The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his promise to ensure the full privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) if elected.
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government was proposing an aggregate expenditure of N19.76 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year. The minister who made this known at the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/ FSP) interaction with the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, however said she may not be able to make provision for treasury funded capital projects in the 2023 fiscal year. Ahmed also said the budget deficit for the 2023 fiscal year may be between N11.30 trillion and N12.41 trillion, depending on the choice that would be made by the federal government on the issue of fuel subsidy payment.
Lawmakers accuse accountant general of inadequacies in MDAs’ revenue records
Says national oil firm is corruption-ridden Insists Nigeria should not be handed over to inexperienced hands Promises to restore Nigeria's leadership role in Africa State Varsity Pro-chancellors Descend on ASUU over Osodeke’s Comment...
See Elections as War ... Page 28
She stated that the federal government was projecting total revenue of N8.46 trillion, out of FG Proposes N19.76trn Budget for 2023, Projects Deficit May Rise to N12.41trn Udora Orizu in Abuja
Ayu: PDP Not Built on Any Individual, No Person Can Destabilise It
Continued on page 10 all its shares are still being fullyEmmanuel Addeh in Abuja
L-R: Governor of Delta State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former Kano State Governor and Senator Representing Kano Central District, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; National Chairman, PDP, Mr. Iyorchia Ayu, and Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, during the official reception of Shekarau and other defectors from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the PDP in Kano...yesterday
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Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed yesterday said the federal INEC: Politicians
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Ex-Kano governor writes INEC on new status, to withdraw senate ticket
WELCOME BACK TO PDP...
In apparent reference to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, yesterday, read the riot act to party members, saying PDP is not built on any individual, and no one can distract its leadership. Ayu gave the waning in Kano, when the party received former Kano State Governor and Senator for Kano Central Senatorial District, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who formally defected to PDP. The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said at the occasion that the 2023 general election was a referendum on the the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku called on Nigerians to vote for him because he had been tried and tested, and, thus, possessed
www.thisdaylive.com Tuesday 30 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 10003. Price: N250 TRUTH & REASON Insists fuel subsidy ends June next year Assures it will not default on debt service
2023 poll a referendum on APC, says Atiku Boasts he’s been tried, tested, receives Shekarau into party Wike: something will happen in PDP soon
Atiku: I Will Ensure NNPCL is Fully Privatised, Run on NLNG Model
The former vice president who spoke with News Central, an online television station, explained that as it is, although the Muhammadu Buhari administration has said it has commercialised the NNPCL,
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"I am glad to report that over $3.8 billion (N1.5 trillion) has been paid while over $2.67 billion (N1.07 trillion) is still outstanding. This is just one of the impacts of our partnerships with you. I can name many more." Orji said the NEITI reports had also led to the activation of the solid minerals revenue account, explaining that from this account, revenues are shared to the federation using laid down constitutional provisions including the payment of 13 per cent derivation to solid minerals producing states as it is done for the oil and gas sector.
WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRESSIVES
FOLD...
"NEITI and NAEC are natural allies with common interests in the areas of transparency, information disclosure, dissemination and ac countability in the energy sector," heHestated.stated that NEITI was also supporting the government’s drive to increase revenues through thorough reconciliations of data of operators in the nation’s extractive sector and pushing for renewal of obsolete Memorandum of Under standing (MoUs) and fiscal regime of the sector as well as playing other policy advisory roles for government.TheNEITIchief executive, whose speech was entitled, “Transparency and Accountability, a Key to Sus tainable Energy Sector: The Role of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative," however, stated that Nigeria must be prepared to mainstream transparency and accountability mechanisms into her energy transition agenda to avoid the pitfalls of her past and present energy circumstances.
Agency advocates mainstreaming of transparency, accountability in Nigeria's energy transition agenda
“The two groups had argued that the media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects –in a democratic society, adding the media has the task of distributing all varieties of information and opinion on matters of general interest.“Thepublic has a right to receive and assess this information and opinion independently. Therefore, the existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society."
"This dialogue will bring together national and international experts to brainstorm on Nigeria’s contextual reality as it concerns its transition to a low carbon, cleaner and renewable energy future.
“The belief is that unimpeded access to timely information and data about the country’s oil, gas and mining sectors by the citizens, media and other accountability actors will promote public debate on the management of the sector, foster civic actions, accountability and ultimately sustainability in the sector,” he noted. He called on energy correspondents to familiarise themselves with the contents of the PIA and work more closely with NEITI to use the legislation as an important tool to rescue Nigeria from the resource curse through effective implementation of the new law. Also speaking at the event, Nigerian affiliates of American multinationals, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited as well as Nigerian independent oil and gas produc ers stressed the need for speedy implementation of the PIA to boost investments and prepare the nation for the energy transition realities.
Chevron, independent producers call for speedy implementation of PIA to boost investments
“As you are aware, the decision by our government to sign on to the global EITI and establish NEITI was informed primarily to address the challenges of the resource curse in our country’s energy sector. “Over the years, NEITI has been doing this through regular conduct of industry audits, disclosures and wider dissemination of vital credible and verifiable information and data from the sector to the public.’’
L-R: Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle; Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Idris Wasse; APC Presidential Candidate, Mr. Bola Tinubu; House of Representatives member, Fatuhu Muhammed, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, during a courtesy visit to the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office in Abuja…yesterday
He described the theme of the event, “Energy Transition, Shaping the Future of Nigeria’s Energy Industry: An Appraisal of the Petroleum Industry Act, Evolving Benefits and Challenges”, as apt, given the unfolding developments and emerging realities both in the global and domestic energy industry. As the world moves from fossil fuel to cleaner and sustainable energy, Orji opined that it must be noted that transparency and accountability would be central to efforts to support the transition process.This,he explained, would include the reporting of emissions, the disclosure of climate risks and the overall governance of the future energy industry, insisting that Nigeria must therefore be prepared to mainstream transparency and accountability mechanisms into her energy transition agenda to avoid the pitfalls of her past and present energyAffirmingcircumstances.thatNEITI had a major role to play in a sustainable energy sector for the country and was already working with its partners to help stakeholders gain full insights and deepen public knowledge on the risks and opportunities that are associated with the transition within the Nigerian context through timely disclosures and dissemination of extractive industries data and information.Henoted that already, NEITI through the EITI had engaged a consultant to advise it specifically on energy transition, noting that together with the Natural Resources Governance Institute, its global affiliate -the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and BudgIt, they were planning a national dialogue on energy transition on the October 6, this year.
The suit read in part: “The provisions of the Nigerian Con stitution and human rights treaties on freedom of expression indicate that this right can be exercised through any integralfreedomwouldopenindiscrimination.communicationimpartportunityhasrecognise“Effectively,medium.theseprovisionsthateveryindividualtherighttoanequaloptoreceive,seekandinformationthroughanymediumwithout“TheuseofNBCActandCodethiscasewouldinadmissiblythedoortoarbitrarinessandfundamentallyrestricttheofexpressionthatisanpartofthepublicorder
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The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has explained how the Nigerian media was instrumental in the recovery of over $3.8 billion (N1.5 trillion) from the $6.477 (N2.6 trillion) owed the country by 77 upstream oil and gasThecompanies.Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya, said upon the release of the agency's report in September last year, where it disclosed that the 77 oil companies were owing the nation to the tune of N2.6 trillion, the media immediate took up the report and gave it the needed publicity that resulted in the recovery being recorded. In a belated personally signed speech intended for the just con cluded 2022 Nigerian Association of Energy Correspondents' (NAEC) annual conference held last week in Lagos, obtained by THISDAY, yesterday, Orji also advocated for the mainstreaming of transparency and accountability in Nigeria's energy transition agenda. He spoke just as Nigerian affiliate of American oil major, Chevron, and indigenous independent oil and gas companies called for speedy implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to boost investments in the oil and gas industry and prepare the nation for the energy transition realities.
Court Stops Buhari, NBC from Shutting Down 53 Broadcast Stations Udora Orizu in Abuja
Continued online NEWSGroup News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580
protected the Nigerian constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Iyobosa Uwu giaren and the Deputy Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Kola Oluwadare, the two groups stated that Justice Akintayo Aluko (Court 8) granted an order of interim injunction, following the hearing of an argument on ‘’Motion Exparte’’ by NGE and SERAP.TheNGE and SERAP had last week filed a suit against Buhari and NBC, asking the court for a declaration that Section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licences of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the stations is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of Inexpression.thesuit,the two groups had asked the court for, “an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari and NBC, their agents from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting their down opera tions, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.” The suit was also adjourned to September 8, 2022, for hear ing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. In the suit number FHC/L/ CS/1582/2022, NGE and SERAP asked the court to determine, “whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the NBC Act used by NBC to threaten revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down is not in inconsistent with freedom of expression and access to information.”
NEITI had in March this year disclosed that some oil companies had started repaying part of the N2.6 trillion debts owed the federal government, following its resolve to disclose the names of the 77 affected entities. The agency had also in September last year revealed that 77 oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria were indebted to the country to the tune of N2.659 trillion, attributable to failure to remit petroleum profit tax, company income tax, education tax, value added tax, withholding tax, royalty and concession on rentals. It had stated at the time that when converted to dollar, the government was being owed $6.477 billion at the then official exchange rate of N410.35, noting that a breakdown of the figures had shown that a total of $143.99 million was owed as petroleum profit taxes, $1.089 billion as company income taxes and $201.69 million as education tax. But in the post-NAEC conference speech shared by the Director of Communications, NEITI, Obiageli Onuora, the executive secretary explained, "It would be recalled that during the recent release of the NEITI industry reports of the oil and gas sector, we reported that 77 companies in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria owe the federation a total of $6.477 billion (N2.6 trillion). That report could have gathered dust on the shelves unnoticed. But you – the media picked up the news and ran with it. "The result is that the House of Representatives set up an Ad hoc Committee to investigate, recover the outstanding debts and conduct a proper reconciliation of accounts between the federal government and the oil companies.
‘’Let me use this opportunity to place on record that the modest achievements and successes so far recorded by NEITI would not have been possible without the unflinching support of members of NAEC. The work you do daily, covering and reporting the oil and gas sector is very important to our operations and mandate.
The Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos yesterday stopped President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from revoking the licences of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting down the stations for allegedly failing to renew their licenses.
NGE and SERAP said the regulation of broadcasting must aspire to promote and expand the scope of the right to freedom of expression, not restrict it.
Peter Uzoho
NEITI: How Media Collaboration Contributed to Recovery of over $3.8bn Owed by 77 Oil Firms
NLNG Restates Commitment to Nigerian Content in Its Operations
6 TUESDAY, THISDAY NEWS
“The plants under the NIPP of the NDPHC have always been infrastructure providing power supply and national energy security.
Peter Uzoho The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians benefit maximally from all its operations by going beyond mere compliance with the Nigerian Content targets as set out in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) 2010.
environmentally-friendly and sustainable projects across key sectors of the economy. He said the bank had set up a full-fledged environmental and social governance team in 2019, which manages its sustainability strategy and activities. He recalled that in 2013, the bank set up a group that supports renewable energy projects, noting that through this structure, it went into partnership with UNIDO, funded and commissioned six mini-grid power solutions to provide solar energy to six rural communities across the six geopolitical zones. He explained that for over eight years since the projects were commissioned, the benefitting communities have been enjoying a 24-hour uninterrupted green power supply. He said BoI had also integrated the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) framework into its end-to-end credit appraisal, approval, dis bursement, and credit monitoring activities, adding that the bank last year commenced the registration processes toward obtaining the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative (SSCI) accreditation.Hesaid,“In our continued effort to build a sustainable institution, the bank concluded a €1 billion syndicated loan transaction in August 2022, which brought the total funds that we have raised from the international financial markets since 2018 to about $5 billion. “This will enable us to deepen our impact in key growth and emerging sectors of the economy, given the critical role that they play in national socio-economic development.“Theassessment of our sustain ability status contributed to the success of the deal; from credit ratings to active compliance with best“Throughpractices.our strategic partner ship with the French Development Agency (AFD), we have also ac cessed a €100m line of credit under the Transforming Financial Systems for Climate (TFSC) programme of the agency, in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). “This fund shall be channelled towards financing investments that contribute mitigation and adapta tion measures to climate change, toward promoting low-emission transition in Nigeria. “In addition to the above, we also have access to the $600 Million Global Environment Fund (GEF)/ Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) credit guarantee scheme that would support us in financing the procurement of plant and machinery for projects that would promote industrial energy efficiency.”
James Emejo in Abuja
PHOTO: BRIPIN ENARUSAI
“The NCPN at the moment opposes any move to sell off five of the NIPP Gencos for now. We are not saying that the plants would not be sold at the appropriate prices and time in the“Butfuture.not now, when Nigeria is seriously battling challenges of deliberate load rejection by the Distribution Companies (Discos) and deliberate low energy dispatch by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) “It is already election time and we believe that even if the five NIPP plants are sold, the proceeds may go into the hands of political cronies,” the NCPN stated. It argued that selling off the five NIPP plants may not guarantee their optimal performance as the new investors will have to begin a fresh journey of having some levels of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Vesting Contracts with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET). However, at the moment, it maintained that the NDPHC has some already signed bilateral contracts for a “Take or Pay” deal for gas supply agreement for some of the Gencos which can come handy.“We advise the government to join hands with experts and professionals as well as like-minded people within and outside the power sector to come up with a comprehensive mechanism to address the decline in growth.
“The private firms in the power sector so far have not fared better than the NDPHC Gencos which have its gas obligations, gas pipeline assets, contributed to both transmission and distribution networks nationwide,” the group argued.Olubiyo, a member of the National Technical Investigative Panel on Power System Collapses/ System Stability and Reliability and Presidential Ad-hoc Committee on Review of Electricity Tariff in Nigeria, argued that if at any point other Gencos shut down operations because of legacy debts allegedly owed them, the NIPPS could act as a buffer.
He said since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched, there had been concerted efforts globally, to ensure that sustainability is advertised and sold to the world, not for profit, but to ensure active and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders in the global ecosystem.
VICTORY...
“For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic when the private Generation Companies (Gencos) ramped down electricity generation due to low revenue returns, the NIPPs being public assets, provided Nigeria with the much-needed energy security and its attendant socio-economic stability.
NLNG’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, gave the assurance when he led the company's delegation on a recent courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, at the regulator's head office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.Ina statement issued yester day by the company's General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh, Mshelbila said the NLNG considered Nigerian Content a core part of its strategy in line with its corporate vision of being a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria. He commended the NCDMB for the successful and historic relation ship between the regulator and the company which emphasised joint value creation, citing the unique Service Level Agreement (SLA) between NLNG and NCDMB as a classic example of the board enabling business. He also expressed appreciation to the board for the collaboration, which he noted, had led to the smooth take-off of the Train 7 proj ect, which recently recorded seven million safe man-hours without a Lost-Time Injury incident. Mshelbila stated that NLNG remained committed to 100 per cent in-country supply of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) volumes, stressing that, within the context of the global energy transition, support of regulators like the NCDMB would be critical in ensuring access, availability and affordability of energy for domestic consumption.TheCEO,however, proposed the formation of an NLNGNCDMB Technical Working Group that would meet periodically to discuss and resolve such strategic and other operational issues.
The Nigeria Consumer Protection Network (NCPN) yesterday argued that the proposed sale of the five National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) assets by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), poses a national security risk. President of the organisation, Kola Olubiyo, in a statement in Abuja, noted that the planned disposal of the plants under the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), smacked of national assets stripping at a time the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is winding down.BPE had recently pre-qualified 16 firms for the privatisation of the five NIPPs, including Geregu, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Calabar andButBenin-Ihovbor.theNCPNsaid it had seen the records of the firms described as the bidders for the NIPP plants, maintaining that some of the firms hardly have any experience in the business of power generation.
“The Nigerian government should also learn from the poor delivery of the 2013 power sector privatisation exercise also carried out by the same BPE,” the group said.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olukayode Pitan, yesterday said the bank has accessed a €100 million (about N42.20 billion) line of credit under the Transforming Financial Systems for Climate (TFSC) programme in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund (GCF). He said the funding would be channelled towards financing investments that contribute to mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change and promoting low-emission transition in Nigeria. Pitan, who spoke at the second regional roundtable on ‘Creating World Class Sustainable Develop ment Financial Institutions through Embracing Holistic Sustainability,’ also disclosed that the BoI had also accessed the $600 million Global Environment Fund (GEF)/ Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) credit guarantee scheme that would support the development finance institution in financing the procurement of plant and machinery for projects to promote industrial energy efficiency.
Says it poses national security risk
“They increased power supply to avoid economic and administra tive shut down in the country.
“What BPE and any designated agency of government should be thinking of at the moment is how to optimise the NIPP/NDPHC Gencos so that Nigerians can make the best use of this power sector intervention, as that was what they were designed for.
“The NIPP interventions which cut across the power sector value chain and implemented by NDPHC require that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) would have evaluated them and determined their real value.“However, for over nine years, NERC has been endlessly doing evaluation of these investment values without result,” the group added.Without this evaluation to determine the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) in the NIPP power sector intervention projects, NDPHC, it argued, has been continually short-changed of revolving funds that should be re-invested into other power interventions.
“As the House of Representa tives sit this week to take a deeper look at the issues at stake, the group urged the Special Investiga tive Committee to look into the basic and fundamental challenges.
Consumer Rights Group Kicks Against Proposed Sale of NIPP/NDPHC Power Plants
NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) -49 per cent; Shell Gas B.V. (25.6 per cent); TotalEnergies Gaz & Electricite Holdings (15 per cent), and Eni International N.A. N. V. S.àr.l (10.4 per cent).
BoI Secures €100m for Climate-friendly Investments
The BoI MD, further explained that one of the primary drivers of the developmental strategy at the development finance in stitution was to accelerate the industrialisation of the Nigerian economy by providing financial and business support services to
DANCING TO SWEET
R-L: Wife of Delta Governor, Dam Edith Okowa (right), felicitating with the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori (left) on his victory at the Appeal Court, during a Thanksgiving Service held shortly after the court's judgment returning the governorship ticket to Oborevwori in Asaba... yesterday
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 • THISDAY 7
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has warned of imminent attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa. The warning was contained in an advisory letter dated August 24th, 2022 and titled “Advisory to Nigerians in South Africa,” a copy of which was made available to journalists yesterday. The warning may not be un connected with recent utterances of the proponents of a group, the Operation Dudula, and their threat to attack foreign nationals resident in South Africa. It read: “This is to advise Nigerians living in South Africa to be vigilant and exercise caution in their activities due to the recent utterances of the proponents of the Operation Dudula and their threats to attack foreign nationals in this country.“Thegroup, through public notice and video clips circulated on the social media has informed of plans to march against foreign migrants in South Africa, start ing from the 2nd of September, 2022, and specifically on foreign business owners, shops and undocumented foreign nationals.
8 TUESDAY, THISDAY NEWS Continued on page 28
State Varsity Pro-chancellors
MODUPE OGUNLESI IS 70...
Attacks on Nigerians in SouthAfrica Imminent, FG Warns Buhari Assents to Advertising Council, Civil Aviation, Six Other Bills
The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Nasir Baballe Ila, yesterday disclosed that the president has assented to eight bills recently passed by theThelawmakers.billsassented to by the president included the Civil Aviation Act, 2022; Nigeria Me teorological Agency (Establishment) Act, 2022; Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022; Nigerian Council for Management Development Act 2022; National Institute of Credit Administra tion (Establishment) Act, 2022; Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners (Establishment) Act, 2022; Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act, 2022 and Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria Act, 2022. The Civil Aviation Act 2022 repeals the Civil Aviation Act, No. 6, 2006 and enacts the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 to provide for an effective legal and institutional framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Nigeria in order to promote aviation safety and security; ensure that Nigeria’s obligations under international aviation agreements are imple mented, and consolidate the law relating to civil aviation regulation in Nigeria, among others.
The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-owned Universities (COPSUN) yesterday frowned at a recent remark by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Em manuel Osodeke in which he had called state universities quacks. COPSUN stressed that it was insulting, contemptuous and unbecoming for the President of ASUU to describe state universities as quacks, even as it criticised ASUU’s recalcitrant posture in resolving the current face-off with the government, describing it as unpopular and unworkable. In statement issued by the Secre tary, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-owned Universities, Marcus Awobifa, they described as unpopular, archaic, antiquated and impracticable ASUU's approach to the issue of funding of tertiary education in a modern globalised world.
On the other hand, the Me teorological Agency Act, 2022, repealed the Nigerian Metrological Agency (Establishment, etc.) Act, No. 9 of 2003 and enacts the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment) Act, to provide for comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the regulation of meteorology in Nigeria.Also, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act, 2022, repeals the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act Cap. P17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enacts the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022 charged with the responsibility, amongst others, of regulating and control ling the education, training and practice of pharmacy and related matters in Similarly,Nigeria.theNigerian Council for Management Development Act, 2022, repeals the Nigerian Council for Management Development Act, Cap. N99, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and the National Centre for Economic Management and Administration Act, Cap. N14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enacts the Nigerian Council for Management Development Act, 2022.
Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
Udora Orizu in Abuja
The Advertising Regula tory Council Act 2022 repeals the Advertising Practitioners (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. A7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enacts the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act, 2022 to establish a Council for advertising, advertisements and marketing communications as the apex regulatory authority for the Nigerian advertising industry.
Descendon ASUU over Osodeke’s Comment
“Nigerian residents in South Africa are hereby advised to exercise caution and be watchful in carrying out their day to day activities."Itisbelieved that members of the group are targeting foreign business owners, shops and undocumented foreign nationals.
This was just as ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) holding in Abuja declared an indefinite strike after six months of closure of public universities, alleging unsatisfactory fulfilment of its agreement with the federal government.
But THISDAY gathered yesterday that disagreement has continued to trail the decision by ASUU to extend the ongoing industrial action as state universities are presently considering pulling out of the industrialContinuing,action.the Pro- Chancellors stated that, they, "read with alarm and disbelieve a statement made by the President of the ASUU Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke on a television programme on Arise News Channel, where he said that state universities are ‘irrelevant and"Ourquacks.’firstreaction was to ignore this tendentious, ill-conceived and flagrant unconscionable statement by the President of ASUU, but on reflection, it was thought necessary to do a rejoinder to this rather unfortunate statement having regard to the position of the President of ASUU in the scheme of things in our university system in Nigeria. "Though, COPSUN will not want to go into any diatribe with the President of ASUU, the Committee wishes to state as follows to put records straight: "That the Pro-Chancellors of our state universities and indeed members of the Councils are distinguished and accomplished eminent persons who had served and still serving this Nation in many capacities,” they added. They said amongst members of the university councils are retired Ambassadors, retired Generals in the Armed forces, retired ViceChancellors, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, renowned politicians and other distinguished professionals. “It is therefore insulting, contemptuous and unbecoming for the President of ASUU to state that these esteemed individuals are presiding over quack and inconsequential universities,"
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
State universities’ lecturers mull pulling out of industrial action as union declares indefinite strike PANDEF to lecturers: You are insensitive to students’ plight theyCOPSUNadded. stated that it, “believes that this is an auspicious time for ASUU to creatively work with all stakeholders to tinker out a compromise that will bring back to the campuses the young men and women who have been insensitively thrown out of the universities for the last six Furthermore,months.”COPSUN noted that ASUU’s president should realise that the membership of union was "Therefore,voluntary.itisnot his illinformed approach and denigration of state universities that will lead to fashioning out creative approaches to avoid existential extinction that will solve the myriad of problems confronting university system in Nigeria,” COPSUN added. It accused ASUU of engaging superiority contest with the Councils of the universities which supposed to be their COPSUNemployers.alsoexpressed the need for immediate democratisation of the membership of unions in the universities to the extent of the freedom of any individual would be free to belong to a union with options of not belonging. They canvased the devolution of powers on the issues of labour, wages and salaries with freedom of the employers to negotiate with their employees, as it is practiced in other parts of the world, where we borrowed the university system.” According to them, state universi ties cannot be forced or coerced to implement agreements reached between the federal government and her workers in the universities to which they are not parties. "It is time to respect the federal nature of our government in all matters and not selectively, espe cially on the issues of salaries and wages," COPSUN added. It suggested the democratisation of the membership of unions in universities to the extent that individuals are free to belong to a union with options of not belonging.ASUUmembers had downed tools on Monday, February 14, 2022, over non-implementation of the 2009 agreement reached with federal government as well as demands for salary increase and approval of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). Before ASUU's NEC meeting yesterday, the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu had said that most of the union’s demands including the release of N50 billion for the payment of earned allowances for academic and non-academic and non-academic staff of universities had been THISDAYaddressed.gathered from reliable sources that the government may have reached out to the leadership ASUU yesterday, shortly after it got hint of the decision of the union to prolong the debilitating strike. The source which sought anonymity said other concerned stakeholders had also intervened seeking to preempt the declaration of indefinite strike by the lecturers. When asked about the delay in issuing a formal statement on the resolution of the ASUU NEC, the source who pleaded to remain anonymous said: "ASUU is presently consulting with interested parties and as soon as it concludes the consultations we will make our position known to the general public."ASUU had considered resolutions of its branches nationwide, majority of which voted for continuation of the strike since according to them, no significant progress have been made in meeting the union's demand. The union in a statement signed by Osodeke last night stated that after extensive deliberations on government's response to the demands of the union, the NEC resolved that the issues were not satisfactorily addressed.
L-R: Parish Priest, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Ajao Estate, Rev. Fr. Philip Uchendu; Mrs. Nkechi Akinlade; Bishop, Diocese of Ife (Anglican communal), Bishop Olubunmi Akinlade; the celebrant's husband, Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi; the celebrant, Modupe Ogunlesi; artist, Dr. Olu Ajayi; and Dean of Ajah Deanery Parish, Priest of Our Lady Mother and Queen Catholic Church, Badore, Ajah, Very Reverend Father Stephen Akinsowon, at the 70th birthday ceremony of Modupe Ogunlesi, held in Lagos…weekend
"In view of the foregoing, and following extensive deliberations on Government's response to the resolution of 14th February, 2022 so far, NEC concluded that the demands of the union had not been satisfactorily addressed. Consequently, NEC resolved to transmute the roll-over strike to a comprehensive, total and indefinite strike action beginning from 12.01a.m. on Monday, 29th August, 2022," it said. ASUU said the meeting was called mainly to review develop ments since its last resolution that
TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 • THISDAY 9
“Of course they have set up the structures but they have not done the actual privatisation because they have not gone to the stock market. Up till now, all the shares are being held by the NNPC and nobody has any shares there. “So, in theory, they have announced that they are privatising but that has not been implemented,” heAtikusaid. explained that as a developing country, experience and competence remain key elements in leadership, maintaining that the country cannot be handed over to rookies.“Nigeria has tremendous chal lenges and it’s quite diverse and you can’t hand over such a country to untested leadership,” he posited. He stated that part of Nigeria’s biggest problems remained lack of continuity in government policies, noting that there’s always the tendency to reverse achieve ments recorded by the previous administration.Hearguedthat for continuity sake, some of the policies should be legislated upon so as to prevent a reversal of fortunes for a developing country like Nigeria. Atiku noted that a lot of things were encouraging insecurity in the country, including unemployment and a dysfunctional education system where funds deployed to states and local governments are misappropriated.Heexpressed worry over the out-of-school children all over the country, expressing frustration that the states and local councils were not doing enough to reverse the trend.Atiku stated that if elected, he would recruit massively into the police force and ensure their training and retraining, drawing a parallel between Nigeria and Egypt which has over 3 million policemen and Nigeria with less than 400,000. He also advocated the deploy ment of technology in policy like it is done in the United Arab Emirates, which he said has mastered the act of using technology for effective policing.“This is possible because we are more educated than the UAE. Our literacy level is more advanced. So, what other qualification does it require to handle technology?” heOnasked.the provision of electricity, Atiku said that Nigeria has to decentralise the generation and transmission systems, stressing that the almost sole reliance on gas where other power sources like hydro dams remain unutilised wasAccordingunacceptable.tohim, coal was deployed in the early days of Nigeria as a source of energy in the south while the north was supplied by the hydro dams. The former vice president insisted that when there is enough power generation without the wheeling capacity of the transmission arm, there will be problems of incessant equipment breakdowns.
"While we projected $70 per barrel when the actual crude oil price is now $103 per cent, groups like the International Energy As sociation (IEA) that are specialists in projecting oil prices are projecting a decline in oil prices come 2023. “On production, we are projecting 1.69 million barrels per day. Based on the projection of NNPC, they are projecting that all the measures taken now are going to result in increased production and we hope it works out. If it doesn’t the deficit situation we found ourselves in will even be worse."
Ahmed explained: "The budget deficit is projected to be N11.30 trillion in 2023, up from N7.35 trillion in 2022. This represents 5.01 per cent of the estimated GDP above the three per cent threshold stipulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007. “This deficit level assumes that petrol subsidy reform will be implemented from mid-2023 in line with the timeline for suspension thereof. The draft 2023-2025 MTEF/ FSP has been prepared against the backdrop of continuing global challenges occasioned by lingering Covid-19 pandemic effects, as well as higher food and fuel prices due to the war in Ukraine.
A statement by Force Headquar ters said the IG, while reiterating the commitment of the force to ensuring protection of lives and property, stressed the importance of according respect to the fun damental rights of police officers and other security operatives in order to enable them advance their sacred mandate of serving and protecting the citizens and maintaining law and order.
“Overall, fiscal risks are some what elevated, following weakerthan-expected domestic economic performance and structural issues in the domestic economy.
Faleke, while speaking at the 2023-2025 MTEF/FSP interaction with MDAs had asked Director, Federation Account in the office of the AGF to give the committee up to date records of revenue remit tances by the Federal Road Safety Commission, but the Director said they needed more time to provide theAddressingrecords. the lawmakers, the Acting Corp Marshal, Federal Roads Safety Commission, Dauda Biu had said that it remitted over N2 billion to the Federations Account in 2021. However, the records of the Accountant General provided to the Committee put the figure at about N1.6 billion.
APC from coming back to fail us, onceAtikumore."alsocommended the House of Representatives and Senate, on his verified Twitter handle, for their bipartisan efforts. He explained that the Nigerian start-up space was one of the largest in Africa, and Nigeria had become a key destination on the continent for Tech talent, with the ICT sub-sector contributing approximately 18.44 per cent of Nigeria's GDP as of the end of Q2 in The2022.PDP presidential candidate said the ICT industry was a critical part of his national development plan and framework to ensure economic growth and diversification in the coming years. According to him, "My ad ministration intends to enthrone a disruptive economic agenda that will position ICT at the forefront of our policy development strategy and ensure that digital technologies and innovations in ICT, and IT-enabled products and services are given an enabling environment to drive and help build our new digital economy, notably in areas such as e-commerce, IT manufacturing, ICT enabled outsourcing, the broader start-up ecosystem and other emerging technologies."Myadministration will ensure that the gap is bridged between established/start-up tech companies and the nation's regulators to provide a thriving tech ecosystem that enhances competitiveness, in novation and job growth for our growing youth population.
“You can compare the Nigeria LNG project which we are in partnership with the private sector and see the returns we get compared with the NNPC that is solely run by“Firstgovernment.ofall,there’s a lot of corruption there. Definitely, it is better to privatise. Before the election, I advocated the privatisation of the NNPC. They accused me of wanting to give it to my friends, only for them now to turn around to say they are privatising.
Wike: Something Will happen in PDP SoonRivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said something momentous would take place in his party, PDP. Wike also said he would soon reveal the identities of 2023 presidential candidates planning to empty Nigeria’s treasury. The governor spoke at the inauguration of internal roads at Rumuesara, Eneka town, in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of the state. He said some politicians canvassing for votes to win the 2023 presidential election did not mean well for the country. He maintained that he was in a position to know better, and expose such candidates at the appropriate time so that Nigerians could use held by the government.
Atiku, who spoke in Hausa at the event, commended the House of Representatives and Senate for their bipartisan efforts in passing the Nigeria Startup Bill. He calledon President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill into law. In a statement, the PDP presi dential candidate said, "Nigerians are yearning for victory in our campaign, because they know that when the PDP wins, the victory is to the people. "I am sure you must have noticed that my team and I have kept our engagements focused on policy related issues. We know, much as you do know, too, that the upcoming election is a referendum on the ruling party. They have failed and our democracy gives us the power to punish the APC for their failedDescribingpromises."himself as the can didate with the magic key to the problems confronting the country, Atiku said, "I am a candidate, who is prepared for the job and ready to hit the ground running from day"Ourone!campaign comes with a promise of renewal, and a com mitment of returning power to the people. That is what the PDP stands for. And, like I did say in Lagos during the NBA national conference, I am not a trial and error in leadership. I am tried and tested and my capacity to get the job done is proven. "Dear friend, kindly permit me to thank you again for the great job that you continue to do by supporting the campaign. Also, kindly permit me to urge you todo more. It is when we do more that we can truly push back the which N1.9 trillion was expected to come from oil-related sources while the balance would come from non-oil sources.
"I had previously outlined in my policy document and my recent Arise Interview, the need to transi tion into an e-government system to reduce expenditure costs, improve workflow management, service delivery and overall efficiency.
Owing to this, Faleke expressed disappointment with the response from the AGF office. He said: “Honestly speaking, we are not happy with the accountant general's office at all. Your data is what we thought we could rely on to do our job. The agencies are here, ready to make their presentation. I don't have the records to compare with.“You don't have the records and you are telling me that receipts are issued to various offices across the country. It should be automated. Please, if you have issues, anything, let us know. We are here to help you, help ourselves as Nigerians. You heard the presentation from the Minister of Finance, N11.3 trillion deficit. "So, if we are able to get our revenue from the agencies, the deficit will reduce. We have so many agencies that you ought to be taking the money automatically, online. We can't continue with this because the Accountant General is unable to provide us with require ments.“You issue them receipts which could be fake anyway. How can you still be writing treasury receipt by hand at this time and age? It is very disappointing. We have other work to do and we are supposed to finish the work before the presentation of budget which is coming up in September or early Contributing,October."a member, Hon. Sada Soli expressed concern over the attitude of staff of the Office of the Accountant General, accusing them of always trying to frustrate the efforts of the National Assembly in tracking government revenue. In his ruling, Faleke directed the Accountant General to furnish the committee with details of all remittances from the agencies by August 30th to allow the committee conclude its work.
The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Usman Baba, yesterday, condemned the recent trend of assault on police officers and men in uniform carrying out their lawful duties in various locations across the country. Baba said the police would not condone such anyThelonger.IGsaid attacks on police officers, who were uniformed agents of the state, was both illegal and an affront on the rule of law. Consequently, the IG directed all police commands and forma tions to ensure that individuals, who engaged in assault of police officers, irrespective of preceding factors, were made to face the full wrath of the law via swift prosecution in courts of competent jurisdiction.
"Crude oil production challenges and PMS subsidy deductions by NNPC constitute a significant threat to the achievement of our revenue growth targets; as seen in the 2022 Performance up to April. “Bold, decisive and urgent action is urgently required to address issues of revenue underperformance and expenditure efficiency at national and sub-national levels. The Nigeria economy has despite these chal lenges sustained its recovery from recession for the sixth quarters. While Q1 2022 was 3.11 per cent, this has appreciated to 3.54 per cent in the second quarter of 2022. Most sectors of the economy record positiveRespondinggrowth."to questions by members of the Committee chaired by Hon. James Faleke on oil theft and its effects, the minister said from what happened in 2022, it clearly showed the country was not getting value from spendings on oil as production continues to decline, hence the need to do something differently.Ahmed however said security agencies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) as well as the regulators have been working very hard to find solutions.
"This shift will also provide op portunities for the ICT industry to innovate and develop solutions for government digital services as we build a new and enhanced futuristic economy."SokotoState Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who is also the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, while welcoming Shekarau back to the party, said the former Kano State governor left for some years, but was back home. Tambuwal charged Shekarau to continue to help in repositioning the party and Nigeria, at large, stating that at the end, "We shall give Atiku all help to become President." Delta State Governor and PDP vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, commended Shekarau for the sacrifice he made by dumping NNPP and its senatorial ticket and coming to PDP. Okowa described Atiku as the light and hope of Nigerians, and commended Shekarau for seeing the light in Atiku. He said with Atiku’s experience, he would give education, economy, and security, which were currently in shamble, a face-liftTheDelta State governor lamented the suffering of the people, stating that very soon, with Atiku as president, it would be over. Okowa declared, "There is light and hope in PDP.” He expressed optimism that PDP would win South-south, southern Nigeria, and the north, stressing that the party would win landslide.
IG Condemns Attack on Police Officers, Says Police Will No Longer Condone Trend the capacity to lead the country out of its current economic and security challenges. But Wike, at a different event, yesterday, said current happenings in his party were just the tip of the iceberg, stressing that something significant would soon occur. He made the remarks in Port Harcourt when he inaugurated some newly completedMeanwhile,projects.Shekarau, who officially joined PDP on Monday, wrote the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to inform it of his new status and request the commission to withdraw him as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) senatorial candidate for Kano SpeakingCentral.inKano, when the party received Shekerau, Ayu explained that PDP was built on Nigerians. He declared, "The PDP is built by the people and that is why it is called the people’s party. It was never built on an individual and can never be built on an individual. "As the people’s party, it is not waiting for anybody. We will win election everywhere and will not only win in the north, we will in the south; we will win in the South-south. The PDP will win nationwide.“Bythistime next year, we shall have PDP government in place. Nobody can destabilise this party. We are not going to be distracted. Don't mind all those peddling crises. “We shall overcome all distract ing forces. We shall overcome all difficulties. Every member of PDP is important. We will do everything possible to bring all those that have left the PDP back."
"From the performance in April, at 1.3 million barrels per day and by July it was 1.4 million, we do hope that the increase will be very significant because it’s costing us not just N3.2 billion in terms of security cost and costing us revenue. “At 39 per cent, the oil and gas revenue as at April is at very low performance. We need to move oil and gas revenue," she said The minister pointed out that the Petroleum Industry Act has given the NNPC Limited some independence from the federation and has to perform in line with the laws of the Company and Allied Matters Act. "A lot of the expenditure the federation used to carry will now be carried by NNPC Limited. NNPC will be paying taxes and dividends and we believe in the medium term the federation will end up earning more revenue. “It also means that the NNPC will need to go and borrow money on its own. That will improve efficiency on the company. They have to pay dividends and royalties to the federation which they were not doing Commentingbefore."on the outlook of the global economy, she said: "As inflation is going up and also as it appears the war between Russia and Ukraine is not abating, what we are projecting is that there will be continuous pressure on prices. What we have to do is to look at how we can push in those pressure to the inflationary trend.
Atiku insisted that until the ownership of the national oil firm is diluted and the NNPCL has its shares traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, it will continue to be mismanaged. He stated that he had always believed that the oil sector has to be privatised because it’s the best way to get the best out of it, insisting that it was not the responsibility of government to manage the country’s oil and gas.
On the issue of Morocco Nigeria gas pipeline, she said: "the Federal Executive Council a few weeks ago approved funding for the feasibility study, which means that it’s still at the feasibility study phase. The National oil company can provide theEarlier,details."the Committee Chairman, Faleke said the current financial situation in the country requires that all revenue sources be explored as the government was short of revenue.Hesaid it was obvious that when there was no revenue, every aspect of the country suffers and asked all agencies appearing before the committee to provide the committee the correct position of their revenue. He warned that no agency of government would be allowed to play with revenue of the country. Meanwhile, the House of Rep resentatives has accused the office of the Accountant General of the Federation of failure to adequately track revenue generated by agencies of government and to keep adequate records of such revenue.
Continued on page 28 TEN 10 TUESDAY, THISDAY FG PROPOSES N19.76TRN BUDGET FOR 2023, PROJECTS DEFICIT MAY RISE TO N12.41TRN AYU: PDP NOT BUILT ON ANY INDIVIDUAL, NO PERSON CAN DESTABILISE IT ATIKU: I WILL ENSURE NNPCL IS FULLY PRIVATISED, RUN ON NLNG MODEL Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Ahmed explained that the benchmark crude oil price was pegged at $70 per barrel and at an exchange rate of N435.57 to a dollar, oil production was put at 1.69 million barrel per day, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was projected at 3.7 per cent while inflation was put at 17.16 per cent in the MTEF. She said petrol subsidy would remain up to mid-2023, based on the 18-month extension announced early 2021, in which case only N3.36 trillion would be provided for it in next financial year. The minister also pointed out that Nigeria has been able to consistently without defaulting, service her debt, adding that the country does not have any projections even in the near future, to fail in its debt obligation.Speaking further, Ahmed said although the amount currently used to service the country’s debt had overshot what was appropriated for in the budget, measures have been put in place to manage the situation.While lamenting that revenue generation had remained a major fiscal constraint for the country, she said efforts would however focus on improving tax administration and collection efficiency. She added that there would be tighter enforcement of the perfor mance management framework for Government Owed Enterprises (GOEs) that would significantly increase operating surplus/dividend remittances in 2023.
“Of course, this is most unlikely considering the heightened pres ence of security agencies in the maritime environment as well as the launch of the subsisting operations by the Nigerian Navy, including of course, the deployment of the maritime domain awareness facilities,” Gambo maintained. In recent times, the navy had been accused by Nigerians of being complicit in the theft of Nigeria’s crude, which had led to the country being barely able to produce 65 per cent of its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota.While Nigeria’s allocation in July was 1.8 million barrels per day, the country was only able to produce a paltry 1.083 million barrels per day. This has negatively impacted the Nigerian economy with the value of the naira falling to an arguably all-time low of overButN700.theCNS stated that the Navy’s facilities have in the last four weeks detected a number of vessels attempting to load crude and liquefied natural gas within offshore terminals without neces sary documentation and approval from the relevant authorities like theAccordingNNPCL. to him, it is after such a vessels have been arrested that updated documents of the vessels are forwarded to the Navy to effect a release when they are
Alex Enumah in Abuja
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal has set aside the sackof Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governor ship election in Delta State. The panel led by Justice Peter Ige yesterday set aside Oborevwori sack on the grounds that the lower court erred in law in reaching theconclusion that Oborevwori was not qualified to participate in the governorship primary election of the PDP on account of forgery and perjury.Oborevwori who is the current Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly had emerged winner of the PDP governorship primary after he polled 590 of the total votes cast at the March 25 primary election. However, David Edevbie who came second with 113 votes had dragged Oborevwori and the PDP to court accusing Oborevwori of falsehood and that he forged theacademic certificates he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Amongst the prayers Edevbie sought at the court included an order removing Oborevwori ascandidate of the PDP in the March 2023 poll and that his name beforwarded to INEC as authentic candidate of the PDP. Delivering judgment in Edevbie's suit, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja had on July 7, sacked Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP having found him guilty of alleged forgery of his academic certificates and perjury. Justice Taiwo then went ahead to order the PDP to submit the name of Edevbie, who came second at the March 25 governorship primary. Dissatisfied however, Oborevwori had approached the appellate court to challenge his removal as PDP governorship candidate. He had predicated his appeal on 18 grounds amongst which wasthat the suit at the lower court was wrongly initiated and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it in the first However,place.in the unanimous judgment yesterday, the three-man panel agreed with the appellant that the suit filed by David Edevbie was wrongly initiated, because allega tions of criminal offenses must be proven beyond affidavit evidences. The panel noted that cases involving criminal allegations ought not to have commenced by an Originating Summons asin the instant case. The court held that this case, "cannot be resolved without recourse to oral evidence," because the issue of forgery and falsehood and others raised by the plaintiff and 1st respondent "is deeply rooted in criminality."
AVIATION BREAKFAST MEETING...
"When we came to the chapel to celebrate the 31st anniversaryof the creation of Delta State last Saturday, I promised God that if he gives me victory at the Appeal Court, l shall come to the chapel to give thanks to him."
NEWS TUESDAY, THISDAY 11
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, yesterday disputed oil theft figures from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the ministry of petroleum, insisting that it wasn’t possible to steal that quantity of oil in a day. Although the figures are usually estimates, the NNPCL and the ministry have variously put the total quantity of barrels stolen per day at between 200,000 to 400,000 per day. But Gambo, while speaking last night on Channels Television, insisted that the data may not only be from oil theft, maintaining that the government authorities were making the error of calculating losses due to force majeure as well as shut-ins as part of oil being“Inasmuchstolen. as there is no perfect system, the phenomenon of oil theft and losses must be properly de-conflicted in order to profer lasting solutions to the malaise which is currently bedevilling our economic resources.
L-R: Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Cpt. Hamisu Yadudu; President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr. Gabriel Olowo; MD/CEO, Pathfinders International Ltd., Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso; and Former Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, at the2nd 2022 Breakfast Business meeting held in Lagos…recently Gubernatorial candidate hails ruling, praises God
The panel stressed that such criminal cases must be proven beyond reasonable doubt with the calling of relevant witnesses and not by mere affidavit evidence.The court held that failure of Edevbie to call relevant witnesses was fatal to the case and the trial court erred in law when he found merit in the suit and granted the reliefsAccordingsought. to the judgment,Edevbie would have called the institutions he claimed their certificates were forged to prove his allegations, adding that the forgedcertificates and other documents must be presented before the court to substantiate the allegations. Justice Ige further stated that it was not enough to prove that thecertificates and other documents were forged, but the plaintiff must prove that it was the defendant himself who forged the saidcertificates and other documents.
“This should not be. Some sources also claim that about 20,000 to 200,000 barrels per day are being considered stolen. Most of these claims are definitely outra geous and they are unrealistic,” heGamboadded. stated that a close analysis of the alleged oil theft data showed that it would be impossible to steal that volume of oil without being detected.
Says it’s impossible to steal 200,000 barrels of oil in one day States Equatorial Guinea set to release 3m-capacity supertanker in the chapel to appreciate God for giving him victory. He said it was the Almighty God that gave him the victory at the Court, pointing out that the victory was for everybody in the state. According to him, it is God that gives power, stressing that nobody can upturn what God had ordained. While saying that Delta State is one, Oborevwori said, "by the grace of God, in 2023, we shall come here again (Government House Chapel) to give thanks to God. "We have come here to give thanks to God for giving us victory. The victory is for everybody; it is God that gives power and nobody can upturn what God had ordained.
Delta 2023: Appeal Court Sets Aside Oborevwori's Sack as PDP Candidate
Nigeria’s Naval Chief Disputes NNPCL, Petroleum Ministry’s Oil Theft Figures duly programmed to load liquids within Nigeria’s maritime domain. Gambo listed such incidences that have occurred in the past four weeks to five weeks to include the arrest of MT Arabia, which is an LNG supertanker, which entered the country on the 12th of July to load liquefied natural gas without relevant documents. He added that MT Trinity Ar row, which was also apprehended for entering without necessary approval only got clearance to load LNG on the 12th of July also after its papers were updated. The latest, he said, is the supertanker, MT HEROIC which is 336 meters long, and 60 meters wide, describing it as a very massive ship. “Imagine the size of three football fields and 1/3 more. It has the capacity of carrying 3 million barrels,” he reiterated. Gambo stressed that talks were in progress to ensure the handover of the asset for a proper investigation into its actions and why it accused the Nigerian Navy of being sea pirates.
The court on another issue held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place because there was no reasonable cause of action at the time it was filed.According to the appellate court, its findings showed that even thelower court observed that neither Oborevwori nor his party, PDP, breached the party's guidelines as well as the Electoral Act as regardsthe selection and nomination of its candidate for the 2023 governorshipelection in Delta State. While holding that the suit was premature, the appellate court stated that the plaintiff ought tohave waited for the PDP to have forwarded the name of Oborevwori to INEC as its candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State."It is when the name of the respondent/ appellant has beenforwarded to INEC and the names and attached documents published that the plaintiff/ 1st respondent can approach the court and claim presentation of false documents," the court ruled. Ige lamented that while Justice Taiwo had acknowledged the factthat the name of Oborevwori has not yet been forwarded to INEC as PDP's candidate he erroneously held that plaintiff need not wait for crystalisation of the process before going to court. On the alleged discrepanciesin the names on the certificates presented by Oborevwori, the court held that Edevbie did not only failed to prove that the names were not that of Oborevwori but also failed to show who owns those names."Having resolved issues 1,2,4 and 5 in favour of the appellant, the appeal has merit and is bound to succeed judgment of the lower court delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo is hereby set aside," it added. Meanwhile, a special thanks giving service was held at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, yesterday, to celebrate Oborevwori victory at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. The thanksgiving service was attended by the wife of the state Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, members of the state executive council, chieftains of the PDP in the state, members of the State House of Assembly and supporters of the PDP, among others. Speaking at the ceremony, Oborevwori who is also the Speaker of the state legislature, said he was
“Let us even briefly analyse this. For instance, 100,000 barrels of crude oil is equivalent to 15,800,000 litres of crude , which requires a five-ton barge making 3,160 trips per day to convey this product out of the creeks. “How do you pass the estuaries with this? So, let's assume now you even have many barges because of the time required to carry out this product. That means you entirely close the navigable waters heading out to sea, through the estuaries, to embark them or to transit them into a mother vessel that will eventually take them out of the country.
“Here, we need to understand the differences between oil theft and of course, oil loss. While oil theft is siphoning oil from vandalised pipes into barges, oil losses occur when there is non-production, especially during shut-ins and force majeure as the federal government does not earn the desired revenue it should,” he Accordingargued. to him, oil losses could be as a result of metering errors on the operating platforms, stressing that the volume of crude oil shut-ins from non-production are often added to oil theft data instead of accounting for them as oil losses by the authorities.
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The proposed legislation, titled “Bill for an Act to Establish National Electoral Offences Commission to Provide for the Legal Framework for Investigation and Prosecution of Electoral Offences for the general Improvement of the Electoral Pro cess in Nigeria,’ was co-sponsored by Chairman of the House Com mittee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Aishatu Dukku, Hon. Kingsley Chinda and Hon. John Dyegh. When the Bill becomes a law, the commission shall be funded via national Assembly appropriations and shall be allowed to accept gifts of land, money or properties both within and outside Abuja upon terms and conditions specified by the person or organization. At the hearing, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, gave its support to the Bill, saying when the proposed legislation becomes law, the commission that will be established can clampdown and ensure prosecution of electoral of fenders, particularly high-profile politicians who sponsor thugs to carry out Accordingviolence.tohim, the reform of the electoral process cannot be complete without effective sanctions on violators of the laws.
POLITICS Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY ) 14 THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022
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Gbajabiamila
Yakubu lamented that INEC is saddled with a lot of responsibilities, including prosecution of electoral offenders under the Electoral Act, saying that it has been very challenging for theHeCommission.disclosedthat since the 2015 general elec tion, 125 cases of electoral offences were filed in various Courts out of which 60 convictions have been secured so far, including the most recent one in Akwa Ibom State.
No good building, concept or pursuit can ever be or succeed without a solid and good foundation.The creation or the birthing of the present-day Osun State which has become the pride of all its citizens across the globe as well as its inhabitants, was the byproduct of the sweat of some visionary and determined individuals, a chunk of whom are no more alive, today. It is now a historical fact that the heroic labour of these individuals ultimately crystalized into the creation of the state on Tuesday, 27th August, 1991.These never-to-be-forgotten leaders and visionaries put their lives on the line for the state to be brought to fruition. Nothing good ever comes cheap. As obvious in the above, the state just didn’t happen; it didn’t just come out of the blues. Those individuals referred to above, fought for it tooth and nail. And, as such, the state came with a price before the prize (Osun) which is now being enjoyed and savoured by all, was spawned!Significantly, one of those who fought and laboured frantically day and night for the cre ation of Osun, was Oba Dr. Solomon Oyewole Babayemi, Akinrinola 1, the then Olufi of Gbon gan, who was the father of Dotun Babayemi, a PDP stalwart in the state who providence has equally given a responsibility to continue with the gospel of advancement of the state preached and practised by his father and other founding fathers of the state. The precursory efforts of Dotun’s father in concert with other wellmeaning Osun indigenes, dead or alive, gave birth to this state which everyone proudly associates with, today.Empirically speaking, selfless service to the people and the society admiringly runs deep in the Babayemi family; it is a virtue that has verifiably
While seeking amendment to clause 33, which gives the Federal High Court, High court of a State or the High Court of Abuja the jurisdiction to try alleged offenders, Yakubu suggested that these courts are over burdened, hence electoral offences tribunal should be established with exclusive jurisdiction to try offenders.
As Lawmakers Mull Stiffer Punishment for Electoral Offenders...
Yakubu Dukku
Members of the House of Representatives on August 23,2022, held a one-day public hearing to get stakeholders’ input into the Bill which seeks the establishment of national electoral offences commission to prosecute electoral offenders. Violence is one of the recurrent features of the country’s electoral history and it escalates in the period before, during and after elections. The reasons for electoral violence vary. Such crimes can be used to neutralise political opponents, manipulate or delegitimise the electoral process. Politicians and their paid agents do this through hate speech or mobilisation of thugs to attack polling units, snatch or destroy ballots, vote buying, kidnap or even kill opponents and their 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already began to raise the alarm. It’s too bad that the Electoral Act assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari few months ago, was unable to create the much-needed clamour for electoral offences courts which will specifically focus on punishing the culprits. In a bid to curb electoral violence, members of the green chamber, introduced the electoral offences commission bill and passed it through first, second reading and eventually held a public hearing on the bill.
Udora Orizu writes that the House of Representatives as part of efforts to sanitize the electoral space, is coming up with a bill to establish electoral offences
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It is thus not surprising that Dotun Babayemi has picked up the gauntlet where his old man dropped it, a chip off the old block, you would say. No doubt, Dotun’s personal, professional and political trajectory has clearly demonstrated the truth in the Yoruba philosophical submis sion that, “Omo ajanaku ki i ya’ra; omo ti ekun ba bi, eku ni yoo jo” (meaning, the child of an elephant can never be a dwarf; the child of a leopard can not be anything less than or different from a Today,leopard)Dotun is a major stakeholder in the project called Osun and without pretences, he has always strived to give it his all in a bid to ensure its all-round growth in order to be at par, if not ahead of others, in the country. Does he have any option other than to give his best to the state? Definitely no! This is because he’s not ‘akotileta’ (a prodigal son). In his own little way, he has in the last 20 years, been empowering the people of the state under different schemes that are still very much in place. Dotun, commonly referred to as ODB by his admirers and political associates, is a dogged fighter and a marathoner. With zeal and zest, he has been outfooting his foes on all fronts; he can hardly be worn out, because he’s so rugged and determined.
The INEC Chairman noted that the commis sion looks forward to the day when highly placed sponsors of thuggery, including high-profile figures that seek to benefit from these violations, are arrested and prosecuted. He expressed optimism that in the next few months, the National Assembly will pass the Bill so that it will not suffer the fate of previous efforts which were inchoate at the end of the lifespan of the Assembly. In his goodwill message, the Executive Di rector of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo while lending support to the Bill, however suggested that the 20 years imprisonment and N40 million fine for ballot snatching and vote buying as stipulated in clause 26 should be reduced in line with reality. On its part, the Chairman of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Yabagi Sani, while lending support to the Bill, however said political parties will make its inputs which they are still working on. Earlier while declaring the hearing open, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said electoral crimes lead to low quality, corrupt and violent political leadership and as well helps election riggers and offenders take control of governments against democratic will of the electorates.Gbajabiamila who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, while acknowledging that the recent governorship election in Ekiti and Osun States signifies a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, said there is no doubt that a lot of work still needs to be done to take the country to the point where elections are devoid of the usual challenges of violence, fraud and abuse of process.
run through the royal family’s generations. Notably, it could be recalled that before the eventual creation of Osun state, there were near rancorous agitations and concerns for different reasons, by stakeholders then. However, these concerns were mitigated and submerged by the people’s unity of purpose. And, the person saddled with the responsibil ity of seeing to the settlement of the agitations that then simmered, was no less than the erudite royal father, late Oba (Dr.) Solomon Oyewole Babayemi, then Olufi of Gbongan. To this effect, the late Royal Father was made the Chairman of an 11-man Committee that midwifed the desired peace. As a result, Oba Dr. Solomon Oyewole Babay emi’s Committee on Wednesday, 24th April,1991, submitted its seventh and final memorandum which was gracefully endorsed by 30 prominent individuals including traditional rulers and communityThereafter,leaders.thesigned memorandum was forwarded to the Federal Government through the then Military Administrator of Oyo State as presented by a delegation led by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. Oba Solomon Babayemi was number 23 on the list of signatories attached to the document. This respected royal father along side his con temporaries, saw into the future and worked relentlessly for its manifestation; a fruit being enjoyed by all and sundry today.
Babayemi
Kayode Ayodeji writes about the role played by the late Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Solomon Babayemi, towards the creation of Osun state 31 years ago Of Osun State, History and Babayemi
commission
TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 • THISDAY 15
Wike does not appreciate the fundamental fact that Nigeria is not Rivers State and the tactics of the militant politician cannot take you too far in national politics. His loss at the PDP convention contained a profound lesson about the limits of ‘militant politicking’ which he has obviously not learnt
1THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 Tuesday August 30, 2022 Vol 27. No 910 www.thisdaylive.com opinion@thisdaylive.com “You can see the sun going down And the people as they go by Without a frown And the neighbours say hello…” WIKE AND HIS POLITICAL FUTURE Nwabuikwu MATTHEW HASSAN KUKAH: NIGERIA’S ODINKALUCHIDIBISHOPANSELM pays tribute to Matthew Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto KENYA’S WHISTLES TO NIGERIA 2023 Kenya’s 2022 election holds lessons for Nigeria, writes OKELLO OCULI EDITORIAL LESSONS FROM THE NBA CONFERENCE See page 17 See page 17
PAUL NWABUIKWU expresses worries that the attitude of the Rivers State governor to political issues is doing him much harm
16
T U S N See page 18
On 24th August, 2022, a workshop by the KUKAH CENTRE heard, from a video report from Kenya, that Social Media had promoted violence against women candidates in the campaign for the August 8th, 2022 elections in Kenya. Paradoxically, in elections for GOVERNORS of 47 Counties, four female candidates were triumphant, and Martha Karuwa was a Vice-Presidential partner to Raila Odinga. This was a huge advance.SUSAN KIHIKA of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had earned 400.707 votes against LEE KINYANJUI’s 324,683 votes. Not only did she mobilise the imagination of a large number of voters, but also trounced an incumbent opponent who won with 244,539 votes to beat EVANS KIDERO who reaped 154, 182 votes. Her victory was a reversal of past accusations of male chauvinism within ODM. Moreover, she defeated a male opponent. CECILY MBARIRE received 108, 610 votes. Her male competitor, winning 105,046 votes. These women were clearly competitors who had not begged to win. At the KUKAH CENTRE’s workshop, a wondered why the post-election violence of 2007/2008 had not erupted again despite the challenge of the presidential election by Raila Odinga. The answer may lie in these victories by female candidates and their supporters. Victories which explode out passions of combat also splash up clouds of legitimacy which seed into showers of positive ‘Climate Change’. In Nairobi County, JOHNSON SAKAJA harvested a vast 699,392 votes to beat a roaring challenge of 573,518 votes for POLYCARP IGATHE. These are large pools of electoral passion which, if violated with malpractices from election gatekeepers,
MATTHEW HASSAN KUKAH: NIGERIA’S BISHOP CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU pays tribute to Matthew Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto
3THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 17 protests. Likewise, it denies support to those hoping to reap mangoes of rage. The exit of Professor Peter ANYANG NYONG’O from being a Senator to being elected GOVERNOR of Kisumu County, and gaining considerable media visibility as a creative peoplefrom Membership of Parliament back to governing at the grassroots. Senator JAMES ORENGO was GOVERNOR of Siaya County: scoring 220,349 votes. His earning enormous fame as the lead lawyer in defending RAILA ODINGA, had probably not taken material resources for the development of his local community. In Taita Taveta, an ‘’Independent’’ candidate, ANDREW MWADIME, won with 49, 901 votes to defeat an ‘’outgoing’’ Governor, GANTON SAMBOJA, who scored 23,701 votes. In Meru County, KAWIRA MWANGAZA, who also ran as an ‘’Independent’’, defeated KIRAITU MURUNGI who was the incumbent. The option of running from outside a window of ‘’fresh air’’ for the country to recruit new talent. Nigeria may wish to consider this option at all levels of leadership development; and renewing trust for democratic politics. With regard to the report that Social Media was the primary promoter of violence against women candidates, we must assume that it is those within the range of15 to 30 years of age who are the most active users of this tool. It is also the group which consumes pornographic videos and musical images of young women which are predominantly sexualised. Rights of women to human dignity contradict this sector of consumption. Demand for women’s rights to be voted for would be viewed with hostility. It is a zone that is hidden from parents. Civil Society activists building democratic culture; combating violence against women and rights of women to be voted for, must counter hostile
In the run-up to Kenya’s 2007 elections, there were ominous signals which were ignored at high cost to the country after the announcement of the result of the presidential election was prevented on LIVE national radio and television broadcasts. Social Media had not yet emerged as the country’s ‘’Town Crier’’. Violence exploded in opposition strongholds before the victory of incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was announced.Onehorrible signal was a brutal attack on a female candidate in Muranga District: with human faeces forced down her throat. The incident was of particular concern for us because 15 Nigerian female Secondary Students had landed in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. They were ‘Presidents’ of African countries from ANGLICAN GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL (AGGS), in Abuja, who were to simulate Assemblies of the African Union jointly with peers from MAKINI Secondary School based in Nairobi.‘President’ Mwai Kibaki of Kenya was SAHDATU ABDULLAHI, from Nigeria. She resolved to condemn the horrible violence against a woman politician and candidate in her speech to Kenyan audiences and Media correspondents. There were no protests by civil society groups, religious leaders; and university students to the incident.
The lesson from Kenya’s 2022 election campaign is, however, that strong women candidates promising service to communities trounce violence by Social Media. Nigeria’s women politicians must hear whistles from Kenya. Prof Oculi writes from Abuja
There was a time when the church was The contemporary church is so often a sound. It is so often the arch supporter of the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s often vocal sanction of things as they Martinare.Luther King Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, (April 1963) Two days before Nigeria’s presidential election scheduled to take place on 28 March 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari, the two leading candidates in the contest for the presidency, met at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja to sign an accord and solemnly foreswear against violence in the ballot. At the head of the witnesses to the accord was Abdulsalami Abubakar, retired army General and Nigeria’s former Head of State. In the background but also a witness was a clergyman, Matthew Hassan Kukah. In his day job, he also worked as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto in north-west Nigeria. This accord was the handiwork of the National Peace Committee, which General Abdulsalami chaired. His deputy was Ebitu Ukiwe, a retired Navy Commodore who served as the second-in-command to Nigeria’s military ruler Ibrahim Babangida from August 1985 to October 1986. Bishop Kukah served as its secretary. Emotions were at fever pitch and threatening to boil over. Around the world, there were credible fears that the aftermath of the ballot could degenerate into mass violence.Therewere three good reasons for these of the presidential election four years earlier had been followed by an outbreak of serious violence in which 943 people numbers were almost certainly much higher. Second, an earlier peace accord signed between all the political parties on 14 January 2015, including the parties of President Jonathan and General Buhari, and witnessed jointly by the former Secretaryand his counterpart in the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, had proved rather fragile. Third, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had postponed the March 2028, which made all sides quite Many people were sceptical about the peace accord. While the votes were still being counted on 29 March, a columnist in The Nation, a newspaper published by the leader General Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC), called it “misconceived”. But the symbolism of President Jonathan and General Buhari embracing one another while publicly renouncing violence and agreeing to abide by the result of the polls was not lost on the country. The Peace Accord did more than hold. The Guardian newspaper described it as “the peace that was not foreseen.” As proof, Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election set many records in Nigeria’s history. It remains the only one in which the opposition defeated an incumbent. It is also the only one that did not end up in contests before the election tribunal. INEC may have organized the election but its work would have come to naught if that went into ensuring a soft landing for Matthew Hassan Kukah. The convening of the National Peace Committee was his brainchild and he was the Svengali behind theThisaccord.was the culmination of a life that in the marriage of theology and civics in Nigeria’s abusive relationship with its citizens.Providence had prepared Kukah for the role. Kukah is Bakulu (Ikulu), one of the ethnic communities indigenous to the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna - a part of the country that has known its fair share of troubles, violence, and killings. His family has a history of leadership and service. His younger brother, Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwam Akulu II, is the paramount ruler of Ikulu. There is the appetizing thought that Kukah could have ended up on the throne if he had not ended up in the seminary. Born on 31 August 1952, young Matthew Hassan Kukah was old enough to experience the colonial segregations that blighted the lives of the peoples of southern Kaduna under the baleful practices of Lugard’s “Indirect Rule”. It shaped his road through St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Zaria and St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos, from where he received his leading to his ordination as a 24 -year-old priest on 19 December, 1976. At that time, there were not too many indigenous priests from north-west Nigeria and Kukah could easily have been life. Instead, he forged an intellectual and academic pursuit in peace studies, equipping himself with graduate degrees from the University of Bradford in 1980, and culminating in 1990 in a doctorate degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. A version of his doctoral research was published in 1993 under the title: Religion, Politics, and Power in Northern Nigeria. He also has a graduate degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. In nearly 46 years as a priest, Matthew Hassan Kukah has combined pastoral, civic A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu
KENYA’S WHISTLES TO NIGERIA 2023 Kenya’s 2022 election holds lessons for Nigeria, writes OKELLO OCULI
Notwithstanding, we still believe that Akpata provided good leadership for the NBA and deserves commendation as he takes a bow for Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, to take Meanwhile,over.for both the bar and the bench to rise above the interests that are holding back fair and equitable justice administration in Nigeria, the onus is more on senior lawyers who must dispense with their toga of superiority complex within the NBA. They must understand how unique their role is both to the profession and the larger society. “Our system of justice is a public resource, it does not belong to the legal profession, it does not belong to the bar or to the bench. It belongs to the people,” Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reminded the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) recently in Lagos. “We are paid operators of a service that our constitution created to resolve their disputes and give justice.”
While we congratulate the new NBA leadership, we hope that the association will continue to act as the bulwark of social justice and defender of the rule of law and democracy in Nigeria.
Editor
Popular participation has helped the NBA that used to go cap in hand to beg state governors for funds to organise its annual general conferences. When to raise its voice since whoever pays the piper must dictate the tune. Now that the NBA depends more on revenue from members to run its activities, a measure of integrity has been restored to the association. There is therefore a lesson to learn from the NBA on this. to look inward for the revenues needed to run the to do that successfully, they must also be transparent and accountable to the people. Unlike other professionals, legal practitioners are uniquely placed to defend and promote democratic values even though it takes one of them occupying these values. But as demonstrated in the case of the suspended general secretary of the association, it is evident that government is not the only threat to rule of law. It is unfortunate that the association could not handle this issue without resorting to self-help by ratifying Oduah’s suspension after she had served the NBA with the court process.
He disclosed this during a strategic meeting with state commandants and Anti-vandal Squad leaders at NSCDC headquarters in Abuja. Indeed, it is beyond tragic that those who should be at the forefront of checking economic crimes and criminals in Nigeria are themselves deeply involved in something so gravely scandalous.shownthatstopping those who enable such crimes is always bottomless pockets at any point in time. For Nigeria to wriggle free of people like this, there is no doubt that many heads will have to roll. Whether those who should cause these heads to roll are not themselves involved Kene Obiezu, Twitter: @kenobiezu
Even though the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2022 annual conference was dented by trending video of legal practitioners looting conference materials and the rancour generated by the suspension of General Secretary, Joyce Oduah, it was generally a successful outing. By providing a platform for presidential candidates of the leading political parties to pitch ideas on the existential challenges facing the country, even critics agree that the Olumide Akpataled NBA scored a major landmark and showed the direction the campaign for the 2023 general election shouldBesides,take. at a time when the debate is whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should transmit election results electronically, the NBA also proved that we could adopt technology to make our elections much better and more transparent. That 34,809 lawyers voted in the election of their leadership is an indication that more lawyers the adoption of digital voting, less than 2000 lawyers elected the association’s executives under conditions that were stage-managed by some cabals of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). Bent on taking back the association from those who think it belonged to them alone, more lawyers are now taking part in the process of electing the association’s leadership.
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
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
The real thieves in Nigeria are not those who languish in detention either awaiting trial for what the law describes as theft, or having been convicted, the course of legal proceedings having been exhausted. No. They are not the real thieves. In Nigeria, the real thieves are found much deeper and much farther in the system. From so deep and so far within, they scraps for petty thieves who are soon caught and incarcerated. If this was not clear enough, the barely believable scale of relentlessly highlight just how big the problem really is. That Nigeria is losing a whopping $40million dollars daily have reduced the largest producer of oil and gas in Africa to The size of the theft and the menace posed by the thieves was recently highlighted when the Nigerian Navy arrested a tanker full of foreign nationals that was suspected to be in the than one hundred oil thieves were roasted beyond recognition
The government says it has a list of those whose hands are their actions as nothing more serious than getting a slice of the national cake in the free-for-all feast that Nigeria has become, Nigerians deserve to at least know those who are carrying out this economic heist against Nigeria. Before they are taken to courts of law, Nigerians deserve to Nigerians can ask for in a country where everything contin ues to go south. ing up production and subsequently securing oil wealth, syndicates have emerged all over the country and voraciously, According to Ahmed Audi, the commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), some operatives of the Corps deployed to secure oil assets have been found marching in lockstep with oil thieves.
Those who seek public offices must be transparent and accountable to the people
4 THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022
Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer. Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
OIL THEFTS AND AHMED AUDI’S ALARM 18
For both the bar and the bench to rise above the interests that are holding back fair and equitable justice administration in Nigeria, the onus is more on senior lawyers who must dispense with their toga of superiority complex within the NBA
EDITORIAL
Letters to the LETTERS LESSONS FROM THE NBA CONFERENCE
LAWYER TRUTH & REASONA WEEKLY PULLOUTTUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 NBA PRESIDENT, YAKUBU MAIKYAU, SAN 2022 NBA Conference: Bold Transitions IMMEDIATE PAST NBA PRESIDENT, OLUMIDE AKPATA
IN THIS EDITION II TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERSLAWYER Conviction Based on Doctrine of Last SeenPageIV I N LAWYER TRUTH & REASON A WEEKLY PULLOUT TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 NBA PRESIDENT, YAKUBU MAIKYAU, SAN 2022 NBA Conference: Bold Transitions IMMEDIATE PAST NBA PRESIDENT, OLUMIDE AKPATA
QUOTABLE ‘I consider it an honour to be incarcerated, for standing by the truth…..But, I might just be, maybe the only person to be remanded as a Lawyer, at least currently in this country, and was said to have been convicted without any charge preferred against him, without an opportunity to take a plea, without his offence even being disclosed, or any of the principles of fair hearing being accorded him.’ - Inibehe Effiong, Human Rights Lawyer & Activist L-R: NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN; Senator Kashim Shettima (APC); Immediate Past NBA President, Olumide Akpata; NBA 2022 TCCP Chairman, Tobenna Erojikwe; Conference Keynote Speaker, Ms Chimamanda Adichie; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP); Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Adewole Adebayo (SDP) and Peter Obi (LP)
The outgoing President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata, in his Address, remarked about the dual role of the NBA. Firstly, the NBA’s mandate to deal with the issues of the legal profession; and secondly, a mandate to intervene in the affairs of our society, like ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and being the voice of the voiceless. I think Mr Akpata’s administration made quite an impact in playing these roles, and we expect Mr Maikyau to continue on this path.
“All in all, we must not let the shameful looting of conference materials, mar the otherwise successful 62nd NBA AGC”
Conclusion The 2022 AGC concluded on Friday with the swearing in of the new President of the NBA, Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN, and the new Executive. Going forward, we wish them a successful tenure in office. All in all, we must not let the shameful looting of conference materials, mar the otherwise successful 62nd NBA AGC.
The Keynote Speaker: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I thoroughly enjoyed the Keynote Address in which Chimamanda Adichie started with the terms ‘troublesome and innovative’, and how they could be applied to the NBA. She explained how the term troublesome could have positive connotations; for example, those who have abused their positions of power in Nigeria calling the NBA troublesome (obviously for its interventions). She used graphic examples to show how those who may stand for positive change in society, are seen as ‘troublesome’ by the establishment, including how the Priest in the Catholic Church that conducted her beloved Mother’s funeral service treated her rather badly, because she had stated previously in an interview or so, that the Church had become materialistic. In my mind, I immediately drew a parallel between the Priest’s negative reaction to Chimamanda because of her comment, and how government officials and APC members react to constructive criticism! She talked about those who use the instrumentality of the law to oppress fellow citizens, and the sweeping aside of injustice in the name of peace, concluding that such peace can only be fragile and hollow. I concur.
Opening OutgoingCeremonyNBAPresident’s Address
Aside from the fact that burglary/stealing, assault, stealing with violence, robbery are offences that contravene the Criminal Law of Lagos State (CLLS), and upon conviction, are punishable with various terms of imprisonment (up to 21 years imprisonment) - see Sections 168-173, 278, 279, 285, 294 & 295 of the CLLS (also see on the definition of stealing Oyebanji v State (2015) LPELR-24751 (SC) per Galadima JSC; Aruna & Anor v State (1990) LPELR-568 (SC) per Nnaemeka-Agu JSC); on the ingredients of the offence of stealing, see Onwudiwe v FRN 2006 10 N.W.L.R. Part 988 Page 382 at 429 per Niki Tobi JSC); such criminal and disgraceful behaviour is thoroughly against the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC) contained in the Legal Practitioners Act 2007. Section 1 of the RPC clearly provides thus: “A Lawyer shall uphold and observe the rule of law, promote and foster the cause of justice, maintain a high standard of professional conduct, and shall not engage in any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner”. Clearly, stealing is not only unprofessional conduct, unbecoming of a Lawyer; it is a criminal act. And, anyone that is found to be part of what transpired, should not only be disciplined accordingly by the NBA, but also prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Criminal Behaviour
The 2023 Presidential candidates also took the stage. Inter alia, Dumebi Kachikwu of the ADC shared his thoughts on security, while Senator Shettima talked about increasing the Defence budget. Increasing the Defence budget may be a given, and one expected Shettima and the other candidates to discuss other angles on how they actually intend to fight insecurity, apart from more funding (without necessarily revealing their intimate plans); after all, with all the increase in Defence expenditure, Nigerians are less safe than they were in 2015 - the insecurity problem also requires strategy. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar articulated some of his thoughts on how power should be devolved to the States (restructuring), and the abolition of the multiple exchange rates that we have in the country. Peter Obi repeated his now popular slogan of moving Nigeria “from consumption to production”, to rebuild the Nigerian economy. He however, did not say how he intends to achieve this. Adewole Adebayo of the SDP, blamed most of Nigeria’s woes on rotation of the same leadership in different political parties, saying that making a generational and attitudinal change was necessary going forward, while Prof Umeadi of APGA talked about respecting the laws that guide elections to get a good outcome. To tell the truth, I felt that the candidates did more of stating and analysing Nigeria’s problems, and less about viable, practical solutions. What stuck out like a sore thumb to me was that, with all the issues plaguing the Justice sector - inadequate pay and poor conditions of service for judicial officers; lack of respect for the rule of law, particularly amongst government agencies and officials; lack of effective Police reform; prison congestion; prison breaks; clogged up court system and the slow pace of the wheels of justice; non-digitalisation of the courts etc - at the biggest forum for Lawyers, not just in Nigeria but in Africa, the Presidential candidates were not asked and neither did they address any issue remotely relating to the administration of justice sector, and what they intend to do to improve same. The Judiciary is the third arm of government, and as important as it is, it never really features in campaigns, and certainly did not feature in this event, despite the fact that two of the candidates, Adebayo and Umeadi are Lawyers. We certainly did not see any indications or plans for a ‘Bold Transition’, as far as the Justice Sector is concerned. Day 3: Plenary Session 1 Out of the sessions that I attended, there were two which I particularly enjoyed; and they took place on Day 3 of the Conference - ‘Impact of ACJA on the Administration of Criminal Justice’, moderated by the Guru of Reform of the Administration of Justice Sector, AttorneyGeneral of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN (ACJA is Administration of Criminal Justice Act). My takeaway from this session was that, unfortunately, a few States (between three and six out of 36 States) are yet to pass their own ACJL. However, Ekiti State may have gone further than most other States, in amending their ACJL to make it work even better. For instance, in order to stop the Police bypassing the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) - that is, without forwarding a case file to the DPP for advice, going directly to a Magistrate to obtain a remand order which can result in suspects being kept in custody for prolonged periods of time without the DPP ever knowing, or remanding individuals who should not be charged at all, Ekiti State amended Section 264 of its ACJL to provide that a Magistrate must see proof of receipt of the certified true copy of the case file by the DPP, before entertaining any request for a remand order; a measure geared at safeguarding people’s right to liberty guaranteed by Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution. I think this Ekiti State’s innovative amendment, should be emulated by all the States. Of course, there is still room for improvement with ACJA/ACJLs. Outcomes still need to be monitored, like why there are still so many people awaiting trial, overcrowding of prisons etc.
2023
Conference Materials Like almost everything else in Nigeria, the standard of decorum of legal practitioners and in the legal profession generally, including the actual practice of law, I’m sad to admit, has fallen possibly to an all time low. And, unfortunately, a sample of this decline was witnessed not just by Lawyers, but by the general public during the just concluded 2022 NBA AGC (Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference). The term 'Conference Materials', generally means the items that are given to Conferees (obviously funded by their registration fees), subsequent upon registration for and attending a particular conference. One of the most popular items generally used as conference materials, are all kinds of bags in different shapes and sizes. For the NBA,'Conference Materials’ for the AGCs which have mostly always been a source of controversy, have ranged from bags to folders, to the extremely contentious 'Tablet' of the 2017 AGC, to even young female junior Lawyers, who some senior Lawyers stand accused of sexually harassing whilst they are out-of-station for the few days attending the NBA AGC. However, even the non-availability of the 2017 controversial Tablet (pronounced ‘Tabelet’ in Nigerian parlance), a Tablet being a device like an iPad, did not result in the disgraceful looting/burglary of the Registration booth that took place last Tuesday during the AGC to steal conference materials, the highlight of which was a black knapsack/backpack, akin to what children carry as their school bag.
The Presidential Candidates
Day 3: Breakout Session The other session that I found engaging was the Section on Public Interest & Development Law‘s (SPIDEL) ‘Consequences of Undermining the Judiciary Uner Our Democracy’ moderated by Dr Monday Ubani, the Chairman of SPIDEL. In the face of Inibehe Effiong’s committal to prison by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State purportedly for contempt of court (he was released on Friday), FF (as Dr Ubani fondly referred to him) (Femi Falana, SAN) gave various examples on how, ironically, judicial officers themselves are undermining the judicial process, in this instance, by charging people for contempt when there is none. We learnt from FF’s submissions that some judicial officers do not exercise their discretion judicially and judiciously in this regard, and hold Lawyers for contempt in facie curiae (contempt in the face of the court), when there has not been any contemptuous conduct. For example, the Judge holds Counsel in contempt, because he doesn’t like the fact that he has been asked to recuse himself from a matter. See Franklin Atake v AGF & Anor 1982 13 N.S.C.C. Page 444 at 469-470 & Balogh v St Alban’s Crown Court (1975) 1 Q.B.D. 73 that the power of a Judge to commit an individual for contempt of court, must not be exercised frivolously or arbitrarily. FF gave us an example of a case where a Judge was asked to recuse himself from a case, after a litigant donated a huge amount of money at the Judge’s book launch. Naturally, opposing counsel felt that his client wouldn’t get justice in that court, on the ground that he was likely to be biased in favour of the litigant-donor. The Judge took exception to the request for recusal, and cited the Counsel for contempt. See the case of Deduwa v Okorodudu & Ors 1976 1 N.M.L.R. 237; Adebesin v State (2014) LPELR-22694 (SC) per Ngwuta JSC onInbias.another matter, FF told the court that he didn’t have access to his client who was in custody, and he needed to confer with his client before the matter proceeded. The Judge ordered FF to proceed with the case without seeing his client, and under the circumstances, FF then applied to the court to withdraw his appearance as Counsel in the matter; the application was granted and FF left the court room. Subsequently, a newspaper reported that FF stormed out of the court, and on the basis of the news report, FF was summoned back to face contempt charges! We also learnt that every citizen including Counsel, has a right to remain silent in court and not answer a question put to him or her, even by the judicial officer hearing the case; especially irrelevant questions that are designed to embarrass Counsel like “when were you called to the Bar?”. FF cited the case of Candide-Johnson v Edigin (1990) LPELR-20108 (CA), a case which we should all know by heart, in support of this position; where the Court of Appeal held inter alia that, the twin elements of contempt of court are interference and disrespect. In that case, a Magistrate in Kano asked Mr Candide-Johnson when he was called to the Bar. He refused to answer and was cited for contempt and convicted. The Court of Appeal, overturned the conviction, referred to such questions as “unnecessary extra-judicial verbal exchange”, and the invocation of contempt of court in this instance, as an abuse of judicial authority. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN talked about a constitutional amendment to separate the office of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister of Justice, so that the former can see himself as nothing but a servant of the law acting in the interest of the public, and not that of the government. More importantly, he asked that government, both Federal and State, make budgetary allocation for the payment of judgement debts, since it is inevitable that litigants will secure judgements against them.
The Advocate ONIKEPOonikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.comonikepob@yahoo.comBRAITHWAITE
IIITHISDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THE ADVOCATE
Registration Booth where Conference Materials were stolen from ‘Bandit’ Lawyers and the 2022 NBA Conference
My Idea of Conference Materials: The Takeaway Personally, the most important conference material for me, is always my takeaway from the conference, that is, what I learn from the sessions that I attend, and not the bags or gifts.
Joseph Otteh of Access to Justice, identified the problem of the independence of the courts as undermining the justice delivery, while Dr Uju Agomoh submitted that we are obsessed with imprisonment, and created awareness of the plight of those who are mentally ill (some not necessarily having committed any crime, but have been consigned there by their families who are ashamed of them) being kept in prison (in one case, for 24 years), which does not have the proper facilities to cater for them.
IV TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY LAW REPORT
Facts The Appellant hired the deceased who was a commercial motorcyclist, to take him to Akoodo in Benue State. The father of the deceased - PW1, testified before the court that, when the deceased did not return, he got information from PW2 who is also a motorcyclist, that it was the Appellant who hired the deceased at their motorcycle stand to go somewhere. When PW1 went to look for the deceased at Akoodo, he learnt that the corpse of a 15 year old boy was discovered at Gwarche Road, and the Police accompanied him to a mortuary where he identified the body of the deceased. PW1, in search of his motorcycle, went to the Appellant’s house and met his mother who told him that she saw the Appellant in company of a young boy who carried him away. PW1 went with some vigilantes and some Policemen to the address given by the Appellant’s mother, where the Appellant was arrested with the motorcycle. The Appellant was taken to Wannune Police Station with the motorcycle, where he admitted to committing the offence with one Justine Terdoo Ishor. Justine Terdoo was also arrested thereafter, and made a confessional statement admitting to committing the offence with the Appellant. The Appellant and Justine Terdoo were consequently arraigned before the High Court of Benue State on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide punishable with death. The Prosecution called three witnesses in proof of its case: PW1- the father of the deceased, PW2 - the motorcyclist and a relation of the deceased who claimed he saw when the Appellant hired the services of the deceased, PW3 - Inspector Peter Abuma, an officer who investigated the case. The Appellant and the co-accused person testified for themselves, and raised the defence of alibi. The trial court found both accused persons guilty as charged, and sentenced them to death. Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, the Appellant and the co-accused person filed appeals to the Court of Appeal. At the Court of Appeal, parties were invited to address the court on an issue raised suo motu, on whether the Appellant’s conviction for culpable homicide punishable with death can be sustained on the evidence on record and findings by the trial court on the doctrine of last seen, other than his confessional statement. Counsel for the Appellant filed a filed and adopted his written address, in respect of the issue raised suo motu. The Court of Appeal, in its judgement, expunged Exhibit 2, the confessional statement of the Appellant which was admitted in evidence by the trial court. The appellate court, therefore, discharged and acquitted the Appellant of the offence of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery. The Court of Appeal, however, affirmed the trial court’s conviction of the Appellant on culpable homicide punishable with death on the doctrine of last seen, which issue was raised by the appellate court. Nonetheless, they discharged and acquitted Justine Terdoo of all offences charged. The Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court.
2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right to have affirmed the conviction of the Appellant for culpable homicide punishable with death on the doctrine of last seen on the sole evidence of PW2, in the absence of any other evidence (Exhibit 2 having been expunged) vis-à-vis the evidence of the Appellant at the trial court denying the alleged offence and giving unchallenged evidence of his whereabout when the offence allegedly took place.
Court’s Judgement and Rationale In deciding issue one, the Supreme Court raised the question whether the Court of Appeal has the power to raise an issue suo motu and answered same in the affirmative. Their Lordships held there are occasions when the court may feel that a point, which has not been raised by any of the parties, is necessary for consideration to reach a correct decision in a case. But, the key element is that, the court must bring it to the notice of parties, so that they may address it on the point before basing its decision on it - OJE v BABALOLA (1991) 4 NWLR (Pt. 185) 270. In this case, the Appellant’s counsel addressed the court on the said issue raised suo motu, and the hullaballoo over this issue is without substance. More so, in an appeal, the appellate court is to determine whether the judgement of the court is right, and not if the reasons therefore are right – HILARY FARM LTD. v M.V. “MAHTRA” (2007) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1054) 210 at 229. On issue two, the Apex Court held that since the evidence of PW2 was unchallenged, the Appellant is reasonably expected to give an explanation as to his involvement with the deceased and lead evidence that the deceased took him to his destination and departed from him alive. There is nothing on record to help the Appellant, in the task of rebutting the presumption arising from his being the last person that the deceased was seen alive with. Therefore, the Court of Appeal was right to apply the doctrine of last seen to this case, and affirm his conviction for culpable homicide punishable with death. Regarding the effect of expunging Exhibit 2 by the Court of Appeal, it was held that the resultant effect of an Exhibit being expunged from the record, is that such exhibit should be regarded as if it had not been tendered and admitted. Thus, it cannot be legal evidence upon which the court can properly make a finding of fact. The pertinent question here, is whether the Appellant hired the services of the deceased on the fateful day. This has nothing to do with what the Appellant said in the statement in Exhibit 2, which was expunged from the record. The court is thus, left with whether the evidence of PW2 was enough to convict the Appellant, and the Court of Appeal found it was enough to validate the conviction based on the doctrine of last seen. Deciding issue three, the Supreme Court held that commonly, the provision of Section 167(d) of the Evidence Act relates to withholding of documentary evidence where a party is in possession of a document, contents of which are material, he is expected to produce it. If he fails to, it may reasonably be presumed that if the party had produced it, the contents would have spoken against that party. In this case, the Prosecution did not refuse to produce the statement made earlier by the second accused person when asked by the defence counsel.
“…..where there is sufficient evidence to fix an accused at the scene of a crime, there would be no need for Police to embark on the voyage of investigating an alibi.…because of the doctrine of last seen, which the Court of Appeal applied to convict the Appellant, his defence of being elsewhere at the time in question “cannot hold water” Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC
3. Whether the court below was right when it affirmed the decision of the trial court, that the failure of the Prosecution to tender the first statement made by the Appellant at Wannune Police Station upon his arrest was not fatal to its4.case.Whether the Court of Appeal was right to have held that the failure of the Prosecution to investigate the defence of alibi raised by the Appellant upon his arrest was not fatal, on the ground that PW2’s evidence fixed the Appellant to the scene of the crime. Arguments On issue one, counsel for the Appellant argued that since the decision of the trial court was not based on the doctrine of last seen, the Grounds of Appeal had no bearing on the issue raised suo motu by the Court of Appeal, and having expunged Exhibit 2 on which the conviction of the Appellant by the trial court was based, the Court of Appeal ought to have allowed the whole appeal. Counsel posited that the Court of Appeal cannot rely on the provisions of Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act on the general powers of the court, to go outside the case before it. In response to the above, counsel to the Respondent argued that although the issue was not contained in the Grounds of Appeal and was not the basis of the trial court’s judgement directly, it is competent; and the provisions of Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act 2004 is succinct and very clear, obviating the need for the issue to be so Onover-flogged.issuetwo,it was submitted for the Appellant that it is only the evidence of PW2 that the Court of Appeal found to be “enough evidence” for the said doctrine of last seen. Counsel reproduced PW2’s evidence in full, and submitted that apart from the shaky, inconsistent, and unreliable evidence of PW2, there is no evidence, direct or circumstantial, in support of the conviction on the doctrine of last seen by the Court of Appeal. Per contra, counsel for the Respondent argued that even if Exhibit 2 had not been expunged, it has no bearing on the evidence of PW2, and it was not out of place for the Court of Appeal to look at PW2’s evidence to see if there was not enough evidence to sustain the conviction of the Appellant for culpable homicide punishable with death on the doctrine of the last seen alone, apart from the confessional statement. Arguing issue three, counsel for the Appellant contended that the failure of the Prosecution to tender the statement he made at the Wannune Police Station in Benue State, after his arrest, was fatal to its case, because it failed to prove that he was arrested in Taraba State, and he told the Police at the earliest opportunity that he knew nothing about the incident, and clearly stated his whereabout within the period. In response, counsel argued for the Respondent that the Court of Appeal was right to uphold the trial court’s decision and the Prosecution’s failure to tender the statement made at Wannune Police Station was not fatal. He submitted that the Appellant should have called for the statement produced, like that of the 2nd accused person, which was produced and tendered by their counsel as Exhibit 6. He submitted that failure to call for his own statement from Wannune Police Station showed the insincerity on the part of the Appellant, and that the provision of Section 167(d) of the Evidence Act applies only if they had requested for the statement which was not Regardingproduced.issuefour, counsel argued for the Appellant that the only flimsy escapist excuse given by PW3, the Investigating Police Officer, was that he did not know whether the Appellant pleaded alibi in his statement at the Wannune Police Station, the statement which he agreed receiving from the IPO. He submitted that the fact that the Appellant raised alibi when he was arrested and made a statement was not categorically denied; and that PW3 was only evasive in that regard. Opposing the submissions above, counsel argued for the Respondent that flowing from the doctrine of last seen, the issue of alibi raised by the Appellant cannot hold water. He argued that the alibi raised by the Appellant is flawed and wholly unreliable; PW2’s evidence unequivocally pinned him at the scene, the defence could not avail him. He argued further that the onus was on the accused to establish the plea of alibi raised by him, on the balance of probability.
1. Whether the doctrine of last seen raised suo motu by the Court of Appeal is incompetent, having not arisen from any of the grounds of appeal and not being the basis of the judgement of the trial court, and if the answer is in the positive, whether the affirmation of the conviction of the Appellant for culpable homicide punishable with death by the Court of Appeal is not liable to be set aside.
Representation E.O. Okoro with F.C. Pam, J.O. Ibegbunam, H.O. Ugwu for the Appellant. A.K. Obekpa (C.S.C, MOJ, Plateau State) for the Respondent. Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR) (An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)
Invoking Section 167(d) of the Evidence Act in this case is, certainly, out of the question. On issue four, the Apex Court reiterated the settled position of law that where there is sufficient evidence to fix an accused at the scene of a crime, there would be no need for Police to embark on the voyage of investigating an alibi. In this case, the Respondent is right that, because of the doctrine of last seen, which the Court of Appeal applied to convict the Appellant, his defence of being elsewhere at the time in question “cannot hold water”. Since he failed to give any explanation of what happened to the deceased, the Court of Appeal grounded his conviction on the said doctrine of last seen. Appeal Dismissed.
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 8th day of April, 2022 Before Their Lordships Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Amina Adamu Augie Abdu Aboki Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Justices, Supreme Court SC./513/2017 Between Solomon Bem Kwenev Appellant And The State Respondent (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC)
Conviction Based on Doctrine of Last Seen
Issues for Determination
The following issues were considered for determination by the Supreme Court:
Adiche said Nigerians must be fair in their criticisms, before peace can thrive. She said they should become responsible, before holding the leaders responsible. She said: “As long as we refuse to untangle the knot of injustice, peace cannot thrive. If we don’t talk about it, we fail to hold leaders accountable, and we turn what should be transparent systems into ugly opaque cults”.
The Nigerian political leadership was rated as below par and in need of change for the better, if the country is to be recognised in the community of leading Award-winningNations novelist and Keynote Speaker at the opening ceremony of the Conference, Ms Chimamanda Adichie said. She added that Nigerians do not have good enough leaders to look up to, in the current system. Adichie said that young citizens were finding it difficult to have heroes for mentorship. She said:“We are starved of heroes. Our young people do not find people to look up to anymore”. The Keynote Speaker said it was important for everyone to speak out against injustice and tyranny, even if they were called troublemakers. She said, a bold transition must embrace audacity and innovation. “They have called me troublesome. Although, it is never enjoyable to be called troublesome; I never set out to provoke for it’s sake. But, I refuse to silence myself for the fear of what I might inadvertently provoke. It has always been important to me to say what I believe, to call out injustice. “Federal and State security dragging journalists to prison, is tyranny. A journalist ill-treating his domestic staff, is tyranny. The rape of young boys and girls, is also tyranny. It is tyranny when State governments do not pay pensioners, until they slump and die as broken people. The physical harassment of Lawyers and some Judges, is tyranny. The use of the law by some people to oppress the poor people, is tyranny.”
On his part, Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, spoke extensively on how the State Government used the law, policies and regulations, especially sanctionable consequences, to flatten the fourth Covid-19 curve to protect the citizens.
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday hosted a ‘Lagos Showcase Session’ at the Eko Atlantic City. The Conference, according to the NBA, attracts about 13,000 legal practitioners across all spectrums, as well as other invited participants within and outside the country. Delivering his welcome address at the AGC, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, said the showcase session presents an opportunity for the State’s handlers to highlight some of the achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration. Onigbanjo noted that, the presentations which covered climate change, healthcare, infrastructure development, land management in Lagos, as well as emergency management and security, were designed to use the opportunity of the gathering of Lawyers to tell them there's much more that the State is doing beyond what they are seeing. He explained that there's a lot of projects and
Lagos State Showcase Session
“My experience made me think there’s something dead in us, in our society; a death of self-awareness and ability for self-criticism.
The Health Commissioner further noted: "My last stretch is on mental health. If you recall, the last law we have in this country was in 1920. It was called the Lunacy Law, and this sought to just extract people who had mental health issues out of the society. It had very little understanding on pathobiology of mental health, so we in Lagos developed the Lagos State Mental Health Law that was released in 2019. It was to humanise the management of mental health disease in Lagos. Part of this law means the State has to establish adequate facilities to manage mental illness, to work against stigmatisation of people with mental health in the society, to ensure adequate access regardless of gender, age and economic status and provide treatment according to international best practices".
Showcasing his Ministry’s sterling strides, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, said the State Government is working tediously to reduce the amount of waste being generated in the State in next couple of years. He lamented that the State is now resulting to waste separation and recycling from sources through organised estates, market places and residential homes, to ensure sanity in waste generation in the State, as all six waste disposal sites in Lagos are almost filled up owing to lack of lands. Dr. Bello concluded his presentation by urging Lagosians and residents in the State, especially those living on Lagos Island, to shun panic whenever Lagos experiences flash floods after about 4-5 hours of heavy downpour of rain. He insisted that there cannot be full-blown flood in the State, as there are enough drainage channels, through which the flood water disappears in less than two hours immediately after any heavy rain.
VTUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY
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programmes that will come to fruition in the nearest future, to ensure Lagosians enjoy the dividends of democracy, as well as good governance.
COVER A
he Conference commenced on Friday, August 19 with Jumat prayers at the Lagos Central Mosque between 1pm – 2pm. The following day, Saturday, saw many Lawyers from across the country participating in the Health Walk led by the outgone President, Olumide Akpata.
For Africa’s largest professional body, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the aphorism that promises are easy to make, but hard to deliver, didn't come true at the just concluded Annual General Conference which held at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos last week. The Conference, the 62nd in the Association’s history, which saw over 13,000 physical attendees and an additional 5,000 Lawyers attending virtually, was a huge success despite the challenges, including the inability of all Conferees to get their conference materials and the looting of same, which took place last Tuesday. Onikepo Braithwaite, Jude Igbanoi and Steve Aya report on the proceedings of the 7-day event, at the end of which a new Executive of the Association led by Yakubu Maikyau, SAN was sworn into office cross-section of Lawyers at the Opening Ceremony
cont'd on page VI
A multidenominational Church service on Sunday, August 21 was held for Conferees at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island. The Friendship Centre then was thrown open as from 6pm on Sunday evening at the Eko Atlantic City where Lawyers relaxed, networked, ate and drank. The Opening Ceremony Lived Up to the Expectations of Most Lawyers With the theme of the Conference ‘Bold Transitions’, the Opening Ceremony at Eko Hotel Convention Centre was a razzmatazz of sorts. The who-and-who of the Nigerian legal community were in attendance. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, represented by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, past NBA Presidents, Governors and some of the 2023 Presidential aspirants. Chimamanda Adichie Decried the Absence of Rule of Law in Nigeria
“There’s need for resurrection. We cannot avoid self-criticism, but criticise the government. We cannot hide our own institutional failure, while demanding transparency from the government.” In her closing remarks, Adichie advocated for an uncorrupted judicial system, and called on the NBA to leverage on technology in judicial process and the administration of justice in the country. She said:“Nigerians are disillusioned, because they know of the decline of professionalism in some sections of the legal profession. As the NBA continues to fight the abuse of power, it must also look inward not to be corrupted. “One way is to simplify legal procedure. We deny justice, when we delay justice. Technology should also be used. It is time for the full use of technology in the administration of justice.”
“We are starved of heroes. Our young people do not find people to look up to anymore”
2022 NBA Conference: Bold Transitions
The NBA stepped down its proposed constitutional amendments, because the matter is in court. The decision was taken at the AGM of the Association, which was held at the Conference venue, Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island. The outgone President of the Association, Mr Olumide Akpata, told members at the meeting that there are many areas of the NBA Constitution in need of amendment. He however, expressed regret that the meeting would not proceed with the amendments to the Constitution.
NBA to Deal With Those Who Vandalised Conference Booth Any Lawyer found complicit in the vandalisation of Conference booths, theft of phones, assault on officials will be prosecuted by the Nigeria Bar Association. The outgone NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata, gave this assurance during the AGC. The Chairman of the TCCP gave a vivid explanation of circumstances surrounding the delayed distribution of conference materials, which was all in a bid to give Lawyers the very best. "No one said we will not encounter difficulties in life, but the hall mark is how quickly do we resolve such difficulties", he said. He proceeded to assure members who did not get their bags, that he and the TCCP will work to ensure that all registered members receive the bags in their locations. In a related development, Lawyers stirred commotion again over collection of bags and other conference materials. While the Annual General Meeting (AGM) was ongoing, Lawyers thronged BWC Hotel and grounded its services, stirring commotion again over collection of bags and other conference materials.
“Our Judges really fail to exercise the courage they need to display, when they face challenges like impunity from the State.” He said, “if the Judiciary cannot faithfully exercise their authority, the Judiciary will be undermined”.
Femi Falana, SAN, said the courts have not allowed Lawyers to represent their clients confidently and judiciously. He said the courts give attention to political cases, more than cases of thousands languishing in detention, adding that only cases of the rich and politicians are attended to speedily. To butress his position, he cited the case of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi. He said his case over the deposition was filed, processed, assigned to a Judge, heard and judgement given same day. He noted that, it is not possible for a common man to achieve that in this country. Falana urged Judges to learn to manage cases before them, saying the procedure where cases of senior Lawyers are heard first in court must stop. "Our Judges must learn to manage their courts, if we must ensure speedy dispensation of cases. I see no reason why the provision in the Legal Practitioners Act that allows cases of senior Lawyers to be heard first in court, must continue. "We must stop it, and adopt more efficient ways of freeing the court docket", he said.
"As ministers in the temple of justice, I propose that we step down constitution amendments", he said. He thereafter, asked for a voice vote on the issue, and the Lawyers replied with a tumultuously 'ayes'. There was no dissenting opinion on the issue. The decision to suspend the proposed constitutional amendments, may be connected with the decision of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the suspension of the General
"Depending on the school of thought that the individual Judge is looking at the case from." He further noted that the question of inconsistency does not affect the discretionary power of the Judges on the matter. Justice Tobi further stated that inconsistency of judgements and pronouncements, does not mean that the Judge is corrupt. That in order to avoid speculations, both Lawyers and Judges must draw the line, or they will be compromised by corrupt elements in the society. He pointed out that the reason for such inconsistency includes lack of knowledge on the subject-matter on the side of the Judge, lazy attitude to work, intimidation of Judge and Judiciary officials, and the appointment of Judges amongst others. He however stated that, the Code of Conduct is neither the solution, or the rescue that the Judiciary needs.
Owing to the development, Akpata sought and got the permission of other Lawyers at the AGM to dispatch the 1st Vice President of the Association, John Aikpokpo-Martins to BWC Hotel, to join officials in charge of distribution of conference materials, to bring the situation under control.
COVER SPIDEL Breakout Session Panelists at the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBASPIDEL) breakout session, "Consequences of Undermining the Judiciary Under Democracy" including Activist Lawyers, Femi Falana, SAN, and Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, blamed Lawyers, Judges and politicians for undermining the Judiciary. Access to Justice (A2J)’s Executive Director, Joseph Otteh, also shared this view. Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN blamed Nigerian Judges for undermining the Judiciary. Chief Ozekhome, made this submission when he spoke as one of the Panelists on the SPIDEL breakout session at the AGC. According to him, “Nigeria is in quagmire, Judges are afraid to deliver judgements, because Government is on their neck”. He further observed that this is one of the consequences of undermining the Judiciary, under the country’s democracy. He however, opined that the Judges must be given the independence to do their job fearlessly. Speaking along the same line or thoughts, Mr Joseph Otteh, the Executive Director, Access to Justice explained that a host of factors limits the functionality of justice in the court. He identified that overcrowded dockets, escalating cost of accessing justice as major barriers, as in the case of filing fees. He also stated that the courts are not responsive enough to the issue of people having access to the courts of law.
Lagos C J Receives Transparency Africa Award
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, has called for total eradication of corruption in all sectors of the nation's economy, saying that every corrupt practice, including institutional corruption, must be avoided for the rebirth of a greater Nigeria. He made the plea during an award presentation made to him on Wednesday, 24th August, 2022 by Transparency Africa at the High Court Annex, Osborne Ikoyi, in acknowledgement of his transparent achievements, excellence, integrity and leadership approach. Saying that corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society, the Chief Judge maintained that it is imperative for Nigerians to rise up and put an end to the monster, by ensuring that right pegs are put in the right holes. His words: "Until the system is ready to put disciplinary measures in place to serve as deterrent, we cannot move ahead in the eradication of "Whencorruption".complaints are made and people cannot stand by such complaints and allow due processes take its natural course, and then it makes it difficult for corruption to be eliminated", he stated. Alogba therefore, enjoined and encouraged the delegates to be bold and transparent while discharging their duties, just as he promised to ensure an incorruptible system in the Lagos State judiciary.
Another Panelist, Founder and Director of PRAWA, a non-governmental organisation that seeks the welfare of Nigerians in Correctional Centres, Dr Uju Agomoh, disclosed that the actual figures of Nigerians in Correctional Centres is unknown.DrAgomoh made this disclosure on Wednesday during the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) discussion session at the Annual General Conference (AGC). She added that the current state of the nation's correctional centres is unacceptable due to the over crowding, when there are provision in the Correctional Service Act of 2019 to deal with the problems.
"We violate the law that we have created. Section 2, sub-sections one to the end have given the Controllers of the Correctional centres the right to take action when the centres are about to be filled to capacity, and yet, no action has been taken", she added. Also speaking at the session, Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, called for the separation of the office of the Attorney-General and that of the Minister of Justice, in order to separate the Judiciary from politics. He also called for a separate budgetary allocation, for both Federal and States, to take care of judgement creditors who have to put extra effort just to get what is due to them. Also speaking, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, said that the current situation where the rights of Nigerians are seen as mere benefits or dividend of democracy, must be corrected. He made reference to the current situation where the American Dollar is been used as a means of exchange by some individuals, as unacceptable. He gave example of Pakistan and Kenya, where sitting Chief Justices of these nations stood against the dictatorial tendency of the political leadership of their countries, while here in Nigeria the case wasThedifferent.SPIDEL session ended with a resolution by all Lawyers present, to work harder to change the system for the good of all. Inconsistency in Judiciary Pronounce ments Cannot be Eradicated - Justice Ebiowei Tobi JCA The inconsistency of judiciary pronouncements in Nigeria cannot be eradicated, according to Justice Ebiowei Tobi. Justice Tobi made this remark while delivering a paper at the break out session. Speaking on the topic, ‘Lack of Consistency in Judiciary Pronouncements in Nigeria: Code of Conduct to the Rescue’ , the Justice of the Court of Appeal maintained that inconsistency in judiciary pronouncements and judgements can only be reduced. "You can not eradicate the inconsistency in Judiciary Pronouncements, you can only reduce it."
Prof Owasanoye further disclosed that, every year, a lot of phantom projects are included in the budget. He noted that where the money involved is in small bites, it is not easily discovered; but that, when in large bites, they are easily discovered. "What we do at ICPC is that we take the budget, we break it down and bring out the padded amount", he said.
Justice Tobi added that the reason for this, is because individual Judges cannot all look at cases the same way.
NBA Suspends Proposed Constitutional Amendments
VI “If the Judiciary cannot faithfully exercise their authority, the Judiciary will be undermined” cont'd on page VII 2022 NBA Conference: Bold Transitions
Keynote Speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“We are still paper driven which is labour intensive, and we are not prepared enough for another pandemic.”
Otteh frowned at delays trailing cases, attributing the snag to transfer of Judges without adequate preparations.
Lawyers, Courts Aiding and Abetting Corruption - Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, bashed Lawyers for aiding money laundering abetting corruption.Owasanoye said this while speaking as a discussant on the topic:"How Corruption Fuels Insecurity and Bad Governance: The Role of Lawyers in Tackling Corrupt Practices in Nigeria" . He said Lawyers act as middle men for suspects in most money laundering and corruption cases. He then cited a case under investigation, during which the money involved was traced to the account of a Lawyer. "When we got to the account, the looted money had been further transferred to so many accounts, in an effort to frustrate investigation."
The ICPC Chairman also said that some Judges have also made things difficult for the anti-corruption agency. In the case of courts, the ICPC Chairman said the courts issued orders stopping anticorruption agencies from investigation and making arrests. "The biggest culprits are senior Lawyers, and it is a matter of regret that the NBA is not doing anything about it."
Chairman, Civil Society Against Corruption, Olanrewaju Suraju, in his contribution to the topic, noted that senior Lawyers are in the habit of defending corrupt politicians. Suraju berated senior Lawyers for not defending the rule of law. "They are agents of money laundering, and they undermine the legal profession. "These lawyers allow corruption of judicial officers and Judges, to the extent that some Lawyers in opposition are abused by court clerks", he said.
A bewildered Olumide Akpata informed the meeting of the matter, while also expressing his disgust over the conduct of the Lawyers. He said: "Lawyers have taken over BWC Hotel. Lawyers are sitting on the tables and desks of the"ItHotel.has become impossible for the hotel to conduct their businesses."
cont'd from page V TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY
COVER Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah. In response to the order of the court, the NBA filed an application at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, to restrain Mrs Oduah from giving effect to the Federal High Court order which reversed the NBA-NEC’s ratification of her suspension. Along with its Notice of Appeal, the NBA also filed an injunction, pending appeal, suspending the effect of or any actions or steps that may give effect to the court order under appeal at the appellate court, according to sources.
Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN, Former NBA President –‘Outstanding Conference’
“The Conference was outstanding for quality and relevance of the presentations, in particular, the main plenary session on 2023 elections which I had the honour to moderate. It was very clear that organising a conference for 13,000 Lawyers must have been a major logistics challenge, but the Conference was very well presented indeed. My real concern is that, future conferences will be extremely difficult as it’s clear to me that we will reach 20,000 Lawyers attending within 5 years, so we must think through a new conference format. The 2022 Conference deserves our praise, and I salute the Conference Planning team and Olu Akpata for a great job.”
Tuduru Ede, SAN – ‘Endless Queue for Conference Materials Disheartening’ “Generally, the presentations at the breakout sessions were quite incisive and enlightening. The senior members of the NBA, gave their best. I am sure that the young ones gained substantially from the sessions. The SLP session met quality of standards set. The Conference organisation however, witnessed a downside, following avoidable failure to distribute conference materials early and poor quality of the conference bags. One thought that materials would have been sent to Branches a week to the Conference, for attendees. It is criminal to collect money from Lawyers, and recklessly deny them the materials for use at the Conference. Worse still, Lawyers were dehumanised by leaving them to queue endlessly for unavailable materials, for which they had paid months ago. I believe that this occasioned the riotous protest, at the distribution centre. It is disheartening that the TCCP Chairman who claimed to have experience of attendance at several international Lawyers conferences, woefully failed to replicate same for under 20,000. Hotel accommodation was superb. The next administration of Y.C.Maikyau, SAN, should tap on those with seamless conference organisational competencies and prowess.”
“The 2022 AGC of the NBA was a huge success, and I can say that it met my expectations. The Olumide Akpata Administration did very well, especially with regard to the fact that they were able to build, in record time, the Conference Village on some land reclaimed at the Bar Beach. The Opening Ceremony on Monday, Day 1, was very impressive, remarkable for the Keynote Address delightfully delivered by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and also the Plenary Session addressed by Atiku Abubakar, Kashim Shettima, Peter Obi and some other Presidential Candidates for the 2023 Presidential Elections. The other Working Sessions that I attended were very useful, particularly the one on Conflicting and Inconsistent Judgements of the superior courts in TheNigeria.one sad episode that I noted, was the fracas that emanated from the problem of late distribution of Conference Bags. All in all, it was a good Conference.”
Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN, Former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School – ‘I have My Reservations’ I have my reservations about the NBA Legal Education session. The Panel wasn’t up to what I expected. The NBA Legal Education session was ‘Fit for Purpose Lawyer: A Reflection of the State of Legal Education in Nigeria’. We had one Dean, 15 Lecturers, one member of the NBA Legal Education Committee, No current NBA officer or newly elected officer. One BOB/Council of Legal Education, No BOSAN. The Profession no be joke.”
Folashade Alli - ‘Very Refreshing and Worthwhile Experience’ “The Conference was a highly remarkable one. It was an opportunity to gain better understanding of topical matters relating to the legal profession, as well as socio-political issues affecting our nation. The intellectual prowess and expertise of the speakers were exceptional. The Conference was certainly a very inclusive one, owing to the diversity of the various sessions and the combination of speakers. Thoughtfulness was exhibited in the Conference’s organisation and logistics, for example, the provision of crèche for the children of the participants. There is however, still room for improvement in certain areas, particularly in the distribution of the conference materials to participants and management of time. Overall, I would say that the Conference was a very refreshing and worthwhile experience. I commend the Organising Committee of the Conference, and the leadership of the NBA at large.”
The NBA, through its Lawyers, had argued that the lower court, in reaching its decision, erred by failing to take into account the reliefs sought in Oduah’s Originating Summons, in making a determination as to whether the ratification alters the subject-matter of the proceedings.
THIS DAY Lawyer spoke with a cross-section of Senior Lawyers on their impressions of the 62nd NBA AGC OCJ Okocha, MFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS – 19th Millennium NBA President – ‘It Met My Expectations’
VIITUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY 2022 NBA Conference: Bold Transitions
A source within the NBA-NEC stated that the suspension of Mrs Oduah stands until determination of all applications in court filed by the two sides, particularly, the decision of the Appeal Court in the matter.
Rafiu Lawal Rabana, SAN – ‘Conference Surpassed My Expectations’ “The Conference in terms of content and registered attendees, surpassed my expecta tions. The choice of venue was spacious, and made movement within the Conference easy. However, I think the breakout sessions were too many, and time allocated to sessions were not sufficient to properly discuss the issues. I will therefore suggest that, future conferences should not be crowded with many sessions.Overall, I score the Conference high, and congratulate the organisers.”
Sir Anthony Idigbe, SAN – ‘We Must Build a Respectable Bar’ “I spoke about building a respectable Bar - Issues in the Regulation of the Legal Profession. I noted that the role of Lawyers and the justice delivery system is important, because as William Hume Blake observed, the court of justice is the bastion against misgovernment. Lawyers require high ethics and technical skill, to discharge their solemn role in society. There is concern about the falling standards of justice delivery. Many factors, including concerns about quality of service, are driving the need for change in the profession globally and locally. The IBA has identified six drivers of change in the legal ecosystem. The NBA LPRRC reviewed the situation, and made recommendations for reform in 2017. The reforms are yet to be implemented, resulting in a call for renewed commitment to reform by NBA. Those opposed to reform are mistaken. Unless there is a change, the profession may become irrelevant with new forms of service delivery using technology taking over. If the issues of skill gap are not addressed, other professions may successfully encroach into the legal profession. In the end, the objective should not be just building a respectable Bar, but one that is sustainable and globally competitive.”
page VI
"Nigerians have been so terrorised, pauperised, and what is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession.This voice must speak against the terror in the land, and this is the charge that my administration will spare no one”
YC Maikyau Takes Over as President of NBA The baton of leadership of the NBA on Friday, passed from Mr Olumide Akpata-led Executive to the newly elected President of the NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN. The impressive swearing in ceremony of the new NBA National Executive was held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. In his acceptance speech, Mr Yakubu Maikayau, SAN, urged members of the legal profession to provide leadership to the country. Maikyau called on the Federal Government, to show commitment to the protection of lives and property in the country. He made this appeal against the background of the spate of banditry, kidnaping, cattle rustling and killings bedevilling the country. According to him: "The Nigerian State is passing through a perilous time. There is the insecurity challenge, and the situation appears so overwhelming. "Many Nigerians live below poverty line. "There has been no time that Nigerians have looked towards the Bar, than now. "Nigerians have been so terrorised, pauperised, and what is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession. This voice must speak against the terror in the land, and this is the charge that my administration will spare no one", he said. Maikyau stressed that Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the manifestation of members the Bar, to salvage the nation. Earlier in his handover address, Mr Olumide Akpata gave assurance that the NBA will continue to protect the cause of the society and make Nigeria a better place through its section, NBA-SPIDEL, under the leadership of Dr Monday Ubani. Akpata noted that many things are holding the country back as a nation, stressing that the NBA is the only Association that is reflective of the country.
Osaro Eghobamien, SAN – ‘Lawyers Must Take Their Health Seriously’ “I was the lead speaker, at the Wellness Talk. I integrated my words with my action by doing 50 press-ups. I enjoyed myself.”
Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN – “We Must Learn to Keep to Time” “I was not able to attend all the ses sions, but I found the ones I attended to be well thought out and topical. My greatest challenge with the Conference as a whole, was the failure to keep to time. It's a major area in which we must make significant improvements going forward.”
Theodora Kio-Lawson, Head, Branding & Corporate Communications – ‘NBA Finally Ready for Bold Transition’ “My takeaway, is the obvious fact that the Bar is finally ready for the disruption that brings about a full transformation. And that the bold reforms initiated by the Olumide Akpata-led administration, is making this transition almost seamless. It’s a whole new era, and we’re ready for it. Working with the highly skilled members of the TCCP was wholly satisfying, and the resourcefulness of the team was evidenced in the carefully selected topics/sessions, the line-up of a distinguished faculty of speakers, robust conversations at the technical sessions, and the networking and social events - all of which came together to form a well-curated and memorable Conference.”
A cross-section of Guests at the Dinner cont'd from
Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, SAN –‘Looting is Condemnable’ “I was aghast when I watched the trending video on the looting of conference materials, and the attack on Conference official by Lawyers at the AGC of the NBA. This shameful conduct must be condemned in the strongest terms. The incident is a national embarrassment. All over the world, Lawyers are held to the highest ethical standards by the profession and the society. Failure to adhere to these ethical standards, must attract grave repercussions. I think that every Lawyer found complicit in this ignominy, should be prosecuted. The culture of impunity where people feel that they can do what they like, must be discouraged. It is time we begin to hold people accountable for their actions. There must be consequences for bad behaviour.”
Ayuli Jemide, Chairman NBA-SBL –‘Relevant Content, Quality Speakers’ “The NBA AGC 2022 Planning Committee headed by Tobenna Erojikwe delivered an impactful Conference, from the standpoint of well thought out relevant content and quality of speakers. The use of technology was efficient and seamless, with a first class virtual experience deploying Whova and Zoom to make virtual participants feel like they actually attended. The infrastructure deployment at Eko Atlantic was such an audacious one that could only be achieved by someone as bold as Olumide Akpata, our amiable outgoing NBA President. In all I would say 8 over 10. The 2 lost on a few glitches expected in any plan to host 13,000 Lawyers.”
"NBA needs to show this country how things should be done, and rise above selfish interest. We must show our leaders how things should be run in the country. "In the NBA, we exist for our members, but we must also speak for the lesser members of the society." Akpata also urged the Association, to rise in defence of Judiciary. He said where Judges are not able to speak for themselves because of the position they occupy, the NBA should be prepared to stand up for the Judiciary.President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by Justice S. Saidu, said she looks forward to a healthy working relationship between the court and the Bar. She advised the new President of the NBA, Y.C. Maikyau, to use his office to restore the good image of the Judiciary and the country.
VIII TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY IMAGES Mrs Ifueko Alufohai Tobenna Erojikwe Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya Yakubu Maikyau, SAN Femi Falana, SAN Theodora Kio-Lawson Olumide Akpata Dr Monday Ubani EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa Afam Osigwe, SAN Mr George Etomi Mrs Efe Etomi Chino Obiagwu, SAN Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN Governor Godwin Obaseki Professor Kingsley Moghalu Olawale Fapohunda, SAN Professor Ayo Atsenuwa
L-R Panelists: APGA Presidential Candidate, Professor Peter Umeadi; PDP Presidential Candidate, HE, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Panel Moderator, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima; and Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi L-R: Yusuf Ali, SAN; Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN; and Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi L-R: Sendiong Udornah; Ruth Mfon; Chairman, NBA Uyo Branch, Ememobong Udoh; Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Onofiok Luke; and Kanayo O. Kanayo L-R: NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN; AG, Lagos State, Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN; CJ, Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba; Mrs Osayamon Akpata; Chairman, TCCP, Tobenna Erojikwe; Chinaku Onyemelukwe; Governor Godwin Obaseki and Olumide Akpata L-R: Mabel Ekere; Ayo Akintunde, SAN; Gbola Akinola, SAN; Bukhari Bello; and Chijioke Emeka, SAN L-R: DG, Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Chiroma, SAN; Alhaji Yunus Ustaz Usman, SAN; and Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SANL-R: SDP Presidential Candidate, Mr Adewole Adebayo; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Governor Simon Lalong; and APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima L-R: ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN; AG, Oyo State, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN; AG, Imo State, Mr Cyprian Akaolisa; and Mr Olatunde Busari, SAN L-R: Yakubu Maikyau, SAN; Dr Ibe Kachikwu; Professor Kingsley Moghalu; Governor Godwin Obaseki; OCJ Okocha, SAN; Governor Simon Lalong; Professor Pat Utomi; Tobenna Erojikwe; and Coordinator, Adesuwa Erewele L-R: Former AG of Lagos, Mrs Hairat Balogun; NBA President 2020-2022, Olumide Akpata; First female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke and Conference Keynote Speaker, Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie L-R: Former NBA General Secretary, Rafiu Lawal Rabana SAN; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former NBA Presidents, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OCJ Okocha, SAN, Chief Thompson Okpoko, SAN; and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN
L-R: Desmond Ogba; former NBA Assistant General Secretary, Ms Uchenna Nwadialo; former NBA National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapuluchukwu Nduka; and former NBA National Treasurer, Mrs Mercy Ijato Agada
IXTUESDAY, AUGUST30, 2022 THISDAY IMAGES
X TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY IMAGES
AG, Delta State, Isaiah Bozimo (left) and Dr Tunde Ajibade, SAN L-R: Former NBA 3rd VP, Frank Omubo-Briggs; former NBA 2nd VP, Debo Adeyemo; and former NBA National Welfare Secretary, Kunle Edun L-R: Albert Akpomudje, SAN; A.K. Ajibade, SAN; and A.O. Adelodun, SAN L-R: Former NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, SAN; Yakubu Maikyau, SAN; George Etomi; and Olumide Akpata L-R: Odein Ajumogobia, SAN; Hon. Onofiok Luke; AG, Ondo State, Sir Charles Titiloye; and CJ, Plateau State, Hon. Justice David G. Mann L-R: Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN; Mrs Chinyere Nwokocha; Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN; and Mrs Nkechi Ezeako L-R, Lauretta Diayi; Prof Gbenga Oduntan; Cordelia Eke and Deputy Editor, Thisday Lawyer, Jude Igbanoi L-R: Former NBA General Secretary, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN; Mrs Zainab Makyau and Mrs Osayamon Akpata L-R: Femi Falana, SAN; Dr Monday Ubani; Dr Uju Agomoh; and Mr Joseph Otteh Mrs Adejoke Layi-Babatunde and her husband, Mr Layi Babatunde, SAN Mr & Mrs Olumide Akpata and Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN Olumide Akpata (left) and Olawale Fapohunda, SAN L-R: OCJ Okocha, SAN; Onikepo Braithwaite; and Olawale Fapohunda, SAN Governor, Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu and his wife, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu L-R: Partner, ALP, Ms Aisha Rimi; AG, Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN; and Editor, This Day Lawyer, Onikepo Braithwaite
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Malaysia Jails Ex-PrimeMinister for Corruption
Diplomats say the IR-6 is its most advanced model, far more efficient than the first-generation IR-1 — the only one the deal lets it enrich with. For more than a year, Iran has been using IR-6 centrifuges to enrich uranium to up to 60 per cent purity, close to weapons grade, at an above-ground plant at Natanz. Recently it has expanded its enrichment with IR-6 machines at other sites. Last month a second IR-6 cascade at Fordow, a site buried inside a mountain, started enriching to up to 20 per cent. In the confidential report to UN member states, the watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, wrote: “On August 28 2022, the Agency verified at FEP that Iran was feeding UF6 enriched up to two per cent U-235 into the IR-6 cascade ... for the production of UF6 enriched up to five per cent U-235.”
IAEA Reveals Iran Steps Up Underground Uranium Enrichment Iran is pressing ahead with its rollout of an upgrade to its advanced uranium enrichment program, a report by the UN nuclear watchdog seen by Reuters on Monday showed, even as the West awaits Iran’s response on salvaging its 2015 nuclear deal. The first of three cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-6 centrifuges recently installed at the underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz, is now enriching, the report said, the latest underground site at which the advanced machines have come onstream.
“Your government was the most corrupt in Brazilian history,” said Bolsonaro, 67, rattling off figures from the Petrobras scandal in a rapid-fire attack. “It was a kleptocracy, a government based on robbery.... What do you want to come back to power for? To do the same thing to Petrobras again?” Lula fired back that Bolsonaro was spreading “untruths” – one of several exchanges in which they accused each other of lying – and, in turn, accused the incumbent of trashing the legacy of economic growth and anti-poverty initiatives that Lula left as president. “This country has been destroyed,” he said in his trademark gravelly voice.
FOREIGN DESK XIII COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE
“And you don’t want to light the candle until it’s ready to go,” Nelson said. “They’ll get [the problems] fixed, and then we’ll fly.” NASA engineers could not chill one of the rocket booster’s engines to the correct temperature, a process involving running liquid hydrogen kept at minus 217 degrees Celsius through the engines. Engineers tried several fixes, but none worked. NASA teams earlier on Monday dealt with delays due to a thunderstorm that passed near the launch site in the southeastern state of Florida and a leak discovered during fueling operations. The test involves the Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful in NASA’s history, which will propel the Orion capsule without any astronauts on board for this flight. Orion is due to go around the moon and return to Earth, with the entire journey taking about six weeks. If successful, NASA plans to fly astronauts around the moon in 2024 and potentially put them on the lunar surface as early as 2025.
“We were eagerly waiting to welcome him [in India]. Fifteen minutes after sending the first message, my son texted me again, saying that the immigration officials had taken away his passport,” Kaur, an American citizen who is on a family visit to India now, told VOA. “Three hours later, he was made to board a New York-bound flight and deported to the US.” Singh, who is an American citizen and a practising Sikh, had visited India many times in the past and made documentaries on subjects including the country’s farmer protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, Kashmiri Muslim protests and “love jihad” — a right-wing Hindu belief that Muslim men lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam and spread theSinghreligion.had last visited India two or three years ago and made a documentary on the Shaheen Bagh sit-in protest, Kaur said. In 2019 and 2020, in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh neighbourhood, mostly Muslim women blocked a major road in protest of a new Indian citizenship law welcoming immigrants of all religions from neighbouring countries except Muslims. Later, during the COVID-19 pandemic’s second wave, Singh made a documentary, Inside India’s COVID Hell, for which he received an Emmy nomination. Although Singh was on a personal visit to India this time, Kaur said, Indian authorities suspected that he would do some professional work while in the country.
It was a moment few Malaysians could have imagined a few short years ago in a country, and a region, where the political elite are seen to exist beyond the law. On August 23, the Southeast Asian country’s Federal Court upheld a 2020 conviction for corruption against Najib Razak, sending a man who stood at the peak of Malaysia’s political power pyramid only four years ago as prime minister to jail with a 12-year sentence. Najib had been out on bail for the past two years and was still serving as an elected lawmaker while fighting the original verdict, even after losing his first appeal in ForDecember.anti-corruption campaigners, the top court’s decision to stand behind Najib’s conviction and put a former prime minister behind bars affirmed the newfound independence of a judicial system long seen to be lacking it. Until 2018, when Najib lost the prime minister’s seat in a seismic election upset, “the public perception ... was the independence of the judiciary was questionable, always thinking that there is executive involvement,” said Muhammad Mohan, president of Transparency International Malaysia, the local chapter of the global graft-fighting watchdog..
IMF Gives Cash-Strapped Pakistan Bailout Funds THISDAY , AUGUST 30, 2022
18 Killed in Madagascar Police Shooting atAlbino Kidnap Protesters
The International Monetary Fund executive board approved almost $1.2 billion for Pakistan Monday, providing much-needed relief as the country grapples with an economic crisis worsened by massive floods.
Angola’s President DeclaredWinner of Divisive Election Angola’s electoral commission on Monday declared the ruling MPLA, in power for nearly five decades, the winner of last week’s national election, handing President Joao Lourenco a second term. The election commission gave the ex-Marxist People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) a 51.17 per cent majority after all votes were counted, while its longtime opponent, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, or UNITA, got 43.95 per cent, its best result ever.Fewer than half of Angola’s registered voters turned out for Wednesday’s election, which despite being the closest fought yet, will extend the rule of MPLA to beyond 50 years since independence from Portugal in UNITA1975. leader Adalberto Costa Junior has rejected the results, citing discrepancies between the commission’s count and the main opposition coalition’s own tally. He did not immediately respond to the announcement of the final results.
India Denies Entry to Emmy-NominatedUS Journalist An American journalist and documentarymaker of Indian origin was sent back to the United States after he landed at New Delhi airport last week, his family reported. Angad Singh, who produces video documentaries for Vice News, had arrived to visit his relatives, including his mother and grandparents, in India when he was refused entry by Indian immigration officials at the airport, his mother told VOA. Angad arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport from the United States at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, he informed his mother, Gurmeet Kaur, in a text message.
“Pakistan’s economy has been buffeted by adverse external conditions due to spillovers from the war in Ukraine and domestic challenges,” Antoinette Sayeh, IMF deputy managing director and the acting chair, said in a Criticizingstatement.government policies that caused “uneven and unbalanced growth,” Sayeh stressed Pakistan must implement “corrective policies and reforms” to regain economic stability and inclusive and sustainable growth. The loan approval comes as Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves stand at a mere $13.5 billion, as of August 19, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. Weekly inflation touched 45% in August, according to government data, with prices of food and fuel skyrocketing. Announcing the board’s decision on Twitter, Miftah Ismail, Pakistan’s finance minister, congratulated the nation and thanked prime minister Shahbaz Sharif “for taking so many tough decisions and saving Pakistan from default.” The $1.17 billion is part of a $6 billion loan program agreed upon in 2019.
Fueling Problem Forces NASA toPostpone Moon Rocket Launch US space agency NASA postponed the planned launch Monday of a new rocket and crew capsule designed to eventually send astronauts back to the moon after encountering a series of fueling leaks and difficulties in getting one of the booster engines chilled to the correct temperature for NASAliftoff.could attempt the launch again on Friday if it resolves the problems. “We don’t launch until it’s right,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said of the postponement. “You can’t go. There are certain guidelines, and I think this is illustrative that this is a very complicated machine, a very complicated system, and all those things have to work.
Analysts fear any dispute could ignite mass street protests and possible violence among poor and frustrated youth who voted forTheJunior.announcement came a day after the funeral of Angola’s long-serving ex-ruler and MPLA stalwart, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who died in Spain in July, so security in the capital Luanda was tight.
Eighteen people died Monday after police in Madagascar opened fire on what they called a lynch mob angered at the kidnapping of an albino child, a senior doctor told AFP. Dozens were wounded, some of them seriously. “At the moment, 18 people have died in all, nine on the spot and nine in hospital,” said doctor Tango Oscar Toky, chief physician at a hospital in southeastern Madagascar. “Of the 34 injured, nine are between life and death,” said the doctor giving graphic details of the injuries. “We are waiting for a government helicopter to evacuate them to theAroundcapital.”500 protesters armed with blades and machetes “tried to force their way” into the station, a police officer involved in the shooting said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There were negotiations, [but] the villagers insisted,” the officer told AFP over the phone from the town of Ikongo, 90 kilometres (56 miles) southeast of the capital Antananarivo. Police first fired tear gas and then rounds in the air to try to disperse the crowd, he said. “They continued to force their way through. We had no choice but to defend ourselves,” the officer added. The national police in the capital confirmed the “very sad event,” but only gave a toll of 11, with 18 injured.
Bolsonaro, Lula Trade Jabs in Brazil Debate Sparks flew as far-right President Jair Bolsonaro accused leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of massive corruption – and drew accusations of “destroying Brazil” in return – as they faced off in their first election debate. The two front-runners, who waited until the last minute to confirm they would attend the first televised debate ahead of October’s elections, wasted no time attacking each other in Sao Paulo. Bolsonaro called Lula a “thief” in his opening salvo, pummeling the 76-year-old ex-president over the massive “Car Wash” corruption scandal centred on state-run oil giant Petrobras. The investigation landed Lula in prison from 2018 to 2019 on controversial corruption charges – annulled by the Supreme Court last year.
John Shiklam writes on the success story of the multi-million Modern Primary School, Mararaban Jos in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which was constructed by Access Bank/ Fifth Chukker, as part of efforts to get 13 million out-of-school children off the streets
“What you see today, is the combination of the collaboration with Fifth Chukker, Accee Bank, UNICEF and support by tremendous number of people that support us both in kind and encouraged the platform. It is an outcome of teamwork and it has shown that where there is the will, there is a way." the food. Female parents under the gender empowerment platform will cook the food and be paid to supply the kids in the school. “That also works with uniforms and a lot of other things. So it is the beginning of an exciting period for us. We want to see the community transformed, we want to give empowerment to the community, we want to give gender education, we want to take those 13 million kids off the streets and this is the first step towards that”, Attah said. He said parents would be sensitised on the essence of quality education and be encouraged to send their children to school. “We are going to empower the parents by giving them things to do. So they would also be direct beneficiaries of the project. We hope that this is the game changer”, he added. He expressed gratitude to Mrs. Ummi El-Rufai, who is the UNICEF Charity Ambassador for the school and many others who supported the“Iproject.wantto recognise all the people that have been behind us, especially, her Excellency, (Mrs. Ummi El-Rufai), the UNICEF ambassador for this school who has tremendously, against difficult situations, given the school support and“Youtime.know it is one thing to extend resources and it is another thing to be physically involved and“Therepartake.are a lot of other people also. Like I said, Herbert Igwe and the Access Bank team, Fifth Chukker team, the UNICEF team and also SUBEB team in Kaduna”, Attah said. While addressing the pupils during her visit, Mrs. El-Rufai, decried the low standard of education in Nigeria, describing it as poor. “In these days in Nigeria where (the standard of ) education is very poor, giving the op portunity for children to learn is something I will like to be part of”, she said in an interview after addressing the pupils. She called on parents to invest in the education of their children to groom them for a better future. She urged parents in the Mararaban Jos community to take advantage of the school which has provided free, quality education to the children. The governor’s wife commended the founders of the school for touching the lives of the less privileged, saying she is proud to be associated with the project. “I am very proud to be part of this project. I am happy for the children, I want to beg parents to allow their children to go to school for a brighter future. Parents should stop sending their children to hawk on the streets”, the governor’s wife urged.
Attah explained further that following the introduction of school feeding by the govern ment, the population of pupils went up from 500 to 12,000 pupils. “The school we had initially was not even adequate for 500 pupils. We decided that we might as well create a sustainable platform rather than just extension. “We decided to create a platform that will really have an impact. So in 2019, we decided to build this school and create a platform where, 12,000 pupils could receive education”, Attah said.He said by the end of 2019, “we had built our portion of the school which was 60 classrooms. Unfortunately it was the onset of the global pandemic so we could not enrol the children in the school. We had to wait for a year and a half. “But that was not all together a bad thing, during that period, we understood the virtues of digital platforms which is virtual learn ing and we decided that we will introduce that into the curriculum of the school. The school is a virtual school as well.
About 13 years ago, the Chairman of Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, Kaduna, Adamu Attah, alongside some of his friends, Mike Omokhodion and Herbert Wigwe, now Managing Director of Access Bank, saw the need to come together to contribute their quota in addressing some of the problems in the education sector, especially in the north, where millions of children are out of school. To achieve this, they felt it was imperative to set up a platform that could offer some kind of philanthropic gesture that would not just address issues in the education sector, but also issues in the health sector considering the health challenges facing many communities in ThisNigeria.was the motivating spirit that gave birth to the construction of the Access Bank/Fifth Chukker Modern Primary School, Mararaban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.Located in the vast, serene environment at the Fifth Chucker Polo and Country Club along Jos road, the school could be described as one of its kind with state of the art facilities. The 60 classroom school with the capacity of accommodating 12, 000 pupils, is equipped withwith all the facilities conducive for teaching and learning- computers, well furnished and specious classrooms, electricity and qualified teachers.Theschool has large enrolment of pupils, especially, the girl child, in a mainly Muslim community where girl child education is not encouraged.Theschool is free, including the provision of uniforms and books. Attah and his friends had initially adopted the government own LEA Primary School in Mararaban Jos community which had barely 500 pupils at the time. However, with the introduction of the free feeding programme by the government, the population of pupils in the school shoot up to 12,000 beyond the capacity of the school. As a result of the growing population of the pupils, Attah and his partners, decided to explore the possibilities of constructing a new school to provide a better learning environment. Explaining how it all started in an interview with THISDAY during a visit to the school by the wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Mrs. Ummi El- Rufai, Attah said the initiative was a combination of the collaboration with Fifth Chukker, Access Bank, UNICEF and support by many people.
Attah described the school project as an impact project based on a stakeholder which will benefit people in the community.
Attah said, “About 12 or 13 years ago, Mike Omokhode, myself looked at the situation of education, particularly, in Northern Nigeria and we decided that it is necessary to create a platform that could extend some kind of philanthropic support to issues concerning education and health.
The Success Story of Kaduna's Fifth Chukker
“So we adopted the Mararaban Jos Primary School which had barely 500 pupils at that time. We also co-opted our friend and partner, Herbert Wigwe who later became the Managing Director of Access Bank into our vision of thisHeextension”.saidoverthe years, Fifth Chucker and its partners had contributed immensely towards capacity development, infrastructure, education and health in the Mararaban Jos community.
“It is work in progress, the project itself is an impact project, based in a secular economy concept, stakeholder concept, meaning that everybody that is involved in this project is a direct beneficiary of a sort”, he said. According to Attah, the teachers, the pupils, workers and the community will all benefit from the initiative. He said under the gender empowerment programme of the project, parents who are farmers will grow the food supply while female parents will cook food and be paid to supply the pupils. Similarly, tailors would be empowered by engaging them to sew school uniform for the pupils.“For instance, our idea with the school feeding is that the parents who are farmers will grow
The pupils
Mr. Adamu Attah playing host to Mrs. Ummi El-Rufai during her visit to school
FEATURES Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430 XIV THISDAY DAY
It is work in progress, the project itself is an impact project, based in a secular economy concept, stakeholder concept, meaning that everybody that is involved in this project is a direct beneficiary of a sort
The Obi Effect! T he homecoming of Atiku Abubakar to Yola and Jada on Monday, August 15, 2022, the PDP fitness rally that took place in Calabar, Thursday, August 25, and the visit by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to Bauchi on Wednesday, August 24, all boasted crowds by far larger than anything Peter Obi and his Obidients have ever pulled in all their so-called one-million man marches. And campaigns have not even started yet. As the September 28 official campaign take off date approaches, Nigerians will begin to see the actual offline capacity of the various political parties and their Presidential candidates. Although it is now obvious to many, by then, the Bradley Effect that has been driving the Peter Obi hysteria will become obvious to his horde of supporters. The Bradley Effect is a political phenomenon that originated in 1982, after Los Angeles mayor, Tom Bradley, an African American and democrat, woefully lost the California gubernatorial election to the then California attorney general, George Deukmejian, a White Anglo-Saxon. The reason Mayor Tom Bradley’s defeat was so remarkable was because he won every poll conducted by the leading pollsters of the day, and was the bookmakers’ favourite to win the election.
TUESDAY, THISDAY XV THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri
In fact, a day after Election Day, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a headline declaring "Bradley Win Projected." Alas, it was never to be. The Bradley Effect was blamed on overwhelming reliance on polling, and a blatant disregard for political realities and time-tested campaign techniques.
Peter Obi is actually an excellent candidate, but he is not a politician. Right now, he is like a child who has found a puppy and now he is dapper (to borrow from the words of the late Eric Lynn Wright, better known as Eazy-E).
ObiAtikuKwankwaso
It is said that history does not repeat itself, rather, men repeat history and blame history, because it is an inanimate thing. I will not be surprised if after the February 25, 2023 Nigerian Presidential election, Nigeria adds a new word to its political lexicon -The Obi effect. What is the Obi Effect? Simple: Overwhelming reliance on social media, and a blatant disregard for political realities and time-tested campaign techniques. And the thing about Peter Obi and his Obidients is that they cannot be counselled. They suffer from the ‘smartest man in the room complex’. Though they have very little political experience, they will not listen to those that do, preferring to lecture them instead.Forinstance, when you ask them their path to victory, they begin spinning fantastic tales about how they will win in the Southeast, South-South, Lagos, and the Middle-Belt. And when you try to bring up history, they tell you to hell with history. Are they not aware that the best predictor of the future is the past?
The truth is that the biggest beneficiary of Peter Obi’s Presidential race is Tinubu, not Obidients. Peter will not affect APC’s votes. The votes he will likely get are votes that would have naturally gone to PDP, including in the Southeast, some non-Yoruba Lagos votes, a chunk of Benue votes, and a few votes in peripheral states. If the Peoples Democratic Party is not careful, Peter Obi will be to us what Ross Perot was to President George H W Bush. Bush seemed set for reelection in 1992, until the billionaire, Ross Perot, a fellow Texan, ran as an independent, and split the Republican vote, handing Bill Clinton a stunning victory. This is because Obi’s political and economic philosophies are almost a facsimile of the Peoples Democratic Party’s founding principles. This means that he is appealing to Peoples Democratic Party voters, not All Progressives Congress voters. Other than states which became opportunistically All Progressives Congress (e.g. Imo and Ebonyi), Obi cannot pull up to 100,000 votes in any core All Progressives Congress state, with the exception of Lagos. The inevitable conclusion is that the votes he will be getting are going to come from Peoples Democratic Party bastion states. And of course, certain persons, who have a hidden agenda, have convinced Peter Obi that he can win, and that hope has become hysteria.
Peter Obi is not an Igbo candidate. However, he is of Igbo origin. And as Chinua Achebe said in his seminal work, Things Fall Apart: “It’s true that a child belongs to its father. But when a father beats his child, it seeks sympathy in its mother’s hut. A man belongs to his fatherland when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness, he finds refuge in his Nigeriamotherland.”isPeter Obi’s father. But his mother is Ndi’Igbo. And if we are to be honest, Peter Obi’s father has been very abusive and unjust to his mother. And now that the mother has the chance to be the favourite wife, she will fight tooth and nail to secure it. That is the hysteria which has blinded the eyes of the core Obidients. That uncontrollable emotion makes them blind to a lot of things. One of which is that the Yoruba have NEVER voted for a non-Yoruba when a Yoruba is in the race. It does not matter whether or not they like the person. Another is that the Hausa and Fulani have only ever voted for a Muslim, whether he be from the North or South. You might raise the issue of Jonathan. I was one of the strategists behind President Jonathan’s 2011 victory and we lost in the North. What we were looking for was 25%, which we got in 2011, but could not get in 2015. In fact, we got less than 20% in Kano, Bauchi, and Yobe in 2011. And no core Northern Governor will risk his political future for a ticket that is seen by Northern masses, rightly or wrongly, to be against their core interests. As extremely popular as he was, Kwankwaso tried it in 2003. Go and ask him what happened to Unknownhim. to the public, Peter Obi is a master of propaganda. The main Obidient on Twitter, who poses as a light-skinned girl, is actually an IPOB agent in Abuja. I challenge her (him) to sue me. Mike Ozekhome is my lawyer. I will unmask him with IP tracing. Tinubu is a master tactician. He knows Peter Obi cannot win. And he knows that very, very little of Peter’s votes, if any at all, will come from him. He is aware that Peter is eating into the PDP’s votes. So, he will promote Obi’s candidacy through proxies. Because that is one of his paths to victory! All he would ask from his Southeast foot soldiers is that they should get him 25% of the votes in at least 2 Southeastern states. And he will get it in Imo and Ebonyi, by hook or by crook! Tinubu may not know how to articulate. But he knows how to calculate. One of the most difficult jobs on Earth is to run a drug cartel. Tinubu did it and only got a slap on the wrist from the FBI. He is tactical. Anyone who underestimated him is not wise. Not wise at all. In conclusion, I would counsel Nigerians not to get carried away. 2023 is a bipolar election. A two-horse race. As long as God spares their lives, one of either Waziri Atiku Abubakar or Bola Tinubu will be President. My money is on Atiku. He is the best candidate. And the arithmetic favours him. It is all a matter of mathematics. There are 176,846 polling units in Nigeria and 96.2 million registered voters. Of these polling units, 93,191 are in Northern Nigeria, while 83,655 are in Southern Nigeria. The Northwest has the most polling units with 41,671, and 22.67 million registered voters, closely followed by the Southwest with 34,808, and 18.3 million registered voters. Then the North-Central has 27, 514 polling units, and 15.68 million registered voters. The South-South is next with 27, 126 polling units and 15.3 million voters. The Northeast has 24,006 polling units and 12.8 million registered voters. While the Southeast has 21,631 polling units and 11.49 million registered voters. These are facts that will determine 2023, not insults, abuse and threats! To those who would like to see crowds, be patient. Wait until after September 28., 2022. The crowds you will see will sift those who make noise from those who make news. There is no polling unit on social media. So, if you like, you can catch your cruise and win your election there!
Reno’s Nuggets
Dear men, Avoid red meat Eat organic Eat Reducefreshsugar intake Drink only water. Forget beer (drinking beer is NOT a sin) Avoid or reduce bread consumption Reduce your salt intake Eat unripe plantain once a week Avoid any food that has been artificially dyedWalk 10,000 steps a day If after doing these, your WIFE is not extraordinarily happy in a certain room, stop following me!
#RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu
“Everything has gone up, particularly with what is hap pening in Russia and Ukraine, prices all over the world have gone up, including the dollar that we thought won’t depreciate. “So, that also has a direct impact on the construction industry, and on people who are players in the construction industry; the contractors, the clients need to upscale their capacity so that at the end of the day, anyone who suffers damage, can get some kind of compensation when all the issues are put on the table, and that is what this workshop is intended to achieve.”
UNILAG Has 25-Year Strategic Plan to Promote Self-reliance, Entrepreneurship, Says Ogundipe Bennett Oghifo
The EDPA boss continued: “The second phase will certainly be an upgraded unit in design, size and amenities with power supply from Ossiomo Power Company, adequate security and title document. Environmental sustainability is one of the thematic pillars of the Obaseki-led administration and there will be a central sewage system in the upgraded units. history, when resilience in all its ramification is required, to identify innate/inherent strengths and capabilities, engender preparedness, survival instincts and coping strategies. He said, “At the University of Lagos, resilience is embedded in the administrative structure, as well as in our rigorous and carefully crafted programmes towards providing critical workforce to fill a manpower gap in the nation’s labour space.”
“The central theme Resilience (of the conference) is coming at no better time than now in our national life and academic L-R: Director, Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), Prof. Timothy Nubi; Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Modupe Omirin; and Co-director, CHSD, Prof. Taibat Lawanson, at the third yearly Urbanisation and Habitable Cities conference in Lagos… recently Quantity Surveyors Advised to Apply Legal Framework in Executing Contracts
He said earlier editions of the ARUA CoE conference on Urbanisation and Habitable Cities had focused on the state of infrastructure in urban Africa (2019/2020), and the state of informality and inequality in urban Africa (2020/2021).
PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT THISDAY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022XVI
Edo Hands over 68 Homes to Emotan Estate Subscribers Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
“The P3P agenda in UNILAG, under my humble self, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe led management, is built upon the principle of Public-Private Partnership model to attract support for academics, research and infrastructural needs of the University.“TheP3P Strategy which stands for ‘Pick a Project, Pick a Programme, Pick a Person’ has encouraged well-meaning individuals to support the university’s quest for continued growth and global competitiveness. This has enabled us to weather the great storms of the COVID-19 pandemic and still come out stronger than ever. As a bastion of research in the University, Nigeria and Africa at large, the African Research Network for Urbanisation and Habitable Cities (AR-NUHC) under the ARUA Centre of Excellence for Urbanisation and Habitable Cities, University of Lagos has consistently been trailblaser and provided unique platforms to engage, collaborate, research, curate and co-produce local knowledge and workable solutions to Africa’s challenges.”
The state government also redeemed pledges to two outstanding teachers in the state, including a Biology teacher at Asoro Grammar School (Senior), Mrs. Benedicta Idele, who emerged first runner-up in the 2021 Maltina Teacher of the Year competition, and Mrs. Noragbon Enogiomwan Osaru, who was Edo Best Head Teacher in 2018 and second Best Head Teacher nationally in the same year. Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Managing Director of EDPA, Mr. John Zedomi, said the buildings in phase one have been completed and ready for handover, while all is set for the construction of the second phase of the project. He said, “Today is the handover ceremony of 68 units of the first phase of Emotan Estate to a few subscribers who have collected their keys. “Two of the recipients are people who Governor Godwin Obaseki pledged to give units to as a reward for hard work and dedication to service. We have handed over three units to three subscribers but all the units are ready for handing over. “We are about to commence another 140 units of houses following the commitment of Governor Obaseki to reduce the housing deficit in Edo State.”
IFMA Nigeria Partners Alpha Mead, Employ 40 Graduating Technical Students
session with all the stakeholders to ensure that the event was a success.Inhisopening remarks, the President of the International Facility Management Associa tion Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Segun Adebayo noted that he is delighted that the maiden edition of the Engagement session with graduating students of the various technical colleges in Lagos has become a reality. According to him, “When we conceived the idea of sup porting students of the technical schools, we knew it is the way of supporting the future of the built industry as artisans and technicians are very crucial to making business sustainable. During the 25th Anniversary of the association, we started the Mentorship programme for the technical students. We equipped the students with toolboxes, safety jackets, and safety helmets as their disci pline of learning falls within the facility management industry. The students were promised employment upon completion of their education and this has come into fulfillment.”
The NIQS president, Shonubi, represented by the Deputy President, Qs Kene Nzekwe, said: “Before now, we had carried out a survey amongst our members on the areas they would want us to upskill their capacity and this was one of the areas indicated interest.
The Vice hasTemitayoProfessorUniversityChancellor,ofLagos,OluwatoyinOgundipesaidtheirresolve is to build human capacity beyond academic qualifications by applying a 25-Year Strategic Plan that deliberately seeks to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and exemplary leadership skills and capacity in students. Ogundipe stated this recently at the 3rd Annual Urbanisation and Habitable Cities conference hosted by the ARUA Centre of Excellence for Urbanisation and Habitable Cities of the University of WelcomingLagos. distinguished participants, Ogundipe said, “UNILAG is delighted to host the gathering of erudite scholars and researchers from across Africa to interact, deliberate, engage, collaborate and infer sustainable pathways towards actualising an African agenda. “The strength of any system, society, organisation or nation is best evaluated by its ability to withstand shocks and stresses and get back on track.
Fadekemi Ajakaiye
The Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) has handed over 68 housing units to subscribers of its affordable housing scheme, the Emotan Gardens Estate, in Benin City, the state capital.
He said, “As the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, the University of 1st Choice and the Nation’s Pride, the culture and tradition of excellence in research has continued to anchor our engagements, collaboration, consultation and deliberations.
“This third edition is set to build and strengthen the resilience of urban centers in Africa. Urban Resilience in Africa is in line with the objectives of the ARUA CoE to address seemingly intractable problems impeding the functionality of African Cities. As predicted by the United Nations, within the three and half decades between 2015 and 2050, about three quarters of a billion people will be added to urban Africa. Simply put; 750 million people within 35 years will find their way to African urban centres. This portends a serious burden on already stretched basic infrastructure, housing and other social services, resulting in a relatively high percentage of African urban dwellers living in slum conditions. Without any intervention to these prevalent scenarios, more than 50% of Africa’s population are likely to live in slums by 2025, which is just less than three years Ogundipeaway.”saidthe pleasant aspect was that “where the African strength lies requires confronting the challenges headlong to optimally maximise the vast opportunities that will propel and consolidate Africa’s growth and development. Indeed, Africans are resilient. “Africa is Resilient but the ubiquity of its resilience need be documented, curated and theorized to change the narrative and tell Africa’s story from African’s point of view.”
Bennett Oghifo Practicing Quantity Surveyors have been advised to apply the nation’s legal guidelines in executing contracts to avoid complications.Theywerealso enjoined to improve their skills to enable them compete internationally and to apply global best practice and standards for better service delivery.President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, QS Michael Shonubi gave the advice during a two-day national workshop for quantity surveyors in the country, which took place in Abuja, recently. The theme of the conference was: ‘Construction Contracts Claims; Evaluation Presentation and Analysis’. Over 400 members attended the conference and 84 new members were inducted. The federal government was also urged to strengthen existing laws on construction to capture issues that may arise from contract claims by various parties.Thetwo-day workshop was designed to upgrade the skills of Quantity Surveyors and for them to learn modern techniques in the construction industry. They also discussed poor planning and management of contracts by some of its members, use of quacks, persistent insecurity in the country, as well as high cost of building materials, and they agreed that these issues must be addressed to enable professionals and the nation compete internationally.
While appreciating IFMA, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Ms. Moronke Azeez appreciated IFMA Nigeria Chapter for taking the work being done by the technical colleges to the next level by getting their graduates gainful employment. She said, “We are applauding the initiative of IFMA Nigeria Chapter, which has changed the fate of our graduating students as they are getting employed immediately after completing their programme. We urge all our graduating students to be great ambassadors of LASTVEB in their respective places of work.”
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter has taken her strategic collabora tion to another height through the creation of employment opportunities for Forty (40) graduating students of various Government Technical Colleges in Lagos State in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board. The event titled “Graduating to Employment: The Opportunity to Excel” took place at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos today. Four Corporate Members of the association, namely: Alpha Mead Facilities Limited, Provast, Meditrack and Specific tools & Techniques Limited, have employed all these students. All the graduating students had an engagement Members of NIQS and resource persons after the technical sessions of the capacity-building event in Abuja… recently
He said the workshop would ensure that the NIQS equipped its “members with appropriate skills that would assist them in quality service delivery to their employers and contractors.
NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE SORGHUM 100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG50KG50KG JIGAWAKADUNALAGOSBENUEENUGUDELTAABIA N23,000N17,000N9,000N8,500N8,500N23,000N23,000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE RICE 100KG50KG50KG50KG50KG50KG50KG50KG RIVERSKWARASOKOTOPLATEAUABUJA(JOS)LAGOSOYOEDO N23,000– N25,000 N23,500- N25,000 N23,000– N26,500 N11,500– N13,000 N22,000- N25,000 N24,000– N27,000 N23,000– N26,500 N17,000– N20,000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE COCOA 1 TON 1 TON 1 TON 1 TON 1 TON CROSSONDOEDOAKURESOUTH,ONDOOSUNRIVER —––N740,000N760,000N720,000N740,000N730,000N755,000N730,000–N750,000N700,000–N720,000 RATES AS AT AUGUST 29,2022 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%
Peter Uzoho Power Generation Companies (Gencos) in Nigeria have attributed the inability to achieve the 5000 megawatts (MW) minimum power generation and delivery to Nigerians from July 1, 2022 to the refusal of gas producers to sign new Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs).THISDAY learnt from one of the major gas-powered electricity generators that the gas producers were adamant to sign new contracts due to dwindling confidence in government as they were allegedly owed about $1 billion as legacy debts.The power generator who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, said they had approached the gas producers but were told that they would not activate any new contract unless their $1 billion legacy debt was offset by government.
The source said both the Gencos and the gas suppliers had lost confidence in government, adding that the Gencos were still owed close to N2 trillion for power generated.Healsosaid since the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu recently claimed that more gas supply contracts had been activated, raising the number of such contracts from the existing five, the minister should have as well told Nigerians how many new contracts were activated and the Gencos and gas producers involved.The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had told journalists that the market participants, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Gencos, Distribution Companies (Discos), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria has paid over N2.802 trillion as petrol under-recovery sums between February 2021 when the payment of petrol subsidy fully resumed and June 2022, a period of 17 However,months.while the monies paid for fuel subsidy in the whole of 2021 was N1.43 trillion, between January and June of 2022, the country has almost equalled that amount, with subsidy hitting N1.372 trillion in the first six months of this year. According to official figures from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), what that implies is that the amount paid for fuel subsidy in the entire 12 months of 2021, has equalled the one paid in the first six months of The2022.development underscores the negative impact of the international price of crude oil, which averaged $80 in 2021 but has hit as high as $120 sometime this year on the country’s importation costs. President Muhammadu Buhari recently backtracked on the planned full deregulation of the downstream sector, including the wholesale removal of petrol subsidy, citing the negative impact it would have on the poor and the vulnerable in the country. For decades, Nigeria’s attempt to fully free the downstream oil and gas industry has met with a brick wall even as the latest effort had been pushed forward by about 18 months, culminating in around June next year and effectively exempting the current administration which will exit by May 2023 of the burden. In addition, the NNPCL has been struggling with production capacity, pumping less than 1.1 million barrels of crude oil daily last month as against its projected 1.8 million barrels per day, on the back of dilapidating upstream infrastructure and years of Aunder-investment.breakdownofthe various subsidy deductions indicated that payments had increased progressively since 2021, growing from N24.3 billion in February to N60.3 billion in March and N61.9 billion in Furthermore,April. in May, the NNPC removed N126 billion as subsidy, while June came next with N164.3 billion. In July, the document stated that N103.2 billion was spent on what the government termsHitherto,under-recovery.Augusthad the year’s lion’s share of N173.1 billion but was overtaken by the deduction in November of N200 billion, while September’s deduction stood at N149.28 billion and the October figure was N163.709 billion, before the N270 billion removed in TheJanuary.NNPCL had told the nation that Nigeria was losing about 42 million litres of petrol to the activities of smugglers across the country’s borders, increasing Nigeria’s estimated daily consumption of 60 million litres to 103 million litres at a point, thereby worsening the subsidy payment regime.
Nigeria has not been able to reap the full benefits of rising international oil prices because it doesn’t refine a drop of the fuel it consumes locally. This means that almost all the revenues from sales are spent importing petrol and paying subsidies, even for neighbouring countries where the product is smuggled into. On November 23, 2021, the Group Managing Director of NNPC , Mallam Mele Kyari, had projected that petrol would sell for between N320 and N340 per litre from
Nigeria Pays N2.8trn Petrol Subsidy in
BUSINESS WORLD Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com08056356325
17 Months as H1,2022 Cost Nearly Equals Total 2021 Value How Non-activation of New GSAs, Mistrust Foiled Gencos 5000MW Power Generation Target 19 Continued on page 20 Continued on page 20 FOOD COMMODITIES PRICE TODAY THISDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, has said that the firm was reducing its carbon footprints by massive reduction in gas flaring in itsTheoperations.pledge is coming against the backdrop of Nigeria’s adoption of 2060 as a suitable date for its net zero transition as African leaders seek energy justice in the transition process. Hydrocarbons remain a major source of pollution globally, but Nigeria has recently adopted gas as its transition fuel, which it said would help to fund other renewable infrastructure. Stressing that the country will pursue new and profitable energy ventures to deliver the country’s net zero transition, Kyari, who spoke at the public launch of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the country will continue to lead Africa in that regard.
Some industry watchers have urged the federal government to respect the sanctity of contracts as it concerns the $1 billion investment by the Azura Edo Power plant, saying any action to the contrary might negatively impact the credibility of the sector.
20 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria has backed Saudi Arabia’s call on the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to address the disconnect between paper and physical oil markets, which is causing some volatility in the international oil industry. Several other OPEC+ countries have already expressed support for Saudi Arabian energy minister Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Salman, who said last week that OPEC+ has the flexibility and commitment to cut crude output levels if needed in response to the price disconnect.Physical(also known as cash) market prices are determined by the supply and demand for physical crude where traders buy oil from the producer and sell it to the refiner for immediate delivery. Physical buyers and sellers have a direct pulse on the market and may feel immediately when it is well supplied, or not. Futures prices, on the other hand, are determined
“Subsequently, NNPC is taking advantage of Nigeria’s huge natural gas reserves of over 200 trillion cubic feet of gas with the potential to grow to 600Tcf.
The source also alleged possible underhand deals in the system as regards budgetary approvals and disbursements for power generation, saying the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had been approving monies for power generation but that the Gencos were still being owed. According to the anonymous source, there is corruption everywhere in the system and people are busy cleaning up from wherever they can at the expense of the sector and Nigerians. He added: “Anytime we say, pay us our money so that we can pay our gas suppliers, the minister will say there is no money, but FEC has been approving money for power generation. Where did the money go to? Go and check FEC’s approvals and disbursements for power generation from April 2022 till date, you will see how much has been approved for power
The Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr Joy Ogaji, had stated that the liquidity challenge in the sector had made operating in the generation value chain very difficult for the companies.Ogajimaintained that Gencos were ready to generate the power needed in Nigeria but that utilisation had been stagnated at just 4000MW since privatisation due to transmission and distribution constraints. She said Gencos had many challenges they were contending with including non-payment for power generated, inability to pay gas suppliers, and most critically, the foreign exchange constraints as Gencos struggle to access dollars to pay for gas, buy equipment and maintain equipment whose payments were mostly in dollars.
Nigeria is currently facing an economic crisis with rising debt servicing costs, fuel subsidy payments, which from all indications could exceed the budgeted N4 trillion this year as well as a massive drawdown on its Excess Crude Account (ECA). In January, February and March 2022, the data indicated that petrol subsidy payments gulped N210.38 billion, N219.78 billion, and N245.77 billion, respectively while in April, Nigeria spent N271 billion and N327.07 billion in May 2022 to cater for the shortfall of the importation of petrol. For the month of June, the national oil company deducted N319.18 billion from the federation account as payment for petrol subsidy. To compound the current subsidy crisis, Nigeria does not know its exact daily consumption of petrol and is believed to be subsidising neighbouring countries due to the arbitrage created by the subsidy in Nigeria. The problem is expected to even worsen in 2023 with a current projection of as much as N6.72 trillion by the country in its 20232035 Medium-term Expenditure Framework & Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF&FSP).Buharirecently responded to international criticism of the retention of subsidy payment, especially by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stressing that even in the West, subsidies are being paid by governments in various forms.
Nigeria Backs Saudi on Need to Curb Oil Market Volatility Azura: Experts Want Sanctity of Contracts Respected
“We have taken steps to decarbonise our operations by primarily excusing gas flares from our operations, pursuing carbon capture initiatives and technology that supports low carbon operations while focusing on gas as a transition fuel.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
HOW NON-ACTIVATION OF NEW GSAS, MISTRUST FOILED GENCOS 5000MW POWER GENERATION TARGET gas suppliers had agreed to activate contracts that would lead to the generation, transmission and distribution of at least 5000MW of electricity to Nigerians with effect from July 1, 2022. The commission’s Chairman, Mr. Sanusi Garba, who made the announcement, explained that the purpose was to ensure that gas suppliers, Gencos and Discos recover monies spent in rendering services in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). This would have meant the prompt payment for gas supply, power generated and put into the grid and the one consumed by customers.Theinitiative was to also ensure total compliance and commitment to the contracts as well as sanctions to any defaulting party. However, since the announcement of the initiative, nothing was heard until penultimate week when Aliyu disclosed that new contracts had been activated but that the target volume of power could not be achieved due to gas shortages. But one of the power generators who pleaded anonymity said: “Gas suppliers said they would not sign. If they don’t sign, what can Gencos do? They said they don’t trust the government. The ones that were signed before, what happened to them? Has the government been fulfilling its own “Thereobligation?issomuch uncertainty in the system and the gas suppliers are sceptical about everything. They want the legacy debt to be cleared before they can venture into any other contract. They are in business to make profit and remain in business, and not to be making losses. Gencos are also in business to make profit and not“Thelosses.minister of power told Nigerians that they could not achieve the 5000MW target because of gas supply constraints. He also said that more gas supply contracts had been signed. But he did not mention the people involved in the new contracts. Maybe he said it to please his principal and please Nigerians.“Butthe truth is that, no new contract has been signed. We Gencos have been pleading to government to pay us our money for the power we have generated.”
FOOD COMMODITIES PRICE TODAY NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE ONIONS 100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG100KG BENUEIBADANDELTAENUGUKANOGOMBELAGOSABIA N25,000N27,000N21,000N15,000N10,000N12,000N25,000N29,000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZESTATEPRICE PALM OIL 25CL25CL25CL25CL25CL25CL LAGOSIBADANEDOPHIMOABUJA NNN20,000-N25000N18,000-N22,00019,000–N21,000N19,500–25,00021,000–N24,500N19500-N25000 NAME COMMODITYOF SIZE LOCATION PRICE MAIZE 100KG100KG100KG100KG50KG JIGAWADELTALAGOSENUGUABIA NNNNN900015000135002400014000 NAME COMMODITYOF S IZE STATE PRICE TOMATOES 25KG40KG40KG40KG40KG BENUEABIADELTAKADUNALAGOS N15,000N18,000N17000N5,000N9,500 TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY
“More investment is expected due to the recent resolution of the production sharing contracts with our partners and the empowerment of the NNPC by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to take full responsibility for commercial operation of the Joint Venture assets,” Kyari stated.According to him, these significant reserves will provide the resources for a low carbon energy alternative that will support growth in the power and industrial sector and reduce energy poverty, carbon footprints and create more employment opportunities.Thelaunch highlighted Nigeria’s commitment and ambition in achieving carbon neutrality while also ending energy poverty, which it said will lift 100 million people out of poverty, drive economic growth, and bring modern energy services to the entire population. The drive for Nigeria’s energy transition is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) which advocates affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. by the supply and demand for crude futures positions. Futures markets provide traders with a means to bet on crude prices at certain points in the future, and also allows physical market participants to hedge their position and, therefore, minimise risk. “A stable oil market benefits all -- consumers, producers and investors alike. It is also a catalyst for global economic growth.“Assuch, any measure required to ensure the stability of the oil market, whenever it is necessary, will always be comprehensively supported by Nigeria,” S&P Global quoted the Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva, as Brentsaying.futures contract has seen an uptick since bin Salman’s comments and was trading at $100.3/b amid a United States stock draw and reduced optimism about an Iran nuclear deal. A further statement by Sylva Sunday stated: “The current extreme volatility observed in the oil market calls for caution, and Nigeria, a world energy major, would work assiduously in ensuring a right and necessary path to stability.”?Thefront-month Brent contract settled at $99.34/b last week, down $1.88 on the day. It has fallen back from a recent high of $120.83/b on June 8. Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
NIGERIA PAYS N2.8TRN PETROL SUBSIDY IN 17 MONTHS AS H1,2022 COST NEARLY EQUALS TOTAL 2021 VALUE February, this year if the federal government began full deregulation of the downstream as prescribed by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). But the estimated price of petrol as of June this year was put at between N500 and N550 if subsidy is yanked off. But a further review of the first half of 2022 data released by the NNPCL showed that petrol subsidy claims surpassed oil and gas revenue by a whopping N210 billion during the period. In addition, within the period under review, the NNPCL recorded N2.39 trillion as gross revenue from oil and gas receipts, while subsidy claims amounted to N2.6 trillion.The data further revealed that N1.59 trillion was used to cover part of the subsidy costs in the first six months, leaving an outstanding balance of N1.01 trillion to be recovered from July 2022 proceeds this month.
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance had recently said that the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, (NBET) dragged the country into a Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) that was detrimental to the interest of the country. The Azura plant has an output of 461 megawatts and contributes over 10 per cent of the daily electricity generated into the grid. The agreement with the firm by the federal government was to the effect that Azura would evacuate the total energy being generated by the company or the government will bear the risk for such generation. But the distortions in the country’s transmission capacity has remained a key barrier to the agreement, impacting government’s revenues negatively anytime it is unable to wheel the generation from the company. It was learnt that the loss under the Pull Call Option Agreement (PCOA) sometimes runs into $30 million monthly.
Kyari: NNPCL Taking Steps to Decarbonise Operations
“Theregeneration.iscorruption everywhere in the system. People are busy cleaning up from wherever they can at the expense of the sector, at the expense of Nigerians. Anytime we are ready to solve the problem in the sector, that’s when things will change. We are tired of begging and complaining.”
“NNPCL recognises the activities of the oil and gas sector as a significant contributor to carbon emissions and the consequent adverse impact on the climate.
An industry expert, Mr Bode Fadipe, argued that whether it was a legally enforceable contract or a gentleman’s agreement, the sanctity of contract was critical for economic growth and development in any economy. Also, the President Nigeria Consumer Protection Network and Member, National Technical Investigative Panel on Power System Collapses, System Stability and Reliability, Kola Olubiyo, said the prevailing development shows that the National Assembly may not have the full grasp of how the sectorLastruns.week, the House Committee summoned the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, over the controversial power plant agreement.
Ugo Aliogo The global forex broker OctaFX has unveiled Tunde Onakoya and Ambrose Ebuka as brand ambassadors to extend the celebration of its 11th anniversary in TheNigeria.customer-driven move comes a few days after the widely revered broker announced its global rebranding effort and keys into the brand’s message of being focused on the goal of all Nigerians. According to a statement released by OctaFX, Tunde Onakoya is joining as Brand ambassador for charity, while Ambrose Ebuka will serve as Brand ambassador for forex education, as the global forex broker continues to keep the focus on helping Nigerians attain their financialCommentinggoals. about it’s new brand ambassadors, OctaFX said of the unveiling, “bringing Tunde Onakoya and Ambrose Ebuka as brand ambassadors is a deliberate and strategic attempt to align further with the aspirations of Nigerians. We want to keep the focus on their goals with investments in knowledge acquisition and charitable forexfreedomNigerianswithmyimpactfultheirunderservedbridgethatissaid:withSpeakinginitiatives.”onhisassociationOctaFX,TundeOnakoya‘‘’BeingabrandambassadoratestamenttotherealityIwanttokeepbeingthebetweenthechildrenincommunitiesanddreams,especiallythroughprojectsasaresultofcollaborationwithOctaFX.”ForAmbroseEbuka,partneringOctaFXwillgivemoreaccesstogainingfinancialwithinformation-driventrading.
FG Reads Riot Act to Fertilizer
Producers, Seals Illegal Fertilizer Plants
The Africa Center of Excellence for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) has stated that the second edition of its congress scheduled to hold from November 28 to December 2, 2022, in Abuja, is expected to promote African indigenous foods. The CEFTER said that the focus of this year’s congress tagged “Upscaling and Promotion of African Indigenous Foods (AIF),” jointly organised by CEFTER, Benue State University and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) would spotlight African indigenous foods that have been neglected, poorly preserved and grossly undesutilized, despite their crucial roles in food security nutrition, medicinal values, and income generation to mankind. It said: “These crops are ready alternatives to common staples, but remain largely unknown to the public. The promotion of these indigenous crops for food, especially among the rural dwellers, will not only sustainably combat hunger in Africa, but can gain inclusiveness in global food system,” the statement said.The statement added that the congress’ overall goal is to bring together private and public participants as well as all stakeholders, particularly in West and Central Africa, to develop roadmap through research and policy options to improve production and processing, value addition, utilisation and marketing of African indigenous foods and for its inclusion in the foodThesystems.statement added that the specific objectives of the congress are geared towards accessing the production practices of African indigenous foods and improving their genetic composition, rapid propagation and good yield, improving post-harvest techniques of these foods through research into value addition and utilisation. The subthemes of the congress would include the challenges and opportunities in the production of African indigenous foods; storage and packaging technologies for African indigenous foods; bringing African indigenous foods to the global table using innovative processing approaches, strengthening the medicinal and nutritional benefits of African indigenous foods to promote public health; the role of market information system in promoting the utilisation of African indigenous foods and safety and quality standards issues in promoting African indigenous foods.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has sounded a note of warning to fertilizer producers and suppliers in the country to ensure that only quality and certified fertilizers are used in the country. In furtherance of this warning, the FMARD has also clamped down on unscrupulous individuals dealing in the production of adulterated fertilizers in Kano State recently.
The two days enforcement exercise, which took place in various local government areas of Kano State, was in fulfillment of the National Fertilizer Quality Control Regulations of 2020, Section 43, Subsection 1 of the constitution, which empowered FISSD to execute stop sale order on companies that indulged in sharp practices in the fertilizer sub- sector. Sanni stated that the National Fertilizer Quality Control Act 2019 and Regulations 2020 would ensure that any individual doing the business must register with the FISSD of the ministry while also possessing the requisite facilities to operate in the sector. He maintained that most of the fertilizer companies are shying away from certification because they are not qualified to operate in the industry, saying that these was why the ministry had to clamp down on these companies to prevent the adulterated fertilizers from getting to the unsuspecting consumers. The director warned those in the illegal business to stop their nefarious acts or face the wrath of the law. In his remarks during the inspection, the Fertilizer Quality Control Officer, Mr. Sunday Oke, observed the prevalence of adulterated/fake fertilizer in the state and pointed out that samples of the fertilizer would be collected and taken to Abuja for laboratory analysis to confirm compliance with the guaranteed analysis.Okepointed out that if any individual wants to do business in the fertilizer sector, the individual must be registered under FISSD, adding that it is in that light, the department constituted the Joint Taskforce team to go out and look at various fertilizers producers shops to find out if they producing fake/ adulterated fertilizers.Hesaid: “This is a field operation, not targeted at arresting people unnecessarily but to try as much as possible to get the operators to comply with the provision of the law to enable them go back to their normal business.”During the course of the inspection, the leader of Yandusa Market, Kano, Mr. Shehu Akarami, said he had been into the fertilizer business for 40 years and needs the Federal Government’s support in the area of grants to boost his business.
Gilbert Ekugbe The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in its bid to accelerate Nigeria’s attainment of food security, has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) that would address the myriads of challenges hindering the nation’s agricultural sector. The inauguration of the committee was performed by the Permanent Secretary of the FMARD, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe, who explained that the inauguration was also for the 45th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD), slated for Jos, Plateau State in September that is charged to address critical issues affecting the development and management of the country’s agricultural sector. Umakhihe stated that agriculture is a critical sector that touches livelihoods and needed all the necessary attention it deserved to make it economically efficient, effective as well as achieve food and nutrition security. He pointed out that the council was expected to fully explore the possibility of using the unique platform provided by the forthcoming NCARD to develop workable policies and strategies that would enable the ministry to deliver on its mandate to the nation by creating sustainable impacts in the agricultural sector of the economy.Inhiswords: “The council will play important roles towards enhancing the efforts of the present administration’s agenda of uplifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years and also meeting the expectations of the government and the general populace are high.” He tasked the LOC to ensure that everything is put in place for a seamless meeting of the council as well as to track the implementations of the resolutions of last year’s Council meeting as one of the major priorities. He stated that the 45th regular meeting would hold from Tuesday, September 13 to Saturday September 17, 2022, in Jos, Plateau State. In his welcome address, the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination Department, Mr. Ibrahim Bello, thanked the permanent secretary for his support and contributions towards the inauguration of the committee and pledged that the committee would work assiduously to achieve its set objectives.Theterm of reference of the LOC is to put in place necessary arrangements to facilitate successful conduct of the council’s meeting and to provide adequate and efficient secretariat to guarantee smooth conduct and accurate documentation of all proceedings.
Gilbert Ekugbe
PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE
FG Inaugurates Committee to Address Agric Sector Challenges
A team from the ministry, which was led by the Director, Farm Input Support Services Department (FISSD), Mr. Kwaido Sanni, along with members of the police and DSS, embarked on the sealing of these illegal outfits in Kano State.
L-R: University, Benin Republic, Professor Ekata Rosemary Isibor of Amachree presenting Value for money multivitamin brand of the year 2022 (Reload Multivitamin) to Director, Sales, and Marketing, Pharmacy Plus Ltd, Pharm. Jude Elue; and Head of Marketing, Pharm. Ikechukwu Aneke, at the first edition of Consumers Value Awards/Dinner in Lagos… recently
To reverse the trends of quiet quitting hitting the work environment in recent times, a human resources influencer, Mr. David Oluwayimika, has said it is imperative for employers to promote healthy work balance if the trends must stop. Oluwayimika said quiet quitting, a term now used to describe employees’ unwillingness to go the extra mile for their organization, will reduce the productivity of organizations in the not-too-distant future. Oluwayimika said the quiet quitting term is catching up on employees because most organisations have not been deliberate in enhancing a perfect work-life balance and this is taking a toll on many employees. He advised organisations to be strategic in promoting healthy work-life balance among their employees. He said organisations must be creative in seeking out ways to enhance work-life balance in their workforce to increase productivity. In that regard, Oluwayimika advised employers of labour to consider providing the work environment flexibility that suits their operations. He said adopting the hybrid mode of work or remote work may be crucial to creating a work-life balance for employees. The human resources expert said it is also important that employers get to know the personal situations of their employees, knowing well that people go through different situations at different times. He said situations surrounding employees’ family, health, and life pursuits should not be alien to the employers, and the employers should also help the employees achieve their personal goals. He further added that urging employees to download apps like Clickafix also helps to enhance work-life balance.
Human Resource Influencer Counsels Employers to Promote Healthy Work Life Balance PwC Nigeria Admits New
For the Partner and Head, Advisory Services, PwC Nigeria, Femi Osinubi, “I am confident that Olusegun’s wealth of experience in the financial services sector will be a valuable asset that will contribute to maintaining PwC’s market leadership as a leading professional services firm in Nigeria.”
21THISDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 BUSINESSWORLD NEWS
IndigenoustoCEFTERBrandOctaFXPartnerUnveilAmbassadorsCongressVowsPromoteAfricanFood
“Olusegun’s experience in financial services covers banks, fintech, insurance, capital market players, development finance institutions and regulators. Olusegun has built deep competence in topics including corporate strategy; growth strategy; digital strategy; group restructuring; integration and separation; start-up advisory and business planning; operations strategy and improvement; strategy execution and business transformation; as well as macroeconomic and policy advisory,” the statement added. Responding the Country Senior Partner (CSP), PwC Nigeria, Uyi Akpata, said, “As we achieve our firm’s strategy in the new financial year and delivering on The New Equation, I am excited to welcome Olusegun Zacchaeus to the PwC team. Olusegun will bring his diverse perspectives, expertise and skills to create a sustained impact on our clients and our firm, as a leader in our community of solvers in our Strategy business.”
Ugo Aliogo PwC Nigeria has announced the direct partner admission of Olusegun Zaccheaus, who is expected to lead the firm’s Strategy and Practice in the West Market. In view of his latest admission into the firm, the company is looking forward to working with Olusegun, as they continue to build trust and deliver sustained outcomes for today and tomorrow. According to a statement released by the firm, Olusegun has about 15 years of experience in advising clients primarily in financial services as well as telecommunications, consumer market and public sector.
Gilbert Ekugbe
FCT Residents and Tax Evasion
NOTE:
“When it comes to tax filing there is arguably no better track that proclaims compliance. But tax filing is a compliance exercise, really if you look at it. PAYE, which is what is being filed means you must have paid on monthly basis. And the money is actually being rendered to government. The same thing applies to withholding taxes on a monthly basis, those who you do transactions with must have deducted withholding taxes on you. On monthly basis you are expected to pay that money to FCT IRS. However, when it comes to tax filing it is about providing tax information of surrounding transactions in details, it is not just enough for government to collect those money they also want to see to the transactions that have been created with the tax revenue. When it comes to application they want to follow up the trail of transactions,” Balogun said. Balogun, who is also a chartered accountant, said FCT IRS, like Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Akwa Abom States can capitalize on technology which is the biggest enabler of tax administration to create robust platforms that will make it very easy for people in the comfort of their homes to log on to their tax profile and remit their returns. Also the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello has urged all residents of the FCT to take filing of returns as an obligatory and necessary step towards supporting the socio-infrastructural development of the territory. He said the global economic downturn induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s over reliance on oil export which is impacted by an unstable international energy market has contributed immensely to a reduction in revenue accruing to the government negatively. “You will also agree with me that these factors coupled with a rising inflation index has put a higher than normal financial pressure on the government.“Invariably, this would eat into any possible surplus funds that can be deployed into the provision of infrastructural and social facilities to meet the increasing needs of our growing Population,” Bello said. While commending the FCT IRS for the steady growth of revenue accruing from taxation since its establishment, he said that a lot more needed to be done to optimize this very important source of public finance. He also described as worrisome reports that only 10 per cent of registered residents of the FCT were contributing to the maintenance and development of the territory by paying their taxes, saying that apathy needed to change for fairness and entrenchment of the rule of law.
Tax collection is significant to the development of modern economy and any free society. It is a financial charge on income levied by the government on citizens, corporate entities, businesses and possessions that yield revenue and make up a nation and country at large. It also a mean by the compulsory proportional donations from individuals and property possession, imposed by the government by virtue of its power for the funding of government administration and general public necessities.
“The average number of taxpayers outside those remitting through the PAYE scheme has remained in the region of 4,000 with a significant percentage of stop files,” Abdulahi said. He decried the practice by some advisors who habitually conduct and routinely encourage tax agents to doctor records. He also expressed concern over the engagement of unprofessional consultants by some taxpayers to prepare and file returns with seemingly wealthy individuals. He accused some of the consultants of also indulging wealthy Nigerians to file as low as annual income of N1 million to N2 billion. The FCT-IRS boss noted the service would continue to probe the activities of these agents and consultants and bring the culprits to book. Abdulahi said that some 900 tax agents were audited by 65 consultants it engaged when the service embarked on its maiden back-duty audit in 2020. While giving perspectives on poor tax filing in the FCT, a tax expert, Mr Afeez Balogun has noted that tax filing is a compliance exercise.
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the FCT, including other allocation from the federation account, have supported the FCT in from of provision of social services, such as, education, healthcare, security and infrastructural development, such as roads, water supply and other critical developments across the However,territory.lowtax filing has for years has remained a concerning trend in the Federal Capital Territory for the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT IRS).
The Acting Executive Chairman of FCT IRS, Haruna Abdulahi at a recent seminar organized by the Service to sensitize residents of the nation’s capital on the importance of filing income tax return, lamented that over 90 per cent of FCT residents do not file their annual tax returns. He described the situation as unhelpful to the effort of the authority to shore up its revenue base and implement various projects and other basic amenities in the face of dwindling allocations from the federation account. He warned that the service was working with the relevant authorities to enforce compliance. “From our records, the number of tax payers under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme is about“Half120,000.the figure comprises staff of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform and those working for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Area Councils.
The FCT-IRS has identified tax evasion as a major challenge to be tackled in its bid to maximise tax filing in the territory and ensure that resources are provided to support public projects, Olawale Ajimotokan reports
Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY
22 BUSINESSWORLD FINANCE
The minister, however, said that authority must begin to treat tax evasion as the crime that it is, warning high-income individuals, who provide false information on their income should also refrain from doing so.
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 TickerPricePriceChg% TRANSEXPR0.699.5% UPDCREIT3.559.2% MULTIVERSE2.629.2% VITAFOAM22.008.4% COURTVILLE0.528.3% MBENEFIT0.326.7% NAHCO5.925.7% JAIZBANK0.904.7% CHAMS0.264.0% UACN11.102.8% TickerPricePriceChg% CAVERTON1.04-9.6% JOHNHOLT0.81-9.0% JAPAULGOLD0.31-8.8% AIICO0.53-3.6% NB45.80-2.9% ACADEMY2.10-1.9% ARDOVA12.10-1.2% FIDELITYBK3.04-0.7% GTCO19.90-0.5%TickerVolumePriceChg% JAIZBANK40.44.7% ACCESSCORP35.80.0% FBNH23.10.5% MBENEFIT19.96.7% ZENITHBANK12.50.2% FIDELITYBK9.9-0.7% UBA9.90.7% GTCO9.8-0.5% STERLNBANK6.10.7% NEM5.60.0% TickerValuePriceChg% ACCESSCORP293.60.0% ZENITHBANK273.70.2% FBNH251.40.5% GTCO194.4-0.5% MTNN165.00.0% STANBIC153.10.0% NB106.9-2.9% UBA70.50.7% PRESCO68.10.0% SEPLAT62.10.0% Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com TUESDAY, A THISDAY 23
Kunle Aderinokun
IL Bagno, the leading total interior solutions company in Nigeria, for the world’s leading manufacturers of sanitary fittings, kitchen, tiles, doors, and other interior solutions has partnered with Etiwa Tech, a not-for-profit technical vocational training institution to train and upskill plumbers in their craft. IL Bagno equipped the plumbing workshop with sanitary wares that will facilitate trainings in the trade. It will also be incorporating a training module to form a part of Etiwa Tech’s curriculum to be facilitated by BagnoTechnik, its installation and maintenance subsidiary. IL Bagno will also be extending employment opportunities to the top performing trainees upon graduation.
FBNQuest Supports Growth of CPs Issuance in Nigeria
IL Bagno Partners Etiwa Tech to Train, Upskill Labour Force
OPEC
Implementation of the local content policy of the federal government is expected to receive an extra boost as one of the indigenous players in the downstream end of the Nigerian oil and gas sector has kick-started expansion of its integrated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant. The firm, Butane Energy Limited, which has Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as a major shareholder, commenced the second phase of its expansion programme, building on the state-of-the-art LPG plant in Katsina, which it inaugurated at the beginning of December 2021. The plant, with a storage tank capacity of 100 metric tonnes and cylinder processing capacity of 1,600 12.5kg cylinders per 8 hour shift day. This phase of expansion entails the construction of a 180mt LPG Plant at Kaduna and another with storage capacity of 120mt in Bauchi. The plants are being built to exacting standards of aesthetics, safety and in full compliance with extant regulations. Established about 10 years ago, Butane Energy started out as an oil and gas products distributor, but recently expanded its business to include storage, trading and distribution of LPG and LPG accessories such as cylinders, regulators, hoses, and furnaces. The company continues to benefit from the experiences of its initial promoters and importantly the insights and best practices provided and promoted by NCDMB, a major shareholder. Collectively, the company is building a high performance organisation on the basis of best corporate governance practices and anchored on strict ethical values. Butane Energy has said its vision is to be the primary provider of LPG to Northern Nigeria, through its plants, franchised depots, and distributors. The vision, the company revealed, is driven by concerns around very visible deforestation and desert encroachment associated with climate change, the need to preserve the little that remains of the vegetation in the north, whilst creating value for stakeholders and employment opportunities for the teeming youths in the region. According to the management of Butane Energy, the expansion programme is part of an increasing LPG consumption and business strategy that requires presence in nearly all LPG value chain elements for risk mitigation and performance, Specifically, the programme entails commencement in June, 2022 of the construction of 2 LPG storage and dispensing Plants of 180mt. in Kaduna and 120mt. in Bauchi, to exacting standards of aesthetics and safety and in full compliance with extant regulations. The plants are expected to come on stream before the end of 2022. It also includes acquisition of distribution and delivery capabilities in the forms of trucks and bobtails, as well as development and domestication of internal competencies to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities in LPG trading, Besides, the company revealed, in this second phase, the programme would involve creation of branding and multiple income stream opportunities through acquisition and sale of branded, multi-size cylinders and LPG accessories such as hoses, regulators and furnaces at its plants and distributors’ locations, Expansion in the number of off-take sources and size of volumes, supported by adequate throughput capacity at various storage locations, is also included in the second phase of the expansion programme Butane Energy has also designed a third phase of the plants development programme, whose implementation is to begin in September 2022 with the commencement of plants construction in Kano and Abuja, of 180mt. each.
BASKET
Speaking on the partnership with Etiwa Tech, Mrs. Adetola Owolabi; the Executive Director of Black Pelican Group said, “as an organization providing services in the interior space, we are consistently on the lookout for opportunities to improve the industry and provide support that will enhance the skill of the workforce in the field. This will have a positive impact on all players as well as contribute to the growth and development of the industry and the economy at Jodylarge.Adewale, the Managing Director of Etiwa Tech stated that, “We are very pleased to be partnering with IL Bagno. Etiwa Tech has always been committed to excellence and providing quality vocational training. Through this partnership, our trainees will be exposed to the latest and most innovative sanitary ware products and plumbing systems. This helps to ensure that as a training institute, we are producing workers that are fit and ready to work within the industry”.
1st Vice President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Mr. Oyewale Ariyibi; Executive Director, FBN Holdings, Mr. Deji Olanrewaju: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Lotus Bank Limited, Mrs Kafilat Araoye; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Mr. Ken Opara; FCIB, Chairman Titan Trust Bank, Dr. Tunde Lemo and Chief Executive Officer CIBN Mr. Seye Awojobi at the 2022 CIBN Graduates’ Induction held over the weekend
Grooming Endowment Trust Launches N12.5m Grant for SME’s Oluchi Chibuzor With the need to empower local businesses across the country in the face of present economic realities, a N12.5 million grant has been launched by the Grooming Endowment Trust to boost atart-ups and MSMEs looking for facilities to scale. The programme, known as Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) Compass, is an initiative that aims to provide grant funding, business advisory and capacity building for small businesses that are in ideation or nascent stages of growth. Speaking in Lagos on the motivation behind the programme, the Chairperson of the Grooming Endowment Trust, Adaobi Okafor stated that the Trust did not only aim to provide financial assistance, but also relevant skills to help MSME operators grow, improve their business processes and navigate the tough business terrain in SpeakingNigeria.ontherequirements to participate in the Compass, Deputy Manager Research & Development of CREM Nigeria, the programmer’s technical partner, Ayotunde Hassan said prospective recipients should be owners of businesses and must be above the age of 18.
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). DAILY PRICE
BUSINESS/ MONEYGUIDE Butane Energy Boosts Local Content Policy With Expansion Programme 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 24 THISDAY
FBNQuest, the investment banking and asset management group of FBN Holdings Plc has said that it has continued to demonstrate its support towards the growth of commercial paper issuances in Nigeria through its successful delivery of several debt transactions forThecorporates.Nigerian Debt Capital Market in recent years has seen a resurgence in Commercial Papers (CP) issuances and a total of approximately N1 trillion in value of commercial papers was issued in 2020 FBNQuestalone.said it has played a pivotal role in reinitiating the Commercial Paper market for non-bank issuers leading seven institutions to establish Commercial Paper programmes in the past few years.Itstated, “FBNQuest continues to rely on its deep sector expertise and structuring skills to execute and close the most complicated financings across all key sectors of the Nigerian economy. On record, it has arranged public commercial paper issuances worth up to N400 billion for large institutions. The firm also introduced the use of a Liquidity Support Facility (LSF) structure for the UPDC Plc. Commercial Paper transaction, a feature, which enhanced the instrument’s credit with a rating of ‘A-’, and was six notches higher than the Issuer’s rating on the merit of the LSFSpeakingproviders..”onthe organisation’s support and active involvement in the growth of CP transactions, , Group Executive - Head Investment Banking and Operations, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Patrick Mgbenwelu stated, ‘’Our aim is to consistently provide extraordinary value and bespoke solutions for our stakeholders and foster development in the Nigerian financial markets at large.”
down by 0.1per cent, while the NGX Banking index added 0.3per centTheadvanced.declinein NGX consumer goods index was due to 2.86 per cent or N1.35 decline in NB’s stock price to N45.80 from N47.15 it opened for trading, while the NGX banking decline can be attributable to drop in GTCO’s stock price to N19.90 from N20.00, while Fidelity Bank Plc depreciated by 0.65 per cent or N0.02 to N3.04 from N3.06 per share it opened for trading.
MARKETPRICE QUANTITYTRADED
Stock Market Decline on Profit-taking in NB, GTCO
However, market breadth closed positive as 18 stocks gained relative to eight losers. Trans Nationwide Express recorded the highest price gain of 9.52 per cent to close at 69 kobo, per share. UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDCREIT) followed with a gain of 9.23 per cent to close at N3.55 and Multiverse Mining & Exploration went up 9.17 per cent to close at N2.62, per Vitafoamshare.Nigeria up by 8.37 per cent to close at N22.00, while
VALUE TRADED(N)MAIN BOARDDEALS
Kayode Tokede The stock market commenced this week on a negative note, dropping by 0.01 per cent as investors’ profit-taking in Nigerian Breweries (NB), Guaranty Trust Holding Plc (GTCO), seven others undermined the market’s performance.Specifically, the NGX All-Share index was down by 5.40 basis points or 0.01 per cent to 49,676.75 basis points from 49,682.15 basis points, as the market capitalisation dipped by N2.91billion to close at N26.794trillion from N26.797trillion the stock market opened for trading this andindexbyConsumerrespectively.atlossAccordingly,week.theMonth-to-DateandYear-to-Dategainsettled-1.4percentand+16.3percent,Analysingbysectors,theNGXGoodsindexdropped0.3percentasNGXInsurancedepreciatedby0.3percent,NGXOil&Gasindexwas
MARKETPRICE QUANTITYTRADED VALUE
THISDAY 25
Courteville Business Solutions appreciated by 8.33 per cent to close at 52 kobo, per share. On the other hand, Caverton Offshore Support Group led the losers’ chart by 9.57 per cent to close at N1.04, per share. John Holt followed with a decline of 8.99 per cent to close at 81 kobo, while Japaul Gold and Ventures lost 8.82 per cent to close at 31 kobo, per share. AIICO Insurance declined 3.64 per cent to close at 53 kobo, while Nigerian Breweries shed 2.86 per cent to close at N45.80, per share. The total volume traded increased by 20.38 per cent to 232.945 million units, valued at N2.186 billion, and exchanged in 4,425 deals. Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank topped the activity chart with 40.421 million shares valued at N36.172 million. Access Holdings followed with 35.805 million shares worth N293.556 million, while FBN Holdings traded 23.064 million shares valued at N251.379 million.
TRADED(N)
PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 29 /8/2022 MAIN BOARDDEALS
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.
MARKET NEWS 26 THISDAY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022
GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 26Aug-2022, unless otherwise stated. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.
DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS Coral Balanced Fund 4,031.58 4,086.55 5.33% Coral Income Fund 3,608.11 3,608.11 6.18% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.13% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.11 1.11 4.02% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/AN/AN/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/AN/AN/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/AN/AN/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.60 1.62 12.50% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,165.47 1,165.47 6.16% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.05 12.12 10.57% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.10% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 102.11 102.11 9.65% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 9.89% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.63 1.66 3.69% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.78 11.81 5.41% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.42% PACAM Equity Fund 1.41 1.43 -0.59% PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.05 119.97 2.81% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 130.04 132.63 4.74% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 9.24% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,543.85 3,579.16 4.64% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 241.22 241.22 2.40% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.40 1.42 11.90% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 325.16 325.17 3.84% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 257.88 262.21 10.67% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.96% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,579.54 11,741.02 6.15% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.34 1.34 3.37% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 119.52 119.52 2.23% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 111.75 111.75 5.05% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.94 0.97 6.64% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 2.07% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.13 8.30% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.08 1.08 4.68% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.91 1.91 4.12% United Capital Eurobond Fund 122.88 122.88 3.71% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.26% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.61 13.73 3.19% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.56 15.71 6.44% Zenith Income Fund 23.05 23.05 5.02% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.15% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.80 3.90 -5.30% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund5.87 5.97 0.38% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund17.96 18.16 1.58% Vetiva Money Market Fund1.00 1.00 9.27% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund17.61 17.81 -11.84% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund141.22 143.22 -10.42% REITS Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn SFS REIT 118.56 4.66% Union Homes REIT51.93 2.11% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Bid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 14.13 14.23 1.03% SIAML Pension ETF 40 126.79 130.01 -0.25% Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund99.03 101.19 -0.73% MERGROWTH ETF16.40 16.50 -5.77% MERVALUE ETF17.10 17.20 13.57% INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.59 0.00% info@anchoriaam.com MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/AN/AN/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/AN/AN/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/AN/AN/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/AN/AN/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund NameBid PriceOffer PriceYield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 5.75% Anchoria Equity Fund 138.21 139.77 -0.75% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.18 1.18 2.93% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 21.01 21.65 3.60% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 508.49 523.83 12.71% ARM Ethical Fund 42.26 43.53 8.48% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.08 0.06% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 4.20% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.27% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 91.7691.76-5.14% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,091.77 1,091.77 9.18% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/AN/AN/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.09 2.09 2.30% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.32 2.37 9.81% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,013.16 1,013.16 4.91% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund NameBid PriceOffer PriceYield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.011.015.50% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.22% Paramount Equity Fund 19.1519.59.89% Women's Investment Fund 145.77 147.54 2.70% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.31% Cordros Milestone Fund 131.13 132.06 5.40% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.97 110.97 5.10% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/AN/AN/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/AN/AN/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.99% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 8.75% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.03 1.03 2.82% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 103.16 103.16 2.03% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/AN/AN/A FBN Balanced Fund N/AN/AN/A FBN Halal Fund N/AN/AN/A FBN Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) N/AN/AN/A FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/AN/AN/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/AN/AN/A Legacy Debt Fund N/AN/AN/A Legacy Equity Fund N/AN/AN/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/AN/AN/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
“Also, some lawyers are engaged in the payment of bribes to file cases in courts or to collect receipts. Lawyers must dare to speak and challenge the status quo and reinvigorate the fight against corruption and money laundering,” he stated. Owasanoye further expressed deep concern over orders granted by courts to lawyers preventing anti-corruption agencies from investigation and making arrests.
UN urges traditional rulers to intensify effort to end violence against females in politics
PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN Rivers APC Candidates Protest against Federal High Court Judge Canadian Govt Commits N2.6bn to Increase Women Participation in Politics
He noted that the full and ef fective participation of women in governments and decision-making opportunities was globally recog nised as a key driver in achieving sustainable development.
2023:
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt National Assembly candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for 2023 general elections yesterday staged a protest against a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam, over his refusal to recuse himself from a suit against them by the Peoples Democratic PartyThe(PDP).APC candidates had pleaded with Justice Daylop-Pam to recuse himself from the matter registered in suit No: FHC/PHC/ CS/127/2022 on claims that they do not have confidence in his decision on the case. The candidates alleged that the state Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike was in close relationship with the judge, saying they would not get justice from the court under such circumstance.However,when the matter was mentioned in court yesterday, counsel for PDP, Den Nwigwe (a Senior Advocate of Nigeria) informed of service of court process.Butone of the respondents in the matter and the candidate APC for Ikwerre-Emohua federal
The Government of Canada has revealed that it was committing the sum of $8 million Canadian Dollars, which is equivalent to N2.6 billion in the next four years to increase Nigeria’s women participation in elections in the 2023 electoral cycle and beyond.
“The NBA has to self-regulate its members by addressing and penalising the corrupt ones among them. The association should create a new index for good performance", he said.
“A single transaction of diver sion of huge sums could have immediate impact that may become irreversible or more difficult and costly to reverse, while petty diver sion of budget or misallocation of resources may not immediately
stereotypes, discouraging and negative attitudes that limit their politicalChristoffparticipation.notedthat it was also a fact that women vying for representation in the public sphere or those administering the electoral processes often faced intimidation and violence. According to him, "As a student of tradition and culture, we recog nise the important role that you can play as traditional leaders to create an enabling environment by embracing positive attitudes and questioning negative stereotypes of women in politics, to encourage the meaningful participation of women in electoral processes at all level and for the benefit of all."
constituency of the APC, Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, who appeared for himself and party in the suit against the NASS candidates reminded the judge of their petition against him, on the call to recuse himself from the matter. Justice Daylop-Pam reacting on the submissions by the parties, adjourned the matter till September 20, 2022 for hearing. Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Ezekiel-Amadi said the action of Justice Daylop-Pam refusing to recuse himself from the matter proved their earlier alarm that the judge was in a mission to allegedly destroy their political destinies.Ezekiel-Amadi who is the 12th defendants in the suit said: "I brought to the attention of His Lordship my pending petition and supported by the other defendants asking him to recuse himself and he refused to entertain it at all, instead he adjourned the matter to someday in September for hearing. That is distasteful to me, both as a litigant and as a lawyer "We have been saying that he is on a mission to destroy our political career. He has some vested interest in the matter. Everyday this matter comes up in court, those who have been following will see the sign of what we have been"Usually,saying.when a judge has a matter and he was asked to recuse himself, that petition must be attended to because just like the issue of jurisdiction, it goes to the root of the jurisdiction to hear the matter. If I don't have confidence in a court to hear my matter, then there is nothing the court should do other than recuse himself and send back the file for reassignment if there is no vested interest.”
Christoff said while some progress had been made, there had also been setbacks. He stated: "Canada is contribut ing 8 million Canadian dollars or N2.6 billion over four years to increase the participation in elections and appointments of women in Nigeria both in the 2023 electoral cycle and beyond." Also, the United Nations Resi dent invibranttopeoplepersonsofsaidCoordinator,Coordinator/HumanitarianMr.MatthiasSchmalefullandequitableparticipationallcitizens,includingwomen,withdisabilitiesandyounginpubliclifewasessentialbuildingandsustainingastrong,andinclusivedemocracyNigeria.
“The courts are now in the habit of issuing orders stopping anti-corruption agencies from investigation and making arrests. The biggest culprits are the senior lawyers and it is a matter of regret that the NBA is not doing anything about“Theit.
Discrimination against women to be discussed at Council's meeting, says Sultan make impact but will inevitably impact medium to long term. “A lot of phantom projects are included and also duplicated in the budget every year. The ICPC has annually been unpacking the budget once it is passed by the National Assembly. The commission has been able to stop the duplication of projects in the budget running into billions of naira,” he noted. He added that two units - Con stituency and Executive Projects Tracking and System Study and Review - were created by the commission as part of measures to get to the root causes of corruption in the public sector and address them head-on. He further stated that the Com mission was collaborating with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through the use of modern technology to aid the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows. In his presentation, Amadi, praised the present chairman and board of the ICPC for fostering integrity, honesty and accountability in the “Thesystem.ICPChas been very excel lent under the present chairman and board which has brought integrity, honesty and accountability to the system,” said Amadi, who is also a political strategist and law governance expert. He emphasised the importance of human rights to social order, saying that they were critical conditions for social justice and goodAmadigovernance.alsocalled for selfregulation by the legal profession.
Schmale added that the low figure signified a decrease in women's political representation, which previously stood at 6.9 per cent in the 2015 general election, saying that similar statistics could be observed among state legisla tures and ministerial appointments at 4.4 per cent and 16.2 per cent. His words: "Women's ability to participate in political and electoral processes in Nigeria is hampered by numerous constraints. They include negative stereotypes, sometimes perpetuated by culture and tradition, playing a real and significant role in women's political marginalisation.
Alleges lawyers play role of middlemen for money launderers
NBA has shown some promise but this promise needs to be taken forward and the as sociation needs to act swiftly to save the legal profession and prevent its denigration,” he lamented. Evaluating the nexus between corruption, insecurity and bad governance, the ICPC boss explained that the provision of critical infrastructure, security, education, health and food are the immediate casualties of corruption.
Schmale stressed that although much progress had been made to increase women's representation in all areas of public life across the globe since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, change had been incremental but unfortunately slow.He said globally, the average representation of women in national parliaments was at 26 per cent, whilst it was only four per cent in Nigeria, the lowest for sub-Saharan Africa and globally.
The Canadian High Commis sioner to Nigeria, Ambassador James Christoff disclosed this yesterday, in Abuja, during a dialogue with traditional lead ers on ending electoral violence against women as voters, sup porters, candidates and election administrators ahead of the 2023 generalChristoffelection.whowas represented by the Head of Cooperation, Djifa Ahado said Canada firmly believed that supporting the empowerment of women and girls was the best way to have a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous Nigeria.Hesaid having women at the table to play a greater role in decision making, particularly at the political level was a key part. Christoff said the Canadian gov ernment recognised that women considering political participation faced a number of challenges –whether as a candidate, a political supporter, an election administrator or a Hevoter.lamented that women were often subjected to discriminatory Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
2023:
“In one of the investigations by the commission, we traced the money to the account of a lawyer. When we got to the account, the money had further been transferred to many accounts in an effort to frustrate the investigation. These lawyers are agents of money launderers, and they undermine the legal profession.
Sanction Corrupt Lawyers, ICPC Charges NBA
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has decried corrupt practices by members of the legal profession and charged the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to act swiftly and sanction members of the profession involved in corrupt practices.Hequestioned the role of middle men played by some lawyers for suspects involved in cases of corruption, money laundering and Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), describing it as unethical. He challenged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to play a pivotal role in the fight against corruption in the legal system. His charge came as a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, hailed the impact of the anti-corruption agency in addressing corruption in the country, particularly the public sector and government finances. Both Owasanoye and Amadi spoke at a breakout session of the NBA's Annual General Meeting and Conference on the subject matter: “How Corruption Fuels Insecurity and Bad Governance: The Role of Lawyers in Tackling Corrupt Practices in Nigeria” held recently in Lagos. A statement by ICPC yesterday, stated that Owasanoye, who decried corrupt practices by members of the legal profession, advised the leadership of the NBA to act swiftly and sanction members of the profession involved in corrupt practices.Hequestioned the role of middlemen being played by some lawyers for suspects involved in corruption, money laundering and Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) cases, describing it as unethical.
NEWS Continued online TUESDAY, THISDAY 27 REVENUE GENERATION AND BUDGET PREPARATION... L-R: Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Anambra State, Dr. Ugboaja Joseph; Deputy Director, Budget, Federal Ministry of Health, (FMoH), Danteni Taro; Director, Finance/Account, FMoH, Ibrahim Otaru; Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Prof. Mala Bukar and Deputy Director Finance, LUTH, Martins Tolani, during the Capacity Building Program on Project Inspection Revenue Generation and Budget Preparation in Abuja...yesterday .
LAUNCH
L-R: Head, Brand Strategy and Marketing, Black Pelican Group, Damilola Sobajo; Project Manager, Etiwa Tech, Joshua Oyekanmi; Technical Training Manager, Abiodun Ojobaro; Group Head, IL Bagno Sales, Lagos, Oyinlola Majekodunmi; Managing Director, Etiwa, Jody Adewale, and Project Monitoring Manager, Bagno Technik, Olugbeminiyi Jinadu, during the launch of Etiwa Tech's vocational institution in Lagos…recently their votes to reject them. The governor talked about the current issues in his party, saying, "All of us should be calm concerning what is happening in PDP. In fact, nothing has happened yet. But, by the grace of God, something will happen.""Some other people are busy putting themselves together on how they will take over leadership in Nigeria to loot the remaining ones these other people have already kept. "I'm privileged to know and at the appropriate time, I'll tell you who these people are. You need to know what is happening in Nigeria. Forget about all these people running around saying they want to rescue or save you (Nigeria). Just watch to see what is going to happen next.”
Another Kuje Attempted Prison Break over Killing of Inmate Smashed
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said Nigerian politicians saw elections in the country as war. INEC, then, set up an election crisis communication team to manage crises arising from elections.Thecommission, in collaboration with the Campaign for Develop ment and Democracy (CDD), set up the Election Crisis Communication TeamSpeaking(ECCT).in Abuja, when the commission inaugurated the team,
Shekarau Writes INEC on New Status, Withdrawal of Senate Ticket Former Kano State Governor, and Senator for Kano Central, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, wrote INEC, requesting it to withdraw his NNPP Senate candidacy.Shekarau said he left NNPP due to its refusal to implement an agreement he had reached with the party in May, when he dumpedAPC for SpeakingNNPP.at his defection ceremony held at his residence in Kano, Shekarau declared that he and his supporters had joined PDP. He added, “I and my followers have today dumped NNPP for PDP.” Other PDP bigwigs in attendanceincluded Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State; former Vice President Namadi Sambo; Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin; former governors of Jigawa (Saminu Turaki and Sule Lamido), Sokoto (Attahiru Ba farawa), Kaduna (Ahmed Makarfi), and Adamawa (Boni Haruna).
AYU: PDP NOT BUILT ON ANY INDIVIDUAL, NO PERSON CAN DESTABILISE IT STATE VARSITY PRO-CHANCELLORS DESCEND ON ASUU OVER OSODEKE’S COMMENT gagements, it had resolved to focus on the full implementation of the 23rd December, 2020 Memorandum of Action for quick restoration of industrial harmony in Nigeria's publicHowever,universities.yesterday, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employ ment responded to the declaration of indefinite strike by ASUU, by writing to the Education Ministry seeking status of negotiation with theAunion.source at the ministry told THISDAY yesterday that the Ministry of Education received a letter from the Labour Ministry requesting to be furnished with the latest proposals made to the university workers.
"In Nigeria, voters would elect candidates for 1,491 constituen cies, comprising one presidential constituency, 28 governorship elections, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, and 993 state assembly seats for the 2023 general election.
Sets up crisis communication team OF TECH VOCATIONAL INSTITUTION...
PANDEF: Extension of ASUU Strike Sad, Most Unfortunate In the meantime, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has described the indefinite extension of the six-month old strike action embarked upon by ASUU as sad and most unfortunate.
Wike disclosed how difficult it would be for seasonal politicians, who had never done anything to better the lot of Rivers electorate, to come to them to solicit their votes. He told the people, "Now that I have come to Eneka to provide this basic infrastructure, I can come back to Eneka and ask you to follow me, let us go there or let us stay here. Do they have what it takes to come and talk to you? Can they come and talk to you? "It is somebody that hears from you that you have also heard from. This one you've not provided anything for my people, you've not asked them what they want, then you want to tell them where to "So,vote?it is us that will come and meet you and say see where you'll vote. And I know based on our relationship, since we have not deceived you, we have not told you lies, you will follow us at the appropriate time."
28 TUESDAY, THISDAY NEWS Continued online
Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos), Chukwuedo Humphrey, said an inmate died after a pro tracted illness. “The inmate was admitted into Kuje custodial centre in 2019 and upon mandatory medical examination, he was diagnosedof some chronic ailments. He was immediately placed on special medical management by a com bined team of medical personnel in the facility as well as occasional referrals to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, when “Unfortunately,necessary.when theinmate's health deteriorated over the weekend, all effort by the medical personnel to resuscitate him failed. A peaceful prayer session is being organised by the staff and fellowinmates of the deceased for the repose of his Chukwuedosoul.”said the Controller of the Command, Ahmed Musa Ahmed, while expressing his con dolences to the family and friends of the late inmate, reinstated his commitment to putting the health and general welfare of inmates andstaff in the front burner. According to him, the Controller advised those on special medical attention to ensure strict adherence to expert instructions to overcome health challenges since drugs wereavailable to them at no cost.
"Subsequently, some miserable, unilateral, and insulting take-it or-leave-it offers of between N30, 000 and N60,000 monthly salaries were thrown at the union," it said. Osodeke said while the union remained open to reasonable en
INEC national commissioner in charge of information and chairman, voter education, Festus Okoye, said, "As a result of the way elections are pursued by politicians, elections are almost akin to war. It is almost like a perennial crisis.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja Kuje Correctional Centre at the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was again rocked with crisis and attempted prison break as inmates protested the death of one of them, the move was smashed by security agencies.The correctional centre was a few weeks ago attacked by Boko Haram members, who engaged securitymen for hours and freed inmates mostly imprisoned members of the Boko Haram terrorist group. This latest upheaval at the centre, according to sources, happened in the early hour of yesterday, when the inmates protested the death of one of them, who was allegedly not given prompt medical attention. Sources also noted that some inmates attempted to escape from the prison facility amidst the tension but were prevented by the warders. Officials of the prison, who spoke anonymously to THISDAY revealed that the deceased recently fell ill and the medical practitioner within the facility had attendedto him and had referred him to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital last week Thursday.He was taken there for treatment same day and was returned to the facility on Saturday. The source, who said he was not sure of the ailment the deceased was diagnosed of, said he was expected to be taken back to the Specialist Hospital for continuation of treatment on Monday which he never made as he was discovered dead.Another source said: “The inmate was sick but died this morning, he was taken to the hospital last week. The deceased has been sick for weeks now, but his condition deteriorated last night with the wardens refusing to attend to him before he gave up the ghost someminutes after 6am.” The source said some of the other inmates tried to use the situation to foment troubles leading protest which some wanted to use to escape from the facility, but their plan was contained by the securityin Confirmingwatch. the incident in a press statement, the Public RelationsOfficer of the FCT Command of
"The commission must be better prepared in communicating its posi tions. Our communication must be robust and focused on the long-term needs of the commission. It must be diverse, proactive, coordinated and consistent, with effective feedback mechanisms."Ourcommunication strategies must recognise and amplify the demographic changes in the voting population; the increasing use of technology by a sizable number of Nigerians, the increasing engage ment by Nigerians with the electoral process and the affirmation of the Nigerian people in their belief that the commission has the capacity and courage to conduct transparent and inclusive elections." Okoye said INEC hoped that the team would provide consistent, timely and targeted messaging to variousAccordingstakeholders.toOkoye, "Other areas of interest that we hope the ECCT will assist the commission include the development of voter education materials, production of a press kit, and responding to fake news and disinformation."Inaddition, we are ready to work with you to educate critical stakeholders and the general public on critical aspects of the forthcoming general election, including innova tions the commission has introduced to improve election service delivery, particularly, leveraging digital technologies, collection of PVCs, accreditation and voting procedure and election day logistics.
INEC: Politicians See Elections as War rolled over the nationwide strike action for another four weeks starting from 1st August, 2022. It said that NEC observed with regret that the Union had experienced a lot of deceit of the highest level in the last five and half years as the federal government engaged ASUU in fruitless and unending negotiation without a display of utmost fidelity. It recounted that in 2017, the federal government constituted a committee to renegotiate the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement under the chairmanship of Wale Babalakin. It noted that after three years of fruitless negotiation, Babalakin was replaced in December 2020, with Prof. Munzali Jibril. According to ASUU, the Rene gotiation Committee produced and submitted a draft agreement to the federal government in May, 2021. "It is sad that, until February 14, 2022 when the ongoing strike commenced, the federal government made no significant efforts to either sign the agreement or commence implementation."Itwasonly after the com mencement of this strike that the federal government reconstituted the committee with Prof. Nimi Briggs appointed Chairman to lead the Government Team leading to the submission of the second Draft Agreement to the Federal Government in June, 2022 for consideration and approval for signing by the two parties within one week. This was done in line with the principle of collective bargaining," the union added. ASUU however accused the government of refusing to con sider the proposals of the Nimi Briggs committee reached them during negotiations, adding that it amounted to abrogating decisions reached during collective bargaining. It described the federal govern ment's position that it would need to borrow N1.6 trillion to implement the draft agreement as a claim that was not only malicious, but contrived to blackmail the union.
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
"With the profound expertise and experience in this team, both from the media and election management angles, I have no doubt that these will be achieved." He commended CDD for initiat ing the team, adding that this is not just innovative and timely, but also a perfect complement to the commission.TheINECnational commissioner said CDD was not just a leading Civil Society Organisation (CSO) that advocated an improved democracy in Nigeria, but also a think tank that approached issues of national concern from an informed perspective based on thorough research. He said the commission had enjoyed good media reports, but stressed that it had also been doing a lot that was being under-reported, shrouded in sensationalism or even misinterpreted by the general public. He stated, "The task of conduct ing elections all over the world is a daunting one. Election preparations, deployment and implementation are the most extensive mobilisation that could happen in a country, even in peacetime.
Wike said while his administra tion had continued to inaugurate projects for Rivers people, detractors were busy sponsoring a negative media campaign against him. The governor stated that despite such negative media commentaries,his administration had not relented in offering good governance to strengthen the relationship with the people of Rivers State. He stated, "Look at us con centrating on giving our people good governance. What is good governance? Good governance is making the people to be happy. Good governance is providing infrastructure for the people. Good governance is not about party. Providing good governance is about leadership. We are here everyday flagging off projects, commissioning projects even though our tenure is coming to an end."
"In preparations, INEC would be involved in recruiting and training staff and managing the logistics for their deployment to 176,846 polling units, spread across 8,809 electoral wards, 774 local government areas, 37 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)." This, Okoye said, was in addition to applying strategic approaches to ensuring the printing and collection of PVCs by registered voters and replacing lost cards before the 2023 elections.
Lagos Court Jails Lawyer Two Years for N4m Fraud
Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed the federal government’s application for the extradition of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP, Abba Kyari to the United States of America (US)over fraud allegations.JusticeEkwo in a judgment
Alex Enumah in Abuja
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, made this known to newsmen yesterday in Ibadan.
NISER Commences Research on Corruption Reduction
Police Investigate Mysterious Death of Six in Enugu Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shuaib was in Ibadan on an inspection visit to few PHCs in Oyo State. Shuaibu said that FG has renovated over 4,000 PHCs in the last four years of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, adding that government would revitalise the PHCs. He said government would also ensure that health workers embark on periodic training so as to have capacity to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY 29 NEWS
“This incident, which has been brought under control by the combined efforts of the RCCG Fire Service, Ogun State Fire and Lagos State Fire Service occurred in the gas depot not too far from the Sagamu-bound traffic between the Car Park C gate and the main gate of the Redemption City.”
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Sadiya Umar Farouq, has hinted that a partnership with the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) would assist in the empowerment of young widows of slain soldiers as well as youths and vulnerable groups in the barracks. Farouq made this known at the weekend when the Wife of the Chief of Army Staff and National President of NAOWA, Mrs. Salamatu Farouk Yahaya, led members of the association to pay her a courtesy visit in Abuja.Sheurged NAOWA to take advantage of the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP), to acquire interest-free loans for young widows to start small businesses and also register youths in the barracks for N-Power and N-Skills programmes.
FG to Revitalise Primary Healthcare Centres
Umar Farouq
Explosion Rocks Gas Plant Near RCCG Camp AWARDS WELL DESERVED…
Segun Awofadeji inBauchi
In a bid to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians, the federal government (FG) has expressed determination to revitalise Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in every ward across the country.
The Bauchi State Government has declared that it would not back on the privatization of its moribund industries, which it described as the right move to revive the state’s economy and save them from total collapse.Addressing a press conference at Government House, Bauchi, during the weekend, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Ibrahim Kashim, said that the state government would not be intimidated by the mischievous attack by the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) on the ongoing privatisation of the industries. Kashim said that the APC should condemn first the privatisation exercise of industries by the federal government than attacking the state government on its privatisation exercise. Kashim, who was a former director in the Bureau of Public Enterprises, denied that the state government use privatization as a facade to hand public assets to friends and associates of the state governor.Henoted that the industries that were enlisted for privatisation were in a final stage of collapse and running on obsolete equipment, hence the need for the state government to seek for their privatisation in the best interest of the state.
Alleged $1.1bn Fraud: Court Dismisses FG’sApplication for Abba Kyari’s Extradition to US
Socially-conscious Nigerian fashion brand, HUMANx, is set to unveil its latest design collection on the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) and Lagos Fashion Fair (LFF) platform in Lagos from 7th to 9th September 2022. Each in its 8th edition, the combined AFWN and LFF event represents the largest stage for emerging and established fashion designers from Africa to showcase their talent and creativity to a global audience. And HUMANx will debut its Summer-Spring 2022 collection in the live show on Friday, 9th September, alongside other Nigerian and African creatives.According to Founder and Creative Director, Gbemi Elekula,“At HUMANx, we are always pushing the boundaries of creative expression. And we can’t wait to present our new 4-series collection to the world. The SS22 Collection features stunning ensembles that exude the essence of nature, its superior aesthetics and a message to let its beauty be, in its purest form.”
As noted in the letter, the church clarified that as against the news making the round, the incident was completely outside of Redemption City.
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, has convicted and sentenced a legal practitioner, Taiwo Oreagba, to two years imprisonment for obtaining the sum of N4,000, 000 from a client to secure the release of a suspect from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). She was jailed on Thursday, August 25, 2022, after standing trial on two-count charges bordering on corrupt demand and obtaining money under false pretences.Thecharge reads: “That you, Taiwo Oreagba, on or about the 2nd of March, 2020 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst acting as counsel to one Kelechi Uka, asked for and received the sum of N4,000,000.00 through your business name account known as Bobcom Enterprises from one Henry George Umoh on the understanding that the money was meant to influence the officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in order to secure the release of the said Kelechi Uka from custody and committed an offence of Corrupt demand by person contrary to Section 10(a) (i)(li) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.” She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thereby leading to her full trial.
The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) has been named the beneficiary of a MacArthur Foundation Research Grant for empirical exploration of various definitional and social dimensions of corrupt behaviour. Speaking on actualising behavioral change approaches for reducing corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, the Director General of NISER, Professor Antonia Simbine, said the purpose of the grant is to institutionalise behaviour change approaches for reducing corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.Simbine noted that the evidence that would emerge from this research effort would form the basis for behavioural solutions design in Nigeria’s public sector. The intervention, courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation, is designed around a three-year cycle starting September 1, 2021, till August 31,Concurrent2024. and iterative work streams on the project include Research and Capacity Building, Behavioural Solutions Design, Institutionalisation of Knowledge, tion.CommunicationDocumentation,andDissemina-
Adeline Okoronkwo
WidowsHumanitarianPledgesAidforofSlainSoldiers
The Enugu State Police Command has commenced investigation on the death of six persons who attended a marriage ceremony in Akutara, one of the villages in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state. In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP. Daniel Ndukwe, said that eight persons were hospitalised after they were found unconscious in the early hours of Saturday, August 27, 2022 while six persons, including one of the celebrants, were confirmed dead. Ndukwe said: “Following the receipt of a report alleging the sudden and unnatural death (SUD) of six (6) persons and the hospitalisation of eight (8) others, at Akutara Village in Adani Community of Uzo-Uwani LGA, on August 27, 2022, at about 09.30 hours.” Consequently, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP. Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID) to launch a full-scale investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths and hospitalisation of the victims.Ammani commiserated with the families and friends of the deceased, and asked the residents of the community to maintain peace and support the police with necessary information in the investigation. Ndukwe explained that preliminary investigation has shown that one of the deceased victims, Mr. Obinna Dike, 31, attended his own traditional marriage ceremony at Obollo-Eke in Udenu LGA on August 26, 2022, with his relatives and other victims of the incident.
Bauchi Lists Benefits of Privatisation of Moribund Industries Gideon Arinze inEnugu
Rebecca Ejifoma Explosion, yesterday rocked a gas plant near the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) camp on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, OgunWhileState.the cause of the fire outbreak is still unknown, the Public Relations Officer, Federal Fire Service Ogun State, Ayansiji Oluwasegun, confirmed that the situation was under control. Ayansiji added that the fire service operatives were containing theMeanwhile,situation. the RCCG empathised with the owners of the gas plant. “The leadership of the RCCG wishes to empathise with the people involved in the unfortunate gas explosion that occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 29, 2022.
L-R: Chairman, Consumers Value Broadcasting Limited, Adedayo Ojo; Group Brand Lead, Dangote Industries, Mr. Tunde Oladipo; Head, Corporate Sales, Tokunbo Mohammad; and Head of Sales and Marketing, Southern Region, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Mr. Yusuf Olawale, at the first edition of Consumers Value Awards/Dinner ceremony where Dangote Cement Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc won Value for Money Awards in Lagos... recently. delivered yesterday dismissed the request for being incompetent and lacking in merit. Kyari is the subject of an indictment in case number 2:21-cr-00203 (also referred to as 2:21-mj-00760 and 2:21-cr-00203rgk), filed April 29, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He was said to have been indicted in an international wire fraud worth over $1.1 billion traced to another Nigerian, Abass Ramon, also known as Hushpuppi. Following his indictment, the foreign government had last year written the authorities in Nigeria, seeking the arrest and subsequent extradition of the once ‘supercop’ of the Nigeria Police Force to the US to give his own side of the story. In line with the US request the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) had early this year filed for the extradition of Kyari to the US to face charges involving him and five others including two Nigerians based in the US.
“Federal government has renovated over 4,000 PHCs in the last four years of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. We will revitalise the PHCs.“We will ensure that health workers embark on periodic training so as to have capacity to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians. “We are doing better than how it was few years ago; our ambition is to have at least one functional PHC per political ward across the country,” Shuaibu said.
HUMANx to Unveil Collections at Fashion Fairs
Abia 2023: Ohafia Stakeholders Back Emenike Funmi Ogundare As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 general elections, a Human Right Lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi, yesterday, called on Nigerians to hold their rulers accountable and demand answers to issues plaguing the nation from them.
Saraki: APC’s Failure in Kwara Giving Party Nightmare Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
The ESEPT had earlier granted same leave to the Petitioner and Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Segun Oni. Oni instituted the petition against the APC’s candidate, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on the premise that he scored the highest number of lawful votes cast in the poll. During yesterday’s proceeding, the tribunal also granted the prayers that were brought through an ex-parte motion by the Counsel to APC, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, who held brief for the Lead Counsel, Mr. Akin Olujimi (SAN), in pursuant to Section 6(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 47(1) of the first schedule of the Electoral Act, Section 146(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Delta North APC Leaders Pledge Support for Tinubu, Omo-Agege
TAJ BANK’S SUKUK BOND AGREEMENT…
TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 THISDAY30 NEWSXTRA
Hammed Shittu inIlorin
The meeting unanimously agreed and announced a leadership council to be chaired by Olejeme, while former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, was appointed chairman of Elections Management Committee.
According to him, “As you can see, we are here for Delta North strategic meeting, and by the grace of God, the leaders of Delta North have come out enmass to support one of their own to be the deputy governor of the state. You can see what the meeting is trying to throw up; most of the discussions we had are just private issue on how to win and deliver Delta North for APC-all the general elections, from the presidency to the House of Assembly.
The governor stated this at the 180th Anniversary of the Advent of Christianity to Aworiland, held at the Cathedral Church of St James, Ipate, Oyinbo, Ota, noting that it was time for the church to join government in speaking and condemning violence of any kind in the country. Abiodun said: “The church is the conscience of the nation and the guiding light for any Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta North senatorial district has pledged to deliver votes from the area to all candidates of the party in the region, including the party’s presidential standard-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Abiodun called on Christians to take advantage of the celebration to rededicate themselves to the growth of the church, noting that it was imperative for all to demonstrate genuine love to one another, as this would make for complete and acceptable service as expected by God.Nigeria, the governor opined, would be a better place if people continue to have faith in God and imitate the works of Jesus Christ and the early Apostles. The governor assured all that his administration would remain unwavering in its commitment to the implementation of ISEYA agenda by providing the enabling environment through job creation, infrastructure, education, security and youth empowerment.
Hon Uche Dike Okoro captured the decision of the stakeholders in his address, declaring that: “Ndi Abia have resolved that an end has come for bad governance, and are looking up to Emenike to save“Wethem.have adopted him door-to-door, house-to-house,” he said, adding that the APC governorship candidate “towers above the other candidates in competence, integrity, visionary leadership, and brims with practicable ideas to develop Abia State.”
The Edo State Government has declared September 9 as the deadline for mortuary operators to obtain their operational licences and get approval from the Edo State Ministry of Health. The Commissioner for Health, Professor Obehi Akoria, issued this directive yesterday at a press briefing alongside security operatives to give update on the suspected ritual shrine recently uncovered by security agencies in Benin City. Akoria equally urged owners of mortuary homes who have registered to present their proof of registration to her ministry latest on September 30 this year. According to her, “the Edo State Ministry of Health is using this opportunity to reach out to all persons who own or operate mortuaries or embalmment homes to come to the ministry’s Directorate of Regulation and Monitoring, with evidence of due registration if they are duly registered latest by September 30. “However, for those who are not duly registered, we are giving till the close of business on September 9, for them to present themselves to the ministry of health, where we will give them the basic requirements for operation of mortuaries or embalmment homes in the state.”
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Chief George Nnanna Kalu, who is a major stakeholder not only in Ohafia but in the state as a whole, pointed out that the problem with Abia State has remained the gross mismanagement of its resources by incompetent leaders.
Human Right Lawyer Tasks Nigerian Leaders on Accountability Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
Adibe Emenyonu inBeninCity
Ekiti Tribunal Grants APC Leave to Inspect Election Materials
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said the recent doctored video circulating in certain quarters by the All Progressives Congress (APC) protagonists in Kwara State is an indication of their failures to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state since assumption of office in May 2019. He also stated that the development has caused a serious jittery to the party ahead of 2023 polls.Saraki at the weekend paid a sympathy visit to the family of one of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adesina, at his Ilorin residence in Ode-Alahusa, Ilorin West Local Government Area in the state over the death of one of their family members.Duringthe visit, the residents of the area came out in large numbers to give Saraki a rousing welcome andSarakisupport.consoled with the Adesina family and prayed for the souls of the Thedeceased.videoofthe visit and the enthusiastic reception given to Saraki has since yesterday been in circulation and can be verified by all interested members of the public.Adesina and his family members also expressed appreciation to Saraki for the visit in spite of his busy schedules.
Farotimi, who was a guest on The Morning Show on Arise News Channel, made the call while speaking on the backdrop of series of meetings that some sitting governors, politicians and other Nigerian leaders had in London last week. He expressed concern that leaders are riding roughshod on their followers who have not been able to connect the cause and effects of the issues at hand in order to hold their rulers accountable. He said: “I believe we are the only oil producing country in the world that is going through the current economic hardship we are experiencing in Nigeria, and this is not by accident. “The people themselves have not managed to connect the issue to the point where they now begin to demand answers. Sri Lankans don’t have two heads, but they understand the issue.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State in the 2023 elections, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has been given a major boost by stakeholders in Ohafia Local Government Area, who have vowed to ensure his victory in the elections.TheOhafia stakeholders took their firm stand on their choice for the state at a meeting hosted by Chief Stanley Orji Oba at Abiriba, specifically asking Emenike to forge ahead with his mission to free the state from misrule. It was a measure of the level of interest that Emenike’s candidacy has continued to generate as stakeholders, who were hitherto indifference to Abia State politics, are now coming out from their comfort zones to ensure the emergence of a good leader in 2023.
On his part, the Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigative Department, Edo State Police Command, Mr. Olawore Oluwole, said in the course of investigation regarding the discovery of mummified bodies at a private morgue, there were interfaces with medical personnel, lawyers, members of the public, representatives of the Benin Traditional Council, families of those who deposited corpses as well as pathologist.
Edo Gives September 9 as Deadline for Morgue Operators to Obtain Licences
Condemn Use of Violence to Settle Disputes, Abiodun Charges Religious Leaders
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said the use of violence to settle disputes is counter-productive because human lives are lost and property destroyed, therefore calling on religious leaders to condemn it in its entirety.
The Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal (ESEPT), has granted leave to the All Progressives Congress (2nd respondent), to inspect the documents and other forms used by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the June 18 governorship election in the state.
A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by Saraki Press Officer on Local Affairs, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, stated that: “Anytime Saraki appears in the state, the state governor, his aides, and the few APC leaders still loyal to the governor are always jittery and remain uncomfortable with the heroic reception that always greet his coming.”
The Edo State Police Command yesterday arrested two suspects; Nosa Iyere (62years), and Juliet Agbonifo (45 years) for allegedly selling a nine-day-old-baby girl for N400,000.Parading the suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed that 62 years old Iyere (a retired nurse) who operates a maternity clinic by name Uyiosa Maternity, sold the baby to Agbonifo (a petty trader).According to Nwabuzor, “the command in an attempt to fight crime and criminality and make peace and tranquility reign in Edo State has made some achievements, which is the recovery of a nine day-old-baby stolen and sold by twoNwabuzorsuspects.” said that “the Divisional Police Officer of the Ogida Police Division, acting on a credible information that a certain woman, by name Juliet Agboifo, 45, was about to procure a child at the Teachers House, Ogida, had to move to the scene, arrested the woman who led detective to the seller, Wilfred Nosa Iyere.”
Police Arrest Two for Selling 9-day-old Baby for N400,000 in Edo
The party leaders at the meeting convened in Maitama, Abuja, by a chieftain, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, also assured supporters that the APC grip on the grassroots of Delta North will guarantee bloc votes for both Tinubu, and the Delta State governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
L-R: Executive Director, TAJ Bank Limited, Mr. Sheriff Idi; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda; Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Isiaku Gwamna, and Managing Director, Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited, the Issuing House, Mr. Bayo Rotimi, during the signing of the issuance transaction documents for the TAJ Bank N100billion Sukuk Bond in Abuja…recently nation that desire development. The church is enjoined to work hard in its responsibility by condemning the use of violence in its entirety by any group to seek“Letredress.uslearn from the various violence in many parts of the country which has led to loss of lives and property which could have contributed to the socio-economic development of ourThenation”.governor also urged religious leaders to use their pulpits to preach peaceful election process, adding: “I urged all of us to continue to rise to the challenge of our time and sincerely to the service of our God, our nation and fellow humans as no sacrifice could be greater than the one Christ did on the cross.”
Ochei, during the meeting, reeled out strategic insights towards winning the forthcoming 2023 general election and what needs to be done. Speaking to journalists at the end of the leadership meeting, the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the state, Hon. Friday Osanebi, disclosed that winning the votes in the senatorial district for the APC dominated discussions at the meeting, adding that the massive youth population of the region will be secured for the party at the elections.
Spaletti stated that both Osimhen and Ronaldo are match winners, adding: “It wouldn’t be a swap, it would be two different signings, in that case. One of the two can turn a game by himself.”p
“Speaking to (President Aurelio) De Laurentiis, he told me that he received no offer, so let’s remain as realistic as possible here and take into consideration only things that could happen. There are only a few days left in the transfer window, it seems unlikely that could go through. There is nothing concrete at the moment,” observed the Napoli gaffer shortly before drew goalless with Fiorentina on Sunday.
President of Nigeria Paravolley Federation, Kayode Ladele said the course, which was attended by 28 coaches and 22 referees from different states in the country, was facilitated by the federation in collaboration with ParaVolleyball Africa.Speaking on the final day of the weeklong course inside the Gymnasium Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos last Sunday, Ladele, who facilitated the course to be held in Lagos, disclosed that the coaches and the referees have been told that the essence of the course is to see that it reflects in the development of the game in Nigeria.
Femi Solaja with agency report As the deadline day of the summer transfer window barely 48 hours away, Napoli Head Coach, Luciano Spalletti, has conceded that it would be ‘difficult’ to reject an £85million (€100m) bid from Manchester United for Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen. The resurgent Red Devils, have been very busy in the on-going transfer and have been strongly linked with the Nigerian as they seek to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s attack.Osimhen on the other hand has attracted interest from across Europe even before the end of last season, with Arsenal reportedly interested before the Gunners signed top target Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City. However, the 23-year-old has remained at Napoli and has just days before the transfer window slamsAlthoughshut. Napoli has tried to keep their prized asset but boss Spalletti has admitted that it could be difficult to do so if a club makes a major offer. The Serie A side have already lost several key players this summer and have spent the transfer window acquiring some shrewdNapolireplacements.isbelieved to have slapped a whopping £85million transfer price tag on Osimhen. Spalletti however has expressed him willingness to work with Ronaldo if the deal pulls through. “If you’re asking me if I’d like to work with Ronaldo, I tell you no coach would say no to that. However, if we go into those areas, the journalists like to fill in for themselves, then as Osimhen’s agent said, there are no negotiations yet.” However, he noted that no bid is currently on the table, and with only a few days left in the transfer window, a move may be unlikely.
for two a start against Lille The Nantes are on on Lorient season.
Aubameyang Assaulted inViolent Robbery in Barcelona
TUESDAYSPORTS Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com08111813083SMSONLY
El Pais cites police sources to reveal that at least four hooded men armed with guns and iron bars accessed the house in Castelldefels, the wealthy neighbourhood just outside Barcelona that many of the club’s players call home, via theAubameyanggarden. was threatened and is alleged to have been beaten by the criminals, who are said to have fled in a white Audi A3 and are now being hunted by Catalan police.The call to the police was made by the 33-year-old’s wife at around 1am on Monday morning.
Aubameyang was the victim of a violent burglary at his home in the early hours of yesterday morning. Aubameyang had been an unused substitute in Barca’s 4-0 La Liga win over Real Valladolid on Sunday evening, returning home before he and his family were put through the dreadful ordeal.
Injury Sidelines MosesSimon for Two Weeks Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigerian international Moses Simon’s heroics for FC Nantes at the weekend has resulted in him going to be sidelined for at least two weeks after he suffered a muscle discomfort at Toulouse.
Time running out on possible Osimhen/Ronaldo Swap to Man Utd
It is not clear what injuries lhffdththej to Chelsea and 90min reported at th d f l t k th t th Bl pBarcelona forward AbhiifPierre-Emerick
"I just think she's the biggest thing that will ever be in the sport," said Japan's Naomi Osaka on Saturday. "It's just really an honour just to watch her play. She's giving us a chance to watch her more."
It is the same fee that United have apparently agreed with Ajax to sign Brazilian winger Antony. The 22-year-old is set to have a medical with the Premier League club this week after forcing a move to Old Trafford.
TUESDAY, THISDAY 31
first-ever World ParaVolley Level 1 Course in West Africa was held in Nigeria, it has put us in the vantage position to participate in World ParaVolley Championships in the nearest future. "For us to begin to see the multiplier effects of this course in the career of the participants, we have tasked the coaches who represented majority of the states in Nigeria, to go back to their respective states to raise at least two teams so that at the end of the day we would have more players playing paravolley in no distance months," Ladele toldSecretaryjournalists.General of Africa ParaVolley Confederation, Zimbabwean Oripa Mubika said she was excited with the turnout of coaches and referees. According to her the Africa body was impressed with the rate the game is being developed especially since the board of the Nigeria's federation was elected.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang...assaulted as thieves robbed his home in SerenaBarcelonaWilliamsdominates discussions on opening day of US Open in New York
TRANSFER UPDATE
Simon who scored a goal and contributed an assisted as Nantes defeated Toulouse 3-1 in a French Ligue 1 game on Sunday evening, was substituted in the 80th minute on account of the injury. After scan carried out on Simon yesterday showed muscle strain, the Super Eagles winger was asked to rest the leg for two weeks. He is to now miss two Ligue 1 actions against Strasbourg andThatPSG.goal against Toulouse was the second of the four-week old season foSimon. He began his goal account of the new Ligue 1 season in a flying start against Lille. The 27-year-old Super Eagle put the Canaries ahead in the 28th minute but second-half substitute Ismaily ensured Lille picked a point from the second game of the season at Stade de la Beaujoire with a well-taken effort in the 76thNantesminute.are 11th on the table with five points from four matches.Meanwhile, another Super Eagles player, Terem Moffi, has been included in the French Ligue 1 Team of the Week. Moffi scored twice as Lorient defeated Clermont 2-1 at home on Sunday. The 23-year-old was also named Man-of-the-Match after theThegame.striker was awarded eight out of 10 in the rating done by the authoritative L’Equipe newspaper. Moffi has scored two goals in four league appearances for Lorient this season.
Coaches who participated at the just concluded World ParaVolley Level 1 Course for Coaches and Referees have been tasked to go back to their respective states and raise at least two teams as a way of impacting what they have learnt during the training.
Spalletti: No Coach Will Say No to Ronaldo in His Squad
Terem Moffi named in French Ligue 1 Team of the Week
player may have suffered, or the extent.Only days earlier, Robert Lewandowski had a watch stolen in Sant Joan Despi near the club’s training ground. But police have already recovered the item after making an Aubameyangarrest.isin the process of leaving Barca. Earlier this month, the former Arsenal captain gave his approval to a potential move the end of last week that the Blues are close to agreeing a deal to take him back to the Premier League. Aubameyang has scored 13 goals in 24 appearances for Barcelona since joining on a free transfer in January. He had fallen out of favour at Arsenal following some disciplinary issues but had previously shown his worth with 60 goals across two seasons from 2018 to 2020.
US Open 2022: Serena’s FarewellDominates Opening Day
"While the organisation of this Serena Williams took centre stage as the US Open gets under way yesterday with the 23-time Grand Slam winner preparing to bid an emotional farewell to Aftertennis.announcing earlier this month that the countdown to her retirement had begun, Williams stepped on court at Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows late last night for what could be her final appearance in a Grand Slam singles event. The 40-year-old sporting and cultural icon won the first of her Grand Slam titles at the same venue in 1999, lifting the trophy as a fresh-faced 17-year-old. But in Monday's sold-out night session, which served off at 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), Williams played Montenegro's Danka Kovinic, the world number 80. Whether Williams is able to extend her US Open campaign beyond that match remains to beInseen.her last outing at the Cincinnati Masters earlier this month, Williams was thumped 6-4, 6-0 by Britain's Emma Raducanu -- who herself was knocked out of the Australian Open by Kovinic in January. Win or lose last night, Williams won't be departing the US Open stage immediately. On Saturday, organisers confirmed that she and elder sister Venus Williams had been given a wild card into the women's doubles tournament, which starts on Wednesday. It is the first time the Williams sisters have played doubles since 2018, reuniting a partnership that has yielded 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals. Whenever Serena Williams does leave the stage, she will do so after a career that has left a lasting legacy on her sport.
Coaches Gets Mandate to Raise Teams as World ParaVolley Level 1 Course Ends
TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI
“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria reaffirms its position that the same-faith ticket can, in no way, be justified, as it is not in the interest of Nigeria, as it further jeopardises the prospects of peaceful coexistence building of a united nation” ---TheGeneralSecretary, PFN, Dr.CosmosIlechukwu,faultingsame-faithticketofAPC. APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket
and
Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese who turns 70 tomorrow, August 31, deserves celebration for his service to church, community, nation, and humanity, for his achievements as a true citizen who has used his priestly circumstances, boundless energy and prodigious intellect to promote the causes of justice and the common good. He stands shoulders above many of his contemporaries in his many engagements in the last four decades. He has been a priest for close to 50 years, but his range of influence goes beyond the pulpit to include scholarship, public intellectualism, civil society advocacy and the courage to provide leadership even in the most difficult situations. He is easily one of the best-known faces of the Catholic faith and priesthood in Nigeria. He remains an admirable advertisement of the virtues of Catholicism and the Church. I am not a Catholic but I admire the Catholic Church, owing largely to my interaction over the years with Catholic priests like Bishop Kukah. I like the fact that the Catholic Church in Nigeria invests heavily in the training and education of its priests. It is mostly in the Catholic Church that you would find such exemplary priests that are usually educated to the highest levels possible. Many Catholic priests parade Ph.Ds as if it is a minimum qualification, in most cases Catholic priests display other skills, with language, research, public engagements and an unusual hunger for knowledge. The Anglican Church over time has also shown a similar commitment to the education of its priests, but the Catholic Church remains far ahead. In a country where many pastors and priests are at best spellbinders, hypnotists and clownish motivational speakers, and petty merchants with very little knowledge of the Holy Book, it is ever so refreshing to attend a Church or listen to a priest who speaks from an abundance of insight and talent. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah belongs in this category. In the late 80s, the 90s and till date, he has been a shining star of the Catholic Church of Nigeria, who through his example inspires the younger generation, within the priesthood and the general Nigerian community. I first met him on the pages of newspapers through his writings. In those days, the opinion pages of newspapers were dominated by persons of high intellect, most of whom dissected issues of the day, in beautiful prose, and with great erudition. Fr. Matthew Kukah, as he then was, was one of the most prolific, churning out essays, week after week. Those were the days of intimidating columnists sand contributors on the op-ed pages: to have your essay published on the same page with a Matthew Kukah, Pat Utomi, Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe, Chinweizu, Sonala Olumhense, Odia Ofeimun, Olatunji Dare, Edwin Madunagu, Biodun Jeyifo, Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, Pini Jason, Andy Akporugo, Stanley Macebuh, Fred Onyeoziri, Emevwo Biakolo, Amma Ogan, Sully Abu, Effiong Essien, Ashikiwe Adione-Egom…was like winning a jackpot. Many of us framed the pages, and looked up to the big names. The times are different today. Our newspapers have stopped serving culture and society and the reader as spaces for great intellection, the tradition of old has been replaced by “opinionitis”, a very dangerous disease which pushes just about anyone to think they can inflict bad prose and thoughts on a vanishing breed of readers anyway. Matthew Kukah’s contributions to public discourse was frequent, and often wellreceived. He was not afraid of debates or intellectual pugilism. In those days, one subject on the pages of a newspaper could result in months of rigorous debate, from a multi-disciplinary perspective, by persons who respected each other’s intellect but nevertheless had the capacity to weave words into treated many priests felt it was their obligation and ecclesiastical duty to help free the people from the shackles of of oppression. Even when there was no seminar, the doors of the Catholic Secretariat were always open. I later developed the habit of stopping by whenever I was in that part of the city. On a good evening, there was always sumptuous dinner. And the fridge was always full. Beer, wine…And there was Fr. George often twanging away on his guitar, trying out a new song, or reading a poem. He would later succeed Kukah as Secretary General and indeed that period – the Kukah-Ehusani - could be remembered as the golden years of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria. Kukah left behind a legacy that raised the profile of the Secretariat and the Church. Beyond his public intellectualism and duties as a priest, Bishop Kukah has also been very active within the general community as an agent of peace and promoter of good governance and the common good. He is a compulsive bridge-builder, with friends in virtually every corner, and so well established is he among the political and private sector elite of Nigeria that many of his critics try to take pot-shots at him that he would still need to make up his mind whether he wants to be a priest or a politician. In recent years, through his major project, the Kukah Centre, he has been working in Nigeria’s post-military dispensation to promote the cause of peace, good governance, and stability. The Centre in collaboration with General Abdusalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s last military ruler up until 1999 to date, has jointly promoted a National Peace Committee, which gets politicians before elections to sign peace accords and give undertakings that they would embrace peace, as well as promoting peace in Nigerian communities. Kukah was a member of the National Human Rights Investigation Commission, Nigeria’s equivalent of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, also known as the Oputa Panel 1999 – 2001, Secretary of the National Political Reform Conference under the Obasanjo administration in 2005, Chairman of the Ogoni-Shell Reconciliation Committee since 2005, and member of the committee for electoral reform, 2007 – 2009. In addition to this, Bishop Kukah is a strong advocate for inter-religious harmony, using every opportunity to promote tolerance and peace. For his efforts, he has been appointed to the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Vatican and as Chairman of the Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. He has also enjoyed a level of visibility and influence that many priests can only dream about. He has probably given as many homilies at events organized by other churches as he has done on Catholic occasions. Political leaders seek his counsel. The intellectual class and the commentariat respect him as one of their own. The establishment at state and national levels seek his attention and counsel because they know that he can be trusted to say the truth without fear or favour. He is not a prosperity or attention-seeking priest. He and others like him including those that I mentioned earlier are cut from a different cloth.
Matthew Hassan Kukah at 70: A Tribute
Priests of his type present a different model from that other Catholic priest: Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministries in Enugu. It is a measure of the diversity of the Catholic Church that it is even possible to mention an Ejike in a tribute to Bishop Matthew Kukah. As it were, virtually every Nigerian government has learnt to respect Bishop Matthew Kukah. The only exception has been the Buhari administration whose agents and spokespersons recently developed a passion for harassing the priest. He has challenged them to an open debate. They have not been able to take on that challenge. Meanwhile, Kukah has remained unrelenting in his chosen task of speaking truth to power and exposing chicanery, hypocrisy and the
stupidity of hegemons no matter how dandified. It is not surprising that Kukah is a much soughtafter public lecturer. He has given lectures on virtually every important platform in Nigeria, from convocation ceremonies to funerals to anniversaries. He stands out as a consistent man of intellect, with a transparent public spirit. He likes to tell stories: his usual style is to tell a story, catch the attention of his audience with some humour, of course except he is discussing such grim subjects as the killing of his kith and kin in Zango-Kataf in Southern Kaduna or members of his diocese in Sokoto state, or any form of religious persecution, or the failings of the power elite, having learnt the art of choosing his topics with purpose. To mark his 70th birthday, Bishop Kukah is announcing his plans to build a befitting edifice for the Kukah Centre, one of Africa’s leading policy think-tanks. He and the Centre deserve every possible support on a sustainable basis. The Centre would be a major legacy offering from a priest who is on way easily to becoming a legend. Ahead of tomorrow’s event, he recently released a book titled Broken Truths: Nigeria’s Elusive Quest for National Cohesion. Author of many articles in academic journals, Kukah remains conscious of his training and exposure as an academic: diploma, University of Ibadan, B.A., Pontifical Urban University, Rome. M.A., Peace Studies, University of Bradford, (1980), Ph.D, Political Science, University of London (1990), Edward Mason Fellow, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; Rhodes Fellow, St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, Honorary Fellow, Nigeria Academy of Letters. The harvest from his fecund mind has been rich and impressive including some of the most authoritative books on aspects of Nigerian history such as: Religion, Politics and Power in Northern Nigeria (1993) – perhaps his most seminal work, Religious Militancy and Self-Assertion: Islam and Politics in Nigeria (1997); Democracy and Civil Society in Nigeria (2001); Witness to Justice: An Insider’s Account of Nigeria’s Truth Commission (2011), and Broken Truths (2022). At 70, Bishop Kukah can reminisce with a strong measure of contentment that he has been able to impact many lives, using his chosen vocation of priesthood to make a difference in the lives of those to whose spiritual health he ministers and the larger community of men and women who have drawn inspiration from his wealth of knowledge, humility and accomplishments. As a person, Bishop Kukah is friendly, kind-hearted and always ready with a listening ear. Nobody has given him any national honour. He probably does not need it. Nigeria’s security agencies have stalked and questioned him. He has been abused and threatened for his no-holds-barred homilies. He has been labelled a religious bigot. He is, however, not afraid of authority figures because of his own commitments to a higher cause and his understanding of the dynamics of power. Those who use power and position to oppress the harmless, do so only for a while until they are reminded of the ephemerality of their advantages. Whatever may have been his travails, Kukah’s critics lay the blame at the doorstep of the ambivalence of his insider-outsider relationship with power and politics. But it can be said of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah that he has lived a life entirely of service and that is the best kind of life. He deserves to be celebrated. What we will be celebrating is not material things and the celebrant is not likely to be decked out in flowing babariga or agbada, the accent would be on service, innovation, ideas, goodness, justice, peace and humanism. I join others in wishing Bishop Kukah many happy returns of the day. He is one of the few redemptive figures in a community of pastors and priests where sometimes it is difficult to truly know what has happened to Christian leadership in our land. To Bishop Kukah: 70 Hearty Cheers! prose and good sense. This was the tradition that we grew into, from university to the field. Kukah was a major source of inspiration and a good sport. Many of his opinion pieces and extended essays remain timeless. Bishop Kukah’s stature began to flower, even more so in his position at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria: he was first a Deputy Secretary General, then he became the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat, located in Lagos, directly opposite Tafawa Balewa Square or Race Course as it was originally known. Under his watch as leader of that Secretariat, it became an important intellectual rendezvous for civil society groups and public intellectuals in the entire Southern Nigeria. Kukah built a very strong relationship with the media, promoting, most actively, both the Catholic Church, and the activities of the Catholic Bishops Conference, focusing on issues of justice, peace and development. When Nigeria descended into chaos in 1993, with the annulment of the June 12 1993 Presidential election, church and society rose against the impunity of the military establishment, and called for an end to military rule and respect for the people’s sovereignty. The majority spoke with one voice that military absolutism had defeated the purpose of good governance and that it was time for the Nigerian military to go. The Catholic Church spoke truth to power on the pulpit and on the streets. Leaders of other churches – the Anglican, the Methodist and Pentecostal Churches also joined the protest. The. Catholic Secretariat in Lagos served the Catholics as an intellectual power house. Kukah had able lieutenants: Fr. George Ehusani, his then Deputy who would later succeed him as Secretary-General. There were others too: Rev. John Uba Ofei and Rev. Fr. Iheanyi Enwerem. On a regular basis, the Secretariat issued press releases and also organized seminars and conferences on various topics of interest with stakeholders brought together to chart the way forward for Nigeria. I was a familiar participant at those Sunday evening sessions. Many of us became so close to the Catholic priests, we began to also talk about liberation theology. Nigerians had been so badly Kukah
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