L-R: Son of former president, Aminu Babangida, wife of former vice president, Aisha Namadi Sambo; former vice president, Arc Namadi Sambo the convener, Aisha Babangida and Mohammed Babangida, during the 2022 IBB Legacy Lecture at the International conference center in Abuja yesterday.
IBB LEGACY LECTURE...
NUPRC: Nigeria Must Declare Emergency on Oil Theft, Underproduction, Others Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
on page
www.thisdaylive.com Friday 26 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9999. Price: N250 TRUTH & REASON Continued on page 5 Oronsaye Report: C’ttee Wants N'Assembly to Streamline Creation of New Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions... Page 10
Peter Uzoho Worried by the alarming oil theft, underproduction, high production cost, among others, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has stressed the need for the declaration of emergency on the nation's oil andTheindustry.ChiefExecutive Officer of NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe made the call yesterday in Lagos while delivering his keynote address at the 2022 annual international conference of the Nigerian Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC). Similarly, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, also at the event, stated that the resolution of security challenges in the nation's oil sector would
Resolving security challenge will bring back investments to oil sector
Wike
Continued 5
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
ObiObasanjo,Relevance,SearchContinuesforMeetsAtiku,inLondon
In furtherance of his search for relevance and attention, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, met separately Atiku Abubakar with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his team in London…yesterday
PETERS OYEDELE
on page
Wabote: $5bn NLNG Train 7 Project Now at 30% Completion Firm says project to create 50,000 jobs
Continued 5
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, has disclosed that the Train 7 project expected to deliver over 8 million tonnes when completed, has hit 30 per centWabotecompletion.spoke when the Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Dr Philip Mshelbila, led his management team to pay a visit to the local content board, according to a statement from theHeNCDMB.expressed delight with the progress being made with the execution of the LNG Train 7 project, noting that it had reached about 30 per cent completion. He also stated that the worth of the Train 7 project is about $5 billion, which represents a huge Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy. Other economic benefits, he said, include the creation of 10,000 direct jobs and about 40,000 indirect employment opportunities.“Thereare also upstream projects that are currently being approved that will supply gas to Train 7. Those upstream projects will lead to additional $6 million foreign direct investment into the country.
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY2
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 3
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY4
MRNA Vaccine Production: Buhari Welcomes
"As a reminder, Section 92 of PIA 2021 provides a flexible tool for honouring investment guarantees and contract sanctity. This has created the much desired stability and predictability for the Nigerian oil and gas industry to excel and enabling existing pre-PIA businesses to succeed.
‘‘As you conduct exploratory interactions with our scientists in the biomedical field and officials of the Ministry of Health, I look forward to receiving a commitment to expand collaboration to achieve our goal of developing capacities for Research & Development and manufacturing.’’Recallingthevast inequalities in access to COVID-19 vaccines at the peak of the pandemic, Buhari said Nigeria and many middle-income countries now appreciate the need for global decentralisation and diversification of manufacturing capacity of items critical for public health security.
‘‘Nigeria has a long tradition in vaccine manufacturing and laboratories for microbiological research, both in private and public facilities, and also for human and veterinary vaccine research, established over 80 years ago.
‘‘We invest significantly in health, education, in Research and Development and encourage discovery and partnership in joint ventures, such as with a private pharmaceutical company to begin routine vaccines manufacturing in-country.’’ bring back investments into the industry.Thetheme of the event chaired by the Managing Director of Falcon Corporation, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, was "Energy Transition: “Shaping the Future of Nigeria’s Energy Industry, an Appraisal of PIA, Evolving Benefits and Challenges.”Komolafe,who was represented at the occasion by the Director of the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC), an arm of the commission, Dr. Abel Nsa, said apart from the current threat of energy transition to the oil and gas industry, other issues bedeviling Nigeria's industry included oil theft, security, ageing and decaying infrastructure, amongst others. Komolafe noted that the challenges of seamless production in the form of rampant crude theft and sabotage of critical infrastructure were still with the country despite several efforts made by the commission and the"Thegovernment.imperative is on Nigeria to declare some sort of emergency for the oil and gas industry. Aside energy transition, other issues bedevil our industry — such as oil theft, security, ageing and decaying infrastructure, amongst others.
Unfortunately, for them, the presidential and the National Assembly elections are holding first, the outcome of which could shape subsequent elections the followingTherefore,week.whether or not Wike embraced the olive branch extended to him by Atiku in London, it would be impossible to see him bite his nose to spite his face, in a fit of anger. One of the sources at the meetings told THISDAY that the Wike camp had only one item on its agenda: reconstitution of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to reflect more southern presence. The governor believed the current structure of PDP did not really reckon with the south, and “that’s the problem with PDP at the moment”.
“You will find in Nigeria, biosafety Level 3 laboratories and ongoing initiatives with trusted partners to develop Level 4 capacity too.
The source, which pleaded anonymity, said they had expected that Atiku at this time would step in to deliver leadership. However, it said Atiku’s attitude was the least expected of the PDP presidential candidate at the material time in the life of the party. Meanwhile, Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja, counseled party members and supporters. The statement said, “It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party.
giving meaning to the intent and letters of the Act. Drawing from the theme of the conference, Komolafe explained that the global energy transition discuss in the recent time was geared towards moving the energy sector from fossil fuels to zero carbon energies which was seen as having negative impact on the environment by adopting cleaner and renewable energies. As a developing country with an economy that is dependent on hydrocarbon resources, he stated that it was envisaged that a gradual and more flexible approach would be required in achieving the netzero carbon target. This, he explained, informed the adoption of natural gas where Nigeria has reserves in excess of 208 trillion cubic feet (tcf) which could easily be exploited and utilised as the country's energy transition fuel, while still maintaining the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Conference of Parties (COP26) aimed to achieve zero emission by the year According2060.tohim, in line with the provisions of the Act, several stakeholder engagements were held to get the buy-in and sensitised the industry player on the proposed regulations.Komolafe said, "The Commission has issued six priority regulations comprising of: Nigeria Upstream Host Communities Development Regulations, Nigeria Upstream Fees and Rents Regulations, Nigeria Royalty Regulations, Conversion and Renewal Regulations, Domestic Gas Delivery Obligations Regulations and Licensing Round Regulations."TheCommission is also in the process of issuing additional seven Regulations in the Phase II of the exercise in consultation with stakeholders in line with Section 216 of the PIA.
The meetings occurred amid allegations yesterday by Atiku that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was deliberately manufacturing a false impression of division in PDP, just to cast the opposition party in bad light. He said APC had nothing to campaign with, and was already jittery, because of its imminent fall in next year’s general election. The former vice-president, therefore, appealed to PDP members and his supporters to be cautious of their utterances in order not to fall into the snare of APC. Wike had since the May 28 PDP presidential primaries become a person of huge political interest in the country, especially, after he reacted badly to the loss of the vice presidential position to the Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. He openly expressed his resentment about the turning of the political tides against him at those two occasions, which almost left him in the lurch. The disagreements arising from the PDP presidential primary polarised the party along the camps of Wike and Atiku. The development prompted the party to raise reconciliation panels, which, unfortunately, had been unable to change much. This was widely believed to have given Wike the leeway to open talks with opposition elements. The news of Wike’s meeting with the presidential candidate of APC, Bola Tinubu, two days ago in London, had triggered concerns in PDP. Atiku was earlier scheduled to meet Wike in London, to try to resolve their differences. But Wike's purported meeting with Tinubu jolted the Atiku-Wike meet, and revved up momentum for their eventual meeting yesterday. For the first time, the meeting between the PDP presidential candidate and the Wike camp in the party ended in smiles. The first meeting in July at the residence of Jerry Gana had ended without any concrete agreement. But yesterday's meeting ended with all of the attendees smiling, an indication that a peaceful resolution of the crisis might be in sight.
TRAIN
‘‘We have a vibrant Health Ethics Research Council and our WHO Maturity Level 3 certified Regulatory body, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control regulates vaccines, and have started the process to attain Maturity Level Four, that makes pharmaceutical products made in Nigeria, including vaccines, marketable abroad.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the exploratory interactions between Nigerian biomedical scientists, officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and BioNTech company to support the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in Nigeria. The president who met yesterday at the State House, Abuja with the Executive Chairman of KENUP Foundation, Mr. Holm Keller and representative of the CEO of BioNTech, the mRNA vaccine patent holder, in Africa, expressed optimisim that the interactions between the parties would be productive, leading to collaborations at many levels, from clinical trials to research and development of new vaccines and eventually support vaccine manufacturing facilities in the“Wecountry.are impressed with the numerous possibilities said to be around the mRNA technology and hence seek cooperation with wellintentioned organisations, including yours, to build a strong bilateral partnership with your company and your affiliate bodies, as science gets closer to understanding the possibilities around successful mRNA technology.
“This will create employment opportunities, touch the lives of families, raise the profile of the country as a major LNG producer and increase our domestic LPG (cooking gas) production. “Train 7 is already providing a lot of jobs for Nigerian contractors, fabricators, logistics companies and more. The benefits are enormous,” Wabote stressed. He assured that the board will continue to collaborate closely with the Nigeria LNG, especially to ensure deeper cooking gas penetration into the Nigerian market, hinting that NCDMB had partnered with several investors towards improving the accessibility of LPG. Wabote also encouraged Nigeria LNG to consider further investments, highlighting that Qatar already has about 14 LNG trains.Hesaid Nigeria needed to grow its LNG capacities, especially with the world’s clamour for energy transition and federal government’s declaration that gas is Nigeria’s transition fuel. In his comments, Mshelbila noted that the NCDMB and the NLNG were to set up a tactical team comprising nominees from both organisations to drive closer collaboration on projects, ensure compliance with local content obligations.“NLNG and NCDMB have a special partnership that is beyond operator and regulator relationship.“Westarted this relationship when we signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) a few years ago and it put in place standards by which we would work together and ensure compliance and guard against surprises,” he noted. Mshelbila noted that the current plan was to take the relationship further and beyond complying with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. “NLNG has a vision not just to be a globally competitive business, but to help build a better Nigeria. To do that we have to work closely with the NCDMB and raise our partnership to a new level, and that includes human development, research, and other areas.” Speaking on the ongoing Train 7 LNG project, Mshelbila recalled how NCDMB supported the Nigeria LNG in various ways to enable the take-off of the project. He added: “The FID was taken successfully with the help of NCDMB and the project is now under construction, making good and safe progress. “ We are looking at potentially 5,000 to 10,000 persons being employed on different phases of the “Weproject.already have thousands working on the ground. It is employing various contractors across different areas. This is a true example of how local content should be,” he added.
"All these contribute to high production costs, which must be minimised. The commission, in line with the spirit of the PIA, will champion urgent access to the industry for all serious-minded players so that unexplored reserves can be tapped into to derive value for investors as well as for Nigeria," heFurthermore,said.
$5BN
The meeting held yesterday evening at a London hotel involved Atiku, Wike, Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Sam Ortom of Benue State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.Details of the outcome were not immediately available, but they were
5 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 PAGE FIVE NUPRC: NIGERIA MUST DECLARE EMERGENCY ON OIL THEFT, UNDERPRODUCTION, OTHERS WIKE CONTINUES SEARCH FOR RELEVANCE, MEETS OBASANJO, ATIKU, OBI IN LONDON
Continued on page 42 in London with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, PeterTheObi.meetings yesterday were parts of the consideration of the various options before Wike and allies, ahead of the 2023 general election.There was, however, no official pronouncement on the reason for the meetings or their outcome. But recent events showed they might be related to the much-anticipated alignments and realignments before the 2023 polls, even though Wike and friends have limited options.
"The generous fiscal terms consciously enshrined in the PIA are also targeted towards bolstering return on every dollar invested in Nigeria as against any other jurisdiction."Inconsonant with the statutory regulatory mandates of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Act empowers the Commission on technical and commercial regulation of the Upstream petroleum activities in a manner to ensure sustainable hydrocarbon exploration and production at optimum cost, dealing
‘‘We believe the mRNA technology will help solve other public health challenges too, especially those peculiar to our tropical environment.
the commission's CEO said the agency's engineering and facilities team would continue to advance and encourage life extension of brownfield assets to extract further value from them, adding that given that most projections foresee oil and gas to be a significant part of the global energy mix, even up to 2050, all hope was surely not lost. He maintained that exploiting the country's reserves would help Nigeria achieve some progress with empowering the citizenry, while the country braces up for the inevitable transition to renewable energy sources.
held against the background of the crisis in PDP sparked by what those aligned to Wike alleged as the unfair treatment given to him after he lost the PDP presidential primary. Apart from yesterday’s meeting with Obasanjo, Atiku, Obi, and others in London, Wike had since the PDP primary been receiving guests and had met Obi twice in Nigeria. He had also met with three governors of APC, namely, Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) over alliances issues. Wike’s meeting with the three APC governors was alleged to be directly connected with furthering discussions on the imperative of southern presidency, as previously agreed to by governors from the region. But sources believed the meeting was actually the beginning of the discussions on the possibility of Wike working with Tinubu in 2023. Some of Wike’s men had continued to insist that the governor was too politically aware to make any move that could be inimical to his own political interest and that of the party in a fit of anger. But nothing so far seems to suggest Wike is still completely with PDP. The PDP governors at the meetings with Obasanjo, Atiku, and Obi, included Ortom, Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Ikpeazu, as well as former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and Senator Olaka Nwogu. But, broken down into practical politics, observers believed that with the INEC timetable and schedule of activities, effectively shutting their doors of realistic options against Wike and co, given the place of time in the electoral process, Wike and others really could not actually leave the PDP as being rumoured. For instance, Wike has three candidates for the Senate election, eight candidates for the House of Representatives, 32 members of the state assembly, a governorship and a deputy governorship candidates, making it 45 candidates for the 2023 elections, whose career and political future are at stake and at the mercy of whatever option he embraces.
The same situation applies to Makinde of Oyo State, as well as Ortom of Benue State and Ikpeazu of Abia State, both of whom are even senatorial candidates of the PDP.
Nigeria’s Scientists, BioNTech Partnership
WABOTE: NLNG 7 PROJECT NOW AT 30% COMPLETION
“Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason the APC is jittery of their impending fall in next year’s general election. It is also the very reason the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.
‘‘Our reputable scientific community has the capacity to engage with you meaningfully in all caliber of research and to add value to your joint effort.
The president also highlighted the many investment opportunities and potential in the country, urging the Foundation and other prospective investors to pay special attention to Africa’s most populous country. According to him: ‘‘KENUP Foundation will find in Nigeria, a suitable research & development ecosystem, in terms of human resource expertise and endemic, deadly disease challenges that require research to help to end with new vaccines.
“This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress, which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party.
He said the commission had developed some key initiatives aimed at reducing the oil theft menace to the barest minimum in the short run, and eventual elimination in the long run. He listed such initiatives as the roadmap for tackling the security challenges in the industry through identification and implementing areas of collaboration between the government and operators and ensuring that operators realise their full production potential. Others, according to him, were liaison with the top echelon of Nigerian security forces for a robust security framework that ensures government security forces provide pipeline and asset security; and to promote the implementation of Nodal surveillance technologies on the main trunk lines at each manifold for real-time loss detection that would enable swift and more proactive responses. In addition to enforcing installation of tamper detection technologies as part of designs for pipeline and related oil and gas production facilities for approval of the commission, Komolafe maintained that another measure was to ensure that operators implement approved security protocols in areas within their control and promptly identify and remove illegal connections and conduct remedial works in record time. He said the commission was equally utilising public enlightenment campaign to educate citizens on the dangers associated with crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, in collaboration with relevant agencies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA).NAEC has over the years attracted great minds and eminent personality in the industry as guess speakers to bring the fore topical issues affecting the industry. This year’s theme was a follow up on that of 2021, ‘PIA: Energy Transition and The Future of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas.’ The PIA had been passed and the implementation of the Act has commenced in the earnest in the Commission which have seen the formulations of relevant and priority regulations aimed at
“It is good to see that the recommendation of revitalising the Primary Health Care has already started and its effectiveness will be enhanced with a clear plan and accountability on human resources and financing at state level. “Business as usual is not sufficient.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled the *997# USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) code in Kano State as part of efforts to reduce the use of cash in commercial activities in the country.
"Specifically, we are here to launch the eNaira USSD channel using *997# for onboarding and transactions."Thechoice of the USSD as the premium offline channel for the eNaira is founded in an understanding of the peculiarities of our economy,” Shonubi explained. He urged Nigerians to embrace the central bank digital currency, describing it as safe, saying it would help in reducing the number of the country’s unbanked population."Approximately, 45 per cent of adult Nigerians do not have a bank account while 35.9 per cent are excluded from formal financial"However,services.around 81 per cent of the adult population in Nigeria (86 million out of 106 million) own mobile phones (EFInA, 2021), in addition, there are about 150 million Mobile Subscribers in Nigeria (NCC, June 2022). "Therefore, the eNaira seeks to leverage the huge opportunity mobile telecommunications presents as a distribution channel for the offering of digital financial services to the underserved and unbanked population" he stated In her address, the Director, Information Technology Department of the CBN, Hajiya Rakiya Muhammad, said they chose Kano to unveil the eNaira code because of its economic significance in the country. Muhammad said: "We believe if Kano accepts the eNaira, everyone will accept it all over the country."
UN: To Attain 2030 SDGs, FG Must Increase Education Funding from 7% to 20%
Osinbajo says SDG goal aligns with FG’s desire to lift 100m Nigerians out of poverty
OLALEKAN ADETAYO
The Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate of the CBN, Mr. Folashadun Adebisi Shonubi unveiled the USSD code in Kano, saying it was another milestone in delivering digital financial services to Nigerians and enabling their participation in the global digital economy. He explained that the eNaira presents an opportunity to offer Nigerians endless possibilities in using financial services, adding that it was captured by the slogan: "Same Naira, More Opportunities.""Todaymarks a significant milestone towards achieving the objective of the second phase of the project which is to drive financial inclusion by onboarding unbanked and underserved users leveraging the offline channels.
N'Delta Group to Buhari: Don't Appoint
Another Sole Administrator for NDDC
While hailing efforts of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Schmale noted that the two reports point to the importance of significantly increasing public spending in both health and education services. He said: "Country-led evaluations are a critical tool to provide data regarding what is and isn't working, why, and for whom, and where to best target our limited resources. “Good data makes for good policy. Without it, we are flying blind. While the findings of these evaluations show some improving health and education outcomes in Nigeria, the reports also contain some worrying analysis.
In support of Government, we are keen to identify truly transformative initiatives that will catalyse tangible change in the lives and livelihoods of the Nigerian people. This new data will help determine which health and education programmes are really moving the needle. We can then look to expand, renew, and replicate them. “We must collectively push forward with education and health sector specific transformative initiatives such as prioritising and revitalising basic Primary Health Care and improving the quality of teachers and learning in and out of classrooms.”
“In relation to SDG-4 on quality education, it is, for example, concerning to note that Nigeria is unlikely to achieve the global agenda for universal inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030 if the current very low public investment in the education sector remains the same.“The evaluation indicates that the right policies (especially around free basic education and gender) are in place, but an increase in quality and access to education is critical. “In the 2022 budget, there was an increase to seven per cent on education, but the evaluation says it will need to increase to 20 per cent with clear accountabilities on delivery. Similarly, government resources for health financing are inadequate for the achievement of SDG-3 targets related to good health and well-being.
L-R: Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, during a meeting in London…yesterday
“This official launch comes with a responsibility for us to intentionally use the key findings of the two evaluations to strengthen policies that support the achievement of the SDGs.” Making reference to government’s efforts in ensuring attainment of the goals, the VP noted that “achieving inclusive sustainable development is an objective that aligns closely with our government’s desire to bring 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years. “It is for this reason that the Federal Government of Nigeria established a number of ambitious programmes to support the acceleration of the achievement of the “MoreSDGs.positively, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) helped increase school enrolment and slight improvement in learning outcomes.”Speaking about the outcomes of the evaluation, the vice president said, “on SDG-3 ‘Quality Health and Well-being for all’, the report notes that Nigeria has a suitable institutional framework, key among them include the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the National Health Insurance Act – both of which address health financing as a means of improving access to care.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to disregard calls for the appointment of another sole administrator to head the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).Thegroup under the aegis of Niger Delta Movement for Development (NDMD) in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ogbakiri Yanga, insisted that the current management of NDDC under Dr. Efiong Akwa, should be the last interim administrator for the commission. It stated that it had observed with dismay another selfish plot to make the NDDC remain under the leadership of a sole administrator. They also noted that they had observed plot intended to make the Commission an appendage of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with full powers to dictate the direction of its activities. Yanga, disclosed that after an emergency meeting in Oporoza, Delta State, that was attended by youth leaders and elders from the region, they decided not to welcome another sole administrator for NDDC to the region.Hesaid any other change in the management of the NDDC should be the appointment of a board as stipulated by the Act establishing the Commission. "This is the least we expect from the Presidency and the Ministry of Niger Delta. Any announcement of another interim administrator other than the inauguration of a substantive board will be viewed by us as provocative and the highest level of insensitivity. "We have stomached this outright neglect of our opinions and feelings for a long time because we believe that Dr. Efiong Akwa will be the last sole administrator of this commission. Any other change of management must be the inauguration of a board."Any administration other than a substantive board will lead to a revolution of unimaginable proportion in the region because the entire Niger Delta is watching with keen interests and is prepared to rise to defend its common interests," he said. Yanga asked some selfish persons benefitting from the status quo at the Presidency and the ministry to jettison the alleged sinister plot to appoint the most senior NDDC director as the next sole administrator.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
In his keynote address, Osinbajo affirmed that building the commitment and incentive necessary to prioritise and increase Basic Educational financing up to 12 per cent at all levels was crucial. He said: "The timing of the use of appropriated funds is also important. State government should take advantage of the UBEC matching grants by making the required contributions."Educational stakeholders are encouraged to develop and strengthen coordination mechanisms that can help tighten the collaboration with information sharing between federal and the state on the one hand, and non-state actors on the other hand." According to him, the federal government would leverage existing institutional framework to promote stronger partnerships and synergies among stakeholdersnin a bid to improve effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria. He said Nigeria has a suitable institutional framework, and the federal government would continue to promote strong partnerships and synergies among its Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and development partners for a coordinated implementation of theHeSDGs.said, “these strategic evaluations reinforce the evidence Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano
The United Nations (UN) has sounded a note of warning that Nigeria may not achieve the global agenda for universal inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030 if the current seven per cent budget for education by the federal government was not increased to 20 per cent, with clear accountabilities on delivery.The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, handed down the warning yesterday, at the State House; Abuja, during the official launch of the ‘Reports of the Independent Country-Led Evaluation of SDGs3 and 4 in Nigeria,’ by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The reports were technically and financially supported by the Federal Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Health and Education and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria. According to Schmale, in Nigeria's 2022 federal budget, there was an increase to seven per cent on education, but the evaluation says it would need to increase to 20 per cent with clear accountabilities on delivery.Healso noted that Nigeria was the first country to conduct and deliver independent comprehensive evaluations of SDG-3 and SDG-4, adding that the reports showed how quickly the government had established robust institutional monitoring and support frameworks at the national and sub-national levels to support effective SDG implementation across the country.
for improving health and education outcomes in Nigeria and highlight how all stakeholders – government, development partners and civil society can best address systemic gaps and challenges.
6 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 NEWS Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322
CBN Unveils e-Naira USSD Code in Kano
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 7
Experts Insist CBN’s Backing of Takeover of Selected Discos Saved Banks, Power Sector
FUNERAL SERVICE OF MRS KEMI NELSON...
“What is most important is our ability as a nation to rally round indigenous investors with the financial muscles, who in turn can put together an assemblage of professionals with collective cognate experiences of working in the business of managing power generation, transmission and distribution value chain to apply and takeover.
L-R: Husband of the deceased, Mr. Adeyemi Nelson; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; children of the deceased, Mr. Abayomi Nelson; Mrs. Adetoun Popoola; son-in-law, Mr. Oluwole Popoola and Mr. Adetunji Nelson during the funeral service of Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday
In his intervention, President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network (NCPN), Mr. Kunle Olubiyo, said the takeover had helped in averting massive job losses and prevented imminent danger to the banking industry due to toxic loans. He said the pioneer investors in the Discos are Nigerians who meant well for the sector, but argued that they probably lacked the requisite technical requirements of the original financial bidding and technical bidding benchmarks set out as thresholds for financial and technical due diligence.
It also declared emphatically, “that public sector’s efforts to address the growing housing deficit and rising housing costs through direct housing construction and other enabling strategies have been“Whenineffective.measured in terms of housing units produced, private developers have not significantly increased supply. Low income groups have limited access to the organised private sector's housing delivery capacity. This is further constrained by the nature and pricing of the houses produced, as well as their locations and mode of access. The report also stated that, “recent surveys suggest that residential projects have the most demand for construction contracting, followed by healthcare and then industrial uses for factories, and warehouses etc.” It noted that “while the demand for new office developments has been, at best, sluggish, the construction contracting value chain is becoming increasingly specialised, with enterprises electing to focus on residential, healthcare and retail development. At least until Q1 2023 infrastructure project are anticipated to be Thecommissioned.”reportnotedthat housing supply in Nigeria was still trailed by effective demand while key players continued to tinker with their solutions to restore the balance. It added that, “developers will continue to focus on lean, onsite execution. This is expected to feature in the retail and hospitality sub-markets as they accelerate the deployment of their strategies honed during the pandemic. Neighbourhood malls are still the way to go, and larger offerings will have to incorporate other uses –hospitality, family entertainment and residential to mitigate Nigeria's unique economic circumstances.
“The financial discipline allows visibility of what Discos are collecting. It allows debts such as generation, services, and other charges to be settled first before operating“Transparency,expenses.in most cases, increases trust in a system. Therefore, I would recommend that the collection figures are made public since Discos are custodians of market funds, rather than the owners,” he explained. In the same vein, an Energy Lawyer, Madaki Ameh, also stated that there was need for the total overhaul of the sector, insisting that it was long overdue. He noted that the takeover of the Discos was legally justified under the terms of the agreement which brought them into the Nigerian Electricity Supply IndustryAccording(NESI).tohim, the Discos have not met any of the minimum thresholds set for them by government since privatisation despite the huge investment the government has continued to make in the sector. “If you compare happenings in the power sector with the telecoms sector, you will see clearly that there were structural defects with the implementation of the privatisation policy in the power sector. “Nothing short of a total takeover of the Discos and some of the non-performing Gencos would deliver the sort of efficiency required to transform the sector in Nigeria,” Ameh argued. Backed by the apex bank, the banks had taken over five Discos amid alleged poor performance and inability to pay back loans, a development that was said be putting some banks on the edge of Thefailing.move is also coming amid a fresh $500 million loan by CBN to improve the capacity of the distribution companies. A report by CSL Stockbrokers Limited recently revealed that the continued rise of bank loans to the power sector may have hit N836.08 billion despite intermittent interventions by the federal government through the CBN. Before now, the CBN had directed some deposit banks to take charge of the collection of electricity bill payments as a means to allow for more openness in the sector.BPE disclosed last week that it was working with the CBN to ensure that banks, which took over the Discos exit in six months, with the Director General of the organisation, Alex Okoh, maintaining that the banks were not expected to hold the shares in perpetuity.
A Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II has warned against attempts by anyone or a group of persons to divert Benin artefacts, saying Edo people would resist such move before it reaches a tipping point.
"We won't lose our heritage. You remember our Benin artefacts that were looted during the invasion of Benin by foreigners. Some of them have agreed to return them. But, it should be returned to the Oba of Benin palace.
“I am quite sure that in the next one year, the present crop of receiver managers would have learnt a lot from the multifaceted sector’s wide learning curves,” heAlso,opined.Partner, Nextier Power, Emeka Okpukpara, had noted that the initiative by the apex bank was increasing financial liquidity in the sector, and introduced transparency, which enabled players to have access to Heinformation.stressedthat aside offering visibility to the sector’s finance, the efforts ensured payment of debts as first-line charges.
"Advice your supporters and others to counsel those who are making such moves to retrace their steps. You should insist that the right thing is done at the right time for the benefits of Edo people," Oba Ewuare ll said while commending notable Nigerians that have taken up the agitation for the return of the art works.The monarch had asked the federal government to temporarily take custody of the expected 1,130 stolen Benin artifacts in Germany when they are repatriated, pending the completion of the Benin Royal Museum where the artifacts which have created a wave of public support would be kept.
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
"Edo people all over the world should not allow anyone to bamboozle them to give up their heritage to strangers. Benin artefacts were made by the famous Igun Bronze Casters' Guild in Benin on orders of our forebears. The palace gave them the enablement and approval to make"Ourthem.artefacts will not go to another destination. It should come to the right destination, which is Oba of Benin palace. Edo people should not allow them to be either diverted or sold. Edo people will not allow that to happen. Our ancestors do not approve it.
Report: Building Materials Cost Rose By 35.75% in First Half 2022 Dike Onwuamaeze
“Hospitality concerns will emphasise alternative services that proved successful during the pandemic, and improve formal and informal partnerships while introducing technology to more areas of the business. While boutique hospitality returned to profitability first, big name brands have closed the gap.”
Oba Ewuare ll made the assertion when members of the Benin Community in Abuja and the Principal officers of College of Education (Technical), Ekiadolor, Edo State, paid him a courtesy visit in his Oba palace in Benin City. The monarch also played host to leaders of Edo United Union in Rome, Italy led by its President, Mr. Edwin Omoregie. Oba Ewuare noted that there was no controversy over the ownership or who should take possession of the repatriated Benin bronzes, which were produced on the mandate of his forebears in Benin Kingdom Centuries ago. The traditional ruler who spoke in Benin Language, charged his loyal subjects and concerned authorities not to succumb to pressure by unnamed individuals who are treading on a lonely path to either divert or sell the priceless treasures for personal gains.
Monarch Warns against Attempt to Divert Benin Artefacts
The affected distribution firms which included Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna and the Benin Discos had been at loggerheads with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). A number of respondents maintained that the move by the apex bank to ensure the shares are successfully transferred to new investors remained critical to the survival of both the banks and theADiscos.power sector analyst, Adetayo Adegbemle noted that the CBN’s role in protecting the banks involved in funding the purchase of the power sector loans was important, since according to him, the indebtedness of the power sector to the financial institutions would have led to the collapse of “Ibanks.love the fact that CBN came into the power sector, not just to save the power sector. Don’t forget even though they have roles to play in the sector, they also came in to save their own banking sector. “The loans that the power sector took from the banks have become bad and if you do not do anything, it is going to be in the books of the banks. So CBN backing the
increase in price were Ariston water heater, Dulux’s white emulsion and cables 6mm coil at 55, 52 and 52 per cent respectively. “But those with lowest percentage increase were 50kg cement, 14 per cent; nine inches sand block, 14 per cent and 13A socket 15 per cent,” it added.Thereport, which was signed by the Chief Operation Officer and Director, Real Estate Research of NorthCourt, Mr. Ayo Ibaru, also estimated that average increase in land prices per square meter in selected areas in Lagos State in the first half of 2022 was 64.63 perThecent.selected areas and their percentage rate of increase were estimated at Old Ikoyi – 53 per cent; Lekki Phase One – 79 per cent; Victoria Island - 75 per cent; Sangotedo – 56 per cent and Agungi – 73 per cent. Other areas were Abraham Adesanya – 51 per cent; Magodo - 95 per cent and Ikeja GRA – 35 per cent. This indicated that the location with highest percentage increase in price was Magodo at 95 per cent while the location with lowest percentage increase was Ikeja GRA at 35 per cent. The report stated that, “the private sector appears more likely to deliver the types of housing that the majority of Nigerians can afford.”
8 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 NEWS
The average cost of building materials in Nigeria went up by 35.75 per cent in the first half of 2022, compared to the same period in This2021.was revealed in a report that was put together by the Northcourt Real Estate, titled, “Half Year 2022 Nigeria Real Estate Market Review,” obtained by THISDAY. It stated, “that the rising cost of building materials continues to have a negative influence on the real estate market” even though “developers are making timely adjustment to deliver projects.”
banks to take over the shares is a good thing for CBN,” he argued.
The first half year review also declared that the private sector appeared more likely to deliver the types of housing that the majority of Nigerians could afford, adding that suburban and co-working real estate markets might become the more favoured investment destination. It stated that, “demand for the Grade ‘A’ office market has been poor as large corporates continue to implement key elements of work-from home policies.” The report showed that building materials with highest percentage
Some analysts have hailed the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the recent takeover of selected electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) by some banks, saying that it saved the country the financial institutions and the power sector from an imminent collapse.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 9
Threatens to sanction defaulters
The White Paper Drafting Committee on the Review of new Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions (PACs) that created following the Oronsaye Panel Report on the restructuring and rationalisation of federal government PACs has proposed an engagement and dialogue with the National Assembly to generate an understanding to streamline the creation of new agencies and commission.TheChairman of the committee, Mrs. Ebele Okeke made the disclosure yesterday, when the committee presented the Draft White Paper on the review of new parastatals, agencies and commissions to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha. Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, said the recommendation was on the heel of the observation by the committee that most of the agencies that were created, especially under Ministries of Education and Health, were through bills that emanated from the National Assembly. She noted that her committee similarly discovered that the legal framework and enabling Act of some of the PACs were ambiguous on their structure, management and oversight as most of the laws used agency, commission and board interchangeably.“Forinstance, where the organisation is defined as a Commission, the provisions of the law did not support the structure of a Commission. In this regard, where the Committee recommended change in status/ name, amendment of the Act/ Law is also recommended, accordingly,” Ebele said. She stated that during the committee’s deliberations, it sought and received the counsel of subject matter experts, including retired Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries.Shedescribed some of the recommendations as low hanging fruits that could be implemented immediately after approval of the White Paper.
Oronsaye Report:
to Streamline Creation of New Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions LAUNCH OF SDG-3 AND SDG-4 INDEPENDENT EVALUATION REPORTS... L - R:
Staff
He said the mandatory levy was in line with the provision of Section 14 (1) (2) (a) of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP NII, Laws of the Federation, 2004. Ilelah quoted the Section as saying that the Commission was expected to maintain a fund from which shall be defrayed all expenditure incurred by it. He said Section 2 (10) (a-d) of the National Broadcasting Code, 6th edition makes it mandatory for a broadcast station to remit 2.5 per cent of its annual income. The annual income referred to is the Gross Annual Income and it is to be remitted either monthly or annually. The NBC DG warned that under the Code, defaulters would be regarded to have committed a Class A offence which attracts heavy punishment."Youarerequired to finish the Commission with the up to date audited accounts of your company to enable the Commission compute the amount due as their statutory levy not later than September 30, 2022," Ilelah said. He warned that the NBC would be left with no option than to apply appropriate sanction, including but not limited to non- renewal of broadcast licence of any station which fails to comply within the stipulated period.
Assistance to the President on SDGs,
Independent Evaluation Reports in Nigeria at the State House Abuja... yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI
NBC to Enforce 2.5 per cent Statutory Levy on Broadcast Stations
The Kaduna State Coordinator of HACEY Health Initiative, Jennifer Agbaji, has asked communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state to stop stigmatising women who are victims of bandits and other sexual-based violence. Speaking in an interview at the end of a two-day sensitisation programme on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) which held in Mararaban Kajuru, to mark the International Day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict, Agbaji said stigmatising victims of such inhuman treatment adds to their pains and discourage them from opening up for medical treatment and justice. According to her, bandits were abducting women and girls in Kajuru communities who were being raped before they are released.Shelamented that rather than help them out of such trauma, the community stigmatises them, calling them derogatory names like, "matan Fulani" (wives of Fulani), thereby worsening their social and psychological wellbeing in the community. She said although there was no known statistics on sexual violence in the area, "but what I know is that Kajuru is a conflict zone and has pockets of conflict-related gender- based violence." Agbaji added: "Women and girls are captured and raped and released. I spoke with rape survivors during our sensitisation, there were 10 of them, including a 13-year old girl, who narrated how they were captured, allegedly by Fulani bandits and raped "We had a sensitisation meeting with the community members after a session with rape survivors who disclosed that some people in the community called them 'Matan Fulani' after they were raped and released from captivity. We asked the community to stop name calling of survivors of violence." According to her, many women kept rape cases as secret in order to, "preserve the future" of the survivor, adding that the implications of keeping rape cases as secret, was the danger of deadly infections and unwanted pregnancy.Agbajisaid, the best way to prevent and handle cases of sexual violence was to report to the appropriate authorities. She called on the communities to avoid name calling, shaming or blaming survivors of sexual violence, adding that victims should be encouraged to see a doctor immediately so as to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy. Agbaji disclosed that during the programme, HACEY Health Initiative donated birthing kits and treated mosquito nets to two healthcare centres in the area. Warns Community against Stigmatising Victims of Sexual-based Violence
The Committee stated that it considered the current economic challenges as well as the need for government to utilise resources more efficiently to reduce cost of governance and develop diverse sources of revenue in its report. In his remarks, Mustapha described the report as a further demonstration of the federal government's commitment to reposition the public service for effective service delivery. The SGF said the high cost of governance and revenue challenges being experienced in the midst of competing societal demands were part of the concerns of the federal government, adding that everything necessary would be done to ensure that no sector wasHeneglected.assuredthe committee and Nigerians that the Draft White Paper would be given all the necessary attention and that appropriate action will be taken on the various recommendations contained in the report. C’ttee N'Assembly Minister Mr. Goodluck Nanah Opiah; Deputy Chief of to the President who represented the Vice President, Mr. Ade Ipaye, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Hawkins; Senior Special Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, at the official Launch of SDG-3 and SDG-4
of State, , Education
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Wants
The total amount of looted funds recovered from late Head of State, General Sani Abacha in the past 24 years has been put at $3.65 billion. This was revealed by an infographic by the BBC with data gathered from the federal government, World Bank, and Transparency International.
John Shiklam in Kaduna
The National Broadcasting Commission has directed all licenced broadcasting stations, owned, established or operated by private individuals, federal, state and local government across the country on the payment of statutory levy.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
HACEY Health
$3.65bn Abacha Loot Recovered by FG in 24 Years
10 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022
The Director-General of NBC Balarabe Shehu Ilelah issued the directive to the stations on the statutory levy in a letter which was sighted by THISDAY lastThenight.directive was on the heels of the threat to revoke the broadcast licences of 52 broadcast stations by the regulator and disconnect the stations over indebtedness amounting to N2.6 billion incurred since 2015.
NEWS
It showed that while in 1998, a total of $750 million was recovered from the late Head of State’s family; in year 2000, $64 million was recovered from Switzerland; in 2002 - $1.2 billion was recovered from the Abacha family; in 2003, $160 million and $88 million were recovered from Jersey and Switzerland respectively, and in 2005 another $461.3 million was returned back to the country from Switzerland. Also, in 2006, Nigeria was also fortunate to have received another $44.1 million from Switzerland; in 2014 - $227 million was recovered from Liechtenstein; in 2018 another $322 million from Switzerland; in 2020 a total of $311.7 million was repatriated from the USA and also recently an agreement was signed for another $23 million to be sent from the USA. The federal government of Nigeria and the United States of America had on Tuesday signed an agreement for the repatriation of $23 million, being assets looted by late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. In a remark at the signing in Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had said since 2016, his ministry, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK NCA), and United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) had been working closely with the legal representatives of the Federal Government to finalize litigations related to the Abacha linkedMalamiassets.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, He2021. 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, pending the execution of the asset return agreement between the FRN and the USA”. He added that in line with the agreement, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the use of the funds for the ongoing presidential development infrastructural funds (PIDF) projects, which include the Abuja-Kano road, Lagos-Ibadan express way and the second Niger bridge, which are being supervised by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).“The President’s mandate to my office 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 management of returned assets.
The salary increment offered by the federal government in a bid to resolve the industrial disharmony in the nation’s public universities may not achieve the desired result as the university teachers have described at as "arbitrary and misery".
The NAAT president revealed that the union, following a robust engagement with the government was able to secure commitments and resolutions on some of its demands, even as it rejected the 'No Work, No Pay' stance of the federal government. He listed commitments secured from the federal government to include the release of enabling circular on CONTISS 14 and 15, agreements on payment of arrears of minimum wage/ consequential adjustments, payment of occupational hazard allowance, implementation of responsibility allowance, among others.
John Shiklam in Kaduna
UNVEILING OF eNAIRA USD CODE IN KANO...
Meanwhile, Osodeke has labeled state universities that have resumed lectures nationwide as quacks. Speaking on universities who have called off strikes such as Kwara state University, Lagos State University (LASU), Osun State University, Ekiti state University and others, he said: “When you are providing data, look at the background. Kwara State University is not a member of ASUU, Osun State University was suspended for its behavior, you can check, LASU you mentioned, we are in court with LASU because they sacked all our executives five years ago so they are not part of this struggle and Ekiti State University’s government has the right to say we have reopened just as it has happened in Gombe State University, Yobe and Kaduna State“So,University.don’tcite those examples as they are irrelevant. Talk about the issue, is University of Ibadan on strike? Is University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on strike? Is Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) on strike? Is Bayero University Kano (BUK) on strike? is Maiduguri University on strike and the University of Lagos? Let's talk about real universities, not those quacks.”Further reechoing his stance when asked, the ASUU president said, “Yes, they are quarks, go and check.”
NEWS
Calls state universities that defied strike quacks Rejects N10,000 NAPTAN levy support
The ASUU-MOUAU therefore urged the public "to appeal to government to be alive to their responsibilities and to quickly re-commence and conclude the current re-negotiation, to enable our students go back to campuses"
L-R: Representative of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Habibiyya Dankade; CBN Branch controller, Kano, Alhaji Babangida Jino; Representative, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Sagir Mudi; Director Information Technology and Head, eNaira Project Giant, CBN, Hajiya Rakiya Mohammed; Alhaji Aminu Aminu Bizi, and Deputy Director, CBN, Hamisu Musa, at the unveiling of the eNaira USD code in Kano...yesterday
ASUU: Arbitrary, Misery Pay Rise Won't Bring Us Back to Work
“The National Executive Council of NAAT met and considered the results from branches today Thursday 25th August, 2022.
NAAT suspends nationwide industrial action, kicks against 'no work, no pay' rule
The Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups (AARYG), the umbrella body of 225 socio-cultural groups in the north has notified the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command about its planned protest against the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to ex- Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo. The contract was awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to protect pipeline vandalisation and stealing of crude oil. In a letter dated August 22, 2022, and addressed to the FCT Police Commissioner, the group said it had resolved to stage the peaceful protest to the NNPC headquarters on Tuesday, against, "the annoying and inciting pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo." The letter signed by Mock Kure, convener of the groups stated that plans had been concluded to mobilise thousands of northern youth to march to the NNPC headquarters, “to press home ourThedemands."letterwhich was made available to journalists in Kaduna yesterday, stated that the north had suffered so much from activities of bandits and terrorists, noting that even when a case was made to engage mercenaries to help tackle the security challenges, it was “rebuffed” by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, who assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces were more than able to nip the situation in the bud. "It is our considered view that surrendering the security of the economic valves and nerves of our country to Tompolo, is not in any way different from hiring mercenaries."Theonlydifference is that our people can continue to suffer in the hands of terrorist, but crude oil which is considered more important than the blood of northerners need the protection of mercenaries.
"The result of the referendum from branches showed that 80.56 per cent voted in favour of suspension of the strike while 19.44 per cent voted for continuation of the strike action."Subsequently, NEC came to the conclusion that the demands of NAAT were substantially being addressed.Consequent upon the above result, calls and appeals by wellmeaning Nigerians, students, parents and other critical stakeholders, NEC in session, in the interest of the nation unanimously resolved to suspend the ongoing strike action for three months to enable government address all the issues at stake, effective from midnight of Friday, 26th August, 2022."By this development, all NAAT members in tertiary institutions are directed to resume work with effect from the date stated above. “NAAT, therefore requests that students especially final year project students/researchers with on-going research activities and other unfinished practical works can come over and would be attended to.
Responding to a question on the N10,000 proposed by NAPTAN to help address some of the demands by ASUU, he said: “I want to commend them for looking at other ways of contributing money, but for me, I think what this association should be doing is to tell the government to perform its function. “They should tell the president to honor its agreement, secondly make education the number one priority of the country and thirdly use the Nigerian people’s money to fund education as it is done in other countries.” He urged the federal government to increase its budgetary allocation for the education sector
“We can’t be calling ourselves the giant of Africa and we are the worst in education. You see students from Nigeria going to Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, and other small countries to study but nobody from these countries is coming to Nigeria to study.”
The academics also stated that the awarded salary on offer fell far short of high ranking public servants in the military and the judiciary take home at the end of every"Formonth.comparison, this award places the salary of professor at bar on a level slightly higher than that of a Major, but much lower than that of a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Nigerian Army, while it is infinitesimal, in comparison with the current approved and much publicised monthly salary of N10,000,000.00 for the Chief Judge of the Federation," the statement added.Aside salary, ASUU noted that government was yet to address any of the issues that led to the ongoing strike, adding that even the N170 billion government promised for Revitalisation, has been "curiously shifted" to 2023 Budget.
"The renegotiation process is expected to have inputs of both government and ASUU teams as required by Trade Dispute Act of 1976; ILO Conventions 49 of 1948, 91 of 1950, 154 of 1988, and Recommendation 153 of 1981," the Union leaders said. Delving into the history of the matter, ASUU-MOUAU pointed out that past salary increases in Nigeria were products of collective bargaining and not unilateralism. It cited the Udoji Commission Report of 1974; and the Cookey Commission Report of 1981 for the resolution of issues of Salaries and Conditions of Service of University Staff and funding, etc.
NAAT NationwideSuspendsStrike
"If the Armed Forces have come to the sad conclusion that they can't secure the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large, our group is ever ready to rally our youths to secure our communities too, if adequately supported legally and financially," the letter read. The group further frowned at what it termed, the continuous funding of the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, even when it has failed to restore peace to the creeks."We are also worried that the federal government is still funding the Amnesty Programme, yet, peace has refused to return to the creeks. What difference will the N4 billion per month contract awarded to Tompolo make? "In the course of our protest, we shall demand for the scrapping of either the Amnesty Office or the“Incontract.thealternative, our group will press for the award of similar security contract to youths of various geopolitical zones to enable them safeguards their regions since the federal government no longer have confidence in the country security agencies,” the group stated
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia, Nume Ekeghe in Lagos, Kingsley Nwezeh, Adedayo Akinwale and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
"Following this understanding with government, NAAT as a democratic union directed all her branches to conduct referendum on whether to suspend or continue the strike action.
The rejection of the new salary increase awarded by the government was revealed in a statement issued yesterday by the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike(MOUAU), Abia State, stating that government repudiated a collective bargaining agreement.Thiswas just as ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who featured on ‘The Morning Show,’ on Arise News Channels, a THISDAY sister broadcast station yesterday, labeled state universities that have resumed lectures nationwide as quacks and are irrelevant to the fight and mission of ASUU. Osodeke also rejected a proposed N10, 000 per session levy by the National Parent-Teacher Association (NAPTAN) which would require each parent to assist the federal government in making more funds available for universities. However, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), one of the university-based trade unions has suspended its nationwide strike. National President, NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, made this known while addressing newsmen after the National Executive Council meeting of the union held in Abuja, yesterday. At the August 16, 2022 meeting of the Federal theothersalariescenthadCommissionNationalsaidStructureConsolidatedhadbyRenegotiationGovernment/ASUUcommitteechairedProf.Nimi-BriggsgovernmentpresentedaRecommendedAcademicSalary(CONUASS).UnderthenewsalaryregimetohavebeenpreparedbytheSalaries,IncomeandWages(NSIWC)governmentawardedincrementsof35perand25percentofcurrenttoprofessorsatbarandranksrespectively.ButinthestatementsignedbyChairmanofASUU-MOUAU, Michael Ugwuene and Secretary, Paul Nwiyi the union kicked against the pay rise because of the process government followed to arrive at the"Theincrement.cruxofthis matter is that the award is unilateral and a total breach of the provisions of all national and international legislations on which the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is based.
ASUU President Says State Universities that Defied Strike Are Quacks
11FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY
Northern Groups Notify Police of Planned Protest against Tompolo's N4bn Pipeline Contract Award
"A negotiated salary, needless to say, affords industrial harmony because the worker has made an input. A negotiated salary is a right, an awarded salary is potentially arbitrary and is just that: an award," the union added.
In the meantime, NAAT has suspended its nationwide strike. Nwokoma said NAAT had embarked on the strike on March 21, 2022, to press home its demands which included non-full implementation of FGN/ NAAT 2009 agreement, refusal to release enabling circular for the implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for academic technologists, non-payment of the arrears of Earned Academic Allowances to our members, among others.
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY12
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 13
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY14
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 15
deji.elumoye08033025611@thisdaylive.comSMSONLY
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
Halt the Same Faith Ticket Now
Email:
Muslim, you always picked Southern Christians as running mates. In 2003, on the platform of the All Nige rian Peoples Party (ANPP), you chose the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo as your running mate. Later on, you accepted Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, a Christian as a running mate. In 2011, you picked Pastor Tunde Bakare. In 2015, when you won the elections, your choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as vice presidential candidate not only calmed frayed nerves, but proved again that you are a fair leader. It was arguably one of the many jokers for the APC to coast home to victory at the presidential polls both in 2015 and 2019. For Tinubu to now abandon your sense of fairness and inclusivity in the choice of a vice presidential candidate is highly condemnable.Besides,fair-minded Muslims as well as the Christian Association of Nigeria have condemned the action of the APC. In any case, according to a 2018 estimate in the World Fact book by the CIA, Nigeria’s Christian-Muslim population is evenly split. Simply put, Tinubu and the APC’s MuslimMuslim ticket is shamelessly calling the bluff of about half the Nigerian population who are Christians both in the South and Northern parts of the country. As such your party which as a ruling party should lead the way in showing an example of inclusivity and harnessing our diversity risks losing the 2023 presidential elections on the back of this thorny issue, especially as the presidential candidates of main opposition party, PDP and the new third force, the Labour Party, among others, have respected our nation’s diversity and plurality by picking running mates from different religions. Your Excellency, you must also note that Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria clearly states the need to promote fairness, equity and national unity in composition of the federal government. A Muslim-Muslim ticket goes against this spirit. There is no moral or constitutional justification for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, not by the ruling APC or any other political party for that matter.
-Oshiobughie writes from Abuja
16 THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022
garnering votes across a wide spectrum of Nigeria. The choice of a Muslim/Muslim ticket by the APC for 2023 gives life to the perception of some powerful elements in the party of having an underlying religious extremist agenda for Nigeria. This step is a deviation from your antecedents as a fair-minded leader with a heart for a united country demonstrated in your forays in politics as an honest leader who is not divisive. This has been shown in how you managed the issue of a balanced presidential ticket on five occasions. At all the times when you contested in the presidential elections; you showed that you are an inclusive leader. Being a Northern
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
POLITICS Acting Group Politics Edito r DEJI ELUMOYE
Ogah Oshiobughie highlights the potential danger the All Progressives Congress may be doing to itself and the country at large by promoting same faith presidential ticket in the 2023 presidential poll
In Akwa Ibom politics, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, is a household name, widely regarded as a coura geous leader, a bold politician and grassroots mobilizer. He is the governorship candidate on the platform of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Senator Akpanudoedehe believes that he will cause an upset in the 2023 elections by beating the other two main candidates, Mr Umoh Enoh of PDP and Senator Bassey Albert of YPP. If that happens, it would be the first time the PDP would be dislodged from the Akwa Ibom Government House since 1999. Many people in the state, including an APC chieftain and former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet, are eagerly expecting NNPP to win the election. But what are the basis for their optimism? Until last March, Akpanudoedehe was the National Secretary of APC. He support ed the party in the state generously and was on the way to becoming its governor ship candidate until INEC said otherwise. Since 2020, APC has been riddled with leadership crisis and split into two factions, one led by Akpanudoedehe and the other by former Minister Godswill Akpabio. Due to this problem, the party could not conduct its governorship primary. While Akpanudoedehe’s faction had the support of INEC, it did not have the backing of the party’s national leadership. On the other hand, while Akpabio’s faction was sup ported by the National Chairman, it lacked the recognition of INEC. The imbroglio led to a stalemate within the party, and to pursue his ambition, Senator Akpanudo edehe, defected with his supporters and all the ward executives of APC to NNPP. He was immediately nominated a governor ship candidate of NNPP in a primary conducted in June. APC was therefore left without a governorship candidate because INEC refused to authenticate the midnight primary conducted by the Akpabio faction.
Etim Etim looks at the chances of the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, in the 2023 governorship poll in Akwa Ibom state 2023: Can Akpanudoedehe Cause an Upset in Akwa Ibom?
-Etim writes from Abuja
“Despite our utterancesourstrivedifferences,obviouswemusttoensurethatactionsandareaimed towards strengthening our democratic framework. We must subsume our personal and sectional interests to the overall national aspirations of unity, economic prosperity and good governance.” Your Excellency, President Muham madu Buhari, these were your words at the combined Passing Out Parade of the Cadets of 67 Regular Course and Short Service 46 (Army) at the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna two years ago. And just recently you spoke again from the heart on the need for unity of the Nigerian nation. This reality should be obvious to any enlightened thinker. As one nation, Nigeria has a great destiny when the benefits of its diversity are creatively harnessed. As one people, we have benefits of economies of scale as a result of our population and diversity that gives us a manifest destiny not only to be the giant of Africa in terms of economic prosperity and development but also to be the hope and pride of the black man in the comity of nations. However, Nigeria today is going through a time of great need for cohesion, peace and unity. This is so because the country is regrettably polarized along ethnic and religious lines as a result of ill informed actions by state and non state actors across Nigeria from 1999 till now. It is on this note that one finds it preposterous for the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a Muslim to also chose a fellow Muslim, former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as his running mate for the 2023 election.The adoption of an all muslim ticket by Tinubu is a direct attack on the notion of Nigeria’s oneness and togetherness.Forastart,your party, the APC at its birth was perceived by some to have an underlying agenda driven underneath by a minority extremist Muslims in its fold who held commanding heights over its activities. However, many Christians and Muslims who constitute a majority in the party where able to convince Nigerians that such a per ception was untrue and so the party went on to win the 2015 presidential elections
Peter Obi, Coming to America
I’ll ask him (if by any possibilities he’s elected President, what would be the biggest problem to tackle first: needsinflationbanditry/terrorisminsecurity/oreconomichardships/andexistentialsuchasthecostofaloafofbread?
EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA
NBC: Government, Country and People
Chido Nwangwu writes about the proposed visit of the presidential flag-bearer of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, to some states in the United States during which he will deliver lectures and interact with Nigerians in Diaspora about his ambition
Anthony Kila critique the recent threat by the Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah, to suspend 52 radio and television stations nationwide for allegedly refusing to pay their licence fees DearItReaders,isinteresting, even amazing, to discover that the name of Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah and by extension his person is not as known as it should be in the country at least at the moment. An inquiry into the most researched items on search engines in Nigeria in the last week, starting from google to the other search engines shows he is not even in the top 52. This seems to me a rather counterintuitive finding that makes one wonder if there isn’t something somewhat illogical in the way we as a people consume news and information in general. By the way, if you don’t know and you are still wondering who Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah is then you are one of the many that did not bother to look him up. Let us just disclose here that Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah is Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) I mean let us think about. How many media regulators in the whole wide world have had enough reasons and the courage to announce the suspension of the 52 media houses in just one statement? Right or wrong, the NBC DG has performed an outstanding and indeed a historic feat. Be it to applaud, be it to condemn his action, one would have expected readers, viewers and listeners to rush to their source of information to find more out about him. Ordinarily, one would think many would be interested in discovering the life and ways of the man who had the courage and mindset to announce the suspension of 52 media houses in a democratic regime. One would think many would want to know what are his philosophical references and moral influences, what relationship has he got with private property and freedom of speech, what are his thoughts on the economy and social cohesion and perhaps what was his style of management and accomplishment as an administrator and a professional before he was identified and promoted to lead arguably the apex regulating agency of such a sensitive industry and sector in his country. The reason for which Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah on behalf and in the name of the NBC decided to suspend 52 media agencies is that they are debtors who have not paid their license fees. Commonsensically and on the surface the first reaction that comes to mind is that debtors should pay their debts, after all, it is an agreement they entered into. As individuals, we have subscriptions that we all pay and when we don’t pay them, the provider automatically suspends the service, at best with warning. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Yes, it is difficult to instinctively discount such position. A closer look that goes beyond the surface and from a learned and deliberate head will however clearly reveal that the situation is not exactly as simple as “pay your bills to avoid disruptions”. The NBC is a regulatory agency that cannot be readily equated to service providers such as satellite TV providers, telephone companies or internet service providers that incur production expenses in order to provide their measurable services to the customers they invoice. In the case of the NBC, neither production expenses nor services rendered to the invoiced is measurable. This is a good time for anyone that knows and can provide a list of the services and value that the NBC renders to media houses to step forward. The amount designed to be requested from media outlets, little or much as it maybe to you, was at no point negotiated between the regulator and the operators. The NBC simply decides such and expect media outlets to pay. The NBC does not bother herself with the cost of diesel and petrol required to power media stations nor does she concern herself with the level of possible profit or loss that media outlets might incur, like a cruel stepmother, what matters to the NBC is for the basket of harvest to be full and all plates washed before night. Those who shouted and continue to shout foul can easily be understood. It is easy to imagine and even suspect that the NBC’s main secret and sinister agenda is to gag the media. Suspend so many today and by so doing let those allowed to operate know that it could be them tomorrow. Even when we for a moment admit what those close to government and the NBC say that those who see beyond payment of license fee are being mischievous. It is still not consoling. Allowing such thoughts to even enter into people’s minds let alone come out of their lips and pens is an unforced of error. It is an avoidable mistake typical of those who wield power in a postmodern era but with the mindset of the period of absolutism. At a time wherein everything is questioned, the least the NBC can do is to act in a way that will not allow anyone, foes and those in bad faith included, accuse them of any kind of media gagging. Leaving their flank open to such criticisms is the kind of error makes the government look worse than it is. The NBC has said that her action is not political but that is not tenable.
POLITICS 17THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022
C oming to America is the successful 1988 movie of American romantic comedy and cultural interactions based on a story originally created by the superstar actor Eddie Murphy. I have watched this epic movie several times as it has so many things to say about the African heritage and American cultural differences. Murphy played the major role, as Akeem Joffer, the crown prince of Zamunda, a fictional African nation. He visits the United Statesb with hopes of meeting a woman he can marry for love, not status. In some ways, Peter Obi’s latest visits and engagements in the dias pora seek to create a synergy with the global, trans-continental interests of millions of us in the diaspora with his pastel vision for Nigeria, a country in the clutches of exploding crises, murderous impunity and crippling incompetence of the leadership of the country of 220 million people. Obi, technocrat and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, begins a set of lectures and exchanges across some key cities in the north American continent. I’ll classify those as the diaspora engagement and civic infor mation strategy. Obi’s first port of call and lectureship will be Ontario in Canada; Los Angeles in California; Houston in Texas; Char lotte in North Carolina; Washington DC; Atlanta in Georgia; New York City. He will address such diverse organoza tions as Africa Business Club, Black Law Students Association, Columbia University. U.S. Chamber of Com merce, from a mix of Nigerian, African, American groups and coalitions. On Wednesday August 31, in Hous ton (the undisputed capital city of Nigerians in the Americana diaspora), I’ll have a one-on-one USAfricaLIVE interview with Mr,Peter Obi, the disruptive leader of the movement also known as “Obidients”. My chat with Obi will seek, from the horse’s mouth, a “structure” and “capacity” assessment of his battle for the 2023 presidency of Nigeria. I’ll ask him (if by any possibilities he’s elected President, what would be the biggest problem to tackle first: insecurity/ banditry/terrorism or economic hard ships/inflation and existential needs such as the cost of a loaf of bread? What he considers his biggest challenge? What is the single most important infrastructure that Nigeria needs, at this time?
-Dr Nwangwu, is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com Follow him @Chido247 My chat with Obi will seek, from the horse’s mouth, a “structure” and “capacity” assessment of his battle for the 2023 presidency of Nigeria.
How should we make the business relations between the United States, Nigeria and Africa work better for all ofWhatus? about the entrenched bigotry against Nigerians by other Nigerians? Why should a recent Nigerian immi grant live/reside or move to any state in the U.S and be able to live life, pur sue happiness and liberty, and it’s a hill of beans to have an Effiong, Adanna, Kikelomo, Abdullahi to contest as local government chairperson or representa tive in aother parts of Nigeria? For example, I can run for President of the United States, and get very good support without some privileged bumpkin and hatemonger telling me that I’m from the “wrong” part of the country!I’lllike to know what he thinks of the jejune concept of “Emi lokan” — a Yoruba phrase which simply means “it’s my turn”, as being asserted by Buhari’s ruling APC’s presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Does it mean Alhaji Tinubu’s “turn” (with his VP Alhaji Kashim Shettima) to extend or simply man age the catastrophic failures of the Buhari presidency from personal to economic insecurities, from ancient nepotism to divisive religious amd ethnic preferential treatments, daily killings across all the zones/regions of Nigeria, the scandalous drop of the Naira in the parallel market. Also, the scarcity of fuel and kerosine and the murderous visitations of known and unknown gunmen have altered many of the geopoltical assumptions of the past 20 years. For the February 2023 presidential election, I think that Peter Obi is a game-changer with vision and pppp0pppp00pstrategem.
NBC is a government agency and everything government does is political, from nomination of the DG of an agency to the commissioners and directors to the polices these agencies formulate to the ones they choose to implement or not to implement everything is political.Whatthen are the overriding public interests represented and pursued by government? Job and wealth creation one would believe, social cohesion and stability one would imagine. The NBC as she stands today does not at all seem to be an agency useful to country, government and people. With its fame of fining and suspending, she makes the country look like a totalitarian country that does not respect or tolerate diversity and dissent, she makes government appear uncaring about and unconnected to a people that needs to be encouraged to believe in a system that seems designed to take more from them than she gives at every turn. Join me if you can @anthonykila to continue these conversations.
-Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS Lagos. www.ciaps.org.
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY18
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 19
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY20
“These funds were not judiciously utilised, some are diverted to private pockets. Majority of top leaders in the zones and state commands are in the habit of diverting these public funds, including financial assistance
The telecommunication giant raised a historic N127 billion Series 1 & 2 CP under its registered N150 billion programme. The issuance consisted of two tenors – a 184-day series issuance priced at a 7.50 per cent yield and a 254-day Series 2 issuance priced at an 8.50 per cent yield.
MARKET DATA AS AT THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 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 25,2022 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%
The official who pleaded anonymity exposed the illicit activities of some of the agency’s state representatives and accused them of trying to destroy the laudable work the Chairman of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa is doing.Brigadier General Marwa, a former Lagos state governor who was appointed as the Chairman of the agency on January 15, 2021, is widely seen to have revived NDLLEA, which was in near comatose, and his appointment marked a turnaround of the agency. The official alleged that in less than 18 months of his appointment as the chairman of the agency, outstanding and great landmarks have been recorded, among which were: the attraction of over N38 billion for the agency in 2022 for recurrent personnel cost, recurrent overhead cost, and capital expenditure, promotion of over 70 per cent workforce who were stagnated for many years, increased in workforce through the recruitment of 5,000 new cadets, the proposed building of barrack for the agency, unbundling of the agency through the creation of more directorates and fourteen zonal commands. He revealed that the funds provided by the leadership of the agency for use by officers and men to fight the drug menace were diverted to private pockets by the stateHeleaders.pointed out that without such funds the NDLEA cannot effectively carry out investigations on drug suspects and officers may be tempted to compromise in the course of their duty, “as it is known that many drug traffickers have deep pocket and are ready to pay their way out of NDLEA trap.”
BUSINESS WORLD Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com08056356325 21 How NDLEA State Officers Diverted over N20bn Budgetary Allocation, Other Funds To Stay Afloat, Companies Raise N826.64bn CP, Bonds on FMDQ in 7 Months Continued on page 23 Continued on page 23 THISDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022
The report for month of July disclosed that, a total value of corporate bonds listed on FMDQ Exchange was N116.00bn representing a 205.26 per cent or N78 billion Month-on-Month (MoM) increase from N38 billion value listed in June 2022. Similarly, total value of CPs quoted on FMDQ Exchange in July 2022 was N21.16bn, representing a MoM decrease of 48.20 per cent or N19.69 billion from the value of CPs quoted in June According2022. to the report, in July 2022, total outstanding value for corporate bonds and CPs increased MoM by 10.95 per cent or N113.80 billion and 1.11 per cent or N5.78 billion to N1,153.50 billion and N524.58 billion respectively. At the primary market, the Debt Management Office (DMO), according to the report sold Treasury bills (T.bills) valued at N407.55 billion across its fully subscribed auctions in July 2022, representing a 25.20per cent or N137.32 billion MoM decrease in T-bills sold across its auctions in June 2022 (N544.87billion).“Similarly,the DMO reopened two (2) 10Y and one (1) 20Y FGN Bonds issues in July 2022, selling FGN Bonds worth N123.84 billion (subceiling the total amount of FGN Bonds offered by N101.16billion), representing a 45.23 or N102.28 billion MoM decrease relative to June 2022 (N226.12billion) for the same FGN Bond issues. “However, the CBN did not auction OMO Bills in the primary market in July 2022, compared to N40.00billion worth of OMO Bills sold in June 2022,” the report disclosed. However, the secondary market turnover on FMDQ Exchange in July 2022 was N19.76trillon, representing a MoM increase of 8.54 per cent or N1.55trillion and a Year-on-Year (YoY) increase of 16.45per cent or N2.79trillion, respectively. The report disclosed that Money Market (MM) transactions dominated secondary market activity in July 2022, accounting for 41.56per cent of the total secondary market turnover. Total spot market turnover for all products traded in the secondary market was N17.53 trillion in July 2022, representing a MoM increase of 8.30 per cent or N1.34trillion from the turnover recorded in June 2022. The MoM increase in total spot market turnover was driven by the 40.82per cent or N2.38 trillion and 5.68 per cent or N0.17 trillion increase in MM and FX transactions, respectively, which offset the 16.38 per cent or N1.21 trillion decrease in fixed income (FI) transactions in July 2022. The increase in MM turnover was driven majorly by an increase in Repo/ Buy-Back transactions despite a sharp decline in Unsecured forMoMintransactions,Placements/TakingswhilethedecreaseFIturnoverwasdrivenbythedecreaseintransactionsallFIproductsexceptOMO
Chinedu Eze A senior officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alleged that state officers of the agency diverted over N20 billion from budgetary allocation and other funds from donor agencies that were meant to sustain their operations in various states of the federation.
Kayode Tokede Companies requiring NigeriaExchangethatundercorporatebyandareleasedfinancialmonthsonPaperN826.64toshort-term/long-termimmediatecapitalstayafloatraisedatotalofbillionCommercial(CP)andcorporatebondsFMDQExchangeinsevenof2022.AccordingtothelatestmarketsmonthlyreportbyFMDQExchange,totalsumofN524.84billionN301.8billionwereraisedcompaniesthroughCPandbondsintheperiodreview,respectively.ThemostprominentcompanyhaveraisedCPonFMDQthisyearwasMTNCommunicationsPlc.
Mohammed also observed the new experience it has brought in terms of aesthetics, comfort, free trolley services, hotel and premium lounges, friendly customer services and free WiFi, adding that over 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities have been created in the new terminal.“Gentlemen, what you have seen at the terminal in Lagos is replicated in four other terminals across the country in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano. This edifice, and the others like it, is a testament to the commitment of the Buhari administration’s unprecedented infrastructure development covering roads, bridges, rail, water dams, sea ports, etc. No administration in the history of Nigeria has done this much, especially at a time of scarcity of resources,” he said. After several months of underutlisation of the terminal, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu revealed during the press conference that eight international carriers would move to the terminal, but five would relocate their services to the facility in the next two weeks. He also said that the facility had to be tested and reviewed to be sure that it met the given safety and other conditions before it is subjected to full utilisation.
Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI), a nonprofit organisation, supported by Liliane Fonds through The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, staged an Advocacy Walk on recently for the mental health of youths with disabilities and their family members.
He emphasised that SAHCO has a campaign titled, ‘See Something, Say Something, Do Something’ where all staff are trained to always call attention to unscrupulous activities and crooked acts. He stressed that SAHCO has a long-time commitment to support Government’s agencies that are stationed at every point where SAHCO conducts businesses by giving them unhindered access to every nook and crannies of both Import and Export Warehouses, providing the necessary scanning machines and other screening technologies to support NDLEA and other government agencies operations.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 THISDAY
“It was the first terminal added to the original terminal since it was built some 40 years ago. The Terminal 2 Project started in 2013 and was completed by the present administration in 2022 under a bilateral agreement with the People’s Republic of China. The terminal, which has stateof-the art facilities and fittings, has the capacity to process 14 million passengers per annum. It has 60 check-in counters, five baggage Claim Belts, 16 departure desks and 28 arrival desks.” He also stated that there were eight security screening points at the international terminal 2 and seven passenger boarding bridges.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the 2022 World Financial Symptoms (WFS) will focus on reshaping airline resilience. The event will take place from19-22 September in Doha, Qatar, with Qatar Airways as the host Followingairline.thegreatest shock to aviation in history, the industry is emerging rapidly from the pandemic and government-mandated travel restrictions of the past two years. Industry losses are expected to reduce to $9.7 billion this year from nearly $180 billion in red ink in 2020-21. As travel barriers fall in most regions, very strong demand is supporting expectations for a recovery to preCOVID-19 traffic levels by 2024, with profitability a possibility in 2023. At the same time airline debt levels have soared as carriers borrowed to stay aloft during the crisis. And finance departments across the industry will face challenges as the industry achieves its 2050 fly net zero IATA’scommitment.DirectorGeneral, Willie Walsh, said: “Airlines are resilient. Now is the time to build on the hard work and difficult restructurings of the past two years to seize opportunities coming out of the crisis. Finance will play a vital role in supporting the ongoing recovery while creating a sustainable capital structure to support our ambitious environment agenda.”
WATCHAIR BUSINESSWORLD AIR WATCH NIMASA
The walk will kick off at 7:30am from the Teslim Balogun Stadium (Under the Bridge) to 22B, Amosu Street, Off Bode Thomas Street, Surulere,FounderLagos.ofJDI, Angela OchuBaiye, stated: “Our goal is to draw public attention to the many forms of discrimination that persons with disabilities face every day, the effect it has on their mental health and consequently, the need for a more inclusiveOchu-Baiye,society”.who urged Lagosians to come out and join the walk in order to put on the front-burner, the stigmatisation which people with disabilities grapple with, added that some persons with albinism, dwarfism and sickle cell anaemia as well as members of the deaf and blind clusters would be part of the walk.
Chinedu Eze Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) has declared its continuous support to Nigeria’s fight against peddling of controlled substances.
The Managing Director/CEO of SAHCO, Basil Agboarumi, stated that SAHCO boasts of well-trained staff that are equipped to know what to look out for according to world best practices before accepting Cargo and are also trained to cooperate with government’s agencies like The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), assigned to SAHCO’s Import and Export warehouses.Agboarumi also reiterated that SAHCO, which is a major gateway to Import and Export in Nigeria, has one of the best warehouses in West Africa and these warehouses are Customs bonded. The warehouses, which are built with the latest technology, are constructed with the customers’ best interest at heart and also for the purpose of maintaining our clients’ trust by ensuring that clients of questionable businesses are not allowed to use SAHCO’s warehouses as gateways for their nefarious activities.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We are honored to be hosting the first in-person WFS since 2019 during our milestone 25th year of operations. This vital symposium will bring together financial leaders from airlines and our many supply chain partners to discuss and debate the path forward and the challenges to be overcome.” A highlight of the WFS opening plenary will be an onstage discussion with Akbar Al Baker and Willie Walsh on the theme of the industry’s future.
22
She, further, expressed gratitude to Liliane Fonds and The Leprosy Mission Nigeria for being a champion of inclusion in the country while using the opportunity to call on all stakeholders to take necessary actions to end all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities.
Chinedu Eze
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Engr. Victor Ochei, who also serves as the Chairman of the NJIC, emphasized on the benefits of the ongoing review for the Nigerian Maritime sector as a Inwhole.hiswords, “Thus far, the regulation of the minimum standards of living and working condition of seafarers through the instrument of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process has created a harmonious working relationship between stakeholders, seafarer employers and the workers in the nation’s maritime labour sector.”
“There is a connecting area with the old terminal where passengers are move from one terminal to the other. We need to have the aircraft to be able to park at one side. The second part is that FAAN is working with the federal government to ensure the clearing of obstruction so that there will be accessibility for the planes to park in that area,” Yadudu said. The Minister also threw light on the uitilisation of the old and new terminals, which have been connected to function together. He explained that a passenger could board his flight in one terminal after checking in in another. “You can arrive in one terminal and pick your luggage in another terminal and this has taken care of the issue of interface between the two terminals. I was here 40 years ago when the first terminal was commissioned. There is a time between the commissioning of an airport and when the airport becomes operational. You know aviation is unforgiving of any mistake. So we need to test-run and be extremely certain that every equipment is working optimally. The beauty of it is that this airport has become operational. You can come in here and continue to various parts of the world. When the old airport was commissioned, it took quite a while for it to become operational. The new international terminal is not to replace the old one but to complement it. It is gradually, and very soon this airport will be very busy. You can see that terminals are not used only by airlines. We have restaurant operators; banks, foreign exchange operators etc and you have to screen people over and over again before it becomes operational,” he said. The Minister said the issue of maintenance up to the cleaning of the airport had been taken care of, noting that FAAN would not compromise safety, cleanliness and operational standards at the facility. “At the beginning some people said we should give the maintenance of the airport to local companies but I said what is important is safety and security. Gradually we will give the maintenance to competent people who will also be obliged within a certain time to transfer technology to local companies. As at today, the best company in the world is taking care of the maintenance of this airport. On the old terminal, when you build a terminal for 40 years for 200 thousand passengers and today it carries about eight million passengers. This is why there is a need for this terminal to complement the old terminal and take off some of the load from there. This terminal is built to accommodate and process 14 million passengers annually,” he said. to Incorporate Seafarer Working Conditions in New Act
“The importance of this gathering is determined by the need for adequate compensation, renumeration and workplace conditions for Nigerian Seafarers, and for employers of labour to ensure responsible Conditions of Service guiding seafarer employment in line with global best practices”, he added.
According to him, “The objective behind setting up these different booths is for our end users, enthusiasts and customers, and media to really get up close and personal with Canon products to gather all the knowledge, and additional tips and tricks they need to use their Canon products optimally.”
SAHCO Reaffirms Support for Fight against Drugs NGO Organises Walk for Mental Health of Persons with Disabilities
After the unveiling of the new international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), Lagos in March 2022, it has remained underutilized, but Air Peace, pushed by nationalistic zeal moved to the facility shortly after it was opened to operate all its international and regional services. Other airlines for different reasons were reluctant to relocate to the terminal. On Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and a retinue of government officials toured the state-of-the-art terminal, which remains one of the best airport facilities in the sub-region. The tour took the Minister through the check in area, passport control/Immigration Desks, screening machines, the 22-room hotel, six boarding gates, boarding areas, praying area for Muslims and Christians, Port health screening area, baggage claim area and arrival concourse. After the tour the Minister said: “I must confess it was an exhilarating experience comparable to what obtains anywhere in the world. The new International Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was not built to replace Terminal 1. It was built to complement it. That’s why we were told that you could check in at one terminal 1 and board at the other. So there is a handshake between the two terminals.
“On the area of the operations of airlines, aviation is a very sensitive business. We will rather take our time than to start on the wrong footing and that does not mean nothing is being done. From the 1st of September, which is in the next two weeks, five more airlines are scheduled to start operations in the new international terminal. A lot of integration has to be done. More than eight airlines showed interest but five are starting from 1st of September from the international terminal.
WFS to Focus on Reshaping Airline Resilience Post-COVID Canon Begins Tour in Nigeria with New Product Launch
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh has stated that a revised working condition for Nigerian Seafarers is a major component of the proposed review of the NIMASA Act and the Merchant Shipping Act currently before the National Assembly for consideration.Hestated this during the inauguration of the Tripartite National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) meeting for the review of minimum standards for Nigerian Seafarers being hosted by the Agency and held in AccordingLagos.toDr. Jamoh, “The ongoing review by the NJIC is timely because it comes at a time when we are in the process of reviewing both the NIMASA Act and the Merchant Shipping Act with the outcomes of the tripartite negotiations by the NJIC to be inputed into both Amendments to ensure that they are binding”.
Ensuring Upmost Utilisation of Lagos Airport International Terminal
Emma Okonji Canon Central and North Africa has embark on the Canon R Tour journey to Nigeria, in line with the company’s vision to bring together the finest imaging technology solutions to the continent of Africa. Through the R tour, Canon is also launching its revolutionary mirrorless range of products for the first time in Nigeria, which include EOS R3, EOS R5 C, EOS R7, and EOS R10.
Canon made this known in Lagos this week, when it hosted a Masterclass with Canon Certified trainer Austen Udoh, on its renowned mirrorless products, followed by an open exhibition that put on display some of Canon’s best products for the audiences to touch and try.
Speaking about the product launch, the Director of Sales and Marketing, Canon Central and North Africa, Amine Djouahra, said: “Canon has set up various experiential booths to facilitate audiences in getting an authentic experience of the Canon universe. A total of five different experiential booths promises a thrilling ride for the participants. The R series and Pro Printer booth will put on display the Canon R series line-up along with its different accessories.”
L-R, Director General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Managing Director, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu when Mohammed visited the new terminal at MM International Airport in Lagos… recently
The advocacy walk, which is a component of a larger project involving free group therapy sessions for persons with disabilities and their family members, will culminate in a final report to be shared with relevant stakeholders for improvement in policy implementation.
“But if they will use aircraft registered in Nigeria they will have to train their crew. They will also carry out demo flights. It is highly unlikely that the airline will obtain AOC within this short time if it follows the regulation procedures without cutting corners. It is highly unlikely that the new airline will start operation before May 29, 2023 without shunting the processes. They will have to bring the aircraft, paint the aircraft in its own livery. This will take time. I believe they will finish the paper work and leave the actual establishment of the airline for the in-coming government. It will be at the discretion of the new government to decide whether to continue the project or not. This will be a waste of government funds to try to establish the airline hurriedly. Nigerians want a national carrier that is sustainable without government intervention. What it needs is government sovereign guarantee,” he said.
“Howencouraging.doyoutalk about core investor when airlines’ half billion dollars is trapped in your country. How is the core investor going to have a return on his investment if money earned from simple ticket sales cannot be repatriated? How do you think he can repatriate his investment?” the source questioned.
Optimists in the aviation industry who are nostalgic about a new national carrier would say that nine months is enough to midwife a national carrier, but pragmatists would insist that if the procedures are followed according to 2006 Civil Aviation Act, as amended and all other regulations abided to, nine months would not be enough to establish a national carrier, considering the level of work already done to actualise the project. This is the regular debate in the aviation sector about the new national carrier being spearheaded by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, known as Nigeria Air. It is nine months to the end of the administration, when he vacates office on May 29 next year. So far, the planned national carrier has obtained Air Transport Licence (ATL), which is a forerunner to Air Operator Certificate (AOC). But many in the industry are still bewildered that an administration that has two tenures of four years each, is still struggling to actualise a national carrier project at the twilight of its second tenure. The long-term gestation has bred cynics who doubt the sincerity of the project and many of them hope they would be proved wrong at the end of the day. Being wrong means a new carrier would be born, new jobs created and more capacity added to existing aircraft fleet in Nigeria. But as they struggle to be sanguine, doubts still lurk in the dark corners against hope, considering the opaque process, as people yearn to have a glimpse of what stage of the project government is in.
LEASED AIRCRAFT
“The dangers associated with this unwholesome practice among the leaders of the zones and state levels are many and varied. One is that their actions are serious offences, which are punishable under the law and pose serious risk to the operation of the agency. Secondly, they encourage and promote abortion of operation, leaking of information among the operatives, thirdly, their actions propel officers to release suspects and drugs on highways or during patrol operation or at the scene of operation as reactions to their leaders bad habits who don’t fund operations even when the funds are in their hands. This bad behaviour kills the zeal and morale of the officers, ”he stated. Specifically, he said that the 14 zones created by the NDLEA chairman as one of his initiatives to strengthen the operation across all the geo-political zones of Nigeria in order to make the drugs barons and their agents uncomfortable, only a few of these leaders have actually followed due process and accountability in the management and utilization of public funds.
CORE INVESTOR THISDAY investigation has also revealed that so far government has not zeroed on any investor yet. So government is driving the whole process. Industry expert and the Secretary General of Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Ojikutu, had wondered why government alone is driving the process and at the same time it claims that it would have only 5 per cent stake and core investor would have over 40 per cent. Ojikutu told THISDAY: “I have my doubts about the airline, except we are banking on a government carrier and not a national carrier. We were told the carrier would include foreign technical partners/investors 40 per cent; Nigerian investors 30 per cent; Nigerian public 25 per cent and Federal Government 5 per cent. It is the shareholders of 5 per cent we are hearing from daily; where are the major shareholders of 40 per cent, 30 per cent and 25 per cent? They no de talk? By the way, what is the share capital? What contributions are we expecting from the various shareholders?”
The Managing Director of Flight and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, said there was need for a national carrier but the existing airlines should be given equal opportunity and there should be a level playing field for all airlines.
BUSINESSWORLD AVIATION THISDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022
“The Agency can stop this problem by carrying out audit investigation periodically at the zones and state commands to find out how these funds are being utilized or appropriated. This measure will restore trust and confidence in the Agency and helps operational activities and also reduce underhand practices among operatives, ”he said. He went further to reveal that Karofi, a town in Dutsin-ma Katsina State, is the headquarters for production of psychotropic substances and other illegal drugs in the Northwest zone, while Sabon Gari in Kano is also reputed for warehousing psychotropic drugs including cough syrup with codeine.“There is also an untouchable baron in Daura Katsina, whose identity is known to the operatives in the state. No one cares to arrest him or prosecute him. Similarly, in the recent past a big baron was arrested in Malumfashi town and he was released on the road and his drugs were set ablaze and huge sums of money exchanged hands. This illegal action by the operatives is due to the failure of the leaders there to do the right thing in terms of funding operations. “This ugly development is not noticed in Katsina and Kano only; some other zones and state commands experience such underhand activities. In Ekiti in South-west Nigeria, operatives often turn blind eyes to some big dealers due to their leaders who do not want to fund operations with official funds. Ise areas that share boundaries with Ondo State are known for hemp business, while in Edo and Delta in South-south, Indian hemps are transported from these states to Abuja through Onuchu Igbo routes in Delta state.
The informed source also told THISDAY that after the bidding for the core investor, the Ministry of Aviation promised to open the bid but it has not done so “because the investors that won the bid might have changed their mind because of recent developments.”“Iknowthatmany bided including airlines from Europe but my fear is that if the big airlines that indicated interest like Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines have changed their minds, government may just go and get these small airlines from Europe out of desperation. It will be like, let’s just bring in anybody and let it do this, since the airline that won may have declined,” the source said.
INVESTMENT A former Managing Director of a major airline told THISDAY that any company that chose to be the foreign partner and core investor in the new airline should be looking to invest about $200-$300 million as initial take off capital. This is because the investor has to bring in aircraft, open offices, budget for ground operations. The investor must have money to sustain the new airline from 18 to 24 months.
Top industry stakeholder told THISDAY in a telephone interview that if the federal government behind the national carrier project would follow the process of obtaining operator’s certificate the way the procedure is laid down in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR), nine months would not be enough to obtain AOC, which would enable the airline to start operation. But if the process is circumvented because government is behind the project, the airline could begin to operate without proper foundation, which would not be good for the airline because without such foundation it would not be able to operate for a long time. There have been efforts to establish a national carrier in the past and it followed the same short-cut process and the airline never airlifted passengers from any airport to another and went under even before the administration that established it left office.“They have already obtained Air Transport Licence. They will have to do demo flights before they obtain AOC. There is no crew yet for cabin and cockpit. They will have to train them,” Odaudu said.
SCEPTICISM
23 HOW NDLEA STATE OFFICERS DIVERTED OVER N20BN BUDGETARY ALLOCATION, OTHER FUNDS from donors and state governors, which is against the Agency’s rules and regulation. It has been observed that many of them who lack moral scruples throw away a culture of due process, accountability, probity and righteousness, transparency and channel these funds for private use instead of abiding by due process in the management of official funds entrusted in their hands for official assignments, ”he disclosed. “In the last one year, for example more than N200 million has been released by the Chairman to the zones, state commands and other units for operational and administrative assignments, but it is worrisome and tragic that most of the funds found their ways in private pockets.
Other informed source told THISDAY that it would be difficult for Nigeria to secure a core investor for the national carrier, considering Nigeria’s fiscal environment, which he said was not
“Anambra State in South-east is the leading state in psychotropic and cough syrup production, which are distributed across Nigeria. Abia State tops the list for cocaine and heroine business, while Imo State is known for crystal meth, which is produced in many parts of the state. Operatives in this zone and state commands do not care or feel bothered about the waves of drug trafficking and abuse especially crystal meth. The south-east zone with reference to Imo zone, is strategic as it controls Abia, Anambra and Imo states, the three major states in the South-east zone. These three states are the main economic drivers in the entire five states in south-east. It is on record that drug trafficking and abuse are higher in Abia, Anambra and Imo states than in Ebonyi and Enugu states, ”he narated.
THISDAY on Tuesday requested update on the national carrier project from the Advisor to the Minister of Aviation, Professor Tilman Gabriel. THISDAY wanted to know the timeline for the project, whether there was already a core investor and whether the promise that the airline would take to the sky before end of this year still holds. Media Adviser to the Minister of Aviation, Dr James Odaudu explained to THISDAY that the team driving the project had secured approval for the lease of the aircraft for the new airline and the next stage would be to obtain AOC from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
There is likely not going to be a national carrier operating scheduled domestic service by May 2023, even when the paperwork for a new government-backed airline may have been concluded, writes Chinedu Eze
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
“It will be fine if the airline starts operation with Nigerian registered aircraft. It is illegal to start operations with foreign registered aircraft. Part G of the operations specification allows airline to bring in aircraft with crew for about six months and after that the airline may renew for another six months by changing the crew and carrying out other procedures.
TO STAY AFLOAT, COMPANIES RAISE N826.64BN CP, BONDS ON FMDQ IN 7 MONTHS Bills and Other Bonds. In the FX Market, the Naira depreciated against the US Dollar, with the exchange rate ($/N) increasing by 1.43per cent or N6.03/Dollar to close at an average of N427.01/Dollar in July 2022 from N420.98/ Dollar recorded in June 2022. Further, exchange rate volatility increased marginally in July 2022 compared to June 2022 as the Naira traded within an exchange rate range of N424.17-N431.00/Dollar in July 2022 compared to N419.00 - N425.50/Dollar recorded in June 2022.
The industry stakeholder also told THISDAY that it is illegal to use foreign registered aircraft to start commercial airline in Nigeria, noting that wet leased aircraft would come with cabin and cockpit crew, which means Nigerians would not be employed for those positions and this is a national carrier. So the airline must start flights with Nigerian registered aircraft if it must abide by the regulations that guide operations in the industry.
Why National Carrier May Remain Elusive
POLITICS, INTRIGUES AND CONSPIRACIES In politics, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interest, writes SAHEED OLATUNJI HELL IS HERE IN OMORORTIONMWANJOSEFNIGERIA writes that the worker’s pay can no longer take him home EDITORIAL THE BANE OF DIESEL GENERATORS See page 25 See page 25
With the Muhammadu Buhari administration playing deaf and dumb it’s time for striking university teachers to postpone the fight, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI
TIME TO SUSPEND THE BATTLE
Obviously frustrated by the prospects university teachers under the auspices of many Nigerians have started to call for a truce and an end to the raging hostility. outlets have yielded their platforms to thedispute.clear incapacity of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to either understand tied the creature to the tree for too long as punishment for an infraction of ethics. An increasing proportion of the public interest of its students and their parents particularly because this administration seems incapable of resolving the issues came onboard more than seven years ago. becloud the issues in the public domain as the university unions had been met and theThebattlefront.minister suggested that the teachers had remained adamant because of their
for the elongation of the dispute to the called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in holding the government to account for its claimed as its birthright the habit of not He argued that the issues are resolvable prioritise public education as deserving of the heavy investment that is required gooddevelopment.jobofrestating the position of his colleagues that the issues are beyond their personal comfort of better pay and a sustainable funding system for public needs to be resolved once and for all discussions and interim resolutions half-truths that tend to paint the teachers pretends to have responded to the issues reneging on interim agreements acceded to by its negotiating team. government had agreed to release N100 not an accurate picture. supposed to be released to the universities annually until the agreed N1.2 trillion to honour this agreement until another government is promising to pay. against their leadership for agreeing to the argued that since it is evident that the Buhari administration has become incapable of This is a plausible proposition. Among in a public spat essentially because the interests of its students and parents. Adebiyi, the managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes fromthisdaylive.combolaji.adebiyi@
Perhaps responding to the rising public the academics by the government has zonal congresses already met yesterday coming out of the congresses are that prolonged battle to force the government 2017 Memorandum of Agreement. From the responses of Emmanuel prolongation. Pushing the responsibility
T U S N See page 26
24
1THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 Friday August 26, 2022 Vol 27. No 9997 www.thisdaylive.com opinion@thisdaylive.com
An increasing proportion of the public now thinks that ASUU has made its point and should go back to work in the interest of its students and their parents particularly because this administration seems incapable of resolving the issues just as it has failed to tackle all of the other challenges it promised to deal with when it came onboard more than seven years ago
The speaker demonstrated true statesmanship and a huge capacity to forgive. Many saw that colourful side of the man, straight forward and not nursing any grudge against anybody. As the Speaker seeks peace on all front, the wellbeing of Nigeria, especially the teeming youth is paramount to him. He has always sought out ways to better their lot, either through policy advocacy, legislations and interventions, Gbajabiamila is proyouth.On this year’s commemoration of the International Youth Day with the theme, “intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages”, Gbajabiamila engaged the youths on the need to be more involved in the political process of the nation, noting that the future of the country rest essentially on their active involvement in the process.
POLITICS, INTRIGUES AND CONSPIRACIES
Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila also unveiled Digital Ideas Bank and the establishment of a policy faculty, a project principally set to generate views and collate policy proposals for the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. “Two important things are going to happen at this summit. First, the unveiling of a Digital Ideas Bank for Nigerians and friends of the country here and abroad to send in their ideas about the changes they wish to see and their recommendations on making those changes possible. Secondly, a Policy Faculty will be established to collate, review and cohere these ideas and suggestions into practical policy proposals.
3THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 25 30,000 is to be devoted to transportation alone, - no food, no rent and nothing at all - his take-home pay cannot take him home! Hard times are here again. How did we get here? The Nigerian economy has now become a subject for thing you are reminded of is that the present Administration promised during the last campaigns that the Naira would be brought at par with the dollar in the life of the administration. The naira crash was doomsday foretold. About 18 months ago, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State raised the alarm that each time the country was broke, the Central Bank headed for the Mint and reeled out bank notes. He maintained that the Nigerian currency was being printed for the payment of salaries and that the practice would soon land the country in trouble. The Central Bank Governor, Mr. “I am not a politician. The politicians must leave me to do my job”. as the ranting of a drowning man who was desperately seeking relevance. We, however, warned of the grave the Mint each time it is broke, drawing heavily on the experience of post- World War II GermanyGermany.was totally broke from the War. It headed for the mint and reeled out the Deutsche Mark (DM) until the DM became worthless. It was no longer worth the paper on which it was printed. Go to the Museum of Natural History in you is a letter that was posted within the country. The postage was one million Deutsche Mark. The big envelope had postage stamps pasted all over and they found space to write the balance in long hand.And now, the bubble has burst! In Nigeria, you are no longer a millionaire if you can count your millions. We have bemoaned unemployment in Nigeria but we now wonder if it is not better to be unemployed than to be working when your take-home pay cannot take you home! For the Nigerian worker, this is a choice between the rock and the hard place.The worker has always held the shorter end of the stick. In the past, there were deliberate designs intended to cushion many states has been consigned to history. The purchasing power of his Naira has plummeted almost to zero but the worker works on, even when his take-home pay cannot take him home. President Buhari suddenly realises that the worker needs an upward review of his salary in view of the prevailing circumstances. Labour is asking for an upward review of 50% of the worker’s Where do we go from here?
Omorortionmwan writes from Canada
While addressing participants of a Youth and Social Development Summit, organized by the Gbaja Professionals Volunteers Network (GPVN), the speaker averred that All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu represents the hope Nigeria craves at this point in the political history of the country. He said: “What happens in that election and the kind of nation we will on the choices young people make in the lead-up to that election and at the polling booth. It is unfortunate that the political conversations about the forthcoming elections have become dominated by the loud voices of division and derision for whom politics is a contact sport designed to and the body politic. “These voices have elevated fake news over facts and the politics of grievance and victimhood over studied consideration of determine the fate of the young people who make up the majority of our population. You must resist this. It is time for the voices of reason and compromise, whose manifest desire is to be part of the solution, to seize the debate, and make their voices heard. refocus the public debate on matters of honoured to be associated with it”.
“These proposals will be presented to guide the campaign and, hopefully, the Presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What an excellent example of active citizenship, of citizens coming I urge all of you who are here today to make sure to take part in this project. I encourage you to spread the message to your friends, them they too can be a part of building a nation that meets their best expectations,” he said.
So, it was the turn of Gbajabiamila to unveil Wike projects, barely two weeks after Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu performed a similar assignment. The speaker was invited to unveil the legislative the Rivers Assembly members comprising 32 fully furnished four-bedroom duplexes for each member. The programme turned dramatic as the boisterous governor made a public confession of the failed plot to stop Gbajabiamila to become the speaker. Like a man whose God was on his side, Gbajabiamila survived the machinations and ascended the number four position in Nigeria.Itwas gracious for Gbajabiamila who apparently knew the active role played by Wike to scuttle his ambition to still accept to be Wike’s guest in Port Harcourt. Like the Biblical Joseph, what was meant for evil, turned out to be good. Gbajabiamila in his response went philosophical with veiled reference to Karma. He told Wike that those he plotted with to thwart his speakership ambition were the same people that conspired to scuttle his bid to clinch the presidential ticket of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Those he called brothers and associates were actually his foes. The Speaker said, “Let me start by thanking the Governor, my friend and brother that a confession that has been known to all forever that you plotted against me. It is the irony of life and indeed very interesting, the twist of fate, that those who he sat with to plot against me are the same people who sat together at your primary to plot against you. So, plotting is not necessarily a new thing in politics but what is constant is that in politics, there are no permanent enemies, there are no permanent friends but permanent interest.”
Our hearts bleed for the Nigerian worker. He is at the receiving end of every failing policy. And to the extent that all government It seems like yesterday when we had the era of scarce commodities. You could have some small money in your hands but you didn’t have what to buy with the money. Most production concerns had closed shop in Nigeria and moved to neighbouring land. The middle class had become totally obliterated. In the end, it began to appear that money had ceased from circulation. Everywhere was dry. In one of those parties we had in Government House in Benin City, this young lecturer from the University of Benin came to we should kindly show him where he could carrySurpriseddrugs. to my bones, I asked him if he knew the implication of what he was wasThecaught.man said, that was exactly what he wanted. Imprisonment would be an improvement on his present state. According to him, as a lecturer, his salary was peanut. There was War Against Indiscipline, which also included the War Against Handouts in the universities which was what they used to augment their paltry income. He further stated that he was moonlighting by running a taxi with his jalopy after classes but the jalopy has now broken down. He was dying and wondered why he should not go to prison and have some peace. That of General Muhammadu Buhari, as it then was.We told him we did not know any drug running cartel. We counselled him and prayed for him. Maybe the prayers worked. The General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida things it did was introduce an improvement on the welfare of university workers. When we came across the man later, he was already a professor and was really bubbling with life. We asked if he would still like to be linked to a drug cartel. We laughed andThelaughed!crash of the naira is the moral of taxation without representation. As we speak, the dollar is exchanging for more than 00 and still climbing! Some Economists see the dollar hitting 1000 by the end of the year.Even granting that the minimum wage of Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor, has majorly from his political party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to commission projects in his state until recently when he started hobnobbing with chieftains of the ruling party amidst rumour of plan to defect following the fallout of the Presidential Primaries which favoured former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar.
Olatunji writes from Ibadan
In politics, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interest, writes SAHEED OLATUNJI HELL IS HERE IN NIGERIA JOSEF OMORORTIONMWAN writes that the worker’s pay can no longer take him home
Gbajabiamila played a pivotal role in making #Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act a reality. The Act empowers young people to get involved in politics by reducing the age
4 THISDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer. Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com Letters to the Editor LETTERS EDITORIAL THE BANE OF DIESEL GENERATORS No fewer than 70 per cent of Nigerian How is it that we have found it extremely difficult to fix our public power system and grow its capacity to levels that would ensure a permanent removal of all diesel generators in our economy? Reliance of the economy on diesel generators is unsustainable 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 Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com WADUME, JALINGO AND NIGERIA’S WILD JUSTICE 26
Please tell us about yourself sir? My name is Charles Olushola Ladeji, a Nigerian professional in the banking industry in the United Kingdom. I have lived abroad for the past 35 years with my family. My desire is to return to live in Nigeria at some point in the near future. You recently wrote an open letter to the governor of Lagos State on the government’s failure to allocate physical land to you and other buyers in the Oko Orisan Waterfront Residential Scheme, 12 years after completing payment. Tell us more about this? That is correct. My siblings and I made the decision in 2010 to purchase a piece of land each at the Oko Orisan Waterfront Residential Scheme in Lekki area of Lagos State. We were introduced to the scheme by a family friend who assured us that being a government scheme, it was a safe and sound investment, which made sense to us. At that time, we were looking to buy land in Nigeria to help realise our future plans. We therefore each paid just over N3 million to buy plots at the scheme. What evidence do you have to show that you truly bought land at the Oko Orisan Waterfront Residential Scheme? We were all issued with allocation letters, and receipts. We all have original copies of the letters. The letters were issued by the Lagos State government, the Governor’s Office and were dated 4 November 2010. I have visited the state offices in Alausa, Ikeja, on several occasions to inquire about progress on the physical hand over of the land and it has never been in dispute that we purchased those lands and the paper allocations rightly made. Do you know if there are buyers who have got physical allocation at the scheme? I don’t know that there are buyers that have got physical allocations. I don’t believe there are any. The reason I say that is that I drove down to the proposed location of the scheme, after the Dangote Refinery, and the place is all bush. I was provided with information on the location by the officials at Alausa, which was verified by the locals in that area when I arrived there. There was absolutely no access road to the land. It has not been physically handed to anyone as of October 2021 when I visited. Could it be that the scheme was a fraud? To the best of my knowledge, the state government did not intend for the scheme to be a fraud. I say that because we were issued with official letters of purchase and receipts by the Lagos State government, and I have visited Alausa on several occasions and I have been told that the state government was working on the physical allocation of the land. I have met with various officials of government in Alausa, so I don’t think the original intention was for it to be fraudulent but because of what has happened over the years, it is now taking on an appearance of a scheme that lacked credibility. The whole idea is starting to look like the government no longer have the intention to allocate the land. And if they have taken money and have no intention of allocating land, then the result is that one could come to the conclusion that its action is questionable, and at the very least deceptive. It would be difficult for the government to fault that conclusion. What makes this of grave concern is that the state government has continued to launch other schemes, when they are fully aware that they have failed to physically hand over land that were previously purchased from them. It is for people to form their own opinion, but this conduct, in my own view, is immoral, and is lacking integrity. In your open letter you mentioned the poor treatment meted out to buyers of the Oko Orisan Waterfront Residential Scheme by Lagos State government officials responsible for the scheme. Can you talk more on this? It is mainly down to the fact that there was a lack of care. On each occasion that I visited government offices at Alausa, all I was given were excuses after excuses. On each occasion, I got the impression that the officials were helpless, that they were only repeating instructions passed down from higher quarters. So, as an institution, the government, along with the civil service couldn’t care less about the plight of people. For me that demonstrated poor treatment.
in
Mr. Charles Olushola Ladeji, a Nigerian banker based in the United Kingdom, and his siblings invested in the Lagos State promoted Oko Orisan Waterfront Residential Scheme in 2010, some 12 years ago. Unfortunately, he and other investors in the scheme have not been physically allocated their plots. Ladeji recently wrote an open letter to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his intervention in the matter. In this interview, he shed more light on the situation. Excerpts: Ladeji
NOTE: Interested readers should continue the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
easily engage with. As an individual, one could not easily get the attention of the governor on this kind of matter. Past and present governors will probably go around claiming credit that they have these schemes in Lagos State, but you need to be at the receiving end of it to know the state government claims are wrong. The governors may have been misled by their advisers and the civil servants involved that the lands have been handed over to their owners. We are now at a stage that the current governor needs to step in and resolve the issue. The governor needs to take control, otherwise it is Sanwo-Olu’s credibility that is currently at stake. Unlike the governor, the courts are easily accessible. So why haven’t you approached the courts? The courts are the last resort. Approaching the court has its own implications. We should not be promoting a society where every grievance is resolved through the courts. In any case, we know that it can be a very long process going through the Nigerian courts, and as they say justice delayed is justice denied! Also, by going to the court one gets a sense that one is throwing good money after bad so that one could end up losing even more money. Where things are now, it is unclear what the intentions of the state government are. The government has a responsibility to do what is right without having to be taken to court. Have you tried to seek the intervention of the Lagos State Assembly on this matter? I haven’t, and it’s for the same reasons I gave for why I have not sought a redress in the courts. I paid for a piece of land that the government promoted, citizens used their money to purchase land from the government and have not received what they paid for. Dreams have been shattered, lives have been destroyed, hopes lost, and people cheated as a result. I don’t think it is unreasonable of us to ask for what is ours without resorting to any of these things. We Nigerians seem to have lost the sense of our rights; our expectations of government have been drastically eroded that we don’t even think of getting anywhere without resorting to these things. It is a massive problem in our society, and it is shameful. If the common Nigerian see how things are done in some other African countries, they will feel sorry for themselves. What do you have to say to the governor, the state assembly, and other well-meaning Lagosians who can help you get closure on this matter?
Ladeji: Why LASG Should Allocate Investors’ Land at Oko Orisan Waterfront Scheme
Firstly, the people that are responsible for decision making should put themselves in the shoes of those that have used their hard earned money to buy land, ordinary Nigerians. Because someone that would purchase land in this type of scheme is not someone of great means with tonnes of money. So, I say to the government, please do what is right. It does not help the reputation of the money to buy a piece of land in a scheme in the hope of building a residential property to retire and live in is unable to do that then it means that many more Nigerians are potentially affected by what the government has done. Such actions, of collecting money from someone and failing to provide what they paid for, will scare investors from the state, and that is looking at it from commercial perspectives too. The government does not even appear to care about the message it is sending out to Nigerian and foreign investors. For example, I know of a few Nigerians living abroad that are investing in their own retirement homes outside Nigeria when ordinarily they would have preferred to be in Nigeria. It was Babatunde Raji Fashola that was in government when we purchased the land. And three administrations after, we have not had a resolution. There is a contract in place, an agreement between the government and allottees, and the government should fulfil its side of the contract, no matter what it may cost the government now. Otherwise, trust and confidence will be lost in the Lagos State government. And when such happens, that is what leads to disobedience and disturbances in society. The Lagos state government should restore the faith of the people by allocating this land and any other scheme it has yet to conclude on. What the government should do is to allocate the land that money has been collected for. The issue of refund of money to investors in the scheme, as some would suggest, shouldn’t even be considered. The money that was used to purchase the land 12 years ago would not get you land of the same VALUE today. We all know that!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 THISDAY
BUSINESSWORLD INTERVIEW 27
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY28
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
“We will soon begin to experience the imminent turnaround in the power sector. We are determined to deal with some policy issues, the legal and regulatory bottlenecks, and the human factors involved in the implementation and coordination of the power sector’s road map,” he stated. Noting that it was clearly a work in progress, he assured that the viability of the sector was not in doubt, but admitted that it remains a capital-intensive sector and currently in need of massive injection of fresh capital. In the main, he observed that service quality and sector illiquidity remain major issues, adding that government funding was no longer sustainable. According to him, the immediate focus of the ministry was to create liquidity in the electricity market, improve services in terms of hours of supply, billing transparency as well as bringing consumer, operator and investor confidence back to the sector to attract foreign and local investment.
Nigeria’s power supply industry has almost always been problematic. With the recent move to clean up the sector, Emmanuel Addeh asks whether Nigerians will begin to see results soon.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION Believing that a determined and motivated team will always find a way to mobilise resources and deliver on its assignment, Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, in his first months of resumption, said he had put in place a goal delivery machinery which is operational.Havingdone this, the minister set to address some of the lingering challenges in the power sector, according to him, in a methodical, systematic, and proactive manner. In the short term, Aliyu said he would deliver the much-desired quick wins whilst still focusing on the long-term objectives of increasing the available power, improving the quality of services, attracting the much-needed investment and promoting efficiency, competition and growth. In addition, a major plank of the administration, he said, was intensifying performance monitoring of the licensees and the licensing regime, especially their revised Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) to have a better understanding of why some critical stakeholders were performing below expectation. With the primary policy aim of the administration to provide stable, good quality, reliable and affordable electricity for the people of Nigeria for domestic and industrial usage, the new head identified specific areas of conflict and tensions within the power industry value chain which are now being harmonised for greater synergy and alignment.
29THISDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 BUSINESSWORLD ENERGY
Furthermore, the Mambilla hydroelectric Power Project which was contracted in 2017 is taking off, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’s transmission rehabilitation and expansion programme funded by various multilateral financial institutions is also on course.
Power sector data suggests that Nigeria has just about 13,000 MW of installed generation capacity, largely dependent on hydropower (water) and thermal (gas) power sources distributed into 12.5 per cent and 87.5 per cent respectively for bothHowever,sources.of this figure, for years, only 3,500MW to 5,000MW is typically available for onward transmission to the final consumer, with the extensive losses attributable to weak infrastructure and a high occurrence of significant technical and non-technical challenges. With one of the lowest annual consumption of electricity per capita, estimated at less than 150 kWh, giving rise to the use of alternatives like standby generators, the story of the power sector has been mostly less than inspiring. Although, the electricity demand in the country continues to increase, many residents agree that supply has been abysmally low for as long as Nigerians can remember. The challenges are multiple. With over 20 grid-connected generating plants in Nigeria, many plants suffer from recurrent challenges such as maintenance and repair requirements, trips, faults and leakages that make them unavailable for evacuation to the national grid sometimes. The transmission segment of the electricity value chain remains fully government owned with the capacity to wheel just about 5,300MW of power or thereabout. But even at that, due to generation constraints, less than this capacity gets wheeled. Underinvestment in building new infrastructure and lack of appropriate maintenance of the current infrastructure have constrained the transmission networkAddedexpansion.tothese,the transmission network is beset with system collapse incidents (partial and total). For distribution, data shows a substantial percentage of technical losses before electricity reach the final consumer. Whatever the situation, the reality today is that many Nigerians do not currently have access to as much power supply as they would want and when they do, it’s not reliable.TheWorld Bank estimated a couple of months ago, that the country would need to connect between 500,000 to 800,000 new households to electricity sources every year between then and 2030 to be able to achieve her targets of universal access to electricity for its citizens. According to the bank, Nigeria’s inability to provide electricity to about 80 million of its people meant that it is one of the least served globally.
A RASH OF PROJECTS The power industry thrives on continuous investment in new projects and infrastructure, to meet rising demand. While the Kashimbilla 40MW power station has already started generating power into the national grid, the Gurara phase 2 being developed in partnership with the ministry of water resources, is expected to deliver 30MW to the grid when completed soon. Other projects nearing completion are the Zungeru hydroelectric power project up for inauguration this year and is expected to deliver another 700MW of renewable power. Added to those ones are the Katsina wind farm with a full capacity of 10MW which is already generating part of its full capacity on the grid as well as the Dadin Kowa’s 40MW power station which started generating power into the national grid under a concession with the private investor while the remaining regulatory and power purchase agreement issues are being resolved.
New Direction Nigeria’s Power Sector?
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY30
This Weekend Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI 07010510430chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 NEWS BATNF Donates Solarpowered Borehole Water Facility to Ogun Community See page 33 ART WEEKEND LVI Art Gallery Hosts Maiden Edition of TR Residency for Visual Artists See page 34 METRO Foundation Throws Light on Effects of Westernisation on Cultural Value System See page 35 POLSCOPE Will ASUU Forever Be on Strike?Seepage 36 WEEKLY MAGAZINE ODUNAYO TransformationChampioningSANYA:HolisticthroughMTNFoundation
COVER THISDAY32 Chiemelie Ezeobi,
Can you explain what ASAP is all about? So, ASAP is actually is an acronym for anti substance abuse program. As the name suggests, it’s a campaign against substance and drug abuse amongst young people. At the foundation, this was conceived in 2019 and the reason is quite clear. Nigeria, in terms of population, demography, we have a lot of our population as young people, I think, at the last count, about 60 to 65 per cent of our population are youth. So it became increasingly urgent that something was done. You know, the scourge of drug abuse, especially among the young people is much. So we had the first outing for ASAP in 2019 where we partnered as a multi-sectoral multistakeholder approach with key stakeholders like the NDLEA, the UNODC, and a few other organisations to push the message of anti substance abuse. The main the idea behind ASAP is focusing on young people between the ages of 10 to 25 to prevent first time usage of drugs amongst that age group. So since 2019, we’ve had an event to mark the World Drug Day every year and that’s the 26th of June every year. That’s the International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking. So we’ve always had events to mark this. Beyond this advocacy campaign, do you contribute to rehabilitation? So like we said, our focus is advocacy. We don’t do rehabilitation. The focus really is about prevention. So for us, it’s not curative but prevention. We want to prevent the usage of illicit drugs amongst the youth. For us, it’s about the message largely targeted at people who have not started and who don’t yet have this habit because if they have the message they have, a lot of information that can help them, then it’s easy for them to withstand peer pressure. So we don’t do rehabilitation, it is strictly an advocacy platform. So what’s the process. Do you go to schools and universities to spread the message also? What we do is that every year, we align with the International Day Against drugs and Illicit Trafficking. And this is also called the World Drug Day. We have a buildup of activities that lead to that. So we do advocacy walks- eight to 11 kilometre advocacy walks. Of course, we couldn’t do the advocacy walks during COVID. But what we did was we had a build up of events day after day, where we had online events during COVID in 2020 and 2021, where we got different people from the entertainment industry, to clinical psychologists to come and talk and how first time usage can be prevented. And of course, we ran a few competitions. This year was the first year we’re coming back after COVID. We had a physical event. And for us, the advocacy is not just about telling, it’s two pronged. There’s the advocacy message to the young Nigerian, but there’s also the advocacy for the government in terms of policy, because both of these things work hand in hand. So this year, we did have a stakeholder conference in Abuja, but before then, you know, we trained a number of teachers. I think, this year, we trained about 90 teachers across the six geopolitical zones in partnership with UNODC. It’s a train the trainer program and they’re expected to, by the end of the year have trained a few more hundreds of teachers. Each teacher is supposed to impact about 5000 students. So if you do the math of 5000 times 90, that’s the number of students we should have impacted after one year. What would you say the impact has been since 2019? It’s also important to say that this year, we opened up a quiz competition for various schools across. The top 12 did get some prizes. I think the prizes were presented to them by the Vice President. But for us, beyond giving them prizes is the fact that they are now ambassadors, they now understand firsthand, you know, why they shouldn’t do drugs and they go back into their schools as ambassadors and they’re able to influence their peers. The first thing has been driving a multi- stakeholder approach to tackle the problem. And what do I mean by that, so we’ve been able to, on the same platform, bring in government, various parastatals and private sector. This has resulted, for instance, in a curriculum that can be used across schools done by the UNODC. I think that’s a very commendable. Now for us, it is the message that we get across I think, since 2019. Till now, close to about a little above 20 million people have been reached with the same message. And we continue to push the message, even to the grassroots. So I think those are milestones.
OOrr aacc llee Goo tthhemme upp to c havavee an
Sanya
Odunayo Sanya: Championing Holistic Transformation through MTN Foundation
Apart from ASAP what other project is MTN Foundation involved in? We have two main umbrella priorities- I call them umbrella themes. The first one is youth development and the second one is national priority. Now under national priorities, we have health and community development. For the youth development, most of our population are young people and we need to enable them create a future that helps them thrive. So we have a few activities and interventions. The first thing is our education intervention. We have the MTN science and Technology Scholarships. It’s in its 13th year this year, and what it is that young people from public who are who are studying STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math courses), in public universities apply for it that. You must have a CGPA of 3.5 to be able to apply for it and you can have it for three years up until you’re out of school as long as you continue to maintain that CGPA. We also have another scholarship for the blind young Nigerians who go through school. They also have to maintain a CGPA of 3.52. We’ve done that until date. I think we’ve issued close to about 12,000 scholarships almost to about 5000 people. It’s like that because one person gets the scholarship twice or three times as long as they continue to perform. We’ve spent close to about N2.3 billion on scholarships Now a few more things we do for young people- we also run an ICT and business skills training every year. We partner Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle and IBM to get this done. We take them through what they need to know and a lot of them have gone on to start own businesses and even employing more people. Likewise, within our scholarships, we partner Google and we open certifications so that they have an edge when they get the into the labour market. We also have the music scholarship with the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON). The foundation funds a two year diploma program and they get a diploma degree- a globally accredited diploma degree. This is our 16th year of doing that and we have a lot of the graduates, close to about 450 of them have gone on to do great things. In terms of national priorities, we’re big on health. So we tackle that on three levels- the individual, community and institutional level. At the individual level, we have a program called the MTNF Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention, where we go into underserved communities. We use mobile trucks but it’s customised like a clinic. So, you have a doctor, nurses, a data analyst on board and they have medications, consumables, and they go to underserved areas and provide medical services forThisthem.phase, we started last year October, in Lagos, Anambra, Gombe and Kano, and I think we’re in Rivers State too. Since we started, we’ve talked about 33,000 people to consultation prescriptions. We also give hygiene kits out to young ladies and girls- that’s at the individual level. Now at the community level, we partner general hospitals, and we’ve remodeled maternity world wards. We’ve set up dialysis centers and mammography centres in various general hospitals across Nigeria. The last one we did this year was partnering Gombe Teaching Hospital. We donated state-of-the-art medical equipment to them. Now at the institutional level, just as COVID hit, it was important for us to further research in terms of the life sciences. So we partnered Nigeria Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). We funded the procurement of a machine called the Oligo-Synthesizer and we set it up. The lab has been active since last year. What this does is that it produces primers that help towards vaccine development and diagnostics. You can diagnose and it can help with treatment of I think Liver Cancer and it’s useful for paternity testing and detecting various viruses and bacteria. We also do a lot of community development especially in the area of water and sanitation. Since inception to date, we’ve installed close to about 200 solar powered boreholes in far flung communities across Nigeria. What are the challenges hampering some of the projects you want to carry out in the foundation? The first thing is a lot of our projects are in very far flung areas across Nigeria. So there’s usually the challenge around how do you get there even with our implementation partners. I think the second challenge we face can be communal. I can say the mindset but we’re beginning to work around introducing some level of training into our community interventions. Where a community sees you have given them a borehole today, they don’t really take care of it because they believe another company will come and give them another one. It’s been also challenging working with the public sector because some of the projects have not performed as well as we would love them to, but where the partnership with the public sector has been rekindled is by what we had with NEMA, because NEMA is coming up, they want things to work. So those are some of the challenges that we face. What are the future expectations for the foundation? So the SDG, the Sustainable Development Goals number five, that’s the one that focuses on gender and women. Recently, we opened up a call for application for a program we call the Yellopreneur. It’s targeted at women and female entrepreneurs. What we want to do is that we want to build capacity for about 500 of them by partnering the Enterprise Development Center of the Pan African University. They’re going to deliver the modules to build their capacity on how to deal and handle their businesses. However, we’re also partnering Bank of Industry where MTN Foundation funds about 100 successful of the 500 of them. We want to give equipment loans of up to N2 million and that’s what we’re on. The call for applications have closed and are in the process of shortlisting, and then very soon, the program itself kicks off.
ygppgppstudy (Science, Technoloy for it that. CGPA of 3.5 to beanppydyou can have i mWeyalso have an youn go schooy a CGdoggnethatuntil da iss 12,000 scholarship lik schthreepptimes topgperform. We’vg about N2.3 billionsincepNowinception.afew mo p peop ICT and everyygppbusingpyear.WMicrosoft,Meyytogetthisdthroughwgknowanghaveg
tthh eeii rr ownemplbgLikewpscho
The water facility, which has a water management kiosk, five water dispensing taps, six 260 watts solar panels that power a submersible pump and a wire mesh fence that protects the facility, is expected to provide access to potable water and
The National Conference and Summit was rounded off with highlights of awards for outstanding performances and awards of honours to some distinguished Nigerians.Someofthe recipients of the awards are Dr (Mrs) Osula Mku-Atu, SWS Year 2021 Outstanding National Meritorious Award for Caring and Empowering Nigerian Women; Mrs Sa’adatu Onyashama Yaya, The year 2021 SWS National Achiever Award; Mrs Zuwaira Gambo, The year 2021 SWS National Prestigious Woman Award; Mrs Hasafat Umar Gimba, The year 2021 SWS Outstanding National Meritorious Award for Caring Heart for the Vulnerable; Others are Dr Abiola Olumide Oshodi, The Year 2021 SWS National Meritorious Service Award for Encouraging and Developing People through Agric ulture; Kaka Shehu Lawan, The year 2021 SWS Outstanding National Meritorious Award for Pillar of Support for Women; Muktar Betara Aliyu, The year 2021 Outstanding National Grassroots Development Ambassador Award and many more. We shall never know the good a simple smile can do Esther Akinsola
Precious Ugwuzor
President of SWS, Deborah Ijadele-Adetona, assured members that the SWS would continue to encourage women’s active participation in leadership and decision-making processes. She added that the association would also promote women’s entrepreneurship as a catalyst for advancing women’s economic empowerment.Ijadele-Adetona said: “Our initiatives have brought the increase in women entrepreneurs access to finance and digital technologies.
Navy Champions Use of Music to Foster Unity, Nation Building Uzoma Mba The Nigerian Navy (NN) has reiterated its resolve to use music to champion unity and nation building.TheChief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo gave this charge at the Nigerian Navy Music School (NNMS). He gave the charge at this year’s Nigerian Navy Band Annual Conference themed “Military Music: A Professional Tool for Nation Building” held at Ota, Ogun State. Gambo who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, said the aim of the conference was to bring forward ideas
The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has been commended for its humanitarian services. This commendation was given by the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, Mrs Afolasade Adeyemo, during the donation of a 20,000-litre solarpowered borehole in Adugan Community, Olodo, in Odeda town, Ogun State.
L-R: Baale of Adugan village, Alhaji Kusi Taofeek; the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, Mrs Afolasade Adeyemo; the General Manager, The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) Oludare Odusanya; and the Olu of Olodo, Dr Adeosun Ebenezer, during the donation of a solar-powered borehole water facility by BATN Foundation to Adugan community, Olodo, in Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, recently that would help enhance the capacity of the school to contribute more to the military and the nation. He said: “It would be recalled that one of the decisions reached at the fourth edition of the NN Band Conference in 2020 was for the NN to enhance civil-military relations using the NN Bands as soft power. Accordingly, we have witnessed increasing participation of the NN Band in military and civilian engagements in recent times.
“Water is a very essential gift to life. That is why this intervention by BATN Foundation is highly appreciated. The intervention has taken a huge burden off our necks. As you know, government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing social amenities for citizens,” she said. The Olu of Olodo, Dr Adeosun Ebenezer, who was also in attendance expressed appreciation to BATN Foundation for the humanitarian gesture, and implored the residents of Adugan community and the neighboring communities in the village to put the facility into good use and take adequate care of it.BATN Foundation was established as an independent charity in November 2002 to support the socio-economic development of Nigeria with an emphasis on those living in rural communities. In its 20 years of impacting and enriching the lives of people living in rural communities, the Foundation has in addition to constructing boreholes, supported over 1.2 million beneficiaries in the six geo-political zones with an investment of about two billion naira in sustainable agricultural development.
“It is my belief that the outcome of this conference would reflect on suggestions and recommendations for measures to further improve on the strive to continue to develop human capacity in the area of music performances in order to enhance nation building. “It is therefore our intent to tap from reservoir of knowledge and wealth of experience of our seasoned academia, military officers of the music department (serving and retired) and other esteemed stakeholders during the paper presentations and discussions,” heGuestsaid. lecturer, Prof Michael Olutayo Olatunji advocated more collaborations between the music corps of military services and the academia.
The lawyer also hinted that having women in a leadership positions should become the norm rather than an exception. However, slowly but steadily, she conceded, Nigeria is changing.
“Creativity emphasises the need for solutions in chaos, what can we do? What can we harness to make a difference?”
The maiden edition of the National Conference and Summit of Standup for Women Society (SWS) has encouraged more women’s participation in leadership and policy-making in theThecountry.association also promised to promote women’s entrepreneurship as a catalyst for advancing women’s economic empowerment, acknowledging that they contribute significantly to nation-building. With the theme, “Women in Leadership: Balancing Societal Obligations with Marital and Parental Responsibilities”, it was held at the Novatek Hotel in Lagos.
L-R: Engr. Olaofe Oluwanishola, Lieutenant O Anthony Akinbo (RTD), Mrs Mercy Ajewole, ACP S Muhammed, Wing Commander IA Adeyanju, Prof IA Yekini Ajenifuja, Lieutenant Commander Dada Onijama(RTD), Prof Michael Olutayo Olatunji, Commander Simon B Ubandoma, Rear Admiral Monday K Unurhiere, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command; Commander Olalekan Anthony Abiodun, LT CDR JA Danlami Golu, Mrs. Edward Ebun, Major N Nvene, SP I Saleh and Lieutenant Commander Olaife Olaiya
“What most young people want is sudden wealth. They want to look like what they are not. When I began to earn, I invested in myself by paying for products, training, coaches and mentors,” says the creative coach.
THISDAYNEWS 33
BATNF Donates Solar-powered Borehole Water Facility to Ogun Community
“It is our belief at SWS that if we strengthen women’s capabilities for them to have access to resources, the prospect of leadership roles will be within the reach of many more women in our society.”
The Chief Executive Officer of DreamStream Resources Company Ltd, Damilola Oluwatoyinbo, has unveiled DreamSpace, to promote creativity and knowledge-driven skills for all across the country.
Speaking to newsmen at the formal launch in Ikeja area of Lagos, Oluwatoyinbo encouraged youths to invest in themselves while emphasising that knowledge acquired cannot be taken away from anyone who has it.
“The need for DreamSpace is pertinent because we are at a desperate time in the country; There is a lot of confusion. And when there is confusion creativity becomes a force for change,” he added. The CEO described creativity as a tool for transformation.
Oluwatoyinbo expatiated that social media is a reflection of creativity, “It is just media that has gone social”. DreamSpace was birthed out the yearning to help companies build and maintain excellence, the space is suitable for staff training and has a studio for recording music and Oluwatoyinbomore. further reiterated that with a space like this, they can serve corporate communities, for coaching, consulting, content creation, collaboration, and creative solutions for organisational challenges, particularly in the area of leadership, creative marketing, creative coaching and executive coaching.
As the Lead Pastor of KINGS (Kingdom Influencers in Nations, Generations and Systems), Oluwatoyinbo recalled his journey in 2016 after he returned to Nigeria.
“I am convinced that these events had massive positive impact on how the NN is perceived and contribute to national development. Consequently, I look forward to consolidating the gains along this direction.“Thisconference is yet another opportunity for participants to discuss, share experiences and proffer ways through which military music could further, nation building. “I therefore enjoin you to stay open minded allow your imaginations to bring innovative ideas that could be logically pursued to enhance your contributions to national prosperity.”Inhiswelcome address, Director Music, Commander Olalekan Abiodun said the Nigerian Navy Steel Band has been participating in several exhibition in line with recommendations from the previousAbiodunconference.addedthat efforts were ongoing to affiliate the Nigerian Navy School of Music with Lagos StateAccordingUniversity.to him, this year’s conference was designed to provide a dedicated platform to x-ray the art of military music as a professional tool and a key project towards building a greater nation.
DREAMSPACE UNVEILED TO PROMOTE CREATIVITY, KNOWLEDGEDRIVEN SKILLS
STANDUP FOR WOMEN SOCIETY
Rebecca Ejifoma
“For the first time, women emerged as governorship candidates of a party in Adamawa while some came out as aspirants in o ther states. “It is high time for us to recognise the power of women and help them to prove to the world that we can do it right if given the opportunity,” says the president.
ENCOURAGES MORE WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP support domestic use for more than 2,000 Adugan community members and neighbouring communities. The facility also has a manually operated pump provided to ensure a constant and sustainable supply of water in the community. In a welcome address, the General Manager, BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said that the BATN Foundation’s attention was drawn to the lack of potable water and felt the need to provide the borehole facility for the community, after a recent visit to the project site of the inaugural winner of the Farmer’s for the Future grant, a BATN Foundation youth agriculture empowerment scheme, situated in the community. He noted that the borehole water facility was one of the over 100 boreholes provided by the Foundation in various communities across the federation.Inheraddress, Mrs Adeyemo thanked the BATN Foundation for its intervention in providing a critical facility for the agrarian community, while pledging more private sector assistance.
“What we have is a movie where all the human elements are involved: love, pain, emotions,’’ he said.
A growing art gallery and the news of a first-of-its-kind residency were the highlights of a recent tour of the LVI Art Gallery and Cultural Nexus in Lagos. Yinka Olatunbosun reports
Addressing stakeholders at the event, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank said the institution collaborated with Farafina on the project to promote literacy, being a key component of education, is in line with the education component of the bank’s HEART strategy. The other sectors are health, agriculture, renewable energy, and transportation.Thebankisa strong supporter of the Ake Arts and Books Festival, an initiative of the Book Buzz Foundation, founded by Lola Shoneyin, an award-winning writer. He said, “Modern Nigerian literature may have been ‘founded’ by the English based on an assumption – a falsehood, in fact – but the lie does not have to hold any longer. When we decided to believe in ‘A Possible Future,’ we did so with the understanding that Nigerian literature was already of age. While its story is still unfolding and the yardage of its potential still vast, nay infinite, the baby Emecheta, Nwapa and Tutuola once nurtured in verse, prose and on stage, no longer crawls. According to him, “Kachifo Limited and Farafina Trust have created a definitive, yet not conclusive text that summarises our literary journey and gestures to its destination. The details of which we do not know yet except that, in that future, everything is excellent, anything is possible and we are here forSuleimanit.” also read excerpts from Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe, while Temilade Aina, a literature curator, took the second reading from the works of Biyi Bandele’s Burma Boy. The event also featured a panel session made up of Professor Niyi Osundare, Eghosa Imasuen, A. Igoni Barrett, Wale Lawal and Temilade Aina. The session was moderated by Faniyi Kayode, a writer, book critic and editor.
Reflecting on the rationale behind the TR Residency programme, Iyoghiojie said: “Our part in the visual art is to push what artists are doing for local and global patronage. We are growing bigger than the current location. Artists like to work in groups. Some like to work in studios run by more experienced artists. The idea is to give them more exposure and experience. The residency will start from September 1 till November 30th.’’ Six artists comprising three male and three female will be selected for the residency which is a collaborative project between LVI Art Gallery & Cultural Nexus and Tony Rapu Production.“Wewillevaluate the quality of work done by the artists, facilitate artists visits to the residency. All artists in the residency will be 30 years and below. You must have got your qualification from an institution and be passionate about the arts. They will be housed in Lekki, Lagos while all meals, entertainment and art materials will be covered by Yinka Olatunbosun Sterling Bank Plc has collaborated with Farafina Books, Nigeria’s leading independent literary publishers, to launch a premier anthology of the best of Nigerian writings spanning 200 years, from 1789 to 2018. Featuring 46 authors, the 411-paged anthology, titled “A Possible Future,” was curated to preserve the gems of Nigeria’s literary history, promote a reading culture in the country as well as to support featured authors in the distribution of their timeless books. Featured authors include Olaudah Equiano, D.O. Fagunwa, Gabriel Okara, Cyprian Ekwensi, Obotunde Ijimere, Chinua Achebe, Duro Ladipo, Chukwuemeka Ike, Christopher Okigbo, Elechi Amadi, Wole Soyinka, Ola Rotimi, J.P. Clark-Bekederemo, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Isidore Okpewho, Mobolaji Adenubi, Buchi Emecheta, Femi Osofisan, Niyi Osundare, Tanure Ojaide, Odia Ofeimun and Ben Okri. Others are Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Dulue Mbachu, Ikeogu Oke, Biyi Bandele, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Aisha Osori, Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi, Yemisi Aribisala, Lola Shoneyin, Teju Cole, Yejide Kilanko, Eghosa Imasuen, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Niran Okewole, A. Igoni Barret, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Taiye Selasi, Jowhor Ile, Tope Folarin, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Helen Oyeyemi, Uche Okonkwo, Gbenga Adesina and Wale Lawal.
A view of LVI Art Gallery
Yinka Olatunbosun For the Salesian Youth Movement, it is yet another time to reinvigorate the effort to save vulnerable children with another private screening of the movie, “Oratory.’’ Directed by the UK-based Obi Emelonye, the movie is a part of the movement to support internally displacedStarringpersons.RichLowe, Eyinna Nwigwe and Celeste Marcone, the movie tells the tale of the life of Rev. Fr, Michael Simmons, (played by Rich Lowe Ikenna), an American Catholic priest on a missionary trip from Turin, Italy to Ikoyi, Lagos. Once in Lagos, the plight of street children in Makoko catches his attention and he resolves to help alleviate their predicament. To achieve that, Fr. Simmons must do all he can to confront Shuga, the dangerous Makoko Kingpin who has the street boys locked in criminalDuringservitude.thepress briefing to announce this screening in Lagos, the Chairman of the organising committee of the screening, Gbenga Adebija described the flick as ‘’globally acclaimed’’ having premiered in Dublin, London, Turin, Venice and Abuja. “The Oratory is not the destination, it is a milestone on the journey,’’ he said. “The end game is to create an inclusionary framework for the upliftment of homeless, delinquent and juvenile youths who are at risk of negative societal situations such as violence, sexual abuse, trafficking and crime.’’
lthough the size of the Lekki-based art gallery, LVI Art Gallery is still the same as the last visit, there has been some remarkable expansion on the number of activities brewed within its walls. The man behind the creative energy is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Julius Iyoghiojie. Relentless in his quest to market artworks, his focus is shifting towards building a sustainable framework for arts in AsideNigeria.frombeing a gallery for arts, LVI is a cultural hub that attracts both the young and old to indigenous indoor games such as Ayo, Ludo and the African version of the Monopoly game. Its photography unit has since expanded to provide printing services while leather slippers and sandals share the space with miniature works. To be sure, the space is not shrinking for artists. By September 1, a three-month residency programme will kick off.
A
Sterling withNigerianAnthologyPremieresofLiteratureFarafina
the residency. All resident artists would have one-year medical insurance. During their stay at the residency, each resident artist would receive a monthly stipend and post-residency payment for three months. There will be gallery tours and prominent artists will visit for some mentor discussion,’’ he revealed. The philanthropist, Dr. Tony Rapu is the sponsor of the TR Residency programme. His name is synonymous with life changing interventions in communities across demographics.Theresidency will provide the participating artists a platform to develop their artistry without daily distractions encountered in their regular“Sometimes,spaces. the artist may have all the creativity and may not have the materials,’’ the LVI boss said. “Sometimes he may have the materials and other issues set in. if the artists don’t exist, the gallery will have nothing to show. So, we have to promote the artists to improve their art and their exposure.’’
“There are so many young people on the streets in different parts of the country. It is enormous but then we have to do what we can as salesians. We are a non-profit with the mission of caring for the youths and those in need.’’According to Rev Father Maximus Okoro, the movie screening scheduled for August 19 in Lagos would create a social reawakening for the youths who individually have dreams. One of the actors in the movie, Enyinna Nwigwe revealed that although he would consider himself as an accidental actor, his role in Oratory is proof that indeed acting is a calling. The actor who founded Enyinna Nwigwe Foundation to cater for underprivileged children willingly partnered with the Salesians on this project.“Despite the fact that I am a catholic, I had never heard about Don Bosco until the movie was done. Don Bosco’s method of teaching was based on love and not punishment.’’ The actor expressed concern on the gradual erosion of the middle-class in Nigeria and the abandoned youths who are in need of encouragement, empowerment and mind-set change.
LVI Art Gallery Hosts Maiden Edition of TR Residency for Visual Artists
L-R: Brands Promotion Director, Lifemate Furniture, Mr Jasen Wei and Sales Director, Mr Kevin Xie, Hange Family and Executive Producer, The Big Family Dream Show, Oludare Onasanya, AGMB Corporate Communications Executive, Christiana Okwuwasi
The Executive Producer of the movie, Rev. Father Cyril Odia also said that there is no use preaching to people on empty stomach. Hence, the Salesians have no fewer than 50 Child Protection Centres to rehabilitate vulnerable and displaced children.
34 THISDAY ART WEEKEND…For pure art enthusiasts
Oratory Movie Returns to the Screen in Lagos
“If we train a child, especially a girl child through a proper upbringing that entails discipline, proper care, we are building a better world for ourselves,” Akinbile-Yussuf noted. “The way our parents trained us, what most would call the ‘crude’ method, is not the way we are training our children. We let our culture be harmed, and everything has become westernised. There is a difference between discipline and abuse. The only thing we owe our children is love, let us discipline them.”
…Your city life in print
This year’s anniversary scheduled for October is tagged, ‘Scentiversary 2” and the trip, according to the Chief Executive Officer of Seinde Signature, Olufemi Olaseinde Olusola, would involve guests being hosted over these five exciting days by brands like Alghabra & Electimuss; taking them through their journey, exposing the meanings, inspirations and origins of their groundbreaking scents.Hehowever explained what these five lucky ones have to do to get on this ‘magic carpet’ of an exhilarating paid-for trip to Istanbul and London. “You must buy at least a bottle or more of our classic ‘Alghabra’ fragrances whose home front is Istanbul and also from the eclectic Electimuss collections, which celebrates all the excellence, magnificence and triumphs of imperial Rome or you buy from Masque Milano, the quintessentially artistic niche brand from Milan inspired by the starry world of theatre”, Olusola said.
He recalled that the firm’s first anniversary was an unbelievable series of celebrations as it brought into the country five important visitors in October 2021 to Nigeria as part of the activities that celebrated the occasion. These five guests were renowned niche perfumers and international perfume influencers who were all visiting Nigeria for the first time. And they testified, after all, to have had the best time of their lives- as they were pampered and given royal treatments all the way.
Established in 2000, the foundation which prides itself as a haven for women and girls in need, also launched Touch magazine which features some of its past projects and elaborated plans to kickstart future ones, all geared toward female empowerment in variousAdditionally,capacities.the conference coincided with Benson’s golden jubilee celebration. She was honoured by close family and friends, colleagues and partners for her contributions to the indigents in society. in vulnerable positions. And these have trickled down to reflect how families are being raised to fit into contemporary global standards even though the feminist move is gaining ground. But that, too, comes with its numerous baggage based on individual interpretations.Withtheintervention of many concerned bodies like the Jashabel Touch-A-Heart Foundation (JTAH Foundation), women are stepping up to take the front seat and in turn, inspiring a new set of young women andFurtheringgirls. this course of promoting the welfare and interest of women and the girl child in Nigeria, the foundation recently held its annual National Women and Girl Child Stakeholder Conference in Lagos. Attracting stakeholders from various corporate organisations, government parastatals, as well as traditional rulers, the conference was themed ‘Westernisation, Education, Culture and Religion: The Effect on Today’s Family’. For Benson, the theme is a call-to-action and cultural reawakening for families to understand and solve the contemporary issues women and girls suffer, and by extension, create a chain of reaction for overall sociocultural and economic attainment.
“Culture didn’t erode our value system. I think it’s the parents. Some children between the ages of 10 and 14 years can’t speak their language, they don’t know their village. This presents a disconnect, and that’s where culture
I
Five lucky customers, collectors and perfume lovers would be embarking on an adventurous trip to both idyllic Istanbul, Turkey and fun London, the United Kingdom for a fivedays extraordinary perfumery experience tagged 5-5. The trip is part of the activities to mark the second anniversary of the Salon de Parfum brand, powered by Seinde Signature, an exclusive luxury fragrance retail store with a touch of style, class and excellence.
The initiative aimed at helping the creatives to fund their animation businesses was delivered by Basement Animation and UK-based Kate O’Connor Consulting.
On July 31, Favour Benson, the founder of her Jashabel Touch-A-Heart Foundation (JTAH Foundation), held the annual National Women and Girl Child Stakeholder Conference in Lagos. The day which doubles as her 50th birthday celebration attracted stakeholders from various corporate organisations, government parastatals, as well as traditional rulers as they tackled the theme ‘Westernisation, Education, Culture and Religion: The Effect on Today’s Family’, Vanessa Obioha reports comes in,” Benson explained. “These days, you can’t question a child without the mother or father coming the next day to say, ‘who made you my child’s teacher?’ It is sickening because that was not how we were brought up. There is a lack of discipline stemming from abandoning our culture. We have to connect our culture with whatever we are doing to make us who we really are,” she added.
Foundation Throws Light on Effects of Westernisation on Cultural Value System
He revealed further that at the end of every month from August till December 2022, a lucky winner will be announced at the firm’s monthly fragrance lovers“Thesemeet-up.events will also serve to launch our new products coming into stock including the likes of ‘Place des lices, a luxurious brand inspired by the French Riviera, Agatho, an Ulta-niche artisan brand with handcrafted gold bottles and unimaginable scents amongst many others”, he added.
Five Lucky Winners to Embark on Adventurous Trip to Istanbul, London Stories by Mary Nnah Leading cartoon studio, Basement Animation in collaboration with the British Council has awarded £2,000 (US$2,390) grants to each of the 10 animation entrepreneurs who took part in the Creative Enterprise Support Programme(CESP) that was rounded off recently in Lagos. The grants are to help develop their businesses. The 10 young and emerging animators went through a six-month rigorous training and mentoring by experts in Nigeria and the UK animation industries.Thegrant recipients included Oghenefejiro Itimi (Iruo Animation Studio), Olukayode Aliyu (Kod3d Studios), Lorver Daniel (Trident Media), Gabriella Opara (Echiche Animation School), Somtochukwu Onubogu (Schucks Media), Samuel Gbadebo (G-d Streamz Studio), Matthew Isikhuemen (The Albastic), Oluwaseyi Fajimi (Folktail Studios), Abdulmumin Muslim Idris (Ocean Tide Studios) and Peace Toba Olatunji (Dopay Studio).
60 CESP participants got into the two-week intensive animation business training programme, out of which 30 were selected for the mentorship and coaching stage, where they worked in six groups of five to create short films on the theme, “Body and Soul”.
The top 10 participants were selected during the CESP live animation pitch and showcase event that took place at the Basement Animation studios in Lagos, where the six films wereJuryshowcased.membersat the event were Head of Arts, alongside Regional lead for SSA creative economy at the British Council Nigeria, Brenda Fashugba; Director of the British Animation Awards, Helen Brunsdon and Andy Wyatt of UK-based Animation Associates.
The animated films presented during the live animation pitch and showcase event include: “Finding Jomijo”, “Soul Beats”, “Flight Plans”, “Imole (meaning ‘light’)”, “Against the Wind” and “The Journey to GivingParadise.”anoverview of the event Creative Director, Basement Animation Studio / British Council CESP Animation
Delivery Partner, Mbuotidem Johnson said, “We started this programme six months ago. The programme is called the Creative Enterprise Support Porgramme (CESP). The British Council has been running this programme for a while but they have been focusing on different sectors of the industry this time, they decided to focus on the animation industry.“Westarted with a call over where we had over 600 participants from all over Nigeria. We did a screening to select the top 60 where they just submitted their portfolio work, and answer a few questions from the application. Then when we started with the selected 60, we had a two weeks intensive programme with speakers from UK and Nigeria studios. These were speakers that have been running studios for between 15 and 25 years and they mainly focused on the business of animation. So the whole structure of this programme was not more of a technical but more of a business training because we have had so much of technical training in the industry and yet we do not have businessminded people. That is why for a while now the industry has been struggling because have creatives, creatives, and creatives without anybody taking it and turning it into a business.”Johnson explained that the focus of the programme was to create business people who would know and understand the business of Animation, adding, “The two weeks programme was majorly on business and about the industry not just in Nigeria but the industry as an international market. “We were trying to also teach them that they must programme themselves to think like an international business so that you can sell your products anywhere in the world”, he added.Johnson expressed the hope that the animation industry in Nigeria is going to be so ready and will burst through on the international scene, adding, “We are sure the participants will take this sector to the next stage of growth. You are phenomenal and I’m sure you are going to create sustainable businesses.”HeadofArts, (Nigeria) British Council, Brenda Fashugba, said her organisation was passionate about the business of animation, hence engaged experts to help develop and stimulate the sector.
Animation Entrepreneurs Get £2,000 Business Grants
Olusola who said that the Salon de Parfum brand, is the only 100% niche perfume retailer in Nigeria, noted, “We stock exclusively more than 20 Niche brands from across the globe that are well celebrated in the perfume world. From Alghabra to Electimuss to Testament London and more. We are the unrivaled supplier for exclusive niche fragrances in the country.”
Delivering the keynote, Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat AkinbileYussuf elucidated strategic models that could be adopted toward empowering women and the girl child. Some of the highlights from her keynote included the adoption of community parenting styles, seeking mental health support and sex education, promoting cultural norms, and supervising the use of social media tools.
narguably, no culture remains the same over many generations. Over time, there is a shift through acculturation. This has been the case for the dying cultural value system suffered by many ethnic groups in Nigeria by factors of Towesternisation.besure,the fruits of westernisation have brought about a marked advancement in various aspects that include government, technology, and generally, an improvement in the living conditions of millions of Nigerians. However, no two cultures are the same, as certain tenets do not align with the other. For instance, the adoption of western education has placed more value on acquiring either French or English as the official language, a pattern many colonised countries in Africa have adopted. But this has not been the case in many countries in Asia that still retain their vernacular as the official language. Because culture is learned, certain vital elements are chipped at, reducing their value and significance as it is passed on to the next generation of custodians. Enculturation is weakened. As agreed upon by many scholars, culture is the totality of how people live and behave. It encompasses knowledge, belief, arts, and society, which are conditioned by virtue and values. Before the arrival of the colonial masters, women, in many societies, played important sociocultural and socioeconomic roles. By nature, these societies exhibited some iteration of a democratic government. What differentiated western democracy from the traditional government was the exclusion of women from playing vital roles. Foreign religions adopted at the time also dictated who played what roles. The implication of this singular action, over the years, gradually placed women Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and Benson
THISDAY 35 METRO
Pipeline Contract: Is it Collusion or Patriotic Move?
Tompolo’sTompolo
ASUU President, Prof Emma Osodeke
will change is the degree of stealing. But if you think it will completely curb the stealing of crude, you are swimming in the ocean of delusion. Are you saying even with Tompolo, crude will still be stolen every day? So why would government knowingly start paying that huge amount to someone who cannot absolutely guarantee that no drop of our crude will go unaccounted for?
D
Let me start by acknowledging that what is happening in the education sector, especially in the federal universities in the country, is despicable. I left the university32 years ago. Looking back today, I sincerely feel very sorry both for the students in our universities and their teachers—the lecturers. Surely and steadily, situations and conditions have grown from bad to worse over the years. Today, it is no longer students’ riots and protests that disrupt academic programmes and calendars, it is now the very frequent strikes by various unions within the academic communities of campuses, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). February 14 this year, when young persons were celebrating valentine’s Day, was when the ASUU, once again embarked on a nationwide strike, to as usual, protest poor attention and unfulfilled agreements reached between the Union and the federal government. It is one strike damn too many. But the question is whether or not ASUU leaders are just being troublesome. Not sure. The federal government has been scarcely fair to the lecturers. Not only are they poorly paid, the academic environment is getting more and more toxic and disenchanting. The present strike has however dragged on, far beyond what many thought would be a short one. It was so bad that other unions like Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) joined the strike. Not long ago, even the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in solidarity, also staged a one-day protest to support the position of the strikingBeforelecturers.andafter this, efforts to resolve the imbroglio had continued by different stakeholders and influential bodies in the country, to no avail. Thankfully, all other unions in the universities agreed to call off their strike, except ASUU. The federal government team explained that all the demands of ASUU have been met, except the insistence of ASUU that its members be paid for the six months period the strike has lasted, thus far. But the Federal government has argued, rightly, that the policy of No Work, No Pay subsists; while on the other hand, the lecturers are stressing that No Pay, No Work. How do we break this stalemate?WhileI agree that lecturers should be better treated and paid and motivated for improved service delivery, how can they insist on being paid when they did not work? It is a natural and logical policy. How can salary be paid when no work was done? The argument by the President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke that lecturers are employed to do three things: teach, research and community service, does not make much sense. Apart from teaching students in the classroom, all other so-called services are merely ancillary. What community service is Osodeke talking about? Have lecturers become Youth Corps members? If it is the connect between town and gown, the ASUU president must be reminded that the hand derives from the chest. ASUU cannot claim to be undertaking research and engaging in community service and ignoring the very essence of its being (lecturing), and yet insist that it must be paid. It is quite illogical. It is like students who neither attended classes nor read their books demanding with peremptory obedience, that they must pass the examination. That cannot work. If it worked in the past wherein ASUU browbeat the federal government and got paid while on strike, that practice cannot be encouraged to continue, if we want the new Nigeria that ASUU is crusading for. The same policy of No work, No Pay has been applied to the other unions (NASU, SSANU etc.). If they have sacrificed their salaries for the expediency of getting the children back to school, ASUU should not be unduly obdurate to insist on being paid for going on strike. What is more, Professor Osodeke had also disclosed, in a Channels TV interview last Friday, that ASUU has a reserved “strike fund” from where the welfare of its members is being attended to while the strike lasts. Insisting that government must pay them again would amount to double reward for doing no work. The argument that even when school resumes, the lecturers will yet teach and grade the students on the courses they had missed during the strike, is somewhat lousy. The passage of time cannot be discounted. The huffing and puffing of ASUU should be ended, otherwise the public goodwill and support it had got all the while will begin to lose appeal and be considered an abuse. Parents are even considering contributing N10,000 each now to make ASUU go back to school. Osodeke and his fellow lecturers must be reminded of that folklore where tortoise was said to have caught its in-law in an abominable and despicable act such that when tortoise decided to tie and publicly torture and humiliate the in-law, he got the approval of passers-by on their way to their various farms in the morning. And then the in-law was left in that state and bound till evening. So much that when the passers-by were returning from their farms, they were amazed that the tortoise’ in-law was still in the state they saw him in the morning. And then the verdict changed. They began to abuse and harangue Tortoise for being so inhuman, callous, wicked and insensitive, wondering what indeed it was that would cause that degree of torture. ASUU is at that point of the farmers returning from their farms in the evening and seeing the tortured in-law still in chains and pain. ASUU must be ASUUsensitive.shouldnot allow the public verdict of support to change to that of condemnation. Already, the rival association, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), has been birthed in the universities. It has revealed that incessant ASUU strikes have caused the loss of nearly four years between 1999 and 2021, wherein a total of 1,417 days have been lost to strikes. Bad as government may be, it is clear that these strikes have not offered the needed solution. No matter how bad, two wrongs will never make a right. ASUU must be reminded that even a bad clock is twice right in a day. It cannot continue to be angry and so-to-say ‘draw rain’. Even God gets appeased and entreated from His anger. In the Holy Book (Psalm 79:5), David reminded God that He cannot be forever angry with His people. In the same vein, ASUU cannot forever remain bitter and growling at the government and the students. It is time to shake off the dust of the ill-past and chart ways of moving tertiary education forward. That should be the virtue by which they should be remembered, not as strike activists.
Look, my brother, there are somethings you must not completely analyse. If you are looking for the person talking in a radio, then you are going to destroy the radio; and yet not find the person. I hope you understand what I mean? Do you think President Muhammadu Buhari, the substantive Minister of Petroleum and a reputable army general, is a fool? Or do you think Timipre Sylva, the junior minister of State of Petroleum ministry who himself is from the oil-bearing Niger Delta does not know what he is doing by awarding that contract to his folks man? Did they not say half bread is better than none? Is it not better to sacrifice N4 billion every month and earn billions of dollars from the hitherto ravaged crude oil? What’s more, the environment will be saved ultimately. Do you realise that even in the midst of the huge oil production, Nigeria has been cadging for funds? Suffering in the midst of plenty! We have literally been washing our hands with spittle at the bank of River Niger. But hold on. What experience or arsenal strategy does Tompolo have to be able to secure all the pipelines in the Niger Delta region--- that is the network of pipes across nine states?
Oh, is it that one? It was not awarded to the Niger Delta region. It was awarded to an individual, who just happened to have come from the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta people have been given the NDDC. If that is not servicing them enough, they should kick. So, the people of the region cannot lay claim to the gains of the surveillance contract, after all, it is not the people of the region that will do the job, but the company of a single individual. Don’t deceive or short-change yourself. It is a way of settling the region so there will be peace and less stealing of crude. It is another form of amnesty, in a way. Or have you not heard that the degree of stealing of crude oil has more than tripled? Did you not hear that over 200 illegal vessels load crude oil every night out of the region? So government, by that contract, has admitted that it does not have the capacity and wherewithal to secure its critical dollar-yielding assets.That is why a private individual, who was declared wanted as a villain yesterday by the same government, has now embraced the same fellow, as a partner and patriot, and gifted him mega billion Naira contracts per month. So, if I may ask, where is the Nigerian Navy, the NSCDC, the Customs etc.? You mean all of these security agencies cannot secure our waterways and protect critical national assets?
Will ASUU Forever Be on Strike?
Canticles….
Look, the contract bid went through all the government processes, as demanded by the BPE. Do you not know that Tompolo is a renowned warlord in the creeks? Do you know the worth of his armoury? Look, he is sophisticated. He’s got trained foot soldiers across board. He’s got skill, equipment, technology, personnel, and above all the Egbesu panache to deliver on the job. It is practically giving the fish to the rat for safe keeping. It will be his job to settle all the tributaries of trouble spread across the region, plus ensuring that all the “big men” who are behind the stealing of the crude are kept in check. So, you see, the brief is big. And wide. What do you mean by Egbesu Panache? Never mind, only the initiated can understand that. So, how long is this contract supposed to last? And what is the guarantee that it will save Nigeria from the heavy debt burden? Hmmmm, that’s a billion-dollar question. I am sure President Buhari will sustain this arrangement till he leaves office in a few months. You can see he is completely overwhelmed. Perhaps when another government comes on board, it would be reviewed. And I can assure you that until the Nigerian refineries start working, this ad hoc arrangement will subsist whether the northern boys protest or not. I am sure that if Alan Paton were to be alive, he would have written another edition of Cry, the Beloved Country Timipre Sylva
Don’t go there! It is not that they cannot secure these assets. The temptation is too much. Do you know how many of these security officials have become multi-millionaires and even billionaires by simply working/serving in the Niger Delta creeks? Do you know how these military officers lobby to be posted to the creeks? Do you think it is for nothing? Do you know or realise the worth of just one vessel of crude sailing out of the Nigerian waters? Do you know that in just one week of serving in the creeks, your fortunes will change forever? Do you think any of those security officials love Nigeria so much as to work against the cartel that will transform their lives forever? So, you mean the massive stealing of Nigerian crude is with the active connivance of the security agencies? Is that what you are saying? You said so! So, what is now the guarantee that even with Tompolo as the chief security officer of the creeks, that the Nigerian security agencies will be out of business? Or are they part owners/operators of the surveillance contract? Your guess is as good as mine. Do you think Tompolo will collect N4 billion every month and not settle the boys? Look, what
id you not say you are from the Niger Delta? How can you be from that region and be complaining of hunger?
What do you mean? Has hunger been banished from the Niger Delta? Yes, with the N4 Billion per month pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Government Epemupolo, alias Tompolo, what other business do you people have with hunger and lack?
36 THISDAY POLSCOPE
L-R: Former Rotary Club Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Uwadia, his wife, Mrs. E. Uwadia; and former Assistant Governor, Rotary Club, Mr. Nosa Edo-Osagie, during the installation ceremony of Sunday Emma Okpeaifo as Rotary Club of Benin president in Benin-city, Edo State...recently
IMAGES Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com 37THISDAY DAY AUGUST 26, 2022
L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, discussing with Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi (centre); and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (right), during an NGF meeting on the state of the economy, security and the nation in Abuja…recently
L-R: Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Ibrahim Boyi; Executive Commissioner, Operations, SEC, Mr. Dayo Obisan; and Director-General of SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda, during the second 2022 Virtual Capital Market Committee meeting in Abuja…recently
R-L: Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakuzak; Director of Corporate Services, NEPC, Mrs. Uduak Etokowoh; Director of International Export, NEPC, Mr. Babatunde Faleke; and Director of National Export Office, NEPC, Mrs. Estelle Igwe, during the presentation of NEPC half year 2022 progress report in Abuja…recently
PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE L-R: Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olukayode Pitan; and Country Director, French Development Agency (AFD), Mr. Xavier Muron, at the BoI/AFD 100 million euro Line of Credit Agreement Signing Ceremony, held at the BoI Head Office at Marina, Lagos...recently
L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; the state Chief Imam, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla; and Guest Speaker/Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence, University of Abuja, Luqman Zakariya, at the one-day workshop for Chief Imams and Central Mosque officials organised by the Council of Chief Imams and Ulama of Lagos State held on Lagos Island…recently
L-R: Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Clara Pulido; Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Olusegun Olaotan; Syrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Firs Al-Abdullah; Director-General, National Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe; and Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Ayad Attayary, during the 2022 International Arts and Craft Day in Abuja...recently
PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil (left), and Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Ahmed Sule (right), during the collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in India to host the Nigeria-India Business Forum at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja...recently
“This transaction also highlights both AFD’s and BOI’s longstanding commitment to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). BOI operates under a robust Environment and Social Governance (ESG) framework that has been integrated into its operations with a monitoring and reporting system, “he said.
To mark the 15 years anniversary of TGM and the 40 years birthday of the Chairman of the TGM Group, Mr Tolulope Adeusi together with his wife, Tutu, chose to celebrate in graciously generous style. The couple through the Tolu & Tutu Adeusi Scholarship program awarded 20 students scholarships to tertiary institutions The ceremony, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos had in attendance notable dignitaries like Hon. Commissioner of Education of Lagos State, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Sosanya; The Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Senator Kolawole Bajomo; former president of ICAN, Hon. Wale Okeshola along with principals, teachers and parents of the beneficiary students.Itwasa moment of great joy as scholarship certificate and dummy cheques were handed to the awardees who could not hold back their excitements and gratitude. With excitement in her voice, one of the recipients, Olawuyi Suliat said the scholarship meant a lot to her as it provided her the opportunity of getting a shot to a higher level of education at no cost. The Principal of Oregun Senior High School, Mrs Mobolanle Ojolowo expressed happiness as she thanked the Tolu & Tutu Adeusi scholarship foundation. According to her, “some of the underprivileged students would never have had any chance of moving their education through to university level.”
Chairman, TGM Group, Mr.ToluAdeusi with his wife, Tutuand the recipients of his university scholarship awards in Lagos…recently
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, MAY 7 BOI,
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). AFD Join Forces to Fight Climate Change in Nigeria
TGM Boss Awards University Scholarship to Students
“For the review period, InfraCredit maintained its strong financial profile score of 5.25 underpinned by InfraCredit’s healthy capital and leverage, sound and stable funding and liquidity positions and risk management practice. The strength of the rating is also supported by InfraCredit’s ESG implementation and monitoring, and sound risk profile underscored by its stringent underwriting criteria, “it stated. Assigning the highest credit rating on InfraCredit, Agusto reiterated that, “the rating recognizes the capital, technical and governance support provided by InfraCredit’s equity and debt sponsors in addition to InfraCredit developmental role and strategic importance in bridging the Nigeria’s infrastructural gap. Also, Agusto stated that the rating reflects the good quality of InfraCredit guarantees and investment portfolio upheld by an acceptable risk management framework, good profitability during the review year and an experienced management team.”
The Bank of Industry (BOI) and the French Development Agency (AFD) have announce that they built a partnership for a €100mn credit-line for the expansion of green finance in Nigeria. The transaction was approved by AFD under its Transforming Financial Systems for Climate (TFSC) Program with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The TFSC is a $650million-Program developed in 17 countries for 100 per cent climate investment projects. The 10-year facility is attractively priced at 2.47 per cent per annum with a 4-year moratorium by mixing various concessional resources.Thecredit facility will focus on financing investments that contribute to climate change mitigation or adaptation, specifically projects focused on renewable energy, low carbon and efficient energy generation, climate smart agriculture technologies, clean urban transportation and others.
“This is the beginning of a long-term mutually beneficial relationship and a significant step for BOI as we scale up our green-lending capacity. Given the serious threat that climate change poses to equitable and sustainable development in Nigeria. It is critical for us at BOI to take the lead in mobilizing capital for green and sustainable investment” said Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry, Mr. Olukayode Pitan at the credit agreement signing ceremony, which took place at the BOI head office in CountryLagos. Director for AFD, Mr. Xavier Muron, highlighted the importance of such a project in the framework of the fight against climate change globally. He added that this new credit line is a key milestone towards the achievement of the Paris Agreement. This Programme is timely since Nigeria is looking forward launching its Energy Transition Plan.
BUSINESS/ MONEYGUIDE Agusto, GCR Affirm‘AAA’LongTerm Credit Rating of InfraCredit 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 38 THISDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 Kayode Tokede For the fifth consecutive year, rating agencies, Agusto & Co (“Agusto”) and Global Credit Ratings (“GCR”) reaffirmed the “AAA” credit rating of Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited (“InfraCredit”), specialized infrastructure credit guarantee institution backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), GuarantCo and InfraCo Africa (Private Infrastructure Development Group companies), KfW Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, and African Development Bank, to provide local currency guarantees and mobilize long term debt financing for infrastructure in Nigeria. In re-affirming InfraCredit “AAA” rating, GCR emphasized that the rating is hinged on InfraCredit’s strong capitalisation and leverage position, solid liquidity profile, and sound asset quality adding, “In addition, the rating is supported by InfraCredit’s strong competitive position, in terms of its mandate and operations delivery as currently the sole infrastructure credit guarantee provider in Nigeria. Despite the challenging operating environment.”GCR noted that InfraCredit displayed good growth trajectory over the review period (championing some major infrastructure projects), as portfolio size grew from three at FY20 to eight by FY21, with several other transactions in the pipeline in the current year.
The guest speaker at the event themed, “Creating a Sustainable Future through Education,” Senator Kolawole Bajomo in his speech, emphasized the importance of good and quality education as the bedrock of any nation. The Senator commended the celebrant, Mr. Adeusi for trying to create a better Nigeria by providing free education for the young ones. Adeusi, in his remarks, said after seeing the level decadence and the rot in the system, he decided it would wise to give back to the society rather than just partying. Speaking on the selection process, he stated that the scholarship was not limited to bright students but also miscreants and hoodlums who may have the propensity of causing harm to the society. He said the opportunity would take off the Accordingstreets.tohim, “I am grateful to God for giving me the privilege to give to others those opportunities I never had growing up.” He promised the scholarship program would be a continuous exercise and that the beneficiaries would increase yearly.Hehighlighted the TGM Education functions to include visa counselling, representing and placing students into A-Level, foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and PHD degree programmes in top institutions around the world.
“The financing package will also include a €2.5million grant facility dedicated to a technical assistance programme aimed at mainstreaming Climate Finance within BOI’s strategy and operations. It will support capacity building for BOI and its customers, thereby providing tools for effective identification and development of eligible bankable climate-related projects as well as improving the readiness of the bank’s customers to implement green practices in their operations.
Speaking on the ratings outcomes, InfraCredit’s Managing Director/CEO, Chinua Azubike said, “the concurrent affirmations of InfraCredit’s “AAA” rating, with stable outlook, by Agusto and GCR for the fifth consecutive year is a testament of the positive reflection of our unique strategy, strong management team, solid balance sheet supported by our capital providers, sound quality of our guarantees and strong risk management practice with zero delinquencies till date.
THISDAY 39
Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday sustained an uptrend as investors’ investments rose by N532 billion, following buying interest in Airtel Africa Plc, 17 otherInvestorstocks.interest in index heavyweights, Airtel Africa that added 7.06 per cent, Nestle Nigeria that gained 0.34per cent and BUA Foods that appreciated by 3.33per cent drove the broader index’s strong performance. The NGX All Share Index (ASI) rose by 986.63 basis points or 2.03 per cent to close at 49,661.87 points. Accordingly, investors gained N532 billion in value as market capitalisation went up to N26.786 trillion. Market breadth closed positive as 18 stocks recorded gains relative to 11 losers. Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent, to close at 99 kobo, while Learn Africa followed with a gain 9.78 per cent to close at N2.47, per Multiverseshare.Mining and Exploration and Caverton Offshore Support Group went up by 9.52 per cent each to close at N2.30 and N1.15 respectively, while Chams appreciated by 8.00 per cent to close at 27 kobo, per share.On the other hand, Mutual Benefits Assurance led the losers’ chart by 9.68 per cent to close at 28 kobo, per share. Honeywell Flour Mills followed with a decline of 8.42 per cent to close at N2.72, while Flour Mills of Nigeria shed 7.06 per cent to close at N27.00, per share. Unity Bank shed 4.76 per cent to close at 40 kobo, while FCMB Group went down by 3.51 per cent to close at N3.02, per share. Total volume traded increased by 32.15 per cent to 226.473 million shares, worth N2.764 OF QUANTITYTRADEDVALUE
PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS
25 /8/2022 MAIN BOARDDEALS MARKETPRICE
VALUE TRADED(N)MAIN BOARDDEALS MARKETPRICE QUANTITYTRADED
TRADED(N)
Investors Gain N532bn Amid Buying Interest in Airtel Africa, Others billion, and traded in 3,515 deals. Transactions in the shares of Mutual Benefits Assurance topped the activity chart with 74.544 million shares valued at N22.838 million. FBN Holdings followed with 23.429 million shares worth N251.880 million, while Access Holdings traded 15.845 million shares valued at N130.192 million. United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 15.253 million shares valued at N107.071 million, while NEM Insurance transacted 13.485 million shares worth N62.124 million.Onmarket outlook, analysts at GTI Securities Limited said that “the bullish outcome of the stock market was driven by investors’ bargain hunting in some bell-whether stocks. There are mixed expectations as investors continue to make investment decisions, as more companies release their Q2 results.”
THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 Afrinvest West Africa Limited Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com Brokerage Asset Management Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Investment Research TickerPricePrice Chg % TickerPricePriceNEM5.003.3%BUAFOODS55.803.3%OANDO5.004.2%LASACO1.016.3%AIRTELAFRI2040.007.1%CHAMS0.278.0%MULTIVERSE2.309.5%CAVERTON1.159.5%LEARNAFRCA2.479.8%CWG0.9910.0%Chg % GTCO19.95-0.7%CHAMPION3.85-1.3%JAIZBANK0.85-2.3%WAPIC0.39-2.5%FTNCOCOA0.29-3.3%FCMB3.02-3.5%UNITYBNK0.40-4.8%FLOURMILL27.00-7.1%HONYFLOUR2.72-8.4%MBENEFIT0.28-9.7% Top 10 Gainers Top 10 Losers TickerVolumePrice Chg % TickerValuePriceFIDELITYBK4.91.0%LINKASSURE5.00.0%ZENITHBANK5.50.0%TRANSCORP8.50.0%GTCO10.7-0.7%NEM13.53.3%UBA15.31.4%ACCESSCORP15.80.0%FBNH23.40.0%MBENEFIT74.5-9.7%Chg % SEPLAT85.00.0%UBA107.11.4%ZENITHBANK121.90.0%DANGCEM130.20.0%ACCESSCORP130.20.0%GTCO213.9-0.7%FBNH251.90.0%AIRTELAFRI322.37.1%NESTLE434.20.3%MTNN505.00.0% Top 10 Trades by Volume Top 10 Trades by Value Ticker CurrentPrice PreviousPriceChange WeightingCurrent ChangePriceYTD IndexChangePricetoDate ROEROAP/EP/BV DivindendYield EarningsYield THISDAY AFRINVEST 402490.713.50%34.3%149.1%26.1%4.9%4.7x0.7x7.0%14.4% 1 Airtel Africa PLC 2,040.00 7.1% 52.3%113.6%17.8%19.2%6.7%1.0% 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 200.00 0.0% 6.8%1.5%-13.0%144.8%14.4%12.0x15.2x7.1%8.3% 3 BUA Cement Plc 52.00 0.0% 4.2%-22.4%-27.7%23.3%12.1%19.5x4.4x5.0%5.1% 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 19.95 -0.7% 4.0%-23.3%-2.7%19.8%3.2%3.3x0.7x15.0%30.4% 5 Zenith Bank PLC 22.00 0.0% 4.2%-12.5%1.4%20.7%2.7%2.8x0.5x14.1%36.1% 6 Dangote Cement PLC 245.00 0.0% 3.4%-4.7%-10.9%44.2%15.8%12.2x5.5x8.2%8.2% 7 Lafarge Africa PLC 23.95 -0.2% 2.6%0.0%-9.3%15.6%11.1%6.4x1.0x8.4%15.6% 8 FBN Holdings Plc 10.75 0.0% 2.4%-5.7%-7.3%20.5%1.9%2.3x0.4x3.3%43.5% 9 Nestle Nigeria PLC 1,307.40 0.3% 2.4%-16.0%-6.6%178.2%15.1%22.5x35.9x3.9%4.4% 10 SEPLAT Energy PLC 1,300.00 0.0% 2.5%100.0%0.0%9.9%5.1%10.0x1.0x3.2%10.0% 11 Access Holdings PLC 8.20 0.0% 1.9%-11.8%-11.8%17.9%1.6%1.8x0.3x8.5%55.8% 12 United Bank for Africa PLC 7.10 1.4% 1.5%-11.8%-4.7%15.6%1.4%2.0x0.3x14.1%49.1% 13 Nigerian Breweries PLC 47.15 0.0% 1.2%-5.7%-19.8%13.4%4.9%16.0x2.1x3.7%6.3% 14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 188.30 0.0% 1.2%32.6%-13.2%52.6%30.4%8.4x4.2x3.9%11.9% 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 10.80 0.0% 1.3%24.1%1.9%20.0%1.1%2.2x0.4x6.2%46.1% 16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 30.50 0.0% 1.1%-15.3%-9.1%18.0%2.3%6.2x1.1x11.5%16.2% 17 International Breweries PLC 5.20 0.0% 0.9%5.1%-17.5%-2.4%-0.9%1.0x-2.4% 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 27.00 -7.1% 0.8%-4.8%-16.9% 0.6x7.8% 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 3.06 1.0% 0.6%20.0%-10.5%13.3%1.2%2.3x0.3x11.5%43.0% 20 Guinness Nigeria PLC 84.00 0.0% 0.6%115.4%-7.2%19.1%8.1%11.7x2.0x8.6%8.5% 21 Presco PLC 142.60 0.0% 0.4%62.4%-13.6%53.7%20.2%6.3x3.3x5.1%15.9% 22 FCMB Group Plc 3.02 -3.5% 0.4%1.0%-12.7%12.4%1.2%2.0x0.2x6.6%50.4% 23 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 1.85 0.0% 0.4%-20.3%-7.5%5.7%1.7%9.1x0.5x13.5%10.9% 24 United Capital PLC 11.95 0.4% 0.4%20.7%-6.3% 5.7x2.7x12.6%17.5% 25 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 16.00 0.0% 0.4%-8.0%-1.8%23.2%8.7%6.5x1.4x6.3%15.3% 26 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 1.04 0.0% 0.3%8.3%-15.4%19.0%4.3%2.5x0.4x1.9%39.3% 27 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 8.05 0.0% 0.2%32.0%-16.1% 6.1x0.9x3.0%16.3% 28 Cadbury Nigeria PLC 13.40 0.0% 0.2%52.3%-22.3% 7.6x1.7x3.8%13.1% 29 UAC of Nigeria PLC 10.80 0.0% 0.2%13.7%-2.7%3.6%1.6%18.0x0.7x6.0%5.6% 30 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 234.50 0.0% 0.2%5.7%0.0% 1.8x 31 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 25.90 0.0% 0.2%15.9%-2.3%19.1%2.1%5.5x0.8x9.7%18.2% 32 Custodian and Allied Insurance 6.70 0.0% 0.1%-15.2%-4.3%18.2%5.2%4.0x0.7x7.5%24.8% 33 Wema Bank PLC 3.50 0.0% 0.2%386.1%9.7%15.7%0.9%8.8x1.8x6.9%11.4% 34 Unilever Nigeria PLC 13.50 0.0% 0.1%-6.9%-8.8%7.2%4.3%42.0x1.2x3.7%2.4% 35 Jaiz Bank PLC 0.85 -2.3% 0.1%51.8%-6.6%20.0%1.5%6.2x1.2x4.7%16.1% 36 Oando PLC 5.00 4.2% 0.1%13.1%-11.8% -21.5%-179.8% 37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 6.00 0.0% 0.1%1.7%-2.4%6.4%0.7%9.6x0.6x10.4% 38 Sterling Bank PLC 1.52 0.0% 0.1%0.7%0.0%10.3%1.0%2.8x0.3x6.6%36.0% 39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 62.50 0.0% 0.0%0.0%0.0%-17.7%-4.1%1.8x-1.8% 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc 6.25 0.0% 0.0%16.2%0.0% 1.0x1.1% Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX Friday, August 26, 2022 Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com Thisday Afrinvest Index down 3.50% The Thisday Afrinvest 40 index rose by 3.50% to 2,490.71 index points due to gains in AIRTELAF (+7.1%), NESTLE (+0.3%), and UBA (+1.4%). Local Bourse Extends Bullish Momentum ASI up 2.0% buoyed by gains in AIRTELAF (+7.0%), BUAFOODS (+3.3%), and NESTLE 532.1bn to 2.7bn. Bullish Sector PerformanceIndustrial Goods The AFR-ICT index Trailing, the Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas the Insurance and Banking MTNNOutlook up to its eventual roll40
FRIDAY AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY 41
“Resolving the security challenge will surely bring back investment and will also optimise the current availability or capacity that we have.“We know that with certainty that we will resolve the security issue and we can easily come to 2.1 million barrels of oil per day." He said the government was investing in infrastructure to drive the energy transition and collaborate with security agencies to engage the investment community to secure financing. The GCEO maintained that NNPC had successfully resolved the disputes it had with the international oil companies (IOCs) relating to upstream assets to further drive investments in the sector.
Alleged Misconduct: LPDC Absolves Olanipekun, Law Firm of Wrongdoing Says IG usurping powers of commission
“Accordingly, I don't see merit in recommending further investigation against the partners of Wole Olanipekun & Co. I so hold.”
Police Service Commission Workers Notice of Indefinite Strike
Kyari explained, “As you are all aware, we’re doing everything possible to contain it. Security is a major challenge regarding crude oil theft. Yes, we understand today that our production is very low for two reasons. One, because of the security situation in the Niger Delta“Butassets.more than anything, it cannot stop us from investing in the assets and therefore, you can’t have decline. Also, you’re unable to put money into it and expect to have high production.
Similarly, Kyari, who addressed the audience virtually, said resolving the security challenge confronting the industry in the Niger Delta would bring back investments to sector. Kyari said the NNPC was working with security agencies and other stakeholders to address the issue of oil theft which he noted was hindering Nigeria’s ability to meet its Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) quota. He said the NNPC’s target was to increase production and bring back domestic refining capacity to ensure energy security, adding that this was however being constrained by insecurity in the Niger Delta.
NUPRC: NIGERIA MUST DECLARE EMERGENCY ON OIL THEFT, UNDERPRODUCTION, OTHERS
Serve
Special Adviser on Education to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab (3rd right); Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle); Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Dr. Oluremi Olaleye and others, during the Governor’s inspection of the ongoing administrative building project at Lagos University Of Science And Technology, Ikorodu, on Wednesday
INSPECTION OF ONGOING WORK AT LAGOS UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY...
The Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday issued a notice of indefinite strike to the management of the commission over a breach of Theagreement.union noted that the industrial, action would commence with effect from Monday, August 29,The2022.Chairman of the Joint Service Union, PSC chapter, Mr. Adoyi Adoyi, made the announcement in TheAbuja.notice followed the disagreement between workers of the Commission, the Chairman, Mr. Musiliu Smith and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, on which body should be responsible for recruitment, promotion, and appointment of constables and officers.Hestated that the IGP and other police chiefs in connivance with the chairman of the PSC overruled the constitutional duty of the PSC. Adoyi said the IG allegedly took it upon himself to carry out the functions of the PSC in flagrant disregard of the Nigeria constitution, a verdict of the Appeal Court and the authorities of the PSC.“We are embarking on an indefinite strike from Monday, August 29, to show our discontent with the way the PSC is being run by the chairman of the commission, and the flagrant disregard for the constitution, the court of law, and the PSC by the police chief. “The duties of the PSC are spelt out in the constitution but the IGP has disregarded all of that, and has taken over the duties of the commission. He appoints and promotes at will as opposed to what is stated in the constitution. “According to the constitution, the appointment, promotion, and recruitment of police officers and constables are the prerogative of the PSC, not the IGP," he said.
The letter read: “With response to the Applicant’s prayer to consider whether the firm of
Wole Olanipekun & Co are not liable to be disciplined, I hold the humble view that since there is no evidence to show that the respondent indeed acted with the knowledge and consent of the Principal Partners, especially with the Partner’s constant denial of the content of Exhibit 1 to the effect that the Respondent acted without the authority and consent of the Principal Partners or the firm, I cannot situate the angle of the Applicant’s prayer to both the Act and the Rules.
with issues of environmental remediation, decommissioning, and abandonment, and setting up of Host Community Development TrustSpeaking(HCDT)."further, Komolafe said the marginal fields award initiative of government was borne out of the need to establish the indigenisation policy in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry and build local content capacity. Beside these, he pointed out that it was also targeted at creating employment opportunities and encouraging increased capital inflow to the sector.
“Just to give you a context, on November 1, 2013 when the privatisation took place, power was 3,427 megawatts (MW) on the day of takeover. On December 1, 2013, power had gone from 3,427MW to over 4,003MW and by 2020, it had gone up to nearly 8,000MW,” sheOgajisaid.stated, however, that the average uptake of power from the Gencos was about 4,000MW from 2013 till date, saying that was not good for their business. “So, this does not encourage any investor to keep investing because clearly it shows that your product is not needed. Notwithstanding how Nigerians are always saying give us power, but generation production is driven by demand. When demand is not moving in line with the production, the producer is not incentivised to produce, and this is a major problem,” she explained. Ogaji also decried the lack of access to foreign exchange by Gencos, noting that that had become a major challenge to their operations in recent times.
Wale Igbintade The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) yesterday said it found no merit in the petition filed before it by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) asking that partners of Wole Olanipekun & Co be investigated over alleged involvement in the client solicitation accusations which rocked the legal profession recently.Inapetition dated July 19, 2022, the NBA through its Vice President, John Aikpkokpo-Martins, had filed the petition against Wole Olanipekun’s chambers over a letter written by a staff of the Chambers, Ms. Adekumbi Ogunde, soliciting a brief from SAIPEM, in a $130 million suit against the Rivers State government. The brief was already being handled by the chambers of Odein Ajumogobia, a former Attorney General of Rivers State. Three days after, precisely on July 22, 2022, the NBA President, Olumide Akpata, had written to the founder of the Chambers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, who is also the Chairman, Body of Benchers (BoB), to recuse himself as Chairman over the incident. This was despite the denial by the writer of the letter to SAIPEM, Ogunde, that the principal partners of the Chambers were not aware of the Besides,letter.Ogunde’s letter was written more than two months after both SAIPEM and Rivers State government had reached an out of court settlement on theThebrief.writer herself was then about seven months old with theHowever,chambers.in letter signed by the Secretary of the LPDC, Mr. Daniel Tela, the initial member review concluded that since there was no evidence to show that Ogunde acted with the consent of the Partners of the law firm, the applicant’s prayer for an investigation of the law firm could not be grounded in law.
Nigeria's Battle against Polio Not Yet Over, Says UNICEF commitment and determination, and the support of the partners, traditional and community leaders, health workers, and caregivers. "Nigeria has successfully sustained the victory over wild polio," he said. Celades said Nigeria would need to sustain the remarkable polio achievement, through strengthening routine immunisation and overall health"Complacencysystem. is not an option, as polio could come back if we let our guards down, looking at what happened in Zambia and Mozambique, even in the UK and USA. Polio anywhere is polio everywhere," he said He said UNICEF was proud to have joined efforts by providing the life-saving vaccines, generating demand for vaccine, partnering with the traditional leaders and religious leaders as well as key stakeholders to create a positive environment for vaccination, ensuring that leaders and teams were available to resolve vaccine hesitancy.
Power market owing us N1.75trn, Gencos insist Meanwhile, power generation companies (Gencos) have stated that the electricity industry was still owing them huge sums of money to the tune of about N1.75 trillion for power generated for the electricity market since 2013. The Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), an umbrella body of Gencos, Dr Joy Ogaji, stated this during a panel session at the NAEC conference, with the topic: ”Power Sector Dilemma: Issues, Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Key Solutions." She said the liquidity challenge in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) had made operating in the generation value chain very difficult for the companies, adding that Gencos were currently owing their gas suppliers about N1 trillion and also servicing loans used for acquisition of the companies in 2013. Ogaji said the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) needs to intensify efforts to ensure remittances by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) for energy consumed by theirShecustomers.maintained that Gencos were ready to generate the power needed in Nigeria but that utilisation had been stagnated in the country for a long time due to transmission and distribution constraints.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Nigeria may have successfully subdued the Wild-polio virus (WPV) but the threat posed by all other types of polio is not yet over, UNICEF Chief of Health, Eduardo Celades has declared. Speaking at an event to mark the first anniversary of Nigeria's attainment of a Wild-polio virus free certification, in Abuja hosted by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Celades said although Nigeria might have won the battle against wild polio, the war against all types of polio was not yet over. According to him, circulating variant of polio-virus was still affecting too many children in Nigeria."This monumental certification not only signified the end of the WPV in Nigeria, but also meant that the entire African continent could be declared free of wild polio"Thanksvirus. to the Nigerian government's unrelenting
42 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Also speaking, former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, said Babangida during his regime managed to get some things right which according to him were abandoned by succeeding governments.Theformer Edo Governor added: “We have failed to appreciate the fact that insecurity is a consequence. If we don’t deal with the causes of insecurity, we will keep repeating the same mistakes. If we had sustained IBB’s policy of nomadic education, some of the security challenges rocking our nation will not be as complex as they have become. “On democracy, I have heard views that appear contradictory. You want zoning. Zone what? Zone the right to serve? It is your turn? To do what? There is some implied self-interest in all of the clamour for zoning or power“Peoplerotation.must understand that to be a technocrat doesn’t make anyone a competent leader. The qualities of leadership does not flow from the classroom. To be electable does not necessarily mean to be a technocrat,” Oshiomhole stated.
Speaking further, he said, “troops also arrested 21 pipeline vandals while noting that all recovered items and apprehended oil thieves were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. “Cumulatively, a total value of products denied oil thieves from the period in review amounts to N1,313,020,242.00 worth of crude oil, N2,374,607,471.00 worth of AGO, N4,650,625.00 worth of PMS N15,981,000.00 worth of DPK. “Consequently, a grand total of N3,708,259,338.00 was denied the oilOnthieves."thewar against insurgency, Danmadami disclosed that over 1,652 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered to troops within the period under review. He said troops in the north-east theatre of operation conducted several operations in Gwashiri, Pulka-Kirawa axis, Amanwa village, Tungushe, Bama town, Mulgwai village, Kwatara, Gubio, Kekeno, Dogon Chuku, Miringa Market and Monguno town all in Borno State as well as Buni Yadi, Jauro Bashin in Yobe “DuringState.the operations, troops neutralised 12 terrorists, recovered 18 AK47 rifles, one RGP, two FN rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 bicycles, one golf car, large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis and three grenades. “Troops also arrested eight suspected terrorists, four logistic suppliers, rescued four civilians and the sum of N1,005,360.00 cash.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
"Troops of Operation Hadin Kai continue to consolidates on their success against the terrorists more of them surrendered to own troops within the period under review, a total of 1,652 Boko Haram members and their families have surrendered to own troops at different location. The number comprises of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children,” he Danmadamisaid.conveyed the commendations of the military high command on the efforts of troops in the various theatres of operation across the country.
A former Vice President, Nnamdi Sambo, has urged candidates of various political parties and their supporters to adopt issue-based campaigns as the 2023 general elections draw nearer. He said this during the Annual Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Legacy Dialogue held in Abuja, yesterday.Thetheme of the forum was, ‘Issues in Africa’s Democratic Journey.'Heexplained: “As we approach the critical stage towards the 2023 general election in Nigeria, it is important to use this opportunity to call on all political parties and indeed, candidates and other key stakeholders to adopt issue-based campaigns.“Wemust all shun the use of hate or foul language and mudslinging to avoid overheating the polity. Peaceful, free and fair election next year will definitely mark yet another important milestone in our march towards sustainable democracy, peace and development of our dear nation.”
In his speech, former President Goodluck Jonathan, said the forthcoming elections were critical to the national aspirations, shared prosperity and development of theHecountry.added: “To the rest of us, this period does not afford us the luxury of indifference. We must be determined to participate in our democratic processes. It requires that we must mobilise to vote those who will manage the affair of the country with honesty in order to guarantee peace, justice, unity and progress in our land.”
Sambo added: “Next year, by the grace of Almighty Allah, we shall witness another transition from one democratically elected government to another Insha Allah.“Nigeria must continue to get it right as a positive example for other countries in West Africa and indeed, beyond.”
Military Confirms Arrest of Terrorists,EightCache of Arms in FCT
Insecurity: FG Advises Nigerians Not to Travel to Northern Cyprus
Sambo Urges Politicians to Adopt Issue-based Campaigns Ahead of 2023
DHQ: Naval Troops Recover N3.7bn Stolen Crude Oil, AGO in Niger Delta
Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Musa Danmadami, said troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained the war against oil theft and illegal bunkering and other criminal activities in the region to sustain a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive in the south-south region of the country.Hesaid troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted operational activities in creeks, villages, communities and towns in the region. He stated that during the operations, troops discovered and destroyed several illegal oil refining sites, tankers, cooking ovens, arms and ammunition, cash, among Danmadamiothers.affirmed that the total value of products denied oil thieves within the period under review stood at N1.3 billion.
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday revealed that naval troops operating in the oil-rich Niger Delta region have recovered crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and premium motor spirit (PMS), known as petrol, worth over N3.7 billion from enclaves of oil bunkerers within the last two weeks. Also, it stated that troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast and Operation Hadarin Daji in the north-west killed 57 terrorists within the same period.
The federal government has advised Nigerians, especially, students not to travel to Northern Cyprus, where gross human rights abuses were reported to be on the rise. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who gave the advice, yesterday, during a press briefing at the State House, Abuja.Dabiri-Erewa said over 20 Nigerian students had been killed in the area, despite warnings to the students to stay away from theTheplace.NiDCOM boss, who gave an update on the commission's activities, regretted that Nigerians were being killed on a daily basis in Northern Cyprus with nobody able to intervene, because of the political situation in the European enclave.Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a de facto state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus. Dabiri-Erewa said there was little that could be done diplomatically to help Nigerians there because Northern Cyprus was not recognised by the international community as a country. She explained that Northern Cyprus did not have a robust mechanism that would enable the federal government to pursue justice for the over 20 Nigerian students killed there so Accordingfar. to her, “Honestly, it's been a lot of problems in Northern Cyprus. So, we had youths come and tell us, ‘Please tell everybody to stop going to Northern Cyprus.’ We did that sometime ago and some people said, 'how can you tell people not to go.' And I've said it again, if you're going to Northern Cyprus, think twice about it. “Over 20 students have been killed over the years, and nothing happened. So, some of these students came themselves and said they had to embark on an awareness campaign. Don't go to these places. Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey. It's not a UN-recognised nation. “So, we can't do much. Our students are being killed on a daily basis, and nothing is happening. So again, I'm going to appeal that we need to take a strong position, about places like Northern Cyprus.” The NiDCOM CEO acknowledged the insecurity in parts of Nigeria, but noted that it was temporary. She said the federal government was doing everything necessary to resolve theDabiri-Erewasituation. pointed out that the Nigerian security forces had in recent times been bombarding terrorists in a determined attempt to end their menace. She expressed confidence that diaspora investments would continue to yield returns.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Director, Directorate of Defence
He urged Nigerians to actively get involved in the electoral process by exercising their constitutional rights and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure adequate voter education and sufficient preparation for hitch-free elections.
STRATEGY MEETING...
NEWSXTRA 43FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 • THISDAY
L-R: Executive Director, Center for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), Ms. Babafunke Fagbemi; SBC Consultant ANRiN PMU FMoH, Mr. Bola Kusemiju; Senior Health Specialist & Task Team Lead, World Bank Health, Nutrition & Population Nigeria, Dr. Ritgak Dimka Tilley-Gyado; National Secretary General, Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), Dr. Khalid A. Aliyu; Deputy Director FMoH & National Project Manager ANRiN PMU, Dr. Ojuolape Solanke, JNI FCT Chapter, Dr. R.U Muhammed, and SBC Consultant, World Bank, Nigeria, Dr. Auwalu Kawu, during a meeting in Abuja… recently Puts death toll of Nigerians in troubled area at over 20 Says security challenge won't affect diaspora investments
Vanquish 57 insurgents in north-east, north-west 1,652 terrorists, families surrender Confirms arrest of eight terrorists, cache of arms in FCT
“During the operation, troops also discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites which include 493 dugout pits, 512 storage tanks, 413 cooking ovens and 59 wooden boats. Also, troops recovered four tankers, two speed boats, one generator, one outboard engine, 14 pumping machines, three AK47 rifles, 25,977.15 barrels of crude oil, 3,236,130 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 26,575 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine (DPK).”
Two terrorists’ camps located in Deidei Abattoir, a suburb in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and Dukpa village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were uncovered by troops of the Guards Brigade. Defence Headquarters said yesterday that eight terrorists were arrested during a raid carried out on their hideouts while a large cache of ammunition were also uncovered.Itsaid the operation was conducted around some suspected terrorist hideouts at Deidei Abattoir in Abuja Municipal Area Council and Dupka village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory."During the raid, operation eight suspected terrorist were arrested, 5 AK47 rifles and three pump action guns were recovered, while large quantities of items suspected to be cannabis sativa, thrre machetes, knives among other weapons were recovered.
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
APC Presidential Aspirantsto Meet over 2023 Polls
Senator Basiru, who spoke with THISDAY in Ilorin yesterday on the sideline of the just concluded press week of the Osun state Broadcasting Corporation of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Osogbo, stated that this feat was achieved by the members of the Senate through the instrumentality of its lawmaking powers in accordance with the Constitution of the country. The Senator delivered a lecture entitled, “The Place of Legislature in a Constitutional Democracy” at the event. He said: “I dare say, that the record number of quality legislations (emphasis supplied) so far passed is indicative of the nationalistic desire to ensure that the nation is steadied on the path of peace, social justice and sustainable economic growth. I take great delight in reminding this distinguished gathering that, to the credit of the 9th National Assembly, the Petroleum Industry Act that has defied over twenty years of legislative intervention was passed and signed into law by the President.”
Victor Ogunje in ado Ekiti
Stop Making Frivolous Demand over Salary Arrears, NANS Tells ASUU
Hoodlums Unleash Violence on Lagos Community
2023 general elections. The IG, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations, Bala Zama Senchi, assured all that
Ugwuanyi Commended for Choice of Mbah as Enugu PDP Guber Candidate
will not succeed. He said: “The EOD capturing more territories, definitely, is worth celebrating by all of us. In the North East, all the security agencies worked together and our efforts complemented each other. “Nigerians should expect the EOD/CBRN to do even more than it used to because of the training and equipment they have received. The IGP has shown commitment about the training of EOD personnel which has enhanced their performance.
The IG made this disclosure at the Explosives Ordnance Disposal/Chemical Biological Radioactive and Nuclear (EOD/ CBRN) Command in Lagos where he unveiled a new beret, Logo, shoulder badge and also inaugurated the refurbished conference hall and transit camp of the unit. The enhanced accoutrements were made to fit with the recently upgraded specialty of the unit to involve chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear tactics. Given that the EOD/CBRN command had already started sweeping and reclaiming territories hitherto ravaged by Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) especially in the North-east, the sweepers are particularly targeted at potential threats around the
FRIday august 26, 2022 • THISDAY44 NEW s
NASENI Boss Lists Ways to Revive Steel Sector
All the presidential aspirants under All Progressive Congress (APC) are to regroup next week so as to map out strategies ahead of the 2023 general elections. According to a statement said to have been issued by the media team of APC’s youngest aspirant, Dr. Nicolas Felix, yesterday, all the aspirants, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and 20 others will meet on Wednesday August 31 in Abuja. The meeting is expected to bring the aspirants together for the first time after the Presidential primary which was eventually won by the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The need for state governments to take appropriate steps towards reviewing and expanding the jurisdiction of their various magistracies to improve justice delivery in the country has been stressed. The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) Conference in Yenagoa, the state capital. Describing magistrate courts as the bedrock of the Nigerian criminal justice system, he also called on the second tier of government to give magistrates a relatively better recognition as judicial officers like their senior counterparts on the higher bench. The deputy governor noted that the role of magistrates was too crucial and indispensable in the administration of criminal justice to be left the way it is. To this end, he challenged state governments to look at extant laws with a view to expanding the scope and quality of judicial services being rendered by magistrates in the light of current realities in the Ewhrudjakpo,country. who also made a strong case for community service as an option in the country’s criminal laws, stressed that hearing of cases should not be unnecessarily protracted over time. Advocates
Senate Spokesman Gives Ninth National Assembly High Rating Olusegun Samuel in yenagoa
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has described as wicked, selfish and insensitive, the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) position that the federal government must pay them six months’ salary arrears for the period they were on strike. ASUU has said the payment of the salaries arears is a prerequisite to call off its industrial action. However, NANS said such demand had portrayed ASUU as pursuing narrow interest of members against its early stand of fighting to revamp the education sector it has made the public to believe. The students’ body said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday signed by its National President, Sunday Asefon.Asefon said NANS had since the commencement of the strike advocated in favour of ASUU, positing that the current demand by striking lecturers was not only disappointing and frivolous, but represented the pursuit of a narrow interest . The NANS’ leader counseled the lecturers against acting like employers even when they are employees, saying it flies in the face of law to be demanding payment for services they didn’t render.
Spokesman of the Senate and Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District of Osun State at the National Assembly, Senator Suraju Ajibola Basiru, has said that since the proclamation of the ninth National Assembly, it has remained on its toes in driving meaningful and impactful changes within the polity.
The people of Enugu East Senatorial District of Enugu State yesterday commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for acceding to their yearning that the governorship ticket of the PDP should be zoned to them in line with the rotational zoning arrangement in the state. The people gave the commendation during a thank you visit led by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, members of the National Assembly from the state, the PDP Zonal Chairman, Enugu East Senatorial District, Hon. Nnamdi Nwafor, among other leaders across partyThedivides.people of Enugu East Senatorial District also expressed profound appreciation to Gov. Ugwuanyi for the choice of Mbah as the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, stressing that the governor is a promise keeper.Delivering their message of gratitude, the PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Nwafor disclosed that their visit was to solely thank Ugwuanyi for the emergence of Mbah, from Owo, Nkanu East Local Government Area in Enugu East Senatorial District of Enugu State, as the PDP governorship candidate. Nwafor recalled that the people of Enugu East Senatorial District including the clergy and traditional rulers, on June 17, 2021 converged on Michael Okpara Square, Enugu during the Oganiru Enugu East Senatorial District Rally, and appealed to Ugwuanyi to ensure that the rotational zoning arrangement of the governorship position, which favoured their zone, was adhered to.
Chiemelie Ezeobi To eradicate potential explosive threats, especially in the light of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, has said sweepers would be deployed across the country.
operatives were receiving requisite training and more equipment being acquired and deployed to ensure that plans by criminals to use explosives to wreak havoc
N1.25bn TETFund Sponsored COVID Vaccine Ready for Trial in November
L-R: Chairman, Musical Copyright society Nigeria (MCsN), Orits Wiliki, director general/CEO, MCsN, Mayo ayilaran, and music icon, Bongos Ikwe, shortly after the musician registered MCsN member in abuja…recently Rebecca Ejifoma Hoodlums yesterday unleashed violence on residents and commuters at Ijanikin Community in Ojo Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, leaving several people injured. The hoodlums, suspected to be cultists, were said to have disrupted activities at the Shoe/ Bags and Textile Market. This caused traders to scamper to safety.Itwas gathered that they also blocked the Badagry Expressway, grounding vehicular movement in that Accordingaxis. to sources, chaos erupted after disagreements ensued between two monarchs in the Reportsarea.also have it that one of the monarchs was planning his 15th anniversary, which irked supporters of his rival. It was learnt that part of the problem was an alleged assault of an Awori native by a masquerade participating in the anniversary celebrations.According to a driver, who didn’t give his name, the hoodlums armed with guns, machetes, charms and other dangerous objects allegedly ordered vehicles to turn back. He explained that motorists, who attempted to resist their orders, were beaten up and their vehicles vandalised. The motorist further claimed that policemen attached to Ijanikin Division could not contain the situation. Hence, retreated into their station.
2023: Police to Deploy Sweepers to Check Explosive Threats
Kuni Tyessi in abuja
The vaccine development efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has started yielding visible results as its COVID-19 vaccine project would be ready for clinical trial in November this year. The TETFund distributed a total of N1.250 billion to four clusters of researchers that included a Vaccine Production Cluster that got a total grant of N450 million. The Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, who led a team of researchers yesterday to brief the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr. Sonny Echono, explained that they were able to make the breakthrough through the maximum support of the fund.Bilbis recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged and unleashed untold hardship on humanity globally, noting that Nigeria was only saved by divine intervention since the nation was not prepared for such eventuality. He said: “TETFund believed in us and supported us to get to where we are now. That is why we have come to give a firsthand report on the progress made so far.”
Bayelsa
BONGOS IKWE JOINS MCSN…
Expansion ofMagistrate Courts’ Jurisdiction
The Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, yesterday made a case for the revival of the steel sector as part of efforts to realise the nation’s automotive aspiration.Hesaidthe federal government should adopt public-private partnership (PPP) model to fund steel complexes, where Nigeria should not own more than 40 per cent equity in such partnership. Haruna, who made the submission in a presentation to the steel council in Abuja, said NASENI will invest in any venture, targeted at producing iron and steel products from Nigeria raw material, with the private sector and the steel council. He said the government should support local production by levying a development for tax on steel imported into Nigeria According to him, the government should raise fund or generate a fund for privatised Ajaokuta Steel with incentives to guarantee its completion. He said: “In the past planning of 1958 and the post-independence, it was only government that has financial muscles to fund steel projects.“Now private sector can conveniently undertake such investment to fund steel complexes but in PPP Model. Federal Government of Nigeria should not own more than 40 per cent equity in such partnership.
“There are a lot of other issues which did not comply with the Electoral Act 2022. The Electoral Act 2022 said the procedures for conducting elections into the local government areas by State Electoral Commissions (SEC) must comply with that procedure for conducting into Area Councils in the FCT. “If you look at it, how do you access compliance without law? If you hide the law with which you want to conduct the election, is it not when you make the law public that we will know how to comply with it. How can you be making laws and hiding them?
I, known and addressed as OKO FREDRICK AMADI, a native of Amaji Ndukwu town in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State wish to confirm that my date of birth is July 3, 1990. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note . I, known and addressed as EZIASHI THERESA OBIAGELI, a native of Illah town in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State wish to confirm that my date of birth is DECEMBER 31st, 1947. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OJELEKE OPEYEMI OLU WAKEMI. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OWOLABI OPEYEMI OLUWAKEMI All for mer documents remain valid. Gen eral public please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OGUAGHA MOORE OBIO HA. Now wish to be known and addressed as OSITA C MOORE All former documents remain valid. General public please take I,note.formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBANJO ADEBU KOLA FLORENCE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ONAGORUWA ADEBU KOLA FLORENCE All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEYOMBO ADE LOLA ADETOMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEDOYIN ADELOLA ADETO MI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as DAMILOLA OGUNNAIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as DAMILOLA AD EJOBI All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my correct name is BLESSING MABEL but was wrongly written as IGONI MABEL IGONI during my BVN registration and my correct date of birth is 2 ND FEBRUARY 1985. All former documents remain valid. Gen eral public please take note.
Benjamin Nworieinabakaliki
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The lawmakers also directed the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to provide relevant financial transactions on the fuel subsidy for the period under review. The Chairman, Special Adhoc Committee investigating the fuel subsidy, Hon. Ibrahim Aliyu, issued the notice in Abuja, during the scrutiny of documents submitted by representative of Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Okolieaboh Sylvia, who was represented by the Director Overseeing Federation Accounts, Mr. Mohammed Saleh. Aliyu said the lawmakers were expecting the Accountant General on September 8, 2022, with relevant documents. He recalled that the House mandated the Ad-hoc Committee to ensure effectiveness of the fuel subsidy regime and scrutinise payment to petroleum marketers.
“It is important to state that this period covers when the Director was not even a member of the Commission’s Management Committee. EFCC has therefore only invited him to provide more clarity to their investigations. Mr. Eno Ubi Otu was not arrested. “Indeed, management views with grave concern the report that there is an attempt to uncover how N25 billion was looted and how it was shared. It is also to be noted that this is mere conjecture by the reporters, since such information has not been attributed to any individual, neither did the EFCC’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, provide such information, neither did he confirm it.
L-R: Executive secretary, National steel Council (NsC), ambassador abdulkadir Musa Fari; Vice Chairman, NsC, seun Oyefeso; Lanre shagaya; Executive Vice Chairman/ CE, National agency for science and Engineering Infrastructure (NasENI), Prof. Muhammed sani, and Chairman, NsC, Malam Murtala aliyu, during the first retreat for council members in abuja…yesterday
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in umuahia Stakeholders Forum of Ngwa political bloc has adopted the governorship standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike as their consensus candidate, saying that he embodies genuine leadership. The stakeholders, comprising members and non-members of APC in Isiala Ngwa South local government, announced their adoption of Emenike at a meeting hosted by Ezeji Ephraim Nwokenneya, whose wife, Uwaoma is APC candidate for the state constituency.Chairmanof the Isiala Ngwa South Stakeholders Forum, Prof Enyi Nwabuko, who announced their decision, dismissed the insinuations that Ngwa people have a secret agenda to support their kinsman Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his anointed PDP candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne, who is also an Ngwa man.
House to Quiz Auditor General over NNPC Subsidy Payments
FRIday august 26, 2022 • THISDAY 45 NEW sxt R a
The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has denied the alleged arrest of one of its Director, Mr. Eno Ubi Otu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The denial was contained in a statement by the Commission yesterday.Itstated, “The attention of the NDDC has been drawn to a story published in some national dailies alleging that the Director, Finance and Accounts of the Commission, Mr. Eno Ubi Otu has been arrested by the EFCC in relation to a case of alleged diversion of over N25 billion tax “Managementremittances.wishes to categorically, and without equivocation, state that Mr. Eno Ubi Otu was only invited by the EFCC as part of a routine procedural investigation into non remittance of VAT over a 15-year period, raised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), ostensibly orchestrated by persons seeking to be named in the forthcoming Board of the Commission.
The court also restrained the state government from appointing Caretaker Committee or anyone in whatsoever nomenclature to oversee the affairs of the 13 council areas of the state. The Judge further ruled that the tenures of the incumbent council chairmen and 171 ward councillors would expire on August Speaking2023.to journalists in Abakaliki, the counsel to the plaintiff, Mudi Erhenedi, commended the Federal High Court for upholding justice in EbonyiErhenediState. said: “It is undemocratic and unlawful to conduct an election into the local government areas or councils without availing the plaintiffs with the exact law that is meant to regulate the exercise.
“There is no Ngwa agenda. The agenda we have is a genuine leader for Abia who will work and develop Abia,” he said, adding that Emenike’s leadership qualities meet the desire of Ngwa people and indeed the entire people of Abia.He described the APC governorship flag bearer as a man of his own words, adding that the task before him when he becomes the chief executive of God’s Own State next year “is to free Abia from corruption, decay and retrogression”.
2023 : Ajanaku, Kola-Daisi, Other Candidates Receive Accord Flags in Oyo
I formerly known, called and ad dressed as OFFIONG A.U. BASSEY and OFFIONG ASIBONG UDOH now wish to be known, called and ad dressed as OFFIONG ARCHIBONG BASSEY All former documents re main valid. The general public should please take note.
CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT…
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The leadership of the Accord Party in Oyo State has presented flags to some candidates that would fly the banner of the party during the 2023 elections. Those that were presented with flags during the monthly meeting of the party in Ibadan South West local government, held at BaptisttheSecondary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, include Chief Rotimi Ajanaku (Ibadan South-west and North-west Federal Constituency); Chief Kolapo Kola-Daisi, (Oyo South Senatorial District) and Mr. Babamide Ashiru, (Ibadan South-west Constituency 2.)
The Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF), Adolphus Aghughu is expected to appear before the House of Representatives on August 30, 2022, to provide evidence on the audit carried out on the monies used by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited for payment of fuel subsidy between 2013 and 2022.
Ikpeazu’s Kinsmen Adopt Emenike as Guber Candidate
Aviation Experts Recall Averted Underwear Bomber Tragedy, Call for Vigilance
Speaking at the event with the theme: ‘Perspective in Multi-Layer Aviation Security System and Passenger Facilitation,’ Demuren in his keynote speech, said that his attention was drawn to the December 25, 2009 incident by Mr. Babatunde Omotoba who was the Minister of Aviation from December 17, 2008 till March 2010. According to him, Omotoba had woken him up in the middle of the night to break the incident of attempted bombing of the US airliner to him, but noted that the installation of modern equipment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, revealed the entire activities of Abdulmutallab at the airport to the security team.
I formerly known, called and ad dressed as OLOYIN BABATUNDE RASAKI now wish to be known, called and addressed as BABA TUNDE RASAQ OLOYIN. All for mer documents remain valid. The general public should please take Inote.formerly known, called and ad dressed as RASAKI RUKAYAT SHADE now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLOYIN RUKAYAT RASAQ. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take Inote.formerly known, called and ad dressed as SHOTAYO TOMISIN ADENIKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as SHER IFF TOMISIN ADENIKE All for mer documents remain valid. The general public should please take Inote.formerly known, called and ad dressed as AKAMOBI CHIDI MCHENRY EBUKA KINGSLEY now wish to be known, called and ad dressed as OHAMADIKE MCHEN RY CHIDI All former documents re main valid. The general public should please take note.
The gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state, Chief Bayo Adelabu, while presenting flags to the candidates, expressed joy at the large turnout of members, stating that the party is waxing stronger on a daily basis and becoming a main force to be reckoned with in the 2023 general elections. The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the party would emerge victorious in the 2023 general elections without stress, urging members not to relent in their efforts at bringing more people onboard the victorious ship of Accord Party in the state.
I formerly known, called and ad dressed as DAVID OFONIME SAMUEL now wish to be known, called and addressed as IBANGA OFONIME SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
I formerly known and addressed as TURTON OLUWAFUNMIBI ADEDOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as TURTON OLU WAFUNBI ADEDOYIN. All former documents remain valid. The gen eral public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME
A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, yesterday nullified and voided the local government election held on July 30, 2022, in the state. The Presiding Judge, Justice Fatun Riman, in a suit No: FHC/AI/CS/151/2022 ruled that the conduct of the state local government election was undemocratic and unlawful, and therefore declared it null and void.
Court Nullifies Ebonyi LG Elections
Chinedu Eze Former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, who was in charge when a Nigerian attempted to bomb United States airliner on December 25, 2009, described the averted terror attack as the saddest day of his life. Thirteen years ago, 23-year old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was stopped from bombing Flight 253 operated by Northwest Airlines en route from Amsterdam to Detroit when passengers disabled him from igniting the bomb hidden in his underwear in what the world has come to know as underwear or Christmas bomber.Discussion on the major incident came to the fore yesterday in Lagos during a meeting organised by the Aviation Round Table (ART) where industry stakeholders called on all security agencies to work in synergy to avoid terrorism attack in the sector, but insisted that Nigeria’s airspace is still safe for flight operations.
NDDC Debunks Arrest of Director By EFCC
I formerly known and addressed as ISAIAH FAVOUR CHIOMA, now wish to be known and ad dressed as IHEKOROMBA FA VOUR OLUOMACHI All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formerly known and addressed as DUYILE TITILAYO FUMILAYO ADEOYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EHIAG WINA TITILAYO FUMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
This is to inform the general public that my correct name is SUNNY TAMUNOOKWIENABO PROSPER but was wrongly written as SUNDAY TAMUNOOKWIENABO PROSPER during my BVN registration and my correct date of birth is 11TH MAY 2003. All former documents remain valid. General pub lic please take note.
Udora Orizu in abuja
BUHARI’S LEGACY AND TINUBU’S ALBATROSS 46 THISDAY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022 BACKPAGE CONTINUATION
Former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, Dimeji Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, amongst others, all withdrew their candidacy and supported Tinubu. These mealymouthed politicians have a lot of explanation for posterity on why they supported a man so deeply flawed for the office of president of Nigeria. Do these people really mean well for Nigeria? Why support Tinubu? Why didn’t they at the very minimum, support Vice President Yemi Osinbajo? Sure, that would have been less offensive and tolerable. Were they not aware of Tinubu’s connection to a drug cartel in America for which he forfeited a huge sum of money to the US government? To be involved in drug trafficking is certainly a very serious criminal act, and all countries don’t treat it with levity. And why is Tinubu himself not clearing the air on his nearly half a million dollars federal forfeiture of drug proceeds traced to his account in the 90s? Or he thinks the hullabaloo over his links to drug barons will fizzle out? He will be disappointed because as many other infractions he is accused of, it will not. Why are great opinion moulders like Professor Wole Soyinka not calling on him to address this and other weighty crimes he has been accused of? Where is Femi Falana? Are they all with Tinubu just as in 2015 when every one of them was in Buhari’s wagon that is now taking Nigeria to hell? It’s always somewhat churlish to criticise those who support Tinubu’s presidential aspiration for rhetorical mediocrity. But the mendacity of their argument goes thus: “Oh he knows how to select competent people”. “He is so rich, he will not steal money”, “Oh he increased Lagos IGR from a mere N600 million monthly to the over N40 billion that it is today,” or “Tinubu transformed Lagos by laying the foundation of what the state has become”. Well, what they don’t tell you is, in the last 19 years, or thereabouts of the contract, he has been pocketing a sizeable portion of the state’s IGR as commission -10 per cent above a certain threshold. That amounts to billions of naira monthly. Please, forget not that he was a sitting governor when he awarded to his company the sole revenue collection contract. What is that called? Simply, corruption and abuse of office. Which governor in the history of Nigeria has done that? FIRS has done far better since 1999 to date, but gets no credit. The last published revenue receipt was N6.4 trillion in 2021. Now, imagine a president using his company to collect 10 percent of that as commission. No President has ever done that in the history of Nigeria. But that is what Tinubu has been doing in Lagos. My guess is, he will do it to FIRS if becomes president. He will Alpha-Betarise the FIRS and collect 10 per cent commission. NPA, NIMSA, Customs, etc would all be Alpha-Betarised. This is the ‘Lagos Experience’ that Kashim Shettima, Tinubu’s Vice Presidential running mate did not tell lawyers at the NBA conference. This is what his handlers will never tell you – that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the progenitor and exponent of wealth without enterprise. Now, let’s even ask; what did he transform Lagos into? It’s almost like there was no Lagos before Tinubu came on the scene the way his mostly nihilist, knee-jerk supporters idolise and credit him with laying the foundation of a modern Lagos. Yet, many of us lived through Tinubu’s time as governor of the state of Aquatic Splendour and cannot recall any landmark signature project he started and completed before leaving office. Well, Thank God they have not claimed he created Lagos. In Tinubu’s ‘Lagos experience,’ there is no pipe borne water. Every household self-provides water boreholes for their use. Despite the best efforts of successive administrations in Lagos, many schools remain in deplorable conditions. Healthcare in Tinubu’s ‘Lagos Experience’ is third grade. Is it any wonder he receives all his healthcare needs abroad? Their narrative strains credulity and the unvarnished truth remains that their pedestrian spin is often clothed with bromides and befuddling flattery to lure you to excuse the astonishing life of misdeeds of this man whose whole life is a row call of misdeeds - from small misdemeanours to perjury and forgery, to major illicit dealings such as illicit drug trafficking, massive corruption and money laundering and associated crimes. His political malpractices and all what not, have by far, elevated him to something of a demigod. And over a lifetime of misdeeds perpetrated against society, he has grown in stature and political clout and national influence, transmuting into a largerthan-life figure, such that he boasted that he alone made Buhari president and Osinbajo vice president. Well, in tow are many governors, lawmakers, local government chairmen, councilors and various other appointments. And that now he believe is the time to return the favour. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other crime agencies of government fear him. They dare not investigate him even though his crimes are legion and are right in their faces. As I have argued in my past articles, his crimes cannot be said to reflect the transient immaturity of youth. Instead, they reflect the permanent incorrigibility of a lifetime of crime. This is the man who is aspiring to be the president of Nigeria. This is the man many seemingly good people are putting their reputations earned over a lifetime of hard work on the line to defend. Including a good number of intellectuals, lawyers, political actors, Nollywood stars, retired footballers, journalists, etc, falling over themselves to endorse to become president of INigeria.haveasked behavioural researchers to tell me why good men defend bad people. They are yet to revert. One can excuse the man on the street for his ignorance and poverty of knowledge. But how do you excuse others who know clearly that Tinubu falls far short of the character portrait and moral attributes of a leader and yet continue to push him forward in WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms to help advance that narrative that he is the best there is amongst us? I frankly don’t get it. Of course they accuse you of moral posturing, and label you a moralist and remind you that there is no morality in politics. But who said that? The Brits just showed in their ouster of Boris Johnson from the exalted office of Prime Minister that any individual without the moral discipline at his core, is unfit for leadership position. His crimes were his many lies and his lack of moral discipline. Once again, I dare say, we can clean up our politics and make morality its fabric. If we had done this long ago, the likes of Tinubu would not have dared to dream of running for the exalted office of president. In many instances, however, those who defend Tinubu, do so for subsidiary motivation or what they hope to gain. Some defend him because they share an ethnic affinity with him and get psychological satisfaction from that perceived bond. Others admire and lionise him for successfully gaming the system for so long. I have heard it gives such people the adrenaline rush and a feeling of connection. But there are others who are just simply misguided or simply too lazy to do a serious interrogation of the evidence and are perhaps too carefree to care about the future of our commonwealth. I once believed strongly that leadership was a major problem, I am beginning to come to terms with the fact that followership is just as much the problem as leadership. Everybody admits he is so rich and that no one can play the money game and beat him in this country. Yet, no one can point to the source of his vast wealth other than proceeds of corruption, directly linked to the public treasury. Despite all this, some people still want him to be president. There was however a failed attempt by his campaign recently to explain his source of wealth when it claimed that he made his money from selling rice and chemicals. The veteran journalist making the claim was choking on his words. I am sure his conscience was shouting loudly to his hearing; “liar,” “liar.” Just like no one ever knew his classmates, no one knows the people that bought rice and chemicals from him or the locations of his factory or warehouses. These guys are just grasping at straws. Again, as they promised Nigerians, Tinubu has already picked up where Buhari left off by sending his vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima to stand in for him at conferences/debates to hide his inadequacy (Osinbajo was the president’s stand-in, in the build-up to the 2019 presidential election to achieve similar purpose). The man has been carefully avoiding live interviews because of the many questions surrounding everything about him. I can bet my bottom kobo, any live interview would finish him up and collapse his presidential run. So his handlers are hiding him from the scrutiny of an interview. The same way they shielded Buhari from scrutiny is how Team Tinubu is shielding him. But we shall continue to shine a light on the dark crevices of this badWhatproject.you need to know is that anyone who doesn’t speak up against Tinubu’s ambition is unprincipled and foolish. Unprincipled, because they don’t care about protecting the fabric of our society that has been so brutally challenged and violated by an assemblage of enterprising crooks, and foolish because the tragedy of what this land has become started slowly, and you will be helping to gradually normalise and legitimise a new culture of permissiveness of social vices as better alternatives to virtues of an upright way of life. You will be telling future generations that the ultimate reward for a lifetime of illicit behaviour is the highest office in the land. You won’t realise the damage you have done until it’s too late. To fail to understand this moment, and what is at stake for our country, is to fail posterity. That will be catastrophic. This land of our fathers needs healing, Tinubu is certainly NOT the one to bring that healing.
Recently, a former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, exonerated him from Buhari’s woeful performance. I asked on what grounds. The fact that Buhari is incompetent, ineffective and stays aloof as the country faces disaster on all fronts is a great disservice to Tinubu’s cause because he recommended him for the job and campaigned for him. Now Buhari’s style has produced the worst economic and security outcomes for Nigeria. Who do we hold responsible for this staggering failure? Is it not the man who recommended him? Yet, we are told Tinubu knows how to recruit the right people for the job. But that we should not blame him for Buhari’s performance. If Buhari had been a runaway success, would they have said the same thing? Was Buhari the right person for the job of President of Nigeria? Is Nigeria better off than it were in 2015? You see, these people have eaten their cake, and are still trying to have it. Just smarten up and punish them with your vote! As I watched the television on the night of the presidential primary and saw candidate after candidate (some of whom you had thought held some promise of leadership of this country) step down for the dodgy 86-year-old master of subterfuge who cannot even be honest with something as simple as his true age, his real name, etc., I shook my head and realised we are indeed a strange set of people.
TinubuBuhari soaring oil prices following the Russia-Ukraine war. BP, Shell, Mobil, Chevron, etc, are declaring bumper profits, Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, declared a $48.4 billion record profit in the first half of the year on high oil prices. Paradoxically, Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have made zero profits, their balance sheets are in the red and is even experiencing a forex crisis, with the naira exchanging for almost N700 to the dollar on the parallel market because under the leadership style of this incompetent government, economic outcomes have been woeful. On Buhari’s watch, Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC quota partly because of massive oil theft enabled by the connivance of high-ranking government and military officers. Of course, the little proceeds that come in are swallowed up by subsidy payments that were pooh-poohed by this same Buhari in the build-up to 2015 election. Now, this hypocrite has made the highest subsidy payments in Nigerian history. The country is flat broke, drained by bogus subsidy payments. Lest we forget, Tinubu and his defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had a hand in the protests that followed the removal of subsidy in January 2012 - just to undermine then President Goodluck Jonathan. He didn’t see then that subsidising consumption would kill Nigeria. Few years later, precisely in December 2015 when Tinubu’s APC had assumed power, he made a U-turn and called for the removal of subsidy! Since Tinubu and his tribe of vicious liars frustrated its removal in 2012, Nigeria has spent over N6.210 trillion to sustain the subsidy on fuel consumption, and presently spends N18 billion daily, according to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed. The state of the country today is the direct result of Tinubu’s ‘vision’. To those who continue to spew half-truths and ‘true lies’ about this old, crooked fox’s magical abilities, we’ll continue to challenge you at every turn. When some revisionist intellectuals defend this man and attribute to him qualities he does not possess, I say, oh Bourdillon! That centre of iniquity and vice, what are thou done to men that they can’t reason or see anymore? What evil spell did thou cast on these people such that they now see evil and call it good, and good, they call evil? Yet this is a man who can hardly think or speak coherently, who can hardly put words together in a decipherable manner, whose every public intervention is a disaster. He mumbles words and drifts to unrelated issues in nearly all his public speaking. Clearly, you see a man with diminished faculties brought about by old age. This is the man a cadre of able-bodied men and women, young and old, educated and uneducated are falling over themselves to promote. Sometimes you can’t help but wonder what these people really want for Nigeria. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for over six months now, with no end in sight. Some parents whose children have been idling at home are amongst those still supporting the APC. And their children will be willing thugs in the hands of the APC machine to harass and intimidate voters to keep it in power. As usual, they don’t think of their tomorrow, all they are concerned about is how much they can get today by helping certificate forgers and school dropouts to win elections. In the run-up to the 2015 general election, Tinubu blamed President Jonathan for the strike ASUU had embarked on, saying it was further evidence of incompetence of the then government. He then urged parents and youths to vote out that government to preserve their future. He lamented that unemployment had become rife and that the country needed a new leadership at the helm of affairs to refocus its socio/ economic direction. They came up with the mantra of change to give energy to their cause. It caught fire and the country became enveloped in ‘change’ and they won the election. How time flies! Life is full of ironies and as if almost divinely crafted to expose Tinubu and his hypocritical defenders as they repeatedly stew themselves in their own hypocrisy, things have come full cycle for them. Same ASUU has embarked on strike five times now under a government Tinubu installed. The first was on August 17, 2017. It ended in September 2017, lasting five weeks. The second strike started on November 4, 2018 and lasted until February 7, 2019, making it a total of 95 days. The third commenced on March 23, 2020 and lasted nine months, ending December 23, 2020. On February 14, 2022, ASUU announced the commencement of yet another strike, which lasted for four weeks. On March 14, 2022, ASUU embarked on a two-month strike and later extended it indefinitely. The strike is ongoing and has lasted six months already. Under the government Tinubu campaigned vigorously for and installed, using the ASUU strike at the time as a weapon. In all these strikes, has he said a word? No. Instead, he and his gullible supporters are avoiding the topic and silently chewing their nails. The big question is: what will Tinubu campaign on? Maybe it’s restructuring. But he has long jettisoned that to cement his alliance with Buhari. Will he go back to it? Well, let us wait and see. Nigeria is on a free fall under the leadership of President Buhari of the APC who was brought to power by Tinubu. Bloodthirsty terrorists, bandits, kidnappers have simply seized the land of our fathers and are making mincemeat of Nigerians, killing and maiming at will, security operatives including soldiers are not left out of their crosshairs. From the North to the South, East to West – the blood of innocent people is flowing ceaselessly. Buhari and his party, the APC have murdered sleep, and they are sleeping soundly. But they are not done yet with us. They want you to vote them in 2023 so they can continue to inflict pain on this country. Nigeria is in an emergency and bleeding profusely, in need of life-saving measures, this land of our fathers is awash with the blood of its children. We have never seen a situation like this before – where a president simply refuses to act to protect the people from terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed by heartless bandits, some of whom are foreigners; yet, Buhari has refused to act decisively against them for no other reason than his ethnic and religious affinity with them. Our country is completely falling apart under a man sold to Nigerians by Tinubu as a messiah who would build the country of our dreams but who has proved to be a destructive, incompetent, ethno/religious irredentist, the worst of the worst ever to rise to leadership position in this country. A very bad leader to put it mildly. The stark reality of our time is that Nigeria is worse off today in every measurable yardstick than at any time in its history. The nation’s security has never ever been so challenged like we have today as terrorists and bandits continue to best their own worst record of human bestiality. Nigeria has become a huge experimental lab of brutal killings by terrorists using different devilish tactics to snuff the life out of victims. We are today witnessing and hearing of unspeakable horrors and trauma suffered by innocent people in forests and bushes, many of whom actually canvassed and supported Buhari to power. Yet, those responsible for the current tragedy continue to spew drivel that things are actually better in the country than they met it. And that the opposite of what we see is actually the case, all in a bid to aid a corrupt, crooked character to take over from the president to graduate his looting spree from the state vault to the federal level and to continue to enjoy the thrill of destruction of our values. A man with a lifetime of misdeeds is yearning to fulfil a ‘lifelong’ ambition to be the president of Nigeria; the chief architect of the Buhari presidency is packaging himself as the viable alternative to failure. He even had the temerity to declare ‘Emi lokan.’ Can you beat that? He is asking that Nigerians reward him for foisting this calamity on the country? With all that this country continues to witness, viz. the corruption that has reached unprecedented scale, the daily killings being carried out by savage terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, raping of our young girls and women by terrorists, the destruction of the economy that has left the country in dire straits, Tinubu wants Nigerians to vote him? Now, how can anybody in his right senses campaign for him or even think of voting for him, party or no party?
AITEO Cup: Three Q’final Matches to Hold Saturday
NIKE Extends NFF Contract, Opens Lagos Mega-shop Former Champions, UAM Tillers, have been ousted from the 2022 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) after losing out on a 2-3 aggregate in the second leg match of the Round of 16 played in Ilorin. The HiFL, in its fourth active season, is organised by PACE Sports and Entertainment Market ing is supported by StanbicIBTC, Bold, LIRS and Indomie.
UAM Tillers were held to a 2-2 draw by the NUGA Games defending champions, Unilorin Warriors in a keenly contested game. The Tillers lost 0 - 1 in the first leg at Makurdi.
John Aogo of the Tillers put the visitors in the lead in the 16th minute before Unite Amadu net ted the second in 39th minute to strengthen the lead. However, the Warriors fought back gallantly through Mujib Jamiu in the 47th minute and Ogunbenro Mustapha in the 62nd minute. The Tillers
“We as a leading sports brand understand the essence of having a strong voice within the Nigerian sports ecosystem. It is on this backdrop that we have created a platform that enables sport-loving Nigerians to test their knowledge on the game of football while they also get the opportunity to develop their flare for sportscasting," he said. Expressing her excitement after emerging as the winner of the competition, Success Omonijo stated that she is grateful to the management of Nigeria Info for both the prize money and also the opportunity to be a part of the Femi and the Gang team.
ATBU beat KASU on aggregate to qualify
Following weeks of scaling through various rounds of an intensive sports-related quiz competition, Success Omonijo, has emerged as the overall winner of the fifth edition of the Femi and the Gang Football Fan Battle competition. The football competition, which lasted for a period of two months, featured hundreds of football lovers across Lagos State who participated both physically and virtually. The final round of the com petition, which aired live on the Femi and the Gang’s “Game On Show,” had Success defeating both Muslimah Malki and Chineye Udezuka to clinch the grand prize of N1million and an opportunity to join the Femi and the Gang team as a Commentingsportscaster.onthe essence of the competition, Femi Obong Daniels, the General Manager and Group Head of Sports for Cool FM, Wazobia FM, and Nigeria Info, noted that the Femi and The Gang Fan Battle competition aims to provide football lovers with an opportunity to demonstrate their passion for the sports. It is also an avenue to groom potential young sportscasters that possess the capacity to storm the globalsporting ecosystem with their talents.
GROUP STAGE Group A: Ajax (NED), Liverpool (ENG), Napoli (ITA), Rangers (SCO) Group B: Porto (POR), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Leverkusen (GER), Club Brugge (BEL) Group C: Bayern Munich (GER), Barcelona (ESP), Inter Milan (ITA), Viktoria Plzen (CZE) Group D: Eintracht Frankfurt (GER), Tottenham (ENG), Sporting (POR), Marseille (FRA) Group E: AC Milan (ITA), Chelsea (ENG), Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) Group F: Real Madrid (ESP), RB Leipzig (GER), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Celtic (SCO) Group G: Man City (ENG), Sevilla (ESP), Dortmund (GER), Copenhagen (DEN) Group H: PSG (FRA), Juventus (ITA), Benfica (POR), Maccabi Haifa (ISR)
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FRIDAY, AU THISDAY 47 QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES (MEN) Niger Tornadoes Vs Lobi Stars - 27/08/22– Jos – 4pm Wikki Tourists Vs Nasarawa United - 27/08/22– Kaduna – 4pm Kogi United Vs Kano Pillars - 27/08/22– Area 3, Abuja – 4pm
In other games, ATBU Brave hearts of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University lost at home to KASU Crocs from Kaduna State University by 2-3. However, the Bravehearts quali fied 4-3 on aggregate having won the first leg by 2-0 in Kaduna. The Rivers-based Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Minders also crashed out of the HiFL after a 4-2 loss on penalties to DELSU Titans in Port Harcourt. This was after both teams were levelled in a five-all draw on
The cities of Jos, Kaduna and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja will witness top class football action this weekend as the quarter-final matches of this year’s AITEO Cup competition (men’s version) take place. Niger Tornadoes and Lobi Stars are the combatants in Jos to determine a slot in the semi finals while top-tier teams Wikki Tourists and Nasarawa United clash in Kaduna. Kogi United, the surprise team of this year’s competition, are up against Kano Pillars at the Area 3 Stadium, Abuja.
The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, at its meeting of 18th August adopted the resolutions of a peace meeting of Club repre sentatives with NFF officials that agreed to a rebooting of the AITEO Cup Competition 2022 (men’s version) from the quarter-final stage. A notice to Football Associa tions of the States hosting the quarter-final matches has clarified that the fourth match between Heartland FC of Owerri and Katsina United FC is determined to have been won and lost, with Heartland FC the winners and already in possession of a semifinal
Assistant Coach of the Unilorin Warriors, Abdulraheem Abdulhafiz expressed satisfaction with the performance of his team and espoused their hard work and positive spirit. He also praised the school management for their immense support.
Globally-renownticket.
aggregate.ThelatestFIFA Ranking released on Thursday showed that the Super Eagles remain 31st in the world and fourth in Africa following a period of inactivity in international football. The previous ratings were done in June. Senegal is the highest ranked African team at 18th in the world. Morocco and Tunisia are the other African countries rated above Nigeria.Nextmonth, the Super Eagles will take on Algeria, who are 41st in the world and seventh in Africa. September will be a busy month in international football and so these rankings will be expected to be greatly altered.
“We talked about several areas they needed to look into and we finally got a deal and extension of the contract until December 2026. I give the credit for this to Members of the NFF Executive Committee and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi. The new agreement lends credence to NIKE’s faith in Nigeria football and what we are doing as a federation. “It is a wake-up call for our other sponsors and partners to extend their agreements and for more players in Corporate Nigeria to support the Nigeria game,” observedMeanwhile,Pinnick.kit giants NIKE officially opened their Lagos megashop yesterday. The impressive office is located at the expansive Ikeja Mall, in the heart of one of the city’s main business districts. The mega-shop is the first of planned major outlets on Lagos island and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. & The Gang Fan Battle Tourney
Femi Solaja with agency report Holders Real Madrid have been draw with German side, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine and Scotland’s Celtic in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Their Spanish LaLiga rivals, Barcelona will face Bayern Munich and Inter Milan following the draw in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday. Real captured a record-extending 14th European crown when they beat Liverpool in last season's final and, on paper, Carlo Ancelotti's side should have few problems in making the last 16 from Group F. Barcelona striker, Robert Lewandowski, will take on his former teammates in the group stage after the five-time champions were drawn with Bayern in Group C along with Inter and Viktoria Plzen of Czech Republic. The story is also the same for Erling Haaland who along with his new Manchester City teammates will face his former employers as the English champions were drawn in Group G with Borus sia Dortmund. Sevilla and FC Copenhagen completed the group. Qatari-owned Paris St Germain begin their quest for a maiden trophy in Europe's elite club com petition in a tricky Group H with Juventus, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa.Last season's runners-up Liver pool are to play Ajax Amsterdam, Napoli and Rangers in Group A. The Champions League group stage will begin earlier than usual on September 6 and conclude ahead of this year's World Cup finals which take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 22. The Champions League knockout stages begin in February, with the final taking place in Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium in June. Also at the ceremony, Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas were rewarded for outstanding seasons by winning the UEFA men's and women's player of the year prizes. Carlo Ancelotti was named best men's coach for his success with Real, with Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman crowned best women's coach after leading England to Euro glory on home soil last month. Karim Benzema was announced as UEFA Player of the Year at the UCL Draw ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey ... yesterday then needed two goals but they could not as the Warriors put up a solid defence. The goal keeper of the Tillers, Jacob Tergema received the Stanbic IBTC Man of the Match (MOTM) for his heroics against the ever pressing strikers of the Warriors.
Benzema is UEFA Player of the Year, Ancelotti picks Coach of the Year prize
Unilorin Oust UAM Tillers, Progress into HiFLFIFAonNigeriaQ’finalStaticAugustRanking Omonijo Wins Nigeria Info’s Femi
FRIDAYSPORTS Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com08111813083SMSONLY
kit manufacturers, NIKE, have extended their contract agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until December 2026.President of NFF, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said yesterday that negotiations had been on-going for the past one month before the American foot-and-bodywear behemoth agreed to extend their relationship with Nigeria football.
Easy Draw for Holders Real Madrid, Barca to Face Bayern Munich
Continued on page 46 TRUTH & REASONFriday August 26, 2022 Price: 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 ASUU to Adamu Adamu “He is joking. If they fail to pay, we will not teach those students, we won’t make up for that period. We will start a new session (2022/2023). We won’t conduct examinations. If they want to do ‘no work no pay’, we will also do ‘no pay no work’. If they won’t pay the backlog, we won’t teach the backlog. He doesn’t know what he is saying “–ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, berating the Minister of Education, for his ‘no work no pay’ stance for the striking lecturers.
Buhari’s Legacy and Tinubu’s Albatross
Fellow Nigerians, it is the season of politics and another election cycle is upon us. Candidates are presenting themselves to the electorate to be considered for various positions. But this cycle is looking more and more like 2015 when men and women, young and old, reasoned in reverse order. All efforts to make them see the danger and demagoguery that then-candidate Muhammadu Buhari represented proved futile. They were deaf to reason and blind to the red flags. Today, we are all experiencing the consequences of electing incompetence dressed in borrowed robes as president. See the mess that Nigeria has become – a tragedy of monumental proportions. In just eight years, Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) have turned Nigeria upside down, a land flowing with milk and honey, has been turned into a famished land. They say once bitten, twice shy, but strangely, many are at it again, eager to repeat their foolery. As I have consistently stated, Nigerians are incredibly smart people, with a history of foolish choices. Is it not baffling that despite the damage done to this country by the APC in nearly eight years of staggering misrule that is palpable even to the blind, that some people still support it to remain in power, from top to the bottom of the social class? Really, I don’t know what to make of such people. I have argued in many private discussions that a lot more people need psychiatric examinations than I had previously thought. Because I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone in their right senses is promoting APC to retain power, how much more campaigning for someone with a reputation for dirty dealing like Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a candidate for president. How? Is this what our country has become? On what basis is the party even presenting candidates for various positions in the forthcoming general election? Shouldn’t it rather be apologising every day for the escalating insecurity in the land? Why are Nigerians not holding the APC to account for the nation’s worsening insecurity? You see, the current nationwide insecurity was largely created by the APC. At least, we now know how far it went to win the 2015 presidential election. In February 2021, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former acting chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later chieftain of the APC, revealed the latter’s culpability in the security crisis plaguing the country. He traced the origin of the increasing insecurity to the activities of the Fulani that were brought in from neighbouring countries, viz. Sierra Leone, Mali, Senegal, Niger and Chad to facilitate victory for the APC in the 2015 Baraje,election.whoalso once served as the chairman of the breakaway faction of the PDP that merged with other groups to form the APC had this admonition to Nigerians: “We are not asking the right questions on how the same Fulani we have been living with suddenly turned out to be a menace. We also must ask how they had access to their guns. The security agencies have not been open about the nature of the problem. They have made arrests. Why haven’t they told the public who the terrorists are. After the election, the Fulani refused to leave. I and others of like mind wrote and warned those we started APC with that this was going to happen but nobody listened.” With this revelation, which has not been disputed, it is difficult to understand the basis for anyone to associate with this party, except of course if the many lives that have been lost and the frightening state of insecurity do not mean anything to such a person. Does Baraje’s revelation not jolt and frighten you? What does it tell you of the character of these people? And does it not partially explain the reluctance to deal with these bloodthirsty renegades? If those at the highest echelon of power have no hand in creating the security mess we have found ourselves, certainly there would have been more willingness and energy to deal with these terrorists, bandits and
Extract of presentation to LBS by Bismarck
world, where terrorists and killer bandits are not treated with kid gloves, or allowed to kill and maim people unchallenged by security forces. Where mass kidnapping or even kidnapping at all, is a rarity, and when it does happen, the security forces would spare no effort and leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits to justice. But here in their country, the government they helped to power is accused of colluding with terrorists to kill and maim people, in pursuit of whatever goal or agenda that is shrouded in a web of conspiracy of feudal desire to forcefully appropriate other people’s lands said to be in fulfilment of an ancient prophecy. Nigerians are weeping and gnashing their teeth in despair and near hopelessness at the reckoning that is upon us. And things can even get worse. However, the remnants of Buhari’s brand of governance by incompetence, (they call themselves Buharists, to claim a false sense of distinction from others, but I call them lost souls in the wilderness of emptiness), remain obstinate about what they have done to this country. Luckily, we know some of them. We know their names. They live among us, as neighbours, friends, acquaintances. Hopefully, they will not be able to shake off the label they have given themselves for many years to come. Now, they are rooting for another flawed character whose resume reeks of a lifetime of misdeeds and perfidy. A man who declared publicly that he made Buhari president but is trying hard to distance himself from the disaster that Nigeria has become on the president’sRegardlesswatch.ofeverything else at play, and even though some APC supporters may be pretending to be less than devastated by their party’s performance, the daily reality of our situation and the indisputable fact is that the country is worse off in every material sense and things have reached a particularly perilous cliff. A report by a member of President Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC)/Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, which compared major economic indicators under the present administration with that Rewane’s Financial
Derivatives SHAKA MOMODU THIS REPUBLIC shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com 0811 266 1654 Leadership Style and Economic Outcomes • A political leadercan either be: • Fullyhandsengagedon • Aloof effectiveand • andIncompetentineffective • Willing butunable 65 Regime AverageGDPGrowthRate(%) AverageInflationRate % BeginningExchangeChangeinRateEndPeriod ReservesExternal(EndPeriod) DebtExternal($bn) ReservesMinusExternalDebt Obasanjo 7.7 12.19 26 43.17 3 40.17 Yaradua 7.1 13.18 27.4 32.34 10 22.34 Jonathan 5.5 9.70 63.5 28.57 15 13.57 Buhari 1.1 14.07 150.2 39.18 40 0.82 Leadership Style and Ecoonomic Outcomes66 Leadership Style and Economic Outcomes • A political leadercan either be: • Fullyhandsengagedon • Aloof effectiveand • andIncompetentineffective • Willing butunable 65
of past governments since 1999 says it all. The report busted the bubble of false claims consistently made by this government, the APC and their complacent supporters about PDP’s ‘16 years of waste’. Page 65 of the report titled, Leadership Style and Economic Outcomes effectively showed that Buhari’s leadership style has resulted in the poorest economic outcomes for Nigeria. The economist arrived at this conclusion by comparing the country’s average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, average inflation rate, percentage of exchange rate depreciation at the beginning and end of each presidential tenure, external reserves, external debt in dollar terms, and external reserves minus external debt. He pointed out that the average GDP growth rate was 7.7 per cent, 7.1 per cent, 5.5 per cent, and 1.1 per cent, while the average inflation rate was 12.19 per cent, 13.18 per cent, 9.70 per cent and 14.07 per cent under the administrations of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari respectively. Furthermore, Rewane showed that the external reserves at the end of each presidential tenure and the percentage of depreciation in the exchange rate were $43.17 billion, 26 per cent; $32.34 billion, 27.4 per cent; $28.57 billion, 63.5 per cent; and $39.18 billion,150.2 per cent in the same order. The data he presented also showed that Nigeria’s external debt and external reserves less external debt stood at $3 billion, $40.17 billion; $10 billion, $22.34 billion; $15 billion, $13.57 billion and $40 billion, $-0.82 billion under Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari respectively. We can safely deduce from the above data that the Buhari administration had the least average GDP growth of 1.1 per cent; highest average inflation rate of 14.07; highest exchange rate depreciation of 150.5 per cent; highest external debt of $40 billion, with a negative reserves less external debt of $-0.82 billion. In terms of leadership style and economic outcomes, the economist ( Rewane is not a PDP member but a member of the president’s own economic advisory council) gave a tactical jab at Buhari saying, a political leader could be fully engaged hands on; or aloof and effective; or incompetent and ineffective or willing butThenunable.he delivered the final clincher that under Buhari, “Nigeria is approaching the fiscal cliff with a fiscal deficit of N3.09 trillion and the actual debt service was more than revenue between January and April 2022. In addition, the excess crude oil account was depleted to $375,000 in July 2022 from $35.7 million in June 2022.” You see, they met Nigeria in a far better state and have turned it into the poverty capital of the world. These people are the perfect examples of the saying, empty vessels make the most sound. From the data and deductions provided by Rewane, one can see clearly that this government has nothing to offer. It has made things worse for everybody. It has created more economic pain and worsened the security situation in the country. The roads are no longer safe to travel, the rail and the airports are just as unsafe. Corruption is so endemic in this government that it has become the official language of doing business. Yet, this government rode to power on propaganda of lies and mantra of change. Nearly eight years after, what has changed? Things have gone from bad to terrifyingly worse. Yes, you may use propaganda to win an election, but you cannot govern with it because at the end of the day, you cannot give what you don’t have. The severity of our financial problems was also recently brought to the fore when the World Bank described Nigeria as an ‘exceptional oil-producing nation’. Why? This is the first time in history that the country is not benefiting from high oil prices. All oil-producing countries and the IOCs are reaping bountifully from mass kidnappers that have effectively held the whole nationMerelyhostage.looking at the havoc these savages brought in by the APC to help it win election in 2015 have wreaked on this country, and continue to wreak, one is surprised that a lot of people still even associate with such a political party - an assemblage of vultures that has soaked this country in unprecedented carnage. Are we cursed as a people not to be able to decipher good from evil? On what basis is anyone in his right senses even mouthing the APC to retain power at the federal level? On the basis of what are you going to vote for this party and its presidential candidate when your neigbhour or someone you know has been affected one way or another by the activities of the bandits, terrorists, or is even still languishing in the hands of kidnappers somewhere in the forest? Thousands of Nigerians – poor and innocent people are in the hands of criminals in bushes with huge ransoms placed on their heads. How can anyone with a conscience associate with a party that deserves a root and branch removal from our psyche? This party needs to be denounced and not associated with. Its presidential candidate needs to be denounced and not supported for making a man with roaring incompetence president of Nigeria. It beggars belief that nothing outrages us anymore. We have become numb to mindless atrocities and embraced mediocrity as excellence. Now, let’s look at the activities of those accused of financing terrorism. Over a year after federal authorities announced that about 400 alleged Boko Haram sponsors and financiers had been arrested in a nationwide operation, they have not been prosecuted. The government has kept quiet on the issue in the we’ll soon forget. Fellow Nigerians, the APC-led government is in bed with terrorists. We must shine our eyes - all the more so because the Chief propagandist himself is the APC presidential standard-bearer and the majority of us have no ‘Plan B’. Many of those wilfully-blinded countrymen and women who put us in this tragedy have either fled to Canada or other parts of the
