FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST 2023

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it was ready to intervene militarily

in Niger Republic if diplomatic efforts to persuade the ruling military junta, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a July 26 coup, to restore democracy in the country failed. ECOWAS

Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, disclosed this yesterday in Ghana at a gathering of West African defence chiefs, who were meeting to deliberate on a standby

force.

“Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa...are ready to answer to the call of duty,” Reuters quoted Musah as saying. “By all

means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, as ECOWAS readied troops for possible intervention in Niger Republic, there were

indications that members of the ruling military junta might be relocating their families to safety in Dubai and Burkina Faso.

Lawyers Condemn Fresh Charge against Emefiele... Page

DHQ to Terrorists: Others Will Raise Your Sons, Daughters

Says three officers, 22 soldiers, two pilots, others killed in Niger ambush Warns military will deploy overwhelming force on criminals 28 terrorists decimated, 92 arrested, rescues 82 kidnap victims rescued

ECOWAS: Our Forces Ready to Storm Niger if Diplomatic Options Fail FG Okays N180bn Palliative

Deji

The federal government has approved a paltry N5 billion for each of the 36 states of the federation for procurement of food items and fertilisers as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering associated with fuel subsidy removal in the country. This was the highpoint of the resolutions of the monthly National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held yesterday at State House, Abuja, which was presided by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Uba Sani of Kaduna State briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting. Speaking after the meeting, Zulum explained that the fund was part of measures to bring temporary solution to the high cost of living caused by the subsidy removal, as

MEETING OF GOVERNORS'

Releases 100,000 bags of rice to states States insist World Bank's $800m support should be through cash transfers NEC sets up negotiation committee to interface with labour Continued on page 5

Malam Nuhu Ribadu; during the meeting of the Governors' Forum in Abuja…Wednesday

Elumoye in Abuja

Tinubu: We're Here to Shape Our Tomorrow Today

Assures of broad

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration would leverage digital technology to create Nigeria’s desired socio-economic progress necessary to transform the country.

Receiving in audience at the State House, Abuja, a delegation from Google (West Africa) led by its Director, Olumide Balogun, the President noted that his administration was determined to use education and

digital

adoption across government processes

technology to improve the lives of its citizens, affirming that education was central to uplifting Nigerians.

According to him: "We are here to shape our tomorrow, today, and I’m going to do it. Our youths represent over 65 per cent of the yearning development age in Nigeria.

"We take education very seriously, and that is the foremost tool we have against poverty.

"The digital economy and telecommunications represent the

future, and we are determined to promote it.

"Your partnership with us to make it a serious development in our economic programme is what is desirable. Our youths have the skills, they are brilliant, and they are good people".

He called on Google to partner with the government on the use of data in the public sector to enhance service delivery.

"We have been evaluating different proposals on database development,

and you have critical information that can equally help the poor leverage on the use of data.

"The authentication of transaction integrity across the country to service over 200 million people is not a joke," the president posited. Towards the realisation of great progress in the sector, Tinubu declared that he was bringing more young people into the administration to further drive his transformative efforts and called on Google to ‘come on board’

FG OKAYS N180BN PALLIATIVE FUND, EACH STATE GETS PALTRY N5BN

government continued to work on more enduring programmes. He said the states were to purchase with the money 100,000 bags of rice and 40,000 bags of maize, as well as fertilisers, among other items.

The governor added that considering the urgent need to mitigate the effect of the skyrocketing food prices across the country, the federal government had last week released five trucks of rice to each state of the federation.

Zulum said, “NEC met today and expressed serious concerns as regards increasing cost of food items, increasing cost of transportation, amongst others, as a result of subsidy removal.

“In order to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, the federal government has released five trucks of rice to each state last week.

“Furthermore, in order to cushion the effect of food shortages across the country, the federal government has approved the sum of N5 billion to be given to each state for the procurement of 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilisers.

“This funding has to be shared with a formula as follows: 52 per cent of this money is given to states as grants, while 48 per cent of the N5billon is to be paid back on an instalment basis within a period of 20 months to the CBN by the states and the local government areas in Nigeria.

“The council commended the efforts of the federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu as well as the CBN. We have also commended the efforts of NEMA in cushioning the effects

of the subsidy removal.

“Council has taken bold decisions in order to ensure speedy release of grains and other items in order to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on the less privileged in the society.”

However, Zulum said NEC insisted that the federal government should deploy the $800 million loan from the World Bank the way it was initially planned, through conditional cash transfers, using the registers to be provided by the states.

According to him, “Council has also taken note of the $800 million loan and insist that it be strictly used for intended purpose and based on accurate and acceptable register.

“The $800million announced by the president will go to Nigerians in accordance with an accurate social register."

He noted that besides the plan to take care of the immediate effects of subsidy removal through food reliefs, the council took notice of federal government’s wider plan to deploy the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly towards strengthening agriculture, transportation, and industry.

He said, “Furthermore, Council has also noted the package that was announced by the president in order to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, amounting to about N500 billion. This fund has to be distributed to the following sectors: MSMEs, industrial sector, about N125 billion will go to cash transfers, agricultural sector, as well as gas expansion for buses.

“Because of the increasing cost of fossil fuel, the federal government

DHQ TO TERRORISTS: OTHERS WILL RAISE YOUR SONS, DAUGHTERS

Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said following the confrontation, an Air Force plane was deployed to evacuate 17 dead and seven wounded-in-action soldiers to Kaduna.

Affirming that in the process of the evacuation operation, the plane crashed, Buba debunked reports that the plane was shot down, stating that investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Buba disclosed that 28 terrorists were decimated during the encounter.

He warned, "No group will strike own troops without injurious consequences. Troops will use superior force to eliminate enemies of state.

"Troops will bring overwhelming military force on any group undermining the peace of the nation. It is stating the obvious that the Armed Forces possess the power and the will to hunt down those who wish to bring harm to our citizens.

“The ongoing operation is a direct message to those who question the resolve of the military. It is also a message to members of the violent extremist groups that think that they can hide.

“They can rest assured that others will raise their sons and daughters, that is if they have sons and daughters.

"I wish to, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of officers and men, who were killed in an ambush

intends to establish more gas stations in Nigeria, procure more gas powered buses, CNG buses, as well as electric buses in order to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal."

Zulum also said NEC agreed that the frontier states bordering Niger Republic were to be assisted with more palliative materials than other states, considering the influx of refugees into their domains from the troubled neighbouring country.

“Furthermore, NEMA will also liaise with states in order to distribute foodstuffs to the people immediately, especially, those affected in the frontline states that are bordering Niger Republic because of influx of refugees,” he said.

The Borno State governor disclosed that the council set up a committee, consisting of Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, Soludo, and others, to interface with organised labour on the post-subsidy situation in the country.

He stated, “The council has also tasked the states to dialogue with the labour unions’ leadership. A committee made up of Anambra State governor, NGF Chairman, and others, has been nominated to interface with labour.

“The most important thing that the council has taken note of is that all these palliatives that are being mentioned now are temporary solutions.

“Council has decided to invest in medium and longer term sustainable solutions that will ensure availability of food and non-food solutions in Nigeria, especially investing in commercial agriculture and also investing in irrigated agriculture.

already having refugees from Niger Republic, which was affecting the distribution of palliatives.

Sani said only N2 billion had so far been given to states from the N5 billion approved.

Bello stated that a sub-committee was constituted last year to propose modalities to address the imminent food crisis due to flooding and funding for palliatives to victims.

He said, "The sub-committee was to be chaired by the governor of Kebbi State and the following as members: ministries of agriculture, humanitarian, finance, NEMA, and CBN.”

The governor added that the NEC secretariat was “to develop and forward a template with accompanying letter to all the affected states to collect data on preliminary assessment of the impact of the flood in the affected communities, harmonise the data and produce report of their findings to the committee".

On the limitations, Bello said, "The exercise would have been more successful and effective if all the affected states had responded as and when due and according to provisions made in the template. Some of the limitations include the following: delay or non-submission of filled template by some states. Only 16 out of the total number of affected states forwarded their submissions to NEC secretariat to date as expected.

“About 15 others were yet to do so. The submission from defaulting states are awaited to update the database.

as a frontline partner in development.

The President said the prospective use cases emanating from the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing must be harnessed, even as he emphasized that development is achieved in stages.

"Let me have breakfast before dinner," the President quipped.

Earlier in his remarks, Balogun, informed Tinubu that the delegation came to Nigeria to reassure the government that the company was

"Only few states reached out to the council secretariat’s technical team for possible guidance and assistance in the exercise. States are encouraged to take advantage of the secretariat’s personnel to address important concerns where necessary.

"Only few states indicated financial implication for the damages caused, thereby making it difficult to propose a required amount of intervention.

"Some submissions were not done according to the template, which makes difficult to ascertain the financial implications of such states."

The governor said NEC recommended that the plight of victims of the flood disaster across the affected states should be alleviated without further delay, if the much needed intervention from the federal government materialised.

He gave further details, stating, "There is, therefore, the need to expedite release of fund to affected states, as recommended by designated committees constituted by the federal government to that effect. This would go a long way in addressing the needs of the victims as well as offset debt incurred by some states to assist their citizens."

NEC resolved that the secretariat and officials of the office of the vice president should visit the affected states for on-the-spot assessment of the situation on ground to authenticate the data submitted by states and determine the needed intervention.

committed to supporting its laudable efforts through the deployment of modern digital technology. He told the President that the deployment of data technology enhances the efficiency and productivity of businesses with a commitment that Google will give Nigeria a N1.2 billion grant as well as train 20,000 women and children with requisite skills to establish new digital tech job opportunities, which the economy urgently needs.

flooding deserve concerted and collective effort.

The council stated, "There is need to strengthen NEMA as a structure and sustainable adaptation measure for the citizens. In mobilising resources to tame the tide of flooding, there is need to look beyond NEMA.

"NEC secretariat to come up with recommendations on the roadmap towards addressing the flood situation."

Bello said Excess Crude Account from July 19 to August14, 2023 was $473,754.507; Stabilisation Account from July 18 to August 14 was N30,346,557,405.12; while Natural Resources Account from July 18 to August 14, 2023 was N115,175,616,159.65.

In his submission, Makinde said the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) made a presentation on how to explore a NEC agenda for macroeconomic stability and shared prosperity.

He said the presentation was to advise the council on how to achieve low inflation and stimulate economic growth.

The governor said weak forex supply and heightened demand for imports remained core drivers of exchange rate instability.

by terrorists and the fire-fight that ensued. Three officers, 22 soldiers, two pilots and crew members died, while seven were wounded in action.

"Casualty evacuation followed, while the operation was on return to Kaduna, the plane carrying 17 previously killed crashed. Seven wounded in action, two pilots and two crew members were killed."

In his remarks at the briefing, spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the cause of the crash was yet to be ascertained.

"At the moment, we don't know what caused that aircraft to come down," Gabkwet explained. He condemned unsubstantiated posts on social media regarding the tragedy.

Speaking on other ongoing operations across the country, Buba stated that the troops in the past two weeks of operations neutralised 28 terrorists, arrested 92 of them, six gunrunners, three kidnappers, six collaborators, and seven perpetrators of oil theft. He said 82 kidnapped hostages were rescued and oil thieves and petroleum products valued at N876, 451,800.00 were seized by troops, who also recovered 108 weapons and 564 ammunition.

On Niger Delta operations, Buba disclosed that troops in the area discovered and destroyed 36 dugout pits, 62 wooden boats, 73 storage tanks, one vehicle and 75 cooking ovens. He said four pumping machines, five outboard engines, and 33 illegal refining sites were discovered.

“NEC is calling on Nigerians and labour to be calm, law-abiding, as the president is determined to address the issues at hand.”

On his part, Soludo said the review of social register was in progress. He said Nigeria was

"Some of the states that submitted did not fully comply with requisitions of the template, thereby making some of their submissions difficult to process by the automated system.

“There is the need for compliance with laid down processes to allow for higher degree of uniformity, especially, considering the huge volume of data involved.

The council also resolved that the federal government’s immediate intervention should be expeditiously carried out by NEMA, Ecological Fund Office, and other relevant agencies. It urged states to ensure maximum cooperation.

NEC equally resolved that all hands should be on deck to ensure appropriate submission and data presentation. It said the quality of data collected should be enhanced to meet international standard, stressing that the challenge of

Makinde stated that the forex market volatility had persisted despite recent forex alignment, driven by pressure on forex demand that widened the gap between official and parallel market rates due to inadequate supply and speculative tendencies. He said external reserves had remained under pressure as it fell by 8.3 percent from 37.1 billion in January 2023 to 33.9 billion in July 2023.

The governor said the recommendation was that "the NEC must insist on pushing a national legislative reform agenda for national competitiveness. It is essential that Nigeria resolves the legislative binding constraints to our national competitiveness”.

ECOWAS: OUR FORCES READY TO STORM NIGER IF DIPLOMATIC OPTIONS FAIL

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in Nigeria said they were in support of the action taken so far by both African Union (AU) and ECOWAS on the political situation in Niger.

However, all member states of ECOWAS, except those under military rule and Cape Verde, said they were ready to participate in the standby force.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, said at the start of the two-day meeting in Accra, “Democracy is what we stand for and it’s what we encourage... “The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promotes stability.”

The meeting to discuss Niger’s crisis came after the August 6 deadline for the mutinous soldiers to release and reinstate Bazoum or face military intervention. Bazoum has remained under house arrest with his wife and son in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

ECOWAS had long deliberated on the use of force, which it described as a “last resort” due to several mediation teams it sent to Niamey and also for a lack of consensus within its ranks.

Burkina Faso and Mali, which have experienced multiple coups since 2020, warned that any military intervention in Niger would be declared as an act of war, revealing a fracture in the region between its coastal countries and those in the volatile Sahel.

Guinea, which is also under military rule and had condemned any external aggression, refrained from making any other comments.

The top security body of AU met on Monday to consider whether it would support military intervention, but had yet to make its decision public.

The AU’s Peace and Security Council could overrule a military intervention if it felt that wider stability on the continent was threatened by it. If it rejected the use of force, there were few grounds under which ECOWAS could claim legal justification.

Niger Junta Leaders Evacuating Families

There were strong indications that members of the Niger junta had begun to evacuate their families to Bukina Faso and Dubai over the threat of invasion by ECOWAS. The exercise was, reportedly,

carried out at the country’s Agadez Airport, a few days ago, and it involved Gulfstream G550 jets.

A source familiar with the movement said, "In the night of Friday, 11th to Saturday 12th of August 2023, the Nigerien junta, under the command of General Tchiani, evacuated all the putschists’ families. Indeed, several Gulfstream G550 type aircraft (in particular flight No. BFY824R) took off from Agadez Airport to Burkina Faso and Dubai with their women and children on board."

According to the source, "General Tchiani appears to have had intelligence of an imminent attack by ECOWAS. He protects his family and leaves Nigerien people behind to a certain death. While he shelters his family, Tchiani is ready to send soldiers into a fratricidal war.

“Like any selfish and totalitarian putschists, he already uses state finances for personal purposes. It is at the expense of the Nigerien state that he sends his family to live richly under the Dubai sun. The junta does not hesitate a moment to set ablaze Niger while preparing a golden exit in Dubai.”

SADC Supports AU,

ECOWAS Positions

SADC in Nigeria threw its weight behind the actions taken so far by AU and ECOWAS to force the military junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to restore Bazoum to power.

The organisation is made up of citizens of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, DR Congo, South Africa, Angola, Tanzania, and Namibia.

Speaking with journalists at Hope of Survival Ophanage Home, Abuja, where SADC donated food items to orphans as part of activities to mark its anniversary, the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and the Dean of the SADC, H.E. Humphrey Geiseb, said Southern Africa was part of AU and was definitely concerned about the coups, as expressed by ECOWAS and AU.

Geiseb stated, “So, we are fully behind the statements and positions of ECOWAS and the African Union.”

He noted that Southern African region was mostly peaceful, as, "We hold regular elections and democracy is very strong in our region.”

Geiseb said there was need for continuity of democracy everywhere on the continent.

NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL MEETING...

Lawyers Condemn Fresh Charge against Emefiele

Seek removal of DSS' DG over alleged persecution of suspended CBN governor Absence of co-defendant stalls Emefiele's arraignment on alleged procurement fraud Court strikes out firearm charge against him Says prosecution not law-abiding, has no respect for court

Alex Enumah in Abuja and Wale

Igbintade in Lagos

Some lawyers in the country have condemned what they described as the endless use of fabricated charges by the Department of State Service (DSS) to keep the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele in custody.

This was just as the arraignment of Emefiele before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was stalled yesterday, due to the absence of his co-defendant, one Mrs Sa'adatu Yaro.

However, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, struck out a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition filed against Emefiele.

President Bola Tinubu had shortly after assumption of office suspended Emefiele as CBN governor over alleged infractions and breach of trust.

Emefiele was then arrested on June 10, and later arraigned a month after on a two count charge of alleged unlawful possession of firearms.

Although, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail, the Department of State Service (DSS) refused to recognise the bail, claiming that Emefiele still had other charges to answer to.

He has been in custody since June 10, when he was arrested despite the order for his release.

Justice Muazu had in July, ordered the government to arraign him within seven days or release him immediately.

The federal government yesterday, scheduled Emefiele and one other for arraignment on a 20- count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy and procurement fraud.

However, the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the second defendant who was reported ill.

Reacting to the development, lawyers under the platform of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy (LDD), who decried the action of the government as an after-thought

called on Tinubu to immediately sack the DSS Director General (DG), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, for dragging the agency into a matter outside its jurisdiction and competence.

They predicated their request on the grounds that Bichi had pioneered the affairs of the organisation against its statutory mandate, in the arrest, detention and subsequent charges preferred against Emefiele.

While describing the fresh 20-count charge against Emefiele as forum shopping and politically motivated, the lawyers wondered why the DSS should abandoned their statutory mandate of internal security to issues bordering on procurement of vehicles.

Spokesperson of the group, Ahmed Tijani, who spoke to journalists after the aborted arraignment of the former CBN governor equally called on Tinubu to review the modus operandi of the DSS.

"We are here to witness the arraignment of the suspended CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. You will recall that on July 25, 2023, we were in Lagos at Ikoyi Federal High Court, where the DSS arraigned former CBN governor on a two-count charge bordering on illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

"We condemned that arraignment and fortunately, the Court granted bail to Emefiele and you saw the show of shame that took place in court on that very day. We condemned both the arraignment and the charges and we told you that the gun in question was a dane gun.

"I think they have gone back and looked at the charge they preferred against him and they realised that they have goofed. Today, they wanted to arraign him on a 20-count bordering on procurement.

"It appears to us that the DSS has lost focus of its constitutional and statutory mandate. The DSS was established to handle matters that bordered on internal security -terrorism.

"Before now, they told us that Emefiele has cases to answer on

matters that has to do with terrorism.

We were expecting that the charges will reflect terrorism count charges. Surprisingly, what we saw are matters bordering on procurement.

“That he gave contracts for the award of Land Cruisers. This is a charade and making mockery of prosecution. We can't take this. What the DSS is doing is forum shopping," he added.

The group equally called on the newly appointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice(AGF), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, to review the activities of the DSS.

Another member of the group, Okere Kingdom, in his contribution, narrated how the DSS had in December last year, framed Emefiele for financing terrorism and actions that undermined national security.

"It all started in December when the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, refused to grant a black market injunction at the request of the DSS. This is purely a political vendetta", he stated.

He called on the DSS to live by example by publicly publishing its audited account of the procurement of their operational vehicles.

Absence of CoDefendant Stalls Emefiele's Arraignment on Alleged Procurement Fraud

Meanwhile, the arraignment of Emefiele before a High Court of the FCT yesterday, was stalled, due to the absence of Sa'adatu Yaro.

The duo alongside a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, purported to belong to Yaro, were to be arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu on a fresh 20-count charge bordering on alleged breach of procurement laws.

However, when the matter was called yesterday, Emefiele who was in court and entered the dock could however not take his pleas because of the absence of Yaro, who was reported

to have taken ill yesterday.

Consequently, the court adjourned till August 23, for the arraignment of the defendants.

The federal government on Tuesday, withdrew the two-count charge of alleged illegal possession of firearms filed at a Lagos Federal High Court.

In the fresh charge, the federal government accused the suspended CBN governor of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, through the award of contracts to April 1616 Investment Limited, up to the tune of N99.9 million for the supply of cars.

The said transaction was said to have occurred between 2018 and 2020 and was alleged to have contravened Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices

Peter Uzoho

Following the revelation by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) that the Majestic oil rig which capsized in Delta State had been operating on the country's waters illegally since 2016, Seplat Energy has denied ownership of the oil rig.

Seplat in an update issued yesterday, in furtherance of its previous announcement regarding the incident involving the Majestic rig, explained that the facility was owned by its contractor, Depthwize Nigeria Limited.

The company has also disclosed that the single recorded fatality in the incident was a British national.

The independent oil producer had in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed the death of one person, the missing of three crew members and the rescue of 92 others after its oil drilling rig ‘Majestic’ was involved in an incident in Ovhor in Okpe, Delta State.

“Seplat Energy regrets to announce a serious incident on the Depthwise

and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

If found guilty, he could spend up to five years in jail.

“Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine,” the law stipulates.

According to the charges, Emefiele and Yaro were alleged to have purchased a fleet of about 100 posh vehicles and armoured buses worth about N6.9 billion.

In December 2022, the DSS had filed a warrant of arrest before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where

it had accused Emefiele of egregious financial and terrorism-related crimes. However, the court declined to grant the request, citing the service’s failure to place any evidence before it to substantiate the application. In count one, Mr. Emefiele was said to have “sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which she is a director and thereby committed an offence.”

swamp drilling rig ‘Majestic’ in the early hours of this morning. Seplat as the operator of the Seplat/NNPC joint venture contracted the rig.

“It was in transit to its planned drilling location at Ovhor in Delta State when it capsized. 92 of the 96-member crew are accounted for and safe,” the company had stated.

However, NIMASA in a statement issued on Wednesday, revealed that the Majestic Oil Rig had been operating on the Nigerian waters since 2016 without the necessary approvals by the agency.

But reacting to NIMASA’s statement and media reports suggesting that Seplat Energy was the owner of the rig, the company in an update yesterday, explained that the Majestic oil rig belonged to its contractor, Depthwize Nigeria Limited.

Seplat's latest statement read, "Contrary to some media reports, the Majestic rig is owned by Depthwize Nigeria Limited and not Seplat. As stated in our previous announcement, the rig was in transit to its next drill location at Ovhor. Seplat is the

operator of OMLs 4, 38 & 41 on behalf of the NNPCEPL/SEPLAT Joint Venture.

"Seplat Energy alongside Depthwize, is continuing the search for the 3 missing crew members. Divers and other emergency services are on-site, and as of 9 am, the missing crew members remain unaccounted for.

"Of the other 92 crew members, 10 were admitted to hospital and stayed overnight. We are pleased to say the 10 crew members have all now been discharged from hospital. Seplat continues to support Depthwize with the emergency response and rescue efforts continue, with the priority being the search and rescue of the 3 missing crew members.

"Depthwize has notified Seplat that the single recorded fatality was a British national. The families of the deceased and the 3 missing crew members have been informed by Depthwize.

"Seplat has notified the authorities of the incident and continues to comply with all regulatory requirements."

L-R: Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State at the National Economic Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja….yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

REUBEN ABATI BECOMES FELLOW OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT...

Obaseki Raises the Alarm, Says Nigeria in Trouble Economically

Declares FG’s irresponsibility, bad governance country’s biggest challenge Boosts learning outcomes with distribution of teaching tablets

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on citizens of the State to help themselves in developing the State, alleging that the federal government had thrown the nation into economic crisis.

According to a statement yesterday, Obaseki made the call when he met with stakeholders during a workshop to discuss the implementation of the State’s new Land Use Charge Law, with the theme: "Joint Implementation of Land Use Charge by State and local governments," in Benin City.

He said his administration was working round the clock to ensure the state’s economic development, noting: “As a State, we can’t fold our hands and make excuses. We have to do something for our people. We will do all to ensure our people are very comfortable.

“We can do so much in Edo State. The country is in crisis economically. We can't continue to fold our hands and wait for a country that can't help us. Rather, we will do all we can to help ourselves and our State.”

He continued: “From our revenue, we have decided to take money from our Internally Generated Revenue

Abuja Hotel Owners Cry Out Over Multiple Taxation

Urge FG, AMAC to harmonise taxes

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA) has urged the federal government and the Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) to find a way to harmonised taxes being charged hotel owners in the city.

It said the measure would ensure proper regulation of the hospitality industry and boost revenue generation for both government and Hotels.

The President of HOFA, Mrs. Ouwafunmilayo Kazeem, who made the plea yesterday, in Abuja, said before now, hotels used to pay about 29 different taxes, but with the Memorandum of Understanding signed with AMAC, the taxes were reduced to nine.

The taxes include: Radio and TV license, Sign Post, Liquor license, Mobile advert, Environmental sanitation and Tenement rate.

Others are Food Handlers Test, Premises Inspection, and Food Handling Inspection and Certification.

Kazeem, said that payment of taxes was not an issue for members of HOFA as they are law abiding citizens, adding that multiple taxation from different government agencies was negatively affecting

the hospitality industry.

"We have different government agencies coming to collect same type of taxes. For example, AMAC and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) on waste disposal and recently Public Health also came with taxes on food handling test and water.

"Each agency is claiming jurisdiction and we are suffering. Most time they come with security personnel and harass us and our customers in the name of tax collection.

"More so, AMAC and AEPB seems to be confused on specific areas of jurisdiction, because they cross each other's boundary. AEPB is expected to handle the city centre and AMAC the suburbs like Apo, Nyanya Karimo, etc but they don't stick to their areas.

"If everything and taxes can be aligned or harmonised so that when we pay once, then the government takes care of the other agencies, it would help us and the hospitality industry.

"However, thank God that President Tinubu has created a standalone Ministry of Tourism to ensure that the sector is given a 100 per cent concentration by the minister instead of the regular two in one Ministry," Kazeem said.

(IGR) to look after those that can't feed – the poorest of the poor. We are doing our best as an administration to make things easy in Edo State for our citizens who have trust in this government.”

On the need for self-reliance, he said: “If we are a truly thriving country, states will survive on their own, without relying on Abuja.

“Whether they give us or not, we would survive as a State. We have been surviving before now. Our administration is transparent and accountable, that is why the World Bank trusts us.”

Noting that the State was working on a 30-year Regional Master Plan, he said the plan focuses on how to bring development to Edo State, linking the rural areas to the urban centres.

In a related development, Obaseki, yesterday, linked the aggravating socio-economic challenges bedeviling the nation to the failure of the federal government to live up to its responsibilities.

The governor, decried the

bad state of federal roads in the State, calling for urgent action to salvage the situation and reduce the sufferings of the commuters and other citizens.

The governor, who described the condition of the roads as appalling said he travelled through the federal roads linking Uromi in Esan South East to Agbor in Delta State and saw over 1,000 trailers stuck with goods as a result of bad roads.

He said, “I went to Esan land a few days ago and I passed through Uromi in Edo State to Agbor in Delta State and saw almost 1,000 trailers stuck on that bad Federal Government road. But it took a few minutes to traverse our State roads when we entered from Igueben, Ujogba to Ugoneki in Edo State.”

Obaseki added, “The problem today is the failure of the Central Government. The road network in Edo that ought to be a blessing to us is not. The Federal Government roads in Edo are connecting several locations across the Country but the roads are bad.

“You can't go from the West to the East from the North to the South without passing through Edo State. That is why we have many federal roads here but none are motorable as all are bad because of the failure of the Central Government.”

Meanwhile, in its unwavering dedication to modernising education and elevating learning outcomes, Obaseki, had continued to extend the e-learning initiatives of his administration to encompass secondary and technical schools.

This expansion involved providing educational tablets to a cohort of 414 educators from technical and secondary schools across the state.

By the end of September 2023, a total of 1000 tablets would have been distributed.

During the commencement event in Benin City, capital of the state, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe, underscored the State government's commitment to sustaining the technology-driven transformation in education.

She said, "By September,

educational tablets will reach teachers and students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as secondary schools throughout the State.

“The focal point of this endeavor is to train educators who can effectively disseminate their knowledge to their peers, fostering a self-sustaining cycle of innovation and advancement within the education ecosystem."

Oviawe, who accentuated the pivotal roles that teachers play in propelling the transformative influence of technology in education, also noted: "Your role here is to become trainers; I want to extend my congratulations to you for volunteering to be trainers and for being selected out of the many who applied.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for any committed professional. It's not a one-time event; our training efforts will persist. Being part of this programme means you are now within our sphere of influence," she added.

Elumelu's Transcorp Consolidates Position in Power Sector with Acquisition of 60% Stake in Abuja Disco

Peter Uzoho

In a strategic move that further consolidates its position and investments in the Nigerian power sector, Tony Elumelu-led Nigerian conglomerate, Transcorp Group, has successfully acquired a 60-per cent stake in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), thus becoming the majority shareholder in the utility firm.

Following the acquisition of the 60 per cent stake in AEDC, by a Transcorp-led consortium, the Board of the Abuja Disco has announced the appointment of Christopher Ezeafulukwe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Power Limited as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC.

This was disclosed in a note seen by THISDAY, yesterday.

In May 2023, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) had approved the Transcorp-led Consortium, as the new strategic investor in AEDC, a development that was received with great excitement by investors and the market.

The NCP had noted Transcorp Group’s track record in value creation, business transformation, and sound corporate governance practices within the power sector.

However, with a combined market capitalisation exceeding N540 billion, the Group has continued to demonstrate the Africapitalism philosophy of its Group Chair, Elumelu.

Prior to his appointment as the MD/CEO of AEDC, Ezeafulukwe

was the MD/CEO of Transcorp Power Ltd, Ughelli, a 972-megawatts thermal plant.

Under his leadership, Transcorp Power Ltd has consistently led the Nigerian power sector, being the first successor power company from the 2013 power privatization programme to be discharged from post-privatisation monitoring by the NCP, having surpassed the expectations of the Council.

The Ughelli Power plant, which Transcorp Group acquired during the privatisation of the power sector in 2013, demonstrates the Group's transformative prowess.

The plant's available capacity, which stood at 160MW on acquisition, increased by 227 per cent to 680.83MW in four years, surpassing the Bureau of Public

Enterprise's (BPE) five-year target of 670MW.

With Ezeafulukwe's proven capabilities and extensive experience, Transcorp expressed optimism that he will play a pivotal role in rejuvenating AEDC, the supplier of power to the nation’s capital.

Transcorp group also announced the appointment of the current CEO of Transcorp Energy, Peter Ikenga as the MD of Transcorp Power, adding that its commitment to improving lives and transforming societies remained resolute.

The group's subsidiaries including Transafam Power Limited and Transcorp Hotels Plc, owners of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, have demonstrated continued value creation and a dedication to creating both economic and social wealth.

L-R: President and Chairman of Council Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) NIM, Dr. Christiana Atiko; Deputy President, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd) ; Arise News Morning Show Anchor, Dr. Reuben Abati and Registrar/ Chief Executive, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) NIM, Mrs. Taiwo Ganiyat Olusesi during presentation of Fellow Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (NIM) Award to Abati, during the 2023 Awards Fellows and Spouses Day Luncheon of NIM held in Lagos… yesterday MUBO PETERS

NLC, Stakeholders Urge Govt to Safeguard Pension Assets from Economic Volatility

James Emejo in Abuja

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, alongside stakeholders in the pension industry, yesterday called on governments at all levels to shield workers’ pensions from economic vulnerabilities.

The NLC president also advocated for a more inclusive and worker-friendly pension system in order to attract more contributors rather than scare them away.

This was just as the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Dr. Al Mujtaba Abubakar, said the 2014 Pensions Reform Act had brought sanity to the industry and resulted in accelerated growth and boosted the confidence of the masses.

However, he pointed out that despite the progress, the industry spread remained below 20 per cent of the entire workforce which had excluded many workers from the benefits of the scheme.

According to him, the low penetration in the industry had excluded too many Nigerians from

the scheme especially those in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sub-sector.

This, he said, implied that over 60 per cent of the workforce is in danger of not benefitting from the revitalised and reformed pension scheme.

Both Ajaero and Abubakar spoke at the pension industry roundtable with the theme: “Strategic Dialogue to Enhance Private Sector Participation in Pension Scheme,” which was organised by the National Policy Advocacy Centre of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Specifically, the NLC president, who was represented by the Assistant General Secretary (AGS), NLC, Mr. Onyeka Chris, said the pension assets should be protected from economic vagaries such as inflation and currency depreciation, giving an analogy that a worker or retiree who saved about N10

Naira Gains Further, Sells at N840/$1 On Parallel Market

I&E window now N759/$1

Nume Ekeghe

The naira yesterday continued its appreciation at both the official Investors and Exporters' (I&E) forex window and the parallel market.

On the parallel market, it recorded significant appreciation as the nation’s currency strengthened from its previous exchange rate of N880/$1 to N840/$1, reflecting a gain of N40.

On the other hand, at the I&E forex window, the naira which opened at N781/$1 closed at N759/$1.

With the appreciation recorded at both the official I&E window and parallel market, the gap between both segments of the forex market has reduced to N81.

Worried about the exchange rate depreciation, President Bola Tinubu, had met with the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi.

Shonubi, had while addressing

the media, said he discussed what “could be done to stabilise” the naira and how to “improve the liquidity in the market,” with the president. About 48 hours after the meeting, the naira started recording appreciation.

Shonubi had added: “We do not believe that the changes going on in the parallel market are driven by pure economic demand and supply but are topped by speculative demand from people.

“Sooner rather than later, the speculators should be careful because we believe the things we’re doing when they come to fruition may result in significant losses to them.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Wednesday, announced that it had secured a $3 billion emergency loan from the African Export-Import Bank to stabilise the country’s volatile foreign exchange market.

million in his or her retirement savings account 10 years ago, would probably have only N1 million as of today in terms of the real value of the savings.

He also said the inability of retirees to access their savings immediately upon retirement was a major disincentive for the contributory pension scheme (CPS) and urged the regulators to effect necessary amendments to make the programme further attractive.

He noted that the recent agitations by some workers to exit the scheme were informed by some of the anomalies noticed in the scheme.

Ajaero said, “The only thing we can say is that the pension system today as it is does not address completely or to a large extent,

the fears of the Nigerian workers and that is the reality and that is why some of us have concluded that the pension scheme in Nigeria is parasitic.

“For example, a worker that has saved like N8 million in the last 10 years in his retirement savings account and suddenly with all the ‘buharinomics’ and ‘emilokanomics’, the value crashed, and something that would have been N8 million, he would have been a rich rice merchant owning a very big warehouse…and suddenly that guy can no longer purchase the same numbers of bags of rice…that N8 million in the last 10 years has crashed to probably N1 million.”

He said though the CPS had, “put money in your pockets, businesses and that is the reality

- but it has not protected us. The value of what we are saving; how are we going to address it comprehensively?”

He said, “We must create a pensions system that has integrity; a pension system that would attract more and more people.”

He also said workers want to be able to spend their retirement benefits while alive, adding that the current policy limiting the amount that could be accessed at retirement was worrisome.

He added “I want to be able to use the money that I am saving or is it when I die?”

The NLC president, therefore, urged the gathering to explore “how we can make the pension system work for workers while they are alive.”

“We must also make the pension system attractive to people especially in the informal sector by protecting the pension fund itself,” he said.

The ACCI president noted that since the passing of the reformed pension act in 2014, the CPS had been implemented by only six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said, “This and many other gaps in the sector led to the lack of inclusiveness among many workers in the country.”

He said the roundtable was to raise awareness and map out practicable ways on strengthening the inclusiveness of the workforce in the pension scheme in the organised private sector within the FCT and the country at large.

CBN's Price Verification Portal for Imports, Exports Goes Live

James Emejo in Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday, stated that effective August 31, 2023, all applications for Forms M shall be accompanied by a valid Price Verification Report (PVR) which must be generated from its Price Verification Portal.

The central bank stated this in a circular dated August 17, 2023, and signed by CBN Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji, which was addressed to all banks.

The apex bank also announced the Go Live of the price verification system, following the successful conduct of the pilot run and various trainings held with all the banks.

The bank stated that the PVR had become a mandatory trade document precedent to the completion of a Form M going forward.

The CBN also directed all authorised dealers to the development to the attention of their customers as any case of infraction will be appropriately sanctioned.

The CBN's announcement

was subsequent to the January 2022, disclosure that effective February 1, 2022, all import and export operations would require the submission of an electronic invoice (e-invoice) authenticated by Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) on the Nigeria Single Window portal – Trade Monitoring System (TRMS).

The apex bank noted that the introduction of the e-valuator and e-Invoice would replace hard copy final invoice as part of the documentation required for all import and export transactions going forward.

The CBN disclosed this in a circular titled:" Guidelines on the Introduction of E-Evaluator, E-Invoicing for Import and Export in Nigeria ", which was also signed by Nnaji and directed to all authorised dealers and the price.

The apex bank pointed out that the new regulation aims to achieve accurate value from import and export items in and out of the country.

The bank ecplained that the new system will operate on a Global Price Verification Mechanism guided by

a benchmark price.

The benchmark price is the actual spot market price obtainable at the time of consummation of invoicing in that market where the goods are traded.

It stated that imports and exports with unit prices that are more than 2.5 per cent of the verified global checkmate prices would be queried and will not be allowed for successful completion of either Form M or Form NXP as the case may be.

The guideline however, provided exemptions from compliance with the new regulation for all individual invoices with a value of less than $10, 000 (or its equivalent in another currency), except where suppliers have an annual cumulative invoicing value equal to or above $500, 000 (or its equivalent in another currency).

Such would be required to submit their invoices regardless of the individual value of an invoice. Exemptions were also granted to import and export transactions made by all security agencies in the country.

According to the CBN, supplies to diplomatic and consular missions

as well as international agencies dependent on the United Nations are further exempted from the regulation, including donations made to foreign governments or international organisations to foundations, charities and recognised humanitarian organisations - and goods directly supplied by a foreign government. The circular added that fees, where relevant, shall be advised from time to time as the system progresses.

Essentially, the guidelines stipulated that an importer/exporter of goods into Nigeria shall ensure that the purchase/sales contract with a foreign supplier/buyer stipulates compliance with the obligations set out in the regulation and that the supplier's/seller's invoice must be submitted in electronic format and authenticated by ADB as part of the documentation for payment.

Among other things, no importer/exporter may effect payment to the credit of any foreign supplier unless the electronic invoice has been authenticated by the ADBs presented together with the relevant documents for payment.

SWAGA 23 VISITS APC CHAIRMAN...

L-R: Women Leader, South West Agenda 23 for Tinubu, (SWAGA), Mrs. Ayo Omidiran,; Member, SWAGA, Sen. Obadara Genga; Chairman, SWAGA, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye; presenting a congratulatory card to the APC National, Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during a congratulatory visit by members of SWAGA to the National chairman at the party's national secretariat in Abuja ... yesterday

ENOCK REUBEN

POLITICS

As Oyebanji Strikes Deal with Labour Leaders in Ekiti...

The unusual rapport and camaraderie currently playing out between the workers’ unions and the Ekiti State government is, to several stakeholders, strange and unprecedented.

Before now in Ekiti, labour unions and the state government were always at loggerheads demanding each others’ heads in a constant battle of wits and struggles by the unions in order to secure better working conditions for the working class.

But currently, the situation has changed under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led government in the state.

The labour unions in Ekiti State, comprising local chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and others, are eulogizing Governor Oyebanji openly and without any regret citing his many workers’ friendly policies and performances in few months in office as reasons for their favourable disposition to the State’s Chief Executive.

Asked what was responsible for this unusual robust relationship between the labour and the current state Governor, the labour leaders pointed out that Governor Oyebanji’s actions, and respect for the working class has been unprecedented in the history of labour/ government relationship in Nigeria, stressing that Governor Oyebanji has assented to all the proposals brought before him regarding the welfare and well-being of the workers without hesitation.

Specifically, the workers described Governor Oyebanji as the first Governor who had taken concrete and enduring measures to ameliorate the suffering of the people to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

Various leaders of the unions who spoke to THISDAY including the chairman of the joint negotiating council, Ekiti State, Chairman of the Health Sector Union and the Chairman of Medical and Health Worker’s union in the state, Comrade Ajuloko Olufemi, said: “We are praising the government because of the unexpected recognition given to the labour and the workers of Ekiti State. We’ve had a government in this state who would have drawn their plan, upon inviting the labour leaders, they would table their proposals and tell them what they want to do and we couldn’t question any of those proposals, you dare not to ask that government questions but comply.

“We had another government that even walked out on us. We’ve seen an administration in this state that said leave bonus is not a right but a privilege! We equally have seen a government that did not recognize labour leaders in the state but we survived all these. Now , the present administration of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji deserves praises because we wrote to him, we presented our requests to him and in no distant time, he constituted a committee involving the labour leaders and the committee met and our requests were granted.

“For instance, the issue of CONHESS has been an age-long agitation. Will anybody say it is a crime that he found himself working with the local government when colleagues in the state with whom he has same educational qualification earns far more than him? We presented this to Mr. Governor and he constituted a committee chaired by the commissioner for health and they deliberated on how to bridge the disparity and at the end of the day, he approved 90% of the 100% of CONHESS of the local government, “ he said.

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun, listed others reasons for which the labour unions are praising Oyebanji.

According to him, these include, “payment of one month’s pension arrears for State and Local Government pensioners. Implementation of consequential adjustment for workers on GL. 14 to GL. 17 for State and Local Government workers.

“Implementation of salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospitals’ Management Board. Implementation of financial benefits of 2020 and 2021 promotions for State and Local Government

workers. Immediate payment of one-month subvention arrears to tertiary institutions.

“Provision of free shuttle buses for workers and students to ease transportation to/from work and school respectively.Interventions designed to directly impact our poorest and most vulnerable residents.

These are: Payment of N5,000 as a conditional cash transfer to 10,000 households from August to December 2023, with emphasis on our aged people.

Inclusion of 10,000 persons in the Ulera Wa health insurance programme.

“A food distribution programme will commence this month.The distribution of inputs to farmers as well as financial support to small businesses and our informal sector. It should

be noted that the 2017 leave bonus, one month subvention, and one arrear of pension have been paid”. Adigun submitted.

Also speaking, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC state chapter Chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, said “I am happy to graciously inform you that the palliative committee has rounded up sittings and the followings as you have been earlier informed shall be officially pronounced before the week runs out: Implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage 14 to 17. Implementation from next salary payment.2017 leave bonus payment: this month. 2018 arrears for subvented institutions.

“Informal sector: 10,000 shall be considered for monthly 5k each, and 10,000 people shall be

considered for medical attention NHIS, Arugbo shall benefit from this package. Pensioners shall equally be considered for arrears. Five luxurious buses have been purchased to ease the transportation system, these shall start working soonest.

“90% implementation of CONHENSS, Harzard and parity. 2020 and 2021 promotion arrears shall be implemented and used in payment of next salary. Formal and informal sector shall have a course to smile comrades. Food stuff shall also be given to members of the public, modalities shall be worked out.

Also the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA Ekiti/ SW Zone, Dr. Babatunde O. Rosiji said, “We are blessed with a Governor that is committed to repositioning the health sector in EKITI State and improving the welfare of workers in general.

At the inception of our executive tenure in NMA, we made a resolve to actively partner with the State Government borne out of the conviction that progress can only be made in an atmosphere of peace.

“Mr Governor is just determined to do things right. His determination met our own readiness to partner with the Government in the overall interest of the people. The action of the Governor will go a long way in stabilizing our ailing health sector by helping to draw the best of hands into the service of EKITI State Government”.

On how Governor Oyebanji and current governonment could continue to sustain the laudable relationship, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode said, “the labour in Ekiti enjoys cordial relationship with the Governor and the government, essentially because of the sincerity of the government and the transparency and accountability policy of the government which is making life better for the workers and the good people of the state

“The Governor, no doubt has prioritized and continue to prioritize workers welfare.

So, when the issue of palliative measures for the citizens came up, the Governor drafted the leadership of organised labour to be part of the committee to advise government. And they were happy to be part of it.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Nigerian Billionaires and Tinubu’s Tax Reform

Temitope Ajayi writes about the dysfunctional tax system in the 36 states of the federation and the need to urgently address it.

It has been a refreshing experience, in the last one week, to read very strong endorsements of President Tinubu’s tax reform by at least five major national newspapers via their editorials.

I align with the view of Professor Niyi Akinnaso who wrote, yesterday, in his Newspaper column, that the media should assist the government in achieving its development goals in the overall interest of the people instead of unrelenting negative reporting.

Our country has a chronic revenue problem which left previous governments no option than to borrow. Available records show that we have over N75 trillion in foreign and local debts.

We have an economy that is reported to be the largest in Africa at almost $500 billion in GDP size, with an estimated 200 million plus population. In comparison with South Africa, with about 50 million population and second largest economy in Africa, we are nowhere near in terms of tax revenue. While South Africa has tax to GDP ratio of 27.3%, our country is crawling at 10.86%!

For proper context, the richest man in Africa is a Nigerian and the second richest man is a South African, Johann Rupert.

The Personal Income Tax Rupert paid, as individual, to the South African government in 2022 was more than the entire tax collected

by the 36 states of Nigeria in 2021.

There are three Nigerians among the 15 richest Africans whose business interests cut across various sectors - from retail to banking, oil & gas, mining, telecoms, real estate, manufacturing, food and beverage e.t.c. The combined wealth of the three Nigerians on the Africa’s rich list is put at $27.4billion whereas Rupert’s wealth is put at $10.7billion.

Here is the interesting twist: The rich and wealthy Nigerians live in states within Nigeria and do most of their businesses in Nigeria, yet, what one wealthy South African paid as his

Personal Income Tax in one year was more than the entire revenues of 36 states in Nigeria.

In Naira terms, South Africa collected N27.76 trillion in Personal Income Tax in 2022, while Nigeria with population four times bigger than South Africa collected N1.6trillion in total IGR of states.

Our tax system is dysfunctional especially at the state level. This is why our states and Federal Government can not fund big infrastructural projects and social services.

It is the reason the Taiwo Oyedele-led Tax and Fiscal Reform Committee put together by President Tinubu has come at the right time.

The committee aims to close annual N20 trillion tax gap Nigeria is denied within the next few years, by bringing more eligible taxpaying Nigerians into the tax bracket.

This does not mean that the Federal Government is planning on raising taxes.

Far from it! It only means time has caught up with wealthy Nigerians would have hitherto evade paying their taxes.

The committee already has its job cut out for it. President is determined to reset the finances of the country to generate the required money to fund real development and improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

-Ajayi writes from Abuja

Gbenga Sodeinde reports that Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has struck a working relationship with the organised labour leadership in the Fountain of Knowledge.

Wake Up Call to the LGs: The Ojodu Pace-Setting Initiative

Beyond Cancer, this Blessed Man Named Pat Utomi

health problem persuaded him to engage in educating people. He pointed out that he “Did not see why it was taboo to say you were in a battle with Cancer. The more I talked about it the more I found many of my age in similar circumstances.”

Professor of political economy and business management, Pat Okedinachi Utomi, is one of Africa’s most respected public intellectuals. He is not only a visionary thinker, he’s an activist who has impacted and the lazy assumptions and perennial prejudices of Nigeria’s ethnic politics.

In Nigeria’s contemporary history, Prof. Utomi continues to make a commendable name as a key strategist, articulator and one of the critical foundational pillars of the ‘Obidient Movement’. That is, the ubiquitous, potent and disruptive domestic and international movement led by the suddenly charismatic politician and very successful businessman (“trader”), former Governor Peter Obi.

Although, we chat/call more, the most recent time we briefly met was in Houston on August 31, 2022 when Utomi and Obi came for a townhall meeting with the Nigerian diaspora.

On August 30, the manifestly accomplished and well-spoken Utomi deployed the proper existential matters, contextual issues and relevant information to introduce and present Obi to Houstonians and the diaspora.

Before they came into Houston, I had a scheduled one-on-one interview with Obi for USAfricaTV and USAfricaonline.com

In 2011, when Utomi contested unsuccessfully to become President of Nigeria, he said something which has been very rare in the cannibalization that claims to be politics in Nigeria and across most parts of Africa: “I have inherited the courage to give of myself for the good of all.”

I wrote about him and characterized Pat Utomi as “this blessed man.”

Exactly one week ago, on Friday, August 11, 2023, “this blessed man”, Pat Utomi, showed the same courage and selflessness when he made this revelation about his private battle in a series of tweets he posted on the X app (previously known as Twitter).

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, in the thick of the campaign, where he provided strategic guidance and messaging for the candidacy of Peter Obi.

Utomi noted that the cancer

A prayerful man of christian faith who believes in the provenance of God in human lives, the lanky technocrat Utomi believes “For what I have become, and can be, by the Grace of God, I have many, who were God’s instruments to be thankful to. From a father who taught me the meaning of hard work and a sense of duty before he passed away so young, to a mother who stood like a rock of Gilbratar, and in a quarter of a century as a widow before she too answered an early call from the creator.”

I know that Pat Utomi is not only one of Africa’s leading persons of ideas but a sensible man of his family values.

He recalls that “my very life itself is an improbable dream come true. People so easily forget that I am the product of the tenacity of a widow who was a simple trader.”

Pat Utomi, born to Igbo parents on February 6, 1956 in the key Northern Nigerian city of Kaduna, and grew up and had his early education in the same North, in Kano and Gusau, attended CKC Onitsha in the East, Loyola College in Ibadan, in the SouthWest, and passed the entrance examinations to gain admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), my alma mater.

He graduated in 1977, and continued for advanced studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, achieving his degrees of Ph.D. MPA, and MA. At almost 27 years old, it was an unusual feat!

He returned immediately to Nigeria and has remained one of the fountains of optimism and redemption songs prophets in Nigeria, and Africa. He has remained resolute, and unbowed to date, still singing and building realistic blocks for democracy and development!

A savvy networker, Pat Utomi (aka Patito) was many years ahead of me at our alma mater, the great University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he remains an outstanding personage among our esteemed alumni of Lions and Lionesses.

Since 1987 (inside Nigeria) and the 1990s to date (August 2023, here in the U.S), I have known and interacted with him as someone who is also dedicated to human development, economic empowerment, justice and transparency, respect for the environment, nationalities questions, media freedom and the enthronement of the fundamentals of democratic rights.

-Dr Nwangwu, is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com.

Follow him on Twitter @Chido247

Challenging times bring out the best in people; and they also expose the inadequacies in others.

Such times are here with us in Lagos state, and indeed, in this country when our brand-new President and our governors are busy in the economic laboratory, to give our ailing economy a breath of fresh air.

It is beyond question that President Tinubu inherited an economy that had gone comatose. And he is aware of that from his first day in office, that he has no excuse allowing the perilous situation to fester under his watch, hence his maiden policy pronouncement that the slide must be halted.

Doing so requires hard decisions like stopping the fuel subsidy nonsense that had become a scam.

Of course that decision comes with it harsh consequences which are becoming unbearable to the mass of Nigerian people.

But the end of government is to provide ease in governance, hence the idea of palliative to mitigate the effect of “child labour and delivery”, for which the federal and state governments are striving to work out solutions.

Given what our people had been accustomed to, pessimism had started to creep in, that people would rather be short-changed instead of getting succour.

But a silver lining has appeared in the sky that, this time around, adversity will be put to good uses.

Ojodu local council development area, one of the novel creations of President Bola Tinubu as governor of Lagos State, is showing the way in its implementation of the palliative reliefs to the people in that part of Lagos State.

Some other local governments may still outdo Ojodu in this matter, but, come off it, like a line in afro-juju musician Sina Peter’s best seller, the horse that first bolted out of his stable, has already emerged the front runner. “Esin to siwaju ti gba ipo kinni na, e ye jampata ..”

I’m waiting to also celebrate any of the other 56 LG and LCDA chairmen in the state who can beat this record !

In this regard, I commend the initiative of Hon Segun Odunmbaku, the Ojodu chair, and his team, for the

palliative they have started rolling out of their area since the beginning of the week, which heart warming news is currently trending in the social media:

Any item of foodstuff on display in the trending video, being sold for one thousand naira (N1000.00k) in today’s Nigeria ? Incredible but true !

At the last check, there’s none of the items so advertised for sale at Ojodu, that cost less than four thousand naira (N4000.00k) in the open market at the moment.

If this is replicated in every part of Lagos State by other local governments, or even bettered, it will go a long way to bring succour to people with the type of relief and joy that usually result from successful child delivery !

Kudos to Odunmbakun and his Ojodu out-of-the-box thinkers while challenging his other colleagues in the 56 other LG and LCDAs to outdo and outsmart them. If the will to win the hearts of people is generated in them, they can.

This development makes me nostalgic. In my years over two decades ago as chairman of Mushin local government in Lagos, I designed and implemented an initiative that birthed a first-of-its-kind idea in any local government, not only in Lagos but in all of Nigeria, by setting up what I named Mushin Bulk Purchasing Authority, in 1995, to access food items and household stuffs from their producers and manufacturers and make available to Mushin residents then at cost, with a token extra as administrative cost.

It worked magic, and the many who benefitted still recall with fondness to this day, the imaginative and novel gesture.

That Authority had a senior manager of PZ Industries Ltd, Alhaja Jaiye Daranijo (now late) as its founding chairperson before Mrs Funke Balogun, now Mrs Agbaje-Alagbala took over till the end of my Administration in 1996.

May God fire the imagination and creativity of our current operators of the local government system, with more striving and commitment, to common good, to do more for our people!

Chido Nwangwu writes about the renowned political activist, Prof Pat Utomi, who recently disclosed that he’s been battling with cancer since 2022.

-Osiyemi writes from Lagos

Bayo Osiyemi writes about the pace setting initiative of Ojodu Local Council Development Area to sell food items to the citizenry at reduced rate.

Texem Says Digitally Strategic Leaders Needed for Success

Caroline Lucas, TEXEM’s director of special projects, says that only digitally strategic leaders will be able to thrive in the face of constant advancement in global technology.

Speaking on the forthcoming leadership development programme of TEXEM, Lucas said the need for strategic leadership had become more critical in the ever-evolving digital age landscape.

In a statement, TEXEM said the ‘Strategic Leadership For Success In A Digital Age’ programme would hold August 21 to 24 at Double Tree by Hilton, London Elstree.

“The relentless pace of technological advancements and the constant influx of information demands a new breed of leaders who can navigate the complexities of the digital era,” TEXEM explained. “To thrive in this digital age, strategic leadership is not just an option; it is an absolute necessity.”

According to the statement, the programme offers an exclusive opportunity for executive directors, non-executive directors, CEOs, chief investment officers, COOs and top managers to unlock the full potential of strategic leadership and help drive their organisations to success.

The TEXEM UK statement noted that staying ahead in the digital age “requires more than just an understanding of cuttingedge technology; it requires strategic leaders who are visionary, empathic, adept in managing complexity and agile.”

The faculty on the TEXEM programme includes Prof. John Peters, a former chair

of the Association of MBAs that accredits Harvard, Standford and London Business School. There is also London Business School alumnus Paul

Griffith, the world’s first professor of management to lead a team to launch a rocket into space, offering unique insights into leadership and innovation

in volatile times.

Oxford alumnus Prof. Roger Delves is also a faculty.

Sir James Duddridge, a Member of the UK Parliament and former Minister who has served under the cabinet of three Prime ministers with a wealth of experience in strategic decision-making, will also speak.

UK former Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, stated that “providing leadership in politics and business has become progressively more difficult,” pointing out that business and political leaders “need to understand that all their utterances can be sent worldwide with a click of a mouse.”

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

Sonya Ogunkuade, Commissioner and Special Assistant to the President, said TEXEM programmes “bring in life examples in all their presentations.”

Prof. Olatunde Atusanya, the commissioner of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, endorsed TEXEM programmes as “a good platform for advancing leadership development,” recommending them to “organisations or institutions desiring to improve their workforce in leadership and strategic policymaking.”

FG Appoints 11 New CMDs for Federal Medical Centres

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has appointed 11 new medical directors for the Federal Medical facilities in the country.

The new CMDs that were appointed were: Prof. Nyandanti Yakub Wilberforce (FMC, Hong, Adamawa State); Prof. Issa Baba Awoye (Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Buddo-Egba, Kwara State), Dr. Umar

Faruk Abdumajid (FMC Daura, Katsina State), Dr. Muhammad Shittu Adamu, (FMC, Wase, Plateau), Prof Shuaibu Jauro Yahya (FMC, Mubi, Adamawa State,) Dr. Mercy Anugwu (FMC, Onitsha, Anambra State), Prof. Auwalu Sani Salihu (FNPH Dawanau Kano State), and Prof. Rufai Ahmed (Registrar/ CEO, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria).

Others include Prof. Mangwa J. Kortar (FMC, Makurdi, Benue State), Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh (Alex Ekwueme, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State), Dr.

Nurudeen Isa (National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State)

A statement by the Director (Press & Public Relations) in the Federal Ministry of Health, Patricia Deworitshe, stated that the new Medical Directors received their appointment letters from the Permanent Secretary, Kachollom Daju, for an initial four-year tenure with effect from August 1, 2023.

Daju charged the new CMDs to work together with the health workers and stakeholders as a team and explore all necessary avenues to provide a conducive work environment and infrastructure aimed at achieving high standard health care.

According to her, “it may be challenging but there is no challenge that is unsurmountable and your appointment is an indication of the confidence that federal government reposed on you.”

She enjoined them to bring their skill and wealth of experience they acquired over the years to bear in their various health facilities noting that their performance would

determine the renewal of their tenure.

Daju assured that the Ministry would provide necessary support with the available resources to enable them meet the hospital standard, adding that the

Ministry would organise induction training to the newly appointed MDs soon.

In response, on behalf of the newly appointed MDs, Dr. Mercy Anugwu, expressed appreciation to the President and the Ministry for

finding them worthy of the appointment assuring that they will not disappoint.

“We will do our best to improve the lot of our people, to justify the confidence reposed in us by the President and the Ministry, we will put

in what it takes to move the health care system in our facilities going forward, we will not rest, we will move along with the vision of Mr. President and make sure that our people receive the best, we will not disappoint you.”

NDLEA, PCRC Caution Rivers Students against Drug Abuse

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) have cautioned students of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) in Port Harcourt, against taking illicit drugs.

As part of efforts to ensure an illicit drug free environment, the agency in collaboration with the PCRC organised a one -day sensitisation programme for the students with the slogan “War Against Drug Abuse.”

Speaking at the programme, Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand

Reduction Unit, NDLEA Rivers State command, Mrs. Stella-maris Amede, said they were partnering with the PCRC in the campaign, to see how to jointly tackle the challenge of drug abuse among the youths.

Amede said “We are here for “War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). We are here to sensitise the students to live a healthy live, because when you are into drug you are a sick person and this drug (Colos) is commonly everywhere now. So we are here for them to walk away from taking of the drugs.

“We are partnering with PCRC to talk to the students. We are doing alot, going to schools, organisations and communities sensitising the

young ones against intake of illicit drugs.”

Speaking with THISDAY at the end of the campaign, the Chairman of PCRC, Rivers State chapter, Mr. Voke Emore, regretted that the influence of drug abuse had destroyed so many young people in the society.

He said drug abuse has contributed to the rising crime in the society, alleging that entertainment industry have contributed heavily in influence the youths into such illicit drugs intake through their music.

“The PCRC thought it wise that one of the causes of rising crime in our communities is drugs. We know for a fact that drugs influence wrongly to

our community and to the youth in our community, so we decided to preach against drugs.

“So we partner with the NDLEA, we feel that this collaboration between parties like this will only create positive impact.”

“We are preaching against the entertainment industry that have encouraged drug abuse. A lot of music you hear on radio and social media encourage young ones to take more drugs and we are starting this campaign.

“We are taking it as a responsibility to talk against drug abuse. The musicians must end their music with warning that drug abuse is wrong and not to encourage it.”

Sir James Philip Duddridge, KCMG, MP

We need to sort our national security to the point we feel safe in our country, writes

NATIONAL SECURITY AND LOCAL TOURISM

The last few weeks have involved a lot of traveling. However, two of those trips were to one country, Morocco. Between July and August, I spent ample time exploring Morocco with friends. I did not choose to visit Morocco once, let alone twice. I had been invited on separate occasions by two friends who were celebrating milestone birthdays. If I had a choice, I would have chosen separate countries for each birthday but the only choice I had was to accept to join them or not. Because of the depth of my relationship to both, I chose to attend and thus ended up vising Morocco twice in four weeks.

There was one trip to Casablanca and two

modern concept. In essence, when it is time to choose between being safe and being patriotic, the brain will choose safety first.

During my second visit to Marrakech, I decided to do a tour of the city. The guide was taking us around the market and showing us the way of life of the people. I got carried away again thinking, how are we were listening to this guy in Marrakech when we haven’t been taken around villages in Jalingo and being shown the way of life of our own people? A lady suggested that she was tired – Morocco was experiencing one of its hottest days in history this month – so I saw that as an opportunity to end the tour for myself too. I could not take it any more really.

It hurts me for our country. We are forced to seek pleasures outside a country that genuinely has more than enough for its people and foreigners alike. We have the lakes and mountains, we have the hills and valleys, we have the desert for the safaris. We have the people and the history; we have the myths and the fables. We have the art and the culture. We have everything a country needs to be a tourist destination, everything but the will to be one. When we find the will, we’d see the economic benefit of a secure country and then do everything we can to sort that out.

EHI BRAIMAH argues that ECOWAS should continue to pile sanctions on the junta

OPTIONS BEFORE ECOWAS

Chad will not be exempted for its own self-

to Marrakech. On both occasions, I realised one thing both cities had over what Nigeria could offer was that Morocco felt safe. It had nothing to do with the presence of soldiers or police officers, especially as I barely saw those in Casablanca. It just felt safe.

Both cities, especially Marrakech, are quite popular amongst Nigerian holiday seekers and party planners. I can’t precisely say why that is but I believe the ease of getting their visa, the Dubai issue with Nigeria, the relatively cheaper currency – at about 10 dirhams to $1 – and a bit of herding have meant that the Air Maroc flight from Lagos to Casablanca is often full. There is of course those who are using Casablanca as a transit point to other destinations. Even with that, Morocco has since become the destination for Nigerian tourists.

I avoided doing the maths but it was quite difficult not to at some point. There were almost 200 Nigerians on both trips – at about 100 each – as people traveled mostly from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States for the two parties. That number includes children. Think about the tickets – mostly to Air Maroc -, the mostly four- and five-star hotels, transportation within the country, shopping, fun activities outside the hotels, etc., it is easy to imagine both parties would have returned more than half a million dollars to the country. Even if one person averaged a spend of $3000 –and these were a group of big spenders – that’s still a conversative $600,000.

I could not help but think this was money Nigeria was losing. However, Nigeria was not in a position to earn it in the first place. Patriotism is a beautiful idea. That said, safety and the need to be safe is a feeling that derives from the oldest part of the brain. When you see something that moves like a snake, you run. No one taught you to do that run. It is encoded in the primal part of your brain to run from danger. Patriotism is taught. Patriotism is a

Sadly, we do not generally think in terms of Nigeria as a business entity in the way, say the Americans do. Americans are always thinking in terms of economic benefits. The decision to invade or not invade a country. What country gets criticized over an action depends on their economic power and benefits to America at times. Whether the president visits your country or not, etc. All of these are often influenced by what benefits, especially economic benefits, could accrue to their country.

That is a model Nigeria must adopt, especially as that is the model most industriliased countries play by. No one is playing ‘big brother’ to another country just for the sake of ‘shared history’, it is always about what benefits accrue to the homeland. Arsenal and Chelsea used Afrobeats songs to announce two of their summer signings. I guess they must really love Afrobeats at these London clubs. I also know they are aware of Nigerians and our collective ability to serve attention and a big buzz when called upon – we’ve got the fervour and the numbers. Everyone is playing to their own agenda. We must do same, starting with building a country that is safe and conducive enough for our people to want to be in, travel around and party in. We are not that country now.

We can be. We need to sort our national security to the point we feel safe in our country. Note that the presence of armed soldiers and police officers everywhere serves the opposite of feeling safe. It serves fear and concern. That is not the atmosphere tourists want to put themselves in. Sadly, that is the current highest level of security in display here. There is ample room to develop local tourism and that’d ultimately attract foreigners. Until Nigerians feel safe enough to party in their country though, we can’t scale tourism.

Omojuwa is Chief Strategist, Alpha Reach/Author, Digital Wealth Book

whom he hosted in Aso Villa are opposed to opinion leaders and other stakeholders

Braimah is a global public relations and marketing strategist. He is also the publisher/editor-inchief of Naija Times

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

GROWING FATALITIES ON THE ROAD

The authorities could do more to stop the carnage

The rise in the number of crashes on our roads is both distressing and frightening. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a total of 4,387 people were killed between January and June across the country. No fewer than 14,108 injuries sustained from road crashes were also recorded within the same period. Citing fatigue, dangerous overtaking, use of worn out/expired tyres, among others as causes of these accidents, the FRSC Assistant Corps Marshal, Bisi Kazeem warned against night travels because of the inherent dangers. “You know our men do not operate at night, as such these drivers take advantage of our absence on the road to violate regulations.”

That Nigeria is reputed as one of the countries with very high road fatalities in the world is no longer news. In every four hours, going by available statistics, at least two lives are lost to such carnage every year, with about 20,000 of the 11.650 million vehicles in the country involved in accidents. Apart from the burden that road mishap places on victims’ families, they take a huge toll on the national economy. With N450 billion estimated to be lost annually from goods and services that perish in these road accidents, it is a huge toll on the country. Particularly disturbing is that majority of these accident victims are people in their prime.

Available reports from both the FRSC and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have, at on our roads. The most common is driving under Other things that cause vehicular accidents include especially in Abuja and capital cities, dangerous

KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

Letters to the Editor

road curves, etc. It is also common knowledge that there are too many rickety vehicles on our roads. The tyres of several vehicles plying the road are in bad shape, just as their brakes are suspect. Some drivers operate in foggy condition with one functional headlamp.

Besides, driving on Nigeria’s approximately 200,183 kilometres road network can be risky and arduous as large swathes have broken down, ridden with potholes due to neglect. Driving at night is comparable to walking through a dark alley because of lack of streetlights. In addition, the unpassable state of many of our roads has literally made them a den for robbers and kidnappers, who waylay innocent passengers at any time of the day to carry out their nefarious activities. We therefore call on the authorities at constitutional and civil duty to the public by mitigate the distressing harvest of deaths. It amounts to criminal negligence that many lives are being wasted on our roads despite the promises made by successive administrations.

These tragedies can be curbed by common sense and inexpensive remedial interventions. If we must put an end to this preventable harvest of deaths, government agencies, including the departments should take drastic steps to ensure that our roads remain safe all times. The federal government should also consider enacting a National Road Safety Policy that will outline various policy measures pertaining to road safety. These include raising awareness about road safety, creating a road safety information database, promoting safer road infrastructure, encouraging safer vehicles, enforcing road safety laws, and ensuring medical facilities for victims when accidents occur.

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

LETTERS

TINUBU’S MINISTERS AND APC’S NEW FACES

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assigned portfolios to his Ministers-designate, bringing an end to weeks-long speculation, but also bringing to the fore, new discussions on the ministers’ portfolios and the new ministries created. A journalist and an editor, Jaafar Jaafar, said, ‘The Northwest has many ministers but no weight’. While a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, said, “It is one of the most balanced ministerial portfolio allocations of recent history. Adamu also pointed out that, “President Tinubu - dedicated Infrastructure and Finance to the South. While Agriculture and security are to the North. Soft infrastructure like health and education to the North, Humanitarian and Innovation to the South. Productivity and Job creation in the North - The North needs more security and agricultural productivity to grow and industrialize, while the South is good with services and infrastructure.”

In Tinubu’s ministerial portfolios, there are surprises, and there were no surprises.

In most democracies, ministers are selected from politicians who contributed to victory at the polls and from technocrats with strong professional track records. Cabinet ministers are not just a team, but a collection of great thinkers—Silicon val-

ley-thinkers—men and women who can move the government with the speed of the imagination of most Nigerians, and their sense of judgment must be centred on the challenges of unlocking the future for ordinary Nigerians, and also bring new thinking and synergy to the public sector’s role in providing for the needs of all Nigerians.

Most Nigerians expect Tinubu’s ministers to be not just members of the cabinet, but to add value to governance; they must be propellers for greater equality of opportunity for all Nigerians. They must be able to build a system that will swing the government away from the traditional methodology of concentrating

Some Nigerians are complaining that Tinubu’s cabinet has too many politicians. However, the truth is, a right-thinking President brings on board top-notch grassroots politicians to hold the political front for him when the need arises. President Tinubu and the Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje-led APC should, as a matter of ‘need’ maintain and ‘oil’ that area. This is where the synergy between the Executive and party supremacy comes into play.

President Tinubu and the APC, as a matter of policy and pol-

itics, should make sure that those appointed as ministers know what is expected of them. A ministerial appointment is a call for a national assignment. Nigerians expect ministers not only to saddle themselves with the responsibilities within their respective portfolios but also to be team players that will bring feasible ideas and be at par with local and global realities. Nigeria skyrocketing prices of food commodities, improving electricity and southeast, etc. On the political side, apart from supporting the president, ministers should see themselves as the ‘faces’ of the APC in their respective communities; their political presence and contact with locals are very important. For example, duringpointees, especially from the north, became mere spectators in their states due to their weak link with the grassroots. Tinubu’s with weak links with the grassroots and poor rapport with the public.

With N450 billion estimated to be lost annually from goods and services that perish in these road accidents, it is a huge toll on the country. Particularly disturbing is that majority of these accident victims are people in their prime

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

FOCUS

Zenith Bank: Enhancing AfCFTA w ith SMARTAfCFTA

Peter Uzoho writes on the expected benefits from the Memorandum of Understanding Zenith Bank recently signed with the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal, for trade promotion within the continent

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers tremendous opportunity for unlocking business potential across the continent and the world.

Historically, Africa’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) as well as its regional and global value-chain participation have been consistently low, hampered by barriers to trade and competitiveness, according to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The AfCFTA removes many of these barriers and unlocks opportunities for Africa to join regional and global value chains and integrate with international businesses.

Signed in 2018, ratified in 2019 and officially launched in 2021, the AfCFTA creates a single market in Africa. It also unlocks several opportunities for African and global businesses.

The unified market under the AfCFTA enhances the competitiveness of local assembly and local sourcing partnerships.

Indeed, in the continent, dwindling oil revenue in most oil producing countries and Nigeria provide a painful but indispensable opportunity to look inwards in a bid to trigger economic growth, experts have said.

They also stressed the need for Nigerians to appreciate locally manufactured goods such as fabrics, saying such would make local industries thrive and boost economy.

For instance, Nigeria has the potential to become a major player in the global economy by virtue of its human and natural resource endowments. However, this potential has remained relatively untapped over the years. After a shift from agriculture to oil and gas in the late 1960s, Nigeria’s growth has continued to be driven by consumption and high oil prices. Oil accounts for more than 95 per cent of exports and foreign exchange earnings while the manufacturing sector accounts for less than one percent of total exports.

Zenith Bank Plc strongly believes that AfCFTA, among other benefits, would expand intra-Africa trade and provide real opportunities for Africa and Nigeria in particular.

Also, the financial institution remains committed to promoting the non-oil export sector in Nigeria by identifying emerging opportunities which help stimulate nonoil exports and develop robust financial products and incentives for operators in the sector.

These and also the need to reap from the numerous opportunities in the continent was what prompted Zenith Bank Plc to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AfCFTA Secretariat for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal, for trade promotion within the African continent.

The SMARTAfCFTA Portal which has the capacity to provide information like trade indicators, market trends, custom tariffs, trade agreements, rules of origin, market access requirements of relevant jurisdictions, export potentials, export diversification indicators and contact details of business partners in target markets and other trade-related information about Africa, would help to unlock the vast opportunities for trade on the African continent.

The MoU was signed by the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu and the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, during the 8th Annual Edition of the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export themed “Nigerian Non-Oil Export

Industry: The Present, The Future,” held recently in Lagos.

Speaking on the partnership with AfCFTA for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal, Onyeagwu, said: “This collaboration aims to unlock the vast opportunities presented by AfCFTA not only for Nigeria’s economic prosperity but also for advancing trade across African countries.”

Onyeagwu, noted the key role that the annual Zenith Bank Trade Seminar plays in deepening the conversation on promoting non-oil export in Nigeria by bringing together non-oil export practitioners and relevant government agencies to interact and explore the opportunities and proffer solutions to the challenges of non-oil export in the country, noting that previous editions’ outcomes have found expression and influenced policy initiatives.

For instance, the extension of the period of repatriation of non-oil export proceeds from 90 days to 180 days, and the policy mandating shippers not to carry export without a Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) Form Number were recommendations from previous seminars.

Also, the need to incentivise exporters to repatriate their export proceeds through the official channels and the recommendation to create export terminals across various export hubs in the country were also from past seminars. Also, previous editions recommended having Export Desks in commercial banks, which has now been instituted.

For Onyeagwu, expanding the country’s non-oil export has remained a matter of strategic economic importance

requiring continual intervention.

He believes that the impact of the pandemic on oil demand and, by extension, the price of crude oil in the international commodities market further exposed Nigeria’s over-dependency on crude oil earnings and its susceptibility to oil-related vagaries.

“The expectation is that export diversification programmes and initiatives will intensify as Nigeria continues to re-orient its export profile and boost foreign currency earnings. Reinvigorating the Nigerian economy calls for measures to reduce the country’s dependence on oil exports.

“It requires expanding the array of the country’s value-added products that are exported to foreign markets. When combined with the promise of the AfCFTA, more non-oil exports translate into enterprise and industry level competitiveness with positive implications for job creation and technological development while enabling the country to earn and save much-needed foreign currency,” Onyeagwu explained.

In his keynote address, Mene, thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR, for partnering with the AfCFTA for the development of the SMARTAfCFTA Portal.

In his words: “Zenith Bank was the first bank to say ‘we want to partner with you”. We went to see the Founder and Chairman, and he said that Zenith Bank wants to make a contribution to digitise trade in Africa.

“And so the portal was not my idea, it was not our idea at the

AfCTA Secretariat, it was Zenith Bank that stepped up and said, ‘this has to be done!’. So I want to thank you very much, GMD for this collaboration.”

Citing an example of the 25-storey Cocoa house in Ibadan, which was built with proceeds from cocoa exports, Ovia he said many countries in the world, such as Japan and China have been successful because they are doing a great deal of innovation, production and manufacturing of goods and services.

Ovia advised the country to look at promoting the nation’s non-oil export sector through technology to create technological giants like Apple, Tesla, and Google.

“We already have technology companies in this mold in Nigeria, such as Flutterwave, which has a valuation of $3 billion, making it more valuable than some banks in Nigeria,” he said.

He said the most capitalised companies in the world, such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Tesla, and Visa, among others, are not oil companies but are in the technological innovation space.

Furthermore, he highlighted the phenomenal growth of Nigeria’s emerging financial technology (Fintech) companies such as Flutherwave, OPay, Interswitch, Kuda and Paystack, with market valuations of $3 billion, $2 billion, $1 billion, $500 million, $200 million, respectively. According to him, this underscores the enormous opportunity in the Fintech space.

In his goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Obiora, who represented the Acting Governor of the CBN, Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, commended Zenith Bank for leading Nigeria’s non-oil export promotion advocacy.

He bemoaned the 1.2 per cent non-oil export to total GDP ratio and emphasised the need for concerted efforts to boost non-oil exports in Nigeria.

He also bemoaned the fact that poverty in Nigeria is at 31 per cent, saying that the projected 3.2 per cent growth for the country would not be enough to address the challenge of poverty.

“If you look at the equation for GDP, export enters not only as a multiplier effect, but as an endogenous variable, something that you can control fully by yourself.

“So, we cannot grow at 3.2 per cent and expect to pull 31 per cent living below the poverty line. That is why I am so excited that Zenith Bank has continued to call attention to non-oil exports,” he added.

Obiora said Nigeria needs to accelerate growth in its non-oil sector, saying “countries that are far smaller than us are doing much better.”

Zenith Bank launched the Non-Oil Export Seminar in 2016 as an initiative to deepen the discourse on promoting the non-oil export business in Nigeria. Under the leadership of Onyeagwu, Zenith Bank Plc has continued to introduce initiatives to support economic growth, which is why the financial institution has consistently been honoured, both at home and abroad. Beside numerous awards, the bank recently won double honours at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) where it was named the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria for the third year running and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, for a second consecutive year at the World Finance Awards 2023.

Onyeagwu

Chinedu Eze

The inability of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to provide the National Identification Number (NIN) to Nigerians seeking international passport and renewal, is delaying the processing of passports, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

It was learnt that the development has left many passport applicants stranded and unable to obtain or renew their international

passports.

NIMC, it was learnt, has put many Nigerians in this quagmire because it has been unable to repair or upgrade its server and associated equipment, which, broke down since last year.

It was learnt that NIMC has effectively stopped issuing identification number to Nigerians in all its offices nationwide as a result of its faulty server, which may have reached full load capacity, and now depends on

WELCOME TO NPA…

few accredited agents of NIMC that have continued to register and issue NIN slip to Nigerians, most of whom are passport applicants.

THISDAY checks revealed that hundreds of applicants both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora are unable to renew their passports because they cannot obtain their NIN directly from NIMC’s offices.

THISDAY learnt that some Nigerians who returned to the country to renew their passports have become stranded because they

cannot travel back with expired passport and it has become very difficult to obtain NIN, which the federal government insisted must be imbedded in the international passports.

Senior official of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. D. C. Dotun, told THISDAY that what may delay applicants from obtaining their passports is their failure to obtain their NIN because it is a compulsory requirement for the issuance of international

passport.

Dotun also said it is now easier to obtain international passports because NIS removed the hiccups that hitherto delayed issuance of passport.

“People go for their NIN registration and they must have their NIN before we can issue then passport because NIN has a place in the passport and it must be there before a passport will be issued to you. We have significantly improved in terms of the time it

takes you to obtain your passport. Once an applicant submits his NIN and provides other requirements, we issue him passport,” Dotun said.

Another senior Immigration official described NIMC as a ‘curse’ to Nigeria and wondered why the agency would have equipment that lacked the capacity to contain the data of Nigerians and it still parade itself as data provider.

Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko (2nd left), Senior Bureau Head, African Leadership Mag azine, Bernard Adeka (3rd left), GM Corporate and Strategic Communications, Josephine Moltok (2nd right), other officials of African Leadership Organisation during a courtesy visit to the management of NPA at the Corporate Headquarters in Lagos… recently

The Acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has warned Nigerians against investing their hard earned resources into smuggling activities assuring that the Customs will do what is possible to eradicate the menace.

He stated this during a press briefing at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja in Lagos to showcase the contrabands intercepted in the last two weeks.

Adeniyi urged patriotic Nigerians to continuously support NCS with helpful information that would aid its efforts to curb smuggling and

arrest suspects.

On the seizures, Adeniyi said a total of 4,252 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg each) at Dangote/Imashayi Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun state, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 Axis in Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State were seized.

“Similarly, 5,600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to takeout these strategic resource through Oja-odan axis in Ogun State, “he added.

According to him, the seizures are part of the NCS’s unwavering

commitments to safeguarding the society and protecting the well being of Nigerians.

He added that smugglers have continued to test the will and determination of the service to put them out of business.

“Smuggling of rice compromises our revenue and sabotage for our food security. Despite the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal on our economy, smugglers still attempt to smuggle PMS across the border. They met their waterloo in different operations conducted by officers of NCS,” he said.

While restating the service’s dedication to eradicating the menace of drug trafficking, the NCS boss

added that officers of the FOU Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a DAF truck close to Ijebu-Ode Junction where examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“NCS is yet again drawing national attention to the danger posed by unrestricted access to the use of dangerous drugs. Codeine syrup is designated as a controlled item due to its rampant abuse by our delinquent youth. The misuse and illicit distribution of codeinecontaining medications have given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a

surge in addiction, adverse health effects, and societal challenges, “he warned.

“In response, regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access. This underscores the importance of addressing this issue as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and well-being. On our part we will continue to partner with the NDLEA and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians,” he assured.

Other items seized include 291 bales of second-hand clothing, 57 Sacks and four jumbo sacks of used

shoes, 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 190 pieces of rugs, five units of vehicles and 170 pieces of used tyres.

“These seizures are a fallout of our uncompromising position to strictly enforce the law and protect the lives of our people. The codeine syrup, which is reportedly being abused by mostly young persons in society, is associated with addiction and, in the long-term, results in anxiety, depression, memory loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys and brain. It is pertinent to note that the damaging effects of drugs have led to preventable deaths for consumers taking them outside doctors’ prescriptions,” he lamented.

Eromosele Abiodun

US-based Firm Partners Ilorin Aviation College on AeroSTEM

Chinedu Eze

A US-based Non-profit Organisation, Project Sunshine has partnered the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, to organise AeroSTEM Fellowship for secondary school students in selected schools in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

AeroSTEM Fellowship was designed to provide interactive learning activities to young adults to equip them with materials and manuals to build an RC Aircraft.

For three days, 45 students were camped in the hostel of the Aviation College and taken through the manuals for the aircraft.

Project Sunshine is championed by two US-based Nigerian Pilots

– Capt. Idris Ekungba and Capt. Uchenna Abali who work with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines respectively.

At the closing of the three-day programme, Capt. Ekungba, an indigene of Owo in Ondo State, who initiated the fellowship in Ilorin as a way of giving back to the community where he spent his formative years, said the project was to expose the kids to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) as well as piloting.

He stressed the need to catch the children young to develop interest in STEM, noting that only about 15 per cent of African children have knowledge about STEM.

He commended the performance

of the students during the three days training saying, “We also had teachers from each of these schools come in with the students to also learn what we are teaching the students because we also have to be following up with them over the next few years. It is a long term process. The short term is starting from here.”

With his father, Jamiu Ekungba in attendance, he added, “I grew up in a home with a father that instilled the passion in me, the passion of always giving back to society. So I thought about what vehicle I could use to give back to society.

For me it is about developing the manpower, let’s get as much as we can out there, let’s even get the kids interested in STEM.”

Airbus Appoints Irvine Partners as PR Agency

International communication advisory firm, Irvine Partners, has been appointed as the dedicated PR agency for Airbus across subSaharan Africa, supporting their communications in the region over the next three years. Irvine Partners CEO, Rachel Irvine, who disclosed this in a statement, said: “As a business with a strong foothold across Sub-Saharan Africa and an acute understanding of its audiences, we’re well positioned to tell the Airbus story. We will focus on tangible impact, specifically around socio-economic development on the continent, responsible growth and sustainability, and innovation

within the aerospace industry.”

Airbus is a major player on the continent and offers a wide portfolio of aerospace solutions including commercial airlines, helicopters, military aircraft and satellites. The appointment of Irvine Partners as a dedicated PR agency further signals their commitment to expansion and growth across the region.

Irvine Partners has six offices across Africa and the United Kingdom, and is staffed by on-the-ground communications professionals, each attuned to the nuances of their markets. The agency is an ideal partner to elevate Airbus’s standing as a significant player on the continent.

AIR WATCH

Cargo Freighting as Major Revenue Earner for Airports

Head of Communications, Airbus Africa Middle East, Samsana Ismail, said: “We were impressed by Irvine Partners’ approach, their reach, understanding and strategic insights into our communications approach across Africa. Irvine Partners has six offices across the continent, it’s important for us to collaborate with partners who possess a comprehensive understanding of market nuances and dynamics. Together we’ll tell stories that matter within the continent.”

Airbus is the latest global brand to join Irvine Partners’ impressive roster of clients which also includes Spotify, Google, Salesforce, Airbnb and Huawei, among others.

Ethiopian Airlines Adds London-Gatwick to UK Network

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest network operating carrier in Africa, has announced that it will commence thrice weekly services to and from London-Gatwick, starting from November 21, 2023.

The new service will be operational every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Regarding the commencement of the flight, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said, “We have a 50-year relation with UK. We give high regards to our Heathrow services and now we are excited to add Gatwick to our vast global network. We are ready to stretch our reach to Gatwick and provide our renowned, award-winning services. History has it that we last served Gatwick in 2005 and 2006 using the Boeing 757. Now the route will be served by the most modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Over the years,

we have established commendable partnerships with over 100 UK based companies in the aviation sector. Our expansion in the UK, among others, will enable us to nurture this cooperation and partnership to a higher level.”

The new service by Ethiopian will offer a direct flight between London-Gatwick and Addis Ababa onboard Airbus A350 with Business Class and Economy cabins, providing seamless connectivity to Ethiopian Airlines’ vast global networks stretched across Africa, Far East, the Americas and Asia.

Area Manager, UK and Ireland, Mr. Henock Woubishet, said: “The UK is a strong and important market for Ethiopian. Adding LondonGatwick to our UK schedule is truly great news as it will enable us to provide much-needed capacity not only for our passengers but also

for our cargo services carried in the belly hold. Ethiopian will now serve London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester Airports.”

VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick, Stephanie Wear said: “We are delighted to welcome Ethiopian Airlines back to London Gatwick this winter. As the largest carrier in Africa, this is an excellent addition to our network and adds a valuable, direct connection to Eastern Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines is the latest in a number of carriers looking to operate long-haul routes from Gatwick, which further highlights the strong demand for slots at our airport. It’s also fantastic news for passengers across London and the South East to have more choice and direct services to Addis Ababa, as well as greater opportunities for onward connections across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.”

Tech Startup Begins Specialised Meal Deliveries to Nigerians

In its ambition to elevate the home dining experience for Nigerians with the convenience of modern technology, innovative tech startup, Eden Life, has launched its latest cutting-edge product, called Homemade by Eden Life.

The new platform is designed to revolutionise the culinary landscape by satisfying Lagos residents’ demands for quality and specially prepared home-cooked meals.

Eden Life’s Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Prosper Otemuyiwa describes Homemade by Eden Life as “A product aligned with Eden Life’s dedication to delivering purposeful solutions to Nigerians’ home service needs. It seeks to

connect passionate home cooks with food enthusiasts who crave authentic, home-cooked meals delivered right to their doorsteps. Through a seamless food delivery technology, the platform will help its users preserve and promote the diverse and delectable culinary traditions in Nigeria.”

Co-founder and CEO of Eden Life, Nadayar Enegesi, expressed his excitement and vision behind this pioneering venture, stating, “At Eden Life, we believe that food is more than just sustenance; it is a representation of our culture, history, and identity.

Homemade by Eden Life serves as a conduit, bridging the gap between talented home cooks and

discerning food lovers yearning for genuine, traditional meals, which can be conveniently delivered during their busy schedules.”

Homemade by Eden Life is Eden Life’s solution to ease the hustle and bustle of modern Lagos life. The platform is poised to fill the demand for authentic, Homemade by Eden Life taste, which often seems elusive for busy Nigerians in today’s fast-paced world. Beyond the seamless integration of technology for food enthusiasts to effortlessly explore an array of diverse culinary offerings, Homemade by Eden Life will also deliver much-needed value for home cooks.

Chinedu Eze

Most aviation experts are of the view that proliferation of airports could be good source of revenue to airport managers.

However, those who criticize the building of many airports, especially by the state governments, describe them as white elephant projects and feel bitter whenever some of the airports are handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to manage.

Many aviation experts have continued to insist that proliferation of airports is a mark of development, positing that even if the airports are not maximally utilized now, they would be needed in future as the country’s population increases and as the economy improves.

But the challenge faced by both FAAN and the state governments that own airports is how to make them generate enough money to sustain their maintenance, pay personnel and also make profit.

Industry stakeholders who brainstormed at the 3rd ChinetAviacargo Conference held in Lagos recently proffered solutions to this nagging question. For airports to become profitable there must be a radical departure from the conventional utilization of the facilities just for passenger facilitation, targeting aeronautical revenue alone; airports must be made to provide other services, including those unrelated to aviation.

The CEO for Asaba Airport Company, Christophe Penninck, brought this dilemma to the fore when he narrated the crossroads his company was in as the concessionaire of Asaba airport, located at the capital of Delta State. He averred that for an airport to generate enough revenue to justify its concessioning, the concessionaire must look broader beyond the known horizon and become inventive, businesswise. With massive land at his behest, Penninck said that he was beckoning at entrepreneurs and investors to come and establish businesses at the airport.

In his presentation at the CHINET conference he said Asaba airport is also positioning itself for the surge of cargo exports.

Penninck said the airport has strong local team, collaborates with agencies and has experienced and motivated staff to drive cargo exports.

For the future, he said the airport would deploy CAT I runway, full solar navigational aids, commence international and regional flights, will have 24 hours operations, will have developed non-aeronautical part – Airport City, and will be true gateway to South-South and South-East regions.

Chinet conference and the AviaCargo Committee set up by the management of FAAN have brought new sensitization to cargo freighting by air, especially perishables and other farm produce. Many industry stakeholders and exporters have realized the niche and unexplored potential market.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that air cargo transports over $6 trillion worth of goods annually, accounting for approximately 35 percent of world trade by value.

In the first half of 2021, a total of 16.7 metric tons of cargo was exported through airports across the world. And same period in 2022, a total of 17.7 was exported, leading to 6.2 percent increase from 2021 export figure.

But, in same period in 2023, a total of about 12.9 metric tons was airlifted leading to a further drop by 29.5 percent

IATA in its data for global air cargo markets, released in July 2022, showed cargo as having “taken a step back compared to the extra-ordinary performance of 2020-2021”.

IATA report blamed the poor performance due to volatility resulting from supply chain constraints and evolving economic conditions.

However, to boost cargo export, the Managing Director of FAAN, Kabir Yusuf Mohammed said FAAN in December 2022, assembled the best brains from various aviation cargo private and institutional stakeholders and made them Avia-Cargo Committee members to chart an implementable way forward for Nigeria to take the rightful number one position in Avia-Cargo exports in Africa within the next few years.

Mohammed said the avia-cargo committee was further charged to find solutions to bridging the turn-around time in cargo facilitation, financing-gaps in building and maintaining modern cargo infrastructure and facilities and lack of interest by local airlines in domestic cargo operations.

He also explained that the avia-cargo committee also had the responsibility of addressing lack of adequate insurance coverage in the cargo facilitation, lack of adequate standardization and certification of cargo items, particularly farm produce, etc and substandard packaging, processing and traceability challenges.

He recalled that recently, in company of the Avia-cargo committee members, FAAN did a ground-breaking ceremony for the first Aviation Cargo Village in Nigeria.

Mohammed explained that in this Avia-cargo village, the challenges of produce processing, packaging, certification, laboratory services, data gathering for traceability of products and produces would be tackled and surmounted.

This Aviation Cargo Villageis strategically located opposite the Cargo terminal along Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Expressway, and sits on 27,357.137 square metres and according to FAAN Managing Director, the development would be driven through a public private partnership (PPP) model, a feat that would be replicated in other international and Cargo airports

“I believe that when our Aviation Cargo Village is fully established, we will be able to mitigate the challenges in the supply chain. All hands must be on deck to fast track the Aviation Cargo Village. FAAN needs the partnership of the private sector to really provide the necessary infrastructure that will make these airports truly cargo facilitating airports,” the FAAN MD said.

He said the Directorate of Commercial and Business Development would always be ready to facilitate the symbiotic relationship.

“We believe that with proper partnership, we can leverage on the land mass available in our airports, and establish world-class cargo facilities to further enhance cargo facilitations. Our fresh organic produce like cashew, avocado, exotic flowers, yams, etc must be well packaged, processed and certified to meet the destination standards. We have the capacity. I believe the synergy between FAAN and Avia-cargo Committee will quicken the change we desire to see in Cargo facilitation in Nigeria. We must export more than we import. And until this is achieved, our work is half done,” Mohammed said.

BUSINESSWORLD DEVELOPMENT

Achieving Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

The World Bank’s 2020 Human Capital Index report, which was based on a range of markers of health and education including infant mortality, further exposes the rising rate of poverty in Nigeria, writes Ugo Aliogo

Human capital development plays an important role in promoting productivity growth, lowering poverty rates, and sustaining economic growth. Achieving Nigeria’s goals for poverty reduction depends on building human capital. Nigeria has made some socioeconomic progress recently, but the World Bank’s 2020 Human Capital Index puts the country at 150 out of 157 in terms of human capital development.

The country continues to face huge developmental challenges, including the need to reduce the dependency on crude oil and diversify the economy, address insufficient infrastructure, build strong and effective institutions, as well as address governance issues and public financial management systems.

Inequality, in terms of income and opportunities, remains high and has negatively affected poverty reduction. The lack of job opportunities is at the core of the high poverty levels, regional inequality, and social and political unrest. High inflation has also taken a toll on household’s welfare and high prices in 2020-2022 are likely to have pushed an additional 8 million Nigerians into poverty.

The World Bank stated this in a report titled, ‘COVID-19 and Nigeria’s human capital crisis’, where it noted that Nigeria’s ambitious poverty-reduction targets hinge on developing human capital.

According to the report, learning poverty which captures 10-year-olds’ ability to understand simple sentences or perform basic numeracy tasks, likely proliferated in Nigeria during the pandemic.

While learning poverty cannot be estimated directly for Nigeria due to lack of data, it now affects up to 70 per cent of children in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Bank report.

The report read in part, “Even prior to COVID-19, Nigeria had some of the worst human capital outcomes in the world. According to the 2020 Human Capital Index (HCI)—based on a range of markers of health and education including infant mortality, expected years of schooling, sand stunting—a child born in Nigeria that year will grow up to achieve just 36 percent of the productivity he or she could have attained with full health and education. This was below the average for sub-Saharan Africa of around 40 percent. Just six countries had lower HCI scores globally.”

The report further noted that the direct health effects of COVID-19 itself threatened Nigeria’s human capital.

The country recorded its first case of COVID-19 on February 27, 2020 and has subsequently already suffered at least four distinct waves of infection, peaking around June 2020, January 2021, August 2021, and January 2022.”

BROOKLYN REPORT

In another report by Brooklyn Institution, it was noted that COVID-19’s impact on the delivery of health and education services could have more profound long-term consequences for Nigeria’s human capital development.

The report further stated that on the health side, lockdown measures could have prevented or discouraged patients from attending health facilities and the pandemic may have displaced other health services.

Direct evidence on service utilization suggests that outpatient consultations and child vaccinations against other diseases suffered during the pandemic, while adding that high-frequency data collected throughout the pandemic through the Nigeria COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS) reinforce this message, showing—for instance that in July 2020, around 21 percent

of households with children 0-5 years old who needed or were due for immunizations could not get their children vaccinated.

According to the report, “The COVID-19 crisis threatens future generations further through its impact on education. School closures during 2020 reduced children’s attendance rates even after reopening, especially among older children. Dropout was also higher in the households most affected by income shocks, suggesting that households removed children from school in order to support income-generating activities. Using the NLPS data in conjunction with data on the timing of school closures suggests that Nigerian children lost as much as 0.29 learning-adjusted years of schooling, due to both increased dropouts and imperfect mitigation of school shutdowns.”

EXPERT VIEW

The Social Mobilisation Manager, ActionAid Nigeria, Adewale Adeduntan, said for the new government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the current negative position of Nigeria in terms of the Human Capital Index, there are some recommendations that the new administration could consider in implementing.

He urged the president to increase investment in education, which implies that there is need to prioritize education by allocation a significant portion of the budget towards improving the quality of education and access to learning.

“In a way, the idea of the student loan just signed may negate in the sense that subventions going to public institutions maybe reduced, and if that happens, Universities may increase their school fees, and this may shut a lot of people out in a way. As much as possible, we have to increase teachers’ training, by voting more money for that. There should training and re-training of teachers, as well as capacity building programmes and providing adequate resources and infrastructures for schools. We can also implement measures to enhance the enrolment, retention and completion of education by the children especially girls.”

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

Adeduntan further explained that another thing that the new government may do is to enhance healthcare infrastructure which implies that they have to invest in healthcare to improve access to quality services, across the country especially at the grassroots.

He remarked that not every healthcare challenge at the grassroot should be taken to the tertiary healthcare providers, adding that a large percentage of healthcare programmes at the grass-root level, ought to be settled at the primary healthcare level, and there should be massive investment in healthcare delivery.

The social mobolisation manager, revealed that there is need to promote infrastructure intervention, noting that the cost of food is quite expensive and this has made a lot of Nigerians fall under the malnutrition bracket, “and whether we like it or not, addressing malnutrition and its longtime effect on human capital is very important.”

According to him, “The new administration must invest heavily on targeted nutrition interventions, and this including ramping up our campaign on promoting breast feeding practices because the early stage of development for infants is important because we have to improve access to nutritious foods for infants.

Iyal: Long-term, Single Digit Loans Necessary for Airlines

How will you describe the aviation sub-sector in terms of performance when compared with the past?

It has advanced and advanced greatly.

You can seethe number of private jets that parked at Lagos and Abuja airports. Some of them are for charter services and some areowned by private individuals and some are owned by corporate organisations that need to travel to places at their own convenience. So I will say the sub-sector has advanced; in fact, it has advanced more than was expected.

In terms of scheduled commercial flights operations, will you also say that the aviation subsector is doing well, and how will you rate Nigerian airlines in the last 10 years?

There is a great leap and great fulfilment in airline business in Nigeria; notwithstanding the circumstances and situation they found themselves. And you can see the number of airlines we have today and you can see the facilities at the airports from what we had 10 years ago. You can see the new planes that are coming in. The aircraft are quite modern, cost effective and very safe to use.

What is your view about the cost of domestic flight services in Nigeria?

You have to be fair to the airlines, when talking about cost of domestic flight, considering the cost of aviation fuel, which you know is a major factor. What of the cost of acquisition of these aircraft, which you know is very high and you pay heavily for aircraft leasing and insurance. If you are in Nigeria you know what we go through. But overall, I think the fares should be looked into and stabilised for better conditions both for the passengers

and the airlines. But for now, I think the demand side is higher than the supply side. And sometimes it determines the price. Most airlines in the world don’t acquire aircraft directly; they lease.

It has been agreed that Nigerian airlines pay more for insurance and aircraft leasing. What is your advice

for government and the operators with regards to high rate of insurance and leasing in the African region?

Yes there is. There is need for the government to come in either with finding or to create some kind of guarantee for the airline industry. There is no how we can continue with the current rate. All over the world, the interest is single digit. Government dedicated some funds to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), which should be disbursed to serious minded businesses under a single digit interest rate, long term regime. Government should also do the same for the aviation industry. It should earmark funds to be accessed on long term basis and on single digit interest rate. That will go along way to help airlines for the purchase and leasing of aircraft. If it is leasing, the government should find a way or an organization that can stand as a guarantor for these airlines. I think it should help a lot.

There is misconception about flight delays. Air travellers believe that all flight delays are caused by airlines alone. What do you think could be responsible for flight delays and what role should the regulatory agency and airlines play to curb flight delays?

There has to be a very strong synergy between the two. The infrastructure in some of the airports is not adequate. The check-in counters may not be adequate. So, sometimes those issues create delays. And again; other things that cause delays are the non avialability of aviation fuel and bad weather. But for a passenger, all he knows is that the airline is responsible

for the delays. So, normally, there are three variables that control flight operation. The weather, technical issues and the availability of aviation fuel. Indeed, the most important factor in any flight, in any operation is the avialability of aviation fuel as at when due or when needed. These are the things that the ordinary passenger doesn’t know. And so there has to be a way of passing this information across. But there is another solution, some of the infrastructural deficiencies can be reduced greatly if there is collaboration between the owners of these airports, that is the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and private investors on infrastructure development. This will enhance state-of-the-art airport facilities, which everyone can benefit from: the airlines, the passengers and government, which will earn higher revenues, as the airports attract more users.

The VIP movement, which is a very big factor in flight delays, seems to be defying all solutions. What is your take on this?

VIP movement itself does not take 30 minutes but such delays could be incurred because of backlog and buildup of aircraft on ground and in the air. The control tower has to stop aircraft on ground and in the air. It is this process that could cause delay, but the VIP movement takes about five to 10 minutes. There was never a time that VIP movement is 30 minutes because I was in the Presidency and I was involved in some of those movements. The control tower has to clear the aeroplanes that are up there before it starts clearing those on the ground.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Iyal

Former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Matters and the Managing Director of Afri-Air International Limited, Captain Shehu Iyal, in this interview, stressed the need for government to facilitate long-term, single digit interest loans, to enable Nigerian airlines to succeed, Chinedu Eze present the excerpts

Miss Aviation Nigeria: Inspiring Vision to Empower Young Female Aviators

Mohammed Mayowa, Joy Oranezi, Sylvester Onyinyechi, Chinasa Miracleg, Ogechi Nmesirionye and Priscilla Felix are the overall winner of Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant, the first Runner Up, Miss Eloquence, Miss Amity, Miss Personality, and Miss Aviation Nigeria Top Model, respectively, of the 2023 Miss Aviation Nigeria Pageant, an empowerment initiative that encompasses various levels of support. The winners recently shed light on their impactful and respective endeavours through their commitment to empowering young women and inspiring future leaders in the aviation industry. Their dedication and passion serve as a beacon of hope, encouraging others to pursue their dreams and contribute to the growth and development of the aviation industry. Enrolled in different training programmes, the ladies have been actively involved in school career sensitisation programmes, charity outreaches, and more. With an upcoming project focused around the airport and a special launch for youths on the horizon, these remarkable women are determined to make a difference. In this exclusive group interview with MARY NNAH, they discussed their experiences, the impact of winning the pageant, and their plans for empowering young women in the aviation industry

How has winning the Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant impacted your life and career aspirations in the aviation industry?

Mayowa: Winning the pageant has been an incredible experience, opening up many doors for me in the aviation industry. It has provided opportunities to explore my career aspirations and connect with influential people in the industry.

Onyinyechi, you mentioned that your pet project focuses on informing young people about the aviation world. Could you share some details about how you plan to achieve this and what inspired you to choose this particular project?

Onyinyechi: My project aims to reach secondary school students, specifically those in JSS3 and SSS3. I want to expose them to various career options in the aviation industry and inspire them to consider aviation as a viable path. My inspiration comes from my own experience, realising the importance of early exposure to career choices and the lack of information available to young students.

Nmesirionye, we heard you were crowned Miss Personality. Can you describe your experience and how winning has shaped your perspective on empowerment, inspiration, and achievement for young people?

Nmesirionye: Winning the Miss Personality title has been a truly transformative experience. It has shown me the power of inspiration and the impact it can have on people’s lives. I now have a platform to empower young individuals and be a voice for positive change. It has shaped my perspective on the significance of empowerment, inspiration, and achievement, particularly for young people who need guidance and support.

Mayowa, you mentioned your plans to beautify the airport, and hold a talk and dine sessions with youths. Could you provide more details about these initiatives and how you believe they will contribute to the betterment of society?

Mayowa: The beautification of the airport aims to create a welcoming and visually appealing

environment for travellers. The talk and dine sessions with youths will provide an opportunity for them to engage with industry professionals, learn about different aviation careers, and gain insights into the industry. These initiatives will inspire and motivate young people, contributing to a better society by fostering a sense of community and encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

Miss Aviation Nigeria aims to create entertaining, educative, and impactful aviation events. In what ways do you believe the pageant has achieved these objectives, and what further improvements or additions would you like to see in future editions?

Mayowa: The pageant has successfully created impactful events through career talks in schools, visits to orphanages, and other activities. However, we can further enhance the pageant by incorporating more interactive elements and increasing participation from young people. We want to provide opportunities for them to actively engage and showcase their talents and skills within the aviation industry.

How has participating in the Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant helped you grow personally and professionally? Are there any specific skills or lessons you have learned that you believe will be valuable in your future endeavours?

Mayowa: Participating in the pageant has been a transformative journey. I have gained valuable skills such as public speaking, networking, time management, and personal development. These skills will undoubtedly be useful in my future endeavours, allowing me to navigate the aviation industry with confidence and professionalism.

Priscilla Felix: I can attest to the growth I experienced personally and professionally through the pageant. It served as a finishing school, equipping me with skills like CPR training

and boosting my personal development. These lessons and experiences have prepared me for a successful career in the aviation industry.

The Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant emphasises the importance of providing information, education, and empowerment to young people in the aviation industry. How do you plan to share your knowledge and experiences with others and inspire them to pursue careers in aviation?

Mayowa: I plan to share my knowledge and experiences by speaking at conferences, mentoring young individuals, and volunteering with organizations supporting the aviation industry. By being a positive role model, I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams in aviation and show them that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.

Nmesirionye: I aim to share my knowledge and experiences through online campaigns, webinars, and various sensitization programs. My goal is to enlighten young people, especially young women, about the possibilities within the aviation industry and provide them with the guidance and encouragement they need to pursue aviation careers.

As winners of the Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant, you have become role models for aspiring young women in the aviation industry. How do you intend to use your platform and influence to encourage and support other girls and women who aspire to be a part of this field?

Mayowa: I plan to use my platform and influence to mentor aspiring women, speak at events, and share my experiences and insights. It is essential to encourage young girls and women to pursue their dreams in the aviation field and provide them with the support they need to overcome any challenges they may face.

Nmesirionye: I fully understand the

responsibility that comes with being a role model. I aim to organize online campaigns, webinars, and mentorship programs to provide guidance and support to young girls and women. By sharing my journey and experiences, I hope to inspire them to believe in themselves and pursue their passions in aviation.

Miss Aviation Nigeria has been successful in promoting the aviation industry and creating investment opportunities. What are your thoughts on the future of the pageant and its potential to further contribute to the growth and development of the industry?

Mayowa: I believe the Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant has excellent potential to contribute further to the growth and development of the aviation industry. With its focus on empowering young women and promoting aviation careers, it can continue to create opportunities, inspire future leaders, and attract investments that will drive the industry’s progress.

The Miss Aviation Nigeria pageant is centred on the youth and the girl child. How do you envision the pageant inspiring and empowering young girls to pursue their dreams, particularly in the aviation field?

Mayowa: The pageant serves as a platform for young girls to see positive role models who have achieved success in the aviation industry. By showcasing our journeys, achievements, and passion for aviation, we hope to inspire young girls to dream big and pursue careers in aviation. Through educational initiatives and mentorship programs, we aim to provide them with the necessary support and resources to excel in this field.

Priscilla: The pageant can empower young girls by exposing them to various aviation career options and challenging traditional gender stereotypes. By fostering a supportive environment and providing educational opportunities, we can encourage them to pursue their dreams fearlessly and break barriers in the aviation industry.

Kaduna State Gov’t, Google to Train 5,000 Women in Tech

In a significant move towards promoting tech inclusivity, the Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with Google, has announced a pioneering initiative to train 5,000 women and girls in data science, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurial application of digital technologies.

This initiative, part of a broader skills development program supported by Google.org, aims to empower 20,000 more women and young people across Nigeria with 21st-century skills, positioning them for opportunities in the digital and creative industries.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State remarked, “Inclusion in technology is not just about so-

cial equity; it’s about economic progress.

“By empowering our women with digital skills, we’re not only breaking gender barriers but also setting the stage for significant economic growth.

“ This partnership with Google underscores our commitment to harnessing the vast potential of our women for the socio-economic transformation of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.”

The Kaduna State government has consistently emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to drive economic growth. Central to this vision is the inclusion of women in the tech space.

By providing focused tech training and ensuring accessibility, the state aims to empower this demographic, recognizing their potential to be significant contributors to the digital economy and the broader socio-economic landscape.

The program will be executed by Data Science Nigeria, which will set up Arewa Tech4Ladies. This initiative is crafted to serve four key semi-urban and rural communities in Kaduna State, offering specialised womenfocused learning, mentoring, and job placement support facilities.

Olumide Balogun, Google Director for WestAfrica, shared, “The future of tech in Nigeria hinges

FAMILY

on tapping into the potential of every individual, irrespective of gender. “Our collaboration with the Kaduna Stategovernmentisatestamenttoourunwaveringbeliefinthe transformative power of women in tech. Through the support of Google.org, we’re dedicated to fostering a more inclusive digital landscape, ensuring every trained womanbecomesabeaconofchange in the tech world.”

This collaboration is a clear indication of both parties’ commitment to driving inclusion in the techindustry,ultimatelysupporting improved economic livelihoods through the digital economy in Nigeria.

Adetola Salau to Empower Lagos Residents for Sustainable Development

Stories by Mary Nnah

Driven by a strong foundation of love, trust, and faith instilled by her parents, Prof A.T. Salau and Dr. (Mrs) O. A. Salau, Dr Adetola Salau, is on a mission to engineer a profound shift in education, values and the development of Lagos state.

Salau is the Founder of Carisma4U Educational Foundation, a platform that advocates for STEM education by organising programmes to help young people embrace STEM subjects as critical tools for improving lives and driving development.

As a natural planner and goal-setter, Salau, a leader with a profound vision and an unwavering determination to create a better future, has always possessed a deep understanding of her path, values, and the true essence of success.

Her unwavering commitment to envisioning the end goal and seeking clarity in her journey has guided her steps thus far.

However, Salau’s outlook extends far beyond her aspirations, recognising the significance of collective efforts and the power of community.

Belonging to the vibrant tapestry of Lagosians, Salau believes that it is futile to focus solely on oneself in the face of

the current challenges. The realities of self-reliance, from raising fences to arranging security measures and managing essential services, underscore the importance of shared prosperity.

Driven by the wisdom of her father, who emphasised that shared prosperity guarantees individual prosperity, she has devoted her life to scaling the

reach of this lesson as it has served her well.

Amidst her service, Salau has come to understand that a viable trajectory for Lagos to follow as a people, a united collective and a beacon of growth and progress is none other than the way of Sustainable Development. This transformative mindset promises success for today while preserv-

ing opportunities for future generations.

For her, understanding that sustainable development of Lagos state begins and ends with the sustainable development of her people, as she recognises that Lagosians themselves must be nurtured sustainably to drive the city’s long-term growth.

It is this realisation that has become the centrepiece of her life’s mission - a mission to empower every Lagosian for the benefit of self, community, state, and nation.

Over the past two decades, Salau’s journey has been marked by valuable lessons, shaping her approach to transformative development.

For the community, her quest to achieve significant milestones, unity and collaboration is indispensable. On entrepreneurship, she acknowledges the imperfections of the world and therefore emphasises the need to take initiative and become agents of change, while having the confidence that we can drive the change we need and seek.

Recognising that strong foundations are built from the grassroots upward, Salau advocates for the empowerment of individuals at the community level.

Eudoxia Expresses Commitment to Redefine Entertainment Landscape in Nigeria

Eudoxia Nigeria, a visionary leader in the entertainment industry, has expressed its unwavering commitment to redefining the landscape of entertainment in Nigeria and beyond.

The company which recently launched officially as a comprehensive talent management, entertainment services, and event management company, is poised to deliver unparalleled experiences that captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark.

Speaking recently with journalists, Founder/CEO of Eudoxia Nigeria, Opeyemi Adigun said, “Today marks an exciting milestone for Eudoxia Nigeria as we step into the limelight as a premier talent management, entertainment services, and event management company.”

“Our journey is driven by a deep passion for creativity, a commitment to excellence, and an unwavering belief in the power of entertainment to inspire, uplift, and connect. We are thrilled to embark on this remarkable journey and look forward to bringing our vision to life”, he added.

Opeyemi who stressed that the company takes pride in its mission to curate exceptional talent, orchestrate unforgettable

events, and deliver entertainment solutions that resonate with a diverse and dynamic audience, added, “With a team of seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of expertise and creativity, Eudoxia Nigeria is primed to become a driving force behind the success of artists and the realisation of extraordi nary events.

Speaking on its talent management excellence, he said, “Eudoxia Nigeria’s talent management division is dedicated to nurturing and promoting a roster of exceptional artists, musicians, performers, and creatives. The company’s visionary approach empowers artists to shine on both local and global stages, providing them with comprehensive

Late Pa Orjinta

Children of Late PA, Cyril Nwakaeze Orjinta have rained tributes on their loving father who departed the earth on August 18, 2017.

The Late Patriarch of the Orjinta family who was described as ‘irreplaceable’ by his children is from Umukparaku, Isieke Amorji, Awo Omamma, Oru East LGA, Imo State.

Reeling out her memorial tribute, his daughter, Adaku Joy Orjinta said, “It has been six years you left us to the great beyond, sweet is the memory of the righteous, you might have gone but will never be forgotten, your memory will live with us forever, we love and celebrate you daddy.

“Sleep on Nwakaeze! Sleep on daddy, till that resurrection morning when we shall meet again at master’s feet. Your children and grandchildren miss you. Your daughter Joy Adaku Orjinta.” His second daughter, Cynthia Ajiboro also penned down a memorial tribute for her father.

Her words: “Death is inevitable and cannot be avoided, but your passing away remains a shock to us all dad. I wished you could have stayed much a little longer to see all your grandchildren and what they will become? We miss you deeply. Sleep on Dad!”

The first son of the house, Orjinta Nkelechi Emmanuel, a real estate consultant, said: “Just like yesterday, its six years you left this painful, evil and stressful world, although, your exit was sudden and unexpected but we still thank God you slept in the Lord. “Afree-spirited person like you can never be proclaimed dead. You may not be around in person but your spirit will live on forever in our hearts. I miss you dad. Rest on Dad.”

According to Chinedu Romanus Orjinta,

“It’s a common saying that “whatever happens, happens for a purpose”. But the painful memories of your death, I’ll never forget. It was a painful exit to me and family. I can not forget the love you showed me, my wife and my son in your last days. We miss you dad.”

His son, Emeka Victor Orjinta, a business icon and educationist said: “Dear dad, I cannot articulate how much I miss you. You always guided me through good and bad.

“Like I promised to continue from where your abilities stopped, I can assure you, I have become more better although still striving to become much more better.

“Pale, wherever you are, note, you are not forgotten even though you are no more with us. You always are and will be in our memories. I pray to the Lord to bless your soul wherever you are. Amen. Sleep on sir.”

support, strategic guidance, and unwaver ing advocacy.”

Assuring that the company’s entertainment services will go beyond boundaries, Adigun added, “Eudoxia Nigeria offers a wide spectrum of entertainment services designed to captivate, engage, and inspire. From live music performances and theatrical productions to innovative digital content creation, the company’s commitment to excellence is evident in every endeavour.”

While promising that Eudoxia is poised to elevate events to new heights, he noted that the firm’s event management expertise will ensure that every occasion is transformed into an unforgettable experience, adding, “Whether it’s a corporate gathering, concert, wedding, or gala, Eudoxia Nigeria’s meticulous planning, creative concepts, and flawless execution guarantee that every event exceeds expectations.”

Adigun, therefore, implored artists, clients, and entertainment enthusiasts to explore the world of limitless possibilities his company offers, adding that with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and delivering unmatched value, Eudoxia Nigeria is set to become a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.

CIPM SET TO HOST ITS 55TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, EXHIBITION

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) is set to hold the highly anticipated 55th International Conference and Exhibition themed, “Sustainable HR, Business and National Development”, billed to take place from November 13th-16th at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

This year’s conference, according to organisers, will explore cutting-edge solutions for people managers and business leaders to effectively manage corporate governance and ethical issues whilst promoting policies that are sustainable for business and national development.

The event, which is targeted at over 5,000 industry professionals, government officials, business leaders, and students across the globe, will kick off with pre-conference master classes and the CIPM Connect before the main conference which will feature some of these topics: Sustainable People Management Practices for Driving Business Transformation; HR’s role in enabling ethical, environmental and sustainable practices in the business ecosystem; and Global Disruption: How does HR remain relevant and sustainable in an era of rapid and exponential change, among other informative, engaging as well as interesting Plenary and Technical Sessions.

It will also feature an exceptional lineup of speakers including: President & Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mr Olusegun Mojeed; Judge of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice (Prof) Elizabeth Ama Oji; MD/CEO, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim EIHusseini; CEO of CIPD, Peter Cheese; Human Resources Director,Africa Finance Corporation, PatriciaAderibigbe; Executive Director of ExxonMobil, Dr Balarabe Aliyu; Chief HR Officer of Sterling Bank, Temi Dalley; Vice President, HR at Shell Nigeria, Mr Olukayode Ogunleye; L&D Strategist, Dr Charles Cotte; General Manager, HR at Seplat Energy PLC, Dr Steve Ojeh and other reputable speakers.

Participants are guaranteed thought-provoking discussions on focused leadership, business growth, getting started and succeeding, the latest trends in organisational sustainability, networking opportunities and a lot more.

Adetola Salau

Eudoxia Nigeria CEO, Opeyemi Adigun

NDIC to Investigate Directors, Executives of 183 Defunct Microfinance Banks

Nume Ekeghe

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced its intention to initiate an investigation into the directors and executives of the 183 microfinance banks whose licenses were revoked earlier this year by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NDIC, Mr. Bello Hassan, made this declaration during a capacitybuilding workshop for law enforcement agencies held in Lagos yesterday.

He mentioned that law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian police, will soon be summoned to investigate fraudulent activities conducted by the directors of

the now-defunct banks.

Hassan who was represented by the Head of Legal Department of the NDIC, Henry Fomah, said: “As you are all aware, the Central Bank of Nigeria recently revoked banking licences of 183 microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks which may require you to be called upon to investigate some of the Directors and officers of these institutions with a view to bringing to book those found culpable in the collapse of these institutions.”

He noted that through collaborative efforts of agencies, 12 cases are currently prosecuted at various courts, 25 ongoing investigations with Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), 11 with EFCC, and five concluded investigations with the Federal Ministry of Justice for advice and prosecution.

“The corporation, whilst bearing in mind the positive impact of such collaboration will continue to. Strive at enhancing the synergy between all of us in the areas of law enforcement relating to the investigation and prosecution of financial malpractices. I want to use this forum to appeal to the members of the Task Force not to relent on your oars but to execute the given mandate diligently thereby achieving the objectives of establishing the Task Force, “he said.

On his part, the Head of Legal Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kofo SalamAlada noted that as one of the most regulated industries around the world, it is necessary for agencies that will be collaborating with regulators to actually have deep of insight into how regulators operate.

MoneyMaster PSB introduces G-Kala Glo Airtime Promo

Emma Okonji

MoneyMaster PSB (MMPSB), a major payment service bank promoted by Globacom, is embarking on a reward scheme for Glo subscribers in the Lagos area who register and activate their own G-Kala wallets.

The proposed reward, offering airtime for subscribers who seize the opportunity to register their G-Kala wallets under the MoneyMaster network, will run for two months.

G-Kala wallet is the personal

purse of the subscriber. Upon activation, it enables them to transfer money for purchases, buy airtime, pay bills and pay for goods and services without having to log into any app or use the internet. It is fast and reliable as it is backed by the power of the Globacom network. The wallet is also safe and convenient because it ensures that subscribers do not have to carry cash around.

Active mobile subscribers

on the Glo network are encouraged to dial *995# and create their own G-Kala wallets.

Daily, the first 100 customers to purchase a minimum of N100.00 airtime will then be encouraged with a free gift of N100, which will be sent to their G-Kala Wallet within 24 hours.

Existing G-Kala customers in and around Lagos are required to dial *995# on their Glo lines and then press 4 to buy airtime to be among the first 100 customers every day to win the free N100.

‘Oyedele-led Tax Reform Committee Will Create New Revenue Ideas’

Kayode Tokede

An economist, Mr. Marcel Okeke has commended the federal government on the Taiwo Oyedele-led Committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, stressing that it will bring new revenue-generation ideas for Nigeria.

He further expressed optimism that the committee would work towards harmonising taxes to provide relief for companies and individuals.

Okeke made the observations at the well-attended monthly forum of the Finance Correspondents Association

of Nigeria (FICAN) held in Lagos.

While discussing the 2023 half year economic outlook, Okeke however, said that a critical look at the palliative measures show that they are a rehash of what the previous administration did.

He submitted that what the Nigerian economy badly needs at this time is a stimulus package rather than mere palliatives that are likely to end up in the wrong hands and pockets. Palliatives, he said, (especially cash transfers) are unearned, unproductive

‘transfer payments’ that do not make for any economic progress.

The forum has as its theme; “The Impact of PostInauguration Fiscal, Monetary Policy Reforms on Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Environment”.

Okeke emphasised the need to diversify the economy by developing sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, reducing dependence on oil.

He highlighted other factors affecting the Nigerian economy, such as the coup in Niger Republic, implementation of palliatives, insecurity, and oil theft.

TGI’s WASIL Wins Afro World Agri-food Award

In another demonstration of its valuable role in growing Nigeria and Africa’s agri-value chain, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, through its subsidiary West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), has won the ‘Industry Leader in Soybean’ Award.

WASIL shone at the 2023 Afro World Agri Food Conference, Exhibition and Awards organized by the Afro World Agri Food (AWAF) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Expressing his thoughts on this prestigious accolade, the Managing Director of West African Soy Industries Limited, Mahendra Kumar Vaidh, reflected, “For us at WASIL, this endorsement from AWAF echoes our unwavering commitment to driving industry leadership and strategic economic impact within the global marketplace. It is a testament to our unwaver-

ing dedication as enablers of food and nutrition security, an ethos deeply embedded in our business presence.”

Mahendra emphasized WASIL’s unwavering focus on surpassing customer expectations, underpinned by the consistent delivery of an unparalleled product that has become indispensable.

He elaborated, “With our pervasive international presence, both WASIL and its parent company, TGI Group, have enshrined service as a cornerstone of our brand identity. This ethos exemplifies our overarching business strategy, which places fulfilling sta keholder needs at its core. Thus, this award is a homage to the collective efforts of our partners—our dedicated staff, reliable vendors, esteemed merchants, and our invaluable customers—who have

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

unequivocally propelled our products and various corporate brand-building initiatives to the forefront of choice.”

He further emphasized, “This ‘Industry Leader in Soybean’ award holds profound significance. We extend our gratitude to the AWAF team and all those who have acknowledged our invaluable contributions and ongoing evolution within the agri-sector. Our commitment to offering sustainable, innovative, and accessible agri-business solutions, ensuring enduring food and nutrition security, remains resolute.”

Echoing the triumphant sentiment, TGI Group’s Head of Communications, Rafiat Gawat stated, “WASIL’s remarkable achievement reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and highlights the transformative power of collaboration within the agri-value chain.

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

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 17 JULY, 2023

L-R: Chief Technology Officer, Michael Adebisi, Company Secretary, Elizabeth Adejoke, Co-founder Amb. Moses Adebisi, Public Relations Officer, Tofunmi Sonaike, and Admin Officer, Adeniyi Oluwaseun all of Thrillers Travels at the pre-launch press conference of the firm held in Lagos...recently

Cutix Declares 18% Increase in Revenue as Shareholders Get N0.12 Dividend

KayodeTokede

In spite of the challenging macroeconomic landscape, Cutix Plc has reported a remarkable revenue growth of 18per cent for the financial year ended April 30, 2023.

As disclosed in the financial report available on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the company achieved a substantial revenue of N9.25 billion in 2023 as compared to N7.87 billion in

the corresponding period of 2022, representing a growth of 18per cent. Key contributing factors to revenue include N5.9billion revenue from cable and wires in 2023 from N5.75billion in 2022, while revenue from Armoured Cable stood at N3.2billion in 2023, a growth of 54.5per cent from N2.07billion reported in 2022. From the group’s profit & loss figures, profit before tax increased to N1.19billion in 2023, a growth of three per cent from

N1.16billion in 2022. The group’s profit after tax also demonstrated a positive trajectory, rising from N786.31 million in 2022 to N789.99 million in 2023, representing a growth of 0.47 per cent.

From balance sheet position, the group’s total assets rose markedly from N5.116 billion in 2022 to N5.842 billion in 2023 while capital expenditure rose from N250.881 million in 2022 to N271.689 million in 2023, representing an increase of

eight per cent.

The group also disclosed N3.17billion total equity in 2023, an increase of 17 per cent from N2.7billion reported in 2022.

The Directors of the company recommended a dividend of 12 kobo per share for shareholder approval at the 40th Annual General Meeting on August 25, 2023. The total dividend payable, if approved by the Shareholders, is N422.717 million and is subject to deduc-

tion of withholding tax at the rate applicable at the time of payment.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Cutix during the 2023 financial year donated N 113 million as educational, medical assistance and security assistance to Nnewi community, sponsorship of 2022/2023 ENIC tennis league, construction of Osita Onyejianya Street (Cutix access road), installation of streetlight on Osita Onyejianya

Street and Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled, Old and Tramps (RECDOT), among others. Cutix was incorporated on November 4, 1982 as a private limited liability company. It was quoted on the Second Tier of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on August 12, 1987, and later migrated to the First Tier of the Exchange on February 18, 2008. The price per 50k share of the company as at August 17, 2023 was at N2.67.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF AUGUST/17/23

Babangida Opts for Low Key Birthday as Atiku Sends Delegation to Minna

Saraki hails former military president

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna

Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) who turned 82 yesterday, opted for low key celebration as a result of the present mood of the country.

Babangida therefore discouraged his children and

we'll wishers from organising any birthday ceremony.

"In fact General Babangida did not come down to the sitting room from his bedroom until about 1.30pm," a close aide told THISDAY.

The aide said prayers were however held for the good health and long life of the former military Head of

State with the in- house Imam, Mallam Musa Hadeija leading the prayers.

Babangida according to the source did not cut any birthday cake

However, all the children of General Babangida, Mohammed, Aisha, Aminu and those of Halima, were present at the Minna uphill

Nigeria to Benefit from UK’s £210m Funding to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Kingdom has announced a funding plan of up to £210 million for the building of state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge disease surveillance systems and a bigger global workforce to tackle deadly antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria and countries in Africa and Asia.

A statement yesterday, signed by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office/ British High Commission, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, revealed that the funding from the government’s UK aid budget would support the Fleming Fund’s activities to tackle AMR in countries across Asia and Africa over the next three years, helping to reduce the threat it poses to the UK and globally.

According to the statement, the funding would bolster the surveillance capacity in up to 25 countries where the threat and burden of AMR was highest – including Nigeria, Indonesia, Ghana, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea - with more than 250 laboratories set to be upgraded and provided with state-of-the-art equipment.

The statement further revealed that: “This investment includes new genome sequencing technology which will help track bacterial transmission between humans, animals and the environment.

“The investment will also strengthen the international health workforce by supporting

20,000 training sessions for laboratory staff, pharmacists and hospital staff, and over 200 Fleming Fund scholarships to boost expertise in microbiology, AMR policy and One Health – which recognises the connection between humans, animals and the environment.”

The UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay, was quoted to have said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a silent killer which poses a significant threat to people’s health around the world and here in the UK, and will be an important topic here at the G20 in India.

“It’s vital it is stopped in its tracks and this record funding will allow countries most at risk to tackle it and prevent it from taking more lives across the world, ultimately making us safer at home.

“It also builds on work the government is doing to incentivise drug companies to develop new antibiotics – a model which some G20 countries are looking to implement.”

According to the statement, around 1.27 million people around the world die each year due to antimicrobial resistance – where bacteria have evolved so much that antibiotics and other current treatments are no longer effective against infections – with one in five of those deaths in children under five. In 2019 AMR was found to have caused between 7,000 and 35,000 deaths in the UK alone.

The UK Special Envoy on AMR Dame Sally Davies said: “I am proud and delighted that the UK’s Fleming Fund will

continue to create real impact to tackle AMR and build pandemic preparedness on the ground across the world, using data to drive action and catalyse investment.

“This world-leading investment in AMR laboratories, workforce and systems is a vital contribution to realise our vision of a world free of drug-resistant infection.”

The statement noted that the present investment would deliver the second phase of the UK-Nigeria Fleming Fund partnership.

residence to rejoice with their father and grand-father.

It was however learnt that some very close associates of the celebrant also came to the residence to join the former military Head of State in the celebration among whom were former Senate President, Senator David Mark; former Senator representing the FCT, Mr. Philip Aduda; former National Security Adviser, General Mongunu as well as a Supreme Court Judge, Justice Musa Dattijo. The visitors it was gathered left the residence immediately after the prayers.

In a related development, former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, yesterday, dispatched a 5-member delegation to Minna, to deliver his birthday message to Babangida.

A statement from Atiku’s media office stated that the delegation, which was led by former Niger State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu met with the former president and delivered a letter of congratulations

personally signed by Atiku.

Other members of the delegation included Amb. Ibrahim Maisule; Hon. Abdullahi Hussaini MaiBasira; Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe and Atiku’s son, Mohammed.

The letter read in part: “It is with a heart full of felicitations and gratitude to the Almighty Allah that I write to congratulate you on your 82nd birthday anniversary. In all of the great battles that you have fought, it is to the glory of the Almighty Allah that you remain standing with a life fully decorated by numerous accomplishments.

“Your longevity is an undeniable favour, which manifests the fulfilment of Allah’s eternal blessings and mercies upon you as attested to by the Holy Books.

“In these your very many years on earth, Your Excellency has positively touched uncountable lives, including mine, and has made all the difference in the lives of our people and, indeed, our nation.

“Let me therefore take this special moment to doff my hat and congratulate you for clocking the 82nd anniversary

of your birth. It is the prayers of my family and I that Allah will grant you peace and happiness as you continue to spread your blessings upon our people and our country. May the Almighty grant you many more years to keep guiding our nation to greater heights.”

Also, the former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, felicitated the former military President as he marked his 82nf birthday. In his verified Twitter handle Saraki wrote: "Throughout his leadership journey, General Ibrahim Babangida has consistently displayed the courage to confront challenges head-on.

"Whether in his role as a military officer or as our former Head of State, General Babangida consistently dedicated himself to the service of Nigeria and the preservation of our unity.

"This is why, on this special occasion of his 82nd birthday, I extend my heartfelt wishes for an abundance of blessings from Almighty Allah (SWT), along with excellent health and protection. Ameen.”

N150m Counterpart Funds to Support Girl Child Education

Kwara Pays

Constitutes steering committee for AGILE projects

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin.

Kwara State Government has paid the total sum of N150 million as counterpart funds for the implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

AGILE is a federal government and the World Bank-supported programme to improve girl child’s access to quality secondary school education.

Already, the government has constituted a steering committee for the implementation of the AGILE in the state.

A statement issued in

Ilorin yesterday, signed by Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, stated: "The setting up of the steering committee is another step which follows the state government’s fulfillment of all criteria that qualified it for the programme, including payment of a commitment fund of N150 million."

The statement noted that the committee comprises headship/Commissioner of the Ministry of Education (chairperson); Commissioner for Finance; Commissioner for Health; Commissioner for Women Affairs; Commissioner for Social Development;

Commissioner for Youth Development; Commissioner for Environment; Commissioner for Communications; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development and Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board.

Other members of the committee include Executive Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission; Executive Director Agency for Mass Education; Chairman, State School Based Management Committee; Coordinator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All; and State Project Coordinator (Secretary).

The statement added that, "the committee is to meet quarterly to review the implementation of the state’s sub-projects and forward its analysis and conclusions to the National Project Coordinating Unit; approve annual work programmes."

The committee would also see to the budget and procurement plans; ensure that performance targets are met; track performance using key performance indicators for the programme; ensure effective communication and access to information; monitor feedback and grievances; and monitor project implementation outcome achievement.

Marwa (Retd); Dami Marshal and Chuddy Naira when the artiste led his team on a visit to the National Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja to declare support for the War Against Drug Abuse on Thursday

ANNUAL LAW WEEK CEREMONY…

Gowon: Edwin Clark’s Book Chronicles

Major Events Under My Administration

Jonathan eulogises former Head of State

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Nigeria’s former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, yesterday said the latest book by former Minister of Information and a Niger Delta leader, Edwin. Clark, titled "Brutally Frank"gave an account of his administration and account of the civil war

The former Head of State spoke in Abuja, yesterday, during the launch of the book, which is an autobiography of Clark.

Gowon said Clark, who served as the federal commissioner for information and foreign affairs during his administration, worked in explaining government policies

and enhancing national unity during his time as a public officer.

He praised the elder statesman for his strong character and respectful expression of his views.

“I can assure you, I’ve never had any difficulty or argument with him. It was most amicable and respectfully given,” Gowon said of his relationship with Clark.

“However, considering a strong personality, there were of course times that he would vehemently disagree with his colleagues, commissioners and military officers and worked hard to convince them of why his own position is better than theirs.

“He was helpful not only in

explaining government policies and programmes in the efforts to rebuild our unity in the country. I also find him useful in our vision of building a common identity within the West African sub-region.

“I, therefore, found his personality and partnership skills assets in visiting various West African countries to canvass the need for us to have a common regional body which today is known as ECOWAS.

“So this book, “Brutally Frank”, therefore, is a very useful chronicle of what transpired in Nigeria during his lifetime of service.

“I am hopeful that the younger generations would be better

informed on the experiences, which have brought the country to what it is today in which our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who would have been here with us, but represents the centre of our common aspirations of peace, unity and progress.”

Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan, told the audience at the book launch that he never have imagined attending the National Council of States meeting as a former President with former Head of State, Gowon.

According to Jonathan, who held the audience captive with his tale said, "I said Gowon was a very young man, young, but then,

Govt Lobbying Takes New Shape as GTPro Unveils Service

Africa’s foremost government relations consultancy firm, GTPro, has unveiled a set of services to top business leaders in the oil and gas, telecommunications, manufacturing, and financial services sectors, in what is set to give form to the age-long practice of government lobbying in Nigeria.

The services were designed to assist businesses operating in Nigeria to evolve effective government relations strategies as they navigate the corridors of government and seek to influence policies.

The services were announced during a masterclass on government relations and public policy strategy organised by GTPro in Lagos.

“By these services, the agelong practice of lobbying would begin to take form and operate within the ambit of professional guidelines and stipulations,” former member of the House of Representatives, immediate past Director General/CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and co-founder of GTPro, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said in his welcome remarks at the event.

Dakuku, who spoke on behalf of Chairman of GTPro, and former Minister of Works, Senator Mohammed Daggash, said business sustainability required significant tact and know-how on the part of businesses.

It also entails ability to effectively navigate through compliance with

laws, government policies, and regulations that potentially can positively or negatively impact their operations and overall success.

This, according to Dakuku, required access, knowledge of the law, good rapport and ethical practices, which are not very much available at the current mode of businesses in their attempt at engaging lobbyists. Dakuku stated, “Business failures owing to lack of understating of policies have led to gross loss of revenue and investment on the part of founders, managers, and multinationals operating in Nigeria.

“To stem this tide and set businesses on the part of sustained success, businesses operating in Nigeria would require the services and counsel of experts, who have both the know-how, skill set and experience of how government works and who understand the law.

“GTPro is set to offer an assemblage of experts across fields and over cumulative 50 years’ experience in both the private sector and public service, in data, understanding of the law, policies, regulations, and research.”

Speaking at the masterclass, also, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who presented the keynote paper, noted that government and business were like the Catholic marriage that was practically inseparable. Ndoma-Egba, said government was like air and businesses could not do without government, and vice versa.

“For this reason, an effective process of communication and interaction between government and businesses becomes of extreme importance.

“This is what GTPro would be providing to businesses as they set out to engage the top leadership of organisations across sectors of the Nigerian economy,” he added.

Chairman of C&F Porter Novelli, a business and strategic communications consultancy, Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, who presented a paper on the effectiveness of policy affairs strategies, noted that the practice of government relations would be better suited within the larger spectrum of public affairs. Speaking from his wealth of experience, Maduegbuna submitted that a lot could be salvaged with effective public affairs strategy on the part of businesses. He said there was need for businesses to engage the services of experts, for ethical reasons, as they navigated the corridors of government.

Maduegbuna, said the traditional approach of businesses having on their boards as non-executive members, individuals they perceive would have government access would not offer much.

“This is because the dynamics of engaging government and influencing policy are broad, extensive, and require a detailed strategic framework that the individuals would suffer limitations in delivering,” he said.

The half-day masterclass also hosted the founder and Chairman of Proshare, Femi Awoyemi, and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola.

Daramola, highlighted the fact that businesses suffered the most in the area of understating of government policies.

“Every policy of government has its roots in the laws of the land, and where there is a lack of knowledge of the law, a lot of error is committed and these errors lead to loss of revenue, loss of investment, and eventual collapse of the businesses,” Daramola stated. He advised that organisations operating in Nigeria needed to put structures to how they engaged government and attempted to influence government policies.

During the panel session moderated by ESG Strategist and Risk Management Consultant, Bolarinwa Onaolapo, panelists agreed that the time had come for the needed structure and professional guidelines that could regulate the practice of government relations and lobbying to be put in place in Nigeria.

They acknowledged that whilst Nigeria lacked such, other developed countries, like the United States, had well established structures that govern the practice. The panelists agreed that lobbying was a formalised professional practice that operated within the ambit of the law.

he was the Head of State when I was in Primary 5. Then, Diete-Spiff was our first military governor (Rivers State), a very young man at 24. When I was in primary 5, I couldn’t have imagined that one day, I would be a retired president, sitting with Gowon in the Council of State meeting.”

Jonathan commended Gowon for his contributions towards keeping Nigeria one during his tenure as Head of State.

Dignitaries at the event included the presidential candidate of the

Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi; the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), who was the chief launcher and a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah. Others at the event included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Edo State Governor, Osarenwen Osunbor; and ex-Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, among others.

CCB Threatens to Sanction FCTA Workers over Nondeclaration of Assets

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has warned workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to adhere strictly to the code of conducts guiding public service by declaring their assets, stressing that failure to do so would lead to sanction.

The FCT State Director of the Bureau, Suleiman Usman, issued the warning yesterday, at a one-day enlightenment campaign.

He charged the workers to ensure timely and accurate declaration of their assets, for transparency and accountability purposes, as government offices are held in trust on behalf of the citizens.

He accused many public servants of ignorance of some of the relevant information and practices expected of their roles, which according to him, explains why they unknowingly end up normalising the illegalities within the system.

He also frowned at the practice where public servants use office hours to engage in private businesses, warning that the Bureau would take necessary measures against any civil servant who was petitioned, investigated by the Bureau's committee and found guilty of using official hours for private businesses.

“We are here to enlighten

the civil servants of the FCT Administration on the importance of asset declaration and ensure that we have total compliance.

“We also enlightened them on the code of conduct of public officers so that they will know their dos and don'ts alongside their responsibilities.

“The Bureau's has a committee that investigates and take the necessary measure, which is why we specified that civil servants must not engage in direct managing of private business, if they want to carry out private businesses,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Acting Director Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, FCTA, Dr Jummai Ahmadu, said the enlightenment campaign was a routine activity of the Bureau across the country to refresh the minds of civil servants in declaration of their assets which is done every four years.

She said the FCT Administration would take deliberate efforts to ensure that people know what is expected of them by giving them detailed information on how to declare their assets.

She explained that public servants who acquire properties a long time ago, are expected to declare the current value of such properties and not the value they were acquired at, while properties acquired through inheritance are simply to be stated as such.

L-R:Members of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin Branch Sam Atoe, Jonathan Ainerua, Agbons Osayamwanbor, Chairman NBA Benin Branch Nosa Edo-Osagie, Hon Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo, Ighodalo Imadegbelo SAN, Adesuwa Omonuwa, Law Week committee Chair Matilda Otoide and Abayomi Thomas at the spectacular annual law week ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch held recently in Benin City.

BOI VISITS FUBARA, SEEKS COLLABORATION...

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olukayode Pitan; Executive Governor, Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; former Executive Director, Corporate Services, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Jonathan Tobin; and Regional Manager, South-South, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Pacqueens Irabor, during the visit of BOI’s Managing Director to the Rivers State Governor to discuss areas of collaboration between the Bank and the state government in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Osunbor: El-Rufai Lied against Me on Obasanjo’s Alleged Third Term Bid

Says ex-gov's account in Clark's autobiography diminishes book

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Former governor of Edo State, Professor Osheheimen Osunbor, has faulted the account of the events that happened during the controversial bid by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek a third term in office through the back door.

Osunbor spoke, when he reviewed the autobiography of Chief Edwin Clark, titled, "Brutally Frank," in Abuja yesterday.

Clark had quoted a section of a book written by former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, "The Accidental Public servant," where the author explained the role played by Osunbor in the third term saga.

Osunbor, however, shocked his audience when he said El-Rufai misled Nigerians with his account of the third term.

The professor of law explained that “Brutally Frank” made very interesting read, and the author's clear memory and recollection of dates, names, places and events was impressive and phenomenal,

saying it can partly be attributed to good record keeping.

But Osunbor stated, "The book is not without flaws, though minor, many of them typo and spelling, such as ‘constant tenants’, instead of ‘customary tenants’ (p. 64), ‘Justice Omo Eboh’ written as "Omoibo" (p. 159), and ‘Awkunanaw’ written as "Okunanu” (p. 167).

"At times, the language is intemperate, such as using the word ‘stupid’ (P.359).This is obviously in anger but not appropriate in a book.”

The former governor said, "The most serious shortcoming is the author's copious reproduction, reference to and reliance on the statements and opinions of other people many of which may be unreliable and unverifiable.

"An example of this is at page 559, where he quotes in extenso excerpts from Malam El-Rufai's book, ‘The Accidental Public servant’.

"In the relevant portion, the author refers to a discussion at Aso Villa between President Obasanjo, Senate President Ken

IPAC Chides Tinubu for Giving N’Delta State Petroleum Ministry

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, yesterday, said assigning a Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to the oil-rich Niger Delta area was a ‘wrong signal’.

Sani, who spoke on a television programme monitored in Abuja, stated that limiting the appointment to a particular state would trigger a sense of entitlement amongst the people of the Niger Delta.

Commenting on the portfolios of the minister designates, the IPAC chair said, “Unfortunately, this sector (Niger Delta) has been made to look as if people that should be appointed to that ministry should come from Niger Delta.

“It is a wrong signal because, when you now give people a sense of entitlement, their efficiency becomes something

that is not given due attention to.

“I think we must change that scenario, but if he must do that – not because I am from the North Central – why don’t you give Federal Capital Territory to an indigene of North Central, if you must be sensational about such very important ministry.

“What do we do about fighting crude oil theft? Crude oil theft endemically is perpetrated – from what we heard so far is from the people from that area.”

Sani suggested that the petroleum sector should be looked into from a professional point of view and national interest, adding that, the responsibilities of the president were weighty and critical for the Ministry of Petroleum.

He, therefore, lamented that if the ministry was reserved to the president, there could be issues lingering on accountability and efficiency in fighting crude oil theft.

Namani and others as they mulled the idea of stopping live television broadcast of the Senate debate of the third term.

"Chief Tony Anenih is quoted to have said that he will get Professor Osunbor to move the motion. ‘The following day, we learnt that Professor Osunbor went to the clerk of the Senate and asked that a motion be raised of urgent national importance, with no topic. This allowed – any senator can move to table a motion of urgent national importance’ with no further detail.”

Osunbor read out further to the audience, "The clerk put the

motion in the order paper. On the appointed day, Professor Osunbor fell miraculously ill and had to be admitted to hospital, so there was nobody to raise the motion,” Responding to the text of El-Rufai book quoted above, Osunbor said, "This is pure fiction and fallacious. First, it is the prerogative of the President of Senate to decide whether to allow a motion of urgent national importance and if satisfied, would direct the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business to put it on the Order Paper.

"The Clerk of Senate has nothing to do with it. At any

rate, a motion on the modality of Senate Debate will be a matter of privilege, which can be raised by any senator without notice at any time and once the relevant order has been invoked, it cannot be refused and must be allowed by the Senate President, much less the clerk of Senate.

"At no time have I fallen miraculously ill and from 1999 when I entered Senate till date, I have never been admitted to any hospital. Importing such falsehoods into a book diminishes its quality.”

Yet Osunbor stated, “All in all, 'Brutally Frank' is an excellent literary work, rich in political

history (ancient and contemporary) of Nigeria.

"It deserves to be in every library as an invaluable reservoir of knowledge. The finishing is good and the memorable pictures, which adorn some 35 pages speak more than a thousand words."

The book reviewer created a moment of intense laughter, when he said, "Oh, there is a big omission. The author tells us that his great-grandfather had 100 wives, his grandfather had 40 and his father had seven, but he was silent on the number of wives he himself has married. Maybe he is still counting.”

Tinubu is Equal to Task, Ganduje Reassures Nigerians

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has reassured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu, had the capacity to reform the country's system of governance and the economy that would take Nigeria to the next level. Ganduje stated this yesterday, when South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye paid him a courtesy visit at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

He commended SWAGA for the role it played in ensuring that the Tinubu presidency became a reality.

"If you want to start a journey, you must start with preparedness, and I think you started this journey with preparedness because you were committed; you have common ideas leading to a kind of philosophy or a kind of ideology to achieve an objective.

"I think that is a very good starting point, because once you start something, you must have an objective, you must have a target, a timeframe and how to do it, and must know you are committed, you must do it.

"When you said you formed this association — this group — not to your knowledge, some of us started it in the heart even before

explaining it to others to know, because when you like something; when you love something, it starts from the heart.

"Sometimes you even suffer because people don't understand you. But we believe our principal is the right principal, he is the man that we have been yearning to mount the leadership of this country and we have succeeded in doing that.

"You have to assess people for where they come from, you have to assess people from their disposition, to assess people from their curricula vitae not some people from the blues. Nigeria is bigger than that.

"So, we believe Asiwaju is a

man of institutions, he believes in developing institutions and by developing institutions, that is why you have sustainability,"Ganduje said.

He noted that Lagos State has a high degree of sustainability, and that the high degree of sustainability was not because Tinubu has been the governor for over 20 years, but rather, he developed institutions, and laid the foundation for sustainability for Lagos.

Earlier, Adeyeye congratulated Ganduje and the National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Bashir, for their emergence and pledged their support to the new leaders.

Adeleke Congratulates Oyetola, Seeks Collaboration

Direct transport commissioner to finalise state’s railway plan

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has congratulated his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on his deployment as the Transportation Minister and immediately directed his Commissioner for Transport to prepare a plan of action to rehabilitate railway tracks across the state.

In a statement, yesterday, Adeleke described Oyetola's appointment as a positive development for Osun State, urging the former governor to

use his office to support the growth and development of Osun State.

"I congratulate my brother, Mr. Oyetola. We rejoice with him and his family on this new national assignment. As I have always extended hands of fellowship to him, I am doing the same now as we have a people to support and develop.

"Aside from offering our support to Mr. Oyetola during the ministerial screening exercise, I am doing the same now by offering our prayers for a successful tenure. I call

for developmental partnership between the state and the federal government.

"I am also directing the Commissioner for Transport to draw up a plan for the rehabilitation of the railway tracks from Ibadan end to Osun border with Kwara State. We hope to ensure the track is in good shape as the railway is now under concurrent legislative list.

"We plan for a railroad link to the national track line in the near future. Such a short railroad may originate from Ijeshaland to link the national line. Another

from each of the two senatorial districts, serving the agricultural haulage with connection to our oncoming cargo airport.

"My team is also tinkering with the idea of a circular metro railway cycling Osun State. This will be strictly private sector-driven. The idea is to transform Osun into a deeply economically connected state.

"I invite the new Transportation minister to join this big dream of mine, especially as the railway is under his portfolio. Osun is ready for partnership," he said.

AFRICA CINEMA SUMMIT PRESS CONFERENCE...

L-R:

Director,

Don't Divert, Sell Govt's Palliatives, EKSG Warns 7,000 Disaster Victims

The Ekiti State Government, has warned the citizens, especially the 7,000 beneficiaries of the relief packages donated to victims of

disasters not to sell or divert the materials given to them by the government. The state government urged the beneficiaries to use the materials donated through collaboration

Ufot Tasks Political Leaders to Be Committed to Nigeria’s Transformation

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Group Managing Director of SO&U, Mr. Udeme Ufot, has stated that no amount of strategic image making campaign would be effective to change foreigners’ perception of Nigeria more than purposeful political leadership that is committed to change the country’s narratives in both intent and deeds.

Ufot said this statement yesterday, as the guest speaker at the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce’s (NBCC) August Sharing Experience Series with the theme “The Power of Storytelling in Marketing.”

Speaking during the event, Ufot said changing the country’s perception, “must begin with having the right political leadership that is committed to changing the country and galvanising the people, which must start by forming an elite consensus to go on a new direction.”

He added that Nigerians, who supported the implementation of the “War Against Indiscipline” in 1984 and 1985, would also align themselves today to the demands of changing the country’s narrative when they see the right set of leadership in the management of the country’s affairs.

Ufot said: “Nigerians will align when they see the right leadership. And on

the back of that new direction, you can begin to craft narratives that will reinforce those values.”

The advertising guru noted that until these set of leaders would arrive, those mounting advertising campaign to change the prevailing negative perception of the country would be going in one direction while those in political leadership would be following another direction.

He asked: “What is the point of a dialogue with the deaf? I do not believe in head butting a brick wall. And I do not believe in talking for talking sake. There are fundamentals.

“This may sound like democratic heresy; I have said that what we perceived as western styled democracy have not worked in Nigeria. Because the countries that have made progress in recent years are countries that have been run by benevolent dictators. Even in the United Arab Emirate.

“Now, nothing we will do in trying to change the narrative of Nigeria without a leadership that believes that the country is to be changed; that find ways to change it and that there are elites’ consensus that no matter which political party that takes over this country that consensus must remain as the path to the growth of our country.

Abbas Reshuffles House’s Five Standing Committees

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has reshuffled five standing committees announced last month before the Green Chamber went on recess.

Abbas, in a statement personally signed yesterday said the reshuffling became imperative following the appointment of some lawmakers as ministers by President Bola Tinubu.

He said: "Following the nomination of some members of the 10th House of Representatives as Hon Ministers by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and void in the leadership of some standing committees of the House, it is my pleasure to announce the appointment

of the following lawmakers to fill up the vacant positions:

"Hon. Mamudu Abdullahi, APC, Niger, Chairman, House Committee on Army; Hon. Pascal Agbodike, APGA, Anambra, Chairman, House Committee on Hydrological Services; Hon. Dennis Idahosa, APC, Edo, Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services; Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, YPP, Akwa Ibom, Chairman, House Committee on Electronic and Digital Banking and Hon. Bukar Talba, APC, Borno, Chairman, House Committee on Institutional Reforms."

The Speaker noted that the appointments took immediate effect, while the legislative record would be updated upon resumption to reflect the change.

between the federal and state governments judiciously to palliate their sufferings after falling victim of natural disasters.

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, gave the warning, yesterday, while flagging off a federal government's intervention programme for victims of disasters in the state.

Afuye, revealed that thousands of Ekiti residents have been enumerated by the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) to benefit from the programme, out of which 7,000 were picked for the first tranche of materials supplied to Ekiti.

She appealed to people to stop blocking the waterways through unwholesome practices that had caused flooding and destruction of

lives and property in Ekiti.

The Deputy Governor lamented that reported cases of dumping of refuse inside drainages, building of structures on waterways and keeping of petroleum products inside residential buildings, had been largely responsible for cases of flooding and fire outbreak in the state.

"Let me appeal to our people not to sell or divert these materials for other use. It is to give you relief after suffering some losses. This is not an avenue to make brisk money the way some people used to think," he added.

Harping on the need for citizens to be cautious of their actions, Afuye said: "I wish to appeal to our citizens to cooperate with government in the prevention of

flooding or fire disasters in our state. I encourage you to avoid practices that can cause natural and man-induced disasters in your environment.

"People should desist from building houses on waterways or close streams and rivers. We should also avoid the terrible habit of dropping refuse inside drainages during rainfall.

"Moreover, you are advised not to keep petrol inside residential buildings. These are perhaps the most common causes of flooding and fire disasters."

Afuye commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritising the welfare of all Ekiti people through execution of lofty policies that have positively affected the lives of civil servants, artisans, widows,

pensioners, driver unions and other strata of the society.

Speaking at the occasion, the Director of National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, described the distribution of relief materials as part of the rescue mission of the federal government to improve the socio- economic condition of the victims.

Ahmed added that a total of 660,884 households were carefully captured through effective enumeration by NEMA's staff to benefit from the palliatives for their quick return to normalcy.

The NEMA boss appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary support to accomplish this important and timely intervention."

APC, NNPP Trade Tackles over Alleged Move to Bribe Tribunal

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The ruling New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) in Kano State, yesterday, engaged in war of words with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged attempt by an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to bribe a member of the tribunal to sway Justice in favour of their client.

Earlier, Kano State Government, expressed dismay over the allegation made by the Chairman of Kano National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Hon. Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge, that there was an attempt to bribe a member of the tribunal with money in order to sway Justice in favour of his client.

In a press statement, the Commissioner for Information,

Baba Halilu Dantiye, said, the state government viewed the allegation with a great concern.

"There is a strong rumour going round that some strong forces within the APC whose eyes are on Kano Election Petition Tribunals are bent on repeating what they did in 2019. They are all out to use whatever means to sway justice as was done previously.

"It is an open secret that these strong forces who are well-known for their corrupt attitude are working tirelessly to scuttle the hard earned mandate of the people of Kano state."

He also called on the anticorruption agencies to swing into action by carrying out a thorough investigation into the matter especially, when this type of allegation was made in an open court by a respected judge.

In its response, the APC warned the NNPP government against dragging Azinge’s name into disrepute because of its apparent dismal defence performance at the tribunal.

The APC, in a statement by a former commissioner in the immediate past administration, Muhammad Garba, described as a deliberate attempt by the Kano State government to malign the tribunal chairman for fear of what could be possibly the final judgement.

He said the allegations were made to create a fictitious story and quote her out of context, amounting to disrespect for the judge and the judiciary in general.

According to Garba, when Hon. Justice Azinge made the revelation on the alleged attempt to bribe a member of the tribunal by a senior lawyer, she

never named any particular party, but just to denigrate the APC, the NNPP government referred to the APC as the bribe giver.

He noted further that the Kano State Government was also preempting the possible unveiling of the actual bribe giver by the tribunal and therefore wanted to malign the judge.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Sagir Gezawa, said the Nigerian Bar Association, has already written a letter to the Secretary of the EPT to expose the lawyers or lawyers attempting to bribe the Judges.

He said he could not write directly to her Lordship, or to the Judge except through the EPT Secretary, saying, the Secretary would bring to the notice of the judge, the bribery allegations.

Beware of Political Jobbers, NUJ President Tells Kogi Journalists

Media practitioners in Kogi State have warned to beware of political actors in the forthcoming November governorship election in State.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, gave the advice at the grand finale of the 2023 Press Week of the Kogi Council held in Lokoja. Iziguzo, told journalists to always be factual in their reports so as not to overheat the polity, adding that discerning journalists should be able

to separate this set of politicians from genuine ones.

He explained that most of those under this category were pretenders and not contenders in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The NUJ President described the forthcoming Kogi governorship election as one that would enthrone a leader that would govern the state and not a section of the state, saying this was the reason promoting sectional interests would not do the state any good.

He cautioned journalists to be professional and unbiased in the

reporting of the governorship election, pointing out that the Kogi election was about the people and not a section.

He praised the unwavering dedication and professionalism that defines the journalism profession in the state and congratulated the Kogi State Council for orchestrating the Press Week.

Isiguzo also praised the Kogi NUJ for its commitment to promoting excellence, fostering growth and upholding the highest standards of journalism. He described the launch of the book, "Media Development in

Kogi State, 1999-2023," as a remarkable literary endeavour that captures the evolution of media in the state over a span of 24 years.

Furthermore, he described the book as a transformation of media from traditional platforms to the dynamic and interconnected digital landscape of the State.

The NUJ President lauded the leadership of Adeiza Momoh Jimoh as chairman of the Kogi State Council, saying he had demonstrated commitment and visionary leadership in repositioning the council.

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Managing

FilmOne, Mr. Moses Babatope; Chief Executive Officer, National Film Authority of Ghana and Convener Africa Cinema Summit, Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante; Film Maker Inkblot Studio, Mr. Chinaza Onuzo; and President, Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), Mr. Ope Ajayi ,at the Africa Cinema Summit Press conference. in Lekki, Lagos. recently ETOP UKUTT

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH…

L-R: Regional Vice President, South-west Region, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMF), Mr. Fola Aguda; his wife, Mrs. Modupe Aguda; wife of National Director, Zone 2, FGBMF, Lady Ngozi Onyemekara, and National Director, Mr. Iyk Onyemekara, at the free medical outreach organised by Zone 2 of the fellowship in Ipaja, Lagos... recently ETOP UKUTT

Obaseki Lauds Military, Other Forces for Improved Security in Edo

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has lauded the military and other security forces in the State for their sustained collaboration with the state government in ensuring a formidable security architecture that guarantees the protection of lives and property of Edo people as well as the safety of

businesses and investments in the State.

Obaseki said this when he received the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Valentine Uzochukwu Okoro, who led other top military personnel on a courtesy visit to the Government House, in

PDP Witness Admits Party Inflated Nasarawa Guber Results

Igbawase Ukumba inLafia

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prosecution witness, Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu, yesterday admitted that his party inflated the results of the March 18, 2023, governorship election in Nasarawa State.

The prosecution witness made the confirmation when he appeared to give testimony before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lafia, the state capital.

Answering questions during cross-examination by the respondents’ counsel, Adebayo Adelodu (SAN) for Governor

Abdullahi Sule; Ishaka Muddie Dikko (SAN) for INEC, and Mathew Burkah (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the last PDP witness, Ayiwulu, told the tribunal that he served as the State Collation Agent during the March 18 governorship election.

He admitted that his party inflated the figures of the election results and depleted that of the APC.

Ayiwulu affirmed that his party, the PDP inflated the results in Ashige, Ciroma and Gayam electoral wards all in Lafia LGA, as well as Abuni and Azara Wards in Awe LGA of the state.

NCC Appoints ‘Consumertrics’ Into Advisory Forum

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Consumertrics Nigeria to its Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF).

The NCC in a letter jointly signed by Alkasim Umar, its director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, and Clem Omife, head, of Consumer Protection and Advocacy, and made available to THISDAY in Osogbo, attributed the appointment to its belief that “Consumertrics would be a valuable partner in raising awareness on telecoms

consumer issues and protection in Nigeria.”

ICAF, according to NCC, “acts in an advisory capacity and makes recommendations regarding the interests and concerns of consumers of ICT products and services, including differently-abled persons and the elderly.”

However, in his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Consumertrics Nigeria, Muyiwa Ayojimi, said: “We appreciate the NCC for recognising our efforts and contributions to what we call consumer governance in Nigeria.”

Wild Africa Fund Harps on Protection of Elephants in Nigeria

Sunday Okobi

As nations of the world commemorate World Elephant Day, Wild Africa Fund has hailed the efforts of its partners in Zimbabwe and Nigeria working to protect elephants, encouraging the governments to safeguard national parks home (as forest) for elephants.

The group stated that while Africa boasts approximately 415,000 elephants, Nigeria grapples with multifaceted

Benin City.

He said: “We want to thank your men for the support and assistance they continue to render to us in Edo to secure our State. The Brigade Command and your men in Benin and across the State

are very active players in our Security Council and security architecture. We have enjoyed a very warm and cordial relationship with them and we do all to make sure they are comfortable.

“I thank you for giving the

permission for the Army to be part of the squad that is training our vigilante network as we just completed the training of 1,500 of our men. From inception, the military has been part of designing the programme, helping us with

the screening and things we need to do properly.”

The governor continued: “Please thank the Chief of Army Staff for the approval we received to build Forward Operational Base (FOB) in the State.”

Muslims Protest Alleged Lopsidedness in Sanwo-Olu’s Commissioner-Nominees

Segun James

Muslim faithful in Lagos State yesterday stormed the state House of Assembly to protest the alleged lopsidedness in the list of commissioner nominees submitted to it by the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-

Olu.

The Muslim faithful were led by the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), United Kingdom chapter, called for fair representation of Muslims in the 2023 Lagos State cabinet allocations.

According to MAN, which

claimed to speak on behalf of Nigerian Muslims in the diaspora, “We have been following with keen interest and utter dismay the development in the disproportionate appointment of cabinet members in the current Lagos State administration.

“This blatant disregard for justice, fairness, and equity by the Lagos State Government is one too many.”

The Assembly is currently screening the 39-member list. Out of which the Muslim faithful said it was unfortunate to have just eight slots for Muslims.

Soludo Urged to Avert Crisis as Leadership Tussle Threatens Peace in Anambra Community

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has been urged to take steps to avert crisis in Nanka community, as stakeholders gear for war this weekend, at the community’s new yam festival celebration.

Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state has been plagued with various crisis in most of the villages that make up the town.

Some indigenes of Agbiligba, a village in Nanka

urged Soludo to act fast to avert bloodshed. This is as the indigenes accused some influential persons in the community of plot to enthrone a leader for Ozor title holders without due process.

The Legal adviser Nze na Ozor group of Agbiligba

village, Nze Chinedu Ezeozue and other title chiefs in Agbiligba, who addressed journalists yesterday said there was impending crisis on Friday and Saturday, during the new yam celebration, except the governor intervenes.

NIPOST Launches New Postal Code to Boost Revenue, Security

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The Postmaster General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Hon. Sunday Adepoju, has said that the new postal code and address system being launched by

NIPOST will help to generate huge revenue for the country and boost security. He stated this on the official launch of the new postal code and address system, undescoring the immense benefits of the new project to Nigerians and the nation’s economy and security.

He said: “The benefit of it as you have asked is so much that I cannot say it alone. Is it in terms of crime prevention? Is it in terms of business development? Is it in terms of tourism or transportation? You are going to talk about, and above it all revenue generation.

“It is going to be one of the revenue generation for the nation, NIPOST have not been funded by the federal government we look inward on how we can generate revenue for operation and contribute meaningfully into the federation account.

Institute Condemns Fracas Between Soldier and LASTMA in Lagos

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CITA), has expressed concern over the recent incident involving a soldier and a Lagos State Traffic Management

Authority (LASTMA) officer, which has brought public ridicule to both organisations.

The President of CITA, Mr. Segun Obayendo, yesterday said that the unfortunate confrontation, which was captured in the media, has

highlighted the need for a renewed commitment for all stakeholders in the industry to advocate for professionalism, cooperation and respect among all sectors of law enforcement and public service.

Obayendo noted that CITA

as a body, acknowledged the importance of maintaining order and safety on the roads, as well as the critical roles that both the military and civilian traffic management personnel play in achieving these goals.

Guber Election Petition: Bauchi Tribunal Reserves Judgment as Counsels Adopt Final Addresses

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Hon Mohammed Auwal Jatau.

challenges threatening its native elephant population.

It lamented that habitat loss, poaching for ivory, and humanelephant conflict are the major threats elephants face in Nigeria.

Wild Africa Fund in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday stated that over the past 30 years, Nigeria’s elephant population has dramatically declined from an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 two decades ago to a current estimate of 300 to 400.

The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition brought against the election of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed as the governor of Bauchi State and his Deputy, Rt.

THISDAY reports that the tribunal’s sitting yesterday was held under tight security, which, despite measures put in place to reduce number of people in the court premises, the crowd overpowered them and gained access to the premises.

The petition was filed by the defeated gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the last general elections, Ambassador Saddique Baba Abubakar.

The tribunal, during its sitting, said that it would communicate a date to deliver its judgment

to the parties after Counsels adopted their final written addresses.

INEC is the first respondent in the petition while Governor Bala Mohammed and his Deputy, Jatau, were listed as the second and third respondents respectively.

Wife Seeks Delta Police Commissioner’s Intervention over Husband’s Abduction

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Wife of an Itsekiri Youth Leader, Mrs. Ete Esu, has called on the Delta State Police Commissioner, Wale Abass and prominent Itsekiri leaders to help secure the release of her husband allegedly abducted

Wednesday night at their house in Idimijakpa, Okere in Warri South local government area of the state.

Mrs. Esu’s husband, Lucky Esu, was said to have been violently abducted at his home about 12 midnight, hours after he made a

video which went viral about the crisis rocking Okere community youth body.

There had been factional youth crisis in Okere Community and Lucky Esu, last weekend made a viral video, warning the leadership of Itsekiri National

Youth Council (INYC) to stay off Okere Community youth affairs.

He had in the viral video claimed that people of Okere Community were descendants of Ekpenede, not Ginuwa 1 Ruling House of Warri Kingdom.

NSCDC Nabs Four Suspected Rail Track Vandals in Nasarawa

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence( NSCDC) squad has nabbed four suspected rail track vandals in Nasarawa State.

A statement on Thursday by the Spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr. Babawale Afolabi, revealed that the four vandals were intercepted along Lafia-Akwanga-Abuja Expressway, Sabon Pagi, Lafia Nasarawa State on Monday by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS).

Afolabi, while disclosing that the four suspected vandals have been taken into custody for further investigations and action, said that they were caught during the interception of an articulated DAF truck conveying large quantities of vandalised

rail track iron concealed inside iron scrap.

He said: “On 14th of August, 2023, about 10.30 a.m., the squad, which was on specialised operation to checkmate nefarious activities of rail line vandals, arrested four suspected vandals who disguised as scavengers.

“It was later discovered that the suspects have vandalised rail track irons and concealed them inside scrap iron materials before loading the vandalised rail track irons into a truck that will convey them to the buyers.”

He stated further that the truck and the four suspects were intercepted along Lafia-Akwanga-Abuja Expressway, Sabon Pagi, Lafia Nasarawa State on Monday.

Details of the truck was given as an articulated DAF truck with registration number BSA

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

899XA and the four suspected vandals are 27 years old Anasi

Ali who is the driver of the truck; Yusuf Idris, 25; Hafis Idris, 18 and Nasiru Abdullahi, 28 who served as an escort.

He said: “Item recovered from the vandals are; a DAF truck, large quantities of offloaded scrap irons and large quantities of vandalised railways irons.”

Babawale added that the preliminary investigation carried out by the NSCDC revealed that the vandals loaded the rail truck irons and slippers in Makurdi, Benue State and concealed it inside scrap irons to disguise it as scraps and were moving the vandalised products to an undisclosed iron and steel company in Ilorin, Kwara State before they were intercepted and arrested.

Kano Expresses Dismay over Alleged Attempt to Bribe Election Petition Tribunal

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Kano State Government has expressed dismay over an allegation made by the Chairman of Kano National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Hon. Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge, that there was an attempt to bribe a member of the tribunal with money in order to sway justice in favour of his client.

A press statement that was signed by the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Baba Halilu Dantiye, said that the state government viewed the allegation with a great concern.

Dantiye alleged: “There is a strong rumour going round that some strong forces within the APC whose eyes are on Kano Election Petition Tribunals are bent on repeating what they did in 2019. They are all out to use whatever means to sway justice as was done previously.

“It is an open secret that these strong forces who are well-known for their corrupt attitude are working tirelessly to scuttle the hard earned mandate

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as ONYEKA DAMIAN OBIAELI, now wish to be known as and addressed as DAMIAN CHIDI OBIAELI. All former documents remains valid. the General public should please take note.

Unveiling the Deceiver: Nine Startling Facts About Satan (I)

By: Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

Summary: This article describes a number of peculiarities relating to Satan and his relationship with mankind. The description shows that Satan is not what he thinks, or what his adherents think, he is. He is much less than that. He deceives himself as much as others. The article focuses on 9 different themes to prove these points.

The following are nine amazing truths about Satan, which can help us understand him and his world better. They should also make us better prepared to face him and his onslaughts.

First: Satan and Iblis

Satan is a title or a designation. Iblis is a name. The Qur’an uses the former 88 times and the latter 11 times.

Iblis was of the Jinn and was somehow affected by Allah’s command to angels to prostrate before Adam (about this we cannot say, nor speculate, more, as the only source for this knowledge is the revelation).

of the people of Kano State.

“No doubt, all eyes are looking at the direction of the former Kano State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whose accession to the APC national chairmanship was opposed by senior and founding members of the party and indeed majority of Nigerians because of various allegations of cases of corruption.”

“He certainly feels emboldened by what is generally perceived as his unfortunate and undemocratic

selection as APC chairman who is rumoured to be all out to influence the outcome of various Election Petition Tribunals in Kano in particular and other states in general.”

Dantiye said that this allegation would be a litmus test for the present administration to show Nigerians that it is committed to fighting corruption and defending democratic principles by ensuring that this case is thoroughly investigated and the culprits prosecuted.

Group Urges Tinubu to Include Itsekiri Nation in Governance

Ugo Aliogo

The Nigeria Human Right Community (NIHRCO) has urged President Bola Tinubu to include sons and daughters of the Itsekiri nation into the political and economy governance of Nigeria.

The group lamented the exclusion of Itsekiri nation of Delta State from the political administration of the country, stating that though the ethnic contributes over $60 million in crude oil output per day to the economy, yet the people are left to endure the most degrading economic and political situations.

in Itsekiri fully supported the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that though the Itsekiri nation produce 30 per cent of Nigeria total crude oil output, the history of the people has been that of exclusion.

Okotie-Eboh, who was represented at the event by Edgar Orisatimileyin, averred that in the midst of armed insurrection by some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta, the Itsekiri have never been involved in armed uprising neither are they involved in oil theft or destruction of oil pipelines.

However, Iblis refused to follow angels and prostrate before Adam, claiming that he was better than him because he was made of fire and Adam of clay.

At this point, Iblis became Satan, which means “rebel” and “arrogant”. He exercised his freedom and chose to be satan(ic). He was not created evil – indeed nothing is - but chose to be so.

Iblis was proud and self-centered. He rebelled against Allah and became of nonbelievers. He became the chief of all the Jinn that were likeminded with him. Whoever follows Iblis in his arrogance, rebellion and wickedness is also called a satan. That is the case both among the Jinn and people (al-An’am, 112).

There are many satans, but only one Iblis. Iblis as Satan is capitalized – because of him being the epitome as well as a source of all evil and mischief – whereas other satans are in lower case.

The relationship between the two is one of a leader (godfather) and followers. It is truly enlightening to study how precisely the Qur’an uses the words Satan and Iblis, recognizing the contexts and giving each word its exact meaning and role. For example, when a discourse is about prostration before Adam, the Qur’an uses the word Iblis, because solely in his personal capacity did he refuse to follow divine orders and to prostrate.

However, when the discourse moves to the acts of deceiving Adam and his wife and causing them to fall, the Qur’an employs the word Satan, because thus he acted in his capacity as the avowed deceiver. In the latter scenario, Iblis was plying his trade, so to speak.

Second: Satan did not thwart Allah’s plan

He saw in Adam no more than matter and form, constructing his flawed judgments exclusively around those factors. So blinded by his haughtiness, jealousy, and self-regard was he that he could not see - let alone appreciate - the spiritual, cerebral, and moral considerations in Adam. Every subsequent materialistic and covetous tendency was an offshoot of this outlook of Satan.

Satan moreover pledged that he will mislead people and will arouse in them sinful desires to such an extent that they will eventually make recourse to the option of changing the creation of Allah (al-Nisa’, 119).

Nothing is to stand in the way of the full gratification of human fantasies and vain desires – as a means of their self-destruction - and of Satan’s realization of his dreams rooted in the former. All the achievements, advancements, and discoveries of man are to be subjected to the service of his hedonistic inclinations and by extension, of Satan.

Today’s modern man, on account of his remarkable “knowledge” and “civilizational refinement,” is more than ever mischievous and immoral. He is excited about it, believing that he is on the right track, but little does he know that everything he does plays into the hands of Satan.

Satanic cults are alive and kicking as never before.

Finally, Satan was as confused as he was wrong about the most fundamental things in life. For instance, he blames Allah for sending him astray, while at the same time he promises that he himself will send people astray. According to some commentators of the Qur’an, he wavered between fatalism and the notion of absolute free will.

This could likewise imply his solicitation of a degree of divinity, for he promised to do to people what Allah had done to him. Thus, instead of worshipping Allah, those people will end up worshiping (venerating and following) him.

Satan knew what and where the truth lay, but since he refused to comply with it, he was keen to obscure it and obscure all the avenues leading to it. He wanted to muddle and confuse the truth, making it neither fully known nor knowable.

Satan’s case additionally shows that knowledge alone is not enough to attain faith. More than that, especially from immaterial spheres, is required.

Fourth: Satan as man’s sworn enemy Satan is what he is because he is jealous of mankind. He does not accept Allah’s decrees concerning them – or him. He can’t stand them and wants to destroy as many of them as possible.

He hinted that for decades the Itsekiri have suffered historic sidetrack relating to political and economic isolation.

By refusing to prostrate before Adam and by causing Adam and his wife to be expelled from Jannah, Satan in no way disrupted Allah’s heavenly plan.

Accepting man as Allah’s vicegerent on earth and as an honorable being preferred over much of what Allah had created (al-Isra’, 70), was not compatible with Satan’s delusions and selfabsorption. He was consumed by his iniquitous qualities to the point that he worshipped them (himself). There was no room in his personality for submitting to and worshipping Allah.

According to him, “The Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri constitute the Delta South Senatorial District.

I formerly known and addressed as YUSUF FALILATU MOJIRADE AND YUSUF MOJIRADE FALILATU, now wish to be known as and addressed as YUSUF FALILATU AKANKE. All former documents remains valid. the General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS RUKIYAT ADEJOKE DARAMOLA, now wish to be known as and addressed as MRS ADETUNJI ADEJOKE RUKIYAT. All former documents remains valid. the General public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as IKHANJIANGBE OFURE PEACE, now wish to be known as and addressed as ODION OFURE PEACE. All former documents remains valid. the General public should please I formerly known and addressed as OGUNBIYI AINA ANUOLUWAPO, now wish to be known as and addressed as JIBOGU AINA ANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remains valid. the General public should please take note.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, the immediate past Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, said the politics of exclusion, trampling underfoot of indigenous people including Itsekiri are largely responsible for instability in many communities.

He charged the federal government to review the pathetic state of Itsekiri people and the historic injustice they have suffered in the hands of successive government since 1960 and now renewed with vigour since 1999 when democratic government returned to Nigeria.

He remarked that in the last election, many prominent leaders

A Senator of Isoko extraction currently represents the Delta South. Now, from 2023-2027, the two ministerial positions allocated to Delta State has two persons of Urhobo extraction. Itsekiri has again sadly lost. Now the Urhobo ethnic group has the governorship position, including the two ministerial slots and the APC Chairmanship for Delta State. In all, at the levels of political and economic structures, the Itsekiri are at the receiving end of the stick. This is very painful.

Positively, nobody can upset the will and plan of Allah, even in the slightest. He is the Creator and Master; all other beings are His creations and servants. Whatever Satan did, and whatever Adam and his wife subsequently did, was within the framework of their God-given freedoms and powers.

Their respective actions connoted an aspect of the range of their potential choices. They chose what they chose and acted as they acted, so everybody had to live with the foreseeable consequences. If hypothetically they did not choose what they chose, they would then have chosen something else, which again could not exceed the parameters of their assigned freedoms and competencies.

Everything was part of Allah’s infinite knowledge, wisdom, and power. It was yet part of His design for His creation and its existence. Absolutely nothing happens unless sanctioned by Allah. No will or action can come to pass without the authorization of His divine will and grace.

Even before the prostration and Jannah incidents, Allah declared that He was going to create man as His vicegerent on earth. Man was temporarily placed in Jannah only to be subjected to a learning process and to undergo a test. What happened afterward was a part of the intended learning procedure and the test.

Third: Satan as the source of all, including sophisticated modern, evil Satan – supported by his army of satans from among the Jinn and mankind - is the source and incarnation of all sin. He even paved the way for today’s most devastating forms of evil: rampant materialism, agnosticism, and pleasure-seeking.

Satan knows that his actions warrant him an eternal punishment in Jahannam (Hell), but as long as he fills it with multitudes of people as well, who will share with him his fate, he is fine. Allah thus reminds man: “Verily Satan is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents (his party) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire” (Fatir, 6).

Fifth:

Satan’s

few strengths and many weaknesses

As far as people are concerned, Satan is neither weak nor strong. His condition is determined by the people themselves. Concerning believers, Satan is weak and cannot do much. The stronger one’s faith and piety, the weaker Satan becomes. Everything believers do is the antidote to Satan’s trickery. He is powerless and desperate. He is a lost cause.

Believers are furthermore in control of Satan. They do not worry about him, but about how to keep him at bay by intensifying their devotion and worship. By taking care of themselves, believers know that they take care of Satan and of everything that can be associated with him.

Allah confirms: “Feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan” (al-Nisa’, 76).

Allah assured Satan that he will have no authority whatsoever over His servants, “except the erring ones who follow you” (al-Hijr, 42). Satan acknowledged that by saying: “By Your might, I will surely mislead them all, except, among them, Your chosen (sincere and purified) servants” (Sad, 82-83).

Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe email:Duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

To defend title at World Athletics Championships in Budapest

eigning World 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Tobi Amusan, has been cleared to compete at the World Athletics Championships which start this Saturday in Budapest, Hungary.

The 26-year-old had been charged with three whereabouts failures, an anti-doping rule violation for missing three out of competition tests within a 12-month period and the Nigerian had contested the charge.

News out of Budapest from Athletics Federation of Nigerian said the World 100m hurdles record holder has been cleared and will now travel to Budapest to defend the historic gold medal she won last year at the 18th edition of the Championships.

Amusan now has the chance to defend the only title she has not defended in her career after her successful defence of her Nigeria, African Championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Diamond League titles.

It was gathered that the tribunal of three arbitrators exonerated Amusan from two out of the three tests after the Nigerian argued that the tester did not do enough from locating her.

Interestingly, Amusan had insisted that she was not a drug cheat.

“I am a clean athlete and I am regularly; (may be more than the usual) tested by the AIU-I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test.

“ I have faith that this will be resolved in my favour and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August,” Amusan wrote last month on her Facebook page.

GOD IS GREAT INDEED...

Enoh’s Experience Will Benefit Sports Sector, Says House C-ttee Chairman

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon Ekene Abubakar Adams, has said the vast experience of the newly appointed Minister of Sports-designate, Senator John Enoh will help the sport sector to grow.

He made the declaration yesterday in a congratulatory message to Enoh following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s 36th Sports Minister.

“Let me heartily congratulate the new Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh, on his well deserved appointment by Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His trajectory as a foremost lawmaker who had served in the Senate will be a huge advantage to the accomplishment of his new assignment. As a former lawmaker he understands the dynamics of every sector, so I believe he will hit the ground running,” Adams said.

He assured stakeholders in sports

that his committee along with the Senate counterparts will work in tandem with the new minister to chart a new direction for Nigerian Sports.

Adams vowed that all stakeholders and partners are ready to work together in the best interest of the country with the minister to ensure that sports take centre stage in the nation’s development history. Enoh succeeds Sunday Dare, who served for four years as sports minister.

NPL All Stars Committee, Tonic for Solid CHAN Eagles Team, Says Eguavoen

Kunle Adewale

Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, has hailed the new board of the Nigeria Premier League, (NPL), on the inauguration of an All-stars Committee saddled with the responsibility of picking the NPFL Team of the Month, saying it would help in presenting a very strong CHAN Eagles side during competitions.

Speaking at the unveiling of the nine-member Committee chaired by former Nigeria international, Daniel Amokachi, Eguavoen, who is also a member of the committee, charged committee members not to be biased in their decision making.

“The Team of the Month will help the CHAN Eagles coaches and the technical department of the NFF in presenting a formidable team that would represent the country in CHAN competitions,”

the former Super Eagles Captain noted.

Speaking in the same vien, Nigeria league board Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, expressed satisfaction in the quality of members that constitute the All-stars Committee.

The Team of the Month will be made up of 11 players and a coach with room for reserves that will complete a squad of 18.

Elegbeleye said the decision was arrived at to create aspirational value for the players and coaches.

“We seek to elevate the quality of play and also encourage the coaches to dig deep and offer great formations. With the Team of the week, players would offer their very best to make the squad and with time there will be individual and collective benefits from this,” Elegbeleye noted.

The NPL boss noted that the league board had reached an agreement with La Liga to organize friendly matches

with top Spanish clubs for the players that make the team at the end of the season.

“We had an agreement with La Liga to arrange friendly matches with top clubs in Spain and our best players in the league will also have the opportunity to play under the best coaches in Spain,” Elegbeleye explained.

“The idea of a Technical Committee for the Team of the Month may not be entirely new but we are adding the added flavour and benefits of going to have an end of the season team, an All-star squad that will spend two weeks in Spain playing friendly games with top La Liga sides.

“This no doubt will be an enriching experience for the players as they will have the opportunity to train and play against some of the very best. It has the added edge of going to form the nucleus of a future CHAN Eagles team,” expressed.

Madiba FC Rates

NNL Relegation Playoffs’ Organisation High

Proprietress of the Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Madiba FC, Basirat Adeyemi, has given her candid assessment of the recently concluded 2022-23 Relegation Playoffs held in the city of Kano.

Adeyemi who was at the championship playoffs, witnessed how the eight teams from both the Southern and the Northern conferences competed to retain their status in the second-tier league.

At the end of the five-day tournament which began with the Draw ceremony, Ikorodu City, Smart City FC, Adamawa United and Sokoto United were able to retain their NNL badge for the coming season.

Taking a look back at the organisation which went into the eight-team tournament, she expressed her satisfaction at what she saw in Kano as she picked out the areas which caught her

attention.

AIU Clears Tobi Amusan of Avoiding Dope Tests R

“The relegation playoff was well organized and interesting with the massive turn out of the people of Kano” she confessed.

Her club, Madiba FC had their first stint in the concluded NNL season after they gained promotion from the Nation-wide League One (NLO) in 2022.

“Hmmm, for me,” she tried to put together her thoughts on one of the most critical aspect of any organised football tournaments.

“I think everything went well”, she continued, “including the officiating that was fair. So I think the relegation playoff was well organized.” she submitted. She was however, optimistic that the new coming season under the new NNL leadership would deliver a fresher experience for clubs.

CAF: Obaseki Rallies Residents as Bendel Insurance Hosts Algeria’s Aso Chlef

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged residents of the state to come out enmass on Saturday, August 19, 2023to cheer Bendel Insurance as they begin their campaigns in the CAF competition with first match against Algeria’s Aso Chlef, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Addressing journalists at a press

Benin City Agog for 2nd DSP Kickboxing Championship

Kickboxers from across the country will will converge on Benin City, the Edo State capital for the 2nd Diamond Superstars Promotion (DSP) National Open Kickboxing Championship scheduled to hold between August 23 and 27, 2023, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.

This championship is sponsored by USA-based Nigerian-born Loveth Patra Ekufu, a former National and world Kickboxing Champion, former Mixed Martial Arts Champion and National/ International Referee of repute. President of the Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria ( KBFN ), Mr. Wilson Okon, who disclosed this, said the championship is in conjunction with the KBFN, and is open to all states of the

Federation, including military and para-military clubs. .

With August 23 set aside as arrival date, the president informed stakeholders that states will be responsible for the transportation, accommodation and feeding of their athletes.

He stressed that all the athletes will undergo medical tests prior to their bout and warned that any fighter that fails to show up for the medical examination and weigh-in at the stipulated time, risks missing the championship.

There will be award medals and certificates including reward with gift items to winners at the end of the excercise before the stakeholders meeting which takes place immediately after.

Delta State won the first edition of the championship.

conference in Benin City, the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yusuf Alli, said the historic encounter will see Bendel Insurance play again at the Continental stage after 34 years. He said, “We just want you to know what is happening to Bendel Insurance from our own end and also from the Governor’s side of it. The last time Bendel Insurance played at the continental level was 34 years ago.

“Now, we are playing on the continent with the first match being this Saturday, we need the whole stadium to be filled up. We want a full capacity. We have tickets printed, airing television and radio commercials. Ticket gates are available for everyone. It is free.

“The state government and our governor are putting everything into hosting the match, ensuring that our team, Bendel Insurance, comes out on top on Saturday. For us, it is historic having not been on this stage in the last 34 years and so coming to this point, we are now and giving the fact that we have made history in the last abridged league and also the FA Cup that brought us here. The state government is quite aware of this and because of that, every effort is being made to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that our team comes top.”

He said Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the release of buses to mobilise supporters to and back from the stadium, noting that hundreds of jerseys will be distributed to football fans at the stadium.

The Managing Director, Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), Hauwa Dupe Ohikhuare, disclosed that the 10 locations for the free bus ride to the stadium include: “Agbor Roadaxis -Ramat park; King Square – 1 Mission Roadand ECTS main terminal; Ugbowo pick up point- Main Gate and ECTS turning point at Oluku/NIFFOR Junction; Sapele Road- Winners Chapel. Others are: Airport Road - ADP Junction & Estate Gate; Ekenwa axisOjemai farms; Siloko/Ogida - Channel 55; Aduwawa/ Eyan Axis- Pipeline & Idokpa Town Hall. New Benin; Mission road by Total Junction and Upper Sakponba- Goretti and Third East Circular Junction.

A roadshow would also be organised on Friday across Benin City to further drum up awareness and support for the team while the state governor will visit the team camp tomorrow, Thursday, August 17, 2023 to inspire the team to victory.

Loveth Patra Ekufu is a former Kickboxing a formerWorld Champion World bringing the sport the

Tobi Amusan...cleared by AIU to compete at World Athletics Championship starting in Budapest, Hungary this weekend

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MINISTERS: NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT

this contradiction. The effect of the prioritisation of sub-national units is the prominence of sub-national loyalties. It is no surprise therefore that some ministers inadvertently or deliberately see themselves as state ministers at the federal level. Harold Lasswell’s definition of politics as who gets what, when and how is therefore interpreted in consumption terms as the ‘take home’ from the national cake.

The second instance of inequity resulting from the tying of the appointment of ministers to states is that the internal configuration of states, more or less, determines who gets nominated as minister in the states. This is because the state governors or the party leadership in the states, as the case may be, have a strong say in who gets the nod. In this case, the minorities in the states stand very little chance of nomination. Very pointedly, it can be said that minority Christians or minority Muslims would find it difficult to pass through the eye of the needle. The representative principle at the macro-level is therefore further undone at the micro-level. This is also compounded by the fact that the ministries themselves are neither equal in terms of power, political strategies or ‘juicy’, in the unfortunate commercial parlance and expectation of the Nigerian political class. For many years, the Ministry of Internal Affairs appeared to be a regional preserve just as recently, the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory. It will be naïve to equate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources with the Ministry of Information no matter the extra-budgetary favour the President may dispense. In the absence of the quantitative and qualitative re-calibration of ministries, George Orwell’s insight is appropriate here because, by definition, all ministries are equal, but not in terms of socio-political substance and clout. Consequentially, ministers are not equal since the ministries are, to all intents and purposes, unequal. Critical as unity is, the federal character principle is unfortunately an ineffectual prescription of inclusivity and equity. We must get it straight also that unity is a positive derivative or consequence of good governance.

It is therefore a forlorn hope to expect that national unity can be wished into existence or ‘national loyalty’ commanded as S.14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution suggests. It is behaviourally unrealistic and unrealisable. Citizens only voluntarily and freely release high doses of unity and loyalty when government delivers social services to make them feel good. Poor governance, unity and loyalty are incompatible and anti-polar. Unity should therefore not have been an item of the Motto on Nigeria {(S.15 (1)}, but a mission or goal to be intentionally and assiduously pursued.

The qualifications for the appointment of ministers vary from country to country. In Cabinet, Ministers, and Gender, Claire Annesley, Caren Beckwith and Susan Francechet offer the best classification of the qualifications. They classified the qualifications into

majority of the people of the area where the demand for creation of the State originated; (c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the States of the Federation supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly; and (d) the proposal is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly. (2) An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of boundary adjustment of any existing State shall only be passed if-(a) a request for the boundary adjustment, supported by two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding and the area affected by the boundary adjustment) in each of the following, namely- (i) the Senate and the House of Representatives, (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and (iii) the local government councils in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly; and (b) a proposal for the boundary adjustment is approved by - (i) a simple majority of members of each House of the National Assembly, and (ii) a simple majority of members of the House of Assembly in respect of the area concerned.

(3) A bill for a Law of a House of Assembly for the purpose of creating a new local government area shall only be passed if - (a) a request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new local government area) in each of the following, namely -(i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and (ii) the local government councils in respect of the area, is received by the House of Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the local government area is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the local government area where the demand for the proposed local government area originated; (c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of the members in each local government council in a majority of all the local government councils in the State; and (d) the result of the referendum is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of the House of Assembly. (4) A bill for a Law of House of Assembly for the purpose of boundary adjustment of any existing local government area shall only be passed if- (a) a request for the boundary adjustment is supported by two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding and the area affected by the boundary adjustment) in each of the following, namely - (i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and (ii) the local government council in respect of the area, is received by the House of Assembly; and (b) a proposal for the boundary adjustment is approved by a simple majority of members of the House of Assembly in respect of the area concerned. (5) An

three as follows: 1. affiliation criteria, 2. experiential criteria, and 3. representational criteria. The affiliation criteria deal with the nominee’s membership of personal networks of friendship, trust and loyalty. This includes associations, parties, and ideological leanings and the like. Experiential criteria are to the effect that ministrables (as Gerald Kaufman calls prospective Ministers) must demonstrate commensurate political experience and/or policy expertise, and possibly in their training. These are strongly prescribed conditions that may be broad, non-specific and flexible to accommodate several functional areas. The exception is that a barrister (or preferably a Queen’s Counsel in Britain) is required for the position of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice (i. e. Lord Chancellor in Britain). A Nigerian analyst, Edidiong Akpabio enumerates the experiential qualifications as competence, capacity and track records.

In the same vein, Waziri Adio lists the same criteria as ‘caliber, antecedents and character’. However, the Nigerian Constitution is silent on the experiential criteria and is not mandatory to be included in the President’s submission for Senate screening. The third and final category of qualifications is the representational criteria, which is defined as membership in appropriate political, territorial or socio-demographic group that adds value to the legitimacy of the cabinet. This includes ethnic, racial or regional representation as in Canada, the US, Australia, Germany and the U K. There is also the possibility of gender representation as in Rwanda and Ethiopia on which the Nigerian Constitution is mute.

In addition to compliance with federal character, to be ministerable, a candidate must be electable to the House of Representatives {(S. 147 (5)}. This requirement raises some questions. One of the hallmarks of a presidential government is the separation of powers and the doctrine of checks and balance. It is true that, in practice, there is more of fusion and collaboration rather than separation of powers, but in the election of the legislature and the executive, it is preferable that there is no conflation of requirements as different job contents and specification should normally logically require different qualifications. The very minimal convergence of functions does not justify the prescription of job qualifications. Two of the qualifications relate specifically to membership of the legislature rather than ministerial appointment. It contrasts with India where the prospective minister must be a Member of Parliament.

However, there are other qualifications at the level of bio-data like age, education and citizenship. A prospective minister must be a Nigerian citizen who must be thirty years of age {(S. 65 (1) (b)}. He must also be educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent {(S. 65 (2) (a)}. One would have expected a minister to have a higher educational level because of the heavy and complex executive responsibility. This contrasts very sharply with the Australian counterpart where

forty-two of the forty-four ministers are graduates of mostly University of Sydney, Adelaide University, and Monash University. It is said: “When it comes to being a minister in the Australian Parliament, degrees matter”. In fact, most of them hold double degrees in Arts and Law. Legal professionals constitute 10.6% of the Australian Parliament. It is even more surprising that the Nigerian Constitution does not prescribe any specific experience level for a would-be minister. Ideally a presidential constitution is more relaxed about party membership because it places technical competence above party membership so that it can take advantage of the total socio-intellectual endowment of the polity. The unsegregated partisan sitting arrangement of presidential legislatures is an attempt to deemphasise party over efficacy. It is unnecessary, therefore, to prescribe that the ministerial candidate should be a member of a political party and be sponsored by that party {(S. 65 (2) (b)} although this is what happens in reality. The system is not completely free to take advantage of the available non-partisan neutral professional and technical competence in the country. Equally superfluous is the requirement that the ministerial candidate must not have presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission because the separation of powers prescribed by the 1999 Constitution makes it redundant for the candidate to contest an election. Even if he were a member of the legislature at the time of his nomination, he would be deemed to have resigned his membership. In fact after the amendment of the Electoral Act to include the punishment of election offences, this clause has been overtaken because any such forgery will be prosecuted and upon conviction automatically disqualifies any such candidate. Finally, for brevity, the electoral offence could have been subsumed under general misdemeanor that disqualifies a ministerial candidate. A ministerial candidate is also supposed to be clinically ethically clean. The candidate shall be disqualified to hold a ministerial position if he voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a country other than Nigeria as he thus forfeits his Nigerian citizenship not being by birth {(S. 66 (1) (a)}. He must not be adjudged or declared a lunatic or of unsound mind {(S. 66 (1) (b)}. This is a very important condition, but no professional verification process is specified being not easily verifiable like the requirement that the candidate must not be under a sentence of death or imprisonment or fine for misdemeanor which is by a court of competent jurisdiction {(S. 66 (1) (c)}. The candidate must not have been sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty or contravention of the Code of Conduct {(S. 66. (1) (d)} nor must he be an undischarged bankrupt {(S. 66. (1) (e)} or a member of a secret society {(S. 66 (1) (g)} or been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a competent body {(S. 66 (1) (h)}. The candidate must have vacated his position in the federal or state public Service at least thirty days

before nomination {(S.66 (1) (f)}.

The appointment of ministers in the Westminster model begins and ends with the Prime Minister. It is therefore less regulated except that the ministerial candidate must be a member of parliament. The Prime Minister therefore has the opportunity to assess him or her on the basis of legislative floor performance or appointment as a shadow minister if the candidate was one. That is why Gerald Kaufman, a former British minister and author of How to be a Minister, submitted that one of the qualifications is to “be noticed” as somebody to make “a mark”. Rowdiness in the parliament, frequent recognition by the Speaker, frequent deliberate acts of popularity, may all gain headlines and even lead to popularity in one’s constituency, but no guarantee of ministerial office. Genuine loyalty rather than sycophancy is valued and rewarded. All the ideological positions in the party are attended to for balance and to pacify the reasonably troublesome members. Competence in a requisite governance subject is respectable and reassuring. It earns bounteous dividends in ensuring electoral confidence that it is in safe hands.

In concluding this section on the qualifications of Ministers, it is important to mention that the nomination by the President is not final. The President is required to submit the list of ministers to Senate for screening. This therefore gives the Senate the final approval. Senate is, therefore, also culpable for the eventual poor performance be held responsible for any substandard performance of any minister. The legislature also has the constitutional responsibility of oversight of the ministries. However, experience shows that there are systemic and personal constraints that militate against objective screening of ministers by the Senate.

First, it depends on the understanding of its role as a gatekeeper and quality controller in the governance chain. There were occasions when the Senate simply approved some ministerial candidates after just a bow. This is not the intention and stipulation of the 1999 Constitution without exception. There is however a lacuna in the screening process because the portfolios of the ministers are not attached to the list. It is a curious human resource hiring procedure to screen candidates for jobs without job specification. Any hiring process is tied to the requirements of the job, which the candidate’s qualifications must match. To hire a minister in a vacuum is to remove the criteria for the assessment of performance. This is further complicated by the fact that no job-related qualification is specified for the candidate. These are near fatal omissions. A journey without a pre-determined destination is a failed journey ab initio. The second part of this article will look at the organisation and performance of a cabinet.

•Ayoade, an Emeritus Professor of Political Science, writes from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

a schedule to the Constitution for use in post Military Administration elections”.

On November 1, 1977, while presenting the bill for the new Constitution, the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams SAN (16 December 1920 – 26 March 2005) spoke on the promulgation of the new Constitution, foundation of the Constitution, the Federal Sharia Court of Appeal and many other issues. He did not touch the issue of creation of states. Same with the chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Mr. Justice Egbat Udo Udoma (21 June 1917 – 2 February 1998). Yet by curiosity, Section 8 was smuggled into the 1979 Constitution by the ARMY.

Act of the National Assembly passed in accordance with this section shall make consequential provisions with respect to the names and headquarters of State or Local government areas as provided in section 3 of this Constitution and in Parts I and II of the First Schedule to this Constitution. (6) For the purpose of enabling the National Assembly to exercise the powers conferred upon it by subsection (5) of this section, each House of Assembly shall, after the creation of more local government areas pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, make adequate returns to each House of the National Assembly”.

You will discover the similarities between Section 8 of the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions. So far, these are the two Constitutions we have operated in our Presidential System between 1979 to 1983 and since 1999 to date. I covered the Constitution Drafting Committee proceedings and also the proceeding of the Constituent Assembly, the issue of creation of more states was never discussed at the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Of the fifty members of the Constitution Drafting Committee, I think only four of them are still alive. They are Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu(90), Professor Benjamin Obi Nwabueze (91), Alhaji Mamman Daura(83) and Professor Godwin Anibeze Odenigwe(97). They are my living witnesses.

While inaugurating the Constituent Assembly on October 6, 1977, the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, warned that the no go areas which the Assembly must not discuss include the composition of the Supreme Military Council and the creation of states.

He declared on that day “I believe also that valuable time will be saved by sticking to your “Term of Reference” as closely as possible. May I emphasise that the purpose of your being here is to discuss the draft Constitution already produced by the Constitution Drafting Committee and to come out with your recommendations. These will then be taken to the Supreme Military Council. Thereafter, a Decree on the subject of Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be considered and promulgated to usher in the new Constitution.

Your time here is therefore precious and should be described to this all important subject. All diversion from it of the consideration of extraneous matters which are not the subject for discussion by the Constituent Assembly should be avoided. The Electoral Regulations Decree which will govern the conduct of the first elections before the departure of the Military Administrations will be promulgated by the Supreme Military Council and will be placed before the Constituent Assembly for consideration as

What happened on the last two days of the sitting of Constituent Assembly, that is on June 1, 1978 and on Monday, June 5, 1978, was that some members of the Assembly, wanted their states to be created so that it could form part of the bill which was mandatory for the Supreme Council to approve. The Chairman of the Assembly, Mr. Justice Egbert Udo Udoma objected to the procedure along with some members including Mr G.A. Graham Douglas. The members who wanted the states were Chief G. Ajeigbe, who wanted Ibadan state, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, who wanted Ijebu state with Remo inclusive, Dr. Joseph Wayas, who wanted Ogoja state, in the present Cross River state, Chief S.O. Apetuje, Chief S.F. Fajobi and G.A. Falaye, who wanted Ekiti state, Alhaji S. Z. Daura who wanted Katsina state among others, Chief C.C. Onoh who wanted Wawa state which is the present Enugu state.

In his ruling on June 1, 1978, the chairman of the Assembly, Justice Udo Udoma ruled that “all the Amendments to Section 3 of the Bill, crystallising as they do and falling in reality into the category of proposals for the creation of new states, must be considered in my view, in their widest perspective. For the purpose of the ruling, consideration must rest on two main prongs.

Firstly, the matter falls squarely within the ambit of the overall policy of the Federal Military embracing as it does its well-scheduled and articulated programme to return the country to civil rule in 1979. That the programme has been prompted by the highest of motives and the spirit of rare patriotism cannot be denied. That it has received the unsolicited approval and support of the overwhelming majority of patriotic Nigerians cannot be contradicted. The rigidity and speed with which the policy has been pursued despite detractions has marked out our present military leaders as men endowed with inflexible determination. Any attempt to frustrate such a programme, in my view, would be counterproductive, and may be considered unpatriotic in the extreme.

Senator Jibrin

WHY NEW STATES AND LGS, CAN’T BE CREATED

NAFDAC to Hotels, Food Vendors

“Of concern is the misuse of food additives for enhancing the appearance of food, the colour, texture, taste, and shelf life. Many non-communicable diseases is related to the foods we eat, including other poor health conditions, micronutrient deficiencies, non-communicable/ communicable diseases, and even mental illness...be constantly vigilant and mindful of the safety and quality of the food you prepare to ensure the health of the public” –NAFDAC D-G, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warning hotels and food vendors to adhere to food safety practices.

BUNMIAYOADE

Ministers: Nomination and Appointment

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) stipulates that the President should appoint ministers to head ministries and report directly to him within sixty days of his inauguration. Ministers are first grade advisers who are also advised by their own advisers. In a way, therefore, ministers are advised in the process of advising the President, but their advisers are indemnified by convention. There is therefore a policy filtration process because the advice that ultimately lands at the President’s desk is ideally the product of the interaction between a minister and his advisers. This process speaks to the quality of the hiring process. Where the minister and his advisers are hired for reasons other than competence and experience, the quality of advice is adversely affected.

Governance is the business of businesses demanding the highest expertise that the polity can provide. This is why the United States enacted the 1967 Anti-nepotism Law forbidding federal officials from employing family members to certain governmental positions and the cabinet. Apart from the fact that appointment determines system performance, it also unduly and illegitimately extends the privilege and cover of the vote to the unelected. It, therefore, amounts to a political misdemeanor to willfully appoint people that are known and/or adjudged to be incompetent to such governmental positions. This is more so the case because governance is about the citizen who is arguably the most valuable and delicate factor in the governance chain. In fact, the citizen is the raison d’etre of government which, in turn, is an ingenious apparatus created by citizens for the ultimate peace and progress of citizens.

Democracy, which all nations claim at different

levels of praxis and sincerity, is a genre and form of government. Its practice has become so elastic that the polar extremities cannot relate. The cabinet or Council of Ministers in a democracy is an extension of the democratic representative principle having been

ERICTENIOLA

appointed by a popularly elected executive and confirmed by an elected legislature in a presidential system. The cabinet is therefore a meta-representative institution of the democratic electorate or, at worst, a by-product of the representation. It is connected to the people as a political derivative of the democratic process. In essence, therefore, it must be responsive to the people just as its principal is or must be responsive to the people. We shall return to the issue of the responsiveness of the cabinet to the people later on.

The justification for responsiveness is further embedded in the appointive process as enshrined, in this case, in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The Constitution prescribes compliance with a representational template known as the federal character principle to the effect that the appointment of ministers, among other public officers, must have national representative spread just as, in principle, the votes of a successful President. The political parties are also required to demonstrate such representativeness to be registrable. The federal character clause of the 1999 Constitution is the refined product of the non-exclusion principle debate at the Constituent Assembly. It is to ensure inclusivity, politico-spatial equity, fairness, and representativeness.

However, as much as it attempted to be inclusive and equitable it falls short of its attainment. It sees inclusiveness and equity in only spatial terms which incidentally and only partially satisfies ethnic reality. It however fails to cover the gamut of socio-demographic parameters like gender, ideology, religion and the social generations. For example, it neither specifically nor explicitly attends to gender dichotomy not even its proportionality. This leaves women to continue to clamour or, more correctly,

to beg for 35% representation. Mrs Beatrice Eyong, the UN Country Representative to Nigeria even wanted it at 50% just like Rwanda and Ethiopia where women and men are more nearly equal in their legislatures and cabinets. A similar lacuna exists in confessional and ideological representation. There is no mention of the representation of Christians, Muslims or traditional religions even impliedly. It can be argued that it would have been self-contradictory for a constitution that pronounces Nigeria a secular state to give recognition to religions at the same time. The silence is however both ominous and counter-factual because religion is extremely prominent and visible in daily national political discourse. Only a few months ago, same faith ticket generated heavy political brawling and attention.

To a large extent, federal character failed in what it attempted. It is neither fully inclusive nor completely equitable. In one breath, federal character wrongly equates arithmetic equality with content/substance equality. The 1999 Constitution stipulates that one minister must be appointed from each state of the federation. This condition unwittingly creates an unwieldy cabinet although it satisfies the federal practice of the equal representation of unequal states in the second chamber. The equality of unequal constituent states is aimed as a counterweight to the unequal representation according to population in the lower chamber. The ministers therefore represent unequal/varying number of citizens across the country. This differentiation is critical because it results in the paradoxical attempt to achieve unity by emphasising differences. The survival of Nigeria therefore hangs precariously on

Why New States and LGs, Can’t be Created

Expectedly, the deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin and the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu (52), are to be appointed Chairmen of Committees for the amendment of the Constitution whose objectives among others, include creation of more states. That is another financial jamboree in the making.

Between 1979 and 1983, and since 1999, the legitimate procedure by the National Assembly, to take money out of the treasury has been under the pretext that new states will be created. And we have watched in our docility the actions of the members of the National Assembly on this issue.

If we are to calculate the money spent by the National Assembly since 1999 to date on Amending the Constitution especially on the issue of creation of more states, the money is enough to tar the dilapidated roads in Nigeria. And yet we keep spending this money inspite of our lean resources. I am not against the amendment of the Constitution but I am advocating for the reduction in the cost of governance. There is no alternative to the amendment of the Constitution if we are to have good governance in Nigeria. Since the present Constitution we have is defective, we have to amend it often and often. Our 1999 Constitution must be one of the few constitutions in the world that did not pass through a referendum or plebiscite.

If I may ask what has happened to the reports prepared by the former deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu(1947-2021) or Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who served as deputy Senate President between 5 June 2007 to 9 June 2019 or Senator Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege(60), who served between 11 June 2019 to June 11 this year, on the amendment of the Constitution.

If I may also ask, what of the reports on the amendments of the constitution prepared by Prince Chibudum Nwuche (61), who served between 1999-2003 as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives or Chief Austin Adiele Opara, who served between 2003 to 2007, Babangida Saidu Nguroje(2007-2011), Chukwuemeka Ikem Ihedioha(6 June 2011 – 6 June 2015), Alhaji Usman Bayero Nafada, Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun (9 June 2015-9 June 2019) and Ahmed Idris Wase, from 2019 to this year.

There is nothing stopping Chief Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Senator Barau Jibrin from adopting some of the recommendations of their predecessors, especially the ones that are useful instead of wasting money touring the whole country or hiring consultants with a view to amending the Constitution.

As for the creation of states as contained in the Constitution, the truth is that the ARMY, that handed to us the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions, do not want new states to be created and that is why except the

Mid Western region which was created by civilians in 1963, no new state has so far being created by the civilian government. If you look at section 8 of the 1979 Constitution and Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, they are the same. The two sections were smuggled into the Constitution by the military. The Constituent Assembly that served between 1977 and 1978 did not discuss section 8 of the 1979 Constitution. In short it was a military decree.

Section 8 of the 1979 Constitution states that “An act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new State shall only be passed if --- (a) a request, supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new State) in each of the following, namely---(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives, (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and (iii) the local government councils in respect of the area, is received by the National Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for creation of the State originated; (c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the States of the Federation supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly; and (d) the proposal is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of each House of Assembly. (2) An Act of the National

Assembly for the purpose of boundary adjustment of any existing State shall only passed if--- (a) a request for the boundary adjustment, supported by two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the boundary adjustment) in each of the following, namely--- (i) the Senate and the House of Representatives, (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and (iii) the local government councils in respect of the area, is received by the National Assembly; and (b) a proposed for the boundary adjustment is approved by—(i) a simple majority of members of each House of the National Assembly, and (ii) a simple majority of members of the House of Assembly in respect of the area concerned”.

Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution states that (1) “An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new State shall only be passed if-(a) a request, supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new State) in each of the following, namely -(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives, (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and (iii) the local government councils in respect of the area, is received by the National Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds

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