Supply (M2) 48,797,867.32 -- Quasi Money 28,405,330.1 -- Narrow Money (M1) 20,392,537.22 ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,722,785.91 ---- Demand Deposits 17,669,751.32 Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 6,242,394.29 Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 42,623,429.24 -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 57,267,178.05 ---- Credit to Government (Net) 17,996,690.06 ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00 ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 39,270,488 --Other Assets Net 5,566,430 Reserve Money (Base Money 11,320,304 --Currency in Circulation 3,259,269.15 --Banks Reserves 11,320,303.72 --Special Intervention Reserves 384,377.56 Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) MonthJune 2022 Inter-Bank Call Rate 11.10 Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 13.00 Treasury Bill Rate 2.45 Savings Deposit Rate 1.38 1 Month Deposit Rate 3.48 3 Months Deposit Rate 4.55 6 Months Deposit Rate 4.97 12 Months Deposit Rate 5.30 Prime Lending rate 12.29 Maximum Lending Rate 27.61 26 THISDAY Kayode Tokede The Bank of Industry (BoI) has announced that it has successfully completed a landmark EURO 1 billion Guaranteed Senior Loan Facility to further enhance its capacity to deliver on its mandate, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic diversification agenda. BOI in a statement said the initial mandated lead arrangers (IMLAs) and underwriters for the senior phase of the transaction, led and coordinated by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Standard Chartered Bank, include Abso Bank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division); First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC; FirstRand Bank Limited (London Branch), acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division; Moshreqbonk PSC, Nedbank Limited, London Branch; and SMBC Bank International Plc. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is the Agent Bank. “A syndicate of financial institutions arranged by the IMLAs has indicated strong interest in participating in the general phase of the ongoing syndication, and BOI has an option to increase the facility size up to EURO 1.5 billion after the general syndication. The deal is quite unique and the first of its kind by any financial institution in Nigeria both in terms of its size and structure.“Thetransaction structure leverages the strong investment grade credit rating of AFC (rated A3 with a Stable Outlook by Moody’s) to wrap and credit-enhance BoI thereby benefitting from favourable terms that would otherwise not be available especially in these highly volatile markets. The pricing, at 3 months Euribor (floored at zero) + 1.65% per annum, is a result of this innovative structuring, “the statementCommentingreads.on the deal, the Managing Director of BOI, Mr Kayode Pitan, said, “At a time when international capital markets are shut to many borrowers, and when capital is prohibitively expensive, through this innovative transaction structure and the AFC Guarantee, BOI was not only able to raise liquidity but also able to diversify its funding sources and attract new lenders. This is the 5th time BOI has successfully raised funds in the international markets since 2018. With the conclusion of this transaction, total funds raised by the bank from 2018 to date is in excess of $5 Billion. “The proceeds of this deal, like in our previous ones, will be utilized to provide much needed medium to long term finance to Nigerian MSMEs and Large Enterprises with bankable transactions at affordable Naira interest rates. Between 2015 and 2021, the Bank of Industry with the support of its various stakeholders disbursed over N1.2 Trillion to 4,205,920 enterprises, thus creating over 9,048,444 million estimated direct and indirect jobs,” Pitan said. “The Board, Management and entire staff of the Bank would like to express their profound appreciation for the unflinching support of our ma jority shareholders - the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). We also express deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and our supervising ministry, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the CBN Committee of Governors supported BoI by providing a full guarantee to facilitate the AFC guarantee and a 100% currency swop to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk, “the statement added.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has restated that the protection of investors in the capital market is a top priority of the commission. The Executive Commission Operations of the SEC, Mr. Dayo Obisan, who received a delegation from the Securities and Exchange Commission Zimbabwe in Abuja yesterday, stated that the Commission has a robust rule-making process that is meant to take care of current issues as well as create an enabling environment for innovation to thrive in the capital market. This, he stated, will aid the stimulation of growth in the economy, attract more investors to the market as well as ensure that investors are protected. Obisan disclosed that SEC Nigeria has a dual mandate to regulate and develop the capital market in Nigeria, stating that both roles are very delicate in a bid to ensure that the market is attractive to investors. According to him, “They are both delicate roles because if you focus more on regulation, development suffers, and if development suffers growth is stifled. And if growth is stifled it is just a matter of time and the market will be at the receiving end.“If you focus more on development on the other hand, things have potential of going haywire and you could just be running a market that is not co-ordinated and price transparency and investor protection will suffer. Those are the things we have sworn to do by the provision of the law that created us.”

L-R: Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Venia Group, Mr. Kola Oyeneyin; Executive Coach, Leadership Expert, Mr. Fela Durotoye; Actress, Celebrity Fitness Expert, Ms. Kate Henshaw and Founder, Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin, at Custodian Mentors Conference 2022 held in Lagos... recently NB Appoints Puri, Wessels Boer as Board Members

The SEC Executive Commission disclosed that the National Assembly is currently in the process of amending the Investments and Securities Act 2007 to make it in tune in current realities. “We are in the process of amending our enabling law and it has reached an advanced stage in the National Assembly. There is need to review the law because a lot has happened since the law came into effect in 2007. The essence is to capture all new developments that have taken place in the market within the period. Since the last review in 2007 a lot has happened like Covid-19, technology has taken a bolder stand. Even within the market there are a lot of other innovative instruments that have come which the law at that time did not envisage. Again, there is nothing cast in stone and we have to keep evolving to ensure we are adequately backed by the relevant sections of the law to enable us carry out ourInfunctions.”hisremarks, the Head Corporate Finance Zimbabwe SEC, Mr. Kundai Msemburi said the delegation decided to visit SEC Nigeria in a bid to exchange ideas and boost regulatory efforts.

Kayode Tokede

SEC Reiterates Commitment to Prioritising Investor’s Protection

Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced the appointment of two new Board Members – Mr. Ibrahim Puri from Nigeria and Mr.Ben Wessels Boer from Netherlands, who will also serve as the new Finance Director of the company. In a notice to the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX), signed by the Company Secretary/ Legal Director, Uaboi Agbebaku, the appointment of Ibrahim Puri is effective August 1, 2022, while that of Ben Wessels Boer takes effect from September 1, 2022. Until his appointment, Ibrahim Puri was an Executive Director with United Bank for Africa (UBA), responsible for the bank’s operations in Northern Nigeria. He joins the NB Plc board as a non-Executive Director with over 30 years of cognate banking experience encompassing operations, marketing, retail, corporate banking, and human resource management.Onhispart, Ben Wessels Boer is the outgoing Finance Director, Al Ahram Beverages in Egypt where his broad financial experience was deployed towards improving efficiency and business results despite the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the company.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE

Kayode Tokede The VCI West Africa Equity Index has captured and represented the most capitalized and liquid stocks across West Africa’s largest equity markets, according to the latest report by Vetiva Research. According to the report, the index comprises of 17 stocks across the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX), the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) - the regional stock exchange serving member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The components of the index account for 47per cent of the market capitalization of the three exchanges and represent a diversity of sectors. Vetiva Capital, in conjunction with IC Securities Ghana and CGF Bourse, recently released the second quarter (Q2 2022) performance review of the VCI West Africa Equity Index. The report revealed a modest 0.20 per cent rise in the index, which was driven by gains from players in the Commodities and Energy segments.According to the report, amid the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, soaring commodity prices, global equities have become even more fragile, due to widespread risk aversion towards risky asset classes. As such, the VCI Index returned a gain of 0.20 per cent in the Q2 2022 period, below the 1.53per cent return seen in first quarter (Q1), cushioned by resilient sentiment from the Agriculture, Energy and Telecommunication sectors. On the agricultural sector, the impact of higher demand and pricing boosted the performance of companies in the sector. This phenomenon was widespread across the countries that make up the VCI Index. Nigerian-based Okomu Oil SECURITIES TRADED AS 15

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7.48 per cent q/q, on the back of stellar Q1 2022 results, where the firm recorded strong topline and bottom-line growth, which was driven by increased demand for data services in the country. However, it was a bearish quarter for the Nigerian banks on the VCI, as they witnessed a downturn in sentiment, as investors continued to divert funds from volatile banking stocks to chase rising yields in the fixed income space.

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VCI West Africa Equity Index Rises on Commodities, Energy Players

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and Ivorian firm, SOGC were the largest gainers on the index, surging by 44.89 per cent and 6.69per cent respectively. Another key driver behind the VCI Index was the performance of Seplat Energy, which returned 39.78 per cent in Q2 2022, on the back of higher oil prices and increasing investor demand due to its cross-listing on the London Stock tionsFinally,Exchange.inthetelecommunica-sector,MTNNigeriarose

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Prime Video Africa and Middle East, Elizabeth Oputa; Director, Gangs of Lagos, an Amazon Original, Jade Osiberu; Principal Head, Content for Africa at Amazon Prime Video, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu and host of Last One Laughing Naija, an Amazon Original, Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth), at the exclusive Prime Video Experience event held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos… yesterday

The DG Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah said following the agreement, Nigeria was expected to within a couple of months, switch-off analogue transmission in the FCT and the six states already switched on and begin to harness the full potentials of a digital economy. He noted that the agreement would tackle the challenge of having a simultaneous national roll out with at least 70 per cent signal penetration and coverage of the Nigeria's territorial boundaries. ITS and NTA-Star would work towards building the requisite broadcast infrastructure that ensures a seamless digital switch over across the country through DTT as well as introduce and adopt a simulcrypt

Sheshe thanked the donor, lbrahim, and prayed to Almighty Allah to reward him with AljannatilSpeakingFirdausi.on behalf of the donor, Prof. Mahmoud Daneji said the gesture was to appreciate and immortalise his mother as the roles played by mothers cannot be overemphasised.

ITS, NTA Star Sign MoU on Digital Broadcasting

technique to integrate Free TV contents and NTA-Star contents (Pay TV) using DTT equipment across the country. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed commended the efforts of both ITS and NTA-Star, the NBC as well as the Ministerial Task Force on DSO for successfully midwifing the MoU, which tallied with government’s White Paper on transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in Nigeria. He said the agreement would lay the foundation for a working relationship between the two entities to drive the rollout of the DSO in the country which has stalled since the pilot launch in Jos, in 2016. The minister added that the MoU would also open the floodgates for channels to be licenced by NBC, thereby creating jobs and enhancing television experience with quality and compelling content.

AKTH to Commence

Members of Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance (UEPA) in Enugu State yesterday unanimously declared their support for all the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election. Members of the group stated that their decision to support the PDP was because of the respect they have for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is the leader of the PDP in Enugu State and the South East geo-political zone. Speaking during the 4th phase of empowerment programme of UEPA in support of Ugwuanyi’s administration, the Director General of the group, Ozo Onyebuchi Ani, disclosed that they were overwhelmed by the leadership qualities of the governor and his good works in Enugu State in spite of the state’s lean resources and the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges. Ani stressed that Ugwuanyi, who graced the event, became governor at the most difficult period in the nation’s economic development, but has been able to manage the affairs of Enugu State peacefully and successfully. The Director General maintained that it was worthy of commenda tion that the governor in spite of the nation’s numerous challenges led Enugu State out of two eco nomic recessions suffered by the country within five years, to record milestone achievements in various sectors of development, most especially in the areas of peace, security, health, education, workers’ welfare, road infrastructure and ruralAnidevelopment.statedthatit was unfor tunate that some people with ulterior motives deliberately refused to acknowledge the good works of Ugwuanyi in spite of the challenges he met on ground when he assumed office, assuring that: “We will continue to follow you (Ugwuanyi), as governor of Enugu State, and as a Senator in 2023, in Jesus name, Amen.” Commenting further on the gov ernor’s steadfastness, resilience and visionary approach towards the progress of the state, the Director General said: “You have done well in spite of the nation’s economic challenges. You assumed office when the economy of the country was in shambles but you were able to manage the affairs of the state peacefully and successfully. Anybody undermining your efforts has an ulterior Appreciatingmotive.”Ugwuanyi for the emergence of a youth from Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Engr. Osita Ngwu (RG), as the candidate of the PDP for Enugu West Senatorial District and the Patron of UEPA cum former Chief of Staff of the governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor, as the PDP candidate for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Ani urged the governor to remain steadfast in his leadership role and assist them immensely to deliver the duo, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and other candidates of the party in the state. Ani revealed that UEPA had empowered about 80 per cent of its members, explaining that the fourth phase of the empowerment programme was borne out of their firm resolve as a socio-cultural organisation to continue to em power their members periodically. Disclosing the theme of the empowerment programme as: “Palm Production and Wealth Creation,” the Director General said: “We have invited a resource person in the person of Chief Eric N. Ozongwu, MD, NONET Palms Nig. Ltd, to educate us on “Palm Production and Wealth Creation” so that we can slightly vary the method of this current programme to the advantage of today’s beneficiaries. It is in our interest not to only volunteer funds to members but to also provide some more value.”

The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) would com mence bone marrow transplant to become the second among Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria that perform such transplant.

28 TUESDAY, THISDAY NEWS

Police Inspector, another get three years each Alex Enumah in Abuja In a ruling that has led many bewildered, Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has handed down a seven years jail term to an alleged kidnap kingpin, Mr Hamisu Bala, aka Wadume. Nyako handed down the sentence after finding him guilty of charges relating to escaping from lawful custody as well as illegal dealings in prohibited firearms. Aside Wadume, the court also jailed Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu) and Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) for seven years each while Aliyu Dadje, an Inspector of Police bagged threeTheyyears.and three others were all arraigned on a 13-count criminal charge bordering on unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition and tampering of documents amongst others. They were all in 2020 arraigned by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the federal government. The remaining defendants in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/ CR/30/2020 were Auwalu Bala (aka omo razor), Bashir Waziri (aka baba runs) and Rayyanu Abdul.

Delivering judgment on July 22, the court upheld the case of the prosecution team, which included Mr Labaran Magaji and Mrs. Yetunde Cole, as it related to five out of the seven defendants. While the court found Wadume guilty on counts two and 10, it convicted and sentenced Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu) and Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) on counts three, four, five, six and 11. Bala and Abdullahi, in the four counts, were charged with illegal possession and unlawful dealing in prohibited firearms andHowever,ammunition.thecourt struck out count one, in which Wadume was charged with kidnaping one Usman Garba (aka Mayo) and collecting N106million before releasing him. Meanwhile the court found Inspector Dadje guilty on count seven, wherein he was accused of tampering with police record to conceal a crime and subsequently sentenced him to three years im prisonment.Dadje,who was a Station Of ficer at the Ibi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibi Local Government Area, Taraba State was said to have, in August 2019, “willfully tampered with the entry made by the leader of the IGP IRT team, Inspector Felix Adolije, by tearing off the entry page to cover up for Captain Tijani Ahmed Balarabe and his team”, knowing that an offence of terrorism had been committed by Capt. Balarabe and his team, who attacked and killed three members of the IGP IRT team and two civilians, who were in Ibi, Taraba State to make lawful arrest. Also handed down a three-year jail term for harbouring Wadume in his house in Kano after his escape from police custody in Ibi was Rayannu Abdul. She, however, discharged and acquitted Auwalu Bala (aka Omo Razor) and Bashir Waziri (aka Baba Runs), who were listed as the 3rd and 5th defendants, for want of evidence.

Despite Losing Three Officers, Court Jails Alleged Kidnap Kingpin, Wadume, Seven Years

2023: Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance Declares Support for PDP

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Integrated Television Services (ITS) and NTA-Star yesterday signed a Memorandum of Under standing (MoU) on the provision of digital broadcasting content to over 30 million television households in TheNigeria.agreement was signed by the Chief Financial Officer of NTA-Star, Mr. Brolaleyn Linying Nan, who represented the CEO of NTA-Star and the General Manager of ITS, Sadeeq Musa, who signed on behalf of his organisation. The MoU now effectively makes ITS the signal distributor on the structure of NTA-Star with the obligation to carry latter's Pay TV content on its digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform.

PRIME VIDEO EXPERIENCE EVENT...

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Bone Marrow Transplant

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Abdulrah man Abba Sheshe disclosed this yesterday, during the official inauguration of Hematological Diseases Ward built and donated to the hospital by a Kano State indigene, Engineer Umar Ibrahim. The Chief Medical Director explained that the Lagos Uni versity Teaching Hospital is the only hospital that performs bone marrow transplant in Nigeria. However, with the establishment, furnishing and equipping of the ward, the hospital can successfully admit bone marrow transplant patients.

He also urged all the patients that benefited from the services rendered in the ward to pray for Hajiya Aishatu, her son and all members of her family. In his comment, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Auwalu Umar Gajida, acknowledged the contribution of Ibrahim in the promotion of health care services in the teaching hospital as well as the presence of all the personalities that graced the commissioning. Gajida also recognised the contribution of some philanthropists in Kano such as Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Dr. Abdussamad Isyaku Rabi'u, Alhaji Garba Karfe, the family of Late Magaji Dambatta, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Aliko Oil and Gas, among others, for their various assistance to the hospital and its patients. The Aishatu Hematology Ward was named after Hajiya Aishatu Abubakar mother of lbrahim. Others who spoke at the occasion included the Represen tative of Head of Hematology Department, Dr. Ibrahim Musa, one-time Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano and the Chief Imam of Kano Emeritus Sani Zaharaddeen.

L-R: Head of Business Development, Waxibet, Mr. Francis Ifie; Chief Operations Officer, Waxibet, Mr. Ajay Tripathi, and Lagos State Coordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mrs. Priscilla Nkiru, at the official launch of a sports betting company, Waxibet in Lagos…recently

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Five suspected kidnappers have been reportedly shot dead during exchange of gun shots with the police in EdoAnState.abducted victim, Innocent Achebe, 38, was rescued unhurt by the security personnel, and he had since been reunited with his family. Men of Edo police command also recovered from the scene of the crime, two locally-made pistols, cartridges and charms. Edo police deputy spokesperson, Jennifer Iwegbu, made the disclosure yesterday in an online statement, while declaring that the command was committed to ridding the state of violent crimes, especially kidnapping. She said: “The feat was achieved following credible information at the command’s disposal that hoodlums, suspected to be kidnappers, were operating in Ughoshi-Afe bush, Ibillo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State (in Edo North Senatorial District). “On receipt of the information, the command immediately mobilised its tactical team’s operatives from the Ibillo sector, in collaboration with vigilance members and hunters, to the scene.“The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire on them, which led to a gun duel that left five of the kidnappers fatally injured, and were later confirmed dead.” Iwegbu also quoted state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, of commending the show of gallantry exhibited by the security operatives. The Police deputy spoke per disclosed that Yaro promised that the command would continue to work with relevant stakeholders and law-abiding residents of the state, to ensure a safe Edo now, and always.

WAXIBET LAUNCHED IN LAGOS…

Ebonyi APC Expels Ward Chairman over Alleged Anti-party Activities

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the recent emotional outburst of its governorship aspirant in Oyo state, Adebayo Adelabu as Thebaseless.National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Felix Morka in a statement issued yesterday called on Adelabu to concentrate on his lackluster gubernatorial project and stop maligning national officers of theAdelabuparty. had while featuring on “Political Circuit”, a radio programme, alleged that he was robbed of the party’s ticket because of his relationship with the Presidential Candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Morka said Adelabu alleged that the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan; the National Chairman of APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; the National Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore; the Chairman of Oyo Chapter of APC, Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, and the APC standard bearer for Oyo State, Sen. Teslim Folarin, were involved in his “imagined conspiracy” to deny him the APC gubernatorial ticket in theHestate.added that the party expected him to explore and exhaust internal remedial mechanisms of the party or seek legal redress regarding any dissatisfaction he might have had with the primary election. Morka said: “For a man who lost his bid for the gubernatorial ticket of the APC in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s recent emotive outburst is understandable, but totally misled.“For the record, Adelabu, who was the flag bearer of the party in the 2019 general election, participated in the May 2022 primary election of the party and lost to Sen. Teslim Folarin. His fate was decided by delegates of the party and by no one else.

416 Night Accidents Occur in Eight Months in Lagos, Says FRSC Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

IGR: Ogun Accountants Tasked on Innovations Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Police Kill Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Victim in Edo

Osun LG

Police Urged to Investigate Alleged Killing of Man for Stealing Noodles in Anambra

to Hold October 15

James Sowole in Abeokuta Determined to meet its current revenue target, the Ogun State Government, yesterday tasked accountants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies to beTheyingenious.were charged to come up with innovative ideas capable of boosting the revenue base of the state. The State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, made gave the challenge at a meeting with all Directors of Finance and Accounts in various MDAs in Abeokuta. The commissioner noted that the current global and national economic situation has made it expedient for the state to devise ways of shoring up its revenue. He therefore, sought the cooperation of the accountants in ensuring that government generates enough funds to meet its obligations to the people. He said: “Due to current global economic situation, particularly in our country, IGR has become a major factor in the performance of sub-nationals. I charge you to come up with ideas on how to increase IGR, block leakages, ensure efficient service delivery in your respective agencies so that government can continue to discharge its responsibilities.” He assured the accountants that the state government would continue to expose them to training and retraining, seminars and workshops, in order for them to be attuned to modern trends in their profession.

The Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, said yesterday that the agency’s records indicated that 416 accidents occurred in eight months during night driving. Ogungbemide spoke during a media conference held in Lagos. The conference came following the increasing rate of Road Traffic Crashes due to recklessness and other factors on the part of drivers. He said that the 416 crashes were recorded between 6.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m from January to August. The official said there was the need for motorists to take caution while planning their journeys in the night. He said: “Our crash reports within the period show that a total of 416 crashes were recorded, in which 705 people were“Outinvolved.ofthe 705 people involved in various crashes within the period under review, 558 were seriously injured and 97 lost their lives. “The Federal Road Safety under the leadership of Acting Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, will continue demonstrating its commitment to mitigating rate and fatalities of road traffic crashes.”Ogungbemide said the corps had already enunciated the policy of discouraging night travel through public sensitisation programmes.Thecommander said that the civil approach to discourage night travel was based on the need to raise public awareness on hazards faced when crash occurs during the period.

Ugo Aliogo Organized Labour has directed workers in the Power sector to down tools and commence an indefinite strike over pending Labour issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN. Under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, (NUEE), as a prelude to the industrial action, the aggrieved workers are scheduled to picket the Abuja national Headquatres of TCN Today. In a circular by the General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, titled: “Call for Action”, to Senior Assistant General Secretaries and Zonal Organising Secretaries dated August 15, 2022; Labour said: “You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and Stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all Principal Managers, PMs, in acting capacity going to Assistant General Managers, AGM, must appear for a promotion interview. This directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths, and unilaterally done without the relevantAnotherStakeholders.”grievanceofthe workers is perceived “stigmatisation of Staff from the office of the Head of Service, HoS, of the Federation from working in other areas in the Power Sector, and the refusal of the Market Operator to fund the payment of entitlement of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Ex-PHCN, Staff as agreed in December 2019 agreement after an industrial action by the Union.”

Labour Directs Electricity Workers to Begin Industrial Action Tomorrow

Nasarawa Inherited N720m Salary, NLC Tells BudgIT Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ward executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Umudomi Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have expelled their ward Chairman, Mr. John Ogboji, over alleged anti party activities.Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the Ward Vice Chairman, Mr. James Nwite, who spoke on behalf of the executives, noted that the embattled former chairman allegedly reneged on the agreement reached after the acclaimed candidate of the Ebonyi South senatorial zone, Mrs. Ann Agom-Eze, snubbed the ward committee investigating her on alleged anti-party activities. Also speaking on the matter, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, said the letter written by the embattled chairman of Umudomi Ward didn’t fulfill the provisions laid down by the APC Okoro-Emegha,constitution.who stressed that Ann Agom-Eze had allegedly committed anti-party activities by associating with some top ranking members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), added that no amount of political maneuverings would make Ann Agom-Eze to fly the flag of the party in the 2023 general election.

Some members of Enugwu village in Nanka community of Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have called on the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Enugu Annex to investigate the alleged killing of a youth of the village, Mr. Toochukwu Onyemelukwe. Concerned members of the community, speaking under the aegis of Enugwu Nanka Village Development Union said the youth was killed last year on allegation of stealing noodles and tea, and may have been tortured to death by some persons who constituted themselves into village security. Secretary General of Enugwu Nanka Village Development Union, Mr. Godson Ofokansi, who spoke to THISDAY in Awka said since the death of Onyemelukwe last year, the community has been working to get justice for him, and has also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba. “We have written several petitions to police, urging them to investigate the matter, to ascertain the truth behind the death of the youth, but no such petition has been allowed to move after approval.

Your Emotional Outburst Baseless, APC Tells Oyo Guber Aspirant

TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY 29 NEWS

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday replied the BudgIT that the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, had inherited a salary liability of N720 million from the previous administration. The BudgIT, had in its recent field survey, put Nasarawa and seven other states of the federation in the category of states owing workers salary for six months and above. But the Nasarawa State chairman of the NLC, Yusuf Iya, during a press conference in Lafia, debunked the BudgIT report describing it as false, fallacious, concocted and baseless.However, Iya said: “Governor Sule inherited a salary liability which has been hanging since 2016, amounting to N720 million which he graciously granted approval for the payment and it was “Notpaid.only that, the governor also approved the implementation of pending promotion which has been hanging for over 14 years with a financial implementation of N216 million.”

The Chairman Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) Otunba Segun Oladitan yesterday confirmed that the local government elections in the state would be conducted on the 15th day of October, 2022. Speaking at a press conference the chairman recalled that when the commission conducted elections in January 2018, it was based on parliamentary system. He emphasised that the October 15th elections that would be conducted shall be on presidential system whereby Chairmen of Local Government Councils shall be elected directly and the Ward Councillors shall be elected separately.According to him “For some time now, the commission had been making necessary contacts with relevant stakeholders and carrying out in-house preparations for the conduct of local government elections.”“Asrecent as Friday the 12th day of August, 2022 the commission had parley with all the political parties in the State where they were informed of the impending conduct of the elections.”Oladitan stressed that in accordance with the Oath, which members of the commission took they shall ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and credible. Elections

David-Chyddy Eleke inAwka

Osun, Ebonyi Confirm Cases of Monkey Pox Okon Bassey in Uyo

TUESDAY AUGUST 16, 2022 THISDAY30 NEWSXTRA

Top security operatives have been alerted of plot by some aggrieved politicians in Akwa Ibom State to destabilise the peace, tranquility, rights and personal security of some politicians and individuals in the state. The plot was alleged to be the making of some politicians whose plan to impose unpopular candidates on the people of the state come 2023 general elections wereThefrustrated.securityalert was issued yesterday by Spokesman of the Campaign Organisation of the Govermorship Candidate of the Young Peoples’ Party (YPP), Akwa Ubok Abasi, Dr Usoro I. Usoro. The Inspector General of Police, Abuja, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Abuja, the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Uyo, and the media wereThecopied.statement said that the aggrieved politicians intend to organise a number of anti-people protests, instigate unjust and illegal arrests of those suspected not to be in their support. These protests and negative public reactions, Usoro said, would be blamed on the YPP Governorship Candidate, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan, his political associates as well as his new party, the YPP.

A non-governmental organisation, Zenith Environmental and Social Protection Network (ZESPRONET) has unveiled a blue print on how to bring the huge economic base of the South-Eastern region of Nigeria into reality. The focus is to encourage all the state governors to work together for the collective good of the people irrespective of partyThedifferences.Presidentof ZESPRONET, Dr. Emeka Boris Oji made the disclosure at the of the organisation’s 2022 fundraising dinner held on Saturday in Abuja. Oji said the NGO has the knowledge base to encourage the five South East states into focusing and pushing for inter connectivity of the gas pipelines from Abia State through Imo State to the major business centers of Aba, Nnewi, Onitsha, Enugu and Abakaliki. He said that alone will bring businesses back to the cities, increase internally generated revenue (IGR) and reduce reliance on the monthly allocations from the federal government.“Thisisthe type of deliberations and arguments we have at ZESPRONET and we hope the governors of the South East States will invite us for further deliberations and statistics,” Oji stated.

NGO Moves to Enhance South-east Economy

Rev. Fr Nwadike’s abduction is the latest in a series of kidnappings involving clergymen across the country. A few weeks back, two priests of the Catholic Church were kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna State. Three days after they were taken by the gunmen, one of the priests was killed while the other was released by the bandits after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to them as ransom. Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Osun State yesterday recorded its first suspected cases of monkey pox. The first suspected case was discovered in Iperindo, Atakumosa East Local Government Area of the state. Similarly, Ebonyi State government has confirmed the outbreak of Monkey pox in the However,state.in Osogbo, the state capital, another suspected case was also THISDAYrecorded.gathered yesterday that a 14-year-old boy with a symptom of the disease was brought to the General Hospital in Asubiaro, Osogbo, around 12p.m.The boy’s body, it was observed, was full of rashes andHesores.was admitted to the first office at the Trauma session of the hospital where medical experts attended to him. The medical experts were kitted in disease preventive personal protective equipment while attending to the patient. Personnel from Disease Surveillance Notification Unit were part of the team. It was noted that blood sample was taken from the boy for test.

Don’t Tamper with Election Materials, Oni Warns APC, INEC

Security Operatives Inform of Politicians’ Planned Protest in A’Ibom Adeline Okoronkwo

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the Ekiti State June 18, Segun Oni, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against tinkering with the election materials to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Election Petition Tribunal. Oni said the warning became expedient following alleged subterranean attempt by the INEC to secretly allow the APC candidate, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, access to some election materials to either thwart or pervert justice at the tribunal. The SDP candidate, in a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Jackson Adebayo, claimed that he had veracious evidence suggesting that Oyebanji had got INEC’s nod to inspect the election materials in the custody of the commission. Oni said: “For God’s sake, what inspection and election materials do a candidate who won an election and has been issued a certificate of returns want an inspection for? Is it to increase his winning votes or what?”

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Gunmen Kidnap Nasarawa Information Commissioner

AbductCatholicPriestinAbia,demandN50mransom

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Gunmen last night reportedly kidnapped the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mallam Yakubu Lawal, at his Nasarawa Eggon country home. The commissioner’s kidnap was barely two days after some gunmen last Saturday night invaded the Nasarawa Eggon Government Science Secondary School and killed a teacher, Mr. AutaLawalNasela.was reportedly kidnapped by the gunmen at his residence at the headquarters of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state by 9:45pm after the gunmen shot sporadically in the neighborhood to take control of the area. A family source confirmed the incident, noting that the gunmen, who whisked him away were heavilyWhenarmed.contacted, the Nasarawa State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said details of the alleged kidnap of the information commissioner were sketchy as at that Meanwhile,moment.Reverend Father Chinedu Nwadike, a Catholic priest, has been kidnapped by gunmen identified to be bandits along the Okigwe – Enugu expressway in Umunneochi council area of Abia State. Nwadike who is also the Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Nneochi (SUN), was kidnapped alongside a seminarian over the weekend on their way to Enugu for an official assignment. Information gathered suggest that the kidnappers have made contact with the school demanding N50 million ransom for his release. As of the time of filing this report, the Abia State Police Command was yet to officially respond to questions regarding the abduction of the Reverend Father and Commentsseminarian.regarding the development have also not been made by the Catholic Archdiocese.

The competition, which would be broadcast across Nigeria Info, Wazobia FM, Arewa Radio, and Cool FM (Kano) would air in English, Pidgin, and Hausa nationwide in order to address the sporting desires of a wide range of CommentingNigerians.on the recent development, Serge Noujaim, the Chief Executive Officer of Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info, and Arewa Radio, noted that the partnership with Talksports will take the broadcast reach of the English Premier League to new heights across the country. “As a group of leading-radio brands, we fully understand that Nigerians demonstrate a genuine passion for the game of football. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to engage in a longstand ing partnership with Talksport to bring the footballing experiences associated with the English Premier League closer to Nigerians in a unique broadcasting style while also advancing the reach of the competition nationally. This part nership further helps to reaffirm our commitment as a radio group to continue to leverage the power of sports, particularly football, to serve as a unifying factor among the teeming Nigerian populace,” he said.

Duro Ikhazuagbe Amaju Melvin Pinnick yesterday restated his earlier pronouncement not to seek a third term in office as president of the Nigeria Football Federation when his second term expires on September 20, 2022. Speaking yesterday on AriseTV, the CAF Executive Committee and FIFA Council member who has been speculated to be interested in a third term at the Sunday Dankaro House in Abuja, dismissed such talks, insisting that he was under family pressure to step aside. “A lot of Nigerians from all sectors have called me to stay on but I cannot go back to tell my wife and children that I want to contest for another term. I am an Itsekiri man and a noble one. I stand by my word that I will not contest again when my tenure expires,” observed Pinnick. He stressed that there were too many people he branded “traduc ers” in the corridor of sports who hate him for no just cause. “As a CAF executive committee and FIFA Council member, I ought to enjoy some level of support and protection because it is a thing of joy for Nigeria to have someone like me sitting at the highest level of decision making on football. “Unfortunately that is not the situation with too many traducers wanting to get at Pinnick for no just reasons,” stressedAlthoughPinnick.hedeclined to speak on the relationship between him and the current Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, Pinnick said he would do that at the appropriate time. It is a known fact that the NFF has not enjoyed the needed support under the Sunday Dare era at the FMY&SD.Pinnick however promised to support whosoever that emerges the next president of the NFF. “There are so many Nigerians that are capable of being there (NFF President). I will assist and work with anyone who wins the elections. I will work with whoever emerges as NFF President. That I promise. I will intervene but will not interfere,” Pinnick assured stakeholders in NigerianPinnick,football.theonly Nigerian to have done two terms so far, began his tenure at the NFF with intrigues in 2014 as both Chris Giwa and former Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, waged war of attrition against him in order to unseat the former Delta Sports Commission chairman. He however survived and four years later got another fresh mandate at the election in Katsina.Although Pinnick did his best attracting corporate sponsors to the federation to the point of becoming self-sustaining to the tune of over 70 per cent, the non-qualification of the Super Eagles for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar became a major point which those seeking his exit from the job are using as plank for campaign against him. Despite the enthusiasm in football circles that the rescheduled Annual General Assembly of the NFF was going to hold on Thursday, August 18, 2022 in Lagos, Pinnick’s insistence on getting clearance from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation before the AGM canTherehold.is no formal pronounce ment from the Yenagoa Federal High Court in Bayelsa State that the case before it stopping the AGM has been withdrawn. This may pose fresh hurdle for the NFF election. “As a FIFA member, I cannot be seen to be around for an illegality to take place. I know what we went through the last time we had a similar situation when Barrister A. U Mustapha almost ran into trouble with the legal authorities. Once we get the go ahead, the AGM will take place,” concludes Pinnick.

Nigeria’s leading talk and grassroots entertainment radio brands, Nigeria Info, Cool FM, and Wazobia FM, have hit yet another broadcast milestone as they recently secured the exclusive right to broadcast the English Premier League Games through their partnership with Talksport which is the global audio partner of the English Premier League. This broadcast partnership strives to provide Nigerians with an unbeatable sport-broadcasting experience which covers 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025 sporting seasons respectfully.

Osimhen Kicks off New Serie A Season with Goal, Assist Okogie, Metu, Oni to Lead D'Tigers

Super Eagles duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Joe Aribo are delighted scoring in their respective first games for Nottingham Forest and Southampton at the weekend. Awoniyi’s first goal for Not tingham Forest ensured that the club's return to the Premier League first time in 23 years ended in glory. The 25-year-old bundled in from close range in first-half stoppage time against West Ham United to set his side on the way to a 1-0 victory on AwoniyiSunday.spentsix years as a Liverpool player without making a single first-team appearance, before moving to Union Berlin in 2021 and then on to Forest for £17m in "I'mJune.really happy with the goal because it took me a long journey to get back to the Premier League," he told BBC Match of the Day 2. "That's why I'm very, very proud of myself, and of course I am grateful to God about it." Awoniyi scored 20 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season for Union before returning to England when Forest paid what was then a club record fee for his services.Hisgoal at the City Ground, on his first start for the club, will not rank among the finest of his career, but the Super Eagles forward sees the bigger picture for Forest. "The most important thing for me is just for the team to win," he"Weadded.must say a very big thank you to the fans, because from the beginning of the game till the end, they were all behind us and it's what kept the team going to the last"Wewhistle.justhave to keep on going on. I believe at the end of the day we'll have a great season." Forest lost their Premier League opener to Newcastle and have since broken their transfer record to another Nigerian international Emmanuel Dennis from Watford forThey£20million.alsobrought in Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate on a freeMeanwhile,transfer.Awoniyi's compatriot

D'Tigers Head Coach, Mike Brown, has invited 15 players to camp ahead of the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for between 26 and 28th of August. After the 2020 Olympics, Josh Okogie of the Phoenix Suns, Miye Oni who last played for Utah Jazz, and Ike Nwamu with BC Samara of Russia, all returned to the team. Chimezie Metu of the Sacramento Kings who was part of the team during the last phase of the quali fiers in Rwanda got an invitation alongside Uchenna Iroegbu, Michael Okiki (Gombe Bulls), Michael Oguine (Saint Chamond, France), Ben Emelogu (Rouen Métropole Basket) and Keith Omoerah plying his trade with Jamtland, Sweden. Ibe Abuchi Agu of the Nigerian Customs team will also be suiting up alongside his compatriots, Michael Gbinije- (Oklahoma City Blue, NBA G League), Amanze Egezeke (Kataja, Finland), John Mathias Iduh (Kano Pillars), Christian Mekowulu (Casademont Zaragoza, Spain) and Abdul-Malik Abu (s.Oliver Wuerzburg, Germany).

FIBA World Cup Ticket Charge Nigeria Info, Others Secure Broadcast Rights to Air Premier League

TUESDAYSPORTS Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com08111813083SMSONLY

Aribo came off the bench to also open his Premier League account as Southampton bounced back from two goals down to salvage a battling point in their 2-2 draw against Leeds. After a lacklustre hour, and trailing 2-0 at home, under-fire manager Ralph Hasenhuttl introduced the Nigerian midfielder off the bench - and it took him 10 minutes to score for the Saints onTheSaturday.new arrival from Rang ers received a pass from Adam Armstrong, rolled the ball out of the goalkeeper's reach before smashing it through the retreating Leeds defenders on the line to reduce arrears for the hosts. Kyle Walker-Peters fired an 81st-minute equaliser from an acute angle as the Saints ended a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats. "I'm buzzing I was able to leave my impact on the game, help the team get back, show some spirit and a fight," Aribo told BBC Radio. "I thought I had messed it up. But luckily I just shifted it onto my right and shot it. I'm surprised I scored my first Premier League goal with my right foot." The Saints had appeared to lack a cutting edge as the stands began to empty at a sun-drenched St Mary's before Aribo's introduction.

Taiwo Awoniyi (left) and Joe Aribo scored in their respective opening games for their new Premier League clubs at the weekend Amaju Pinnick ...restated his resolve not to seek a third term as NFF president yesterday

Esther Onyenezide’s brilliant curling banger from outside the 22m box goal deep into the second half was all Nigeria’s Falconets needed against South Korea to reach the last eight of the 10th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals ongoing in Costa Rica on Sunday night. The FC Robo of Lagos attacking midfielder knew a win would take Nigeria to the tournament’s quarter-finals.

TUESDAY, THISDAY 31

SUPER FALCONET...

Says: 'I will assist and work with anyone who wins the election' NFF Election: Pinnick Restates No Third Term Ambition

Victor Osimhen kicked off the new Serie A season from where he stopped last term, scoring a goal and providing an assist as Napoli hammered Verona 5-2 away on Monday evening. The Super Eagles forward scored in three minutes of first half added time to put Napoli 2-1 ahead. Osimhen celebrated his goal by teasing the Verona fans who racially abused him last season when he scored twice for Napoli. With 11 minutes left to play, Osimhen then provided the assist for Napoli’s fifth goal scored by Matteo Politano. With seven minutes remaining Osimhen was replaced by Head Coach Luciano Spalletti. The win took Napoli to top spot in the league table ahead of the likes of champions AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma who also recorded wins in their opening game. Last season Osimhen scored 14 goals in 27 appearances in the Italian topflight which helped Napoli secure Champions League spot.

Awoniyi, Aribo Relishing Debut Goals with Forest, Southampton

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TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

“We are here this evening to witness this momentous occasion as the people of Kenya restate what is in article one of the constitution of Kenya that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya…I want to thank God for getting us to this point. I want to thank God that today we have concluded this election. I know that there were predictions that I wouldn’t get to the ballot, there were predictions that we would not be here, but because there is a God in Heaven we are here, and I want in a very special way to say, and to confess, that without God, we wouldn’t have been here.” – William Ruto, Deputy President and President-elect, Republic of Kenya, Monday, August 15, 2022. A nd thus, it is done: the people of the Republic of Kenya have elected a new President in the person of the current Deputy President William Samoei Arap Ruto, 55, who, barring any untoward developments, will succeed his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta for whom the constitutional two-term limit of 10 years has come to an end. Kenya’s Constitution requires the winning candidate to receive 50% of the vote plus one, and at least 25% of the vote from 24 of the country’s 47 counties. A keenly contested election, which resulted in six days of vote counting, much anxiety and apprehension, as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) uploaded and collated the results, ended with William Ruto, candidate of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) winning 50.5% of the vote, that is 7.1 million votes. His closest challenger, Raila Odinga, 77, candidate of the Orange Democratic Movement/Azimio One Kenya Alliance, got 48.9% of the votes, that is 6.9 million votes. There were four major Presidential candidates in this election, and the third is particularly interesting: Professor George Wajackoyah, candidate of the Roots Party of Kenya, who ran a rather unorthodox campaign, targeted at young voters, with frenzied, eccentric mobilization on social media, and what became a high-pitched political movement combined with reggae dancing and talks about the value of marijuana, and hyena Wajackoyah’stesticles.social media sensation and populism fetched him 61, 969 votes - just about 0.44% of the total votes cast – a grim reminder of the limits of social media populism in the context of elections. The fourth candidate, David Waihiga Mwaure of the Agano Party, almost stood no chance, with 31, 987 votes (0.23%) as this was a tight race between Odinga and Ruto. Kenya’s general election 2022 is probably the most competitive so far in the history of the country. Ahead of the elections at the Presidential, governorship, senatorial, parliamentary and county levels, there were fears that there could an outbreak of violence, similar to the killings in 2007 and 2017. The two leading candidates are old, bitter rivals, forming broad alliances that were meant to give one or the other an advantage: William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance (an alliance of 12 political parties) and Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja. It is a measure of how this particular general election in Kenya is a test of the country’s stability - even now that the result of the Presidential election has been announced, it is somewhat difficult to celebrate a definitive end of the process. The fear of violence, litigation and acrimony hangs in the air, and the fear also, of what is next for Kenya. Just before the chair of the IEBC, Wafula Chebukati announced the winner, violence erupted at the national tally centre in Bomas, supporters of Mr. Raila Odinga reportedly started throwing chairs and tables. There were gunshots. Diplomats in attendance had to be guided away to safety. Mama Sarah, mother of the President-elect, also had to be quickly evacuated to safety from Bomas. Two electoral commissioners were injured. Meanwhile in another location, Deputy IEBC Chair, Juliana Cherera and three other commissioners rejected the results which they dismissed as “opaque”, and even

three women were elected as Governors. In 2010, part of the Constitutional review was the decision codified in law as a two-third rule to encourage women participation in Kenyan politics. There is probably a lesson for us here in Nigeria. To all intents and purposes, Nigerian women constitute half of the voting population but they are structurally and procedurally marginalized in political decision-making processes. Women politicians in countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia and South Africa are far ahead of their Nigerian counterparts. Nigeria pays lip service to the politics of inclusion, but what we run is a backward-looking, patriarchal system that confines female politicians to the backyards. There was much talk about the deployment of technology in Kenya’s election. There was nothing fool-proof about it. Out of the over 46, 000 electronic voter machines that were deployed, over 200 failed. Election was even suspended in at least one county. It took a whole week to get a final tally of results, creating anxiety. The thing to note is that the democratic process in Africa is still a work-in-progress, and many countries on the continent are still learning how to get elections right. Imagine a situation where it takes a whole week to collate election results in Nigeria! I don’t want to imagine what would happen if we were to experience that kind of delay. What has also been proven in Kenya is the perpetual conflict between incumbents and their deputies. President Kenyatta is definitely not happy that his Deputy has been declared winner. Both of them have been at each other’s throats since 2018. Ruto says he was the architect of Kenyatta’s emergence as President, for while he worked hard and held crucial meetings to make him President, Kenyatta was always busy sleeping. Kenyatta dismisses his Deputy as a “thug” and a “tanga tanga” man; so much pettiness between those two but no one should be under any illusion that one is better than the other. Ruto is as much a product of the establishment as Kenyatta is. He is certainly not a saint. Indeed, without prejudice to already stated expectations, it would be quite a big surprise if he is able to perform any magic as President. In real terms, the transformation that the people of Kenya seek, may not happen under a President Ruto. But to go back to the original point about African Presidents and their Deputies working against each other, Kenya presents yet another classical example. The myth that the democratic process at Presidential and Gubernatorial levels offers the people two capable hands for the price of one is exactly what it is: a myth. African political leaders are superstitious power mongers and closet monarchs. They can’t tolerate the idea of a Deputy who may become a replacement. We have seen this in many African countries: in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Most recently, in the party primaries for the 2023 Presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria did not lift a finger to support his Vice President’s expressed ambition to succeed him. If he did, the outcome of the ruling party’s Presidential primaries could have been different. In 2015, President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone sacked his Deputy, Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana and expelled him from the party, the All People’s Congress. Sam-Sumana had to seek asylum in the US Embassy in Freetown. In 1995, late President John Jerry Rawlings of Ghana reportedly once kicked his Vice President in the groin, punched him in the face, and tore the shoulder of his jacket at a cabinet meeting! Going forward, what Kenya needs is peace. The elections were generally considered calm and peaceful. On Monday, the Interfaith Council of Kenya called on Kenyans and their leaders to maintain the peace. The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, Anthony Mheria said: “We send peace to Kenyans, our President-elect, and candidates that lost the vote count. May peace rest in their hearts and families.” Christian and Muslim clergy in the Rift Valley have also expressed similar sentiments. May it be well with Kenya… went further to suggest that the results should be challenged in court, because four of them would not take ownership of it. Thus, 4 out of Kenya’s seven electoral commissioners rejected the outcome of the August 9 Presidential poll. This was a brazen display of partisanship and rebellion on the part of Cherera and her gang. Electoral Commissioners openly taking sides with a political party is a recipe for disaster. Before now, Odinga and his supporters had complained about rigging and mismanagement of the electoral process. IEBC insiders rebelling against their own team lead may have unwittingly set the stage for conflict. What the law in Kenya says is that if Raila Odinga chooses to challenge the results, he is allowed to do so within seven days by petitioning the Supreme Court which would in turn take a decision within 14 days. If not, the results would stand, but if the results are nullified, fresh elections would be held within 60 days. We can safely assume that Odinga will go to court. Former MP/Prime Minister of Kenya (2008 – 2013), this is his fifth attempt at the Presidential seat. This may well be his last chance given his age. Polls before the elections projected him as the winner. His Iron Lady-running mate, Martha Karua was also sure they would win. There is no way they would walk away just like that. There is also the Uhuru Kenyatta factor. The incumbent President has been at logger-heads with his Deputy, William Ruto since 2018. In the lead up to this year’s elections, Kenyatta openly backed Odinga and promised to stop his own Deputy from succeeding him. The declaration of Ruto as winner of the Presidential election clearly humbles and humiliates the incumbent and the Odinga coalition. It also postpones the dream of a Luo Presidency in Kenya. African political leaders often like to play God, to determine who succeeds them and to impose their will on the people. It is important that the verdict of the people is allowed to prevail. Ruto has told those who opposed him that there is “nothing to fear… there’s no room for vengeance.” The international community must immediately step in to help the people of Kenya manage the new transition. The United Nations, the African Union and all voices of reason must begin to prevail on the leaders of Kenya to give peace a chance. In 2007, more than 1, 200 people died as a result of electoral violence, masterminded at the time by the Mungiki gang. After the 2017 Ruto

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William Ruto And Kenya Election

“The Federal Government has grudgingly allowed state governments to create state or regional security outfits. But they are not allowed to bear arms. The personnel of the regional security outfits who are armed with cutlasses and dane guns are expected to commit suicide by confronting AK 47 bearing terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, herders and robbers…” ---Human

Falana to Federal Govt

elections, more than 100 people were killed. This time around, the international community must be proactive in ensuring that the elections do not degenerate into another orgy of violence because of the ego of politicians. And in these elections in Kenya the egos in conflict are just too overbearing: beyond the coalitions and the spectre of divisive politics, you have Ruto-Gachagua at one end, opposed with equal fervour by Raila Odinga-Martha Karua. The people must be more important than the gladiators. Kenya’s history of violence must not be allowed to repeat itself, “the hustlers and dynasties” in contention must give the people a chance. Without much doubt, the 2022 general election was a referendum on the legacy of President Uhuru Kenyatta. He is leaving behind a legacy of high inflation, high unemployment, economic inequality, political corruption, and debt – Kenya’s public debt is more than two-thirds of GDP. Is the average Kenyan better off today than he or she was in 2017? No. Out of a total of 22 million voters, 14 million Kenyans representing about 64.6% turned up to vote in the elections in 47 counties, for 16, 098 candidates contesting 1, 882 positions. Voter turn-out was much higher in 2017 – 78% at the time, but the people are disenchanted with the political elite. Kenya’s next President must give the people hope and rebuild trust in government. Kenya is heavily indebted to China, the country’s entire debt burden of about $70 billion is unsustainable, and to prevent the country becoming another Zambia or Sri Lanka, this must be addressed. The people want food on the table. They want poverty tackled. They want to eat their ugali and mandazi without pain. More importantly they want the high cost of living and taxes reduced. They want peace. Ruto promised the people a “bottom-up economic model”. Ruto would be Kenya’s fifth President since independence. And he has made history. No Deputy President in Kenya has ever succeeded the President. William Ruto will be the first. He is also the second Kalenjin after Daniel Arap Moi’s Vice Presidency and Presidency to lead Kenya. It is further reassuring to hear that yesterday, he placed a call to Raila Odinga and reportedly told him: “I will be available for us to have a cup of tea because there are areas we can agree on...We agreed that whatever the outcome of this election, we should have a conversation.” The race may have been close, but Ruto won convincingly in critical constituencies such as the Rift Valley, Baringo, Mt. Kenya region where his running mate comes from, Teru, Nyeri and even in President Kenyatta’s Kiambu county where Ruto’s UDA took 11 parliamentary seats! Kenya’s next President has his job cut out for him. He has an obligation to run an inclusive government. It is now time to stop the vitriol and personal attacks. The bitter quarrel with Kenyatta must stop. There is a country to run. Ruto must put his hands to the wheel-barrow and move with it! It is time to rebuild bridges. An openly religious man, he must learn to eschew the politics of hate. There have been celebrations in Murang’a, Kerugoya and Nakuru. And protests in Kibera, and parts of Kondele in Kisumu. The people of Kenya must unite. They will look up to the former “chicken seller”, and self-described “hustler” to lead this country of 50 million people with wisdom, competence andWhatevercourage.happens the day after, the just concluded elections hold some resonance for us in Nigeria as we prepare for our own major elections in 2023. On a positive note, Kenya has done much better this time around in terms of women representation. Half of registered voters in that country are women. Ahead of the elections, there were reports of attacks on women politicians and intimidation and genderbased harassment. But it has now been reported that seven women emerged as Governors in the election out of a total of 47. Six women were also elected as MPs and one as Senator. This is a major improvement since 2017 when in that year, only