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INEC:
Development, Mr. Sunday Dare and Chairman of the Committee, Alh. Ibrahim Galadima, during an audience held at the State House Abuja...yesterday
China to Pick 17 African Countries for Debt Forgiveness, Offers $10bn in IMF Funds... Page 6 results as retail deposits grew by 17 per cent YtD, from N1.82 trillion to N2.13 trillion. Retail activities also supported the growth recorded in fees on electronic products which grew by 45 per cent YoY, from N17 billion to N25 billion.
www.thisdaylive.com Wednesday 24 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9997. Price: N250
Lamido: No One Has Offended Wike, No Basis for Reconciliation
Zenith Bank Powers on with Double-digit Topline Growth in First Half 2022 Kayode Tokede
FG, US Sign Agreement on Repatriation of $23m Abacha Loot...
Chuks Okocha and Udora Orizu in Abuja
TRUTH & REASON
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In a clear demonstration of its industry leadership and consistency in providing superior financial returns, Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2022, recording an astounding
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, lent support to the bill seeking the establishment of an electoral offences commission to prosecute election offenders, saying the electoral process cannot be complete without such a commission. Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in Abuja at a one-day public hearing on the “Bill for an Act to Establish National Electoral Offences Commission to Provide for the Legal Framework for Investigation and Prosecution of Electoral Offences for the general Improvement of the Electoral Process in Nigeria.” Yakubu said the proposed law would enable the commission clampdown on electoral crimes and ensure effective prosecution of electoral offenders, particularly, high-profile politicians, who sponsor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The former Jigawa State governor, Electoral Process IncompleteWithout Offences Commission
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Chuks Okocha in Abuja
double-digit growth of 17 per cent in gross earnings, from N346 billion reported in H1 2021 to N405 billion in H1 2022. This was in spite of a very challenging macroeconomic environment.Accordingto the bank's audited half-year financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) yesterday, the growth was underpinned by a 19 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in interest income from N204 billion to N242 billion and an 18 per cent YoY growth in non-interest income from N127 billion to N149 billion. The growth in interest income was driven by the modest increase in the loan book and improved interest margins. The increase in non-interest income attested to the Group’s success in its income diversification strategy. Also, Zenith Bank’s profit before tax (PBT) grew by 11 per cent YoY, from N117 billion to N130 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) also grew from N3.38 to N3.55 over same six-month period. The Group also recorded an 11 per cent year-to-date (YtD) increase in total customer deposits to close the period at N7.15 trillion. The retail strategy of the Group continued to deliver outstanding
saying being governor is not an indication that he also has monopolyover the Nonetheless,state. Atiku and Wike were set to meet in Paris, in furtherance of moves to resolve the post-presidential primary crisis rocking PDP. That was amid rumour that Wike was already frolicking with the presidential candidate of Backs bill seeking establishment of electoral court, asks AGF to steer clear Says it secured 60 convictions in 125 cases from 2015 elections EFCC rejects bill, as PLAC requests reduced penalty for ballot snatching
PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
Says being governor doesn’t give him monopoly over Rivers Atiku, Rivers governor to meet in Paris amid rumour the latter is flirting with Tinubu
Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, yesterday, dismissedthe idea of reconciliation between the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. Lamido said no one had offended the embittered governor of the oil rich state. The former foreign affairs minister also sent a subliminal message to Wike, who often took pride in his supposed control of Rivers State,
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY2
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mended the establishment of the National Council on Infrastructure and its Technical Working Group (TWG).”Thevice president further stated that the Buhari administration’s National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan was developed to provide, “an integrated view of infrastructure development in Nigeria with clear linkages across key sectors and identifies enablers for successful implementation in line with the current economic realities.”
Will Bridge Nigeria's $2.3trn and sustenance of the expected synergy and linkages between the public and the private sector to enhance the implementation of the Infrastructure Master Plan, while the Technical Working Group is to provide guidance to the Counciland advise on all infrastructure relatedNotingmatters.”that the governance structure conforms with global best practice, Osinbajo further stated that, “a well-coordinated and strategic approach will be required to harness private resources to increase the stock of Nigeria’s infrastructure to the desired level by the year 2043.”
Infrastructure Deficit Notes progress in infrastructure, inaugurates new council Calls for pre-order of 5G devices To cover five cities in one month NCC clarifies 5-month extension for Mafab Communications
Licence, MTN Rolls Out 5G Today out 5G services and other telecom services.“Thefive months extension will enable Mafab to process its telecom operational licence" Muoka said. THISDAY gathered that Mafab was issued extension following the delays in receiving its unified operational license (USAL) and Numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July. Some industry stakeholders who are worried about the development, questioned the rationale for the NCC to allow Mafab to bid for 5G licence, when it has no telecom operational licence, a development, which they said, would slow down 5G network rollout in the country. A telecom operator who pleaded anonymity, said it was wrong for NCC to have allowed Mafab Communications Limited to bid for 5G spectrum licence.
Eight Months after Winning
Emma Okonji Having won the 3.5GHz spectrum licence for 5G network rollout since December last year, coupled with the issuance of 5G spectrum licence in May this year, MTN Nigeria Communications Limited is set to roll out its 5G network today. The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola had said MTN was ready for rollout, having the required 5G equipment onAground.source close to MTN Nigeria, however told THISDAY that MTN kept to its promise by commencing the rollout of its 5G network today from Lagos and Abuja, with plans to cover five cities within one month of rollout. The cities include Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano.Owing to the development, MTN has called on telecom subscribers to begin pre-order of their 5G devices to enable them enjoy the high speed internet download with low latency that are associated with 5G, since not all devices can access 5G network.
Despite substantial infrastructure deficits across the country, Osinbajo emphasised the deliberate and massive investment in road, rail and power infrastructure for rapid economic development by the Buhari administration.“Afundamental feature of our Administration’s plan for the rapid development of the economy is adeliberate and massive investment in Infrastructure,” the VP stated. They include the second Niger bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road (funded through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund); the construction and upgrading of about 5,000 km of major road projects across the country throughthe Sukuk Continuing,bond.the VP said, “Railsector investments include the Lagos Kano standard gauge lines, the Warri-Itakpe rail, In the Energy sector, this Administration has green lit NLNG Train 7, invested in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline and is on track to complete an incremental 4,000MW of generating assets (such as Zungeru Hydro and Kashimbilla Hydro) to complement systemic reforms andinvestments in the Distribution and Transmission segments of the electricity value chain.”
Invites
Ministers of Finance, Power, BPP, Others
The National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan takes stock of existing infrastructure and specifically sets out the goal of raising Nigeria’s infrastructure stock to at least 70 per cent by the year 2043, the VP added. Speaking further, Osinbajo said, “the success of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan will depend, to a large extent, on the establishment of a strong implementation mechanism and framework that promotes performance and accountability.”
PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
$33m Azura Power Deal: House C'ttee
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has posited that collaboration between the federal government and the private sector would not only ensure effective coordination of the infrastructure development nationwide and all sectors of the economy, but also bridge Nigeria's $2.3 trillion infrastructural deficit. Osinbajo also said the collabora tion between the federal government and the private sector would not only ensure effective coordination of the infrastructure development across the nation, and all sectors of the economy, but would also bridge the nation’s infrastructure gaps. This, he said was the major reason why the Buhari administration set up the National Council on Infrastructure.SeniorSpecial Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday, disclosed that Osinbajo, who formally inaugurated the Council during a virtual meeting which he presided over, stated that, “for efficient and effective implementation of infrastructure projects, the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan recom
Osinbajo: Public-Private Sector Collaboration
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has invited the Ministers of Power, Finance, Heads of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Nigeria Bulk Electricity Transmission (NBET), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over the $33 million Azura power purchase agreement.
Continued on page 6 NEWSGroup News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580
"The 5G licence comes with frequency licence and not op erational licence. So Mafab only has frequency licence and does not have operational licence and it needs to apply for a telecom operational licence to enable it roll
Juliet Akoje in Abuja
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FROM INDIA WITH LOVE... President Muhammadu Buhari (R) and Minister of State External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, H.E V. Muraleedharan, during audience with Indian Delegation at the State House Abuja...yesterday
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had given MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and Mafab Communi cations Limited up till today to begin commercial rollout of their 5G networks across the country. But Mafab Communications Limited appears missing from the rollout plan for technical reasons, thereby leaving only MTN to begin the race. Mafab Communications in a statement this week, had said the NCC issued it a 5-month extension period for its roll out. MTN and Mafab, had in December 2021, won the 3.5GHz Spectrum band for 5G license and the NCC had given both operators up till August 24, to rollout 5G technology services across the country.TheDirector, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, who confirmed the 5-month extension given to Mafab, told THISDAY that NCC decided to extend the rollout date for Mafab alone, because the company does not have operating licence to roll out 5G network.
Osinbajo further said, “the administration is investing more than $2 billion in Distribution and Transmission through the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative, the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Plan, the CBN financed Transmission-Distribution Interface Programme and the recently ap proved $500 million World Bank DISREP program for the Distribution segment.”Similarly, the VP noted that the federal government launched the N15 trillion Infrastructure Corporation (InfraCorp Nigeria) last year and the president also signed Executive Order 7, which has informed right policy framework and created some opportunities for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in infrastructure development. Noting further the importance of private sector participation, the VP said, “the Reviewed National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (2020-2043) and the National Development Plan 2021-2025 also estimated the current nation’s infrastructure stock to be between 30-35 percent of the GDP in 2020 against 20 per cent of the GDP recorded at the inception of this administration in 2015. This is still
Specifically, Osinbajo addedthat the National Council on Infrastructure, “is to provide policy direction on infrastructurematters and drive the creation
The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. James Faleke, while investigating alleged breach of agreement and perennial power failure in the country invited heads of all the agencies in Abuja yesterday.Falekenoted that the agencies would be brought before the committee to explain their role in the power deal, adding that the appropriate date would be communicated to the agencies invited
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Committee had on August 19 revealed that the country was committed to a monthly payment of $ 33 million in a take or pay deal. The Committee disclosed that Azura power plant had not been able to deliver the 450 megawatt of electricity agreed to with TCN to the national grid since the contract was signed. Faleke consequently told the Managing Director, TCN, Mr. Engr Sule Abdulazeez to present its budget allocation from 2002 and the contract awarded and the certificates by TCN on power transmission line. He said if Azura would demand money in dollars from power being generated, Nigeria should also demand money from Azura in dollars for power being used from the national grid. The Committee however asked the TCN to provide it with its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from 2010, including its audit report, while also picking hole on the IGR being spent by TCN outside budgetary provision.
Buhari Harps on Improved Security, Political,Economic Relationship Between Nigeria, India
Stakeholders Move to Harmonise Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Policies
6 WEDNESDAY, THISDAY NEWS Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report China, the largest government creditor to emerging economies, has said it will forgive 23 interestfree loans to 17 African countries and redirect $10 billion of its International Monetary Fund (IMF) reserves to nations on the continent.Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the cancellations in a meeting of the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation, according to a post on the ministry's website, quoted by a Bloomberg report. In recent years, China has established itself as Africa’s largest bilateral lender bankrolling key infrastructure projects on the continent as well as giving out loans.The Asian super power will also redirect $10 billion of its IMF to the yet unnamed nations on the continent, according to Yi, who spoke at the coordinator’s meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the eighth ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
and Director, Energy Management Department, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Sulu Ibrahim as well as representatives of various ministries and agencies. Talba added that Nigeria needed to properly coordinate its laws and policies, especially as Cop 27, scheduled to hold in Egypt later this year draws closer.
The energy expert stressed that the climate change Act, the energy transition policy, the Nigerian energy efficiency policy, the national renewable energy policy and other instruments should be properly synergised.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Stakeholders in the Nigerian renewable energy subsector yes terday moved to harmonise the divergent policies in the ministries, departments and parastatals of government in view of the renewed discussions on the impending transition to cleaner fuels. Speaking during the opening of a three-day workshop tagged: “Review and Harmonisation of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies of Nigeria”, in Abuja, Chairman, Steering Committee of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations (REEEA) Alliance, Dr. Immamudeen Talba, explained that there’s currently a mismatch in the Somesubsector.otherparticipants who spoke at the event included the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the organisation, Prof Abubakar Sambo
“China will waive the 23 interest-free loans for 17 African countries that had matured by the end of 2021. “We will also continue to in crease imports from Africa, support the greater development of Africa’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and expand cooperation in emerging industries such as the digital economy, and health, green and low-carbon sectors. “What Africa wishes for is a favourable and amicable coopera tion environment, not the zero-sum cold war mentality. So far this year, China has signed an exchange of letters with 12 African countries on zero tariffs for 98 per cent of their export items to China,” he stated. It’s not clear if Nigeria will be included among the benefitting countries, but checks on the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that as of March 31, 2020, the total borrowing by Nigeria from China was $3.121 billion. This amount, it said, represents only 3.94 per cent of Nigeria’s total public debt of $79.303 billion (N28,628.49 billion at USD/N361) as at March 31, 2020. Similarly, in terms of external sources of funds, loans from China , the government said, accounted for 11.28 per cent of the external debt stock of $27.67 billion on the sameThedate.Chinese government did not provide details on the value of the loans which it said matured at the end of last year, nor did it state which nations owed the money. Since 2000, Beijing has an nounced multiple rounds of debt forgiveness of interest-free loans to African countries, cancelling at least $3.4 billion of debt through 2019, according to a study published by Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. The cancelled debt was limited to mature, interest-free foreign aid loans, with Zambia receiving the most cancellations over that period. However, the vast majority of China's recent lending in Africa such as concessional loans and commercial loans have never been considered for cancellation, the report added, though some of it has been Surgingrestructured.inflationhastriggered a wave of interest-rate increases by central banks worldwide, including the US Federal Reserve, which drives up the costs of sovereign loanMeanwhile,repayments.developing nations have amassed a quarter-trillion dollar pile of distressed debt that threatens to create a historic cascade of defaults by economies that were struggling even before the Covid-19 pandemic. Beijing, which has come under criticism from the West for its lend ing practices to poorer nations, accounts for almost 40 per cent of the bilateral and private-creditor debt that the world's poorest countries need to service this year, according to the World Bank. It has helped forge recent debtrelief agreements, participating in the Group of 20 suspension of repayments during the pandemic. The announcement highlights China's efforts to build ties with developing nations, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative, the report said. The United States and China are competing for influence around the world, and Beijing's announce ment comes at a low point in ties between the two superpowers, with tensions rising following a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month.TheIMF's record $650 billion resource injection last year was intended to help its members weather the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak, but fund chief Kristalina Georgieva has urged richer na tions to do more by lending their reserves to poorer ones. Wang said that the country was willing to channel $10 billion worth of China's special drawing rights through two of the fund's trusts set up to help poor and middle-income nations. Since the FOCAC took place in Senegal in November last year, Beijing has delivered $3 billion of $10 billion of credit facilities pledged to African financial institutions, Wang said in the speech.Inaddition, China this year has agreed to tariff-free entry to 98 per cent of exports from 12 African countries and has provided emergency food assistance to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea, Wang said.
Earlier in his speech, the Minister, who is in the country to take part in the Nigeria-India Business Council meeting, described Nigeria as, “centre of our engagement with Africa.”Healso said Buhari was a “worthy alumnus of our Defence ServicesMuraleedharanCollege.”brought greetings from the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, adding that Nigeria and India have robust relations in business, defense, education, and many other areas. He said India as the largest democracy in the world was willing to partner with Nigeria towards successful general elections in 2023.
“We want to harmonise all these commitments and come up with a framework and we want to see a situation where Nigeria goes back to the Cop 27 coming up in Egypt, with a presentation on what it has achieved vis-à-vis the commitments,” he noted. He explained that since the poli cies are driven by different agencies, there has been no synergy, with a lot of uncoordinated approach.
“If you're looking for data you can hardly see the data because there’s nobody to harmonise,” he added.While calling for collaboration, he added that with the support from foreign institutions there was need for accountability, especially with the ministries which are acting individually currently. “At the end of the day, there will be no delivery because there’s no target or goals. You see that nothing has been achieved but money has been spent. That’s why the alliance decided that there’s the need to carry every body along,” he pointed out. With the power ministry, environment ministry as well as finance and several other agencies of government in attendance, Talba explained that areas of conflicts will be ironed out before the report will be forwarded to the federal government.Inhispresentation, Ibrahim explained that climate change is already biting hard globally, with rivers drying, ice melting, forests burning, livestock starving while humans and animals are migrating. To checkmate or reverse the process, he opined that there was the need for a good policy and adequate policy structure which will create confidence and reduce bias in operations.
OSINBAJO: PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR COLLABORATION WILL BRIDGE NIGERIA'S $2.3TRN INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT a far cry from the estimated target of 70 per cent envisaged in 2043.” To buttress this point, Osinbajo noted that the $2.3 trillion estimated resource requirement for the Na tional Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan implementation was too large to be provided from public resources alone. In his remarks, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, thanked the Vice President for his leadership and selfless service to the nation. Private sector members of the new Council, included the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr. Mansur Ahmed; and a representative of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Tasiu Wudil, both of whom were in attendance, also welcomed the inauguration of the Council, to which they are also members. The Vice President is Chair of the National Council on Infrastructure, and members include representative of the State Governors; Federal Ministers, heads of government agencies and members of the privateSomesector.other members include the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Gover nors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. (Mrs.) Zainab Ahmed; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Works, Baba tunde Fashola, SAN; Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu; Transportation, Mu'azu Jaji Sambo; Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
China to Pick 17 African Countries for Debt Forgiveness, Offers $10bn in IMF Funds
“We have convened this workshop to identify areas of complaints and mismatch within all the statutory policies or regulatory frameworks that we have in Nigeria, particularly all the instruments related to energy and climate change,” he noted. He added that a pre-meeting conference meeting was held two weeks ago, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s commitment to climate change, especially submissions of the cop 26 and towards the goals concerning access to electricity.
L–R: Regional Director for Africa, International Telecommunication Union, Ms. Anne-Rachel Inne; EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and First Secretary, Head of Prosperity, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom, Mr. Kris Camponi, during the opening ceremony of the ITU-FCDO Roundtable and Technical Workshop which held...yesterday
Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for Nigeria and India to improve on the existing security, political as well as economic relationship between the two Speakingnations.while playing host to the Indian Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, at the State House, Abuja, the President emphasised that the two countries have firm relationship economically, politically, and in the area of security. To buttress the cordial relation ship between the two nations, Buhari said the Nigerian Defence Academy was established by Indians.According to him, Nigeria and India must continue to build on the longstanding relationship, to the benefit of both countries. The president also went down memory lane on his one-year train ing in the country as a military officer.The president recalled the 1973 visit, saying; “it was a very good experience. I think I was a Lt Colonel then, and I spent a year in India. We traveled and met international people from different countries. It became part of my success story in the military.”
ITU-FCDO ROUNDTABLE AND TECHNICAL WORKSHOP...
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY 7
Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
8 WEDNESDAY, THISDAY NEWS
"This reiterates the fact that digital connectivity, access, and skills are no longer a luxury, but have become a necessity for human and economic development in both developed and developing countries."Itistherefore important that governments, individuals and communities prioritise affordable access digital technologies.
tion of the First Half Year Progress Report 2022 in Abuja He said the country’s non-oil export sector recorded a significant growth, as about 4.15 million metric tons of products were exported during the period, in spite of the global economic recession that affected most businesses in 2021. Yakusak also said the preshipment inspection data showed that half-year non-oil export performance was the highest since 2018.
The High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria, Mr Wendell Vincent Carlton De Landro, has proposed an improvement in commercial ties withDeNigeria.Landro made the request in Abuja on Monday while addressing the media at the commemoration of the 60th independence anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago. He lamented that the volume of trade between both countries has diminished over the years even though both countries have enjoyed a robust bilateral relations which dated back 60 years from when Trinidad and Tobago got independence from Britain. De Landro said Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria share similarities in culture and natural resources, which can be harnessed and traded for mutual benefits. The High Commissioner, who was posted to Nigeria in 2018, said the Caribbean nation of about 1.3 million people used to export bitumen to Nigeria but is now keen in getting agriculture produce from Africa’s largest economy. “We have small yams, but in Nigeria you have yams as big as my legs. I tell people that the sweetest pineapples I have eaten are in Nigeria. “In Jos, you have tomatoes, we make ketchup in Trinidad, we can get tomatoes from Jos to export,” De Landro said. He also said Trinidad and Tobago would be keen to establish direct international flights with Nigeria which will deepen culture and promote commercial activities between both countries. He said direct flights will cut the flight hours between both countries to only eight hour and end the agony of flight connection through Amsterdam for travellers who usually require two days to connect both countries. He similarly advised Nigeria to find way of better utilising its gas instead of flaring large quantum of the“Rightresources.now,Nigeria is flaring probably half to three-quarters of an LNG train … Nigeria has six trains and is working on the seventh. My country has four. “We are using our gas, our LNG and we sell. Nigeria is doing that but they can do much more by harnessing the flared gas,” he said. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, reiterated the country’s resolve to strengthening its relations with Trinidad and Tobago.Theminister, who was rep resented by Director Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tunde Mustapha, said both countries shared very warm and cordial relations dating back to the time of independence and have been able to solidify these cultural affinities over time.
recognised the enormity of the task of closing the digital access gaps, adding: "The federal government understands that enormous private sector support, as well as support from international organisations, are essential to enable us realise our lofty goals for Nigeria’s digital economy and this has informed our decision to partner with key international organisations like the ITU and AccordingFCDO."tohim, lack of access is as a result of challenges such as the cost of connectivity, lack of digitally skilled citizens and inadequate infrastructure, amongst others.The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communica tions Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta, in his welcome address said that the commission has programmes and policies in place which have positively impacted on the sector. According to him, the Commis sion has reduced the 200 clusters where there are digital access gaps to 114, leading to the attendant reduction of more than 40 mil lion Nigerians without access to telecommunications or internet services.to about 10 million.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has emphasised the need for governments at all levels and individuals to prioritise digital access for economic benefits and development.Hespokeata one day workshop organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in Abuja on yesterday. Pantami advised governments and individuals to take serious the issue of prioritising digital access and skills; saying they were needed for development and economic growth."Digital access and connectivity have become a necessity, as they play an increasingly vital role in our everyday lives and have become key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
"As a result of these, we had an unprecedented growth is broadband penetration and a significant reduction in the cost of broadband access- broadband penetration has gone up from just a little over 30% to 44.32%, as at June 2022, while the cost of 1GB of data has crashed from N1,200 to N344.48," the Minister said. The implementation of the Plan, he pointed out, will accelerate the penetration of affordable and quality broadband connectivity, thereby increasing digital access in Nigeria.Healso said that government James Emejo in Abuja Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, yesterday said total non-oil exports was about $2.60 billion in the first half of the year (January – June 2022), representing an increase of 62.37 per cent compared to about $1.60 billion and $981.44 million recorded in the first half of 2021 and 2020, Yakusakrespectively.spokeatthe presenta
NEPC: Non-oil Exports Generated$2.6bn in Half-year of 2022
Digital Access for Economic Growth
"To achieve this, there is need to promote universal access to digital infrastructure, enhance digital skills and address affordability and this is what we have done in Nigeria.
the council’s “Export4Survival” initiative in order to build a virile economy driven by the sector. The Export4Survival campaign, which was unveiled by the council in February, is a strategic initiative to increase awareness of opportunities in the sector and to highlight the benefits of exporting Nigerian goods and services to the overall growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Yakusak maintained that the current challenges facing the local currency, Naira, could be simply resolved by strengthening non-oil exports in order to earn foreign exchange to beef up the external reserves.Hesaid one of the key priori ties of his administration was to encourage value addition to raw material exports to be able to earn foreign exchange. The NEPC boss added that during the period under review, different Nigerian products were exported to 112 countries, adding that of the 15 top exported products, urea/fertiliser recorded 32.49 per cent of total exports while cocoa beans, sesame seed, and aluminum ingots contributed 12.65 per cent, 7 per cent and 5.07 per cent, respectively, within the same period. He also said 572 companies participated in exporting Nigerian products during the half-year. Yakusak said to facilitate the ease of doing business and seamless documentation processes, the council, during the first half of 2022, registered 2,000 companies under its fully automated online registration platform. He said, “I am also elated to inform you that processing time for applications is now 24 hours while 17.3 per cent of applicants were recorded to be women-owned businesses (WOB). “The South-west recorded the highest figure of exporters’ registra tion of 851, while the North-central came second with 417 registered exporters.”Headded that NEPC was cur rently working with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other relevant agencies of government to end the rejection of Nigeria’s products in the international market. Yakusak said NEPC had con cluded arrangements to embark on an inter-agency working/ fact-finding visit to the United Kingdom to ascertain specific causes for the rejection of imported commodities from Nigeria. He said, “This mission is to provide Nigerian export regulatory/ facilitating agencies the opportunity of observing the processes of agricultural commodities import procedures and to also interact with port health and food import regulatory agencies at the border control points in the UK.”
ADVOCACY VISIT TO CAN PRESIDENT...
Speaking at the presentation of the first half-year progress report, the NEPC chief executive disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N375 billion to settle the backlog of claims for 285 beneficiaries under the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Scheme. He reiterated the council’s commitment to driving the diversification programme of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.Yakusaksaid, “I am optimistic that our vision to make the world a market for Nigerian non-oil export is not just lip service but a commitment to the people. This commitment is borne out of the desire to build a prosperous future for our people through diversifica tion of the Nigerian economy by increasing the basket of exportable products from Nigeria.” He insisted that the country’s survival largely depended on its ability to boost non-oil exports, and enjoined Nigerians to embrace
FG Canvasses
L-R: Kaduna State chapter, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Joseph Hayab; National Project Manager, Acceleration Nutrition Results in Nigeria, Dr. Ojuolape Solanke; President CAN, Archbishop. Daniel Okoh; World Bank Leader, Acceleration Nutrition Results in Nigeria, Dr. Ritgak Tilley-Gyado, and Executive Director, Centre for Combination, Mrs. Babafunke Fagbemi; during the Advocacy visit to CAN President in Abuja ...yesterday PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE
"For Nigeria, as part of our efforts to adequately position Nigerians as major participants in the growing global digital economy, we developed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria," hePantamisaid noted that one of the implementation strategies of the Solid Infrastructure Pillar was the development of a Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP).. The Plan is designed to deliver data download speeds across Nigeria of a minimum 25Mbps in urban areas, and 10Mbps in rural areas, with effective coverage available to at least 90 per cent of the population by 2025, and the availability of 1GB of data at no more than 2 per cent of average monthly income.
Disburses N375 billion to beneficiaries under export expansion grant scheme
Prioritisation of
Trinidad and Tobago Envoy Demands Improved Trade with Nigeria
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY 9
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“The Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee on electoral reforms rec ommended it in 2009, echoed by the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Committee, following the post-election violence of 2011 and, most recently, by the Senator Ken Nnamani Committee on Constitutional and Electoral Reform in 2017.
The chairman of INEC stated, "The Bill for an Act to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission is a critical legislation. It has been part of all national conversations on constitutional and electoral reforms for the last 13 years.
The bill was sponsored by Chairman, Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Aishatu Dukku, as well as Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and Hon. John AccordingDyegh.tothe draft of the bill seen by THISDAY, Clause 19 provides a penalty of 15 years imprisonment for impersonation, undue influence, and bribery. Clause 26 provides that grabbing, looting, destruction of ballot papers or any other electoral document is punish able by imprisonment for at least 20 years or a fine of N40, 000,000.
FG Bans Foreign Models from Nigerian Adverting Media
Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Sani, speaking in favour of the bill, said the political parties were still working on their input to the bill.
Sani also observed that in the membership of the proposed com mission, there was no mention of certain groups. He said, “We are thinking that if at least one or two of them are included in the membership of the commission, perhaps, it will bring the interest of the public to be protected more than hitherto, because all that we are seeing are people who are from the establishments of government."
The House of Representatives had at plenary on June 30 passed the "Bill for an Act to Establish National Electoral Offences Commission to Provide for the Legal Framework for Investigation and Prosecution of Electoral Offences for the general Improvement of the Electoral Process in Nigeria” through second reading.
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja New data published by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the global industry group for stock exchanges and central clearing counterparties has shown that the world capital markets posted a total of $18 trillion losses in the first six months of 2022 triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war and the lingering impact of COVID-19. However, despite the setback from both challenges which slowed down the global economy, Nigeria’s capital market activities ended positively in the first half (H1) of 2022 as both local and foreign investors on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) gained about N3 trillion, although the volume of stocks traded declined by 19.03 per cent. According to the WFE’s Market Highlights report for the first half of 2022, there was a sharp retraction in market capitalisation of around 15 per cent globally when compared with the previous six-month period, with all global regions experiencing decreases of similar proportions. This culminated in over $18 trillion being wiped off global markets in the first six months of The2022.number of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) plunged 52 per cent over the same time period as the capital raised through IPOs fell by 62 per cent. However, it was not all gloom. There were some glimmers of hope as trading activity in cash equities increased in the Americas and in
"In addition to our responsibili ties, the commission is required to prosecute electoral offenders. However, the commission’s incapacity to arrest offenders or conduct investigation that leads to successful prosecution of, especially, the high-profile offenders, led to the suggestion to unbundle the commission and assign some of its extensive responsibilities to other agencies, as recommended by the Uwais and Nnamani committees.
The announcement was on the heel of the decision by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) being the apex and advertising, advertisement and marketing communications regulatory agency of the federal government to grow the Nigerian advertising industry in accordance with its statutory mandates and powers conveyed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No23 of 2022. The ministry said on its Twitter handle yesterday that the motive for the policy by ARCON was to protect local talent and boost the local economy.
Bawa suggested that the existing law enforcement agencies should be strengthened to achieve maximum output, instead of creating a new agency.Intheir goodwill message, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, while lending support to the bill, suggested that the 20 years imprisonment and N40 million fine for ballot snatching and vote buying, as stipulated in Clause 26 of the proposed law should be reduced in line with reality. Nwankwo said, "The punish ments in a law must be commensurate with the offence identified.
The relationship between Ayu and Wike went awry after the presidential convention, when Ayu described the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as the hero of the convention for stepping down at the last minute for Atiku, handing him victory. Despite the elevated yield environment, Zenith Bank’s cost of funds increased only marginally from 1.3 per cent in June 2021, to 1.4 per cent in June 2022.The increase in the cost of funds was lower than the increase in yields on interest-generating assets, giving rise to an improved Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 7.1 per cent, from 6.4 per cent in June 2021. Zenith Bank’s total assets rose to N10.12 trillion at the end of June 2022, from N9.45 trillion at the end of December 2021. Despite the headwinds imposed by the operating environment, the Group grew its risk assets as gross loans grew by five per cent YtD,from N3.5 trillion to N3.7 trillion. This was achieved at a moderate non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 4.4 per cent (FYE 2021: 4.2%) and cost of risk of 1.4 per cent (June 2021: 1.3%). Its prudential ratios such as liquidity and capital adequacy also remained stable and well-above regulatory thresholds at 60.5 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.TheGroup disclosed that it remains focused on advancing its digital banking strategy anchored on a strong technology base, and intends to consolidate on the gains achieved in prior years across all business“Combinedsegments.with the Group’s industry leadership, we expect this to drive improved performance and deliver enhanced returns to stakeholders,” the bank stated. Zenith Bank's track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including be ing recognised as Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World's Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance 'Financial Services' Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria)in The Banker's Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banksand Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021. Similarly, Zenith Bank washonoured as Bank of the Decade (People's Choice) at the THISDAY Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustain ability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for "Best Company in Reporting and Transparency", "Best Company in Infrastructure Development", "Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment", and the coveted "Most Responsible Organisationin Africa.
“For those who argue that the solution does not lie in expanding the federal bureaucracy by creating a new commission, we believe that the National Electoral Offences Commission should be seen as an exception. While there are other security agencies that deal with economic and financial crimes, I am yet to hear anyone who, in good conscience, thinks that it is unnecessary to have established the anti-corruption agencies." However, the EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was rep resented by Assistant Commander, Deborah Ademu-Eteh, asserted that there was no need to create an agency solely for the purpose of prosecuting electoral offences, especially, when the electoral process was seasonal in nature.
thugs to carry out violence acts. The INEC chairman also sought amendment of Clause 44 of the bill, which empowers the Attorney General of the Federation to make rules and regulations with respect to the functions or powers of the proposed commission. He said giving such powers to the AGF could conflict with the work of the commission, as it should be independent.Yakubufurther revealed that since the 2015 general election, about 125 cases of electoral offences had been filed in various courts, with 60 convictions secured, the most recent one being in Akwa IbomButState.theEconomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) rejected the bill. EFCC said offences proposed therein were those the Nigeria Police, Ministry of Justice, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), and even INEC (in Section 145 of the Electoral Act, 2022) had been empowered under the extant laws to investigate and prosecute.
Speaker of the House of Repre sentatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said electoral crimes produced poor political leadership, as vote riggers are helped to take control of governments against the democratic will of the electorate.
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, during the period, by 26 per cent (the Americas) and 16 per cent (EMEA). Value traded increased by 17 per cent and 13 per cent respectively compared with the last six months of In2021.the Asia Pacific region (APAC), the number of trades decreased marginally by 2.98 per cent but the value traded decreased by around 23 per cent. The WFE report also revealed that the number of exchange-traded derivatives contracts reached its peak level in the last five years, totaling $39.37 billion – an increase of 17.2 per cent on figures from the second half of 2021. The Chief Executive Officer at the WFE, Nandini Sukumar said: “Growth prospects were already subdued as the tragic Ukraine conflict caused major disruption in the energy and commodity markets. "This combined with global economies already struggling to recover from the pandemic has led to a perfect storm that has hit growth prospects hard.”
Global Capital Markets Post $18trn Half-year Losses
Looking at the electoral offences commission propositions here, it includes the proposal that says at least 20 years imprisonment for ballot snatching. I think that is overwhelming. N40 million as fine to those ones running around, snatching ballot boxes certainly can not be afforded and their sponsors are going to hide and disappear, leaving them to bear the brunt of it."
“So, we have to take a very deep analysis of what we have before us. We welcome the development, because we believe it will make a very organised space for no impunity, as we observed today and going forward, Nigeria will be respected in the comity of nations.”
Gbajabiamila, who was repre sented at the event by his deputy, Hon. Idris Wase, acknowledged that the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states signified a milestone in Nigeria's democratic evolution. He said there was no doubt that a lot of work still needed to be done to take the country to the point, where elections would be devoid of the challenges of violence, fraud, and abuse of process.
Also, the Head of Research at the WFE, Dr Pedro Gurrola-Perez said: “Our new data indicates a severe market capitalisation retraction, a decrease in the number of newly listed companies, and a decline in the investment flows through IPOs. "While this report does indicate extreme uncertainty, it is important to note that trading activity in cash equities increased and, overall, volumes in exchange-traded derivatives rose.”
who spoke on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, said PDP should leave Wike alone, because if anyone had offended him at all, it was the convention, and not any individual. Describing Wike as an emperor in Rivers, Lamido said those who had so far visited the governor as part of a reconciliatory move between him and Atiku were well-wishers, who did so at their individual levels. Lamido stated, “Listen, get this very well, those who met are simply well-wishers. They are not known from the party, but well-wishers of both Atiku and Wike. “Now, the convention produced a candidate, who won the primaries. If there is any offence, it is the convention, who offended Wike and not Atiku, not party Chairman, not“Ifanybody.heattacks the convention, which produced him as governor on two occasions, and produced his candidate for governorship and other positions in Rivers State, that means there is a problem. So, nobody has offended“Thoseanybody.whoare meeting with Wike are well-wishers of Atiku, who want peace in the PDP. They are not for PDP but for Atiku, as a person and not as a candidate. Wike is a PDP man and he says he wants to reconcile, reconcile with who? Who offended who?” When asked if he was sure Wike would not leave the party or work against Atiku in next year’s election, Lamido said, “Wike is an individual, I don’t think, because he is a governor there, he has a total monopoly of the whole Rivers State. “He was too bombastic. ‘I will not allow this, I will not allow this’, which one will he allow? Please, leave Wike alone. He has the right to do whatever he wants. He is the emperor in Rivers and is only speaking because he is a bluff.” However, on the peace meeting between Atiku and Wike, a reliable source told THISDAY that the decision to meet in Paris was to avoid prying eyes and make the peace meeting tension-free. It was learnt that Atiku left Nigeria yesterday, after attending the 62nd Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos. THISDAY gathered that the meeting in Paris became necessary following the deadlock on the peace talks between the camps of Atiku and Wike last Friday in PortShouldHarcourt.the meeting between Atiku and Wike hold as planned, it would be the second face-to-face meeting between the former vice president and the Rivers State governor since the crisis broke. The disagreement followed the PDP presidential primary, which Wike believed he was poised to win, but for an alleged gang up that he thought was from the very top in the party. The first meeting was at the private residence of former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, in TheAbuja.crisis, at the moment, seems intractable, hence the personal intervention of Atiku to attempt to reach a resolution on the main issues in dispute. It was not known if their supporters were participating in the Wike’smeeting.team, it was gathered, insisted that the national chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, must resign as a precondition for further discussion. Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, had led the Wike team during the meeting, while the Atiku team was led by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State.
Speaking on the outcome of their Port Harcourt meeting held recently, a source told THISDAY, “It is already out there. Ayu must go was given as a condition precedent to settlement and parties were told to consult their principals again for further consultation. “By implications, it simply means that the meeting is deadlocked. Although Atiku's team promised to convey Wike's position to their principal and revert." Apart from Mimiko, others at the meeting representing Wike were former governors Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, his counterpart in Cross River, Donald Duke, and former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bello Adoke. Fintiri, who led the Atiku camp, had on his team a former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, and former senior special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Aliyu Ndabawa.Speaking after the meeting, Fintiri said, "Yes, we are aware that Nigerians are anxious and waiting for us to take over in 2023. We have met as leaders and members of same political family and have open discussions. It is a work-in-progress and we will continue." Mimiko, on his part, said, "This is a reconciliatory process. There are issues discussed and we will furtherTHISDAYdiscuss."gathered that the main issue on the part of the Wike camp was the question of inclusiveness. He said all his supporters should be carried along in the electioneering expected to kick off September 29. "We are waiting for a green light from the reconciliatory camps to enable the party summon the Na tional Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to approve membership of the presidential campaign council of the party," a PDP source said. Last Thursday, at a meeting of the PDP National Working Committee, THISDAY was told that members of the NWC asked Ayu to seek audience with Wike as a way to end the crisis. A source at the meeting told THISDAY that some NWC members volunteered to go with Ayu to see Wike as a team, but Ayu rejected the idea of either going to see Wike or speaking to him. A formal statement from Ayu’s media office last week had stated, "We restate, therefore, that the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years.”
TEN 10 WEDNESDAY, THISDAY INEC: ELECTORAL PROCESS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT OFFENCES
“The political parties, of course, we have our inputs, which we are still working on, because if you look at this law, it is about how the political parties, our members, and even the electorate can behave during the election.
The federal government has banned the engagement of foreign models and voice-over artists in Nigeria’s advertising media. The new policy takes effect from October this year.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Director General ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Foladapo announced new ban on foreigners on August 22,He,2022.however said the new policy would not affect the advertising campaigns that are ongoing, saying they would be permitted to run out their terms. He said subsequent applications for revalidation for continued exposure of such materials will not be granted by Advertising Standards Panel (ASP).
ON WITH DOUBLE-DIGIT TOPLINE GROWTH IN FIRST HALF 2022 LAMIDO: NO ONE HAS OFFENDED WIKE, NO BASIS FOR RECONCILIATION
Sani stated, "When the Electoral Act 2022, was passed, some of us were afraid as to how the enforce ment of these provisions in the bill were going to be achieved. It was like you having a bulldog that can not bite. I believe this is the missing link with Nigeria having a credible, free fair and more inclusive election.
Yakubu believed proper reform of the electoral process could not be achieved without stiff sanctions on violators of the laws. He lamented that INEC was saddled with too many responsibilities, including prosecution of electoral offenders, under the Electoral Act, saying it has been very challenging for the commission.TheINEC chairman said the commission looked forward to the day when highly placed sponsors of thuggery would be arrested and prosecuted.Rathergiving the AGF additional powers, as contained in Clause 44 of the proposed law, Yakubu sought amendment to Clause 33, which gave the Federal High Court, High court of a State or the High Court of Abuja the jurisdiction to try alleged offenders, to provide for the setting up of electoral offences tribunals. He said the regular courts were overburdened, stressing that tribunals should be established with exclusive jurisdiction to try electoral offenders.Yakubu said he was optimistic that in the next few months, the National Assembly would pass the bill to prevent it from suffering the fate of previous efforts that were inchoate at the end of the lifespan of the assembly.
UN, FG, Others Partner on Procurement Opportunities for Female Entrepreneurs
COURTESY CALL ON THE GOVERNOR...
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
He, therefore, described the action of the NBA's Council in relation to the unlawful ratification as ir ritating, annoying, condemnable, adding that it is liable to be set aside since the actors in the illegal ratification cannot claim ignorance of the position of the law on such contemptuous attitude.
SERAP, NGE Sue Buhari, Others over Threat to Shutdown 53 Broadcast Stations
Udora Orizu in Abuja
“There’s nothing that will deter me from continuing in what our fathers have laid down. My administration will be fair to all and treat everyone equally no matter who the person is," he added. He appreciated NBA members for electing him as the president and also participating in the election despite being an online voting. In his remarks, the outgoing NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata said his administration had put in place an effective Secretariat, better remuneration, and thereby urged the incoming president to continue with the set legacy. He also urged members to participate in the affairs of the association and boldly lay their complaints when necessary.
“The media including the af fected 53 broadcast stations play an essential role, as they allow millions of Nigerians to access both the relevant information and a variety of perspectives that are necessary for reaching reasonable and informed conclusions on matters of public interest.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP and NGE by their lawyer Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: “The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and informa tion – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society. “Indeed, the media has the task of distributing all varieties of information and opinion on matters of general interest.
in any medium they choose.
“The media, including the af fected 53 broadcast stations, serve to distribute Nigerians’ thoughts and information while at the same time allowing them access to the ideas, information, opinions, and cultural expressions of other individuals.
“We must first address existingstructural barriers that women entre preneurs face and accelerate action to promote gender-responsiveness across procurement processes, practices and institutions, so that change can happen within a reasonable time frame,” she said. The UN Women Country Repre sentative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, said the project would aide in empowering women and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The federal government has gone into partnership with the United Nations to launch a project to give women more visibility. The project focuses on inculcating gender responsive procurement processes which would serve as panacea for advancing economic empowerment to women entre preneurs.During the launch of the project with the theme: “Women’s Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement Reform in Nigeria,” the Minister of Women Affairs, Paullen Tallen said the project would promote women inclusion, gender equality and empowerment, inclusive economic growth and national de velopment through enhanced access to public procurement opportunities for women Representedentrepreneurs.bytheDirector over seeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Idris Mohammed, Tallen noted challenges that had limited access to procurement opportunities for women entrepreneurs to includelimited information around the drafting of bids been tackled. In the three years project with Kaduna and Lagos as pilot states,Tallen stated that others were lack of technical capacities to execute contracts, access to information and networks to respond to procurement calls and long delays in payment from government procuring entities amongst"Investingothers.incapacity strengthen ing for women entrepreneurs to benefit from public procurement alone, would not guarantee their economic empowerment.
"The launch of this project resonates with our advocacy on advancing economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs through enhanced access to public and private procurement opportunities.
In the meantime, Maikyau, yesterday promised to deal with sexual harassment of female lawyers, and create employment opportunities for young lawyers. He stated this yesterday, at a plenary session with the theme: " NBA in Transition; Conversation with the NBA Presidents," at the ongoing NBA conference in Lagos. Maikyau also promised to improve and encourage health insurance for all members. Maikyau said his administration would uphold the legacy built by his predecessors and most importantly that of the Olumide Akpata led administration.Hepromised to uphold deci sion making, create employment opportunities for young lawyers, improve and encourage health insurance for all members, deal with sexual harassment for female lawyers."Wewill make sure all lawyers benefit from the health insurance scheme. The N1.5 billion Akpata administration save as the sterilia tion fund will be built on. The law officers in the prosecuting duty will not find it difficult to work under my"Weadministration.willworkfor perfect law firm mentorship program to build young lawyers. All of us will be impacted, you will be able to pay your practicing fee and get your stamp and seal in due time." He added, "There’s nothing that will deter me from continuing in what our fathers have laid down.” He said his administration would be fair to all and treat everyone equally no matter who is involved. Mikyau said he was committed to take the association to greater heights, adding that his administra tion would ensure welfare packages to all the members. He emphasised that he would build on the accountability, regula tion and transparency stressing that the voice of the bar has been restored.Maikyau thanked his predeces sors for maintaining transparency in justice delivery and pledged to build on it.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what they described as the arbitrary use of the NBC Act and broadcasting code to threaten, revoke and shut down 53 broadcast stations in the country for allegedly failing to renew theirJoinedlicences.inthe suit as Defendant was Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. The NBC had last week revoked the licences of the 53 broadcast sta tions and threatened to shut down their operations within 24 hours over alleged N2.6 billion debt. The NBC has now asked the stations to pay all outstanding license fees on or before August 23, 2022 or they would be shut down by 12am on AugustHowever,24. in the suit number FHC/L/CS/1582/2022 filed yesterday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and the NGE asked the court to determine whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the National Broadcasting Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licences of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down was not in inconsistent and incompatible with freedom of expression and access to SERAPinformation.and NGE are seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the government, their agents or privies from revoking the licences of the affected stations in the country and shutting down their operations, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in the suit.
The National Executive Com mittee (EXCO) of the NBA led by Olumide Akpata had on August 15, 2022 suspended the General Secretary pending ratification by NBA's NEC for final removal fromNineoffice.out of eleven officers who signed the resolution authorising the suspension also referred Mrs Oduah to the NBA's NEC for disciplinary action and for removal from office for alleged gross misconduct. However, while the NBA's NEC ratified the suspension, it declined to ratify recommendation for removal of the plaintiff from office on the ground of her subsisting legal action against the Meanwhile,suspension.thecourt has fixed August 31 for hearing in a motion on notice seeking mandatory order of injunction against the defendants in the NBAsuit.President-Elect Vows to Deal with Sexual Harassment of Female Lawyers
“Revoking the licences of 53 broadcast stations and shutting down their operations because they have not renewed their licenses would both seriously undermine the rights of millions of Nigerians to express their thoughts, and their right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds,
Delivering ruling in the application filed and argued by Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye on behalf of the plaintiff, the judge held that the NBA's NEC which gave legal effect to the suspension of the plaintiff acted in bad faith and in utter disregard to the proceedings of the Accordingcourt. to the ruling, the ratification done on August 21, 2022, ought not to have been carried out by the NEC in view of the pendency of a suit challenging the suspension in the first instance. The court in addition said the purported ratification was not only an affront to the court, but a denigration of the sanctity of the judiciary which on several occasions had been condemned by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
L-R: Wife of the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs Bolanle Oluomo; the First Lady of the State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; her spouse, Governor Dapo Abiodun and wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Derinsola Talabi reading through the compendium of achievements of Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries Association (SOGSFA) during a courtesy call on the Governor by the leadership of the Association….yesterday
Court Nullifies Ratification of NBA Secretary General's Suspension
“Freedom of expression includes the public's right to receive, and the right of those who express themselves through a medium of communication, to impart the greatest possible diversity of information and ideas.
NEWS WEDNESDAY, THISDAY 11
Justice Mohammed observed that having submitted to the court's jurisdiction and joined issues with the plaintiff in court and with or without express order of court, no party ought to have taken any further steps on the subject matter of the litigation.
President-elect vows to deal with sexual harassment of female lawyers 62,000 lawyers paid practicing fee in 2022, outgoing president, Akpata reveals Alex Enumah in Abuja and Wale Igbintade in Lagos Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday nullified the ratification of the suspension of Joyce Oduah as Secretary General of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The ruling came just as the President-elect of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, yes terday promised to deal with sexual harassment of female lawyers, and create employment opportunities for young lawyers. Justice Mohammed voided the ratification for being an affront to the rule of law and in violation of the court's proceedings.
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Political observers believe that while the decision of the main opposition party, the PDP to pick its candidate from the North would be its undoing, considering the fact that President Buhari is also from the North, the seemingly failure of the APC-led government in the areas of security, economy, extremely high inflation rate, high level of poverty, among others, would constitute a major impediment to the victory of Tinubu.Theysuggested that while Obi may not have structure, he might be the greatest beneficiary of the PDP’s blunder by picking its candidate from the North and the APC-led government’s disaster that has returned Nigeria back to the 1980s if his social media support can translate to real votes at the end of the day. As it is, February is too far to predict the would-be winner of the 2023 presidential election. Only time will
(last week’s
DeputyGovernorSecretary.Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State was appointed Regional Coordinating Chairman (North), while Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi would be the Coordinator for the South. The campaign council also has 14 directorates in the campaign council, while the Zonal Campaign Coordinators for the six geo-political zones would be headed by the governors.
G oing by the timetable and the schedule of activities released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the campaign by political parties to canvass for votes from the about 95 million electorate will officially commence on September 28, 2022. This will however be the first time that political parties will embark on a five-month campaign train following the signing of the Electoral Act 2022 into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.18registered political parties will slug it out in the 2023 elections. They include Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Others are Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Boot Party (BT). Out of the 18 registered political parties, four will be the strong contenders for the presidential election and they are: the PDP which has former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate; the ruling APC has former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as its standard bearer; former Governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will be flying the flag of NNPP and the former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi is contesting on the platform of LP. Although the campaign window is yet to open, major contenders of the presidential election have been criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country trying to sell their candidacy.THISDAY checks revealed that following the emergence of Tinubu, the ruling APC was thrown into confusion in the wake of the backlash and criticism that trailed the all Muslim ticket of the party from concerned Nigerians and also the Christian community.Tinubu,aMuslim from the Southwest decided to rock the boat when he chose former Governor of Borno state, Senator Kashim Shettima, as his running mate, another Muslim from the North. The decision of the party led to the defection of some members of the party, while APC christian leaders especially from the north vowed to work against the party over its decision to float a one faith ticket.Toappease the christian leaders within the APC, as well as the christian community, the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong was appointed as the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council, while President Muhammadu Buhari was appointed as theThechairman.Presidential candidate of the party was made the Deputy Chairman (1), while the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu was appointed Deputy Chairman (2). Also, the governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu and Senator Godswill Akpabio were appointed as Vice Chairmen.Othersappointed as Vice Chairmen are APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima and the only female presidential aspirant of the party during the June 2022 special national convention, Uju Kennedy.Theformer National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole was appointed Deputy pher(Secretary);(Admin),DeputyUsman(Operations),Director-GeneralHadizaBalawasappointedDirector-General,HonJamesFalekewhileChristo-Takarwasappointed
Moreso, the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello would serve as Coordinator For North Central; Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya (North-east); the Governor of Zamfara Governor state, Bello Matawale (North-west); Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade (South-south); and Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma (South-east). As part of his ongoing consultation, Tinubu last week met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to intimate him about his ambition. For years, Obasanjo and Tinubu have been political rivals and have always been at each other’s throat.
It is expected that as political parties roll out their campaign drums next month, real politicking, dirty tricks, fake news and character assassination will take the centre stage as supporters of the political gladiators would roll up their sleeves to demarket their opponents as the 2023 election approaches.
When asked to react to statements made by Tinubu in the past, referring to Obasanjo as “the greatest election rigger, whose time has expired,” Fani-Kayode said: “Obasanjo has said worst things about Tinubu both in his books and also on television. We say these things sometimes and that does not mean we should be enemies
also speaking on national television said Tinubu consulted Obasanjo to consolidate Southwest’s votes to win the presidential election, adding that the former president should reciprocate the gesture by supporting himAccording(Tinubu).to him, “he is consulting and he has gone to meet the man that many of us considered to be the father of the nation. He has gone to meet a Yoruba elder, he’s gone to consolidate his base. He’s gone to explain his mission to him and I sincerely hope that our former president will reciprocate this gesture by supporting him. We need a solid base in this coming election”.
Tinubu Consults Ahead of Presidential Campaign
As campaign for the 2023 poll kicks off on September 28, 2022, the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not leaving any stone unturned as his ongoing consultation recently took him to the Abeokuta home of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Adedayo
Akinwale reports
MIDWEEKPOLITICS Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com08033025611 SMS ONLY 16 THISDAY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022
“Whateverforever.anybody says at any point in time, they reserve the right to retrace their steps and say something else based on conviction. I don’t think Tinubu will say the same thing again about former president Obasanjo, otherwise, he won’t be where he is today (last week’s visitation)”.
Reacting to the visit, former National Vice Chairman (South) of the PDP, Chief Bode George, was of the view that Obasanjo would not mince words in telling the truth to Tinubu on the 2023 election. Speaking on national television, George said: “Whatever Bola (Tinubu) is looking for in Baba’s house I have no idea, but I can tell that when the truth is to be told, Baba will not mince his words to tell him. As a leader and icon, he must allow all kinds of characters to pay a visit to him, to listen to his words of wisdom and his sense of reasoning. I don’t have qualms about that. I wish him (Tinubu) well on his journey.” On his part, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, while Buhari Tinubu Adamu Obasanjo has said worst things about Tinubu both in his books and also on television. We say these things sometimes and that does not mean we should be enemies forever. Whatever anybody says at any point in time, they reserve the right to retrace their steps and say something else based on conviction. I don’t think Tinubu will say the same thing again about former president Obasanjo, otherwise, he won’t be where he is today
visitation)Obasanjo
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY 17
Looking specifically at the Nigerian market, Mirgiyan said, "They are all unique. They are all different. It depends on the language. It depends on the population, even on some local traditions, and some local licensing. I can't say this one is good, that one is bad; this one is big or small. The aim of BETConstruct is to keep everyone satisfied and happy. The tastes are different and each person wants different things. We have pretty much achieved our goals."
"A lot of people have benefitted from our platform. There is a whole lot that we have done in the life of the people. We give a fast payout when you win and we have sponsored several events. We identify with people who come together in the name of sports and festivities" Operators, regulators and stakeholders in the gaming and lottery industry in the West Africa sub-region returned to Lagos for stimulating conversations and enlivening exhibition, after a two-year hiatus, reports Vanessa Obioha
"We just run five minutes and kind of animate some near misses on the goal, some scores and some saves from the goalkeeper and we assimilate the outcome based on team strength; based on what you kind of see on the EPL. Instead of sitting and waiting for the Saturday matches at the EPL, you can actually bet on the outcome of the games on the same teams on full tournaments or you can bet on races. We like to simulate what is happening in the sports books with a lot of surer sequences; like betting now and winning now. You can't get that out of the sports world, you get it out of virtual." Although it established a presence in Nigeria three years ago, MelBet was participating in a gambling industry expo in Nigeria for the first time. According to officials of the companies; Alexander Ezekiel, Operations Manager and Alina Cherlasova, Regional Business Developer, they look forward to more partners for the company in "Overfuture.three years, MelBet has complied with regulatory bodies — Lagos State and Oyo State boards. We have shown individual support for different bodies. We try to see how we can sup port their programmes. We support the likes of GambleAlert, to promote responsible gambling.
"BETConstruct is one of the biggest platforms for betting and gambling in the world. We do sports betting. We are into casinos; including live casinos and table games. We are one of the companies that stream casinos live. There is nothing you wouldn't find in BETConstruct. We are moving forward. We are bringing new tools and new products. The Internet is not very good in Africa. It is sometimes down and sometimes very slow. So, for our African market, we create something that doesn't disappoint and it allows them to participate if they want to."
There was a session on 'Starting a Betting Company: The How Tos', which had Adekunle Adeniji, Adeleye Awatan of E-Play Africa, Geoffrey Namanya, Co-founder and CEO of Ocean Gam ing Consult Ltd., Kayode Omosehin, Managing Partner of Kariat and Co. and Oluwaseun Alli of MojaGroup Inc. as participants.
"I think this partnership with the LSLGA has provided the opportunity for massive growth. The main function of this type of event is to get the operators, regulators and all the stakeholders in one place. That is how you grow the industry. It is a meeting platform for everybody to bring the good and the bad and put it on the table to discuss where we are going. What do we do? "There were a few people in the providers' category and they wanted to hear what the needs are, while there were various people from the government side who wanted to hear the direction the industry should be going. The feedback that we normally get at this type of event is more than the business connection. We really want to reach an agreement on certain issues."
Relations President-Africa Region, PalmPay, Pierre Xu; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Mr. Bashir Are, and Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Dr. Rabiu Olowo
L-R: Managing Director, BetKing Nigeria, Mr. Gossy Ukanwoke; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Mr. Bashir Are and Director-General, Oyo State Gaming Board, Mr. Boladuro
Blom appreciated the modest success of this year's event thus: "As an events organising company, it is getting people to come back to events after COVID-19 that makes it a real success.
During a session on 'Presentation and Lottery Draw-How to Securely Grow Your Business With Bigger Pay-Outs, Stand a Chance to Win USD25,000 for Free-No Entrance Fees. You Can Be a Winner,' Mr. Frank Herold, Business Development Director of Emirat AG, a company based in Germany that promotes different types of card games, including scratch card, lottery, horse races, bingo, football pools, sports betting, casino games and customized games, demonstrated a key factor in the gaming and lottery industry-trust.
Mr. Morten Foght, a very knowledgeable gam ing industry expert who represented GlobalBet commended the impressive performance of the panelists, for giving operators beautiful insights into their daily work. He said, "I like this particular concept where you have some talk with experts at one end and then you have suppliers and products at the other end. That works very well."
His company, GlobalBet, showcases a lot of brands under its portfolio. He revealed the status of GlobalBet. "It is a virtual supplier. When you are looking at sports betting you categorize them into three-retail, virtual and casinos. Virtual is like a simulation of what you are watching on LaLiga on the soccer side.
Referring to Section 7, sub-section 4 of the Nigerian constitution with regards to the right of state houses of assembly, Mr. Are noted that Nigeria is a federation of states, with some of the states legislating against gambling, while others approve of it. His colleague from the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, Mr. Olajide Boladuro complained about the high level of impunity in the country. He observed that it was wrong for the NLRC to sit in Abuja and decide on industry practices in his state.
Discussants including Mr. Ekere Nelson, Ejadamhen Oseghale, Gossy Ukanwoke, Managing Director of Kingmakers, Tunji Idowu, Managing Partner of Velex Advisory West Africa and Olabimpe Akingba, Executive Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers had an illuminating debate on 'Is Overregulation Killing Interest of Current or Potential Gaming Investors? How Do The Regulators Support The Growth of Licensed Operators?'Onthissubject, some of the panelists argued that there is multi-regulation in the industry and it focuses mainly on licensing, revenue and tax collection. They insisted that apart from licence and revenue, Nigeria does not have an overbearing regime of regulation compared to other African countries like Ghana, Senegal and Kenya. The discussants also made the point that apart from overregulation, there is under-regulation. The lead sponsor of the programme, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) had a very visible presence with a copious stand. In the absence of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), the LSLGA, arguably the most distinguished state-owned regulatory body, took the heat from operators and other stakeholders who had a question or two. The CEO of the agency, Mr. Bashir Are, disclosed that he was an industry agent in the State of Maryland in the United States of America in 1994. He made robust contributions at the event, doing his best to provide answers to nagging Expectedly,questions.LagosState was singled out for spending a lot of money to promote the industry and trying to get it right.
The Operations Director of the organising company, Eventus, Mr. Josh Blom commended the partnership with the LSLGA as the singular factor that made the event possible. He noted, "They proved to be extremely helpful in helping us to gather the industry. It has planted seeds for the next edition to get bigger."
He talked about the importance of having punters rely on and trust in the game they are participating in. According to him, a 2021 study showed that only 30 per cent of players said that lottery can be trusted and is fair. While warning operators against spending marketing money on other activities, he concluded, "in order to build trust, we must avoid fraud."
Talking about the essence of having all operators and regulators in the industry support 'Responsible Gambling,' Messrs Wei Wang of Easy Win Lotto Limited, Francis Masade of Velex Advisory, Oyindamola Michael of Parimatch Africa, Simon Burrell of Visatech Limited, said without such understanding, there might be no industry to play in. Their discussion focused on the importance of trust, integrity and players' safety.The importance of KYC (Know Your Customer) was drummed up by Oyindamola, for helping to protect both the operator and the customer. In order to mitigate the negative effects of gambling, Masade had some words of caution. "You should bet with what you can afford to lose." He also reasoned that advertising content for the industry should not glamorise gambling activities.ForBETConstruct, an Armenian company that took up sizeable space at the event, its investment in Africa influenced the decision to take part in the expo. The company's Business Development Executive, Liana Mirgiyan, summarized her impression. "I was expecting fewer people because of COVID, however, people turned up. "They came up with questions and sugges tions. We have lots of important partners in Africa and we will like to expand. It is very important that we keep our partners happy and knowledgeable about our new releases and products because we are growing. We are coming with new stuff. It's not just what we had before. It is very important that all our African partners know about this.
The seventh edition of the Sports Betting West Africa (SBWA) organised by Eventus International at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos closed on a promising note by honouring deserving operators, regulators and outstanding individuals in the sector. Featuring panel discussions and exhibitions, the two-day event returned after a two-year hiatus, forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, since the last one in 2019. All topics on focus generated a lot of interest.
When Sports Betting, Gaming Returned to Centre Stage
FEATURES 18 Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430 THISDAY
" A lot of people have benefitted from our platform. There is a whole lot that we have done in the life of the people. We give a fast payout when you win and we have sponsored several events. We identify with people who come together in the name of sports and festivities. We have indigenous ambassadors too who are big names. We have influencers. MelBet has actually touched a lot of lives; directly and indirectly." An enlivening debate ensued among panelists comprising Johnson Adewale Foye of WeStar Connect, Adesoji Babatunde of StarBet, Bamidele Sunday of LuckyBetng, John Kamau Kungu, Founder,vBetsConsult Africa and Seun Oyeneye, COO of StarBet on the topic, 'Retail Versus Online: What Are the Pros and Cons?' Some of the issues raised included the increasing penetration of mobile phones and the ability to access the internet. While weighing the option of carrying the cost of staff, equipment and office, some of the panelists argued that the future of the industry is online. The SBWA closed on a celebratory note with a raffle draw that gifted big prizes like the latest iPhones and iPads to lucky winners, while stakeholders who have made substantial contributions to the industry were recognized in eight award categories. Winners emerged in the following categories; Sports Betting Provider of the Year, Leading Supplier, Industry Influencer, Virtual Platform Provider, Outstanding Consul tant, Online Gaming, Online Casino Provider, Remarkable Woman in Gaming and Gaming Operator of the Year.
L-R:OlajideGovernment
ASUU and Its Phantom Work Policy
The decision of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU to call off their strike and return to their duty posts has isolated the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. While agreeing that the government has met all its conditions, ASUU is holding out from resuming work on the claim that the government should pay the lecturers for the months that they did not work. That is the sticking point that has now opened the ASUU activists to the claim of being selfish and turning what they initially claimed to be a selfless struggle for the uplift ment of the universities into an egocentric venture.itisworthy of note that SSANU and NASU have agreed to resume without the selfish demand of being paid for the months they were at home. ASUU on its part is claiming that they are different, on the claim that they are going to teach the things that they didn’t teach. The ASUU activists are carrying on as if they alone carry out the work of academia forgetting that the NASU, SSANU are also facilitators who with other stakeholders jointly contribute to the outputs from the universities.Indeed,if you are Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), you believe universities exist for the benefit of their teaching staff.
The Bill empowers the Commission to grant or refuse an application for the issue of a license for any reason the Commission considers appropriate in relation to its obligations. It is bad enough that Nigerians will have to apply for a license before using water, even more worrisome, is the unfettered powers this provision grants to the Commis sion to subject Nigerians to the whims and caprices of state officials. The Bill grants emergency powers to the Commission among other capacities to ‘‘direct a person who has a supply of water in excess of his needs for domestic purposes to reduce the amount he is permitted to extract under the terms of any license or general authorization’’ including ‘’authorize the entry on to any land by officers or agents of the Commission and such other measures at the Commission may consider necessary to overcome the shortage of water…’’ and ‘‘may take possession of the water supply and operate any works of the person concerned for the drawing, diversion, or use of water… during the period of the order’’. It is ridiculous for a Commission to assume the water needs of citizens and what constitutes an excess in the domestic use of water. Moreso, the proposed emergency powers will amount to a breach of peaceful enjoy ment of private property and privacy of citizens. Giving officers of a Commission unrestricted access to a private citizen’s compound is overreaching. It could easily lead to the arbitrary exercise of duty and sometimes unauthorized intrusion and invasion of peoples properties.
The Bill provides for the establishment of a Water Resources Regulatory Commission which will be charged with the responsibility for the regulation of national water resources of Nigeria. This provision will create not only create a duplication of regulatory functions but also give room for unnecessary inter-body conflicts as the Ministry of Water Resources’ statutory responsibilities already takes care of the proposed duties of the Commission. In fact, the creation of this Commission will amount to a waste of taxpayers’ monies! The Bill empowers the proposed Commis sion to issue water licenses and monitor the conduct of holders of the licenses to enforce conditions included in the licenses. This is alarming! A federal Commission is being positioned to issue water licenses to water bodies within states and communities. This defeats the spirit of true federalism, especially as the management of water resources is not an item on the exclusive legislative list of the government.
PERSPECTIVE 19THISDAY
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
When Professor Osodeke appeared on Channels Television on Friday morning you could see the difficulties of the normally friendly anchors who found it difficult to accept the sense of entitlement he sought to browbeat them with. The anchors could not understand why the lecturers should be paid for work not done.
On 30th June 2022, information filtered into the public space that the Federal Government of Nigeria had once again re-submitted the National Water Resources Bill which was widely criticized and rejected by Nigerians in 2019 and 2020 respectively.TheBillwhich has continuously been a subject matter of controversy and unease was widely rejected and eventually jettisoned by the National Assembly earlier on September 29,But2021.by Wednesday, June 29, 2022, lawmak ers in the House of Representatives had embarked on a first reading of the same Bill which was re-presented to the legislature by the Executive, and sponsored by the Chair man, House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli of Katsina State. Although the sponsors of the Bill claim its earlier draconian provisions have been revised based on feedback received and the intense public outcry it generated when it first appeared in the legislature, CAPPA’s clause-by-clause analysis of the Bill reveals otherwise.
Some Highlights of the Bill and Our Observations
“If they fail to pay, we will not teach those students” Professor Osodeke said. “Those students” are nothing more than a distraction for Osodeke, whose key demand is that his members are paid for work they have not done – because they have been on strike. For a country that has had historical experi ences with phantom experiences including phantom coups, the bid by ASUU to now introduce phantom work is laughable. We cannot as a country accept that persons should be paid for not working, and certainly not paid for causing untold damage to the institutions they work for when they are not striking. Worse, to agree to Osodeke’s egregious demands would be to open the door for any public servant or even private employee to demand payment for nothing. Even more, as Osodeke admitted during his difficult session with Channels, ASUU like every union has a strike fund from where its members are paid during a strike. As such the demand by ASUU for back pay is now equivalent to its members getting double pay for doing nothing. Indeed, the real victims here are “those students”. They contribute through their fees to the maintenance of the academic institutions to which Osodeke’s members are contracted but choose not to work. “Those students” are studying to improve their futures, and that of the country. But they cannot move forward because of Osodeke. Already Nigerian students take longer to graduate than in many other countries. Strikes, walkouts, and refusal to grade studies adds more than a year, on average, to each student’s time at university. This adds to their costs, their debts, and takes them late into the qualified jobs market. It also makes many thousands who might otherwise choose higher education to think twice about enroll ing, and therefore not advance themselves even when they are capable.
In any industrial dispute, there comes a point when continuing with the action threatens to damage the very institutions and purpose of their existence. This moment was averted by the leaders of NASU and SSANU. It is not being averted by the president of ASUU. Indeed, worse: he is purposely and intentionally sacrificing the futures of “those students” and damaging the very institutions on which his members depend – all to prove his belief that universi ties exist solely for the financial benefit of their teaching staff.
Mohammad Umar Salihu and Akinloye James
-Mohammed is chairman of The Nigerian Project Initiative and James is chairman of Initiative to Save Democracy.
Already Nigerian students take longer to graduate than in many other countries. Strikes, walkouts, and refusal to grade studies adds more than a year, on average, to each student’s time at university. This adds to their costs, their debts, and takes them late into the qualified jobs market
Professor Emmanuel Osodeke Why Nigerians Must Reject the Latest Water Resources Bill
The Bill shields any employee of the Commission or the Commissioner from any liability or damage caused in the discharge of duties. Tyranny can be easily expected as one of the codes of conduct of this Commis sion as exemption from accountability will promote a reign of oppression and statesanctioned victimization of innocent citizens.
-Corporate Accountability and Public Par ticipation Africa (CAPPA) is a Pan – African organisation that is passionately devoted to working with African communities and to build partnerships with them towards taking collective social action towards the promo tion and defence of the rights of peoples. It also works to advance human rights, challenge corporate abuse of our natural resources and build community power for inclusive development and participatory governance.
1THISDAY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 Wednesday August 24, 2022 Vol 27. No 9995 www.thisdaylive.com opinion@thisdaylive.com The industrial dispute between the A MANIFESTO TO SAVE NIGERIA’S PUBLIC UNIVERSITY Dr Adebayo is a Research Fellow at the Institution of African Studies, University of Ibadan ELON TWITTERMUSK,AND MAN U ACQUISITION The richest man’s moves are dogged by controversies, writes SONNY ARAGBASONNIEBEYONDISAKPORETHEJUDICIARYREDEMPTION?EKWOWUSI urges the cleansing of the judicial arm of government EDITORIAL CONTAINING MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK See page 21 See page 21 T U S N See page 22 KUDUS OLUWATOYIN ADEBAYO canvasses the support of all stakeholders to ensure the university system survives 20
Three very important events are ongoing now for Tesla Chief Executive and the World’s richest man, Elon Musk. These are the events on the public space and strangely all of them are dogged by controversies.
Aragba-Akpore is a member of Editorial Board
THISDAY
Ekwowusi writes from Lagos
ELON MUSK, TWITTER AND MAN U ACQUISITION The richest man’s moves are dogged by controversies, writes SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE
IS THE JUDICIARY REDEMPTION?BEYOND SONNIE EKWOWUSI urges the cleansing of the judicial arm governmentof
Assistant Chief Registrar. Upon her return, she was told: “If you want to get the CTC today, you would have to mobilize people to help you look for it…You ought to know what to do. Those people won’t work for free unless you are ready to come back in two weeks”. Anyway, the journalist ended up parting with
Early in April 2022, Musk announced an ambitious acquisition of Twitter for a whopping $44b. This announcement jolted the tech industry as many saw it as a major breakthrough while others saw it from anti-competition angle tilted in favour of the electric car manufacturer. Musk further fuelled the controversy when he announced that Twitter will adopt subscription business model instead of advertising which is a common place for other tech platforms like Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and others. Musk also twitted last week that he will be investing in Sports and particularly said he was eyeing English premier football club, Manchester United (MAN U) only to announce a few days later that it was all a joke.He is also reported to be wanting to buy lithium from Nigeria or possibly set up electric car plant in the country. While industry players were ruminating on Musk’s approach to run Twitter on subscription level, he announced his withdrawal from the Twitter acquisition deal.Musk’s worries for the Twitter acquisition stem from what his managers perceived and fear that the Twitter deal envisaged a monopoly status for him and the platform, his managers reasoned that there were bots on the Twitter platform. For the purposes of clarity “bots are autonomous programme on the internet or another Network whose independence could encroach into other networks and can also interact with systems or users.” He did not want any of these. But Twitter has a very strong protection clause in the agreement it signed with Musk. He signed a binding agreement to go through with theBesidesacquisition.the $1b termination fee, the agreement includes a clause giving twitter or relief that involves a court compelling Musk to carry out the deal. In this regard, Twitter sued Musk early in July, 2022 to force him to go through with the $44 billion buyout he proposed, then backed away from. immediately in a move suggesting signals for some more time. He claimed he had put the deal “on hold” in May as his team investigated the number of bots on the service.Aworried Twitter board chairman Bret Taylor explained that the company planned to pursue legal action to close the deal. “Now, less than three months later, Musk refuses to abide by his obligations to Twitter and its stockholders because the deal he signed no longer serves his personal interests,” Twitter said in its lawsuit. Musk’s lawyers claimed Twitter had made “false and misleading representations” around the issue of fake or spam accounts, concluding that more than 5% of Twitter users were bots. They also complained that Twitter did not provide hadNow,limitations.acourt must decide if Twitter resisted Musk’s requests to hand over information about spam and bots, the only real way Musk can wriggle out of the deal.
an understatement. The judiciary is not just corrupt; the men and women entrusted with judiciary has been constituted into an object of derision by the very people who should labour corruption and moral degeneracy at both the Bar and the Bench is alarming. It seems as if the judiciary is beyond redemption. What does one see when one takes a look inside a typical courtroom? One sees a stoic super-mortal on the bridge of his nose and sitting majestically at the tilt of the scale of justice. Taking further enigmatic look at the portrait, one notices that the eyes of the super-mortal radiate a certain fearsome charisma which enkindles the whole super-mortal with an enchanting aura of respect and honour. Unfortunately all these are mere appearances. They are not justice. They may not lead to justice. At best they are symbols of justice. And beneath these symbols is the wobbling feet of clay of the super-mortal. While the Bench sickens for lack of moral renaissance, the Bar fairs no better. Regrettably many members of the Bar lack the lowest common denominator of acceptable character. As regards the judiciary workers often loosely referred to as the judicial personnelChief Registrars (ACR), court clerks, court messengers, court cashiers, court stenographers and so forth - their lives are ruled and governed by the civil service bureaucratic extortion. Oftentimes whenever corruption of the the magistrates and judges, forgetting that the judicial personnel who play an essential role in the administration of justice are damned too care before it even gets to the Judge. He can, for to accede to his extortionist bid. So, the judicial personnel who perform administrative tasks in the judiciary play an indispensable role in the dispensation of justice. I am sure you have watched the video clip circulating on social media, exposing the day-to-day extortion and shady practices perpetuated by the judicial personnel in our courts. Judicial personnel extort money from lawyers and litigants before rendering them services. For example, at the pays for the service of his court processes on serve the court processes on that party until the litigant pays them a bribe ranging from N4,000 to N7,000. This explains why Busola Aro, a creative investigative journalist, volunteered to go to the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos, Agege Magistrate Court and the Ikeja High Court, Ikeja, Lagos with her hidden camera in order to expose the layers of corruption in our judiciary.Busola recounts how she got to Ikeja true copy (CTC) of a particular court judgment.
“Musk apparently believes that he — unlike every other party subject to Delaware contract law — is free to change his mind, trash the company, disrupt its operations, destroy stockholder value, and walk away,” the lawsuit said. Twitter is aiming to hold a four-day trial in September, and must complete it by October 24 Musk lawyers’ letter also details of data it provided to allow Musk’s team to make its own evaluation of the proportion of fake or spam accounts on the service. Despite those limitations, that team concluded that fake or spam accounts might exceed the 5% of monetizable daily active users Twitter has previously estimated are “Preliminarybots.analysis by Musk’s advisers of documents provided by Twitter to date causes Musk to strongly believe that the proportion of false and spam accounts included in the reported monetized daily account usage count is wildly higher than 5%,” Musk’s lawyers wrote. Musk’s reversal is not unexpected as he had said in May he was putting his acquisition “on hold” while his team investigated the bot question. As he struggles to terminate the acquisition of social media company, Twitter, the world’s richest man, Musk, recently hinted he would buy Manchester United if he decided to invest in a sport club.Musk said his love for Manchester United, an English Premier Football club, began at a very young age. He made this known after publicly disclosing on Twitter that he intends to acquire the club.
The billionaire had tweeted last week that “I’m buying Manchester United ur welcome”, but after the tweet generated huge reactions from his followers, and was asked if he was serious, Musk said it was a joke.
3THISDAY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 21 the sum of N2,000. Of course, her hidden camera captured everything. Busola also narrated how she applied for a CTC of a court judgment at the Federal High Court, on duty at the material time looked at her and said: “You came from a newspaper company. You people are rich. Pay N20,000 or no judgment”. She also narrated how she went to the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, extorted the sum of N4,000 from her. She also narrated how she got to the Ikeja High the court on duty to pay the sum of N200 for photocopies. She promptly did and thought the transaction was over. But she was wrong. No sooner had she quit the court premises than the court registrar called her and told her that she should pay the sum of N5,000 to him for “hospitality”. She promptly did and made sure that her hidden camera captured it. Sad, isn’t? Do we even need a Busola to tell us what we already know about our judiciary? I don’t think so. The high-level corruption and shady practices in the judiciary are notorious facts requiring no refuse to serve court processes simply because they were unable to extort money from the litigant or his counsel. Many litigants and their counsel get to court only to discover to their chagrin that their completely lost. These are administrative injustices which beget legal injustice or even social injustice. It is sad that under the watch of the Bar and the Bench, court messengers, etc., who play a vital role in the administration of justice in Nigeria continue to set up layers and layers of corruption structures in order to extort money from litigants and lawyers. For a court judgment or a court ruling a court registrar would extort not less than N5, 000 from you. To secure a hearing date at the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, extort about N15, 000 from you otherwise they would inform you there are no more available hearing dates in the year. To process on the other party, you must give him not less than N5, 000 otherwise he will never serve your process and even if he grudgingly does so he will not put the pay him.
haji Aliko Dangote, has a strong knack and reputation for looking inwards to source raw materials for his businesses. His Council can apply the same principle in sourcing the requisite raw materials for the production of anti-malarial drugs in the country.
THE BUHARI-DANGOTE WAR ON MALARIA 22
our
T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
Salisu Na’inna, Dambatta, Kano State
Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer. Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
Letters to the LETTERS
CONTAINING MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK
Editor
4 THISDAY WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022
EDITORIAL
In yet another national health emergency, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced last weekend that monkey pox virus has now spread to 26 states in the country and the federal capital territory (FCT). This is a very troubling development that should ginger the authorities in all the 36 states to move quickly to avert what could become a serious national epidemic. far (with Delta, Lagos, Ondo and Akwa Ibom recording one case each), the growing number of infection is fewer than 172 cases had when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in some colonies of monkeys that had been kept for research at the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, it was immediately to eliminate the disease. Data from the United States that has witnessed an outbreak though with no death to date, suggest that gay, bisexuals, etc., make up the majority of recent cases in the country. rats, squirrel, rodents and usually as a result of direct person-to-person contact or through blood and bodily include nausea, headache, fever, back pains and in advanced cases, rashes bigger than those caused by past two years been a global pandemic, it is treatable, and most patients usually recover. While the number of fatalities remains relatively small, the real challenge is that immune-compromised patients, especially among children of the poor of our society as well as those with other problems such as malnutrition or lung disease may be more endangered. And as at present, there is no commercially available lessons we can learn from the past. When there was an outbreak of the much-dreaded as well as members of the international community commended our health authorities for the swift response in dealing with the disease which at that period originated from Liberia. The manner in which the response was coordinated at the time saved several lives and prevented what could have been a national calamity. But the same outbreak of meningitis where the health authorities were evidently caught napping thus leading to several fatalities. We hope been learnt from that ugly experience as we tackle the outbreak of monkey pox. Washing hands regularly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser; avoiding contact with any materials that has been in contact with a sick animal or person and isolating infected patients from others who could be at risk of infection remain the best ways to avoid a spread of the virus. However, to the extent that it is the dirty habit of many Nigerians that has led to a situation in which rodents are almost everywhere, experts are agreed that there is a need for a sustained campaign to sensitise the populace on public health issues. Therefore, since prevention is still far better than cure, we urge Nigerians to continue to observe good hygienic behaviour, especially given the causative factors of monkey pox. But the ultimate responsibility another outbreak of a major disease in Nigeria.
Majority of cases are in fact transmitted from rats, squirrel, rodents and usually as a result of direct person-to-person contact or through blood and bodily fluids A clean environment and good personal hygiene could help big push would be made towards freeing country from the killer country’sailment.top business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. President Buhari indicated at the inauguration of the Council that he is deeply (WHO) which says that Nigeria accounts for 27 per cent of malaria cases and 32 per cent of deaths caused by malaria in the world. laria in Nigeria and Africa at best yielded mixed results. Although the WHO and other reporting agencies and stakeholders have acworld’s population lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission in This is despite more funding for malaria control from Global and the participation of the private sector. check malaria is part of an Africa-wide initiative rooted in a declaration by the African Union. A continent-wide approach is more cause malaria after infected mosquitoes bite humans have developed resistance to most current treatment regimes. The problem of fake and substandard drugs aggravates the situation. The parasites cause severe fever, terrible headache, continuous cough, and general body weakness, pain in the chest, watery stooling, vomiting and dizziness. The dizziness is because of the anemia disease that causes human deaths is a threat to humanity. It should be Aseliminated.itisevident that most of the types of organisms which cause malaria have developed resistance to current treatment regimes, the Dangote-led Council may build on the achievements of the Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs) locally. For instance, Jigawa, Plateau, Ogun, Enugu, Cross River, Taraba, Kano, Nasarawa, Gombe and Katsina States could be expanded to cultivate the plant massively. Its leaves were successfully processed into various The Department of Traditional, Complementary and AlternaDangote-led Council in taming malaria. Beside expanding the farms, a large-scale processing plant can be established for extracting the Artemisinin content from the leave save foreign exchange, create jobs and make Nigeria the hub for the production of Artemisinin-based anti-malarial drugs (ACTs) in West Africa.
BUSINESS WORLD Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com08056356325 Amidst CBN Directive to DMBs, Credit to Private Sector Up N4.69trn to N39.87trn 23 Continued on page 24 2 Tier-1 Banks Reports NPL Ratio Above 5% CBN Threshold Continued on page 24 THISDAY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 MARKET DATA AS AT TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022 BILLS MATURITY countDis- Yield (%)Change Updated Time NTB Nov-2210- 3.903.94 0.00August 18, 2022 NTB 26-Jan23 9.8010.24 -0.01August 18, 2022 NTB 9-Feb23 10.0010.50 -0.01August 18, 2022 NTB 9-Mar23 10.0510.64 -0.01August 18, 2022 NTB 27-Apr23 4.905.07 0.00August 18, 2022 BONDS DESCRIPTIONPriceYield (%)Change Updated Time ^14.20 MAR-202414- 104.5510.96 0.00 18,August2022 13.53 MAR-202523- 103.05 12.11 0.00 18,August2022 ^12.50 JAN-202622- 98.90 12.90 0.00 18,August2022 ^16.2884 MAR-202717- 112.10 12.71 0.00 18,August2022 ^13.98 FEB-202823- 104.50 12.82 0.00 18,August2022 OTC FX FUTURES (MONTH)TENORCONTRACT Contract ($/₦)RateCurrent Updated Time 1 NGUS AUG 31 2022 433.54 August 18, 2022 2 NGUS SEP 28 2022 435.39 August 18, 2022 3 NGUS OCT 26 2022 437.24 August 18, 2022 4 NGUS NOV 30 2022 439.09 August 18, 2022 5 NGUS DEC 28 2022 440.94 August 18, 2022 MATURITYDiscountYieldCPSChange(%) Updated Time FDHP CP 17-MAR-23III 14.7516.12 -0.01August 18, 2022 VHPL CP 1-APR-23III 18.6721.10 -0.01August 18, 2022
RATES AS AT AUGUST 23,2022 MONEY MARKETREPOS & P INDEX S & P INDEXEXCHANGE RATE OPR 11.25% CALL 10.25% INDEX LEVEL 613.31% 1/4 TO DATE -0.85%N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR* OVERNIGHT 11.50% 1-MONTH 9.56% 1-DAY 0.16% YEAR TO DATE 7.64%*AS AT LAST FRIDAY 3-MONTH 10.52% MONTH-TO-DATE 0.44%
Analyst at PAC Holdings, Mr. Wole Adeyeye in a chat with THISDAY explained that, “The increase in credit to private sector is not expected to create more jobs as businesses are facing high cost of inputs, mainly driven by high inflation.“Nigeria’s inflation rate hit 17-year high at 19.64 per cent in July 2022. This shows that businesses will have to borrow more to produce (most times, below the maximum production level). Demand-pull inflation may create more jobs but unfortunately, Nigeria is witnessing cost-push inflation at the moment.” On his part, CEO, Wyoming Capital & Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka said, “The 3.67 per cent MoM growth in credit to private sector in July 2022 was a clear demonstration of how inflation has affected nominal demand for Naira by private sector businesses, given continuing rise in input cost and the usual burden of imported inflation.“Since this nature of demand for money may not necessarily translate to improved productivity, it follows, therefore, that economy may not also benefit in terms of additional jobs or output growth. This is just an evidence of unstable state of macroeconomic environment in Nigeria.”ChiefOperating Officer, InvestData Limited, Mr. Ambrose Omordion said that post-covid-19 business activities contributed to sharp increase in credit to private sector as of July, stressing that the recent increase in CBN’s Kayode Tokede Two leading financial institutions, Ecobank Nigeria and FBN Holdings Plc have reported Non-Performing Loan (NPL) above the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s 5 per cent threshold for commercial bank operating in the country. Analysis of the banks’ results for the half year (H1) ended June 30, 2022, showed that while they reported a significant decline in NPL ratio, their Non-Performing Loan remain above the CBN threshold.Abreakdown showed that Ecobank Nigeria reported 15.50 per cent in NPL ratio in H1 2022 from 16.30 per cent reported in full year ended December 31, 2021, while FBN Holdings reported 5.4 per cent in NPL ratio from 7.2 per cent in 2021 FY. The Ecobank group’s NPL ratio, however, dropped to 6.2 per cent in H1 2022 from 7.4 per cent in H1The2021.Group in a presentation stated that, “NPL ratio improved to 6.2 per cent compared to 7.4 per cent a year ago and proactively improved the NPL coverage ratio to 113.5per cent. In addition, our allowance for impairment charges includes a central macro-overlay buffer of $206m for any future downsideAnalysisrisks.”ofother banks’ half year results revealed that FCMB Group Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc have NPL ratio below five per cent. For instance, FCMB Group closed H1 2022 with NPL ratio of 4.60per cent from 3.30 reported in 2021, while Union Bank of Nigeria’s NPL rose from 4.30 per cent in 2021 FY to 4.40 per cent in H1 2022. As Sterling Bank’s NPL ratio moved to 1.1 per cent in H1 2022 from 0.7 per cent in 2021, Wema bank announced 3.1 per cent NPL ratio in H1 2022 from 4.9 per cent reported in 2021 FY. Wema Bank in a presentation to investors/analysts stated that the reduction in NPL ratio is on the back of an increase in collections and recoveries, as well as a growth in loan book The bank said: “Total nonperforming loans for the period was N14.3billion, a 32 per cent decline from the FY 2021 position. General commerce had the largest share at 51 per cent (H1 2022: 34per cent) “Local currency NPLs experienced a 29 per cent drop to close the six months period at N14.25billion. NPLs declined y-o-y for these sectors: construction, general, manufacturing, admin and support, real estate activities, water supply, sewage, waste management, professional, scientific, and technical activities.”TheCBN had maintained that NPL ratio in the banking sector stood at 5.3 per cent in April 2022, compared with its prudential limit of five per cent, reflecting sustained stability in the banking system, though there remains a need to bring this down to the prudential limit.NPL was at 5.89 per cent at the
Kayode Tokede Following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandate to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to improve lending to the real sector of the nation’s economy, credit to private sector has so far in 2022 added N4.69trillion to reach N39.87 trillion in July. According to the latest money and credit statistics released by central bank, credit to private sector reached a record N39.87 trillion in July 2022, a significantly 3.6 per cent month-on-month (MoM) increase from N38.46trillion reported in June. The CBN numbers revealed that credit to private sector commenced 2022 at N35.18 trillion and increased by N4.69 trillion or 13.32 per cent in its Year-till-Date (YtD) growth to N39.87 trillion as of July 2022. THISDAY analysis of the numbers revealed that credit to the private sector has gained 21.33 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) from N32.86 trillion reported July 2021. Further analysis revealed that all sectors of the Nigerian economy have benefitted from the increased lending with the top three being Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, and General. The CBN data also revealed that credit to government has been on steady increase and hit N20.09 trillion as at July 2022 an increase of 11.29 per cent and 42.36 per cent in MoM and YTD Commentingrespectively.onthe impact of sharp increase in credit to the private sector on job creation and economy expansion, analysts said double-digit inflation, among other challenges have diminished the gains on businesses.
Khemka: Automated Lagos Free Zone Will Attract $5bn FDI, 20,000 Jobs
end of April 2021. Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Kingsley Obiora in a statement noted that the improvement reflected recoveries, restructuring of facilities and sound management practices by Other Depository Corporations (ODCs).
BUSINESSWORLD INTERVIEW
It looks like a win-win for you, the workers, the government and other investors coming in. Could you tell us what it projects to achieve in the next ten years? As I said earlier, the Lagos free zone is 850-hectares large, and it is expected to be developed over time, because it doesn’t make sense to develop the entire zone at once. So, we are developing it in phases; in phase 1, we have roughly 360 hectares of land, which will be completed by the end of next year. As I speak the zone has attracted more than $2.5b of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the country and created more than 4,000 jobs inside the zone. So, the benefits of the zone is that in the next ten years we expect to attract more than $5b of FDIs and create more than 15,000 to 20,000 jobs in the country. But the uniqueness of our free zone is that it is set up by the industrial port, which has neighbours like Lekki free zone, another free zone being developed by the Lagos state government and Chinese government. We also share our borders with the Dangote fertilizer and petrochemicals, as well as other free zones that are expected to emerge. We expect that the whole Lekki axis and its industrial corridor should contribute between 5 and 10 percent of the national GDP in the coming ten years. How many companies have you brought in? Till date, the Lagos free trade zone has more than 20 registered companies and with prospects for more growth.
Khemka
The Lagos free trade zone is privately developed and managed by Tolaram, which is a conglomerate that has been operating in Nigeria for 45 years. As part of the free zone, we are developing various support infrastructure because we believe in the culture of ‘live, work and play’ so that you can live here, work and enjoy your life. We have divided the zone into three; industrial, logistics and the mixed use park. We have already invited multinational players like Salim Group from Indonesia and Kellogs from the US, Colgate of US, BASF biggest chemical company, Arla from Denmark and we have also developed facilities like warehouses and standard industrial facilities, as well as a fire station and a police station for security. Looks very engaging. Asides these features, what are other unique things that the Lagos free zone will have that we don’t have in the over 40 other zones? Other unique features are the private management and connectivity to the port, as I mentioned earlier. You get the trade facilitation, and the kind of infrastructure we are developing. Another advantage we have is our holistic approach and the technology being used to make this a smart free zone. By being a smart free trade zone, I mean our facility is fully automated. These things are what makes us unique. Talking about the smart free zone and automation, how does this work and how will that impact on trade? It is multi-fold, a paperless transaction that moves faster, and the ease of operations and doing business comes into the picture, because if it is digitized. People can track the process easily. Once they have known about this end-to-end process, it is easier to plan and make business processes faster. Still on automation, are you doing this on your own or do you have links with companies that are vast in automation? Who is handling that for you? We have an in-house team that works on it and helps the processes get implemented.
Give us an overview of the Lagos Free Trade Zone and it’s uniqueness Talking about free zone, you know it is quite new in the country at present, though Nigeria was one of the first in the world to create the free zone movement and environment in Africa itself. The history of Nigeria free zone goes as far back as 1992 when the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act was passed. But over the last 30 years, the country has not been able to get the full benefit that comes out of the free trade zones. Countries like Dubai and China have exploded out of it, and even smaller countries like Ethiopia. Neighbouring countries have been able to reap the benefits of free trade zones, but the reason Nigeria has been unable is due to poor coordination and understanding. Also, not many people know about the free zone benefits. As we speak, there are almost 42 free zones in the country, not all are operational. Lagos free zone was the first private one that was established in 2002, and it has grown over the years as it started with 200 hectares of land but has grown to 850 hectares. It is a unique free zone because it is the first private one and serves many purposes for the industries. This will be the first free zone in the country to be embedded within the deep-sea port. And as we speak, the port is almost 96% completed and due to be completed by the end of September this year, and operations will commence by the end of this year or early next year. The port will resolve a lot of problems that we are facing in this country.
24 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 THISDAY AMIDST CBN DIRECTIVE TO DMBS, CREDIT TO PRIVATE SECTOR UP N4.69TRN TO N39.87TRN 2 TIER-1 BANKS REPORTS NPL RATIO ABOVE 5% CBN THRESHOLD
Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and hike in inflation rate might disrupt credit to private sector. He stressed that cost of production is expected to witness increase and impact on local economy.
In her personal statement at the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Aisha Ahmad said the global economic prospects remain confronted with significant headwinds and a deteriorating outlook, largely driven by spillover effects from the Russia / Ukraine conflict amidst lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to her, “Rising global inflation as a result, has led to monetary tightening by advanced and emerging market central banks, even as they struggle to preserve the fragile recovery. Similarly for Nigeria, containing inflation in line with the price stability mandate is the appropriate monetary policy priority in my opinion.
Also, Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan and member of the MPC, Festus Adenikinju in his personal statement after the May 2022 meeting had disclosed that governments rank as number four largest beneficiary of total credit. According to him, “In fact, in terms of sectors that recorded the highest increase in gross credit between end-May 2019 and endApril 2022, governments are in the top three, after manufacturing and General (retail and personal loans).” He added that the rising share of governments in total credit to the economy by the banking system suggests crowding out effects of private sector borrowings.
In this interview, the Chief Financial Officer and Head of Operations, Lagos Free Zone, Ashishi Kemka, spoke about the uniqueness of the project, which holds great potentials for the Nigerian economy. Excerpts
He urged governments to divert to non-debt means of funding its activities, advocating that, “Government must grow its revenue base, reduce waivers to economic agents, plug leakages and wastes, and address the wasteful petrol subsidy system. The huge energy deficit must be urgently addressed.”
Like yesterday, for example, we had a truck park operating inside the free zone, and it was successfully automated as the users of the truck park, an enterprise from the US stay in the free zone. They logged in the truck details, which are expected to come; it is in the system and as the truck comes inside the zone, the information is entered into the system at the entry point, the truck park entry gate opens automatically for the truck to enter. As soon as it enters, the enterprise gets the information about the truck which are parked for the enterprises on a daily basis. Even if they want to call the truck back to their facility for offloading or onloading, they can do it from the system or app. And an announcement is made in the truck park. So there is an app? Yes, there is an app for the Lagos free trade zone for easy tracking. On the other front, we are getting a lot of support from the government agencies, most especially Customs and the Export Processing Zones Authority. The Export Processing Zones Authority is our regulatory body that governs all the free zones in the country. We will soon start with a pilot project from the Customs, since the benefit of the free zone is that you can import and export goods duty-free. If you are selling the goods manufactured in the free zone using imported raw materials, you need to pay the relevant custom duties on the imported raw materials used in the production when selling the goods in the CustomsCurrently,territory.allthose calculations and the systems were done manually, but with the help of the Nigeria Customs and its technological arm, we have been able to develop a project and a system which will soon be run as a pilot project where the imported raw materials will be captured automatically and when the goods are sold, duty will be calculated on the imported raw material components.
Meanwhile, as credit to private sector and government recorded increase in July, money supply in the economy witnessed a decline outcome.According to CBN numbers, money supply in the economy dropped by 0.53 per cent MoM to N48.26 trillion in July from N48.51 trillion reported in June 2022. Money supply had hit N48.58 trillion in May 2022, driven by increased borrowing by the federal government and commercial banks’ lending to the private sector propelled by the LDR policy of theTheCBN.statistics revealed that money supply (M3) grew by 21.40 per cent YoY to N48.26 trillion in July 2022 from N39.75 trillion reported July 2021.Money supply is defined as total stock of money in an economy comprising currency (notes and coins) and deposit with commercial banks in Nigeria and it consists of broad money (M2) and narrow moneyFurther(M1).analysis of money supply also showed that major components M2 and M1 recorded decline in JulyAccording2022. to the CBN data, M1, dropped by 0.92 per cent MoM to N20.37 trillion as at July 2022 from N20.56 trillion ending May 2021, while M2 depreciated by 0.53 per cent to N48.26 trillion MoM from N48.51 trillion as of June 2022. In addition, currency in circulation dropped by N88.26 billion from N3.33 trillion as at the end of June to N3.24 trillion as of the end of July.
“It will be prudent however to be cautious in raising the policy rate, recognizing underlying structural factors driving price developments and the potentially negative effect of a sudden and significant rate hike on credit expansion, financial system stability and economic growth.”
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25 NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com THISDAY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 BUSINESSWORLD ECONOMY Addressing Irregular Unemployment Data for Improved Governance
PENCOM’S TARGET FOR MPP PenCom on its part said the MPP would provide ample opportunities for economic stability for more Nigerians in the informal sector. According to PenCom, the MPP goal is to achieve pension coverage for 30 million people in the informal sector by 2024. PenCom noted that Nigeria’s informal sector constitutes an estimated 69 million workforce, which represents an estimated 88 percent of the country’s workers that initially lacked pensions for their old age. The commission identified these informal sector operators as accountants, architects, lawyers, artisans, traders, stylists, farmers, commercial drivers among others saying that can plan for their pension through the MPP.
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launch of the MPP three years back, PenCom and its workforce in collaboration with the Pension Fund Administrators and Custodians have been working hard to achieve a major breakthrough in their quest to see that informal sector operators key into the scheme. But despite these efforts, they seem to be far from accomplishing the 30million registration target and N3 trillion MPP asset by the year 2024. According to PenCom, as at last month, July2022, only 81,674 contributors have registered into the scheme. They have so far contributed a total of N296,957,107.11. While total contingent withdrawal from the scheme stood at N22,363,726.87, this amount was withdrawn by 118 contributors. In line with the stipulations of the law on the possibility of contributors converting from Micro pension scheme to conventional contributory pension scheme, PenCom said a total of N4,934,634.9 have been transferred to CPS being the amount contributed by 430 RSA holders. Speaking at the recent 2022 Journalists workshop organised by PenCom in Lagos, PenCom Head Micro Pension department, Dauda Ahmed, described the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) as a long-term voluntary financial plan for the provision of pension coverage to the self employed, and persons working for organisations with less than three employees who are mainly in the informal sector.
DATA AGGREGATOR In Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) remains the apex agency of the federal government responsible for collecting, compiling, analysing, interpreting, publishing and disseminating statistical information relating to the socio-economic life and conditions of Nigerians. In line with its statutory mandate to provide government and policymakers with reliable and Prior to June 2004, when the federal government during former President Olusegun Ibasanjo’s regime enacted the Pension Reform Act (PRA), which gave birth to the current Contributory Pension scheme (CPS) and the National Pension Commission which regulates both Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), pension plan and retirement benefit scheme in the country was the exclusive of public sector workers and workers of few corporate organisations, which cared to set up retirement benefit schemes for their workers. Aside these, the remaining workers who constitute larger chunk of Nigeria’s working population have no hope of pension and their families hardly get any benefits in the event of any unforeseen happening to their breadEvenwinner.among the public sector workers that have pension hope, realisation of the hope in terms of payment of retirement benefit was a mirage as the prevailing Defined Pension Benefit Scheme then was in deficit of over N2 billion leading to pathetic lifestyle for many pensioners.
The crucial role of statistics in supporting good decision making in both the public and private sector cannot be over-emphasised especially in developing economies like Nigeria, which is struggling with growth. The unemployment or jobs statistics remained one of the crucial macroeconomic parameters alongside inflation, which is used to determine the health of an economy. Essentially, the unemployment rate of a country has become a big deal as it helps the citizens to among other things measure the performance of the economy, and hold politicians and policymakers accountable for their promises.
CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME But with the enactment of Pension Reform Act 2004 with its stipulation that every employer with up to three employees must establish pension plan for them, Nigerians’ orientation about pension plan was completely changed and hope given to every employee irrespective of the size of the organisation.Indeedbetween June 30th, 2004 and July 1, 2014 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo signed the PRA 2004 into law and Good Luck Jonathan signed the 2014 Act that repealed the 2004, Nigerians entered into new horizon on Pension plan. The 2014 Act notably changed the number of employees that employers should have to set up pension plan for them from more than five employees to more than three employees as well as increased the percentage of contributions by both the employers and employees. In May 2019, government in its efforts to ensure that every Nigerian in his old and unproductive age has hope of pension launched the Micro Pension scheme to include the informal sector operators. President Buhari had during the Micro Pension
James Emejo writes that the National Bureau of Statistics must do more to contribute to macroeconomic stability and good governance through the timely production and publication of key unemployment data to aid policymaking and development
NEED TO SUSTAIN PUBLIC TRUST
The two-term reign of former NBS Chief Executive, Dr. Yemi Kale, had brought a could talk and think about pension was clearly registered in the mind of Nigerians. Even the educated elites that were self-employed never saw pension as savings scheme.
A case in point was pensioners of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) known for queues under trees with most of them passing nights there waiting for their pay masters. Memories of their sufferings still remain indelible in the minds of their children and grand children. At that time the assumption that only paid workers
EFFORTS TO DRIVE MPP THISDAY investigation revealed that since the politicians to advance their interests, some schools of thought believe the data release is being suppressed because the results are terrible particularly amidst the present global economic challenges. Most politicians rode into power promising to fix the unemployment challenges but with little or no Thesuccess.unemployment results have often been discredited by politicians whenever it is not in their favour – and this has often created controversies. In April 2021, following the unemployment data for Q4 2020, the NBS had accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, of distorting facts and casting aspersion on the credibility of the employment statistics produced by the former. The minister, through the verified official twitter handle of the ministry, alleged that the country’s employment data may be inaccurate, particularly the methodology used in arriving at the figures. But when the statistics turn out positive, the same government will often cite it as a reference. It is, however, baffling that even though the government recognises the role of the NBS in generating data to aid development of the country, it chooses to under-fund the agency. Hence, the funding gap is seen in some quarters as a deliberate attempt by the government to subject the statistical agency under its control – a development that will have grave consequences for the Eveneconomy.thoughthe NBS had often attributed its lapses to funding and manpower constraints, it is alleged that it only releases data that tends to portray the government in good light and withhold publication when it is otherwise.
lot of positive changes to the national data management in the country as stakeholders for the first time in years began to trust the statistics churned out by the agency. Until then, even development partners and other international partners jettisoned data from the NBS because they doubted the integrity, methodology among others. NBS was often under-funded by the government and manpower was also a challenge. But it took Kale to reposition the NBS through critical partnerships and policy adjustments, which modernised data collection and repositioned it as a credible source of statistics in the country. After Kale, there have been two successors who have struggled to keep the pace of innovation at the bureau. In May, President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the appointment of Mr. Semiu Adeyemi Adeniran as the substantive Statistician-General of the Federation/Chief Executive Officer of the NBS. The appointment follows the demise of the former SGF, Dr. Simon Harry who took over from Kale. Adeniran is a professional statistician of repute with bias for Demography and Social Statistics.But,the barrage of socio-economic data regularly churned out by his predecessors appeared to have ceased – and at some points, Nigerians are beginning to even question some data outcomes in recent times on the basis that they don’t match reality – the monthly inflation statistics for instance. The delay by the NBS to publish the unemployment data, has also given room for various interpretations by the public. Given that the jobs data is often used by launch said that the initiative was part of his government’s plans to ensure that hardworking Nigerians live in dignity and retire in peace when due. He described the Micro Pension Scheme as part of his administration’s efforts to ensure that all working Nigerians in both formal and informal sector are part of Nigeria’s financial inclusion policy, through the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Redefining Pension System in Nigeria Via MPP
The report ,which is still being cited as current, despite the time lapse, puts Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 33.3 per cent compared to 27.1 per cent in Q2 2020. This implied that 23.18 million persons of the country’s labour force either did nothing or worked for less than 20 hours a week, making them unemployed by the country’s definition of unemployment. It further indicated that there was an additional 1.42 million persons added to the country’s unemployment portfolio when compared to 21.77 million unemployed persons in However,Q2.the failure of the agency to keep up with the timely publication of the critical unemployment data has called for concern especially given that it remains a solely recognised data aggregator in the country according to law. If anything, the delay in publishing the unemployment statistics could conceal the inefficiency of the government in the area of job creation and poverty eradication as well as give room for speculations, and mis-information.
timely information, the bureau routinely computes and disseminates the labour force statistics generated from a nationwide socioeconomicAlthoughsurvey.theunemployment data had been designed to be published quarterly, the last survey conducted was in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The introduction of Micro Pension Plan (MPP) into Nigeria’s Pension system has redefined future of the pension industry, especially for informal business operators, writes Ebere Nwoji
In Nigeria where unemployment remains a great challenge, politicians have often used it as bait during election campaigns, promising to create a certain number of opportunities to absorb the jobless population into gainful activities. Thus, the timely publication of such a key indicator helps to measure their performances. As a closely watched economic indicator, the unemployment rate attracts a lot of media attention, especially during recessions and challenging economic times. This is because unemployment, which is essentially, the level and persistence of the factors of unemployment have wide-ranging impacts across the broader economy.
With inflation reaching an unprecedented peak, Nume Ekeghe identifies the factors that influence pricing and suggests ways to control the trend.
Analysts at Cowry Assets notes that rising inflation rate is due to the combined effect of exchange rate pressure where the Naira has depreciated the more due to dollar scarcity across the FX market and the saturation of money supply as some major culprits; plus, the rate of insecurity concerns in some major parts of the country has contributed to the acceleration of inflation as food supplies were hampered by effects of kidnapping and incessant clashes in some Commentingcommunities.onthe rising inflation, Chief Executive of the Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) Dr Muda Yusuf noted that the heightened inflationary pressures in the Nigerian economy remains very troubling. According to him, the major inflation drivers have not abated, if anything, they have become even more intense. “These factors include transportation costs, logistics challenges, exchange rate depreciation, forex liquidity issues, hike in energy prices, climate change, insecurity in many farming communities and structural bottlenecks to production. These are basically supply side issues. Any mitigation measures would have to be situated in the context of these factors. “The accelerated fiscal deficit financing by the CBN is a significant inflation driver. The financing of fiscal deficit has been elevated to disturbing levels with huge implications for money supply and consequent effect on inflation. CBN financing of deficit is high-powered money and very inflationary. It is inflation tax.” Yusuf whilst noting that the mounting inflationary pressures weakens purchasing power of citizens as real incomes are eroded, it aggravates pressure on production costs, negatively impacts profitability, erodes shareholders value and undermines investors’ confidence.“Inmany cases, increases in production costs cannot be transferred to consumers. The implication is that producers are also taking a hit. This is more pronounced where the demand for the product is elastic. These are products that consumers can readily do without.”
Adeshina: HRs should Adopt Different Strategies to Avoid Resignation of Highly Skilled Staff
How significant is a background check in the process of recruitment? Background check, of course, can take up a lot of time, which is why some companies skip this step, especially when they’re in a hurry to get a position filled. The significance of performing a background check on a candidate is to have the most accurate overview of the intended candidate before the contract is signed and submitted. We understand the importance of hiring the right and competent candidate for the job with the required qualifications and integrity and more importantly reducing the risk of criminal activities in the workplace. Conducting a background check also ensures that an organisation is legally compliant and that the employee has the legal right, and qualifications to work in the country. Failure to conduct a necessary background check in the process of recruitment can put the organization at risk.
Adeshina
How Insecurity, Weak Fiscal Policies Drive Inflationary Pressures
With the mass resignation in banks as well as other professional services including healthcare in search of greener pastures, Chief Operating Officer at Talent PEO Africa, Temitope Adeshina recommends ways banks and other organisations can reverse this trend. Nume Ekeghe presents excepts:
Making Healthier Choice, Eating Affordable Packaged Rice
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of July. The data showed that inflation which is the rate at which prices of goods and services rise was 19.64 per cent, the highest rate the country had seen since September 2005. The percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months period ending July 2022 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 16.75 per cent, showing a 0.46 per cent increase compared to 16.30 per cent recorded in July 2021. On a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in July 2022 was 18.17 percent, which was 0.001 percent higher than 18.16 percent recorded in June 2022. The food inflation rate in July 2022 rose to 22.02 percent on a year-on-year basis; which was 0.99 per cent higher compared to 21.03 percent recorded in JulyThe2021.NBS report noted that the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, meat, fish, oil and fat. However, a month-on-month review of the food index saw a marginal but positive reversal to 2.04 percent in July from 2.05 percent in June as a result of a reduction in the prices of some food items like tubers, maize, garri, and vegetables.
power of choice. The N100 pack of Big Bull Rice will consolidate the growth and rising market appeal of the brand, as well as make the product available to a wider spectrum of consumers who desire a healthy, affordably packaged rice tailored precisely to meet their specific lifestyle needs. So, when next you go shopping, it is essential to know that there is a Big Bull Rice pack that can fit into your budget. It is a smarter choice in terms of quality, health and value for money because of its high swelling index. You will not also be subjected to underhand tactics by any rice dealer who may want to profiteer
The core inflation index, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce, stood at 16.26 percent in July 2022 on a year-on-year basis; up by 2.54 percent when compared to 13.72 percent recorded in July 2021. This was as a result of the increases, which were recorded in prices of gas, liquid fuel, solid fuel, passenger transport by road, passenger transport by air, garments, cleaning, repair, and hire of clothing. Across some selected states in July, fast increases in food inflation was highest in Kwara, which recorded 29.28 percent, Akwa Ibom with 27.22, and Kogi with 26.08 percent, while Kaduna at 17.16 percent, Jigawa at 17.46 percent and Anambra at 19.25 percent recorded the slowest rise year on year. After hitting 18.87 percent as an annual average in 2001, Nigeria’s inflation has found comfort in the economy and is unrelentingly way above the apex bank’s target of 6 to nine percent band and above the policy rate, which currently is at 14 percent after the July MPC meeting.
by mixing loose substandard rice and unparboiled rice with parboiled rice. Purchasing unpackaged or loose rice also sold in open basins in neighbourhood stores and open markets makes you vulnerable because they are exposed to elements like stones, rodents, insects and are easily cross contaminated with other food items when stored in unfavourable sanitaryAccordingconditions.toareport by the International Food Policy Research Institute titled “The Nigerian rice economy: Policy options for transforming production, marketing, and trade” over the past few decades, rice has become one of the leading food staples in
As a HR and recruitment company what are the strategies you employ in ensuring that you don’t only engage qualified but competent people for your clients? As one of the best recruitment and HR outsourcing company in Nigeria, we understand that hiring the right employee helps organisations achieve their overall business goals. At Talent PEO Africa, we provide the best recruitment services to our clients by following all the recruitment processes and stages down to conducting assessment tests for candidates which form part of our selection process, and carrying out our appropriate background checks on selected candidates.
There is never a dull moment at Talent PEO and from personal experience, you are never forced to do your work, everyone knows their duties and does it diligently. Our hybrid work culture is also what motivates our employees.
Nigeria. It stated that given the fact that a large amount of rice in Nigeria is now being consumed by low-income households, rice has become an important component for household food security. Underscored by good quality, safety and the great taste of home-grown ingenuity, the new N100 pack size ensures not only affordability, convenience and healthy satisfaction, but also food security for millions of low income households across Nigeria. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
How concerned are you at the resignation in banks and most firms as highly experienced working-class Nigerians are relocating? Everyone seeks better opportunities. Most organisations not just the banks are affected by the great resignation of employees. It is important that companies provide their employees with a great standard of living, good pay, and great working environment/culture. It is no longer news that the socio-economic situation in Nigeria is not favourable to citizens and employees. In the light of this, organisations and HRs must put up different strategies to navigate around the great resignation by improving their benefits and reward system, workplace culture, offering greater flexibility, supporting financial wellbeing, career development, management etc.
Are you up to the task of assisting these banks and institutions in getting replacements? Yes, we are. We understand that the recruitment process can be rigorous as it deals with a lot of complexities, however, at Talent PEO we aim to support organisations across all industries in Nigeria and Africa. Our team here at Talent PEO consists of hardworking professionals whose aim is to recruit the best talents in every sector. What distinguishes your company from others? Every organisation is always different. At Talent PEO, our people are important to us as they get the job done. We embrace diversity, employee welfare, and career development. It is easy to climb up the ladder, as there is always room for growth, especially in an industry like HR.
INSECURITY, FOREX PRESSURES Nigeria’s inflation has been on acceleration and continues to make open the obvious and underlying vulnerabilities in the economy. Consequently, the continued expansion of the headline index has always resulted from the sustained price pressures from food and non-food items, which have ensured the uptrend. This is as a result of the fact that insecurity in the country’s food producing regions continues to cap production level, while challenges with logistics and foreign exchange availability remain major pain Notwithstanding,points.itis without a doubt to say that several crises across the country have continued to stoke inflation numbers in Nigeria. Some of which are: the on-set of the geopolitical unrest in eastern Europe, which has added another layer of inflationary pressure majorly through grains and energy prices; the pass-through effect from the increase in the international crude oil prices and the momentary scarcity of fuel across cities in Nigeria have seen a relatively upward adjustment in the prices of petrol in the past months and this has shown its inevitable effect on transportation prices.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 THISDAY
BUSINESSWORLD INTERVIEW 26 NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
To the Chief Executive Officer, Global Analytics Consulting Limited, Dr. Tope Fasua said: “The effect is, of course, devastating given the slowdown of GDP growth as the world expects another global recession. The increases in base interest rates have not helped at all as borrowing is a lot more expensive thus making life incredibly hard for companies. The danger we face as individuals is that of spiralling stagflation as incomes stagnate
Tell us about your background, your firm, and what services you render? Talent PEO Africa is a Professional Employer Organisation (PEO) Company, based in Nigeria, we recognise the ever-changing world of outsourcing and human resources moving at a rapid pace and aim to provide our clients with the best employment and payroll outsourcing solutions for all employees across Nigeria and Africa. Our services include employer of record solution where we help businesses employ legally on their behalf in any country we cover across Africa if they do not have a legal entity there and also manage employees’ contracts, payroll management where we manage payroll of employees, pay salaries, issue pay slips, remit taxes and other statutory deductions, do all the paperwork.Wealsooffer Recruitment services where we help clients hire talented candidates. Contract, permanent or mass recruitment we do it all. We also offer competitive benefits packages from health insurance, leave allowances, group life insurance etc. Our immigration solution and relocation services are one to reckon with as we assist with work permits, entry visas, residence permit, airport pickup, home and school searches, translation services, relocation of household and office goods, tours, etc. We also provide start-up consulting services from giving our clients access to strategic business plans, registration of the company, assisting with the opening of bank accounts, tax planning and registrations, etc. Our Value-Added Services include performance management, training and development.
By Nkiru Stevens From the market to the kitchen, there is an all-too-common mantra, “It is too expensive to eat healthy”. Today, many of us are living on a budget and looking for ways to maximize value by making smart, affordable as well as convenient choices, while still enjoying tasty, nutritious meals to enhance our health. It is in this light that rice brand, Big Bull Rice recently introduced rice in affordable N100 packs. The new pack size presents a key advantage to drive value and excitement by offering a product size in line with consumer needs, but more importantly, gives them the
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY 27
Uchechukwu Nnaike reports
’We embarked on the project in this com munity for two reasons. Firstly, we fully recognise that education is a human right. As such, we passionately believe that every child has a right to education from the primary level to higher levels of education. This is evident, for example, in our annual university scholarship awards for undergraduate students,” he explained. ‘’Secondly, this project serves as our contribution towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals agreed in 2015 by all the 193 member states of the United Nations, including Nigeria.“Speaking on behalf of its Chair man Board Member of the Akwa education sector is incomparable.”
When the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on strike on February 14, 2022, many expected the federal government to swing into action for a quick resolution and resumption of university academic activities. The strike was least expected because the system was trying to cover lost grounds caused by the ASUU strike of 2020, which lasted for 10Nowmonths.inits sixth month with no end in sight, the questions on the lips of many concerned citizens are: Why are both parties adamant; is the government interested in university education; do both parties consider the impact of the strike on students; is the government still capable and serious about funding education; what options are available to students? ASUU embarked on strike to protest the federal government’s refusal to sign and implement the 2009 renegotiated agreement with the union and revitalisation of public universities. It said the 2009 renegotiated agreement contained a holistic package that includes the welfare of university staff, how the universities should be operated and the scheme of service, andTheothers.union is also seeking the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solu tion (UTAS) in place of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) currently in use to pay members’ salaries. With ASUU’s strike, other staff unions- Se nior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SANNU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) followed and brought universities to complete closure.
President Buhari
In a recent press briefing, the minister stated that all contentious issues between the government and ASUU had been settled except the quest for members’ salaries for the period of the strike to be paid. He said President Muhammadu Buhari flatly rejected that demand. Reacting to the government’s refusal, ASUU insisted that it would not call off the strike and the members will not teach students to make up for the six months they had been on strike if the Federal Government failed to pay for the period of the strike.ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said the union will start a new session (2022/2023).
ASUU Strike: Seeking Funding Options for Universities
Now in its sixth month, students and parents’ hope of an amicable resolution of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities was again dashed as the union and the federal government failed to reach a compromise after their meeting last week. With the prevailing situation, stakeholders think that the tuition-free policy of federal universities should be revisited while other funding options should be adopted.
Okon Bassey An indigenous oil firm, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, has commissioned a school project, completed with necessary facilities at Saint Monica Primary School, Ibuot Utan, Effiat, in the Mbo local government area of AkwaManagingIbom.Director of the company, Mustafa Indimi, represented by the General Manager, Operations, Augustine Ekeigwe, said the project was a demonstration of the firm’s commitment to education and human capital development in the Effiat community in particular and the state in general.
Represented by Engineer Emmanuel Inyang, Director of Petroleum Development, the com missioner added that the state government was poised to improve education to create intellectual and high-capacity manpower. In the same vein, the Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Elder Aniefiok Nkom, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Sunday Umana, urged the community and pupils of the school to take ownership of the project and safeguard them from vandalism to serve the purpose they are meant. On his part, a community leader, Barrister Asuquo Okpo, advised youths in Effiat to shun vandalism and support growth to attract more dividends to the riverside community.
From the 2020 ASUU strike to date, the Joint Admissions and Matricula tion Board (JAMB) has conducted the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) three times, meaning that three sets of youths are awaiting admission into universities.
Firm Inaugurates School Project at A-Ibom Riverside Community
Education Minister Mallam Adamu Adamu
EDUCATION 28 THISDAY DAY AUGUST 24, 2022
“The N90 is the same amount I paid as a student in the same university in the 1970s. The cost of the receipt issued for the payment is probably more than the amount paid, and it would have been more ‘economical’ for the university if offered free! “The charging of ‘fees’ is not supported by the federal government, but in OAU, undergraduate students pay ‘departmental charges’ of N5,000 per session for Arts, N10,000 for Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology and Law, and N15,000 for Medicine and other courses in the Health Sciences. These charges were fixed over 20 years ago, and the uproar that followed has ensured that it remained the same.”
Several meetings by the government’s team and the union usually ended in a stalemate, prolonging the strike. The last meet ing with the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, which ended without a compromise further plunged students into despair. The union insisted that the government revoke the ‘no work, no pay’ policy and pay its members for the period they were on strike, but the govern mentHowever,refused.the other unions agreed to call off their strike after meeting with the minister.
explained that the government agreed to inject a total of N1.3 trillion into public universities, both state and federal, in six tranches, starting in 2013 after the union decried the deplorable state of the institutions. It said, in 2013, the government was to release N200 billion and N220 billion each year for another five years. ‘After releasing the first tranche, the government stopped releasing the funds. In 2017, it, however, released N20 billion. In 2020, it promised to release N25 billion. ASUU rejected the offer, insisting on N110 billion, which is 50 per cent of the N220 billion that it demanded, but the government declined, citing paucity of funds.”
Since the frequent strikes are caused by poor funding and considering the government’s body language, stakeholders have continued to question the government’s ability to maintain universities effectively. Others have recommended the introduction of tuition and accommodation fees into federal universities. However, attempts by universities to introduce fees or even review existing charges have been met with stiff opposition by students and even ASUU.Auniversity don once observed that parents’ primary and secondary education budget was higher than the budget for university education. Most institutions have established business ventures, in addition to part-time and other programmes to generate revenue. Others have launched endowment funds with the involvement of alumni associations and captains of industry. Emphasising the need to introduce tuition fees, the immediate-past Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede stated that OAU with a student population of about 25,000, runs an annual personnel budget of approximately N10 billion. According to him, this means N400,000 per
Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Sir John U. Udoh commended the company.Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey, who represented the Commissioner for Education in the state, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, said the administration of Governor Emmanuel Udom was committed to quality education. She said the ministry always welcomed collaborations with corporate organizations and individuals in the sector. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Dr John James Etim, said, “Oriental Energy has proven to be a responsible corporate citizen and a partner to the state. Their social investment in the
For students that cannot afford the proposed fees, the don suggested that between 10 and 20 per cent of the fees collected should be set aside for partial or full scholarships to indigent students.“While many may want to falsify and lower their status in order to qualify, two or three key criteria such as primary and secondary schools attended (fee-paying or non-fee-paying), loss of parents etc., would easily differentiate indigent students.”
While accusing the government of reneging on their agreement to fund universities properly, the union had student per session will double the personnel budget.“Itwill be ridiculous to expect that all students must pay the same amount of fees. It may mean payments of between N200,000 and N600,000 per student per session, depending on the course,” he stated. “This is nowhere near the N900,000 to N3 million per session that students pay in most private universities today.” He added that students would be charged based on the standard staff-student ratio and the number of lectures per course, with a fixed fee for each lecture. He regretted that in his institution, students still pay N90, with N2,500 maintenance fees per session for accommodation, even in situations where the session extends beyond 12 months.
29THISDAY DAY AUGUST 24, 2022 EDUCATION
Funmi Ogundare Winners have emerged at the fifth edition of Mayen Adetiba Technical booth camp, an annual programme aimed at encouraging more girl child involvement in STEM education. The three-day event themed ‘Structural Integrity: The Role of Building Materials’, saw education district II emerging first with 93.63 per cent. District one and IV took second and third positions, scoring 87.5 per cent and 87.0 per cent, respectively. The participants who performed experiments on the theme were drawn from secondary schools in the six districts in Lagos State. The winners receive trophies and cash gifts. Some of their teachers also received plaques for their efforts.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held, weekend, the President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Dr Elizabeth Eterigho, noted that it had in the last three decades set up several initiatives to encourage engineering studies and practices, especially among female students to achieve professional excellence as engineers and leaders. She noted that the hands-on experiment performed by the students is designed to unleash the girls’ creative and innovative potential.“Thisevent is part of APWEN core objective which is to encourage and advocate for more girl child involvement in STEM education with the hope to pursue a career in engineering. It serves as a mechanism to assist the nation in attaining Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs),” sheInstated.herkeynote, the General Manager, Renewable Energy Department, NDPHC, Mrs Valerie Agberagba, admonished the girls to have a good attitude, be observant of their environment and be inquisitive.
“Thepresident.president is hereby suspended indefinitely and shall within 48 hours hand over all documents pertaining to his office to the vice president who is by law required to assume office of the present pending the final investigation into the case,” said the union’s letter. But when contacted, the president alleged that the letter came from his political opponents adding that he heard about it, but he was not officially served. According to him, his rivals connived with some judicial council members to ‘unlawfully’ issue the letter vowing that he would remain the bona fide president of the union.
Noel (second left) and other winners of the 2022 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens
President Indefinitely
Funmi Ogundare The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter in partnership with Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) has created employment opportunities for 40 graduating students of various government technical colleges in the state through an engagement session with all the stakeholders.
The National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS), an umbrella body of all the state students studying in various institutions in Nigeria and abroad, has suspended its national president Comrade Mahmud Abubakar Juraid, over allegations of misconduct.
Nigerian Student Wins $10,000 AFSAward in US Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Crisis Rocks NUBASS as Council Suspends
Mayen Adetiba Technical Booth Camp for Girls Rewards Winners
In the letter of suspension signed by the chairman judicial council of the union Abbas Ibrahim and Secretary Kamalu Isa Ahmad issued to our correspondent yesterday, the union accused the president of misappropriating the union’s funds and corrupt practices. They also accused him of working unilaterally and carrying out financial transactions without the consent of the other executive members. The council, therefore, directed Mahmud to stop parading himself as the president of the union and hand over all documents and property belonging to the union in his possession to the vice
“You have to learn to be inquisitive and have a mindset for knowledge,” she said, adding that building collapse has reduced to an extent in the country because of government laws.Inher remarks, the initiator and Super Role Model, Mrs Mayen Adetiba, said the programme was designed to develop girls’ interest in STEM, adding that the engineering profession is no longer male-dominated and more female students should be allowed to be there. She expressed excitement about the programme, saying that it is about building their minds and giving them the opportunity to impact the girls’ future.
“One of the highlights for me today is that from the 2021 forum we had 30 schools that attended and about 15 have been able to access about N35 million.“The key stakeholders will be these low-cost school owners and teachers which influenced the breakfast forum to address funding. We know that they need money to have good school facilities to even meet up with Lagos State standards that is expected,” she stated. “We know that the state has access to funding through the Lagos state Trust Funding and we brought them together to sensitise them on how they can access this single-digit credit facility to improve their schools.”
A Nigerian student studying in the United States, Noel Ifeanyi Alumona, has won the 2022 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens and became the first African to win the prize since its inception in 1914. The award was presented during the Inter national Youth Day organised by the United Nations Global Communications Department, the AFS Intercultural Programs and The Youth Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Noel, who is studying at Vanderbilt University, United States, smiled home with a cash prize of $10,000 in recognition of his vigorous campaign to end violence against women and girls through proper orientation of boys on responsible behav iour. The award recognises the work of young people worldwide for their commit ment to improving the global community and contributing to a more just, peaceful, and tolerant world. Aside from the star prize winner, Mariana Reyes and Larissa Cevallos emerged second place winners with a $2,500 prize award. Noel, who hails from Enugu State, beat the other 500 con testants after a strenuous and rigorous selection process and interviews, from where 10 finalists were selected from over 200 applications. The winner, also a 2018 Obama Foundation Fellow of the African Leaders programme, explained that the inspiration for the formation of Boys Champion came in 2018 after he met with Barack Obama in Johannesburg as an Obama Foundation Fellow. It was an encounter that transformed his worldview and ignited in him the flaming zeal to make a posi tive impact in his community. On October 1, 2018, he formed the Boys Champions as a youth-focused group committed to providing safe space for young boys and training them to become part of the solution to ending societal violence and prejudice against women and girls in Nigerian communities. According to him, some obnoxious cultural and religious practices infringe on women’s rights, for which Boys Champion launched the campaign for change. Noel said his organisation would organise a leadership conference in Enugu where speakers from the United Nations, Harvard University and Vanderbilt University would tutor participants on leadership. Recounting his past ex periences in his community, Udenu LGA, Enugu State, Noel explained that he spent over five years teaching, monitor ing and evaluating students’ performance. According to him, neglecting children with special needs and other vulnerable groups does not guarantee an inclusive education system, which every country should aspire to achieve. “At the moment, Nigeria is at the end of the bridge on global rankings for special education support. I am happy to continue to offer my voice to conversa tions that will inspire change in Nigeria, Africa and across the world. As I always say, Africans will change Africa and I am happy to lead that change from my own community through Boys Champions and Hope for African Children,” he said. Noel promised to remain resolute in improving access to education for vulnerable children, children displaced by Boko Haram and insurgent attacks, as well as millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria. He promised to always look out for victims of disasters and violent extremism in Nigeria through his Hope for African Children, a community-based organization he founded in 2013 that increases access to education for children with disabilities and vulnerable children in underserved communities. While celebrating Noel’s global award, ex-Governor Sullivan Chime described the recognition as noble while as suring that the future belongs to Enugu youths.
NGO Inaugurates Classroom Management Manual Tip to Boost Teaching, Learning Oluchi Chibuzor Call to Love, a non-governmental organisation that works with children from low-cost schools and orphanages, has inaugurated classroom man agement manual tips designed to improve teachers’ efficiency and learning outcomes. The manual, which also serves as a handbook, high lights tips that teachers can adopt to effectively manage their students in the classroom in a manner that aids bond ing and impactful learning and makes the classroom a place that the students look forwardSpeakingto. at a breakfast meeting with teachers of low-cost schools in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mrs Omowunmi Ajila, noted their quest for research to know how to help schools have a better learning environment with sustainable development goals remains unquestionable. The material, Ajila noted, is the whole existence of the organisation to give back to the teachers and help them come up with strategies that can give quality education. However, considering the peculiarities of low-cost schools with difficulties in meeting the required standards, Ajila emphasised the need for them to be linked to access singledigit loans to build necessary facilities.Urging the schools present to take advantage of funding opportunities provided by the Lagos government Employ ment Trust Fund (LSETF), she hinted that it remains an avenue for them to build strategic infrastructure needs for their schools.
Meanwhile, the breakfast programme came on the heels of the just concluded five-day summer holiday programme, where over 50 participants were taught several hard and soft “Today’sskills.programme is actually a summer camp which we organised for the children because we understand that beyond these children, there are key stakeholders that would contribute to the success we are trying to achieve with these children,” the CEO said.
The session themed ‘Graduat ing to Employment: The Opportunity to Excel’, held recently at Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Lagos, witnessed four corporate members of the association, Alpha Mead Facilities Limited, Provast, Meditrack and Specific tools & Techniques Limited, employing theInstudents.hisremarks, the President of IFMA, Mr Segun Adebayo, expressed delight about the maiden edition of the engage ment session with the graduating students, saying that it has become a reality. He recalled that during the 25th anniversary of the associa tion, it started the mentorship programme for the students and equipped them with toolboxes, safety jackets, and safety helmets because their discipline falls within the facility management industry.TheExecutive Secretary of LASTVEB, Ms Moronke Azeez, commended the association for taking the work done by the technical colleges to the next level by ensuring that they are gainfully employed. Those who made up the erudite faculty include; Manag ing Director, Synced Integrated Services Limited, Mr Donald George, Managing Director, Jagun Associates and first Fellow of International Facility Management Association in MrAfrica,Stephen Jagun, who deliv ered papers on ‘Leadership and Productivity in the Workplace’, as well as ‘The Importance of Ethics and Moral Behaviour in Career Development’. One of the graduands, Mr Joshua Koleola, noted that his decision to attend the techni cal college has paid- off with the employment opportunity given him upon completing his examinations.“Iknowthat I will gain the requisite experience that will make me successful in life.”
IFMA Partners LASTVEB, Offers Employment to 40 Graduates
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY30
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 • THISDAY 31
The federal government will today launch its Energy Transition Plan, tailored to guide the country towards the twin objectives of achieving universal access to energy by 2030 and a carbon-neutral energy system by According2060.toa statement signed by Director of Communications, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), Sherry Kennedy, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will lead other stakeholders to launch the energy transition plan in Abuja. The Energy Transition Plan will also map out strategies for Nigeria to provide enough energy to power industry and other productive uses.
Kayode Tokede Eden Power, purveyors of clean, sustainable energy, have announced the upcoming launch of Eden Zero - a mobile application platform developed to tackle climate change, by educating individuals on how they can take effective steps to actively reverse its effects. The platform will also connect them to long-term carbon-offset initiatives, which will reduce Sub-Saharan Africa’s reliance on hazardous energy generation.
L-R: head, Human Capital, Linkage Assurance Plc,Mr Humphrey Ozegbe; Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Otitolaiye; Director-General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs Abimbola Tiamiyu; Executive Director – Technical, Linkage Assurance Plc, Mr Okanlawon Adelagun; 51st President and Chairman of Council, CIIN, Edwin Igbiti and Council Member, CIIN, Mr Niran Aderinoye during an official visit of the President of CIIN to Linkage Assurance Plc’s head office at Lekki, Lagos....recently
Gilbert Ekwugbe
The Group Head, Consumer Banking, Access Bank Plc, Adaeze Umeh stated this during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Access Bank Accessprenuer competition held in AccessAbuja.Bank in a statement noted that a total of N30 million was given out to corps members with winning entrepreneurial ideas in Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Rivers states with the star winners received N1million“Accesseach.Bank has been in a strategic partnership with NYSC since 2016. The relationship further evolved into the launch of Accessprenuer: The NYSC edition in February 2021. So far, we have completed six editions of Accessprenuer competition, impacting over 390 corps members with over N165 million seed capital. We have also created a Facebook community for all Accessprenuer winners to be able to interact freely amongst themselves and inspire other young people with similar aspirations. The Facebook community has about 5,000 members,” Adaeze said. Some of the beneficiaries of the Accessprenuer competition expressed their profound gratitude to the bank for the financial support, adding that it will go a long way to helping them achieve their dreams. Abuja star-prize winner, Laura Momodu, a fashion designer thanked the bank for the gesture. She said, “I thank Access Bank. I didn’t expect to win because fashion designing is something that everybody does. I want to say that I do not take this for granted and you will definitely see my name on TVs and billboards.”
The Energy Transition Plan is supported by Sustainable Energy for All, The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. The launch will also feature remarks from prominent officials from Nigeria, Rwanda, Egypt and Senegal as well as international community leaders from the United Nations, Sustainable Energy for All, The World Bank, African Development Bank, IRENA, The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. At COP26 in Glasgow last year, President Muhammadu Buhari announced Nigeria’s ambition to achieve net-zero by 2060. The launch of this plan showcases the country’s political leadership in the global energy sector, and especially on the African Continent towards a just, equitable and inclusive energy transition.
The Energy Transition Plan was developed through the Energy Transition Commission, the insights from which were reflected in President Buhari’s address at COP26 in Glasgow, where he stated that Nigeria was looking for partners in innovation and finance at scale to enable a ‘stable transition’ in energy markets and bottom-up transition pathways across energy markets, adaptation and resilience, nature-based solutions, clean cooking, gender, and green jobs. The country has championed the cause for a just, equitable and inclusive energy transition in its role as Global Theme Champion on Energy Transition at the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE), and submitted an ambitious UN Energy Compact which featured its immediate priorities to electrify 25 million people across 5 million homes and leverage natural gas resources to address access to clean cooking by 2027. This ambition is backed by an integrated energy planning tool launched earlier this year which demonstrates how Nigeria will utilize geospatial data and modelling to identify the mix of technologies and spending required to achieve universal energy access, said the statement.
Nigerian Breweries Registers N100bn Commercial Paper on FMDQ Exchange
Access Bank Partners NYSC to Promote Entrepreneurship
BUSINESS/ MONEYGUIDE Osinbajo to Launch Energy Transition Plan Today MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3) 48,865,823.53 -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 167,956.2 Money Supply (M2) 48,797,867.32 -- Quasi Money 28,405,330.1 -- Narrow Money (M1) 20,392,537.22 ---- Currency Outside Banks 2,722,785.91 ---- Demand Deposits 17,669,751.32 Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 6,242,394.29 Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 42,623,429.24 -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 57,267,178.05 ---- Credit to Government (Net) 17,996,690.06 ---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA 0.00 ---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA) 0.00 ---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS) 39,270,488 --Other Assets Net 5,566,430 Reserve Money (Base Money 11,320,304 --Currency in Circulation 3,259,269.15 --Banks Reserves 11,320,303.72 --Special Intervention Reserves 384,377.56 Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) MonthJune 2022 Inter-Bank Call Rate 11.10 Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 13.00 Treasury Bill Rate 2.45 Savings Deposit Rate 1.38 1 Month Deposit Rate 3.48 3 Months Deposit Rate 4.55 6 Months Deposit Rate 4.97 12 Months Deposit Rate 5.30 Prime Lending rate 12.29 Maximum Lending Rate 27.61 32 THISDAY AUGUST 24, 2022
Launching in October 2022, Eden Zero is a global platform that will offer individuals a carbon calculator to calculate their carbon footprint and choose from tailormade, sustainable & real-life recommendations to reduce and neutralize their carbon emissions through offsets and behavioral changes.
Speaking on the importance of the Eden Zero project, CEO of Eden Power, Olumuyiwa Boris Abiodun in a statement said: “Our plan is to provide personalized emission information to socially conscious individuals while also providing sustainable offsetting options that benefit the environment by increasing carbon filters and reducing the over-reliance of underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa on fossil-fueled energyAbiodungeneration”continued, regarding the need for initiatives like Eden Zero: “We are rapidly approaching the brink of irreversible climate chaos.“Ifwe are to avert the harsh future we have created, we must reduce global carbon emissions by 50 percent per decade beginning now. If we love our children more than we love ourselves, we only have one choice: take collective action. This is what we hope to achieve with Eden Zero”.
Nume Ekeghe Access Bank Plc, through the Accesspreneur program in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has empowered 20 NYSC corps across the country with exceptional ideas with N30 million in grant.
Kayode Tokede The FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (FMDQ Exchange) has officially announced the registration of Nigerian Breweries’ N100billion Commercial Paper (CP) on its platform.FMDQ in a statement said the registration shows that it is committed to accelerating the development of the Nigerian debt markets by providing a reliable and credible platform to support the capital formation and preferred platform for the registration, listing, quotation, trading and reporting of financial market securities, through its Board Listings and Markets Committee.
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, MAY 7
The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).
“Nigerian Breweries is the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria, engaged in the making and selling of lager, stout, non-alcoholic malt, and soft drinks. Nigerian Breweries operates over 10 breweries and approximately two malting plants across the “Throughcountry.theregistration of this CP Programme, which is sponsored by Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited (the Lead Sponsor), FCMB Capital Markets Limited and FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, all Registration Member (Quotations) of the Exchange, the Issuer has availed the opportunity to raise short-term finance from the Nigerian debt markets at a time it deems suitable, through CP issuances, within the CP Programme limit. “The successful admittance of 102 securities, valued at N3.36 trillion, on its platform so far in the year 2022 attests to the efficient and uniquely tailored listing and quotation service offered by FMDQ Exchange. “As a securities exchange with a commitment to facilitate growth and development in the Nigerian debt markets and the Nigerian economy at large, FMDQ Exchange will continue to promote an efficient, transparent, and well-regulated market, which will attract and retain both domestic and foreign investors, “it said.
e
Eden Power To Tackle Climate Change With “Eden Zero”
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“Our continued focus on the core of our business which is to grow our loan and deposit books, led to a 54per cent growth in interest income year-on-year.” He added that “Aligning with our commitment towards delivering to our shareholders, an interim dividend of N1.50 has been“Wedeclared.areon track in the achievement of the guidance we provided for the year following the progress we have witnessed based on our H1 2022 results.”
QUANTITYTRADED VALUE TRADED(N)
MARKETPRICE
Amid growth in profits, the management of Stanbic IBTC Holdings declared interim dividend of N1.50 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each, that is, N19.44billion, and it subject to deduction of appropriate withholding tax and regulatory approval.Theimpressive performance in profits was driven by significant increase in net interest income and non-interest income. Stanbic IBTC Holdings reported N50.35billion net interest income in H1 2022, representing an increase of 53per cent from N32.88 billion in H1 2021, while non-interest revenue stood at N62.96 billion in H1 2022, up by 37per cent from N45.91 billion reported in H1 2021. The Group reported a total assets of N3.15trillion as of June 30, 2022, an increase of 15 per cent from N2.74trillion reported in full year ended December 31, 2021, driven by sharp increase in Gross loans and advances and Customer deposits For the under review, Stanbic IBTC Holdings announced a gross loans and advances of N1.09trillion as of June 30, 2022, an increase of 16 per cent from N946.26billion reported in 2021FY, while Customer deposits increased by six per cent to N1.19 trillion as of June 30, 2022 from N1.13 trillion reported in 2021FY. Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Dr Demola Sogunle AS OF /8/2022
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in a statement said: “Despite the challenges we faced within the Nigerian operating environment in the first half of the year, we reported significant growth in our key “Followingmetrics.our return to growth trajectory in the first quarter, the Group’s profitability increased by 36per cent year-onyear (YoY) driven by growth across our revenue streams, amid increased operating expenses.
Stanbic
PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED
Kayode Tokede Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, yesterday announced N30.67billion profit after in its audited half year ended June 30, 2022, representing an increase of 36per cent from N22.54billion reported in half year ended June 30, 2021. The group on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) reported N39.98billion profit before tax in H1 2022 from N24.71billion reported in H1 2021.
MAIN BOARDDEALS MARKETPRICE QUANTITYTRADED VALUE TRADED(N)MAIN BOARDDEALS
IBTC Holdings Reports 36% Increase in Profit, Declares N1.50 Interim Dividend
“The president’s mandate to myoffice is to ensure that all international recoveries are transparently invested and monitored by civil society organisation to complete these three projects within the agreed timeline”, he said and urged the US government not to relent in supporting Nigeria’s commitment to speedy and transparent managementof returned assets. In her remarks, the US Ambas sador to Nigeria, Amb. Mary Beth Leonard said the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), seized the stolen funds in respect to Abacha and his associates’ violation of the US laws, when they laundered the funds through the US and intoaccounts to the UK. She said, “This repatriation brings to a total amount of funds repartrated in this case by the US to more than $334.7 million.
The strategy supports building the capacity of district hospitals and other first-level referral facilities to diagnose and manage severe non-communicable diseases early, resulting in fewer deaths. Severe non-communicable diseases are those chronic conditions that lead to high levels of disability and deaths among children, ado lescents and young adults if left undiagnosed or untreated.
The health ministers, gathering for the 72nd session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lomé, Togo, adopted the strategy known as PEN-PLUS, a regional strategy to address severe noncommunicable diseases at first-level referral health facilities.
"The federal government
FG begins implementation of MoU on primary healthcare with Traditional Rulers Country records 220 cases of monkey pox disease, four deaths Cholera claims 94 lives under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari holds in high esteem our traditional institution, thus this partnership which we are consolidating today is in fulfilment of that high regard and respect.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) yesterday disclosed that the country has successfully vaccinated 41,235,148 of its eligible population with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of 23rd August 2022. This represented 36.9 percent of the country's eligible population. Also yesterday, the federal government said it has commenced execution of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with tradi tional rulers from the south-west geopolitical zone as part measures to improve primary healthcare delivery services for the people. This was just as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed that the country has so far recorded 220 confirmed cases of Monkey Pox and four casualties in 29 states. Speaking at the maiden Quarterly review meeting of the Southwest Traditional Leaders Committee on primary health care delivery (SWTLC) held in Abuja, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said: "As of 23rd August 2022, Nigeria has successfully vaccinated 41,235,148 of its eligible population with the first dose and this represents 36.9 percent of its eligible population." He also said the number of eligible persons who had been fully vac cinated currently stands at 29,052,850, adding that the proportion of the total eligible population that have been fully vaccinated in Nigeria Vaccines
The Chairman of the South West Traditional Rulers Council, His Imperial Majesty, the Oni of Ife who spoke on behalf of all the traditional rulers from the South-west, commended the federal government and the NPHCDA for initiating the idea of setting up the committee.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
In most parts of Africa, severe non-communicable diseases are treated at tertiary health facilities, which are mostly in large cities. This exacerbates health inequities, as it puts care beyond the reach of most rural, peri-urban and lower-income patients, who can often only easily access district hospitals and local health centres. These facilities lack the capacity and resources to effectively manage severe non-communicable diseases.
was 26 percent. On the MoU, he said the expectations were that the commit tee would, "adopt an operational guide for members support to PHC programs and interventions (COVID-19 vaccination, polio, measles, yellow fever, rotavirus, all other routine vaccinations, maternal, newborn, and childhood nutrition) in the areas of role modeling, com munity advocacy, mobilisation and sensitisation, resource mobilisation andWhilemonitoring."welcoming the traditional rulers, he said similar MoU would also be signed with traditional rulers from the South-east and South-south geographical zones before the end of the year. He said the agency in collabora tion with donors and development partners has acquired new tools and resources to ensure that the importation of Wild Poliovirus into the country is averted.
“Africa is grappling with an increasingly hefty burden of chronic diseases whose severe forms are costing precious lives that could be saved with early diagnosis and care,” said WHO's Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti “The strategy adopted today is pivotal in placing effective care within the reach of patients and marks a major step in improving the health and wellbeing of millions of people in the region.”
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The federal government of Nigeria and the United States of America (USA) yesterday signed an agreement for the repatriation of $23 million, being assets looted by late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.Inaremark at the signi ceremony in Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, said since 2016, his ministry, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK NCA), the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) have been working closely with the legal representatives of the federal government to finalise litigationsrelated to the Abacha linked assets. Malami noted that based on agreement between parties, the UK High Court granted the NCA a registration and recovery order on July 21, 2021, which was sealed by the court on August 4, 2021. He said, “The forfeited Mecosta/ Sani assets were subsequently transferred to the NCA, which on February 7, 2022, held that the sum of $23,439,724, pendingthe execution of the asset return agreement between the FRN andtheHeUSA.”added that in line with the agreement, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the use of the funds for the on-going presidential development infrastructural funds (PIDF) projects, which included the Abuja-Kano road, Lagos-Ibadan express way and the second Niger bridge, which are being supervised by the Nigerian Sovereign Invest ment Authority (NSIA).
NPHCDA: 41,235,148 Nigerians Have Received COVID-19
"Our traditional institution is pivotal to whatever we do in all sectors, especially in health and government is conscious of the fact that alone, it cannot effectively safeguard the health of the people without the support of our Royal fathers.”"Ourachievement of a wild polio virus free status in 2020 would not have been possible without the support of traditional leaders across the country.
“As a result of today’s agreement, $23 million will be transferred to the Nigerian government, which through the NSIA, will be used tocontinue the construction of three key infrastructural projects located in strategic economic zones of the country.”Shepointed out that corruption disrupts the economy and access to key services, hinders development, pushes citizens towards extremism and make countries and their officials susceptible to malicious foreign interference, adding that, the US government will deny safe haven for corrupt actors and their assets. While the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, the United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Mary Beth Leonard signed for the government of the United States.
African Health Ministers Okay New Strategy to Curb Chronic Diseases can access services for severe non-communicable diseases. Additionally, countries should bolster the protocols for prevention, care and treatment of chronic noncommunicable diseases through training and strengthening the skills and knowledge of health workers.Non-communicable diseases account for most of the out-ofpocket spending of patients in Africa and due to their chronic nature often lead to catastrophic health expenditures.
In the worst cases, patients live no longer than a year after diagnosis.InAfrica, the most prevalent severe non-communicable diseases include sickle cell disease, type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, severe hyperten sion and moderate to severe and persistent asthma.
"I look forward to this Committee intensifying our community mobilisa tion efforts and advocating to our political leaders at all levels the unquantifiable benefits of investing in the health sector, particularly in primary health care, which is the closest to the people,” he added.
NEWS Continued online 34 WEDNESDAY, THISDAY DEVELOPING TRADE PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIA... L-R: President, Flex Films Africa Ltd., Sushil Ramchandani; Chairman/CEO Uflex Ltd., Ashok Chaturvedi and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, during the visit of Indian Trade and Investment delegation to the Mimister's office in Abuja... yesterday FG, US Sign Agreement on Repatriation of $23m Abacha Loot
"So the whole emphasis is be ing placed on primary healthcare delivery and we are using this opportunity rally the royal fathers to support the federal government in this direction,” he added. The minister who lamented that the country's poor health indices had become a source of embarrassment, said the target of reversing the trend was being achieved, beginning with the meeting held with the royal fathers yesterday. "I understand that this meeting is to kick-start the implementation of the MoU on the systematic engage ment of traditional leaders in the South-west zone between the federal government through NPHCDA and our esteemed Royal fathers. "This is a step in the right direction. I want to commend your Majesties for agreeing to partner with the government on primary health care delivery and for your passion and commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of Nigerians, especially the people of the South-west zone," heWhilesaid. justifying the synergy with traditional rulers, Ehanire saw the collaboration as a good opportunity to drive the development and wellbeing of the people down to the"Wegrassroots.areleveraging the respect our people have for tradition and culture and the influence of our traditional leaders, to improve the health and well-being of the people.
Earlier, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the purpose of the MoU was to focus on primary healthcare delivery and to help serve as a platform for the delivery of medicine and vaccines for the routine immunisation across the country.
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja with agency report With the burden of cardiovascular disease, mental and neurological disorders and diabetes rising in the region, African health ministers have endorsed a new strategy to boost access to the diagnosis, treatment and care of severe non-communicable diseases.
The strategy adopted in Lome urges countries to institute standardised programmes to tackle chronic and severe noncommunicable diseases by ensuring that essential medicines, technologies and diagnostics are available and accessible at district hospitals. Only 36 per cent of countries in the African region reported having essential medicines for non-communicable diseases in public hospitals, according to a 2019 WHO survey. It stated that governments should also ensure that people seeking care in private hospitals
"I will add that I stand strongly on my toes. I am a true member of PDP since its inception in 1998. Today, I am one of the truest members of the party, who remained in the party since 1998 that never changed to any party but remained only in PDP, passing all positions in positions in PDP.”
“In a country, where the economic resources are scattered across the various regions, there is a dearth of regulations and regulatory bodies that will aid the movement of goods and services.” Reacting to the killing of the Sheikh Aisami, in a release issued by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said, "This barbaric murder of a compassionate man by a soldier he had assisted has no place in our training as soldiers, and it negates the entire ethos of military life, which is anchored on discipline and respect for the sanctity of innocent lives."
Chuks Okocha in Abuja Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, yesterday, lashed out at his critics, insisting that the balance of offices in the party was against theJibrinsouth.had on Sunday said it was unfair for the presidential candidate and the national chair man of the party to come from the same zone, saying he stood with his Accordingposition.to a statement, the PDP BoT chairman said,
National deputy financial secretary. Seven, PDP National financial secretary. Eight, PDP BoT member. Nine, PDP BoT acting secretary. Ten, PDP BoT confirmed secretary. Eleven, PDP acting Chairman. Today, BoT Chairman. "I saw yesterday in PDP and today kicking very well in PDP, adding to this, I am also today member of PDP National caucus, NEC member, member National convention. As chairman of BoT, I have a tenure of 5 years but already spent 4 years six months, having only six months left as per the constitution of our party PDP.
“The widely circulated message even advised travellers not to enter or leave Zaria due to the presence of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the Zaria “Imagineroad.the apprehension and disruption of plans that this fake news could have caused. Imagine its impact on the security agencies, who are doing everything, including paying the ultimate price, to keep us“Also,safe. in April 2022, a drone video went viral showing a group of five men wearing red clothes and cooking inside an unknown forest. Those circulating the video claimed that it was somewhere in “ButNigeria.when BBC did a fact-check on the drone video, it discovered that it was not in Nigeria. The video was circulated just to create panic among the citizens and put the society on edge. “In June 2022, there were reports of bandits using a helicopter to attack residents in four communi ties in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna. The Kaduna State government had to debunk the story by clarifying that the chopper was actually an Air Force helicopter dispatched to repel an attack in the area. Again, imagine the panic that would have been triggered by this fake news.”
Oyo Prince Accuses State Govt of Insincerity over Alaafin Stool
“The Chairman of Atiba Local Government Area, in a letter dated 9 August, 2022, claimed that he has been directed by the state government, through the Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Matters, to commence the process of picking a crown prince from the Agunloye Royal House. “This is being done in exclusion of the other nine ruling houses that have been enlisted since 8 December, 1976 by the then Oyo State Military Government and Gazetted, viz the 1995 White Paper, on 16 July, 2001 by the state government during the administration of the late Governor Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina.
“The chairman of Atiba Local Government Area in the letter, dated 9 August, 2022, through the Director of Administration and General Services, Alhaji Ayoola A.A, relied on the Oyo state Chieftaincy Law of 1961 which had been declared defective since 8 December, 1976,because it is not consistent with the Customary Law governing the appointment of the Alaafin of Oyo or any Oba in “InYorubaland.theletter, the local govern ment chairman, directed Baba Iyaji to liaise with Agunloye family to choose a Crown Prince and present him to the Oyo Mesi, through High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, the Basorun of “WithOyo. due respect to our Acting Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal and our darling Governor Seyi Makinde (in absentia), the directive is contrary to the claim by your aide that the Oyo State government will not interfere in the process of selecting a new Alaafin.“What more can demonstrate the fact that the state government has, indeed, interfered in the selection process? How else can you prove that you are not interfering in the process? Sir, what you have done, through the letter by the chairman of Atiba Local Government Area, shows that you have, indeed, totally hijacked the process. You can only prove to us by publicly disowning the“Asletter.an unbiased umpire, we expect that the state government will call for the publication of all the 119 princes that applied for the vacant Royal Alaafin Stool and the criteria for the selection process to be made public.
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo; Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi; Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, and Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Omobolaji Gaji, at the 62nd Nigerian Bar Association holding in Lagos ...yesterday
Says terrorists must be crushed for peace to reign Flays murder of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Aisami, by soldier Deji Elumoye and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said the current insecurity in the country was being made worse by rising fake news and misinformation.
Buhari stated this at an event in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), titled, “Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security.”Thepresident lauded the country’s men and women in uniform for their gallantry in the fight against terrorism. He appealed to all compatriots to continue to support the security agencies in their task of keeping the country safe, saying terrorists must be crushed for peace to reign. In a related development, the president condemned "the unpro voked and cold-blooded murder” of a Yobe State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami, by a soldier he had offered a lift, as confirmed by the Representedpolice. by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at the event, Buhari stressed that fake news and misinformation endangered the peace, security, and development of any nation. He recalled several instances where the menace had caused disruptions in the polity. The president said, “In recent times, in particular, the issues of peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation. “I want to use this important platform to commend our gallant men and women in uniform, and to appeal to all our compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping our country safe.” The president urged Nigerians to realise that security is the business of everyone, hence the tagline, “if you see something, say something.” He said terrorists and bandits were not spirits. “They are human beings and they reside in our com munities,” he said. “They must all be exposed and crushed for peace to Buharireign.” commended the NIPR for organising the event, noting that as a key stakeholder in the Nigerian project, the institute’s contribution to the discourse on national unity was a practical and positive contribution to the pressing challenges of peace and security in the country. The president recalled several cases of alleged fake news in the past, urging Nigerians to crosscheck all information before passing themAccordingon. to him, “Let me cite some recent instances of fake news and misinformation in this regard. On August 10, the Kaduna State government had to debunk an online report claiming that hundreds of bandits had laid siege to the Kaduna-Zaria road.
62ND NIGERIAN
LAGOS
Buhari: News, Misinformation Worsening Insecurity Nationwide
Talking about his personal experiences, the minister said he could not count the number of fake news that had been attributed him. He described himself as the “favourite whipping boy of the relentless authors of fake news andOnmisinformation”.hispart,president of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, observed that Nigerians needed to prioritise the unity and peace of the country instead of personal gains. "The country needs to entrench the culture of social justice, honesty, mutual justice, national mediation, and reconciliation, as well as youth inclusion,” Sirajo said. Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Dere Awosika, who is also Chairman of Access Bank, said Nigerians should recognise the country's diversity as its strength rather than a weakness. Awosika stated, “We need to leverage every tool and every sector to foster national integration. The crucial role of the economy, for one, in fostering national integration, has been thoroughly undermined.
"Based on my earlier statement that PDP could not produce president, national Chairman, BoT Chairman – all from the North for 2023 presidential elections. I still maintain my stand on that statement. PDP is a democratic and national party that caters for all Nigerians. It's not sectional but loved by all Nigerians.'' Jibrin, who said he feared no one but God, explained that, “As PDP BoT Chairman, I must say the truth and nothing but the truth, no matter anyone’s criticism. I don't fear any one but God and true agenda of our party.
NEWS WEDNESDAY, THISDAY 35
Jibrin: PDP’s Sharing of Offices against South and segregated to the exclusion of other original sons of Alaafin, Abiodun Atiba, the progenitor of Modern Oyo, by some agents of the Oyo State Government. “The process of selecting a new Alaafin, which started with transpar ency by the Head of Oyo Royal Princes (Baba Iyaji) and Oyo Mesi in general, has since been alternated by the agent of the government.
Fake
Jibrin, who claimed to have paid his dues as a party man, listed all the offices he has held so far. "Firstly PDP unit leader. Sec ondly, PDP ward leader. Thirdly, PDP state leader. Fourthly, PDP zonal leader. Fifthly, PDP National Ex Officio member. Sixthly, PDP
One of the princes aspiring to become the new Alaafin of Oyo, Afolabi Ademola Adesina, yesterday, accused the Oyo State government of insincerity in the selection process of the new Alaafin. Adesina, who is from Adeitan Atiba Royal lineage, in a statement, said the state government had ignored nine other ruling houses listed since December 8, 1976 by the then Oyo State Military Govern ment and Gazetted, viz the 1995 White Paper, on 16 July, 2001 by the state government during the
administration of the late Governor Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina. The statement read: “My attention has been drawn to a statement by the Oyo State Government to the effect that it will not interfere in the process of selecting a new Alaafin of “TheOyo. state government report edly said this through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture, Honourable Akeem Ademola Ige, during the celebration of the Sango Festival in Oyo. “The report came to us as a rude shock as the process of choosing the Alaafin has already been infiltrated BAR ASSOCIATION SHOWCASE SESSION...
"The newspaper editors clearly do not like the way the president is running the country and there fore, they believe he should be impeached. They debase both the political discourse of our nation and public understanding of the law and constitution by doing so.
Adedayo Akinwale and Ifeanyi Ohagwa in Abuja The spokesperson of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Festus Keyamo has said the conversation on the removal of fuel subsidy would begin next year.
Keyamo emphasised that the presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Bola Tinubu cannot be compared to the candidates of the opposition parties who he described as political prostitute.
"By the law of land, NEMA takes 20 per cent of the amount allocated to the Federal Government. The North East Development Commis sion, NEDC collects 10 per cent , the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA 10 per cent, and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, GGW 0.5 per cent, leaving 0.55 of the one per cent to the government at the center for ecological protection and disaster management."
While commending the few states working to avert natural disasters and managing same where they occur, Buhari gave assurances that the federal government would continue to work closely with the states to provide all possible assistance to overcome this challenge, even as he insisted that responding to natural disasters must be seen as a shared responsibility that must stand on the three-legged structure.
House Begins Investigation into Kuje Correctional Centre Attack
36 WEDNESDAY, THISDAY NEWS COURTESY VISIT TO MOUNT NED IDUMUJE UGBOKO...
"Impeachment is a process undertaken after high crimes and misdemeanours have been proven. It’s a not a process undertaken against a leader whose politics you do not agree with, or who you personally dislike. "It appears, impeachment has become a newly added partisan weapon in their arsenal – wielded by those who have established a track record of hatred towards the President and an attempt to remove from office one who was democratically elected by the"Inpeople.arecent editorial published in the Washington Times, the American political leader and com mentator Saul Anuzis stated: “There are exceptional circumstances when presidents and other office hold ers deserved to be impeached… slam-dunk cases of malfeasance in the highest "Referencingoffice.attempts to call an impeachment vote in the Nige rian Senate a ‘headline-grabbing stunt’, Anuzis observed ‘It is no coincidence this occurs just months before Nigeria’s next presidential election."Thefact is, it should be for presidents to govern and for opposition politicians and the media to hold them to account. The circumstances of his election in 2015 – the first time a sitting president had been defeated in a re-election attempt and the first time any party save the PDP had won the presidency – was a vast shock to Nigeria’s political and sections of the media establishments. As far as they were concerned, it was not how things were meant to be. "So, from day one, they set about attacking this president more than any other in Nigeria’s history. The fact they could not defeat him at the ballot box when he was re-elected in 2019 – and now with his APC party very likely to retain the presidency despite all their best efforts - they now turn to all and any means, no matter the political, legal, or constitutional consequences to bring him down.
Keyamo, who is also the Minister of State for Labour, said the ruling party could no longer hide the facts from Nigerians, insisting that petroleum subsidy was no longer sustainable.Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), disclosed this yesterday, during the unveiling of The Progressives Forum in Abuja, where he said the APC-led federal government has performed excel lently well despite the challenges. He explained: “As a progressive party, we believe there must be intervention in the lives of the very poor and the middle class. That is why we have the conditional cash transfers for the poor. That is the philosophy of President Muhammadu Buhari, that is the philosophy of APC. We care a lot for the poor. "If it were to be other government existing today as I speak with you, there would be no subsidy now. But President Muhammadu Buhari said before we remove it, we need to put some measures in place to cushion the effect on the poor; because there is no longer any justification to retain subsidy as I speak with you today. "We are in government, we cannot hide it again from the masses, from the people. We must all keep saying that subsidy has eaten deep into our country, into our economy.
Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives, has commenced an investigative hearing on the recent attack by terrorists on the Nigerian Cor rectional Service (NCS), Kuje, Abuja.Hundreds of inmates, including members of the Boko Haram, were freed by the insurgents who invaded the prison on July 5, 2022. Following a motion calling for a probe into the attack, the House mandated its joint committees on Army, Police, Reformatory, Navy, Intelligence, and Defence, to look into matter in order to forestall reoccurrence.Atthehearing co-chaired by Chairman, House Committee on Army, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas and Chairman, House Committee on Intelligence, Hon. Ibrahim Sha ban and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Ayeni, had heads of the security agencies such as Director General of Department of State Security (DSS), Director General of Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Deputy Commandant General of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in attendance.
In another release, also by Shehu, the Presidency said a recent editorial by The Guardian, was in bad taste as impeachment process could be carried out after proven cases of high crimes and misdemeanours. According to the release, "The Guardian newspaper, which has taken up the role of regular antagonist and political opponent of the President and his party, APC, for a long time now, has surpassed itself with its latest call for the impeachment of the President.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, has warned the 36 state governors to desist from calling on the federal government to respond to natural disaster in their areas without first taking immediate action, describing it asAtunlawful.thesametime, the presidency, yesterday, reacted to a recent edito rial by The Guardian newspapers, canvassing for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the newspaper was known to be antagonistic and political opponent of both the president and his party, the All Progressives Congress ( APC). Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, explained that reaction to flooding and other natural disasters should follow the triple response structure of the local governments, states and the federal governments. While condoling with the victims of recent flooding incidents in some parts of the country, Buhari said: "The structure of the response mechanism on this issue is clear: the government at the center should step in to directly address national-level emergencies and that local government councils and the states are the first responders in all"Callssituations.forthe federal government to respond to all outbreaks of natural disaster do not just display an understanding of Nigerian law. While not a national-level emer gency, the ongoing flooding is an emergency nevertheless. Nigerian lives and property are at stake. “We call on governors of those states that have swung into action and engaged the necessary gear to continue with their efforts, and those that have not, to immediately face their duties of managing the flooding within their jurisdictions – that is, the job that the president, governors and council chairmen have been elected to do.
L-R: Initiator, Malaria Eradication project, Prince Ned Nwoko; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and HRH Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchuku keagborekuzi 1 during a courtesy visit to Mount Ned idumuje ugboko in Delta State... yesterday.
"Each of the three tiers, the local government, the state government
Shaban said the committee would ascertain the roles played by security and intelligence agen cies in the security breach and proffer ways to mitigate against reoccurrence.Henotedthat the concerned security agencies had so many questions to answer as regards the security breach that caused the federal government great embarrassment.Accordingtohim, this was to ascertain the circumstances under which it was carried out in a bid to address all our national security challenges. He urged the intelligence community and security agencies to provide useful information for the success of the national assignment.
Buhari to Governors: Calling on FG to Respond to Natural Disaster Unlawful Presidency accuses Guardian of always antagonising Buhari, APC Says editorial calling for his impeachment in bad taste and the federal government, has a sizeable budget at its disposal, allocated monthly precisely for dealing with these state-level natural emergencies, as well as federal agencies dedicated to doing the"Itsame.isnot clear why some of the state governments in question are not already drawing upon those funds to tackle the current emergency, and the general popula tion is misguidedly calling on the federal government to intervene in all situations. If those moneys are, for whatever reason, no longer available, the affected states and local councils must immediately contact the relevant authorities to explain what has happened with those"Underfunds.the prevailing revenue allocation formula, 2.32 per cent of derivation funds is set aside for ecology and disaster management. Of this amount, the 36 states and the FCT get 0.72 per cent, the 774 local governments get 0.6 per cent, adding to 1.32 per cent, leaving a balance of one per cent to the government of the federation.
Keyamo: Conversation on Subsidy Removal Begins Next Year
"The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is no longer remitting money to Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). So all the money they earn goes to subsidy. So, government has to rely on revenue from Customs, from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), from others to pay salaries and other Keyamothings."pointed out that in the United States and the United Kingdom, prices of petroleum have gone up more than four or fiveHetimes.added: "But it is still the sympathy that the president has for the poor, because he feels that we have to put measures in place to cushion the effects on the poor before they remove subsidy. And that is why they've pushed it to next year. The conversation on how to remove subsidy will begin."
Senator Denies Asking Tinubu to Jettison Buhari’s Policies
Bayelsa Empowers 366 SDGs Trainees, Appeals for Counterpart Funds
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has ordered an immediate investigation into the case of a video circulating on the social media which displayed a vehicle with rotational number plate.This is contained in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem yesterday in Abuja. Kazeem said that the vehicle number plate on display was: KUJ-304BV, while its opposite side when automatically flipped carried a number tagged presidency registered 01B-266FG. He quoted the Acting Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu as ordering a full investigation into the trending video.
Seriki Adinoyi inJos
Oluwabunmi Fache
Lagos Community Gets Monarch
Olusegun Samuel Bayelsa State Government has presented start-up packs and empowerment items to 366 pioneer trainees under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Speakingprogramme.duringthe graduation ceremony in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended the beneficiaries for the successful completion of their training, which was designed to make them prosperous in line with the agenda of his administration.Astatementby the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Diri as saying that his administration placed priority on human capital development and would do all within available resources to sustain similar empowerment programmes.Thegovernor said that the state was eager to move away from the tag of a civil service state to one with skilled individuals and entrepreneurs.Hecharged the beneficiaries to put the skills acquired into profitable use, stressing that the days of insisting on white-collar jobs were over.
Police Arrest Cultists for Hacking Rival to Death
The flood, THISDAY gathered, submerged about 220 houses and destroyed some bridges cutting off some villages from the rest of the local Victims,governments.wholamented their ordeal, narrated how several hours of rainfall on Monday night resulted in the flood which swept their homes away and wreaked monumental damage. A victim in Mabudi, Mr. Emmanuel Nanpak, told THISDAY that Lashel, Turaki, Gehetu, and Karkasi Magama were among the badly affected communities where several houses wereAppealingsubmerged.forassistance from government, Nanpak, who claimed he lost all his entire life savings, said it will take years to recover from the effect of the flood.
Victims Cry for Help as Flood Sacks 13 Communities in Plateau
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has canvassed for a decentralised policing system in the country in order to address the incessant security challenges facing the country.Theminister, who is also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Kwara Central senatorial district in the 2023 polls, also said there is a need for new ideas to take Nigeria out of the current socio-economic and political predicaments and make it workSpeakingagain. in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, yesterday during the interactive session with the Association of Kwara Online Media Professionals, Abdullahi stated that: “What we need presently in the country is where the government at sub-national levels can actually man up their duties as the chief security officers of their states.” He said the continued centralisation of the policing system is no longer important in view of the security challenges in the polity. Abdullahi added that: “It is worrisome that many innocent Nigerians have been wasted without any just cause despite huge resources committed to the hands of those at the central government in the name of waging war against insecurity.
‘Rotational’ Number
A former National Assembly member, Senator Ayo Arise, has debunked the rumour ascribed to him asking a presidential hopeful, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to discontinue with the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari if elected.Arisesaid the only advice he had offered as Tinubu’s admirer had been that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate would sustain Buhari’s policies already giving Nigerians concern, while those not hitting the right targets will be repackaged in the interest of TheNigerians.former Senator, who represented Ekiti North senatorial district, gave the clarification in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday. The APC chieftain was reacting to an online report credited to him that he once advised Tinubu to wholesomely reject Buhari’s policies on account of not giving Nigerians the needed succour and gains. Shedding light on what has been his contributions to APC in the countdown to the 2023 presidential election, Arise posited that his view had always been that Tinubu won’t rubber-stamp all policies being initiated by Buhari to meet the yearnings of Nigerians. Arise also backed Tinubu’s plan to allow the creation of a state police, saying the policy was long overdue, and would help in tackling the country’s insecurity headlong.
Police Arrest Two Soldiers for Murder of Islamic Cleric Rebecca Ejifoma Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected cultist, Jamiu Rasheed, who was captured on CCTV on 7th July this year hacking and shooting to death an alleged rival cultist, Akinola Ayegbusi in the Alapere area of the state. Rasheed, age 22, was said to have carried out the dastardly act at a restaurant in the Alapere area of the state. As contained in a Tweet from the State Police Command, investigations revealed that the culprit has been a member of Klansman Confraternity since 2017 and has participated in the killing of two other rival cultists. “Investigation into the crime also led to the arrest of the armourer of the group, Sheriff Module, aged 26, who was found with two locally made pistols and one other cultist, Emmanuel Samson,” the statement noted. Module, who was said to be part of the killing, confessed that it was to avenge the death of their leader who was killed by the Eiye Confraternity last NovemberAccording23rd.tothe police, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing cultists while the suspects will be arraigned after investigations.
L-R: Deputy Director, Department of State Services, A. B. Zubairu; Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Abubakar Lawal; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the Garrison Commander, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. M. K. Ibrahim, during a security meeting with the clergy, traditional rulers and stakeholders of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area in Enugu…yesterday
DISCUSSING SECURITY …
The four Catholic sisters who were kidnapped along Okigwe-Umulolo on Sunday have regained their freedom, according to a statement by The Sisters Of Jesus The Saviour (Generalate) yesterday. The four sisters, namely Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu, were kidnapped on their way to morning mass. But the statement by the Generalate disclosed that they have been released. The statement read in part: “With hearts full of joy, The Sisters of Jesus the Saviour wish to announce the unconditional and safe release of four of our sisters who were abducted around Okigwe-Umulolo area on August 21, 2022. “Today is a memorable day for us, therefore, we wish to share this joy with all men and women of goodwill who in one way or the other have contributed to the quick and safe release of our dear sisters. “We sincerely appreciate and thank you for your prayers and moral supports during this difficult moment. May Jesus the Saviour whom we have come to serve bless, protect and provide for you, especially in times of difficulty.”
Insecurity: Former Minister Advocates Decentralisation of Policing System
Reacting, Chairman of Langtang South Local Government council, Hon Vincent Venman Bulus, described the incident as sad. He said: “It is sad to hear about the flood that swept Mabudi community of Langtang South away, which resulted in destruction of properties worth millions of naira. I sympathize with the victims of the flood and the entire Mabudi community. “It has become necessary for communities, individuals and government to take proactive measures. We must understand that prevention is better and cheaper than cure, as well as take climate change issues more seriously.”
The Police in Yobe have arrested two soldiers for their alleged involvement in the murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami, in Yobe. A Deputy Superintendent of Police and the command’s spokesman, Dungus Abdulkarim, announced the arrest of the suspects yesterday in AbdulkarimDamaturu.saidthaton August 19, police operatives apprehended the suspects, Lance Cpl John Gabriel and Lance Cpl Adamu Gideon in connection with the Sheik’s murder. He said both soldiers were from 241 RECCE Battalion, Nguru, Yobe. Preliminary investigation revealed that the cleric who was traveling from Kano state gave a ride to Gabriel, the principal suspect.However, on their way to Jaji-Maji, a village along Gashua town, where the soldier said he was going to, he allegedly told the deceased that there was an unusual noise at the rear tire, which made Aisami to stop. It was when the cleric came down to check the tires that Gabriel allegedly brought out his rifle concealed in a camp bed and shot him to death. He then dragged the body and hid it in the bush and tried to take off with the deceased’s car, which, however, failed to start.
FRSC Orders Investigation
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 THISDAY 37 NEWS
Diri said that the state government expected the graduates to be self-reliant but employers of labour in order to affect those around them and the economy of the state. He said his administration was building technical colleges in the eight local government areas of the state in line with the government’s agenda to empower the youths with vocational skills.
At least 13 communities in Langtang North and South Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau state have been sacked by a raging floods on Monday night.The flood destroyed farmlands, houses and other properties, leaving hundreds of persons displaced.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has presented staff of office to the first monarch of Ogombo in Eti-Osa Local Government, Oba Abiodun Muslim Ogunbo, the Ogudu Oke -Oshadi I of Ogombo land. The governor was represented at the presentation ceremony recently by his Special Assistant on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Mr. Robert Bolaji.While presenting the instrument of office to the Oba, the governor congratulated the people of Ogombo, saying he is hopeful that with the ascension of the new monarch, Ogombo will witness unlimited development.“AsIcongratulate His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Muslim Abiodun Ogunbo and the sons and daughters of Ogombo Kingdom, I also want to inform the sons and the daughters of Ogombo Kingdom that this installation signifies progress, because Ogombo Kingdom will no longer have a Baale but an Oba.And His Royal Majesty is such a one who is ready to improve the lives of the people of Ogombo and usher in prosperity, peace and progress in the kingdom,” he said.
Biu said that FRSC does not produce a number plate with such double features, adding that only one number could be assigned to one vehicle and its owner at the same time “FRSC recently placed a public notice on the mainstream media dissuading Nigerians and the motoring public from according regards to vehicles with unauthorised number plates. “The users are not duly registered and are often with sinister motives,” he said. The Acting Corps Marshal urged the public to shun the video and urged the media to dissuade Nigerians from replicating same, stressing that it was a criminal act. into Plate
The principal suspect called Gideon, the second suspect, on phone to assist in towing the vehicle.Inanother development the police spokesman also said that on August 14, the command arrested one Jobdi Muhammadu, aged 42. He said that the suspect was a member of the kidnapping syndicate allegedly terrorising communities in parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, once again called on parents, guardians, and traditional religious/political leaders to prevail on their children/wards and the teeming youth population to stay away from cultism and other social vices.
Another victim, Mr. Nankar Adams said the flood disaster signals an impending hunger in the locality as several major farmers in the communities were affected by the flood.
Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
Kidnapped Catholic Sisters Regain Freedom in Imo
President Muhammadu Buhari has advised members of the governing boards of agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to eschew public rancour and acrimony over award of contracts, warning that his government would not tolerate suchBuhariacts. gave the admonition while inaugurating members of boards of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in Abuja.
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Commuters were stranded for hours yesterday as protesters blocked the university town of Ekpoma in Edo state over the dilapidated state of that axis of the occupyhasHighwayBenin–Auchi-Okennewhichdualisationbeenonsince2013.Theprotesters,whovowedtotheroaduntilworkon the road commences, stressed that palliatives can no longer fix the road but a complete reworking.Theprotest led to heavy duty vehicles and other road users being stranded on the road while others found alternative routes to get to theirThedestinations.protestledto long queues stretching from the Ujoelen axis of the highway to Ambrose Alli University main gate and beyond, towards Benin and the same thing applies to the stretch towards Auchi where the queue extended beyond the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.Speaking to journalists, the Convener, Esan Liberation Movement, Prosper Iyere, who organised the blockade said they would occupy the road until the government responds to their demands to fix the road.
A public affairs analyst and Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Azubuike Ihemeje has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fix the presidential election on a separate date from that of NationalIhemeje,Assembly.whospoke yesterday, as guest at a political roundtable, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, argued that fixing the presidential election on a different date will enhance transparency of the electoral process.
ASUU: Privatisation Undertakers within FG Ready to Take over Public Varsities
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, raised the alarm that, “undertakers of privatisation” within the federal government were already positioning themselves to take over public universities from the reach of the children of the masses. The Ibadan zone of the union, in a release yesterday by its Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Oyebamiji Oyegoke, said unless Nigerians joined ASUU to struggle and deliver public-funded universities to the children of the masses, agents of privatisation of public universities had concluded plans to deny the children of the common man access to qualitative education and make them serve their children learning in foreign universities. “What is unveiling before us is deceit, and readiness to bring university education to its knee after which the undertakers of privatisation will take over. No wonder, the increasing number of private universities and polytechnics against the depreciating and fast decaying number of same in public institutions,” he said.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) has brought together journalists from five states to brainstorm on how to strengthen their capacity towards promoting awareness on exclusive breastfeeding and infant nutrition in commemoration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week. The dialogue brought together media personnel from the five states of Adamawa, Bauchi,Gombe, Plateau andTaraba to brainstorm and plan towards strategic awareness creation messages, driving messages from the theme of 2022 World Breastfeeding Week” Step Up For Breast feeding: Educate, Support.” In a welcome remarks yesterday, the UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, Philomena Irene, described media practitioners as key drivers in community sensitisation, education and mobilisation especially when it comes to behavioural change against negative practices among community members on issued of exclusive breastfeeding. She said the media has a vital role to play by calling the attention of government and other relevant stakeholders to increase funding, to implement, monitor and enforce policies and plans that support exclusive breastfeeding.
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Fake Assistant Superintendent of Police Arrested in A’Ibom
The Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, who was represented by the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, described the incident as unfortunate, hence the decision of the state government to look into the plights of the families of the Umahivictims.said:“We are here today to empathise with the victims of the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of four persons while three persons are receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakalilki. It is our prayer that it will not happen again in any part of Ebonyi State.”
Okon Bassey in Uyo A fake Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Vincent Sampson Enuneku, has been arrested by the Police in Akwa Ibom State. The suspect, 43 years old from Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested by the Anti-cultism Squad of the State Police Command.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
UNICEF, Bauchi Task Journalists to Promote Exclusive Breastfeeding
“There is no Nigerian police personnel who will tell me today that they are not aware because, in the training school, it’s part of our manual; they must have taught you all these things,”Adejobi said. Stressing that the police force operates based on laws, the he said the Force will continue to take necessary disciplinary actions against errant officers.
Bolaji Babatunde
Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
Analyst Wants Separate Dates for Presidential, N’ Assembly Elections
The Nigerian Police yesterday won its personnel to stop checking people’s phone arbitrarily on road because they have no right to do so. Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Chief Superintend of Police (CSP) Muyiwa Adejobi, restated this yesterday while appearing on Channels Television Sunrise Daily. He said: “Stop checking phones on the road. You can’t check somebody’s phone. It is his personal property. You cannot do it.”
Commuters Stranded as Protesters Block Benin-Auchi-Okenne Road
The Police Command in a statement yesterday signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko Macdon, said the suspect was picked up while attempting to use his fake ASP ID card to prevent the arrest of a wanted criminal.According to the image maker of the command, apart from the impersonation, the suspect was also in possession of large substance, suspected to be Indian “Investigationhemp. revealed that the suspect uses the ID card to pass through check points freely while transporting Indian hemp and other prohibited items to Akwa Ibom State. “He is also good at using the ID card to extort and harass innocent members of the public, thereby bringing the image of the Force to disrepute.
The Force PRO commented on the activities of the police, recent disciplinary actions taken against some policemen for assaulting Nigerians, among otherAskedissues.ifthe police are taking steps to prevent more policemen from violating the rights of Nigerians, he said efforts were in place, stressing that in every organisation and society there will be deviants. “In the Police, we have those who are deviants. There is no policeman who doesn’t know that you must not dress improperly, you must not smoke while on duty, you must not slap the Nigerian, you must not use cutlass to flog.
NIGERIAN BREWERIES’ EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME…
Rancour
The text books included Principles of Veterinary Surgery: A Concise Text for Veterinary Students; Fundamentals of Chemistry; Fundamentals of Public Finance; Java for Beginners and Web Design for Programming for Beginners. Others are: The Comparative Method and Civil Military Relations, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics for Engineers, A Guide to Teacher Competence Evaluation, Financial Deepening and Economic Growth in Nigeria and Motivational Factors and Teacher Efficiency in Secondary Schools.
Avoid in Award of Contracts, Buhari Warns Agencies’ Governing Boards
“We have written several letters to all the members representing various constituencies in Edo Central and the ministers from Edo State and the state governor on the state of the road. We gave them an ultimatum which expired last Friday.
L-R: Corporate Affairs Advisor, Nigerian Breweries, Lagos, Victoria Akpabio-Uche; Corporate Affairs Manager, Lagos, Tayo Adelaja; Head of Finance, Council Treasurer, Surulere Local Government, Mrs. Taiwo Adesola Danso; Consultant/Programme Director, Ms. Bimbo Bolumole, at the commencement of the Nigerian Breweries Empowerment Programme in Ijora, Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN
“Thereinterests.arepractical ways it works in our local communities in Nigeria: the National Assembly seats are 469 combined. It consists of a Senate with 109 members and a 360-member House of Representatives. The two major parties in Nigeria already have the financial war chest to struggle for these 469 slots, meaning a total of 936 powerful candidates from the two main parties will be contesting the federal legislative elections.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who inaugurated 44 members of the boards advised them to steer clear of awards of contracts, as it has nothing to do with their mandate. He urged them to carry out their responsibilities based on the establishment Acts. He expressed displeasure over the rancour created in some agencies with board members bickering with heads of the agencies over awards of contracts, adding that 90 per cent of members of the boards of the three agencies were retained by the administration for doing their jobs with integrity. Patntami said his ministry carried out its mandate in accordance with the directive of Buhari and urged the boards members to be prepared to do the same to enable the administration fulfil its promises to the citizens.
According to him, the demands of the union are not self-serving but altruistic, stating, “As a body of intellectuals, our Union demands the repositioning of our universities for greater efficiency in national development and technological advancement; massive and sustained funding for our universities.
Benjamin NworieinAbakaliki
Policemen Warned against Checking Phones on the Road Kuni Tyessi in Abuja As a result of poor quality, scarcity of foreign exchange, amongst other challenges, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has sponsored 10 indigenous text books authors. The text books which have been designed to be used in the nation’s ivory towers were co-authored by 56 academics from Nigerian Tertiary institutions in which 60 per cent was published by the Academic Publishing Centres (APCs) established by TETFund.
TETFund Tackles Importationof Substandard Books, Supports10 Indigenous Authors
The Ebonyi State Government has donated the sum of N18 million as palliative to families of victims of collapsed building at Eke Aja Market in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Council of the state. Families of those who lost their lives received the sum of N3 million each through their next of kin, while those who sustained injuries received the sum of N2 million each. The building collapse, which occurred on May 20, 2022, claimed four lives while three others sustained various degrees of injuries.
He said the decision of the electoral umpire to fix the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections on the same day, has encouraged and promoted the menace of vote-buying by major political parties in Nigeria. He further argued that the decision has made it virtually impossible for ordinary Nigerians to freely vote for a president of their choice, devoid of political party
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24, 2022 THISDAY38 NEWSXTRA
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
“Exhibits recovered from the suspect include fake Police ID Card and a large quantity of Indian hemp,”, Macdon said. According to the PPRO, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi, has warned impersonators of Police and other agencies to desist forthwith or have the Police to contend with.
Ebonyi Govt Donates N18m to Victims of Collapsed Building
Sports Minister reveals FG has disbursed N15bn to NFF in seven year
Vows
L-R: Sports Minister, Sunday Dare; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chairman of the 10- Year Football Development Committee, Ibrahim Galadima; and First Vice President of the NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi at the Presentation of the working document for the 10-Year Football Development at the State House in Abuja yesterday Sunday Oliseh...dumps SV Straelen after five straight losses in the lower German Regionaliga
saidFIFA30,holdboardrecordintegrityonsupportingGara-GombeandIkpeba,nationalChairmenYusufSeyiboardRafiuFootballAmun,General,Yusuf,SecretaryGodfreyCommitteeonSports,Hon.RepresentativesGaiya,formerNFFGeneral,DrTijaniformerNFFSecretaryAmbassadorFannyPresidentGeneralNigeriaSupportersClub,DrLadipo,currentNFFmembers,ShehuDikko,AkinwunmiandAhmedFresh;somestateFAandsomeformerplayersledbyVictorEmmanuelBabayaroSundayMba.Footballcritic,ShuaibusaidhewouldbeAmadu’scandidacythebasisoftheformerscribe’sanddistinguishedofservice.TheNFFelectionisscheduledtoinBeninCityonSeptember2022.Amadu,alawyerandaMastersdegreeholder,hehadavisiontorestore WEDNESDAY, THISDAY 39
A World ParaVolley Level I Course for African Referees and Coaches is currently ongoing inside the Sports Bar of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The Level 1 Course, the first development course for Referees and Coaches in Africa, is primarily targeted and focused on Nigeria, as the World ParaVolleyball confirmed Nigeria as Africa’s powerhouse for the sport. The training, scheduled to end on Saturday, August 28, 2022, is in collaboration with ParaVolleyball Africa and Nigeria ParaVolleyball Federation to further the growth of the game and create opportunities for officials to gain international qualifications.Participants at the course are Sunday Oliseh, has quit his role as the coach of German side, SV Straelen after the team lost to Fortuna Düsseldorf II by 2-0completing their fifth consecutive loss in the Regionalliga. Reports on the team’s official website revealed that the former Super Eagles captain threw in the towel after the team lost their last match on Saturday, informing the team officials about his inability to continue on the job after a turbulent two months of poor results as he lost all the five matches in charge of the team. According to thejosephfaulkner. com, Straelen’s Sporting Director, Kevin Wolze, while breaking drawn from different parts of Nigeria and other neighbouring West African nations. The ongoing training had World ParaVolley facilitators led by Ugandan, Robinson Tumwesigye, who are taking participants through practical and theoretical aspects of the "Thiscourse.isaunique course and it the only revolving course we have for para volleyball in Africa. This means that presently all eyes of the world is on Nigeria. The referees and coaches who will graduate in this course will be internationally recognised. This is Level I, while the highest level we have for them is Level 02. Graduants will have the opportunity to work in any part of the world," said Tumwesigye
y pppp g
WEDNESDAYSPORTS Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com08111813083SMSONLY
World ParaVolley Level
Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his administration will resist any attempt to undermine the development of football as the number one sport in the country. Speaking Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving a 10-year Football Development Masterplan submitted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, the President described football as ''our passion and a major tool for unity". He affirmed that it is the responsibility of government to safeguard the sport, which has brought Nigeria many laurels, and treat it as a national asset.
Musa Amadu Declares for NFF President, to Restore Nigeria’s Football Glory
1 Course for Referees, Coaches Holds in Lagos Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Former General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Musa Amadu, has declared his candidacy for the elective office of the President of the NFF. Amadu, who was the NFF General Secretary from July 2010 to March 2015, yesterday threw his hat into the ring at Sandralia Hotel, Abuja in the presence of key football stakeholders, which included former NFF Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, former chairmanof the Houseof
Buhari: We'll Resist Any Attemptto Undermine Nigeria’s Football
Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Olisehhas his role pg the news to the pllayyerss duriing session said pypygtheyDrn.mofsFniyyyayFo
Nigeria football glory in all sectors including governance, club administration, player development and technical affairs. He said the capacity of the Nigerian coaches must be enhanced without recourse to foreign input for the growth of the game in the country. “People are always quick to ask me, what is wrong in Nigerian football that I want to fix? What makes me think I can fix these ills? And I always answer - my focus is not only on what is wrong. My friends, elders and colleagues, my focus is on what can be made right! “We want to build an image of Nigerian football that will make the Nigerian person walk tall in the street anywhere in the world and be referred to as ‘the guy or lady who comes from that football country where everything is “Wewell-run’.want to create opportunities for people who hitherto would not have had a chance to be anywhere near a football field - job opportunities that will take our youth off the streets, football opportunities that will empower every sector of our society and create gainful employment,” Amadu said. He said the NFF board under him would go to the grassroots and work closely with the state Football Association s to unearth the best talent in the game and give them a future.
According to him: ''Indeed, just as I expect and demand a higher standard of patriotism, responsibility and commitment from those charged with the administration of our football, I also urge all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically.''Wehave seen attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports. We have seen attempts to subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria. Nigeria will not take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes".President Buhari, who used the forum to spell out his expectations from the two-volume report, di rected the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence its implementation in phases, within the fine lines of relevant sections of the Nigerian laws on sports development and the statutes of the world soccer governing body, FIFA. His words: ''This government is interested in developing a football culture that will accommodate global best practices that will also help the nation to lay a solid foundation for her domestic football, put in place professionally and efficiently run leagues, entrench a consistent and stable football calendar and create a value chain which will boost the sports''Achievingecosystem.this will guarantee desired progress in continental and international competitions.
Oliseh Quits Germany’s SV Straelen After Strings of Defeats
Sunday’s training session said they have to accept Sunday Oliseh’s decision as it doesn’t make sense trying to persuade him to continue. “Sunday had the feeling that the team could no longer be reached. We have to accept this decision. It doesn’t make sense to try to persuade him to continue,” said Wolfe.SVStraelen lost all their five games of the campaign so far, and they are currently rock bottom of the table scoring only one after conceding seven times in as many matches.Theclub sporting director has stepped into Oliseh's shoes on an interim basis.
''I know that a lot of work went into putting this 10-Year Masterplan together. I received regular briefings on the work being done and I am happy that our goal has been achieved. I am happy that the Masterplan enjoyed the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders in football.''Iam equally happy that the Nigeria Football 10-Year Masterplan (2022-2032) identified 15 key areas of challenge and provided practical recommendations to address these fundamental problems that have bedeviled football development in the''Thecountry.implementation of the short term and medium term plans should commence.''Ibelievethis will signal a positive turning point for our football and a major step forward in our bid to create a conducive environment for its sustainability, viability and profitability.''TheNigeria Football Federa tion, the body charged with the development of our football is directed to own and commence the implementation of this master plan under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.''Commenting on the state of football in the country, the President expressed concern that in the past years, football development has gradually stunted due to the neglect of the core orientation of football administration.Hedescribed the governance structure around Nigeria's domestic league as weak, adding that stan dards are conveniently compromised. President Buhari, however, expressed delight that these issues and many more have been addressed in the document. The President therefore, urged the NFF to salvage the domestic league at all levels, saying ''Nigeria’s football development must return to the path of focus on grassroots and youth development and an overall good governance structure around every level of its development. Nigeria now expects results.''
On the forthcoming NFF executive election, President Buhari reiterated his earlier communication to the body on the need for a more equi table and democratic representation in the Congress of the NFF. According to him, this will ensure that critical stakeholders are not shut out and the most capable and competent men and women are elected to run the affairs of the federation.Earlierin his remarks, the sports minister announced that the Buhari administration has disbursed over N15 billion to NFF through budgetary appropriations and Presidential interventions in the last seven years.
“The abuses (by foreign companies and individuals) companies employing approval from the ministry; allegations companies obtaining fake permits for and companies half-hearted or non-commitment to grooming Nigerian understudies.”
Aregbesola
Reasoning is central to the understanding of justice even in a world which contains much “unreason”; indeed, it may be particularly important in such a world – Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen in his book, The Idea of Justice A s lawyers converge on Lagos, it may be apposite to draw attention to extant laws that are unjust. Some of these laws hardly feature when law reforms take place. The existence of these oppressive legislations provides the basis for those with authoritarian impulse to invoke the law against those with whom they have a disagreement of views. The “essential services” provisions of the Trade Disputes Act (as amended) fall into this category of laws. There have been some illiberal calls to invoke the law because of the recent strikes of university teachers, electricity workers, health workers and others. The workers are considered to be rendering “essential services.” Therefore, they should not be permitted to go on strike. Certain extreme right-wing ideologues have even recklessly equated the action of workers on strike with the Boko Haram terrorism! They have called on the Attorney-General to prosecute striking workers as “terrorists.” This reactionary advocacy is made without any sense of social and historical purpose. The last time the Nigerian state invoked the “essential services,” provisions in the law, the story turned out to be a tragedy. The senior staff union of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) went on a three-day strike on October 5, 1988. The issues were similar to the grievances of electricity workers today. They were the perennial issues of inadequate funding of the organisation, lack of safety measures and poor service conditions. Eleven of the striking workers were later arrested and accused of sabotage. The 11 men were first taken before a military tribunal only for the prosecutor to find out that the tribunal could not impose the maximum sentence desired by the state. The helpless workers were later tried by a special tribunal in Jos. The special tribunal sentenced them each to life imprisonment. The life imprisonment sentence was later reduced by the military government to 10 years. The convicted men were taken to the Kaduna prison. The repressive act of the state provoked outrage both nationally and internationally. The Nigerian labour movement sustained pressures on the military government to free the jailed workers. International labour bodies also mounted a campaign against the injustice done to the workers. Eventually the military government could not ignore the campaigns for the freedom of the electricity senior employees. President Ibrahim Babangida pardoned them and they regained their freedom before the end of their term. If a military government could not sustain this repressive application of the law 34 years ago, it would take a fascist state to apply the law the way some anti-labour elements are proposing today. The relief, however, is that despite the yearnings of these fringe proponents of criminalisation of strikes, the Nigerian state is far from being fascistic. In fact, it is politically a dangerous proposition that in 2022 workers should be jailed for life because they are protesting poor working conditions. Such a legalised repression of the working people
The Case Against Unjust Laws cannotContrarystand.to the view that workers’ strikes constitute a crime, the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Conventions 87 and 98 adequately protect the rights of workers in the work place. Convention Number 87 protects the right of workers to organise while Convention 98 protects the right of workers to engage in collective bargaining through their unions. Nigeria is a proud signatory to these conventions. The purpose of the freedom implicit in the conventions is to make a distinction between employment and forced labour. While the employer has the power to hire and fire, it would be gross injustice to deny the workers the right to withdraw his labour as a form of protest if the situation arises. The work place is not a jungle where the worker has no right. That is the whole essence of industrial relations as an instrument to smoothen the rough edges of capitalism as it relates to workers’ rights. While some elements would like strikes abolished in Nigeria if they have their way of doing things mechanically, the global reality is that workers continue to employ the weapon of strikes in the course of trade disputes. Members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) in the United Kingdom voted two days ago to embark on an “ indefinite and uninterrupted” strike on September 5 over poor working conditions, pay and inadequate funding of legal aid. The lawyers are asking for 25% pay rise. The strike of the criminal lawyers working on a backlog of 60, 000 cases will affect 70 crown courts in England and Wales. You wonder if the services of these lawyers prosecuting criminal cases for the state are not “essential.”
include
TRUTH & REASONWednesday, August 24, 2022Price: N250 Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com
their expatriates;
Meanwhile, in the same UK, dock workers have embarked on an eight-day strike stopping operations at the Britain’s largest container Port of
MISSILE to Foreign Companies
The false equivalence of workers’ strikes and Boko Haram terrorism is another solid reason for the intensification of the struggle to widen the frontier of freedom by popular-democratic forces.
expatriates without
Ngige KAYODE KOMOLAFE THE HORIZON kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com 0805 500 1974
of
Felixstowe in Suffolk. The strike has been called by the 1,900-strong union, Unite. There are fears that the negative effect of the dockworkers’ strike may be empty shelves at supermarkets soon. This is because of the inevitable disruption of trade and the consequent shortages the action could cause. Other sectors of the British economy are also threatened by the spreading strikes. Already, teachers, railways workers, heahth workers have served notices of work stoppage if their demands for higher wages are not met by their respective employers. Yet no one has called the workers terrorists because they are in the “essential service” sectors. It is generally understood by government, private employers and labour that the difficult situation of the British economy, which now hugely defined by rising cost of living is the fuel for the social convulsion manifesting as strikes and other protests. Matters are being treated as trade disputes. The disputes continue to pose a serious challenge of economic management to the British government. The idea of “essential services” should not be mystified. The services of the police are doubtless essential. Yet police unions operate in some countries. The South African Policing Union (SAPU) is very active in fighting against socio-economic injustices against its members. The South African police are protected by the ILO conventions on the right to organise and embark on collective bargaining. The United States of America was the first country in which the police have formed unions. Other countries with police unions include Finland, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Ireland. If the labour relations management is effective and efficient , all issues arising from trade disputes could be handled within ambit of the existing laws minus the draconian “essential services” provisions that is being invoked to bully workers. The industrial courts are well established to adjudicate on trade disputes. So it is unnecessary for students to be instigated to sue the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as it is being suggested in some quarters. The employers of university teachers The labour ministry plays the role of the mediator. So far, the labour ministry under the leadership of Senator Chris Ngige has managed to walk the tightrope of the turbulent industrial relations landscape. There is, of course, room for improvement in the light of the socio-economic crisis that may spur industrial disputes in more sectors. It is a sad commentary that after 24 years of experiment with liberal democracy, strikes could be equated with terrorism in Nigeria. It is a socially and politically irresponsible thing to do in the present circumstances of Nigeria. Left to the proponents of this anti-freedom idea, the ASUU leader should be treated like the colonialists clamped down on Labour Leader Number One Michael Imoudu and his comrades after the historic 1945. Imoudu was banished to Auchi. The simple lesson of history is that repressive application of unjust laws is not the solution to the problem of industrial unrest. Instead of brandishing draconian laws, lawyers and others who have voices in the public sphere should call for negotiations on issues in dispute and honest implementation of agreement reached by all sides. At the heart of it all is the idea of justice and freedom. The right to vote once in four years is not the freedom that people fought for to bring about this dispensation. Socio-economic rights are also important part of the freedom. These rights include the rights guaranteed by industrial democracy. You cannot criminalise strikes in a democracy. Such pernicious ideas are purveyed as rule of law. Such laws are unjust laws. After Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy and Apartheid South Africa were said to be run on the basis of the “rule of law.” In retrospect now, it is indisputable that those countries were governed according to the rule of unjust laws during those dark periods of their history. There were lawyers, scholars and public intellectuals justifying the injustice. The draconian decrees of the military regimes in Nigeria were drafted by senior and accomplished lawyers. Given the anger in the land and the growing intolerance of opposing views the circulation of illiberal ideas in the public sphere constitutes a real and present danger. The purveyors of these ideas are some extreme right-wing solutions to the socio-economic problems plaguing the land. Such ideas could become substratum of authoritarian rule even by elected leaders. After leaders of South Africa were elected under apartheid just as Hitler was elected by the Germans. That is why deeper reasoning should be brought to bear in public discussions beyond the current insults and spreading of lies, hatred and prejudice. As Nobelist Amartya Sen quoted above has observed democracy itself is ultimately public reasoning The false equivalence of workers’ strikes and the Boko Haram terrorism is another solid reason for the intensification of the struggle to widen the frontier of freedom by popular-democratic forces. With the theme of “Bold Transitions” for its 2022 conference the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) may wish to have a look at all the unjust laws in the statute book that should be reviewed in the interest of social justice.
– Minister of Interior Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola decrying abuse of expatriate quota by some foreigners and organisation.
