FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST 2024

Addeh in Abuja Minister of State for Petroleum

FG Threatens to Invoke ‘No Work, No Pay’ Rule on Striking Resident Doctors

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government yesterday warned members of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that it may be compelled to implement a ‘No Work, No Pay’ order on them should they refuse to call off the ongoing warning strike.

In a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the ministry said that it found the decision of the doctors to proceed on strike action, in the midst of ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable.

It said that over the past months, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had been working tirelessly to ensure the immediate and

FG

safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

It further said High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway, adding that government remained confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.

The statement said: "The ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike action, in the midst of these ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable. As we believe that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues.

"In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to bring to the notice of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), that in line with extant labour laws, the federal government will evoke the ‘No Work, No Pay’ for the number

Inaugurates NSIA Board, Wants Sustainable Future for Unborn Generations

The federal government yesterday inaugurated the new Board of Directors of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), with a charge that they should pursue the critical mandate of steering the nation's economic growth and stability.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who inaugurated the board in his office in Abuja, charged them to leverage their expertise and wealth of experience to bear in driving the NSIA's mission of creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

Reflecting on the NSIA's 11year journey since inception, the minister praised the Institution's outstanding progress in achieving its mandate.

He described the NSIA as "an essential Institution for our nation's economic stability and growth."

The newly-appointed NSIA board comprises distinguished professionals from various sectors, selected through deliberations and recommendations made by the Executive Nominations Committee.

The Director, Information

the issues, the minister stressed that most of the outstanding areas of conflict had been sorted out, except two areas for which a committee, led by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nicholas Ella, had been set up to resolve in days.

He stated, “There seems to be some misunderstanding, as it were, of a regulation made by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). That has to do with domestic oil supply, and as part of our policy here in the ministry, when we see a seeming misunderstanding, we try to resolve it.

“So that is why we are here today to discuss the issues raised by both the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) members, who are the international oil companies, and the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) members, who are the indigenous oil companies.

“Right now, we've been able to agree, except for one or two areas. So what we have resolved is that there should be a small committee to be headed by the permanent secretary to look at the matter between Monday and Tuesday.”

of days the strike was observed.".

The ministry said the measure was not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services were not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.

"We encourage all resident doctors to return to the negotiation table so that we can collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our healthcare sector.

"As always, the ministry remains open to constructive dialogue and is committed to working together with all stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution,’’ the statement added.

Doctors under the auspices of NARD had recently embarked on a one-week warning strike to protest the continued stay of one of their members, in the hands of kidnappers since December 27 last year.

Meanwhile, the leadership of NARD met with the Minister of State

and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga disclosed that the final approval was given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following endorsement by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who serves as the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).

The new board members include: Mr. Segun Ogunsanya (Chairman), and Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq (Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer).

Other board members are Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, Mr. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya, Mr. Ahmed Goniri, Ms. Ada Osakwe, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, Ms. Ijeoma Taylaur, andcMr. Kola Owodunni

In his inaugural remarks, the newly-appointed chairman, Ogunsanya, affirmed his commitment to fostering a prosperous future for the next generation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.

He said: "Our mandate is clear—we are here to enhance the wealth of our nation and ensure that future generations do not face the spectre of poverty."

Ogunsanya also highlighted the Board's ambition to significantly grow the fund under its management.

Lokpobiri expressed the commitment of the concerned parties towards resolving the pending issues, stressing that the ministry would continue to ensure a conducive environment for all players.

He said, “Contrary to whatever opinion anyone might have, when it comes to business, we're all committed to ensuring that we support the industry. We're also committed to ensuring that we create the best environment and open up opportunities to allow business operations in the oil and gas sector to continue.

“That is the essence of the meeting. And that is why since we were appointed, that has been our policy choice, that whatever issues exist, we sit down and resolve them.

“Those issues are very fundamental issues that have been agreed, and all of them are committed. All the companies in Nigeria are committed to ensuring that we meet that part of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that has to do with domestic oil supply obligation.”

Lokpobiri, at another event, maintained that the country was

for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha late Thursday evening, with the minister pleading with them to call off their warning strike.

Addressing a peace meeting with the leadership of the doctors in Abuja, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Onyejeocha said that government is leaving no stone untouched in the effort to secure freedom for the kidnapped medical personnel.

She also assured that President Bola Tinubu has ordered that security be beefed up around hospital facilities in order to protect health workers and their patients.

The Minister said: " I have to say here that the government has heard you clearly and Mr. President is feeling disturbed that these things are happening and it is not something he wished to continue.

"That's why he has been engaging with security agencies every day, discussing issues of protection of lives

and properties of the citizens. And so he told me to reach out to you to plead that he and the security agencies are working hard to make sure that this condition do not persist and that he is committed the protection of lives and properties that he promised Nigerians.

“In that stead, I plead with you that work is ongoing, that please rescind the decision to continue the warning strike because that as we speak people who are not kidnapped are dying. I know that you are passionate saving lives of your brothers and sisters who are in the hospitals".

Earlier the NARD Resident. Dr. Dele Abdulahi Olaitan had recalled that on 27 of December, 2023, news broke that a lady doctor along with her husband and nephew were kidnapped from their house located within the hospital facility - the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.

He regretted that despite all their cries to the security agents to rescue

the victim nothing came out of it. He lamented that the mother of five kids and a breast feeding mother had been in captivity since December 27, 2023 till date. According to him, though efforts got her husband released, all other efforts so far has yielded no fruit. He said that the association had undertaken several engagements including protests and media advocacy but that it was when the association was not getting right responses that they decided to go on warning strike.

Citibank Nigeria Appoints Enwereji as New MD/CEO

Nume Ekeghe

Citibank Nigeria Limited (Citi) has announced the appointment of Nneka Enwereji as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 19, 2024.

The appointment follows approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Enwereji steps into the role, succeeding Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, who is retiring after a distinguished 36-year career with Citi.

Commenting on her appointment, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, the Chairman of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman said: “I am very happy about Nneka’s appointment.

“Her deep industry knowledge, strong leadership skills, and a clear vision for the future will ensure the bank continues to help Citi’s clients navigate an increasingly dynamic environment. It has been a pleasure working with her as an Executive Director and I look forward to working with her as the MD/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Limited”.

Also commenting on her appointment, Sub-Saharan Africa

winning the war against oil theft and pipeline vandalism. He said the development was reflecting in the increase in oil output.

Speaking when he paid an inspection visit to Amal Tech Limited factory in Idu, Abuja, the minister stated that the government was determined to curb oil theft in the country.

He said, "Everybody knows that oil theft is one of the biggest economic problems that we have. And we are battling them. When I became minister, we were doing, daily, about one million barrels per day (bpd), but today we are doing 1.7 million bpd, inclusive of condensate.

“So, we are winning the war. We are not where we want to be. But, certainly, it's a tremendous improvement as far as the issue of oil theft is concerned. We will continue to battle until we get to two million bpd to 2.5 million bpd."

After touring the facility, Lokpobiri stressed that despite starting out with the manufacturing of a device to monitor smoke and gas leaks, the company had expanded to develop other devices, like electricity meters and pipeline

(SSA) Sub-Cluster Head for Citi, Akin Dawodu in his statement said: “Nneka is a strong leader with a proven track record of growing businesses, deepening client relationships, and building strong partnerships. I am confident that she will continue to deliver value for our clients and other stakeholders.”

Before her appointment, Enwereji was Citi’s Head of Global Network Banking (GNB) across the SSA sub-cluster, and she led the team in achieving record business growth, amidst considerable market complexities. Her previous roles include the GNB Co-Head for Middle East and Africa (MEA), Africa Trade Services Head and Financial Institutions SSA Trade Head.

Enwereji brings a wealth of experience and her 31-year banking career spans Markets, Corporate & Investment Banking, Transaction Services, Risk Management and Operations. She has been an Executive Director on the Citi Nigeria board and has also served on different boards in a non-executive capacity.

Also, Nneka holds a degree in Computer Science and Economics with first-class honors

surveillance systems.

“We are committed to working with them; committed to strengthening our partnership with them, so that together we will be able to reduce the level of oil theft to the barest minimum,” he added.

He reiterated the federal government’s dedication to supporting and strengthening local industries, highlighting their crucial role in driving economic growth and development.

Lokpobiri stated, “Your innovative solutions are creating jobs, adding value to the economy, and making a significant impact across multiple sectors. We are committed to strengthening our partnership with you and supporting your growth. We recognise the importance of your work in achieving our objectives, particularly in reducing pipeline infractions and increasing local production capacity.”

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Amal Tech Limited, Shehu Abdullahi, expressed his appreciation to the federal government, and stated that the firm’s innovative activities would save the government funds.

from the Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the Warwick Business School, UK. She has also attended executive programmes at Yale School of Management and the University of California, Berkeley. She is married with children.

Commenting on her appointment, Enwereji said:

“I am excited about this new chapter at the helm of Citibank Nigeria Limited, working with our dedicated team to deliver the full value of Citi’s network to clients and stakeholders.”

“Citi has been serving clients in Nigeria for 40 years, driving its vision of being the

preeminent banking partner for institutions with crossborder needs, while building a strong legacy of innovation and economic progress.”

Nneka will be responsible for maximising Citi’s value proposition to clients present in Nigeria by driving innovation, enhancing customer satisfaction, and reinforcing Citi’s position as a market leader.

She will ensure the bank remains consistent and steadfast in its commitment to serve as a bridge to Citi’s global clients with local presence, and local clients with global aspirations.

GAIN Partners FG, NGOs to Tackle Nutrition Challenges

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Country Director of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Swiss-based foundation, Dr. Michael Ojo, has pledged that the organisation was determined to tackle issues associated with nutrition in Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Government and some development partners.

Ojo stated this when GAIN hosted the various Enterprise Support Organisation (ESOs) for Nutrition in Africa in Abuja yesterday.

The theme of the workshop was “The Role of ESOs in Transforming Food Systems in Nigeria”

Ojo told the participants that GAIN aims to make healthier food choices more affordable, accessible and desirable.

The occasion brought together, critical stakeholders from across the nutritious food supply chain in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ojo said the one-day event, was designed to empower ESOs to integrate effective nutrition strategies into their support for Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He said GAIN's shared mission was to ensure that nutritious, safe, and affordable food is accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

He said: “Through our work, we aim to transform food systems to make healthier diets accessible to all people, especially those most vulnerable to shocks.

“By 2027, we aim to have improved the access of 1.5 billion people to nutritionally

enhanced staple foods, enhanced the diets of 25 million people, and support nature-positive food system transformation across the countries where we work.

“In Nigeria and across the continent, small and mediumsized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of our food systems. These are the farmers, aggregators, food processors, distributors, and retailers who bring food from the farm to our tables.

“However, these MSMEs often face significant challenges, from limited access to finance and markets to inadequate technical knowledge and infrastructure. This is where ESOs come in. By 2050, it is projected that Nigeria will have twice as many months to feed.

“With the prospect of our country doubling its geographic size by then to cope with the food requirements of this increased population. ESOs have a crucial role in encouraging and supporting MSMEs to adopt new technologies and innovative practices.

“Whether it is in sustainable farming techniques, advanced processing methods, or digital platforms for distribution, ESOs can guide MSMEs in integrating these innovations into their operations,” he said.

Participants on the occasion, engaged in in-depth discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable insights aimed at transforming food systems to better meet nutritional needs in Nigeria.

The project, according to her, is being implemented in six African countries — Nigeria, Benin, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania.

Holds capacity building workshop for SMEs

Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

FCCPC Reads Riot Act to Traders, Market Associations, Others Over Undue Price Hikes,

Announces 30-day moratorium for enforcement

James

Emejo in Abuja

Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Tunji Bello, yesterday, read the riot act to traders, market leaders, and other stakeholders over alleged dubious market practices marked by undue price inflation.

Speaking at the opening of a stakeholders' meeting on exploitative pricing, hosted by FCCPC in Abuja, Bello bemoaned the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services across the country, and unwholesome practice of market associations engaged in price fixing.

He said the practice had eroded consumer trust and threatened the stability of the economy.

The FCCPC chief executive said as a responsive organisation, the commission had carried out discreet market surveys extensively across the country in the past few weeks to get to the root of the matter.

He stressed that the law empowered the commission to impose heavy fines for breaches and also prosecute offenders, which could lead to jail terms.

He said the new initiative by

FCCPC aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritised the welfare of Nigerians.

Bello said the council was determined to uphold the agenda by ensuring that market practices did not exacerbate the economic challenges faced by citizens.

He pointed out that as a sensitive leader who cared for the welfare of the citizens, Tinubu had already taken some pragmatic steps to ease food security in the country, including the provision of fertiliser to farmers as well as removal of tariffs on the importation of selected staple food items.

Bello said, "It is only just and reasonable that distributors and traders pass down the gains to Nigerian consumers by reducing prices in the coming weeks".

He urged stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation.

According to him, Section 107 (4a.) of FCCPA clearly states, "Where the undertaking is a natural person, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to payment of a fine not exceeding N10 million or to both the fine and imprisonment."

Bello said Section 107 (4b) further stipulated, "Where the undertaking is a body corporate, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 10 per cent of its turnover in the preceding business year."

However, Bello said, "In the spirit of democracy, we are first exploring the option of dialogue. It is also in this spirit that we are giving a moratorium of one month (that is, September) before the commission will start firm enforcement.

"Let us work together to create a marketplace that is not only competitive but also fair and just. The FCCPC is committed to continuing these dialogues, monitoring compliance, and taking decisive action where necessary."

In an interview with THISDAY, Bello said Nigerians were currently feeling the pinch of high inflation and illegal price increases, necessitating the intervention of FCCPC.

He said, "As FCCPC, we have a responsibility here. We are also responsible for promoting competition in the market, and also for protecting the consumers in the long run.

"What we are saying is that there are situations where you have people

fixing prices here and there, contrary to what is supposed to be achieved.

"Let us engage the traders, the retailers, the wholesalers, and every sector; and those who are responsible for allowing goods into the markets.

"And that's what we have come to do and we have listened to them. We have heard their feelings. This is a very good feedback for us."

He said the commission was not against businesses making profits from their legitimate activities.

However, he said, "What we are against is illegitimate surplus or profits that people are making. And there is a gang up already. And we are trying to prevent those gang ups from happening.

"What we are trying to stop is exploitation. We are not stopping people from doing their normal trade."

The FCCPC head added, "As a statutory body whose mandate is to cater to consumer rights, we cannot allow this unhealthy trend to continue.

To be sure, we quite recognise that an unfavourable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency.

"However, the margin in pricing of goods and services is rather

Adelabu Addresses UN on Nigeria’s Power Supply Efforts, Seeks Assistance to Achieve Targets

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has called on the United Nations (UN) to be involved in Nigeria's effort at achieving its energy targets by providing technical assistance, capacity building, and financial support.

The Minister made the call during a dialogue session with an international audience made up of Representatives from Britain, Brazil, Pakistan, Tonga, Phillipines, Uruguay, Moldova, among others.

The event was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Making a presentation entitled:

“Generating Sustainable Energy for Development, Nigeria’s Bold and Ambitious Vision”, he disclosed

that the federal government had implemented a multi-prolonged approach, designed to tackle issues across the country's electricity supply industry value chain and set the sector on a path to recovery and prosperity.

He announced that Nigeria was committed to achieving ‘Net Zero’ by 2060 “with a short-term target under our vision 30:30:30, to attain 30GW of grid energy supply with a 30 per cent renewable energy mix by 2030, and a long-term goal of universal energy access.

He said that these target presented an opportunity for Nigeria to adopt cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, as the country strives to achieve energy security and meet the demands of the country’s growing economy.

He also told his audience that Nigeria was striving to achieve its

energy transition targets as it is faced with several major challenges, which include mobilisation of finance for project development, inadequate technical and commercial capacity across the value chain, limited local content in products and services, and infrastructure limitations that hinder the adoption of variable renewable energy technologies on the national grid.

But to set the power sector on the recovery path, the minister said: “We have streamlined legislative and policy processes to reduce bureaucratic red tape and encourage active participation from sub-national entities, thereby fostering investment and project execution.

“We are leveraging both public and private funds to de-risk project investments and attract more substantial finance commitment, enabling larger and faster project

rollout.

“We are embracing technology and innovation to help investors identify optimal investment opportunities. We have initiated a national program to fast-track infrastructure development aimed at building a robust, viable, and resilient grid network.

“Lastly, we are fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations with investment communities and development partners to leverage global expertise, share resources, and co-invest in the energy sector”, the minister said.

He expressed delight at the opportunity given to him to speak at the forum, which he said provided him the opportunity for exploring the challenges and opportunities that countries face in establishing and executing clean energy transition pathways.

unreasonable or excessive in not a few cases. We have observed, for instance, that the margin in the prices of imported goods are very disproportionate in many cases; and in the case of locally produced goods, excessively inflated.

"This is an untenable situation, particularly in the retail segment, where we have identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices."

"Interestingly, when our undercover officer visited the same supermarket two weeks earlier, this same blender was on display with the price tag of N750,000.

"The question then arises: what is the basis for this arbitrary hike in the price of the blender compared to the United States? What business principle can justify this level of profiteering?"

To buttress his point, Bello said, "For instance, our check just two days ago at a popular supermarket chain in Texas, United States, revealed that a fruit blender called Ninja is displayed on the shelf at $89 (roughly N140,000). Just two days ago. Meanwhile, the same product was displayed at a popular supermarket at Victoria Island in Lagos for N944,999 on the same day and at the same hour. This represents more than 500 percent inflation of the cost.

Peter Uzoho

Aradel Holdings Plc has through its subsidiary, Aradel Energy Limited, signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the 100 per cent interest in the Olo and Olo West marginal fields from TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Aradel disclosed this in a statement it shared with THISDAY, yesterday, saying the acquisition was completed for a consideration of $16 million, plus $3.5 million of deferred and conditional payments.

The Olo and Olo West marginal fields are located within former oil mining lease (OML) 58, in the Eastern Niger Delta, 80 kilometres northwest of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Nigerian integrated energy company said the Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) for Olo and Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) for Olo West would be issued after the payment of relevant ministerial consent fees and completion of approved Field Development Plans (FDPs) within designated timeframes.

According to the statement, the addition of Olo and Olo West Marginal fields to Aradel’s portfolio of assets is a significant inorganic growth milestone in furtherance of the company’s vision and long-term strategy to provide sustainable energy solutions that support economic growth.

Commenting on the announcement, Aradel’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr. Adegbite Falade said: “The acquisition of Olo and Olo West Marginal Fields are a major step in our journey of promoting energy security in Nigeria through organic and inorganic growth.

"We want to commend the unwavering commitment of the Ministers of Petroleum Resources, and our regulator - the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in supporting this acquisition, within the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). "We also want to commend the NNPCL and TotalEnergies for their commitment to grow Nigeria’s oil and gas production, even from marginal fields.”

Aradel operates through its subsidiaries and an affiliate company, Aradel Energy Limited (100 per cent), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aradel Holdings, as well as the Operator of the Ogbele and Omerelu Fields; Aradel Gas Limited (100 per cent), a wholly owned subsidiary established to pursue investment opportunities in the gas sector. The group also has Aradel Investments Limited (100 per cent), also a wholly owned subsidiary established to hold and manage the group’s non-oil and gas assets; Aradel Refineries Limited (95 per cent), an independent operating midstream entity, underscoring its commitment to attaining energy independence in Nigeria.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, flanked by some of the

Ikeja, on Wednesday

ANNUAL GENDER CONFERENCE...

L-R:

Lawmakers Visit Dangote Cement Plant in Kogi, Back Him on Industrialisation Efforts

Ibrahim Oyewale

Dangote Group’s industrialisation stride in Nigeria has received yet another momentum as federal lawmakers back the company’s strides, with members of the House of Representatives visiting the Dangote Cement Plc in Obajana, Kogi State yesterday.

The lawmakers further expressed their delight at the significant economic impact the company had made in Nigeria's cement subsector.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the House Committee

on Solid Minerals, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, who led his team to the cement plant, emphasised the need for collaboration between Nigeria's political leaders and investors to drive the country's industrialisation.

He noted that Dangote Cement had paved the way with its substantial investments, job creation, tax contributions, and more, emphasising that everyone must work together to ensure Nigeria's progress.

He stated that the visit by the joint subcommittee on Solid

FG Establishes Committee to Enhance Credit Risk Management in Nigeria

Nume Ekeghe

The federal government has established a committee to assess and manage the various credit and other risks confronting the country.

The initiative was announced by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, during the annual conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute (CRMI) in Lagos yesterday.

Olusi, who was honoured with an honorary fellowship at the event noted that the committee was expected to submit finding within four weeks to the presidency.

Also, CRMI honoured its first set of Honorary Fellowship Awards to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Olayemi Cardoso, Executive Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Zaccheus Adedeji, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, among others.

Others Awarded were the Group Managing Directo Zenith Bank, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Access Bank, Dr. Roosevelt Ogbonna and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Oyeali-Ikpe.

Another highlight at the event was the signing of the Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) to establish the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA) with Risk institute heads represented by South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Benin Republic, and Kenya present.

Olusi said: "I'm delighted to say that President Bola Tinubu, who understands the importance of risk management and implication for our economy at large has recently set up a committee to look into ways we can manage risks, credit risks better and he gave us a mandate to report to him back to him within the next four weeks.”

“I want to assure you that we shall all continue to advocate strong risk management in our various establishments.”

The conference, themed: 'Emerging Crisis in Africa: Way Forward,' also featured remarks from Dr. Ezekiel Oseni, President and Chairman of Council at CRMI.

He disclosed that the institute had sponsored a risk management bill currently under review in the National Assembly, which has already passed its first reading.

"One of the key initiatives of the institute is sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly, as I promised last year. The bill has already passed its first reading. This legislation aims to mandate every Ministry, Department, and Agencies to establish a risk management function.

CORRIGENDUM

In our Editorial, The Abuse of Expatriate Quota, published last Wednesday, August 28, we referred to Roger Brown as former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc. He is indeed the CEO of Seplat Energy Plc. The error is regretted.   –Editor

Minerals and Commerce was partly aimed at investigating the reasons behind the current cement prices and collaboratively seeking solutions.

Responding to the visiting lawmakers about the current prices, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, stated that cement inputs are dollar driven except limestone which is found in Nigeria.

Some of these inputs, according

to him, include machineries, spare parts, the gas for fuel and gypsum which is one of the raw materials.

He explained that the rise and instability in foreign exchange rates have been significant factors contributing to the current prices of cement products, stressing that Dangote Group remains Nigeria’s largest employer outside of government.

He also explained that compared to 2021, the salaries of the company’s

employees had been increased by 21.3 per cent in 2022 to 47.5 per cent in 2023 and 63.2 per cent in 2024. The salary increase, he said, was meant to meet up the inflation in the country.

Some of the community related intervention schemes embedded in the Community Development Agreement (CDA), the company said, included: Provision of scholarship, construction of blocks of classrooms, construction of boreholes, building

of hospitals and construction, and rehabilitation road networks. The company further said that it delivered a multimillion naira health facility at Iwaa, one of the mining communities, as well as launched several other empowerment schemes. Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Okpella, Edo State, Ismail Muhammad, said the company had invested hugely in state-of-the art facility in its bid to achieve operational efficiency.

Proposed ASUU Strike: Yayale, Tejuosho, 4 Pro-chancellors to Join FG Negotiation Team

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The former Head of Service of the Federation and current Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. Yayale Ahmed and Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso have been nominated by the committee of Pro-chancellors of federal universities to be in the federal government negotiation team with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Others include the Prochancellors of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Nora Daddut, UNIZIK, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, Federal University of Technology, Babura, Prof. Ignatius Onimao and Modibbo Adama University,

Mahmud Shinkafi.

This was after the inauguration of Yayale and Tejuosho as chairman and alternate chairman by the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CPCNFU) following an emergency meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja.

In his opening remarks, Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Dr. Chris Maiyaki, emphasized the crucial role of Pro-Chancellors in the governance of Federal Universities and informed them that ASUU had declared a trade dispute with government over breeches in the 2009 Agreement.

In a statement signed by the

Head of Communications of the (CPCNFU) Karen Daaor, Maiyaki also encouraged the CPCNFU to invest in innovative strategies and solutions to guide their institutions toward achieving academic excellence.

Maiyaki said: "The newly inaugurated leadership and committee will lead the Federal Government Negotiation Team to meet with the ASUU leadership."

In his acceptance speech, Ahmed expressed gratitude to his colleagues for entrusting him with the leadership of the esteemed body.

He highlighted the challenges he aims to address collaboratively to include university autonomy and

funding, and called on his colleagues to remain forthright, respect the law, and work closely with university management and other stakeholders to make a lasting impact during their tenure.

The statement in part noted: "The new leadership team is poised to provide thoughtful leadership and foster cooperation among Nigerian Federal Universities, with a focus on addressing common challenges and promoting a thriving educational environment."

The meeting was well attended and in attendance was the Secretary - General of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu.

Okpebholo: Tinubu Supporter, Bwala Says Edo Deserves More in Next Guber Poll

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unofficial spokesperson and former spokesman for the defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, yesterday lampooned the acting Chairman of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Mr. Jarret Tenebe, for insinuating that the people of the state cannot afford satellite television.

“Edo people can’t afford DSTV, which is why Mr. Monday Okpebholo cannot do a TV interview,” Tenebe was quoted as saying earlier.

The candidate of the APC and senator representing Edo

Central Senatorial District has been avoiding invitations for media interviews regarding his gubernatorial ambition.

Also, his party’s acting chairman advanced reasons why the candidate won’t show up.

He said Edo people can’t afford DSTV to enable them to watch the interview, and as such, Okpebholo won’t honour any media interview invitations.

But Bwala, on his X handle lambasted Tenebe, saying: “The APC governorship campaign in Edo has to do more; so far, the narrative is ineffective. For a stakeholder to say the governorship candidate will not go to Arise TV because Edo people can’t afford DSTV is

shameful and regrettable.

“Edo is a rich state with reasonable economic standards and is definitely not among the states bankrupt to the point where people can’t afford DSTV.”

Continuing, Bwala said that AIT, Channels TV, Arise TV, News Central, etc. are owned by businessmen who hail from Edo and Delta States and by extension from former Bendel State.

“To say that Edo people can’t afford DSTV, which is why Mr. Monday cannot do a TV interview, is bad optics,” he added.

According to him, the simple answer could have been to say

that the candidate will visit the network station of his choice and appear there for interview.

“Edo is a rich state with reasonable economic standards; and definitely not among the states bankrupt to the point the people can’t afford DSTV. Haba!

“I will advise Mr Monday Okpebholo to invite TV house of his choice and convenience, in a convenient location at his expense and discuss his policies in the language of his choice.

“English language is not a test of intelligence; French, Germans, Italians and Spanish people don’t speak English and they govern their countries well. Edo people deserve more,” Bwala argued.

in Lokoja

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa ;former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar(rtd), and former First Lady , Dame Patience Jonathan, at the Annual Gender Conference hosted by the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff in Abuja…yesterday

BELLO READS THE RIOT ACT TO PRICE FIXERS...

L-R: Mr. Ravindra Singhivi, representative of Dangote Group of Companies; Mr. Louis Odion; Mr. Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Dr. Abdullahi Adamu, Executive Commissioner (Ops) of FCCPC at a town-hall meeting hosted by

Aircraft Acquisition: Keyamo Signs MoU with Boeing to Aid Nigerian Carriers

NCAA DG identifies factors for effective in-flight safety operations

Chinedu Eze

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, yesterday, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with one of the world’s top aircraft manufacturers, Boeing, to facilitate the acquisition of modern aircraft by Nigerian airlines.

In his verified X handle, Keyamo disclosed that the MoU was signed in Seattle, Washington.

In a related development, the acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, identified effective communication, teamwork, and decision-making among crew

members as factors that can promote safety in flight operations. Najomo made this known yesterday in Lagos while declaring open the Annual Cabin Safety Workshop, with the theme, “Culture, attitude and cabin safety.”

Najomo emphasised that NCAA prioritised safety, but airlines and others who played roles in air transportation had a responsibility to support the authority to ensure that flights operated safely in the Nigerian airspace.

He said there should be a collective effort towards enhancing safety in the aviation industry.

Keyamo said the objectives of the MoU with Boeing included leveraging Boeing's network of financiers and

lessors to better position Nigerian airlines to acquire newer generation Boeing aircraft.

He said the agreement was also aimed at providing Nigerian airlines enhanced technical support to help them introduce new or used Boeing aircraft; and providing them with training in airline operations and business models to enhance airline business practices.

Keyamo said other objectives of the MoU with Boeing included to make available to the airlines Boeing Field Services Representation in Nigeria or close by as on-site support; provide leadership-development training to help airlines enhance their leadership pipeline; and collaborate with airlines’

in-flight operations, maintenance, and engineering to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

According to Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales for Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, "This agreement is an important step in establishing a sustainable civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria as there is shared interest and value in driving innovation and progress.

“The importance of Nigeria for Boeing lies in its rich potential to foster economic growth, connect people, and shape the future of aviation in Africa and beyond.”

Boeing will also collaborate with NCAA and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in close

NSITF, NAICOM Set Up Joint Committee to Boost Operations

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have established a 12-member joint committee aimed at exploring and harmonizing collaborative efforts between the two agencies.

This decision was reached, Thursday, in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by the National Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Olusegun Omosehin, to the NSITF headquarters.

The committee, co-chaired by Arc. Kabir Ma’aji, General Manager of Compliance at NSITF, and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Charles, Director of Supervision at NAICOM, is tasked

with creating a robust collaborative framework that serves the mutual interests of both organizations and benefits all Nigerians.

A statement by the NSITF General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Nwachukwu Godson, said the committee’s mandate includes policy framework development; jointly developing policy frameworks through combined technical and intellectual expertise to enhance both social and conventional insurance markets.

Other mandates are to align operational standards, especially in compliance and oversight, to streamline services provided by both organizations.

Godson said that a key objective of the initiative is to integrate the NSITF

compliance certificate into NAICOM’s regulatory requirements for insurance companies.

"Data Sharing and Capacity Building: Promoting collaborative data development and sharing and conducting joint capacity-building and awareness initiatives to educate stakeholders on the benefits of both agencies’ services," he said.

NSITF Managing Director Oluwaseun Faleye had commended the collaborative spirit of the NAICOM, highlighting the initiative will significantly strengthen the insurance ecosystem.

Faleye acknowledged the differences in mandates and operations between NSITF and NAICOM but emphasized that harmonizing their strategic interests

Olu of Warri to Host ‘Elevate Africa’

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

In bid to chart a new narrative among global impact makers, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and wife, Olori Atuwatse III are set to lead notable leaders and ‘visioners’ driving positive change in the Africa continent.

According to a statement endorsed by the royal couple, they also noted that the initiative under the umbrella of 'Elevate Africa' was designed not to only to showcase Africa's potential but also to create a platform where African voices can lead the conversation on

their own development.

Among the distinguished speakers expected are Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director and CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank, Sierra Leone, who will share insights on financial empowerment in Africa.

“This event, which aims to drive a narrative shift, will also feature Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, Deputy Minister for Mines and Mineral Resources of Sierra Leone, discussing sustainable mining practices, a critical issue for the continent's future.

“A member of the Georgia House of Representatives, USA,

would enhance national productivity.

He also noted that his administration is focused on improving operational efficiency and fostering extensive stakeholder engagement to realign the NSITF with its foundational objectives.

NAICOM CEO, Olusegun Omosehin who was accompanied by his management team said that the collaboration aims to amplify the insurance sector’s role in the national economy.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Operations, NSITF, Hon. Mojisolaoluwa Ali-Macaulay, yesterday, paid a visit to the Gwagwalada, Kagini, and Jahi offices of the Fund, pledging the commitment of the leadership to re-engineer the agency.

Global Leaders’ Dialogue

Kim Schofield will explore the intersections of policy and leadership, underscoring the global influence of African Diaspora leader and other critical issues affecting Africa growth trajectory,” the statement said.

Beyond speeches, the Olu of Warri expressed commitment that the platform will also empower next generation of African leaders, adding that the fellowship aligns with their vision of fostering innovation and sustainable solutions that resonate beyond Africa's borders.

"Moreover, the Elevate Africa Fellowship will focus on promoting

global collaboration and leadership development, essential for Africa’s integration into the global economy.

"As the world watches, this convening promises to redefine Africa’s narrative, emphasizing the continent’s resilience, creativity, and potential for growth,” the statement added.

Highlighting, mental health and resilience, Liza Pavlakis,, Founder of Mind Hub Directory, Australia, it said, will share her expertise with the aim of challenging existing perception and inspire a reimagined future for Africa.

partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and regional regulators, to enhance safety oversight in the region,

It will also provide consultation via Boeing's Airports Engineering team to open and/or expand airport capabilities and advisory on Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) development.

The deal was part of Keyamo’s effort to help Nigerian carriers acquire modern aircraft through long-term leasing or aircraft acquisition funded by international financial institutions at single digit arrangements supported by the federal government.

The minister led a team of senior government officials and top executives of airlines to the talks.

The MoU was signed by Keyamo, on behalf of the Nigerian government, and Yitbarek, for Boeing.

It marked a significant step towards

enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of Nigerian airlines, while positioning them for growth in the global aviation market.

Speaking at the occasion, Keyamo stated, “This partnership with Boeing represents a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the capabilities of Nigerian airlines. The benefits of this MoU will be far-reaching, not only in improving the operational efficiency of our airlines but also in ensuring the safety and reliability of air travel in Nigeria.”

Yitbarek said, “We are excited to work closely with Nigeria’s aviation stakeholders to deliver tailored solutions that will help Nigerian airlines thrive in the competitive global aviation landscape.

“This MoU underscores our commitment to supporting the growth and development of aviation in Africa.”

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Partners SERVICOM to Enhance Public Service Delivery

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation (AIF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) that is aimed at strengthening the capacity of SERVICOM to deliver on its mandate.

SERVICOM is a federal government initiative established to promote effective and efficient service delivery in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The AIF stated that this partnership is a significant milestone in its commitment to transforming public service delivery in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice Chair at the AIF, Ms. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said:

“We are delighted to partner with SERVICOM in this critical endeavor.

“Our organisations share a commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through efficient and effective public service and so it makes perfect sense for us to collaborate.

“Together, we will work tirelessly to equip SERVICOM with the tools and capacity to deliver on its mandate.”

According to the AIF, the partnership would focus on several key areas that would enable the foundation to provide capacity-

building support to SERVICOM’s staff and empowering them to effectively monitor and evaluate service delivery reform initiatives across the Nigerian Civil Service.

“Additionally, it will assist with developing and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), ensuring adherence to best practices and improved service delivery.

“To further enhance service quality, the foundation will also support SERVICOM in adopting ISO 9001 quality management systems across MDAs.

“This support will include providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure successful certification and implementation.

“Finally, the foundation will support SERVICOM to conduct comprehensive needs assessments of MDAs to identify service delivery gaps and develop tailored solutions.

“By working closely with SERVICOM, the Foundation aims to create a more responsive and citizen-centric public service,” the AIF said yesterday in a public statement that announced the MOU.

FCCPC on exploitative pricing of consumer goods yesterday in Abuja.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

ENUGU INAUGURATES MEGA ASPHALT PLANT...

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Project Development and Implementation, Arc.

Peter Mbah; and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald

State Assembly Speakers: We're Engaging NGF On Financial Autonomy Implementation

Sunday

Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly in the country have said they have started a meaningful engagement with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) with a view to implementing the financial autonomy across the state legislatures.

The Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, stated this at a One-Day Reflection Session in Abuja yesterday.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari on March 17, 2023, assented to 16 Constitution Alteration Bills including the Financial Autonomy for State Legislatures.

However, investigations by THISDAY reveal that some governors who are favourably disposed to

The programme was put together by two nongovernmental organisations - Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and Engaged Citizens Pillar (ECP) - in partnership with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria (CSSLN).

implementing the financial autonomy for their legislative arm were being reprimanded by others who don't want it implemented.

Speaking with journalists on the issue, Ogundoyin said that the state lawmakers were working on holistic arrangement with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to resolve the impasse.

Gov Mbah Inaugurates State- owned Mega Asphalt Plant

Inaugurates minimum wage execution committee with one-month timeframe

In furtherance of his campaign promise to construct 10,000 roads in eight years, governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commissioned a mega asphalt production plant built by his administration.

Inaugurating the plant in Enugu yesterday, Governor Mbah also explained that the state would in addition produce the inputs for asphalt production, noting these moves would drastically reduce the cost of road construction for the state.

His words: “This is an event that brings us closer to our dream of bidding our collapsed, unpaved roads goodbye. This special and state-of-the-art asphalt production plant is designed to produce 160 tons of asphalt per hour.”

On another governance front, Governor Mbah has inaugurated the committee for implementation of the New National Minimum Wage for Civil and Public Servants in Enugu State, giving the committee a maximum of one month to submit

its report.

The committee inaugurated Thursday at the Government House, Enugu, had the Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu, as chairman; representative of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sandra George, as Secretary and the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah.

Others are the Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Pharm Chika Ugwuoke; and AccountantGeneral of the state, Mr. Anthony Okenwa, as members. On the Labour side, chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo and chairman of the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Benedict Asogwa.

On the new asphalt plant, the governor said: “For context, it will produce 2.5 tons every minute and 160 tons per hour. What it effectively means is that if we decide to work 20 hours in a day, we can produce

3,200 tons every day. This is not seen anywhere in the South East.

“The interesting thing is that we are also committed to making sure that we produce the inputs. In a few days from now, we are going to inaugurate a plant where we will be mining and crushing the stones that we need to feed this plant.

“It is our hope that we are going to start the exploration of bitumen in the state because we are also blessed with bitumen. So, in a few years’ time, we are going to be able to produce the bitumen that will feed this plant. It means that we will get the bitumen here, get the stones, and sand so that everything is made in Enugu,” the governor said.

Mbah added that the inauguration of the asphalt plant had brought his administration closer to achieving its target of over 1,000km of roads per annum.

“This brings us closer to the dream of paving a minimum of a thousand kilometers every year in Enugu State. This is not heard of

anywhere. We are talking about a length of road that you know is even a challenge to have in eight years. But we commit to doing that every year.

“So, for context, what it means is that all our urban roads will be paved, we are not going to discriminate. Just a few weeks ago, we announced the approval of N183 billion for the construction of 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads.

“Remember that we have also just completed the pavement or construction of 71 urban roads and work is ongoing on the 10 rural roads we awarded earlier.

“For our rural roads, we understand the importance because one of the challenges we have in scaling up our agriculture production is access to farmlands. So, with the commissioning of a plant like this, we are now able to access our farmlands because we are now going to have the roads to our farmlands paved, and also going to pave the roads in our rural communities.

Ogundoyin said: “In terms of the financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly, it's something that we are engaging the NGF and what we expect is a total, all-encompassing buy-in.

“We can resolve our issues individually, but that would not give the whole state the benefits of the financial autonomy.

“So, what we're looking at is to see how we can get the 36 state governments and the 36 State Houses of Assembly to agree on the financial autonomy in order to strengthen the institution of the legislature.

“We're taking it very seriously. We'll always take it seriously because we're not just fighting for ourselves, we're fighting for the institution as a whole, which would deepen democracy in our day and age”

When asked to give the number of states that had fully implemented the financial autonomy, the Chairman of the Speakers Conference said it was difficult to determine.

He said: “Some states have partially implemented the financial autonomy; some states have no autonomy whatsoever.

“The number varies, but we cannot say for certain that one state or the other are operating on full financial autonomy at this point in time.”

He said the Conference of Speakers worked with development partners like PERL and ECP to actualize financial autonomy for state legislature and that they are still working together for its implementation.

The fight for financial autonomy is something that we've been focused on and PERL has been at the forefront.

Asked whether the state legislators would welcome the call for a brandnew autochthonous constitution or embrace the ongoing constitution review being undertaking by the National Assembly, Ogundoyin said,

his colleagues could only work on the amendment.

He nevertheless said the state parliaments would embrace the idea of a new autochthonous constitution if it would come from the National Assembly and not from a group of people.

He said: “In the State Houses of Assembly, our purview is to work on the amendment of a constitution, or as it may be, a whole new autochthonous one as furnished to the State Houses of Assembly from the National Assembly.

“In that regard, people might have their own personal idea, but our purview as the State Houses of Assembly is to work and deliberate on constitutional amendments, or as it may be, a new constitution.

“It has to come from top to bottom in terms of the National Assembly furnishing the State Houses of Assembly.”

Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of Oyo State, said the issue of the state police was paramount to his colleagues and pledged to support its realization in order to tackle insecurity in the state.

He said: “For us in our state, we are happy currently with the way things are, but what is more pertaining to us, even in this conference of speakers, is the issue of state policing.

“This is because, without adequate security, there will be a breakdown of governance.”

He urged his colleagues to champion legislative reforms at the state level, stating: “Our work is far from over. As we move forward, we must continue to prioritize reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.

“We must also address emerging challenges and opportunities, such as the impact of technology on the legislative process.”

Aborisade in Abuja

Uchenna Nwatu; Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Uchenna Ugwu; governor of Enugu State, Dr

Otiji, during the inauguration of mega asphalt plant installed by the Mbah Administration in Enugu on Thursday.

POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Edito r DEJI ELUMOYE

Email: deji.elumoye @thisdaylive.com

08033025611 SMS ONLY

10th Senate and Interest of Nigerian People

Anietie Ekong in this piece explains that the interest of the Nigerian people remains paramount in the minds of the Senators of the 10th National Assembly as they carry out their mandatory legislative functions.

In the face of the current economic reality and the attendant hardship on the masses, what has been the role of the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio in bringing succour to the people?

Is the Senate aloof and unconcerned about the plight of their constituents while the Senators luxuriate in their expensive SUVs and enjoy the perks of their office while having a cozy relationship with the executive as some people think?

President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio has not missed any opportunity in telling the people that the 10th Assembly will work in the interest of the people. “Every decision we make is aimed at improving your standard of living, your dreams, your aspirations and your wellbeing will be at the heart of everything we do in this Senate,” Akpabio often says.

Indeed a recent report by parliamentary watchdog, Legislative Alliance, confirmed that the 10th Assembly has led the way in passing “impactful legislation.”

The present economic challenges facing the country have imposed a duty of care for the weak and most vulnerable by those wielding the levers of power. In this regard, Senators in the 10th Assembly have severally distributed grains worth over N200 million in their Senatorial districts. And just recently, as part of efforts to address the food crisis in the country, lawmakers led in the distribution of truckload of fertilizers to farmers following a motion on the floor of the Senate.

It must be noted that since the advent of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, the present Senate is the most diverse in terms of composition, drawing members from at least seven different political parties. This diversity of membership has brought about positive vibrancy during debates and law-making processes. The 10th Senate has largely developed a consensus building mechanism, making it possible for the Senators, even from their disparate backgrounds, to reach agreement on the most contentious issues.

Consensus building has translated into the passage of many bills without rancour and opposition, especially bills that seek to promote the dreams, aspirations and wellbeing of the Nigerian people.

When the National Assembly passed the bill to change from the old National Anthem there was an understandable hullabaloo about the speed with which it was considered. In the social media, many asked, “how will that change the price of rice” “how will it put food on the table of Nigerians,” etc. But it was the same National Assembly with even more haste, that passed the new minimum wage bill which increased the salary of the least Nigerian workers by over 100 percent.

It is to the credit of the National Assembly that the law contained far-reaching measures, including the three yearly reviews, as well as the retention of the Minimum Wage in the Exclusive Legislative List, despite attempts by some Governors to pressure the lawmakers to move it to the Concurrent Legislative List. The passage of the bill implies that the 36 states of the federation are duty-bound to pay the new minimum wage. It is not optional.

The effect of this momentous legislation was not lost on even social critics. According to human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozhekome in an interview, “The take-home pay of every worker ought to be a matter of public interest, especially to those minding the levers of power, because it is a critical issue affecting all workers, employers of labour and the entire economy.

Poor compensation or remuneration breeds inequality and affects productivity and this can serve as a catalyst for social vices such as stealing, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, suicide, homicide, armed robbery, prostitution, human and drug trafficking, etc.” That is what the Senate averted with the passage of the bill.

The significance is not just the swift passage of the bill important as this may be. The Senators showed a lot of commitment by adjusting their legislative time-table to thrash out this single item. The leadership of the Senate had on several

occasions engaged the labour unions not only to avert minimum wage related strikes but also for the overall wellbeing of the Nigerian workers. These are aspects of the National Assembly no one talks about.

The passage of the South East and North

West Development Commission bills have also marked the 10th Senate out as working in the interest of the people of Nigeria to meet their yearnings and aspirations. These are revolutionary pieces of legislation that have the potential of changing the developmental

paradigm of the geo-political zones.

While the SEDC will ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone, as well as tackle ecological problems, and other related environmental or developmental challenges in South East states, the NWDC is set up to facilitate the reconstruction of roads, houses, and business premises destroyed by multidimensional crisis, as well as tackle poverty, literacy level, ecological problems, and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in North West states.

It took the courage of the 10th Assembly for the SEDC to be passed and assented into law. The agitation for the establishment of the Commission started many years ago. Indeed the bill to establish the Commission was passed by the Eighth Senate but former President Muhammadu Buhari withheld assent while the bill was thrown out twice during the former administration.

“This bill is a very important bill that has been passed by this 10th Senate and so I had to hit the gavel to underscore the fact that this bill addresses all the fears of our dear brothers and sisters and my in-laws in the South-East states of Nigeria. I want to say congratulations to you all and I pray this commission will bring a lot of development and will also assist you to stop any formal agitation and bring peace to the region,” Akpabio said at the passage of the historic bill.

-Ekong is Special Assistant (Media/Communication) to Senate President.

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

As APGA Prepares for Enugu LG Poll...

Gideon Arinze writes that the crisis-ridden Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance has put its house in order ahead of the forthcoming Local Government poll in the state.

Following a court order requesting the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to adjust its original guidelines and timetable published in the official gazette of Enugu State on September 26, 2023, Local government poll in the state will now be held on October 5, 2024.

Ahead of the election, various political parties in the state, including the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and the Labour Party are working tireless towards victory.

Recall that the Supreme Court had, In a unanimous judgement of its seven-member panel in July, 2024 granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments. The suit brought by the federal government was intended to strengthen the independence of local governments in the country.

With the judgement, LGs across the country will now receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation instead of state governors who hitherto illegally and unconstitutionally withheld funds allocated to local government areas (LGAs) in their states.

Before now, the PDP had always been the party dominating LG elections in Enugu State. Between 2015 when former governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came on board and 2022, the party won all 17 local governments elections in the state. While supporters of the party claim that it is a result of the former governor’s achievements, opposition parties say that all the elections have been marred by gross irregularities, with the governor influencing the outcome in favour of his party.

However, with the financial autonomy granted, opposition parties in the state say it is not going to be business as usual. Among the political parties poised to contest and win elections across the LGs in the state, apart from

the APC and the LP, is the All-Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) which had till now been embroiled in an internal leadership crisis.

Members of the party had been divided between Sylvester Ezeokenwa, who is said to have the backing of Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo as chairman of the party and Edozie Njoku. The tussle had led to a protracted legal battle, spanning a period of five years (2019-2024).

Party crisis resolved

However, on Thursday, August 8, the National Working Committee of APGA, led by the National Vice Chairman, Southeast of the Party, Hon Tony Ezekwelu said the party crisis had been resolved, with Njoku and other Executives elected alongside him at the Owerri Convention of May 31, 2019, as the authentic and rightful Executives of APGA by two Court of Appeal judgments (CA/ABJ/724/2023 & CA/ABJ/CV/1169/2023).

Ezekwelu made this known when the party leadership visited the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to inform the commission about the change in leadership and let it know that APGA was ready to participate in the upcoming local government election

in the state.

The party also urged the commission to ensure that it deals with candidates duly recognised by its leadership in the state, warning that any attempt to exclude APGA from the election will amount to political exclusion which may have consequences.

“APGA is willing and ready to participate in the local government elections, but we will not tolerate any attempt to smuggle in candidates that are not party members.

We have shared the contact details of our officials for easy communication”.

The party’s Administrative Secretary, Chinedum Okoro, told THISDAY that the NWC had toured 10 states across the country as it continues to work towards the LG elections.

“APGA is willing, ready, and prepared to participate in the local government elections. We are not pretending about it, we commend all the state governors that deemed it wise to have a properly elected executive chairman as rightly stated out in the Supreme Court judgment,” he said.

Letter to the commission

In a letter signed by the National Secretary of APGA, Alhaji Muhyideen Imam, the party said APGA was solidly united as one entity under the leadership of Njoku, its national chairman has been affirmed by the Supreme Court and recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

“Consequently, Chief Edozie Njoku’s name and that of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) elected alongside him now adorn the INEC website in the column reserved for APGA. https://inecnigeria. org/?poltical parties all-progressives-grandalliance.

NOTE:

Protests are not rebellions against the country, but calls for better governance, contends EZINWANNE ONWUKA

BAD GOVERNANCE: TO PROTEST OR NOT TO PROTEST?

For the past 14 months, Nigerians have been struggling under rapid policy changes by the current administration. The abrupt end of the fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, with no safety nets, have hit hard, leading to a sharp surge in the cost of food items, transstands at 33.40 per cent, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Eight months ago, in January, I wrote a piece titled “Tinubu, Where is the Hope?” which was published in several traditional and on-tion of the economic troubles under Tinubu's leadership. Unfortunately, nearly nine months later, the situation has only worsened. Nigeria and its citizens continue to grapple with an unprecedented cost of living crisis with little hope of alleviation in sight.

The promised 'Renewed Hope' has turned to despair, with thousands of Nigerians sliding deeper into poverty, causing widespread discontent with the 'Renewed Hope' government. The response from Nigerians is not strange for when a government fails in its duty to safeguard the well-being of its citizens, it inevitably opens the door to dissent. The decision to remove the petrol subsidy was sold to Nigerians as a necessary evil, a step toward long-term stability, but it has done the opposite. Fuel prices have skyrocketed, triggering a chain reaction of increased costs across all sectors. Transport costs and food prices haveable. Daily living has become a battle for survival. For a government that promised relief, the results have been anything but.

another touted remedy, has further weakened the naira, which now hovers around N1,600 to the US dollar. This continuing devaluation has made imports prohibitively expensive, intenstrain on Nigerians.

Furthermore, this move has not led to the desired increase in foreign investments; rather, the past months have witnessed the exit of multinational companies like Procter & Gam-Kline, among others.

Then there is the issue of insecurity, which has become a recurring nightmare. From the north to the south, east to west, no region is spared from the scourge of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, or attacks by nomadic Fulani herdsmen. The government's tepid response has left Nigerians vulnerable. Citizens are now forced to defend their communities against AK47-wielding attackers with improvised weapons such as homemade shotguns, machetes, and bow and arrows.

And as if to highlight the struggles of the nation, the recent Paris 2024 Olympics brought forth another disappointment. Team Nigeria's performance was dismal, an embarrassing contrast to the stellar achievements of Nigerian athletes who represented other countries. Their success abroad is a painful reminder of

the opportunities and support that are sorely lacking at home. It raises the question: what hope is there for a country that fails to harness the talents of its own people?

The downturn in our collective economic fortunes led to protests in the country labelled #EndBadGovernance, three months after the -

frustrations over the economic reforms that seem to worsen poverty, Nigerians congre10 days of August in grievance with banners bearing complaints about hunger, bad govSome protesters went so far as demanding a return to the subsidy era—albeit, a complete return given speculations here and there that the subsidy has not been entirely scrapped.

As Nigerians struggle to cope with a government that has seemingly turned its back on the people with plans for another wave of protests starting 1st October in motion, the question on everyone's lips is: to protest or not to protest? In the thick of the #EndBadGovernance protests, I came across numerous voices on social media platforms condemning protests and advocating for dialogue as a more workable alternative. However, the answer to that question, unequivocally, is "to protest". It is not up for debate.

Contrary to the misconceptions of anti-protesters, to protest is not to act against the nation—it is to act for it. Protests are not rebellions against the country; they are calls for better governance. Throughout history, protests have played a crucial role in driving transformative change, from the Civil Rights Movement in the United States to the Anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa.

In Nigeria, protests have also been a catalyst for positive change. The #EndSARS movement in 2020, for instance, brought attention to police brutality and spurred reforms within the force. The #BringBackOurGirls campaign exposed the government's inaction after the Chibok girls' abduction and pushed for action and accountability. More recently, President Tinubu's approval of a 133 per cent minimum wage increase, from N30,000 to N70,000, was a direct response to protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. Therefore, protests are a necessary tool to drive change for when those in power fail to listen, citizens must make their voices heard. As the government of the day continues to better from their elected representatives, is still no concrete plan from the government to address its failures or revive the economy— aside from President Tinubu's speech on 4th August, which touted so-called achievements that have yet to be felt and are unlikely to ever be.

Onwuka, ezinwanne.dominion@gmail.com

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA argues that Nigeria’s problem is not corruption but collective lack of ambition

A NATION OF CONTRADICTIONS

One of the most shocking things I heard this summer never left my mind. It caught my attention for many reasons, not least because the subject matter is one of those things I have repeatedly written about for years. It also registered because the speaker had said something contrasting just a day before. The speaker is a friend since my secondary school days. After we graduated secondary school, he left for the United States as a teenager and is today an accomplished man in every sense of the word, with several patents and several millions of dollars to his name.

The day before, he had said, "Nigeria put something in me I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. For that I am grateful for Nigeria. I've got a mental edge over others here because I grew up in Nigeria". Whilst I was not expecting this, I didn’t think it was anything unusual. I understood what he meant even though he had now spent about half of his life abroad and the bit he spent in Nigeria were of the struggles and survival of a child in primary and secondary school.

We got talking the day after he gave Nigeria those flowers. Note that he is hardly in Nigeria since leaving. When he returned to the country for my wedding, he left immediately after. I knew he was not happy with the country and was not inclined to visiting except when necessary. When he volunteered the reason, of all the reasons in the world, I never saw his coming. “My greatest challenge with coming to Nigeria is the airport!". I wanted to hear that said again because whilst I totally understood the challenges of traveling through Nigerian airports, especially the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, I never saw the possibility of that airport experience being the No. One reason a Nigerian would avoid visiting the country.

This is the contradiction of our country. In one breath inspiring awe and respect for the lessons it helped to instil, and in the same breath serving disgust on account of not being able to deliver a respectable traveling experience at its airports.

If you have been following the Chinese seizure of Nigerian assets abroad, you’d be forgiven to wonder that the process of advancing an agreement between the government and an international partner must be rocket science. The Ogun-Chinese incident was avoidable. Nigeria already has a best-practice model on this front. The Lagos Free Zone partnership comprising the federal government, the Lagos State Government and Tolaram offers a lesson that should have been deployed elsewhere, especially serving as a model for the Ogun State Government. Whilst the Lagos Free Zone is now the go-to location for businesses and manufacturers, we are now paying the cost of what we missed out in the Ogun State Government engagement with its Chinese partners. One country, same contradictory ends.

Nigeria's greatest challenge is not corruption, it is the abject lack of ambition. The inability of even the corrupt at heart to know that with a bigger pie, there is a lot more to gain. So, instead of building a bigger pie from what we've got, people instead feed on the seed itself. Because in their small unambitious minds, the seed is massive. When indeed, it's just an opportunity to build more. It is why one government cannot advance an agreement already committed to by a previous one without looking to halt same for one personal reason or the other. If people

were ambitious , they’d look to expand opportunities rather than be obsessed about what others got right or didn’t.

I assure you, when you think about it, our greatest challenge is the lack of ambition. The inability of the good to see more — they mean well but can't see more, the inability of the thief to see more — everything is for sale, everything is to be eaten. What that kid in that adage does, goes to buy akara. Because in their small minds, how could they think of more?

There are corrupt people in every country. But some are more ambitious than others. All the money that will be stolen by corrupt officials in Nigeria this year is not up to Elon Musk's taxes. That's saying something. When as a governor or president you appoint people, save if you lay down a marker around deliverables and responsibilities, chances are that some of the appointed will see your decision as a commitment to helping them advance their personal wealth and prosperity.

We often have the most to say about our leaders. When we do, we speak from a perspective that suggests that we are inherently better than them. There is no evidence to that effect though. I have dealings directly and indirectly with several Estate Associations in Abuja and Lagos. There is none of those associations I’d advance as the sort of best practice for a state government or the federal government to follow. Mind that these are organisations often involving less than 1000 people, yet even at that level, governance appears to look like quantum physics. You could pick alumni groups, faith groups, professional associations and the likes. Even ordinary WhatsApp groups. The ones that are well-run are likely to be the outliers. These organisations have a lot in common that often is the micro reflection of the leadership we get at subnational and national level.

It is that collective lack of ambition and vision. The refusal to see leadership as an opportunity to advance the lot. The inability to learn from even some of our own successes to replicate them. We are in denial, one to another, altogether. The ones who are loudest today about things not working either once had the chance to make things work and failed woefully or are just looking for their own chance, not because they have any clue as to how to make anything work; just a chance to take their own bite of that seemingly endless national cake. We must do better.

Omojuwa is chief strategist Alpha Reach/BGX Publishing

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

DEALING WITH WORSENING INSECURITY

Security agencies must do more to contain the scourge of kidnapping

Astring of attacks, kidnappings and a massacre of unarmed civilians in different theatres is suggestive of a coun-

Despite security presence, some bandits in an unprovoked attack, ransacked Ayati, a settlement in the Ukum local govern-

Abuja, the Police and some members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) were last Sunday engaged in another bout of violence that claimed two of

But perhaps what depicted the utter lawlessness of the season was visited on the district head of Gatawa in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji 74-year-old monarch was abducted on the highway and died last week in bandits’ captiviearlier of the monarch, with hands and legs tied and clad in blood-stained clothes, was seen appealing to the Sokoto State Government, the Sultanate Council, his relatives and friends to help pay the sympathise with the family and the Gobir Emirate, this tragic loss is but a reminder of the growing band

ny workers in Edo State were killed by armed men, leading to a woeful forecast of likely decline in its placed on human life has diminished to an alarming with victims often murdered without hesitation,” noted leader of the Pyrates Confraternity, Joseph

again at the receiving end of the escalation in ban-

tion where students are arbitrarily abducted while concern about food security as many farmers have neglected their farms for fear of being abducted for

The disturbing surge in abductions and the brutal killing of victims has become increasingly pervasive, prompting some individuals and groups to call on government to declare a

state of emergency on kidnapping

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU

DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

killing of victims has become increasingly pervasive, prompting some individuals and groups to call on government to declare a state of emergency on kid-

were freed, while the paramount ruler of the Mbo -

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI

CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

After the recent release of the Managing Director of

ciation of Nigeria (MAN) raised concerns that the continuous abduction of company executives could the trend is not checked, according to MAN Direc-

de

cers of the newly established Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to tackle banditry, kidnapping and oth-strategy, drawing upon the best practices of globally been treated to all manner of unmet assurances and

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.

FOOD PRICES DRIVE NIGERIA’S HEADLINE INFLATION

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, it dropped to

example, the cost of animal feed, veterinary services, energy, fertilizer, seedlings, machinery and spares, and fuel has risen since abandon their farmland, has led to a decrease in farm produce, -

demand for our farm produce from neighbouring countries as experience more decline but not necessarily on a straight-line basis, because the implementation of the new national policy is expected to increase household spending and raise the cost

not strait jacket as various factors, some of which are interwo-

with the harvest season commencing and the implementation

age people to return to their farms and, in the long run, increase

gard, it is important to avoid a further decline in the value of revenue base and balance of trade by optimizing oil productionernment should also provide CNG trailers, lorries, and trucks to should continue to closely monitor events as they unfold andbust monitoring and evaluation mechanism for its policies and Kenechukwu Aguolu FCA, Kenerek1@gmail.com

L-R: Representative of Ijebu Boys Association, Mr. Bayo Koko; acting Chief Medical Advisory Committee OOUTH, Dr. O. O. Adeko; member of Ijebu Boys Association, Mr. Debo Adefarasin; and Chief Medical Director, OOUTH, Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatungase, during the donation of drugs to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital by the ljebu Boys Association in Sagamu, Ogun State...recently

L-R National Secretary, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Mrs. Omokhafe Ashore; Regional Sales Manager, Moniepoint Inc, Emmanuel Imouokhome; and National Chairman, ACPN, Ambrose Igwekwama, during a courtesy visit to the new ACPN executive members by Moniepoint in Lagos...recently

L-R: Secretary, Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN), Mr. Tayo Odusanya; Chairman, GPN, Mr. Abiodun Ajala; Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; Deputy Provost, NIJ, Dr. Boye Ola; and Keynote Speaker, Mr. Akintunde Akinleye, during the 2024 World Photography Day celebration with the theme: ‘An Entire Day’, organised by the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Lagos...recently

President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs. Margaret Aina (right), presenting the award of Best Governor in Infrastructure Development by the UK NSE to the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke (left), at the Osun State Government House, Osogbo...recently

BUSINESS WORLD

North Central Emerge Highest Zone

With Average Domestic Airfare in July

Arthur Eriye

The North Central zone recorded the highest average domestic airfares in Nigeria in July 2024, reaching N102,139.71 for a single journey on designated routes, Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has revealed.

This figure surpassed the national average of N98,561.74 and was the highest among the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, according to the Transport Fare Watch report for July 2024 released by the National Bureau

Legal

Chinedu Eze

The plan by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to merge Arik Air and Aero Contractors airlines, which are under its receivership, in order to establish a national carrier, is likely to attract legal battles against AMCON, THISDAY has learnt.

The two airlines were taken over by AMCON due to their huge debt portfolio and while AMCON has 60 per cent ownership of Aero Contractors, it holds no shares in Arik Air, yet it took over its management on February 9, 2017 due to the airline indebtedness.

Under the Buhari administration, AMCON made a proposal to the federal government to merge these two airlines to establish a national carrier, but the then Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, turned it down due to the debt exposure of the two airlines.

But the new Managing Director/

of Statistics (NBS). The average airfare in the North Central zone rose by 20.10 per cent from June 2024, when it was N85,047.73, and a substantial 33.77 per cent rise compared to July 2023, which had an average of N76,357.14.

Analysis of the data showed that the North East zone recorded the second-highest average airfare at N101,141.22 in July 2024. This represents a 12.80 per cent increase from the previous month and a 25.02 per cent rise from the same period last year.

The South-South zone came in third, with an average airfare of N97,757.55. This amount was 8.77 per cent higher than the N80,083.33 reported in June 2024 and 22.07 per cent above the average from July 2023.

A further breakdown showed that the South West zone had an average airfare of N96,917.80, reflecting a 5.19 per cent month-on-month increase and a 22.94 per cent rise compared to the previous year’s figures.

The North West zone had the lowest average airfare among the

six zones, at N96,352.82, while the South East zone was slightly higher at N96,487.44.

The NBS report for July 2024 also captured the costs of domestic flight across Nigeria based on the state level, revealing significant variations.

The report revealed that Benue State topped the list with the highest average airfare, reaching N105,505.26. This was closely followed by Edo State, with an average of N105,171.71, and Adamawa State, which recorded an average of N105,171.67.

Several other states also reported

notably high average airfares. Bayelsa State had an average of N104,980.78, while Bauchi State’s average was N104,555.56. Nasarawa State was not far behind, with an average of N104,255.05.

Additionally, Taraba State’s average airfare stood at N102,893.94. Osun State followed with an average of N102,880.50, and both Niger and Kwara States reported the same average of N102,893.96. Abuja, the nation’s capital, had an average of N102,753.

Contrarily, several states

experienced significantly lower average airfares. Jigawa State recorded the lowest average at N87,493.89. This was followed by Cross River State, with an average of N90,049.44. Ondo State had an average airfare of N90,893.94, and Akwa Ibom State’s average was N91,944.44. Imo State recorded an average of N92,227.22, while Oyo State had an average of N93,911.72. Kaduna State was close behind with an average of N93,171.67,while Borno State had an average of N93,893.89.

Chief Executive Officer of AMCON, Gbenga Alade, said both Arik and Aero Contractors owe so much money that they may not be able to pay, confirming that the corporation presented the idea of converting Arik and Aero Contractor to the former Aviation Minister but it was rejected.

Also, AMCON’s effort to establish another airline, NG Eagle from the ashes of Arik Air was thwarted by the former Minister, as the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, last year, gave AMCON 14 days to render Arik Air’s accounts since 2017 take-over and insisted that the attempt by the federal government agency to transfer the assets of Arik Air Limited to NG Eagle Airlines (third defendant) and Super Bravo Limited (fifth defendant) was not in the best interest of Arik Air. Despite the court order, AMCON failed to render the account.

But many industry observers,

however, said that if the right things were done, the federal government may accept AMCON’s proposal to use the two airlines to establish a national carrier.

Member of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the President of Topbrass Aviation Limited, Captain Roland Iyayi, told THISDAY that the two airlines can be merged to establish a national carrier because Arik and Aero Contractors are already national assets because AMCON has bought over their assets and liabilities, but he insisted that such plan could only work, if the government agencies would go into the details of the merger, noting that whether the original owners would support the merger or not would depend on the details of what AMCON would be ready to offer. According to him, on the face value, the idea might seem to be good but the details may make the whole process unattractive.

“Will AMCON be willing to fund the project adequately? The issue is not for the owners to decide because if you already owe and you don’t have the money to offset the debts, you don’t have a say. But the issue is, can AMCON get the people that will bring out the capital. AMCON has not efficiently funded the airlines to make them competitive. Can they do that now? These are two airlines in bankruptcy and you want to use them to create uncompetitive entity. Can they be merged? Yes; but it is important you understand the dynamics. They will offer Aero and Arik assets for mandatory sell and bring the two airlines together. Currently the two airlines are liabilities, so government has to inject funds to make them competitive. Let them come up with the details,” he said.

Also, another industry insider and major player who has followed the history of the two airlines, told

THISDAY that the merger of the two airlines would be possible if AMCON decides to do so because for government, everything is possible, but involving legacy shareholders of the companies is very important for the plan to work.

The industry player said that if the merger arrangement works well to the agreement of everyone, then the legacy shareholders will not challenge it in court.

“But it will sound bad when family businesses are being taken over by government. So, for this to work, legacy shareholders must be carried along. They must give their consent and you have to let them know the benefits you will have for them. However, merging the airlines to establish a national carrier should be the best exit plan for AMCON,” he said.

He also said that the two airlines could be taken together but how they would be run would constitute

another challenge, stressing that AMCON can only use the merger as exit strategy, as the agency did not manage the airlines well, especially Arik Air. He said: “The plan is just exit strategy; not that you want to make any money. What will the owner of Arik Air gain? The company is already down. They took the company with many aircraft. Personally, I know about 17 serviceable aircraft but the company is now dilapidated, but if they merge the two companies, I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt, but I must say, Mr. Johnson (Arumemi-Ikhide, founder of Arik Air) has not been treated fairly. AMCON ran down the planes. They took an airline with assets with no money and ran it aground. AMCON must be held accountable.

Business Investments Today

Adaeze Obi-Umeofia

Nigeria, with a population exceeding 229 million, was the largest economy in Africa until recently, being pushed down to the fourth position, as an IMF forecast suggests. In context, our country is facing its worst economic crisis in decades. The inflation rate reached the decades-high level of 34.19 per cent year-on-year (YOY) in June 2024, up from 33.95 per cent in May and Nigerian Naira has lost about 70 per cent of its value since June 2023. Two of the immediate causes of the crisis are the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the currency, which together have caused major price rises. And with these current market uncertainties, businesses, need to take a cautious approach while looking for new investment opportunities. Some of these opportunities include:

1. FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY (FINTECH)

Financial services are a key driver of the Nigerian economy. Innovative fintech services especially, are transforming the face of banking and financial services in the country. For instance, five Nigerian fintech firms - Kuda, PalmPay, Piggyvest, Flutterwave, and MTN’s Mobile Money are among the world’s top 250 fintech companies in 2024. As the country is grappling with an economic crisis, a 28.9 million unbanked population makes Fintech a lucrative and fast-growing business segment in Nigeria.

2. CLEAN ENERGY

Nigeria is far from achieving energy security, despite sitting on the richest oil resources in Africa. According to estimates, renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, and biomass can potentially produce over 68,000 MW of electricity in Nigeria. According to a report by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA),

developing off-grid alternatives offers a $9.2-billion-per-year market opportunity for mini-grids and solar home systems saving over $4.4 billion per year for Nigerian homes and businesses. Renewable energy can play a crucial role in ensuring energy security in the country.

3. REAL ESTATE - AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Amidst a real-estate boom, millions of Nigerians struggle with affordable housing as the cost of living has steadily increased. According to Nigeria’s Central Bank, there is a growing deficit of at least 22 million

homes. The affordable housing crisis is going to get worse as the country is poised to reach a population of more than 400 million by 2050. Investors and developers who prioritize offering affordable housing options can capitalize on this underserved market segment.

4. AGRICULTURE

Nigeria is undergoing an acute food crisis and relying on increased imports to feed its rapidly expanding population. Whereas, high food imports along with a falling currency put pressure on food prices. Recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security announced an investment of $1 billion for mechanisation of agriculture. Businesses that can imbibe smart farming techniques and modern technologies can reap tremendous value from this.

PHARMACEUTICALS

5.

The exit of pharma giants like GSK and Sanofi exacerbates the supply constraint in the pharma industry, and rising rates of non-communicable diseases, make pharma a high-potential sector. Recently the government has taken several policy actions such as eliminating tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials to support the pharma industry.

According to Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr. Aminu Magashi, “this is a great opportunity for the country’s local pharmaceuticals and manufacturers.”

In conclusion, the current Nigerian economy, though depressing, still offers options for increased wealth and sustenance, and to achieve this, one needs to pick one of these investment avenues based on a careful study of risks and returns.

Education or Restriction? How Nigeria’s Age-Based University Policy Risks Stifling Our Brightest Minds

Nyeche Michael Felix

The story of the Imafidon family is one that calls us to pause, to think deeply about the paths we are paving for our children. It is a story that speaks to the limitless potential that lies in the hearts and minds of the young, if only they are allowed to soar. But here we stand, at a crossroads where the Nigerian Education Minister proposes to clip the wings of our brightest and best before they have even had a chance to take flight.

In the Nigeria of our forefathers, the wisdom of the elders guided the young, not by setting arbitrary limits, but by nurturing the seeds of potential wherever they were found. Today, however, we are confronted with a policy that reeks of the past—a past where the chains of age, status, and position determined a man’s worth before he even began his journey.

For the benefit of those who may not be aware, the Nigerian Minister of Education recently announced that students must be at least eighteen years old to gain admission into the country’s universities. As expected, this move has stirred considerable reactions across the education ecosystem. As with many Nigerian policies since the inception of this new administration, this policy seems to have been generated based on sentiments rather than facts, figures, or progress reports. Or perhaps such data exists, but in secret places. First, let me share my perspective. This policy is archaic and has no place in modern-day education, where children are already proficient in using mobile devices as early as age four. This policy is anti-growth and will significantly widen the knowledge gap between Nigerian children and their counterparts in advanced societies. It is an affront to the very essence of growth, learning, and progress. In this age where children learn to navigate the complexities of the digital world almost as soon as they can walk, how do we justify holding back those who are ready to leap into

the world of knowledge and innovation? To my mind, this is not progress, but a return to the days when the elders sat at the gates and decided who could enter the marketplace.

The Nigerian government would have us believe that this policy is necessary to ensure that our students are mature and prepared for the rigors of university life. But I ask, who among us can say that age alone brings wisdom or readiness? The gray hairs of our elders are not merely the product of years, but of experience, learning, and the guidance of those who came before them.

So too, our children’s readiness for higher education is not merely a function of their age, but of their abilities, their passions, and the opportunities they have been given to grow.

Consider, if you will, the Imafidons- often referred to as “Britain’s Brainiest Family.”

The Imafidons’ story is a testament to what is possible when young minds are allowed to flourish without arbitrary age restrictions. Anne-Marie Imafidon,

for instance, passed her GCSEs at the age of 10 and became the youngest girl to pass A-level computing at age 11. She later went on to earn a master’s degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Oxford by the age of 20. Similarly, Saheela Ibraheem, originally from Nigeria, moved to the United States with her family and was admitted to Harvard College at 15, graduating at 20. Young people like Anne-Marie and Saheela inspire our future.

Now, imagine if Anne-Marie and Saheela had been in Nigeria. Imagine if they had been constrained by an age limit to enter higher education. Their talents might have been stifled, and their contributions to society delayed or diminished. The Nigerian government’s age restriction policy risks doing just that—hindering the development of brilliant minds and slowing down the progress of those who could potentially lead our country to greater heights.

To truly understand the impact of this policy, one need only look beyond our borders.

In Australia, universities admit students as young as sixteen, provided they have a legal guardian(s). The focus is on ability rather than age. The same goes for the UK, Canada, the United States, and other advanced societies. Are we to be left behind in this global race, where the minds of the young are the new currency of progress?

This policy, aside from widening the gap between Nigerian students and their peers globally, is also likely to widen the gap between the rich and poor. In a country where over 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, it becomes too easy for the rich and affluent to avoid the local restrictions that the new policy will bring.

For instance, if a teenager from a wealthy home excels in their studies and completes secondary education at 16, their parents could easily send them overseas to continue their

education, bypassing the restrictions. But what if that teenager is the child of a petty trader? That young person is left at the mercy of the system. Hence, implementation of this policy also promises to aggravate educational inequality in Nigeria.

A disparity of this sort will further exacerbates the problem of brain drain and creates a scenario where global educational resources are accessible only to the rich.

Ageism has never been the best approach in any country, and in Nigeria, it certainly would come at a great cost, especially now that the country is suffering from a brain drain pandemic. Rather than focusing on age restrictions, Nigeria’s education policy should address the root causes of educational disparity and promote a more inclusive approach. There needs to be a concerted effort to enhance the capacity of local universities, resolve issues such as frequent strikes, and create an environment that encourages academic excellence regardless of age.

No, this policy is not the way forward. The way forward lies in nurturing all our children, in creating a system that values ability over age, that supports those who are ready to learn, and that aligns us with the global standards of excellence. We must not be afraid to let our children soar, for it is in their flight that the future of our nation will be written.

In the words of our ancestors, “A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” Let us not be the village that turns its back on the potential of its young. Let us be the nation that nurtures every child, that lights the path for them to follow, and that celebrates their achievements, no matter how young they may be.

Nyeche

Adaeze

Transformation in Aviation Sector Amid Challenges

Nigeria’s aviation industry is burdened by low capacity, high airfares and limited operational facilities, but the Minister of Aviation is charting a new course to transform the sector, writes Chinedu Eze

There is inexplicable feeling of tightness and precariousness in the aviation industry currently because of the depleting number of operational aircraft and the high airfares, which has significantly reduced passenger traffic.

The depreciating value of the naira and the paucity of foreign exchange have constricted the business of air travel in Nigeria. But beyond this gloom, there is hope. The hope lies in the fact that airlines may soon rejuvenate dry leasing of aircraft, major airports may finally be concessioned and the long-promised establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will eventually be realized. All these are likely to come through soon, going by the current transformation agenda of the Minister of Aviation and Aeronautical Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.

DIFFERENT APPROCHES

Beyond his assurances, one can perceive the determination of the minister to make these become reality. Last week Keyamo clocked one year in office and his activities within one year have been transformative. In comparison with his predecessors, Keyamo has

done creditably well in transforming the aviation industry. The former Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika took combatant approach against Nigerian airlines, when he took charge of the Ministry of Aviation. In one of his outings, he accused them of being impoverished and swimming in debts with low capacity. That deflated the enthusiasm of Nigerian carriers. Some stakeholders told THISDAY that from the onset they knew that “the aviation industry was in trouble.”

In a report published on February 9, 2018 in several newspapers, Sirika, as Minister of State, Aviation then, said that the airlines owed aviation agencies N513 billion.

“There is an airline that owes one of the agencies N13 billion. One airline owes several agencies and companies up to N500 billion; just one airline. That airline has been taken over. Is that how they will compete? I think it is getting their priorities right and by doing the business model that will get money for them that they will operate well. There is a lot they can do in aviation than just passenger scheduled services when they don’thave the capacity, experience and the business model,”

Sirika said at that time.

But when Keyamo became minister a year ago, he said: “FG will reciprocate obstacles to frustrate Nigerian carriers on international operation.” According to reports, “The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stressed that the federal government would do everything possible to help Nigerian carriers lease aircraft on long-term agreement at competitive rates like most other airlines in the world. The Minister also said the government was committed to supporting domestic carriers succeed on international service and would retaliate any obstacles meant to frustrate them on any route they operate.”

WORKING WITH AIRLINES

This sanguine disposition has made a lot of difference in the pursuit of the goals to positively change the trajectory of development in the aviation industry. It has put airlines and the government in the same pedestal, working together to solve problems in the industry. The airlines know that the Minister is behind them, as remarked recently

by the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, who said that the commitment shown by the Minister to ensure that airlines are revitalised has remained unprecedented and it is a tonic to egg airlines on to do everything possible to boost their operations, acquire more aircraft and bring down airfares.

Onyema particularly thanked the minister for the role he is playing to ensure that domestic carriers have more aircraft and the concerted effort to have major maintenance facility in Nigeria. Last year during the Aviation Africa Summit in Abuja, the minister mandated airlines acquiring aircraft to also work with the Original Equipment Manufacturer to set up a maintenance facility locally to service the aircraft. Onyema, while commending him, said: “The Honourable Minister has just scored a first in just a month of being appointed. He called me in two weeks ago and said, going forward, any Nigerian airline that wants to bring in brand new planes must also think of maintenance responsibility for those planes in-house and within Nigeria.

Air Trave llers Condemn N2,000 Fee

Imposed on Vehicles Owners at Arrival

Stories by Chinedu Eze

Air travellers have condemned the N2000 fee imposed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on every vehicle picking passengers from arrivals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Vehicle owners who come to pick up passengers at arrivals are charged N2000 before they could access the arrival gate.

The passengers who spoke to THISDAY described the fee as outrageous and noted that it is only at Nigerian airports that travellers leaving the airport are made to pay in order to be conveyed out of the airport.

Some of them told THISDAY that travellers are already paying too many taxes and charges, noting

that these payments are higher than what obtains in other airports across the world.

“The major issue for me is that the airports don’t look like where so much money is collected from the passengers. They are largely deplorable and everywhere you go airport workers are begging you money. I believe that the management of the airport overlooks that begging part and that is why it has persisted.

“You come into the airport all these security people will be harassing you. They ask you to open your bags in the wrong place because at that place they are at the entrance they can’t be asking you to open your bags. They force first time travellers to part with money. In fact, everything about our airport is hostility everywhere.

“Last time I travelled, my wife came to pick me they stopped her immediately she entered the arrival area and asked her to pay N500. That was just last month. Today, they stopped her again and asked her to pay 2000. I saw the notice on the wall that they have increased it to N2000. It is the airport management that makes people believe that travelling by air is luxury because you have used these payments to prevent ordinary people from traveling by air,” the passenger told THISDAY.

However, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, told THISDAY that the charge was introduced to make motorists use the multi-story car park, but anyone who drives straight to arrival would be charged N2000.

Yobe Govt Promises Free Land to Airport Investors

Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni has said the state government will give free land alongside other incentives to agro allied investors willing to invest at the Damaturu Cargo International Airport in the state capital.

The governor said with the completion of its 3.6 kilometer runway, terminal building and the installations of state of the art aeronautical equipment and its strategic location, the airport is poised for businesses.

Buni spoke at the 2024 Airport Business Summit in Lagos, where

he urged the federal government to mandate the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to collaborate with Yobe State government in ensuring the airport opens for optimum operations especially the lifting of agro-allied produce.

The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Yobe State Ministry of Transport and Energy, Dr. Mustapha Gaidam, affirmed that the agrarian state produces the largest number of livestock in the country adding that the airport will best serve as

a transit location to neighbouring countries and across the world if when the livestock are exported while it generate huge revenue for Yobe state and the federal government.

Gaidam said: “When one of the installers of the aeronautical equipment came to the airport, he said the only airport that has this kind of infrastructure and technology in our clime was Damaturu International Airport, because they are new models found only in the developed airports in the United Arabs Emirate.”

NAMA, Ekiti Govt Collaborate on Air Traffic Services

Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado-Ekiti and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ekiti State government.

The MoU, which was signed at the agency’s headquarters annex, Murtala Mohammed airport, Lagos, recently, attracted top officials of Ekiti state government as well as NAMA.

In his welcome remarks at the event, the Managing Director of NAMA, Farouk Ahmed Umar, noted that the signing of the MoU or Service Level Agreement represented a mutual commitment to excellence and “a shared dedication to delivering an exceptional result,” as the MoU outlined a joint responsibility, expectation and standard for air

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Deputy Business Editor

Chinedu Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Asst. Editor, Energy

Emmanuel Addeh

Asst. Editor, Money Market

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Correspondents

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traffic control services, adding that the epoch making event served as a foundation for a partnership between NAMA and the Ekiti State Government, which according to him, would ensure that both parties worked together seamlessly and efficiently for the effective takeoff and operation of the airport.

Farouk who was represented by the NAMA Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs. Isemiuhonmon Rita Egbadon, maintained that the MoU was

more than a contract.

Also in her remarks, the Secretary to Ekiti State government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, who represented the state governor, noted that the event marked a crucial moment as the state advanced towards enhancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of airspace and air traffic management, particularly as the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado-Ekiti was at the verge of full operation.

AIR WATCH

Overcoming Impediments to Cargo Export

The 4th Chinet Conference on aviacargo held last week in Lagos, brought so much to the fore about the prospect of Nigeria earning hugely from export of perishables and other farm produce and the potential for the sub-sector to create thousands of jobs if maximized.

Nigeria is known as a country that sits on wealth that is not realised because the right actions have not been taken and the right policies have not been implemented and many Nigerians regrettably attribute it to bad governance.

For example, Nigeria can become the highest exporter of palm oil and its associated derivatives; it can be the highest exporter of cashew nuts, gum Arabic, cassava, yams, cocoa and many other things because it has large enviable arable land, huge population but unfortunately the country lacks government’s drive to put things in better perspective.

In the presentation of the Comptroller General, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe, titled: ‘NAQS Solving the Traceable Problem in Agro Export’, he noted that Nigeria has 34 million hectares of arable land with no earthquakes, no landslides, and no winter. Even the Sahel is good for rice and wheat farming, and it has large number of water bodies for irrigation, and it is equi-distantly located to international markets and has 213 million in population (2013 estimate) with 53.98 per cent of which are 15-65 years old.

export process.

In his address, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Mr. Festus keyamo said, recognising the immense opportunities within the cargo sector, the Ministry has taken proactive steps with the establishment of a dedicated Cargo Directorate within the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as part of its ambitious plan to position Nigeria as a leading player in the global cargo market.

“This directorate is tasked with implementing far-reaching policies and programs that will catalyze the growth of our air cargo industry. These initiatives are designed to streamline operations, enhance infrastructure, and foster partnerships that will make our airports and logistics hubs the preferred gateways for cargo in the region,” the minister said.

The minister, represented by his special Assistant, Mrs. Janet Oputa, emphasised the significant economic benefits of a vibrant cargo sector, including increased trade, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings. He noted that by facilitating the efficient movement of goods, Nigeria can gain access to new markets for its products, particularly agricultural exports.

To achieve its goals, the ministry called for the active collaboration of industry leaders, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and international partners.

With their support, Nigeria aims to transform its cargo industry into a multi-billion-dollar sector that will contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.

NITRA ICT Growth Conference Harps on Positive Use of

The ICT Growth Conference, which held in Lagos on Wednesday, and organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), has stressed the need for positive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in order to enable Nigerians benefit from the gains of emerging technologies.

During a thought provoking panel session, which featured regulators, policy makers, industry stakeholders and cyber security experts, the panelists had an in-depth discussion about the prospects of AI and the challenges.

In his presentation, Mr. Oluwatoni Olugbenga, stated that AI would continue to change the country’s educational system and its prospects in terms of Agriculture business and energy. He however explained that Nigerian schools do not have the right quality gadgets like computers to leverage the benefits of AI.

According to him, Nigeria is still far behind in the area of infrastructure, but he explained that the country can start by educating people on how to use AI positively by ensuring that the massive youth population has to be in tune with technology and AI.

AI

Mr. Peter Oluka, who represented the President of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), commended NITRA for organising the ICT Growth Conference.

According to him, the digital economy is no longer just to foster but it has become the backbone of innovation contributing more than 40 per cen of our country’s GDP. He emphasised that the vision of NIRA has always been to secure trusted online presence for Nigerians.

“The .ng domain, which NiRA has managed over the years, is not just a symbol of national identity but also a means to achieve digital transformation in Nigeria. As at August 27th 2024, NIRA recorded 259,596.000 .ng domain name registration, Oluka said.

The Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, in his opening speech at the conference titled “Impact of AI On National Development: Prospects, Policies And Challenges In Nigeria”, said the fear and lack of understanding of Artificial intelligence (AI), initiated the need to organise the event to educate members on the importance of AI and it’s motivation for national development.

Yet, the country cannot feed itself or produce cash crops for export that can turn the tide in lopsided foreign exchange of international currencies that never favoured Nigeria.

He explained that for Nigerian farm produce to be fully embraced by the consumer nations’ markets, they must meet acceptance standards and one of these major standards is traceability, which will authenticate the produce and provide it sure provenance incase consumers want to know where the produce comes from. It also helps to single out a produce that has issues, like being infected and makes it unhealthy for human consumption.

So, traceability helps in tracking the pathway of the entire food system, farm to table of produce, process and facility, conduit of excellence (CoE), government zero reject committee and export certification value chain. Traceability also enhances food safety, prevents food fraud, and it promotes preservation of environmental biodiversity and regulatory compliance.

Traceability, however, faces some challenges, which include data management, resource constraints, socio-cultural limitations, lack of awareness, poor collaboration network between stakeholders and irregular audit of the process.

Quarantine has so far created traceability for the following produce: hibiscus, which is a huge forex earner for the country, cowpea, fresh green vegetables, live ornamental fish, which are used for home aquariums and others and snails.

The domestic cargo market is estimated to hover around N20-40 billion annually, which is small considering the geographical size of Nigeria, but with the right infrastructure and policies, the domestic cargo market has the potential to grow into a multi-billion dollar market, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP.

This is why many industry stakeholders commend Chinet conference because of the new ideas it is throwing up for consideration by government to improve and also bring new innovation in the

Speaking on the theme: ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Managing Air Cargo in Nigeria’, a cargo expert, Mr. Ayo Efe-Lewis said, one of the major challenges facing the domestic air cargo industry was the lack of infrastructure and equipment.

He stressed the urgent need to develop domestic cargo facilities in various airports across the country.

According to him, Nigeria has 32 airports, but only a few have designated cargo facilities, and most of these facilities are not equipped to handle cargo efficiently.

“The domestic cargo handles about 5000 tons/ month, which is about 8 per cent of the total volumes of air freight processed from Nigeria airports.

“About 1.8 million tons of cargo is moved around Nigeria monthly and 1.79 million is moved by road, rail and our water ways. Only about 4000-5000 tons of cargo is moved by air locally. Air Cargo traditionally represents about 1% of global trade but 35 per cent in value,” he said.

Another challenge is the high operating cost and fees of aircraft, which Mr. Efe-Lewis says, makes it difficult for cargo freighters to operate in the domestic market.

The cargo expert stated that, the lack of space on passengers’ aircraft for domestic cargo also creates uncertainty for perishable goods brought to the airport for freight.

“The domestic cargo handles about 5000 tons/ month, which is about 8% of the total volumes of air freight processed from Nigeria airports. The e-commerce industry in Nigeria is estimated at $8 billion and expected to grow at the rate of 5% annually for the next 5 years,” he added.

Despite these challenges, he said there were opportunities for growth in the domestic air cargo industry, as there is increase in the movement of goods locally; as some governors in the northern part of the country are considering subsidising air freighting of farm produce to markets like in Lagos, Port Harcourt and other major cities.

Chinedu Eze

Chinyemugo Obiekwugo-Charles: Uniquely Combining Fashion,

Social Justice and Cultural Heritage

Chinyemugo Obiekwugo-Charles combines fashion, social justice, and cultural heritage in a unique way. With a strong educational background from Nigeria, England, and the US, she explores how the past affects our present. As a Christian and social justice advocate, she finds inspiration in the Catholic Church, African culture, and complex colonial histories. Her fashion brand, Mugo Mugo, showcases her creativity, blending structure, shapes, and military and antique influences. After graduating top of her class at Parsons School of Design and being featured in Vogue, Obiekwugo-Charles shares her story, passion, and future plans in this interview with MARY NNAH

What informed the brand, Mugo Mugo?

Plainly and simply, what informs my collections in general is my need to create a consciousness, to make sure that people are aware of these things. A lot of people stay away from political issues, social issues, just mainly because of the looming feeling that comes with it, and just the feeling of always being party to bad news. But I feel like with fashion, it almost kind of romanticises it a little bit, but still, while giving the information at the same time.

Aside from societal issues, the main focus for my brand is to empower women. And I know that sounds almost kind of cliché, because almost every brand nowadays wants to empower women, but when I talk about empowering women, I’m talking about the woman that feels like she has lost all hope and has lost all form of power - you have victims of sexual assaults, people that have been dragged through the mud, people that have gone from the top to the absolute bottom. These are the people that I’m most interested in, because their stories are often left untold. A lot of people are victims of their own circumstances, and we live in an unfair and unjust world.

My brand’s main ideology is that we want to portray, with my brand, that these people can feel even a little bit empowered by what we create, and the fantasy associated with it, and the fact that you can rise from the ashes like the phoenix.

I do also have a foundation under my name, that hopefully, when the money starts coming in really well, I’m going to be able to then focus on some certain issues surrounding women that are most important to me, like domestic violence, and also getting women off the streets.

A lot of times, when we talk about women that do street work, there’s always a negative conversation around them, which I do understand. However, it’s important for people to know that not everybody can be as privileged as me, and have parents that give them a good education, and put them in places where they feel like they can succeed. That’s exactly what I want to do with my brand. I want to be able to take women off the streets, and actually provide them with a decent education, that would make them feel like there’s a better life for them out there.

How does your diverse educational background influence your art and design?

Growing up in Nigeria, what initially sparked my interest in fashion was something very simple. And I think what people will consider the best Sunday look, dressing up and going to church and looking very colourful and bright, was kind of a ceremony. I think that dressing up, I think, the majority of the time, people don’t acknowledge the amount of fashion that happens in a place of worship. Even when you’re talking about Muslims, or when they celebrate Eid, or when they celebrate Salah, it’s so colorful, it’s so vibrant, and there are different silhouettes. So I think that was my understanding of fashion.

Then, when I moved to London, I was really able to get insights into what they call the London look. The London look, being the use of these very well-tailored pieces, suits, coats, trench coats, the use of these very well-knitted, cable-knit sweaters, and other things, was a different look that I wasn’t so used to. Even though I had obviously traveled out during summer vacation, I never really got to see the different sides of, like, winter and spring.

And then, when I moved to New York, New York was such a vibrant city of different individuals. You have so many people with so many different technologies. And because of the fact that New York is the place where anybody can make it, people come there and they feel the need to be their authentic 100%. And what happens is that you find them really expressing themselves through their clothing. And you see somebody on the train dressed to very dark, gothic makeup, and in all black with chains. And then you see another person dressed almost like a clown, and they have so many colors on, and they have so many bizarre accessories, bangles, jewelry, earrings. And then you have somebody that is leaning more towards the French Parisian aesthetic, that is very minimalist and chic, and using tailored pants, and a tailored shirt, and a simple blouse, maybe with some silk or satin.

I think this definitely created a very broad experience for me, a very broad understanding of what fashion should and can be. And then, from these experiences, I found myself designing, just one understanding from one place, but being able to fuse and incorporate them in different areas. And I think that’s what you really see in my new collection. I am able to take inspiration from certain females of power, like Queen Amina and Moremi from Nigeria, and I take it to New York, and I’m inspired by the Italian mob and New York black American gangsters, and the way they move. And then I take it to Europe, and I’m also inspired by the Vatican - the opulence surrounding the Catholic church. And I fuse all these ideas together,

and then my collection is birthed.

For me, it’s very important that I remain on the cutting edge of fashion. And the only way to do that is to travel, make sure that you’re exposed, and to also draw inspiration from different cultures without cultural appropriation. So you see that even in the garments inspired by the Vatican, I try as much as possible to play very safe towards and respect that culture, but I still change it and make it the way it is.

As a Parsons School of Design graduate, what key lessons will distinguish you in the fashion industry and help you carve a unique niche?

Let me reference my valedictorian speech. I discussed the importance of working with yourself, not against yourself. I believe impostor syndrome is a real phenomenon. As a fashion designer, you often wonder if you’ve created something new or groundbreaking. However, I’ve come to realize that there’s nothing new under the sun. Nevertheless, you can always make something new again by changing it slightly, even by 1% or 2%. This mindset will help me avoid putting too much pressure on myself to create something revolutionary, which can make it less special and more difficult.

Through gradual changes, you can transform something entirely. For instance, taking inspiration from the past, like a Tudor-era dress, and tweaking it in various ways can result in something completely new. This is a key takeaway for me.

Aside from that, I learned two crucial lessons at Parsons: to have grit and to understand that your fears often hide your greatest achievements. Fear can stand between you and your goals, but overcoming it helps you develop new characteristics that will withstand time and brings you closer to achieving your objectives. Fear and goals are intertwined; overcoming fears moves you closer to achieving your goals.

What challenges do you anticipate, particularly in the Nigerian context, and what strategies have you developed to overcome them in the future?

Nothing fully prepares you for running a business. While you can have certain tools and understanding, I don’t think anyone is fully prepared. However, I have developed some key assets that will make things easier for me. Firstly, my determination, drive, tenacity, and ability to be the change I want to see will help me overcome hurdles. My commitment to excellence will also drive me forward.

The economic crisis in Nigeria is a significant concern, but my brand addresses this by incorporating sustainable aspects, such as recycling fabrics and using dead stock materials, as seen in my previous collection. Fashion is constantly evolving, and as a designer, I must stay on the cutting edge of fashion design and learn new skills to streamline my process.

One tool I use is Cloth3D, which allows me to create and animate designs on my computer. This

technology enables me to visualize designs on a 3D avatar before bringing them to life, reducing the sampling and production process. This significantly cuts down on production time and makes my design process more efficient.

How do you plan to share your lessons and experiences with the next generation of fashion designers and entrepreneurs?

On my own personal page on Instagram, I tend to go live sometimes and just, like, allow people - different people that I feel like are interested in going into fashion - to ask me some questions.

But I think, aside from that, I feel like even with everything I do, I always make it very clear that when you do something, it’s always worth doing very well, number one. And there’s nothing easy about designing. Being a designer for me, and going to a school like Parsons that’s number one in the world, was so extremely challenging, but you always have to be up to the challenge. Y

ou have to be able to see through to the end.

So, by being able to lend, like, insights into my life and how I choose to go about things, I think people will see that it’s not just only about being able to design, but it’s also about being able to see things through to the end, to be able to overcome your own fears and challenges, and to continue to push yourself.

Because when you get comfortable, you see that growth becomes something that’s stagnant, and you find yourself in a place where you’re not very satisfied with life anymore, and you ask yourself, what is it that I can do now? But a lot of people understand that dissatisfaction with life comes with the question of, how can I grow now? How can I push myself further?

So, that’s something I always talk about, even on my own personal Instagram page. I’m always letting people know that it’s okay to actually fail now, but succeed tomorrow.

Because the moment you fail, you’re one step closer to succeeding again. I think a lot of people see failure as this thing that is almost like a full stop. Like, now you’ve failed, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

But I think there’s always room for improvement. There’s always a way to kind of wiggle your way out of a scenario like this, and push yourself, and move forward.

How do you find newness in fashion when you believe there’s nothing new under the sun?

When I talk about a new way of thinking about fashion, many people forget that before designing, there’s a lengthy process of thinking. As creatives, we call it procrastination. During this period, you sit with your ideas, allow them to marinate, and that’s when the wheels of your creativity start turning. You begin to ask yourself how to approach a situation

in a new way without removing its essential elements. For me, I like to draw inspiration from the past, specifically antique clothing associated with European monarchs like the Medici, Tudors, and Spanish royalty. These influential people have charted the course of fashion history. While only the rich had access to good fashion in the past, today, people find inspiration in clothing from all classes.

My process involves taking an idea, identifying a specific detail, deconstructing it until it’s nothing, and then reassembling it in unconventional ways. This is what I mean by thinking about fashion in a new way. Furthermore, when discussing fashion history, Africa is often forgotten and displaced. However, I’ve discovered that colonial times were crucial in pushing fashion forward, with many silhouettes inspired by African styles. I find archived pictures of native Africans, compare them to European versions, and merge them to create a fusion of cultures. This fusion represents a new way of thinking about fashion.

Africa is often excluded from fashion history, leaving a missing link. As a designer, my job is to create that connection.

Your designs are inspired by the colonial era, but who is your target audience? It seems like your designs might not be tailored to this generation. I think it goes unsaid that I am a designer of this period, so whatever I design is meant to be for this period, because I also like to be able to see myself in my own designs. I do not design for an imaginary customer at all. When I talk about the colonial times, you have to understand that that is just inspiration; inspiration is just one part of being a designer.

Even when I design, I do a lot of analytical research on the markets and other things like that. It’s not just about having an inspiration or an idea that I want to put out; I’m also thinking about other ideas and the fact that this is also something that’s still meant to be sold at the end of the day. I’m still meant to have a type of customer that I’m targeting, and at the end of the day, I do feel like the brand is what I will call Haute Couture. It is a luxury brand; it is not for everyone. I feel like saying that my brand would be for everyone in society would be to create a false notion. When you’re talking about luxury brands, more often than not, they cater to a specific niche market.

The majority of the collections that I have released now are only Haute Couture collections; we’ve never seen something from Mugo Mugo that is considered ready-to-wear, although that is coming. I feel like the past two years have been very important for me to just create a brand identity, and that’s why I focused solely on what you call Haute Couture.

Haute Couture is not meant to be sold; it’s meant to create an idea of escapism. It’s that moment where the designer has free rein to create their own world and allow you to step into their world and really dive into what makes the brand itself.

What drives your passion for social justice, and how do you hope to impact society through your work?

I’ll tell you a story. When I was younger, and when we first heard about Boko Haram and the Chibok girls, I think that was a devastating experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. To this day, every single time I see those Chibok girls around my vicinity, I always have this devastating feeling.

The fact that women are always at the center point of social justice, yet we’re often taken for granted, and we’re also the ones who bear the brunt of social punishment, I find very devastating. I feel like many people aren’t aware of it outside of Nigeria; many people aren’t aware of the struggles that women have to go through just to survive. So, I think it’s very important for me to create that consciousness, to make sure these stories are being heard from across the world.

Even outside of my two collections that I have used for my brand, there have been previous collections that I had designed while in school, and I’ve always really focused on, for example, the idea of the sexualisation of the Black female, or the male gaze, and how this has distorted the idea of how Black women should carry their hair and how Black women should be perceived with hair.

I always talk about things like this because I think that when Black women feel the need to stand up for themselves, we’re often deemed too loud, too arrogant, too proud, or very aggressive.

But nobody can say you’re being aggressive when you’re creating beautiful clothes and still passing your message across. So, I think that’s a way for me to remain smart and still get my point across.

Obiekwugo-Charles

METRO

…Your city life in print

A Case for Private Sector Investment in Healthcare in Nigeria

Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Chinonyerem Egekwu, Ifeanyi Ngwoke and Ojukwu M. Ojukwu

Over the past few decades, evidence has shown that many challenges exist with the Nigerian healthcare system, with the nation’s healthcare indicators ranking among some of the lowest globally. These challenges stem from factors such as deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate compensation for healthcare workers, brain drain, unregulated practices, shortage of essential medicines and supplies, high out-of-pocket expenditure, and limited access to quality care. The challenges can be traced to poor public healthcare financing and low budgetary allocation for health which has created a cascading effect on the overall performance of the healthcare system.1,

In 2023, the Nigerian government allocated 5.75% of the nation’s annual budget to health, representing the most significant allocation for health in the country’s history. Despite this milestone, given that Nigeria’s population exceeds 200 million with an annual population growth rate of 2.4%, the allocation of N1.17 trillion for health is inadequate. It falls considerably short of the 2001 African Union (AU) Abuja Declaration Target, where African leaders committed to allocating at least 15% of their annual budgets each year to the health sector1.

At the subnational level, there was a 2.5% decline in collective budget allotments for health in the 36 states post-pandemic, dropping from $1.92 billion in 2020 to $1.87 billion in 2022. Considering the challenges with public sector funding for health in Nigeria, there are immense opportunities for private sector funding within the health landscape.

Despite the implementation of a national policy on Private-Public partnerships (PPPs) in 2005 and the availability of reports showcasing successful human capital development projects based on the PPP model; a remarkable proportion of healthcare investments in Nigeria remains in government-owned health facilities, which make up about 70% of all the health facilities in the country5. Intere stingly, despite this, 60% of healthcare services in Nigeria are provided by the private sector5. This disparity underscores a compelling business case for private sector involvement and investment in the Nigerian health system.

A recent health sector market study in Nigeria shows that the demand for healthcare in the country was projected to reach $18 billion by the end of 20235, marking a notable rise from $15 billion in 2018. This increase in demand is attributed to factors such as Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, urbanization, and increased internet access. As a result, the Nigerian healthcare market presents significant opportunities and prospects for medium- to high-yield investments.

A 2020 health report from McKinsey stated that the potential Returns on Investment (ROI) in healthcare in developing economies like Nigeria, could range from 100% to 300% by 2040. Additionally, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) Health Financing Whitepaper titled ‘Health Policy Commission’ reported that healthcare investments are counter-cyclic in nature, defensive and inflation-sensitive, underscoring the remarkable business prospects they present9.

This suggests that healthcare investments remain viable even during economic downturns. In addition to the potential for direct investments in hospital, diagnostic, laboratory, and radiology services, expansive opportunities exist in sectors such as medical devices, telemedicine and health insurance. For instance, the medical devices market, valued at $186 million in 2022, is forecasted to grow to $202 million by the end of 20235.

Additionally, revenue generated from telemedicine and eHealth solutions reached

ceremony of the tripartite agreement between the Edo State government, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, and PSHAN aimed at the

of 18 Primary Health Care Centres in Edo State through the Adopt-A-HealthCare-Facility-Programme

an impressive $315.2 million in 2022, and is projected to rise to $704 million by 2027, with an expected increase in the eHealth penetration rate from 13.4% in 2022 to 19.2% in 2027.5 Furthermore, medical subspecialties like oncology, orthopedics, nephrology, and cardiology have been identified as the primary catalysts behind Nigeria’s outbound medical tourism5. This sector accounted for approximately $1.9 billion in healthcare expenditures within the country in 20195. Investing in healthcare solutions that target these specialised areas align with a market poised for exponential growth.

In the same vein, opportunities abound for investments in the pharmaceutical subsector. It is noteworthy that despite having approximately 132 licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers across the nation5, Nigeria still imports over 90% of its pharmaceutical products. This situation presents a significant opportunity for domestic drug and medical consumables manufacturing.

Moreover, Nigeria boasts of a robust distribution network for pharmaceutical products, with nearly 6,000 licensed pharmaceutical distributors actively engaged in the market. These figures underscore the substantial market demand for these products, existing avenues of distribution, and the promising potential for profitability in a health market where pharmaceutical products are valued at over $500 million5.

Private investments in the Nigerian healthcare sector have consistently yielded positive returns, despite varying profit margins. Over the past year, there has been a notable 48% growth within the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for healthcare companies. These companies collectively accumulated earnings exceeding N5.7 billion over the preceding three years, marking a significant increase of 52% according to a stock exchange report that listed seven healthcare companies. Notably, none of the listed healthcare companies encountered losses during this period.

Nevertheless, despite the significant potential of the Nigerian healthcare market, investing in this sector presents challenges due to prevailing constraints. The country’s notably low healthcare expenditure, reported at $76 per capita in 2019 by the World Bank, is a substantial hurdle, significantly below the African average of $186.

Consequently, although Nigeria boasts a sizable population, the portion of the market able to afford healthcare services is considerably smaller. Additionally, the infrastructure gap that exists in the country means that investors must also consider the costs associated with providing essential utilities like electricity and water, making such investments highly capital-intensive.

Finally, there is a shortage of qualified medical professionals with a doctor to patient ratio of 3.9 per 10,000, much lower than the WHO recommended ratio of 17 doctors per 10,000 as of 2022. Despite these constraints, the size of Nigeria’s outbound medical tourism market is a clear indicator that opportunities exist for investors to close the local healthcare provision gap, at least for those at the top of the pyramid.

However, the Nigerian context means that the return on investment may not be as linear and straightforward as in other economies and so the type of capital needed to close this gap requires more patience with a long-term investment focus. Distant, hypothetical returns are less attractive in comparison to short-term investments.

As such, Nigeria lags behind in its health equity investments compared to other African nations. For example, between 2016 and 2022, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya received $1.5 billion, $935 million, $615 million

Initiatives like the Adopt-a-Healthcare-Facility Programme, led by the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, and the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund can promote more equitable healthcare distribution. By directly funding primary health care centers, these programs ensure that people with low incomes can access necessary medical care without the burden of high costs

and $379 million worth of investments into their respective healthcare industries, outpacing Nigeria, which received just $351 million over the same period. Nevertheless, this gap in equity investment is being bridged by local private sector investors. An example of progress is the growth of the HMO market in providing affordable healthcare, promoting preventive care and overall wellness, and boosting infrastructure development in the health sector towards universal health coverage. This growth is linked to the increasing penetration of health insurance in the country, which rose from 5.1% in 2018 to 8.8% in 2021, and the reaccreditation of about 52 HMOs as of 2018. Additionally, on the supply side big hospital groups such as the Reddington Hospital group and the Lagoon group, are investing heavily in the market.

For the rest of Nigeria’s large population who do not present a profitable market for investors, philanthropy can fill the gap by collaborating with the Nigerian government to facilitate access to healthcare for citizens at the bottom of the pyramid. Initiatives like the Adopt-a-Healthcare-Facility Programme, led by the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, and the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund can promote more equitable healthcare distribution. By directly funding primary health care centers, these programs ensure that people with low incomes can access necessary medical care without the burden of high costs.

In summary, the Nigerian healthcare industry remains an untapped sector. Investments in the healthcare sector may not initially seem as appealing as those in other sectors, such as oil and gas, agriculture, and telecommunications, but a growing urban middle class, expanding internet access, and a well-established distribution network, indicate a promising future for the medical industry.

A mindful and long-term investment approach in the healthcare industry can therefore create substantial gains for investors and a transformational effect for the nation. Beyond financial profits, private sector investments in healthcare can yield non-monetary and indirect benefits, such as job creation, improved healthcare system efficiency, enhanced access to healthcare services, and strengthened research and development capabilities.

L-R: Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; Dr. Samuel Alli, Edo State Commissioner for Health; Mr Osarodion Ogie Esq, Secretary to the State Government of Edo State; Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice-Chair, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Dr Tinuola Akingbolagbe, MD/CEO PSHAN; Ota Akhigbe, Head, Memberships & Partnerships, PSHAN at the signing

revitalisation

CRC Credit Bureau: 30m Nigerians Now Have Credit Scores

Oluchi Chibuzor

CRC Credit Bureau has announced that over 30 million Nigerians now have credit scores from its repository. The milestone, the company said, highlights its commitment to enhancing financial inclusion and fostering economic growth in Nigeria.

Throwing more light on the importance of Credit Scores in a press statement, it said credit score is a numerical representation of an individual’s creditworthiness, derived from their credit history.

“It serves as a critical tool for lenders in assessing the risk of lending to a borrower. And with over 30 million Nigerians now possessing credit scores, the financial system becomes more inclusive and transparent, allowing more individuals to access credit facilities previously out of reach.

“The attainment of this milestone signifies more than just a number. It represents

empowerment. With credit scores, individuals and businesses alike can secure loans more easily and at better rates. This accessibility to credit can lead to increased financial inclusion, economic growth, and personal advancement.

More Nigerians can now participate in the formal financial system, gaining access to loans, mortgages, and other financial products.

“With easier access to credit, businesses can expand operations, invest in new ventures, and drive economic development. Individuals can pursue personal goals such as homeownership, education, and entrepreneurship with the backing of accessible credit. Reaching 30 million credit scores is just the beginning as CRC Credit Bureau is committed to driving further financial inclusion and economic empowerment in Nigeria,” it said.

According to the Group Managing Director/CEO

of CRC Credit Bureau, Dr. Tunde Popoola, “Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian, irrespective of their economic status, has the opportunity to build a credit history. We will continue to invest in educational programs to help individuals understand and improve their credit scores. Leveraging the latest technology, we will enhance our services to provide even more accurate and comprehensive credit information.”

“CRC Credit Bureau has been at the forefront of this transformation. Through relentless efforts in data collection, analysis, and technology adoption, we have made it possible for millions of Nigerians to build and maintain credit histories. Our services extend beyond mere credit scoring; we provide comprehensive credit reports, advisory services, and educational programmes aimed at improving financial literacy,” he stated.

Monisola Adanijo: Tireless Crusader for Healthy Oil

Dr. Monisola Adanijo, a passionate advocate for healthy living and an esteemed figure in the nutrition and wellness community, has dedicated her career to revolutionizing how we perceive and use cooking oils. Her journey into the realm of healthy oils began not just with a desire to market a product, but with a genuine commitment to educate and empower consumers to make informed choices about their dietary habits. At the forefront of this movement is her partnership with Golden Terra Oil, a brand that promotes healthier cooking oil alternatives. Adanijo’s journey as a health advocate is deeply personal and professionally driven. With years of experience treating patients with heart conditions, she has witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects of poor dietary choices on cardiovascular health.

Her social media platform is a treasure trove of valuable content. One of her most engaging posts centred on the

significance of reading food labels when selecting cooking oils. In this particular message, Adanijo encouraged her followers to prioritize oils rich in polyunsaturated fats & low in saturated fats, citing their proven benefits in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. By translating scientific research into actionable advice, she empowers her audience to make informed decisions in their daily lives.

Adanijo’s influence reaches beyond her clinic and online presence. She actively participates in health education workshops, public speaking engagements, and contributes medical write-ups to prominent magazines and newspapers. At her cardiology clinic, Adanijo focuses on preventing heart disease by managing key cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Her comprehensive approach

includes both treatment for existing heart conditions and early detection through heart health screenings.

Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group remarked, Probal Bhattacharya, “Adanijo’s unwavering passion for heart health shines through her relentless advocacy and educational efforts. Her dedication to empowering the public with knowledge on heart-healthy choices showcased through her dynamic social media presence, perfectly aligns with our brand’s mission. By merging expert advice with practical guidance, Adanijo inspires meaningful lifestyle changes that promote long-term cardiovascular well-being.”

As she continues her crusade for heart health, Golden Terra Oil remains a vital ally in her mission. For those looking to make positive changes in their diet, following Adanijo’s advice and choosing healthier cooking oils is a crucial step.

Winners Emerge as Bayelsa SUBEB Holds Teacher Appreciation Day

Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board (Bayelsa SUBEB) has unveiled award winning teachers and head teachers from Sagbama, Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Ogbia local government areas as it held the second edition of the BayelsaPRIME Teacher Appreciation Day.

Speaking at the excitement filled event, the Executive Secretary of the board, Victor Okubonanabo noted that, “Teacher Appreciation Day is an opportunity to recognise the role of teachers in building the leaders of tomorrow.” He called on teachers across the state to do their uttermost in improving the quality of education in their various schools as every teacher is recognized and appreciated.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Educa-

tion, Mr. Okene Simon-Peter noted that the government of His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri remains committed to the growth of schools, skills and quality education in Bayelsa State. One teacher and one head teacher emerged as award winners from each of the four local government areas under the BayelsaPRIME reform programme.

In the Best Teacher Category, Zamide, Ebipamokemenumigha of Community Primary School 2, Agbere emerged as best teacher in Sagbama local government areas; Johnson Siane from Biseni Central School emerged as the best for Yenagoa local government area; while Aluku Abbah from State School 2, Ologoghe and Jimmy Rose from Community Primary School 1 Sabagreia emerged as the best teachers from Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma local

government area respectively.

In the head teacher category, Geku Ebiemi from Community Primary School 1, Igboghene emerged as the best head teacher in Yenagoa local government area; Ekiegha Ekese from Community Primary School 2, Agbere emerged as the best from Sagbama local government area while Michael Naro from State School 2, Okodi and Tamuno Deifugha from Community Primary School 1, Sabagreia emerged as the best head teacher from Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma local government areas respectively.

Awardees at the event outlined the impact of the BayelsaPRIME reform programme on the primary school system, while calling on His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri to sustain it in the interest of the children and future of Bayelsa State.

Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria),

(Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Digital Exchange: SEC Grants Busha Digital, Quidax Technologies ‘Approval-in-Principle’

Kayode Tokede

In furtherance of its commitment to enabling innovation that would deepen the capital market while guaranteeing the protection of investors, the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), yesterday granted two Digital Assets Exchanges “Approval-inPrinciple” to commence operation under the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program (ARIP).

The companies granted approval are Busha Digital Limited,

Quidax Technologies Limited.

Disclosing this in a statement, the Commission said the cohort comprises of two ( Digital Asset Exchanges, four digital asset Offering Platforms and one Digital Asset Custodian.

The SEC in a statement said “Busha operates a digital exchange that facilitates the buying and selling of crypto assets with fiat currency. It enables individuals and businesses in Nigeria and other developing economies to access basic digital asset

investment services. Busha’s customers use the mobile and web applications to buy, sell, store, send, receive, trade and invest and make payments in cryptocurrencies.

“Quidax Technologies Limited operates a cryptocurrency trading platform in Nigeria. The platform leverages blockchain technology to list and trade already issued crypto tokens (assets).

“The services are provided via a proprietary blockchain owned and controlled by Quidax. The

exchange platform is both web and mobile enabled for ease of access and use.

Quidax also utilizes digital wallet to enable its users store, receive and transact in variety of cryptocurrencies”.

Similarly, five firms have been admitted to test their models and technology under the SEC’s Regulatory Incubation Program, RI. They are Trovotech Ltd, Wrapped CBDC Ltd, HousingExhange. NG Ltd, Dream City Capital and Blockvault Custodian Ltd.

The SEC recently introduced the ARIP to strategically on-board firms which had commenced operations prior to the release of the Rules on Virtual Asset Service Providers in May 2022.

Conversely, the RI Program was created to assess the business models of Digital Assets firms and test innovative products, services and technology in a real-time market environment under close supervision by the SEC.

According to the Commission,

“Specifically, the current cohort of the ARIP and the RI Program is characterized by the increased use of distributed ledger technology [“DLT”] in creating and trading crypto assets The outcome of the process would inform further policy development in this space. Tests would be conducted on a short-term and small-scale basis and the SEC would continue to work with the participating firms to agree on testing parameters as well as robust consumer safeguards.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF AUGUST 29/24

PERSPECTIVE

X-raying Governor Mbah’s Strides in the Justice Sector

Ekene Nwanjoku

Since he assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, Governor Peter Mbah has done tremendously well in touching all sectors in line with his disruptive innovation mantra. Many of these achievements are known and felt, while some are felt but not widely recognised. One of the sectors that forms part of the latter is the justice sector.

It is well known that without a viable legal framework, businesses will not thrive, as investors will lack the necessary confidence to invest. This could hinder the state’s vision of exponentially growing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, hence, the significance of the governor’s effort in laying the groundwork for sustainable growth through the justice sector.

To begin with, the administration’s first success in this sector starts with Mbah’s deep knowledge of the justice sector as a senior lawyer himself, coupled with the choice of Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice complemented by Osinachi Nnajieze as Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters. This triumvirate has seen to the palpable revolutionalisation.

In the last one year, the administration has facilitated and presented over 18 groundbreaking executive bills to the Enugu State House of Assembly, 15 of which have been passed into law. This proactive legislative agenda underscores the governor’s commitment to enhancing legal frameworks and promoting good governance within the state. The passing of these bills represents a significant milestone in ensuring that Enugu State’s legal and administrative structures are robust, responsive, and reflective of contemporary needs.

Some of the executive bills are the Enugu State Electricity Law, 2023; Enugu State Geographic Information Systems Service Law, 2024; New Enugu City Management Agency Law, 2024; State University of Medical and Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital Igbo-Eno Law, 2024; Enugu State Properties Protection Law, 2024; Public Ranch Management Agency Law, 2024; Enugu State Environmental and Climate Protection Law, 2024; Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law, 2024; Neighbourhood Association and Watch Group Law, 2024; Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences Parklane and Awgu Bill, 2024, among others.

In addition to these new laws, five forward-looking Executive Orders have been promulgated, which provide the necessary legal backing for various government policies and initiatives. By issuing these Orders, Governor Mbah has demonstrated an adept understanding of governance nuances and the importance of swift and decisive actions in addressing the state’s developmental challenges. These Orders have laid the groundwork for several key initiatives, enabling the government to respond promptly to emerging issues and ensuring that the state’s machinery operates smoothly.

The Governor has been aggressive in attracting business, investment, and developmental partnerships, which have been followed by speedy drafting of transaction documentation and closing of numerous deals in record time. Thus, this government has signed

and is implementing hundreds of agreements and memorandum of understanding geared towards the development of all sectors and sections of the state. Little wonder work is going on at every nook and cranny of the state, in the city and rural areas. People have observed that Enugu has literally turned to a construction site. Much more is still in the works. The legal frameworks and transaction instruments made by the administration are deliberately of international standard, fair, and protect the interest of all parties involved.

The reactivation of the Citizen’s Rights and Mediation Centre (CRMC) forums in the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State stands out as a people-centric achievement. These centres play a critical role in Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, offering a platform for resolving conflicts amicably, swiftly, and equitably without recourse to protracted court cases. This is particularly important to the rural populace, which will be largely without remedy if costly litigation were the only available channel. By revitalising these centres, the Governor has equally alleviated the burden on the judicial system and promoted a culture of peace and dialogue among the residents.

The digitalisation, digitisation, and automation of the justice sector have been prioritised in an effort to modernise the state’s judicial processes. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and improve overall access to justice. By leveraging technology, the administration is

streamlining various judicial processes and making it easier for citizens to access legal services and information. The automation of the judiciary ensures that cases are processed faster, records are kept more accurately, and judicial officers can perform their duties more effectively. This is a testament to Governor Mbah’s vision of a modern, efficient, and transparent judicial system.

In line with his manifesto, the governor laid the groundwork for the creation of specialised courts for unimpeded access to justice for all. These courts will be presided over by experts in the specialised areas, to optimise the quality of the determination of issues, the speed of dispensation, and the wholesomeness of outcomes. Some of these specialised courts are the Small Claims Court for quick dispensation of cases involving claims of One Million Naira or less; Commercial Court, which deals with Commercial, Contracts, Revenue, and Fast-track matters); Probate and Family Court, dealing with probate, matrimonial causes, and family matters; Criminal Court, which is responsible for criminal cases involving sentences above 14 years, including life and death sentences; and Lands (or Real Estate) Court.

The administration is also working on law reporting and publication, while continuously compiling judgments of the High Court. This initiative is crucial for maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date repository of legal precedents from trial courts, which serve as a valuable resource for legal practitioners, scholars, and the judiciary. The systematic compilation and reporting of High Court judgments enhance the consistency and predictability of courts’ decisions, thereby strengthening the rule of law. This forward-looking approach ensures that legal professionals have access to accurate and timely legal authorities, which are essential for effective legal practice. Training of legal officers on law reporting and legal drafting has been another cornerstone of Governor Mbah’s justice sector reforms. These training programmes are designed to enhance the skills and competencies of legal officers, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern legal practice and match the demands of the current innovative administration. This initiative improves the quality of legal services provided to the public and fosters a culture of excellence and professionalism within the Ministry of Justice.

In collaboration with the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse, Governor Mbah is sponsored a training programme on mediation skills for law officers. This training equips legal officers with the skills and techniques necessary for effective mediation, which is a critical component of alternative dispute resolution. It is noteworthy that with the concurrence of partners and contractors, most agreements and other transaction documents executed by this administration have mediation as their dispute resolution option. By promoting mediation, the administration is offering a viable alternative to litigation, which can be time-consuming and costly. Mediation provides a more amicable and efficient means of resolving disputes, thereby reducing the caseload of the courts and fostering a more harmonious society. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to innovative and practical solutions to business and social problems.

The establishment of a virtual hearing centre at the Ministry of Justice, in addition to the boosting virtual hearing capabilities of the High Court is a groundbreaking achievement. The virtual hearing centre is particularly significant coming from the recent experience of COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated the adoption of remote working arrangements. By embracing digital transformation, Governor Mbah administration has ensured that the wheels of justice keep turning, even in challenging circumstances.

In line with its commitment to supporting witnesses in legal proceedings, especially in criminal prosecution, the administration established a Witness Support Unit at the Ministry of Justice. This unit provides essential support services, including counseling, protection, and logistical assistance. By addressing the needs and concerns of witnesses, the witnesses can fully and more participate in legal proceedings. This in turn enhances criminal justice administration, which has a multiplier effect on security of lives and property.

A holistic revision of the entire laws of Enugu State is currently ongoing. The last time this was done was over 20 years ago. The revision is aimed at ensuring that the legal framework is up-to-date, coherent, and responsive to contemporary needs. This comprehensive revision involves scrutinising existing laws, identifying areas for improvement, proposing necessary amendments, consolidating laws and their amendments scattered in various legislation, harmonising conflicting provisions, publishing the laws as a set of compendium of laws, etc. This initiative ensures that the Laws of Enugu State are aligned with best practices and capable of addressing the evolving needs of the society.

The successful prosecution of cases, both civil and criminal, has been a notable achievement of the administration. Securing favorable judgments and decisions for the government not only reinforces the rule of law but also contributes to the state’s developmental trajectory and security drive. Many of these successful cases have been achieved ADR and consent judgments, which are less adversarial and more collaborative. This approach expedites the resolution of disputes, while maintaining good working relations with investors and other stakeholders. The administration’s success in this area underscores its commitment to justice and fairness.

The administration is equally committed to ensuring that law students of Enugu State origin are encouraged and supported to excel. In June this year, Governor Mbah approved bursaries in the sum of N44.1m to 294 indigenes of the state currently studying at the seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School across the country. Indeed, a little over one year under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership has seen significant advancements in Enugu State’s justice sector. The administration has laid a strong foundation for a more efficient and responsive justice system. The legacy of this transformative year is expected to enlarge and resonate for years to come, shaping Enugu State into a just, equitable, and inclusively prosperous society.

•Nwanjoku writes from Enugu

Sanwo-Olu Presents Exit Certificates to LagosHoms

Initiates New Redemption Policy

The first set of beneficiaries of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS) has fulfilled their 10-year payment obligations to fully own the properties allotted to them by Lagos State Mortgage Board in 2014.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented Exit Certificates to the allottees at a ceremony held in NECA House, Ikeja, yesterday. The instruments now fully conferred the ownership rights of the properties on the beneficiaries, following the completion of their mortgages. The properties, which were built by the State Government, were purchased and allotted through a rent-to-own scheme managed by the Board. Since inception of

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with Brazil to strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared priorities, welcoming the country’s presidency of the G20 in 2024.

Receiving the Letter of Credence from the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria,

Carlos Jose Areias, at the State House, Abuja yesterday, the President said:

“We have a long history of bilateral and cultural relations with Brazil. You must see Nigeria as your second home and explore the abundant economic opportunities in the country.

‘’I have been talking to some of my Brazilian friends concerning the prospects of investing in dairy farming in Nigeria.

said the fulfilment of the

by

allottees was a proof of acceptability of the scheme among State’s residents. He said the State Government had made significant strides in the provision of affordable

Tinubu Canvasses Stronger Bilateral Relations Between Nigeria, Brazil

We are eager to push these investments forward.

‘’In my recent discussions with President Lula, we agreed to energize the economic development of our two countries, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration”.

Tinubu called on the new Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria to prioritize the establishment of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.

The president reiterated his discussions with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the matter, in February, 2024, on the margins of the African Union Summit, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Areias said President Lula was looking forward to welcoming President Tinubu to the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro.

He also conveyed Lula’s invitation to Nigeria to join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. He explained that the initiative, based on the value of food security, is the main proposal of the Brazilian presidency at the G20 to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030.

Governor Mbah

RETREAT FOR THE BAYELSA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND DIRECTORS-GENERAL...

New DSS DG Assumes Duty, Pledges to Refocus Security Organisation

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The newly appointed Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, yesterday assumed duty officially.

Addressing the audience during a brief but colourful taking and handing over ceremony at the service's headquarters in Abuja, Ajayi pledged to refocus the service.

A statement by Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, said Ajayi was warmly received by the immediate past DG, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, who briefed him on related issues.

Afunanya noted that both the new boss and the outgone DG recalled moments that they worked together in the past and reflected on the respect and admiration they had for each other. He revealed that the duo later addressed management and staff of the Service.

"While the outgone DG urged all to cooperate with the new DG to enable him succeed in the task ahead, Ajayi harped on unity of purpose among staff and enjoined them to remain disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties," the statement added.

Ajayi assured that he would work with relevant stakeholders with utmost commitment and deep sense of responsibility

Australia, Nigeria to Deepen Collaborations in Mining Sector

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

In a significant move to bolster Nigeria-Australia relations in the mining sector, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency Leilani Bin-Juda, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.

During the visit, the High Commissioner extended a formal invitation to Alake to attend the prestigious African Down Under (ADU) conference, scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, from the 4th to the 6th of September 2024.

The high commissioner utilized the opportunity to brief Alake on the upcoming conference and the immense opportunities the bilateral meetings during the event will bring to Nigeria. Australia is renowned for its abundant mineral resources and advanced mining technologies, ranking among the top producers of key minerals such as iron ore, coal, gold, and bauxite. Australia is a critical player in the global mining industry.

Alake and HE Leilani Bin-Juda discussed potential opportunities for Nigerian professionals to benefit from short courses in mining, hosted by

Australian institutions. These courses aim to enhance the skills and knowledge of Nigerian experts, furthering the development of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

A key point of discussion was the introduction of a new free platform developed by Geoscience Australia, designed specifically for Africa.

The innovative platform leverages satellite data to track and monitor mining activities across the continent, offering free, high-quality training and real-time data access.

The High Commissioner emphasized the potential of this platform to revolutionize the way Nigeria manages and oversees its mining operations.

Accompanied by the Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, His Excellency Anto Bouckley, HE Leilani Bin-Juda, reiterated her commitment to fostering stronger ties between both nations.

She expressed her intention to visit the minister again after the conference, signalling ongoing collaboration and partnership.

Alake expressed his gratitude for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its relationship with Australia, particularly in the solid minerals sector.

so as to surmount challenges confronting Nigeria’s economic, political and security environments. The objective, according to him, is to achieve peace and stability necessary for development.

The highlight of the occasion, the statement said, was the handing over of the service flag and other insignias of office by the former DG to the new one.

Ajayi took a tour of the national

headquarters during which he visited some sections and encouraged staff on duty to remain vigilant, resourceful, dedicated and loyal to the Service, constituted authorities and Nigeria at large.

President Bola Tinubu, had on Monday 26, August approved the appointment of new DirectorsGeneral of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Service.

Elumelu: Africa Must Set its Priorities Right, Address Energy Insufficiency

As the world continues on energy transition from fossil to cleaner energies, the Founder and Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has enjoined African leaders to find the best possible ways to optimise the continent’s natural resources to address Africa’s gross energy insufficiency.

Elumelu, gave this advice yesterday, during a media parley to mark the 14th anniversary of Heirs Holdings, which he founded in 2010, at the expiration of his tenure as the chief executive of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

He said: “In the world we live in today there are answers you give and it will become controversial. But the truth is that for us in Africa at a time like this, we should set our priorities right because access to electricity in Africa

is almost zero.

“There are current conversations in the world about how to provide energy. But if you look at where we are in Nigeria and Africa, we need all the energy combinations.

“We have so many natural resources that we need to annex to enable us to deal with energy deficit or insufficiency in the continent.

“So, before we join certain conversations, we need to assess properly and know where we are and what we need.”

He also used the occasion to speak on the current emigration of human talents from Nigeria to Europe and America, stating firmly that he was in support of the trend and not against it.

Elumelu said the development would in the future be beneficial to the country in the form of diaspora remittances in

Stakeholders

Emmanuel Addeh in

Abuja

Stakeholders in the hospitality industry have urged Nigeria to invest in cultural exchange and tourism, especially given the success of Ghana's ‘Year of Return’ initiative which it said generated nearly $9 billion in its first year.

The stakeholders spoke at a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting the success of the initiative.

The event, aimed at fostering cultural ties between Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora, they said, has positioned Ghana as

a leading destination for African Americans seeking to reconnect with their roots.

The Cultural Oneness Festival—an event scheduled for November 2024 in Northern Ghana—underscores the potential benefits for Nigeria if similar initiatives were adopted, they added.

The Cultural Oneness Festival Country Director, Kazeem Balogun, speaking at the event, emphasised the significant economic opportunities, particularly in tourism and entertainment.

"It's more like the United States of

foreign currencies despite the dislocations it is currently causing businesses.

According to him, the “Japa” syndrome as it is known in Nigeria “affects all of us.

“When you interviewing or hiring young people you do not know who is going to stay with you for 12 months.

“But that will not stop you from hiring and training them. We need people to execute our strategies and visions.

“At the same time you cannot stop people from going if they believe that Canada holds better prospects for them. All we can do to stop them from leaving is to make our own environment attractive.

‘We are crying now but there will come a time when it will be beneficial to us as foreign currencies begin to come in from our people in the Diaspora. So, I support it. I am not against it.”

Commenting on the insinuations that Nigerian billionaires are overlooking Nigerian universities and prefer to establish endowments in foreign institutions, Elumelu observed that there are a lot of problems in the world and individuals would choose the ones they would solve.

He, however, clarified that his preference was to focus on entrepreneurship and economic empowerment of young peoples in Africa due to his convictions that the future of the continent is in their hands.

“We have chosen entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. We have limited resources. What we do is not out of the abundance of wealth, but just the need to do what we believe is right. We share prosperity,” Elumelu said, adding that the UBA group has a lot of interest in educational endowments.

Africa," he noted, drawing a parallel between Ghana's burgeoning tourism sector and the untapped potential in Nigeria.

"If we are not doing it right, I think it's better we learn from those people that are doing it right," he added.

Despite Ghana's success, attempts to replicate the initiative in Nigeria have faced challenges, including resistance from government bodies concerned about the implications of granting citizenship to Africans in the diaspora.

Yet, he argued that the potential

economic benefits outweigh these concerns. "If Nigeria gets something like that, it will be in the record that through creativity, tourism, and culture, such an amount of money got into the government's purse, just like in Ghana," he said. Furthermore, the upcoming Cultural Wellness Festival in Ghana, themed "Leveraging on Strength for Shared Growth and Prosperity as One People," is expected to attract 80,000 participants, offering a platform for cultural exchange, business networking, and the promotion of African arts.

Dike Onwuamaeze

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno (left) and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, at the retreat for the Bayelsa Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General at the Ibom Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday

UBA SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISE (SME) BUSINESS SERIES...

L-R: Group Head, Retail Products and Sales, Prince Ayewoh; Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola; CEO, Diaryofakitchenlover, Omotolani Taiwo-Osikoya (Chef T); Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo; Creative Photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi; Veteran Stand-up Comedian/CEO XQZMOI Television, Atunyota Ali Akpobome (Ali Baba) and Head, SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi during the UBA Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Business Series, tagged ‘Built To Last’ For Small Businesses, held at UBA house Marina, Lagos ... yesterday

DHQ: It’s Impossible to Defeat Terrorism

Without the Cooperation of People

Troops killed 1,166 terrorists, destroyed 339 illegal refining sites in one month MNJTF intercepts terrorists’ logistics supply syndicate with illicit drugs, flags Lagbaja urges support for Tinubu, security agencies Police condemn DPO’s killing by military

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, said it was impossible to defeat terrorism, insurgency, and banditry without the support of the people.

That was as the military high command, yesterday, said no fewer than 1,166 terrorists died from the bullets and aerial bombardment in their hideouts across all theatres of operation, following a coordinated military onslaught against them, while 1,096 others were taken into custody in the month of August alone.

Similarly, troops of Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) deployed for counter terrorism operations in the Lake Chad Region, successfully intercepted two Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists' logistics supply syndicates in a significant counter terrorism operation.

Nonetheless, the Nigeria Police condemned the killing of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Wasagu Division by Nigeria Army soldiers in Zamfara State.

The DHQ stated that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and operatives of other security agencies were not

spirits. It said terrorism and other emerging security threats would end the day citizens resolved to stop them.

Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen during his biweekly press conference on operational activities of the troops and other security agencies across the federation.

Buba stated that terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements came from families, communities and states, and had friends who knew about their nefarious activities and movements.

He said it was their community members that provided logistics for

them, including arms and ammunition, and they slept in homes of their family members and friends who were not ignorant of their villainous activities.

Buba equally decried last week's killing of police officers by adherents of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiite. He said the military will not tolerate such act of terrorism from them going forward.

Buba stated, "Who are we fighting? We are fighting an enemy that has taken on different forms in different parts of the country. But these enemies are one and the same – terrorists.

“Take it from me, be they herders, bandits IPOB, or IMN, they are all

ORFA Report: Over 55,910 Killed in Nigeria in Four Years with Minimal Security Interventions

Researchers with Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) have reported that over 55,910 persons were killed in Nigeria from October 2019 to September 2023 with minimal security interventions.

This was disclosed in a press release issued on Thursday and signed by the Data Scientist of ORFA, Frans Vierhout. Vierhout said that ORFA operates under Foundation Platform for Social Transformation (FPST), and it’s committed to monitoring religious freedoms and documenting violations of rights across Nigeria, adding that the current report emanated from a comprehensive four-year study.

The report highlighted the escalating violence particularly in the North Central zone and Southern Kaduna, where widespread mass killings, abductions, and family torture occurred with minimal intervention from security forces.

It identified the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) as a key perpetrator of violence in Nigeria, and underscored the alarming trend of mass violence that has largely gone unchallenged as security agencies focus on remote targets rather than addressing the immediate needs of local communities.

Data in the report reveal FEM violent activities as predominantly

concentrated in the North Central Zone and Southern Kaduna, areas that have suffered significantly from their attacks, but added that military resources are concentrated in the North-East and North-West of Nigeria, hundred miles away from scenes of the FEM atrocities.

According to the release, “Across the country, over 11,000 incidents of extreme violence took place during the data period, with more than 55,000 killings and 21,000 abductions.

“In the North Central zone alone, 3,007 incidents of extreme violence occurred. 2,010 incidents involved killings, 700 were abduction incidents, and 297 were a combination of killings

and abductions.

“The Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) killed at least 42% of all civilians, while Boko Haram and ISWAP (‘Islamic State West Africa Province’) combined killed 10%. FEM, an ethno-religious terror group, are considered by many security experts to be a ‘twin’ of Islamists’ killing and kidnapping of civilians in Northern Nigeria. Land-based community attacks form the largest category of civilian killings (81%).

“FEM invade small Christian farming settlements to kill, rape, abduct, and burn homes. 2.7 Christians were killed for every Muslim in the reporting period. Islamist extremists kill both Muslims and Christians.

House Petitions Canadian Embassy over Sunnberger’s Hate, Incitement to Genocide

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives, has petitioned the Canadian High Commission over one Amaka Patience Sunnberger for inciting genocide and hate speech against Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in the country.

The Chairman, Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, in a petition dated August 28, 2024 and addressed to Canadian High Commissioner, James Christoff, expressed concern over the

actions of Sunnberger. The petition read: “On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada.

“Ms. Sunnberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating for the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide.

“Ms. Sunnberger's recorded statements constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians. Her incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning are not only deeply troubling but also represent a clear violation of multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws.”

The House added that such rhetoric was dangerous and had the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora.

The Green Chamber pointed out that Sunnberger's actions violated Article 20(2)

of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibited advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence.

It noted that her conduct also contravened Article 4 of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which mandated state parties to take effective measures against the dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, including the incitement to genocide.

terrorists carrying out act of terror against our citizens and the nation.

“If they be terrorists, the military will bring overwhelming military force upon them to destroy them, take out their commanders and foot soldiers and annihilate them from the surface of the earth."

On the trending video footage of terrorists brandishing ransom collected from victims of abduction and their families, Buba said, "I will say that winning this war without the support of the people is impossible.

“These persons that we have seen on the social media brandishing their loots are of two categories, first, they are not ghosts or faceless, they have proven to us that they are not invisible.

So, they come from families and communities, they come from a state, they have brothers and sisters, they have friends, and people know them. What are they doing to assist the military and other security agencies to get to them?

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari and all the APC governors were expected at the party's NEC meeting slated for 12th of September 2024.

Speaking with members of the Kano State correspondents' Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the former governor of Kano State, said their attendance would demonstrate unity and a clear commitment to the party.

He said the gathering was crucial for the party's decision-making process, and their presence would indicate the significance of the discussions.

"In a nutshell, we have so many things that are coming up. We have the NEC meeting for which every quarter we are supposed to meet.

"So very soon, specifically on the 12th of September, we will hold the NEC meeting which Mr president and governors and former president will also be there.

“Also we will be approaching so many things that our national

“The troops of the military and operatives of other security agencies are not spirits. I had said it severally, when you see something, say something. More people even know more than those that see. So, if you know something, say something and we will do something about it."

He also said over 2,741 Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), terrorist fighters and their families surrendered themselves and weapons to troops of JTF Operations Hadin Kai.

Buba said that was in addition to the rescue of 721 kidnapped hostages, and recovery of 391 weapons, and 15,234 ammunition.

He said the military had prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators, stressing that several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield as a result of its operations within the month of August.

working committee has undertaken to be confirmed by the NEC meeting."

On the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, Ganduje expressed optimism that the APC would sweep the polls in the two states.

“Let's start with Edo, which is coming on the 21st of September. Well, I believe our campaign is with high spirit.We are getting ready for that election.

“We believe we will be able to recover our state because it was an APC state but because of internal bubbles we lost it to PDP but we are sure we will recover that state.

“For Ondo State, it's already an APC state and the former governor when he died with a number of problems, we were able to resolve those issues. We conducted primaries, we succeeded in getting the person that they want.

"We are also getting ready for that election which is coming up in November. If we win Edo we will be getting an additional state for the party. It will be 21 states out of 36.

"Next year there will be Anambra, which has been a state governed by APGA and for many years but we have introduced a new scheme.”

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Linus Aleke in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent in Lagos

11TH LAGOS PUBLIC RELATIONS STAKEHOLDERS' CONFERENCE...

Oluremi Tinubu: Birth Registration Very Vital to National Development, Governance

Unveils commemorative birth certificate to accelerate registration in Nigeria

Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stressed that a robust and efficient civil registration system was pivotal to National Development and Governance.

Speaking at the official launch of the 2024 UNICEF/RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate at the State House in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu noted that the renewed drive for the registration of every life birth would help the nation achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 16.

Speaking further, the first lady said, “It is important to note that a robust and efficient civil registration system is pivotal to our development and governance.

“This ensures that every live birth is recorded, and forms the basis for policy, planning, and service delivery

that meets the needs of all Nigerians. This is more than an administrative task; it provides the foundation for our social security.”

She highlighted the benefits accruable to any society that prioritises birth registration, which includes proper and adequate

Police: How IMN Tricked Their Foreign Sponsors to Secure Funding for Operations

Shi’ite sect condemns police for parading members without hijab, calls it blasphemy

Chuks Okocha and Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Police have exposed the tricks allegedly employed by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the Shi’ite sect, to secure funding from its foreign sponsors to carry on with its subversive activities in the country.

At the same time, the Shi’ite sect, has condemned the alleged forceful removal of Hijab by some police officers at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja describing it as blasphemous. However, the Commissioners of Police for the FCT Command, Benneth Igweh, made this disclosure while parading 94 suspected members of the movement believed to have participated in the killing of two police officers and wounded four others in Wuse District Abuja, apprehended between Sunday and yesterday.

The CP also paraded twin cybercriminal suspects, who were specialised in swindling bank customers at ATM galleries of different banks across the territory. Also, a Christian, who hailed from Edo State and paraded alongside 93 other suspected Shi’ite members, who cried out for help while fielding questions from journalists.

Igweh said, "On 25/08/2024 at about 11:30AM, six police personnel drafted from various divisions and posted to Wuse Market junction came under sudden and unprovoked attack by members of the proscribed sect called Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) AKA Shiite."

He recalled that the six police officers, who were attacked by the suspects

wielding dane-guns, machetes, IEDs and stones, were rushed to Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital where ASP Innocent Agabi and Inspector Alex Odeh were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty while four other officers were on admission and in critical condition.

He further recalled that members of the sect also set ablaze three patrol vehicles and damaged one other.

"So far, 94 members of the proscribed sect linked to the heinous attack are in custody. Interrogations are ongoing and suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations."

Alluding to their deceitful strategy to hoodwink their foreign founders, Igweh said, "The most important thing is this effigy they use in deceiving their foreign donors. You can see blood stain on it.

“They will cover it and send it to their sponsors overseas and lie to them that the Nigerian government and the police killed one of them. They will dress it up and it will look like human being. They will take the picture and send it to their sponsors to send money to them and they will continue to send money to them.

"You can see what we recovered from them. Some of the cutlasses you see here are blood stained which they used in killing the police men. They shot gun at the policemen; they used petrol bomb and they used cutlasses.

“You would be shocked if you see how these policemen were massacred. We recovered some of the cutlasses from their headquarters in Suleja, Karima-Jiji in FCT and Rugga in Nasarawa State."

One of the suspected cyber criminals Obike Uche, explained the trick they

used in defrauding bank customers that come to do transactions in in the ATM.

"When we get to the ATM we look out for people who don't know how to operate the machine. We will press cardless for them and ask them to slot their cards. If they slot their card, we would ask them to enter their pin.

“If they entered the pin of their ATM, we will press proceed and it will now show cancelled and we will tell them that their cards have been swallowed. As the person goes into the banking hall to complain we would eject the card and go to another bank ATM to withdraw whatever is in the account."

On his part, the Christian arrested and paraded alongside the Shi’ite members, Ohiku Emmanuel, said, "I am not a Muslim, I am a Christian and a driver. I am resident in Nyanya.

“The group entered my vehicle as passengers and I did not know until we got to Nyanya checkpoint, where the police stopped me and searched the vehicle and discovered items linked to the movement and I was arrested with them."

But the Shi’ite group, has condemned the alleged forceful removal of Hijab by some police officers at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja describing it as blasphemous.

The organisation said if it was assumed that the perpetrators were not Muslims, it would not believe that during their education, from home training and childhood upbringing at family level through university education and in-service training, they have never learnt how to respect people’s religion and culture.

The IMN, in a statement by Maryam Sani, on behalf of its Sisters Forum, said, “We will publicise this abuse to the public (within and outside the country) and also challenge it in the court of law.”

The IMN had reacted to a oneminute, twenty-one-second video taken within the premises of the FCT Police Command.

The video was said to have been shared in a WhatsApp group of the police community in the FCT, which later went viral on social media showing how the police forcefully removed the Hijab of Muslim sisters, while in police detention.

Sani claimed the Muslim Sisters were arrested during the 2024 Abuja Arba’een Symbolic Trek.

“Our attention has also been drawn to pictures of people arrested during the 2024 Abuja Abra’een Symbolic Trek paraded by the police on 28 August 2024 to newsmen at SARS Abbatoir. The pictures taken by the newsmen also showed our Muslim sisters without Hijab.

“Hijab is a commandment of Allah, the creator of earth and heaven. Allah (T) says in the Qur’an, ‘O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers that they should let down upon themselves their jalabib.’(Qur’an: Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 59).

“Hijab is our religion, culture, and right, and the abuse of Hijab is more painful to us than the shelling of live ammunition on us. We will not take this abuse lightly. Certainly, an abuse to Hijab is not just an abuse to the people arrested but to the Muslims and the religion of Islam.

planning by government.

“Our children, the treasure of our nation, should be guaranteed their rights and privileges from the onset.

A well-functioning civil registration and vital statistics safeguards these rights and ensures that no violation goes unnoticed.

"To all parents, birth registration is very vital. It is the child’s legal proof of identity, as a Nigerian, without which children will not be fully recognised by the Government. They could miss out on government’s provision of healthcare, education and other social amenities.

"Without a birth certificate, children will be unable to prove their age and this puts them at a great disadvantage. I, therefore, encourage all parents to register the birth of their children and obtain authentic birth certificates recognised by the government.”

Earlier, UNICEF Country

Representative, Ms Christian Munduate, appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Government in ensuring that no birth went unregistered especially with the introduction of technological methods to ramp up the statistics.

On his part, Dein of Agbor, HRM Dr Benjamin Keagborekuzi noted the pivotal role women play in achieving success in all aspects of life.

The paramount ruler also urged the youth to be patient with the present administration.

Other traditional rulers present, including the Ooni of Ife, Emir of Shonga, Etsu Nupe and the Tor Tiv lent their voices to the cause saying the availability of birth data forms the basis for the country’s social security.

Also present were wives of governors, who were to cascade the drive to enhance birth registration to their various states.

Kwara Governor Now Sardaunan of Ilorin

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Kwara State Governor and Chairman Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF), Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is now the Sardaunan of Ilorin.

Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, yesterday,announced this yesterday.

The Emir, however, said the conferment of the title on AbdulRazaq was in compensation for his love for and investment in the culture and tradition of Nigeria’s southernmost Emirate.

The conferment of the title also made the Governor the second Sardauna of the ancient town after the death of thelate Alhaji Umaru Saro.

Speaking at a brief ceremony in Ilorin, the Emir commended Abdulrazaq for his leadership qualities and his efforts to promote the interest of the community, including his unmatched support for the Durbar.

He commended the governor for his excellent leadership role in the state and at the national level as NGF chairman.

He said, “I am convinced that Governor AbdulRazaq is not only

popular, but he also believes in and promotes our tradition and custom"

"He(governor) made sure he participated actively in the annual Ilorin Grand Durbar. So he deserves the honour of a Chieftaincy title to do more.

"For this reason and by my prerogative power, I confer on you the Sardauna of Ilorin from today. In our long-standing practices, one of the prominent qualities we always consider before conferring chieftaincy titles is popularity.

“From all indications, Governor AbdulRazaq is popular both at home and abroad, and widely celebrated, to the extent of being chosen as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum.”

Responding, the governor thanked the Emir for the traditional title, which he said is an encouragement to do more for the community and the people.

“On the conferment of the Sardauna of Ilorin title, it is said that it is not an ordinary title, going by the antecedents of those who have occupied the position across Nigeria.

"We are truly grateful and this encourages us to do more for our communities. Thank you very much indeed, Your Royal Highness".

L-R: Lead Consultant, Adderfort Ltd/Conference Convener, Olabamiji Adeleye; Council Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Thelma Okoh; Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab; Chairman, NIPR, Lagos State Chapter, Mrs. Comfort Nwankwo; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change & Circular Economy, Titi Oshodi; and DG, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Onoja Daniel, during the 11th Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders' Conference in Lagos...yesterday ABIODUN AJALA

RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE PROJECT TO ACCELERATE BIRTH REGISTRATION ...

L-R: UNICEF Nigeria Representatives, Cristian Munduate; Chairman, National Population Commission, Nasir Kwarra; First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Wife of the Vice President, Nana Kashim Shettima and Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Bisoye Coker-Odusote during the renewed hope initiative project to accelerate birth registration at scale in Nigeria held at the conference center of the Presidential Villa, Abuja....... yesterday

Ajaero Narrates Experience with Police After Interrogation, Abia NLC Holds Rally

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said narrated his experience with the police during their interrogation with him.

Ajaero, who arrived Labour House, headquarters of the labour movement about 11.25 am after undergoing interrogation at the police facility in Abuja, failed give details of his interview by the security operatives.

Police had invited Ajaero last week for, "interview on charges

connected to alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion and cyber crime but the NLC president applied for shift of the date to Thursday, August 29.”

Addressing workers, who kept had kept vigil at the Labour House since early morning, Ajaero said he was drilled by the police investigation concerning a foreigner that rented an office at the NLC headquarters in Abuja. He said he had honoured the police invitation and would like to assure workers and Nigerians that

$1m Fraud: Syndicate Impersonating EFCC Chairman, Olukoyede Arrested

Alex Enumah in Abuja

An alleged four-man syndicate of fraudsters impersonating and blackmailing the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede in a $1million deal, has been arrested by operatives of the commission.

A statement from the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale gave the names of the alleged fraudsters as: Ojobo Joshua, Aliyu Hashim, Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji.

The statement disclosed that the culprit were arrested on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Gimbiya Street, Garki and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

The alleged fraudsters contacted

a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko claiming his indictment in some phony investigative activities of the EFCC during his tenure as the MD of NPA.

They alleged that Olukoyede was ready to give him a soft landing for $1 million or risk being arrested and prosecuted.

"On receipt of intelligence regarding the moves of the impersonators, operatives of the commission were deployed to play along with the alleged fraudsters. They were successfully arrested and in custody of the commission.

"They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded", the statement read in part.

20 Nigerians to Study on Scholarship at Prestigious German Institution

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Twenty Nigerian Students have been offered scholarships to study at the prestigious European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), Berlin, Germany. This followed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar’s acceptance on August 28, 2024, of a special scholarship offer for twenty Nigerian students to study at the German institution.

The scholarship programme was announced at a special dinner organized in his honour by Lars Windhorst, a German entrepreneur and co-founder of Sapinda Group and owner of the fashion company, La Perla, in Berlin, Germany.

the NLC would remain committed to fighting for their welfare no matter the challenges.

When asked what transpired at the meeting with the Police, Ajaero said the police asked him to state all he knew about the man who have been declared wanted.

"I wouldn't know the intent of the police in bringing me to

question, it is only them that know their intention. As the issue is still being investigated, I am not going to serve as a judge," he said.

Ajaero said despite the challenges, organised labour would continue to pressure government to hasten the process of implementation of the national minimum wage recently signed into law

Earlier, a lawyer with Femi Falana Chambers, Mr. Maxwell Opara said there was no cause for alarm, adding that police merely asked Ajaero to provide some information about the tenant occupying an office in the NLC headquarters

Meanwhile, the Abia NLC held a rally in solidarity with Ajaero.

State Secretary of NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Alozie, who led the workers procession said they were at the police headquarters for a prayer rally in solidarity with the NLC president. He told the police that labour was on peaceful rally and prayer and not protest as directed by the National leadership of the labour centre.

Over 600 Students, Parents, Urge FG to Reverse Ban on Beninese, Togolese Degrees

Over 600 students of the ESM University, Benin Republic, and their parents have pleaded with the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to reverse its decision invalidating certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.

The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, at a press conference in Abuja, stated that about 1,105 students were holding fake certificates from Togo.

Invalidating the certificates of the affected students and schools, Mamman disclosed that only eight universities were enlisted as recognised institutions in Benin and Togo.

However, some distraught students, who were on the Omega Power Ministries (OPM)

scholarship and their parents, yesterday, cried to the residence of the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, in Port Harcourt, to express their hopelessness, if they were withdrawn from school.

Some of the students and parents in tears, said they were shocked when they received the news about federal government's decision on ESN University, Benin Republic. They said withdrawing them from school after their benefactor, Chinyere, had invested much on their education, would amount to ruining their future.

Moses Nicodemus, a 300 level student of ESM University in Benin Republic, expressed shock that he got the news of the van while he wasn't already on his compulsory industrial training in Nigeria.

Edo Guber: Obaseki,

Another student, Favour Odinakachi, 300 level Mass Communication student at ESM university, lamented, "Mr President, please, I am voicing out for all the students that are schooling in Benin Republic and Togo. It’s not easy for us. We know what our parents go through to send us to the schools notwithstanding the exchange rate.”

A blind mother of one of the students, Josephine Hycienth, in tears said, "I am a blind widow whose son had opportunity of the free scholarship from the OPM to study in a Benin Republic university.

"Nobody cares about us since after my husband's death. I want President Bola Tinubu to come to our aide. They should not cancel their education. If my son is allowed to come back home, nobody will

assist in his education. I need the president to help".

The OPM, General Overseer, Chinyere, appealed to the wife of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Tinubu, to prevail on her husband, the president to consider the danger stopping the students' education abruptly would cause to the society.

The cleric widely known for his philanthropic works, said before enrolling the students into the institution, he approached the Ministry of Education to ascertain the credibility of ESN University, which was confirmed.

Chinyere stated that he had invested hugely in the academic development of the students, emphasising that the funds spent on them were the church offerings and tithes.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Accepting the scholarship, Tuggar thanked Lars Windhorst for his kind gesture and said that the scholarship would create an opportunity for shared learning and experiences for the beneficiaries. He extolled ESMT’s reputation as one of the best business schools in Germany and Europe. The minister also invited the dignitaries to come and invest in Nigeria, highlighting the remarkable strides being taken by President Bola Tinubu to reposition Nigeria and create an economic haven for foreign investors.

The event which was held at the exclusive China Club in Berlin was attended by leaders from the private and public sectors including the President of ESMT Berlin, Jörg Rocholl.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday at the Ubiaja Township Stadium, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, flagged off its gubernatorial campaign for the September 21 gubernatorial polls.

Led by the Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Ubiaja Township stadium, venue of the campaign, took the form of a carnival as party chieftains and supporter exhibited an uncommon enthusiasm and confidence about the coming election.

Speaking at the rally, Obaseki made it clear that his choice for the post of governor of Edo State after him has the capacity to "anchor the relay race successfully to victory."

He said he had known Ighodalo for 40 years from university days. He insisted that Ighodalo joined the race

because of his love and compassion for the people of the state and not that he was looking for money or fame or name. "He has all of those," he stated.

Obaseki further vouched: "He won't disappoint you. Same with Osarodion Ogie. When I came into government, our first budget was less than N100 billion. But we moved it to N450 billion. Ighodalo and Osarodion will move it to N1 trillion to have enough money to do projects," he said.

He then encouraged all the attendees to go back and canvass support for Ighodalo and also come out on election day and vote for the PDP.

In his own speech earlier, Ighodalo thanked the people for the love they had shown him. He promised to ensure the security and safety of lives and property in the state and also spoke on other things he has

outlined in 'The Pathway to Prosperity for All' manifesto.

PDP chieftain and former federal minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, while addressing the people stated that everyone who had worked assiduously for the Esan Agenda must be very happy that the flag off happened in Esan land.

He appealed to all the royal fathers in the state to support Ighodalo as "he is the Esan consensus candidate for the governorship election."

First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, declared that the time in Edo State is "Esan O'clock." She however, berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for fielding a candidate that she described and "an insult to Edo people. “That shows that they hate Edo people. How can APC bring a clown to come and be our governor? We will not take it," she stated.

She then highlighted the fact that PDP has respect for women and so appointed or elected them into very good positions. "We have a deputy speaker, we have local government chairmen, we have deputy local government chairmen. We have commissioners and all. PDP respects women."

The speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, Hon Sergius Ogun, Chief Mike Oghiadome, Sen. Odion Ugbesia, and the State Chairman of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi attended the event. Also present were the Director General of the PDP Campaign Council, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Sen. Clifford Ordia, Hon Joe Edionwele, Hon. Marcus Onobun, Hon Joe Okojie and Alhaji Musa Isiwele, among others.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

. GODWIN OMOIGUI

RISK MANAGEMENT ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI),Ezekiel Oseni; Director-General/CEO, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Charles Anosike; former Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke; Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama; Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry, Olasupo Olusi, and Registrar/Secretary to the Council, CRMI, Victor Olannye, at the 23rd

Annual International Conference of CRMI, in Lagos… yesterday

Four officers injured as youths attack NDLEA in Bayelsa Eight NDLEA Officers Get Special Promotion for Act of Bravery

Michael Olugbode in abuja and Olusegun Samuel in yenagoa

Special promotions have been given by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa

(rtd) to eight officers for bravery in the discharge of their duty.

The promoted officers are of the Marine Command of the agency and the honour was given to them for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation to arrest drug traffickers and interdict

PDP Tackles AbdulRazaq over Move to Recruit 1,611 Teachers in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, over the current move to recruit 1,611 teachers for primary schools in the 16 local government councils of the state.

The party, however, stated that “the move is deliberate and calculated ambush on the newly granted local government financial autonomy by the Supreme Court.”

The state government in a

statement issued in Ilorin last Tuesday, which was signed by the Press Secretary, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Biola Atere, announced the recruitment of 1, 611 teaching and non-teaching members of staff for 16 local government councils of the state.

The statement added: “A total of 695 B.Ed degree holders, 605 NCE holders, 200 security guards, and 111 other categories of non-teaching staff were approved for engagement into the service of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board.”

Hammakopp Consortium Empowers Communities

Sunday Okobi

With a serious focus on quality, local content, and innovation, Hammakopp Consortium has stated that it is rapidly positioning itself as a preferred partner for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

This was as it restated its commitment to local content development by engaging its local community with sub-contracts and engagement to grow expertise and economy.

The Managing Director at Hammakopp Consortium, Nnamdi Ikejiofor, noted that: “Our competitive edge lies in delivering world-class quality at competitive rates.

“By deepening our local content capabilities and investing in cuttingedge technology, we have been able to optimise our operations and provide exceptional value to our clients.”

Hammakopp Consortium has a proven track record of successful project execution. Some of the projects include: EPIC Development Outstation Accommodation at Nembe Creek for SPDC; Construction of Ship Repair Facility at Nestoil AbulomaYard, and the Reconstruction of Savinovo- Umuofor- Bright Street/ Nkwo-Umuhu-Ubahuezike Road, among others.

Edo Enhances Oil Palm Smallholder Farmers

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-City

The Edo State Government, in partnership with IDH Netherlands, has commenced phase II of the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NI-SCOPS II).

This initiative aims to empower and develop oil palm smallholder farmers in the state, building upon the successes achieved in phase I, which focused on the Okomu landscape.

The Managing Director of Edo State Investment Promotion Office

(ESIPO)-Ease of Doing Business Secretariat, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi emphasised the state government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the programme, recognising its potential to drive economic growth and development. He stated that the government is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

“The state government is fully committed to supporting this initiative,” Uwaibi noted, “recognising its potential to drive economic growth and development.”

canoes and boats moving illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria through the Lagos waterways. However, four officials of the NDLEA, who stormed Oruma

Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in search of drug peddlers, were said to have been attacked and critically injured by irate youths

in community. Speaking at a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new ranks and also hand them commendation letters in Abuja

yesterday, Marwa said: “Every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build.

Edo Guber: Political Parties to Sign Peace Accord September 12

Adedayo Akinwale inabuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that after consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC), the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election would take place on Thursday 12th September, 2024 in Benin City.

The commission noted that unlike the previous peace accords signed a few days to the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process such as INEC and the security agencies during the remaining days to the election. It said this would add further weight to the Peace Accord beyond mere ceremony as demanded by many observers and even some of the political actors themselves.

Chairman of INEC Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at an extraordinary meeting with political parties on the 2024 Edo state governorship election. His words: “After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday 12th September 2024 in Benin City.

Sule: Nigeria Imports 96% of Raw Sugar for Its Refineries from Brazil

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, yesterday said currently, Nigeria consumed about 1.4 to 1.6 metric tons of sugar, with 96 percent imported as raw sugar from Brazil.

The governor added that the

96 percent imported as raw sugar from Brazil is refined in the country’s three sugar refineries owned by Dangote, BUA and Golden Penny.

Sule made this known when he hosted a delegation led by the Country Director, International Fund for

Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mrs. Dede Ekoue, in the Government House, Lafia.

He said: “Today, Nigeria consumes roughly about 1.4 to 1.6 metric tons of sugar.

This quantity of sugar, about 96 percent is imported as raw sugar from Brazil and refined at our three refineries that we have owned by Dangote, BUA and Golden Penny. “Assuming we are going to do the entire value chain in sugarcane in Nigeria for this 1.6m metric tons, you will create employment opportunities for nothing less than 500,000 people.”

Osun Gov Flags Off Construction of Obokun 33KV Feeder Line after 11 Years of Abandonment

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday flagged off construction and relocation of Obokun 33KV Feeder line from Osunjela to Ilesa-West Local government area of the state.

The project was once awarded by the past administration on 25th June, 2013 with 30 per cent funding released but was later abandoned. Eleven years later, Governor Adeleke has approved the completion of the project.

“ as a government committed to the welfare of the people, it is our focus to bring economic light to the people of Osun state.”

The governor, who charged the contractor and the team to deliver on schedule noted that

“We have a robust plan to transform the state energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.

I am therefore, elated to repeat that

Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will expand power generation and distribution.”

“We are acting fast on the energy space because power supply is an engine room of economic growth. Regular power supply boosts economic activities.”

Gombe Issues Executive Order to Regulate Mining Activities, Protect Host Communities

Segun Awofadeji in gombe

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has issued an Executive Order No. 8 of 2024 aimed at tightening the monitoring and regulation of mining activities in the state, to protect host communities against exploitation as well as safeguard the environment.

The order, which took immediate effect, will address various challenges posed by mining operations, including environmental degradation, security concerns, and exploitation of host communities.

This was contained in a statement issued by Ismaila Uba Misilli, the director-general (Press Affairs ), Government House in Gombe, which was made available to journalists yesterday.

Key provisions of the Executive Order include the establishment of a Mining Activities Monitoring Committee (MAMC), chaired by the state Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources.

According to the statement, the committee comprises representatives from various state ministries, security agencies, and the Gombe Geographic Information Services (GOGIS).

Firm Rebrands Seaman’s Schnapps, Promises More Excitement

Raheem Akingbolu

A major marketer and manufacturer of leading beverage drinks in Nigeria, Grand Oak, has unveiled the rebranded new Seaman’s Schnapps aimed at meeting the emerging realities.

The unveiling event, which attracted distributors, royal fathers, top management individuals, media men and women among others took place in Lagos. In his welcome address, the Group Executive Director, Wale Majolagbe, emphasised the need to

repackage the product to ensure that customers get the right component of it. He said: “The updated label design introduces a bold and fresh aesthetic, reinforcing the brand’s heritage with a modern twist and signalling its readiness to resonate with today’s style conscious consumers.”

He noted that the rebranding became necessary following response to shifting market dynamics, including youthful demographics with over 70 percent of the population under 40 years old, and evolving consumption preferences among urban consumers.

Andersen Global, Boston Advisory Collaborate to Strengthen African Platform

Victoria Ojiako

Andersen Global has entered into a collaboration agreement with Lagos-based investment banking firm, Boston Advisory Limited, adding breadth to its platform in Africa.

Boston Advisory Limited,

“The collaboration between

established in 2013 and licenced in 2013 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has built a strong reputation within the Nigerian investment banking sector. The firm has executed numerous transactions in the debt capital and equity capital markets over the past decade. The firm’s track record is underpinned by the company’s experienced professionals, who possess more than nine decades of deep industry knowledge and a wealth of experience in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic advisory.

Boston Advisory Limited and Andersen Global marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our firm and represents a significant milestone in the investment banking industry,” Olufunso Popoola, Managing Director partner of Boston Advisory Limited, said.

We Want Peace, Okomu Warring Group Pleads with Obaseki, Others

Adibe EmenyonuinBenin-city

Peace is finally returning to Okomu community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State after many years of communal crisis.

Signal to this was given by Lawrence Yanbor, who is known as the Chief Priest and Spiritual Master of the Okomu Ijaw Liberation Movement, in a message to the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, last Monday morning.

In the message cited by THISDAY in Benin-city, Yanbor, while narrating how the crisis began, said: “For many years, we felt oppressed, neglected and also denied of our political and indigenous rights as

the host of Okomu land in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“We have over the years not been given the basic necessities of decent living like schools, motorable roads, industrial borehole, infrastructure etc.

“This perceived neglect and marginalisation of our people among several other reasons have since 2010 led to our agitation that the relevant authorities - the government and others like Okomu Oil Palm Company, Ose Rubber and Okomu National Park Service-should hearken to our demands for a turn of the deplorable situation to a better one for the generality of the people. We did a publication

in a national newspaper on May 24, 2024, where we highlighted our grievances.”

According to him, “If the situation is resolved amicably we are willing to drop our arms and ammunition to the governor and embrace peace such that there will be no victor and no vanquish at the end of the day.

“Considering that there is no alternative to peace and tranquility, we are appealing to the governor and the security agencies to intervene and resolve the issue. We are in full agreement with the governor to drop our arms in a proper reconciliation. We promise that we will adhere to the peace agreement.”

Wike: Abuja Industrial Park ‘ll Create 40,000 Jobs

Olawale Ajimotokan in abuja

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has said the Abuja Industrial Park will stimulate the economy by creating not less than 40,000 jobs in addition to reducing the rate of unemployment in the FCT.

He asserted this when he was received by the Managing Director Zeberced, Adib Aydim Kurt, during an inspection visit to the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) cited on a 97,000 square mile land.

He added that being a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), was one of the incentives that could drive companies to come and invest in the industrial park where they would enjoy tax benefits in addition to 100 megawatts of electricity generated by the company.

“So many companies will have opportunity to come in here because now there is a free zone for them, and will have regular electricity, which is what keeps manufacturers going. It’s going to create not less than.40,000 direct jobs and that is huge.

VON Determined to

“There is no government that will not support this kind of investment. And having gone round, we can attest to the fact that this is what we really need to grow our economy,” Wike said.

He added that he had directed the Executive Secretary, FCDA to ensure that tax credit was granted to Zeberced to fastrack the approval by the Federal Ministry of Finance for the company to finish the construction of the other eight kilometers single lane leading to the Industrial Park and make it a dual carriageway.

Launder Nigeria’s Image Globally, Say Ndace

Bassey Inyang in Calabar

The Director-General (DG), of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jubrin Baba Ndace, has declared that the media outfit remains determined to reduce the country’s negative image by showcasing Nigeria’s potential to the world.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as IsmaIl mahmud modIbbo, now wish to be known and addressed as IsmaIla mahmoudou modIbbo. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as oKKITdah haPPY , now wish to be known and addressed as ToKKITdah NENsIRmWa haPPY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

, formerly known and addressed as mIss aNGEla amaRaChI omENIhu, now wish to be known and addressed as mRs aNGEla amaRaChI RIChaRd-PETERs All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

The DG stated this in Calabar when he paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Peter Odey. Accompanied by Director Training, VON, Mrs. Funke Atohengbe, and some of the staff of the organisation, Ndace said as the prime media outlet to tell stories about Nigeria to the world, it was well positioned to tell Nigeria, and Africa’s story better than any other platform on the African continent.

“Let us partner to tell Nigeria’s story, especially in this era of social media distortions, outright lies, misinformation and disinformation. Our country is not all about negative news, we

have great things happening here too. We should all join hands to tell the positives that we are known for.

“VON has a unique role with a mandate to tell not only the story of Nigeria but the story of Africa as a whole, and we do this in four Nigerian languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbos and Fulfulde. For the international languages, we broadcast in English, French, Arabic and Swahili.

“Telling Nigeria’s story is something that all of us should be intentional and deliberate about. This is not a time for us to do good and be quiet. We must be unapologetic in telling Nigeria’s story confidently,” Ndace said.

Taraba, Algorand Empower Youth with Blockchain Skills

Wole AyodeleinJalingo

The Algorand Foundation, in collaboration with the Taraba State government, launched a week-long programme in Jalingo to train youths in blockchain technology

CHANGE OF NAME

I,formerly known and addressed as mIss EsThER soRlEbabaRI dEEWuRa NWIFa now wish to be known and addressed as mRs EsThER GIlbERT PETER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

I formerly known as oGuNdolIRE busaYo sTEPhEN born on 21 September, 2009 hereby notify the general public of the change that I am oGuNdolIRE - lEYE busaYo sTEPhEN born on 21 September, 2008. Immigration office, Joint Admission Matriculated Board (JAMB) and the General Public should take notice I formerly known and addressed as uTo aRChIboNG EKoNG now wish to be known and addressed as uTo ENo Ema All former document remains valid. The general public should please take note.

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, formerly known and addressed as mIss obIoha oNYINYEChI laWRENCIa, now wish to be known and addressed as mRs uZoaGbaobIoha oNYINYEChI laWRENCIa All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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This is to inform the general public that I, ChaNTal boluWaTIFE JosEPh EdGaR, had my name registered as ChaNTal boluWaTIFE JosEPh EdGaR on my current Nigerian passport. The correct order follows my new NIN post-modification to add “JosEPh” to my middle name. Now wish to be known and addressed as ChaNTal boluWaTIFE JosEPh EdGaR. All former documents Remain valid. General Public take note

and software development.

The State Commissioner of Digital Economy and Innovation, Gideon Nonso, officially opened the programme, emphasising the significance of introducing the state’s youth to the latest innovations in blockchain development.

He highlighted the need for Taraba State to catch up with other regions in the country that have made significant strides in technological advancements.

Nonso expressed confidence that the participants would gain valuable insights into blockchain technology, which would not only benefit them personally but also position Taraba as a future hub for digital innovations in Nigeria.

He also disclosed that Taraba State is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation to establish three ICT centres across the state’s senatorial districts, fully funded by the federal government.

Additionally, he noted that secondary school students on break are being organised into boot camps to train them on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), fostering early exposure to tech innovations.

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

How Does Islam Reconcile Free Will with Divine Predestination? (I) WORLD OF ISLAM

Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

IIn Islam, all guidance is in the Hand of Allah. He guides whomever He wills and leads astray whomever He wills. The Muslims regularly pray to Allah to guide them to the right path (al- Nahl 93; al-Fatihah 6.)

At the same time, however, the Qur’an on more than one occasion explicitly affirms that man has free will and so, chooses to believe and be guided, and chooses to disbelieve and not to be guided. On the Day of Judgment, people will be rewarded and punished solely on the basis of what they have done freely and willingly in this world.

Man between freedom and predestination

This means that Allah as the Absolute Creator and Master of the universe knows everything and acts wisely and justly. Nothing escapes His infinite knowledge, will and power. Accordingly, He knows what man freely chooses and willingly does.

He thus guides only those who want and deserve to be guided and leads astray only those who want and deserve to be sent astray.

In His capacity as the Creator of everything, Allah creates our chosen deeds as well. He is explicit that He has created man and everything he does (al-Saffat 96), and that He has created all things in proportion and measure (with qadar or predestination) (al-Qamar 49).

These creational acts of Allah originate from His unbounded knowledge, which also encompasses the free choices of man.

That is to say that Allah knows the chosen deeds of a person before they take place. They have been recorded as such in the heavenly records, and when the time comes for them to occur, it is Allah who creates them, not man, based on His foreknowledge.

The problem is that man is constrained by time and space, both of which have been created, dictating his thoughts and actions. On the contrary, Allah as the Creator is free from any deficiencies and limitations present in creation; as a result, His judgments and actions are not impacted by them.

Al-Qurtubi observed in his tafsir (commentary) of the Qur’anic verse: “Indeed, all things We created with predestination” (al-Qamar 49): “The view of the ahl al-sunnah is that Allah Almighty predestined things, that is, He knew their destinies, conditions and times before creating them. He then created them in accordance with His foreknowledge. No event occurs in the upper and lower world unless it comes exclusively from His knowledge, power and will. In all that, the created world contributes nothing except the type of acquisition, effort, conformity and appendage. All that happens to the world only with the facilitation of Allah Almighty and with His power, affinity and inspiration.”

Man chooses what to do, while Allah accepts, endorses facilitates and rewards for the choices made and deeds performed. Man’s life is a subtle blend and interplay of personal freedom and divine providence. As a sign of His absolute Sovereignty, Allah reiterates that although free, man is subjected to His Will and Authority.

If He so wills, Allah can always overrule man’s freedom, choices and intended actions. He does what He absolutely wants, while man does what he relatively needs – then wills - within the prescribed range, as well as framework, of prospects.

Moreover, that Allah is the only one who guides means that man cannot be guided – or cannot guide himself - except through and by the prophets and the heavenly messages revealed to them. Without them, man will struggle to uncover countless existential secrets and mysteries. In the absence of divine help, the intellect and senses of man are verified inept to guide him to all truth. They are good only as far as they can go. Still, they hold enough potential to lead – or “pilot” - people towards the threshold of realizing and embracing the revelation as the highest source of guidance and certainty.

Man’s efforts to rival the revelation and Heaven are destined to fall flat. This highlights that the only true guidance comes from Allah, and if He does not provide it, no one else can. All other options are inadequate. Seeking guidance through prayer signifies a commitment to strengthen the bond with Allah, who is the ultimate source of all guidance.

It involves recognizing Allah as the Creator, Master and self-sufficient Being, while acknowledging humans as mere creations, servants and dependent beings. It also involves a willingness to be productive, patient and steadfast in following the path of righteousness, making the most of the gifts of free will and sound reasoning bestowed upon humanity.

Civilization as a collective output

Civilization, by and large, is a collective output resulting from a systematic and sustained collective thought, decision-making and performance. Besides being collective, the output is also comprehensive, encompassing all aspects and dimensions of life. In other words, the civilization of a people signifies the outcome of those people’s both qualitative and quantitative interactions with the multitiered realities of life.

Civilization is comparable to a grand edifice constructed from a multitude of elements and by a multitude of experts with diverse specializations. Thus, while civilizations are the embodiments of shared visions and collectively undertaken missions, the lives of individuals represent the microcosms of their civilizational trajectories and ultimate

destinies. The two: civilizations and their affiliates, are essentially one, sharing the same existential origins, laws and eventual (mis)fortunes.

The ways the lives of both people and their civilizations unfold are liable and controlled, yet predictable to some extent, in that they all conform to a set of permanent rules which, in turn, are not an end in themselves but connote a segment of a bigger ontological picture.

Matched up with a higher purpose and its grand order of things, meanings and experiences, civilizations are not irregular or strictly developmental (evolutionary). They do not evolve in a linear or spiral manner towards a highpoint after which they still could be revived, reformed, or regenerated.

Debates continue about the relationship between man and civilization: does man control civilization, or is it the other way around? The likely truth is that they are closely connected and influence each other, with neither having complete control over the other. Engaged in a mutual and constantly changing cycle of growth, (in) stability and decline, both man and civilization are guided by a more intricate and advanced system, leading to correspondingly momentous outcomes.

Civilization is man-centric revolving around humanity, as individuals are shaped by the civilization they belong to. Similarly, one can understand a person by examining his civilization, just as a civilization can be assessed by studying its people. The rise of a civilization means the rise of its people, while the fall of the former means the fall of the latter.

If Winston Churchill once said that “we shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”, a similar truism can be articulated about civilization, in the sense that man creates or shapes it, after which civilization shapes him. The exact nature and extent of the reciprocal relationship between man and his civilization notwithstanding, they are bound to rise and fall together.

For man, it can be deduced, his civilization is as much his raison d’etre and holy grail, as his poisoned cup and, ultimately, necropolis.

The idea of “civilizational liberalism”

Indeed, with the spread of social, political, economic and moral liberalism, there inevitably emerged what could be called a form of “civilizational liberalism”, in that the former constituted the quintessence of civilization, including its philosophical, epistemological, scientific and everyday operational dimensions.

Which means that man’s freedom and rights pertained not only to what man wanted and did and how he organized and enjoyed his life within the context of his relationships with his own people, but also in the context of his relationships with the rest of humankind, the natural world and whatever might exist “out there” in an otherworldly realm.

To put it differently, man’s freedom and rights ought to be based on a holistic worldview and ought to contain the totality of man: his complete being, interests, ambitions and endeavors. A civilization either fulfils those responsibilities, or fails, and so, betrays its trust.

“Civilizational liberalism” is a mold inside which other forms of liberalism are cast.

As the term suggests, “civilizational liberalism” is about thinking, living, civilizing, un-civilizing and dying freely without imposed restrictions. Man is to be left alone and to his own devices. He is to be regulated only by his own laws and rules but exempt from control by any higher authority or divine laws. What is more, the mortal wisdom and guidance of man are set to never stop striving to conceptualize and then catalogue whatever may fall outside the tiny human-qua-terrestrial scope of man.

However, by rejecting any potential forms of predestination, whether individual, collective, or societal, humans have not made themselves free, but rather untamed, chaotic and irresponsible. This unavoidably leads to a state of unlimited lawlessness, spiritual and moral self-doubt, and a lack of cultural richness in humanity. As a result, liberty became a cliché and championing it self-delusional. Civilization became a trap, authenticating that such was not the way man was supposed to be and behave.

This precarious stage signifies a struggle where man may find it challenging to grasp even the most basic aspects of the finesse and subtlety of life, where, more often than not, civilization is bartered for barbarism and refinement for vulgarity.

Civilization is likewise bound to compromise its core principles just as its man has compromised his moral compass and also guiding light. Since it does not have a clear authoritative source, such a civilization does not have clear and authoritative goals either.

Rejecting determinism – in the sense of being defined, guided and governed by a more powerful agency than man – man and his civilizational trajectory are destined to gradually drift towards the black hole of agnosticism and nihilism, and into the oblivion of existential relativism. It is because of this that today, in the name of civilization and progress, people are talking more and more about issues that are not closely related to the truth and the genuine terrestrial purpose of humanity. These topics only add to the confusion, distraction and misleading of the individuals who are already disoriented, puzzled and lacking enlightenment.

Napoli Sign Lukaku in £30m Deal with Chelsea

Osimhen remains in the swing between Saudi’s Al-Ahli and Chelsea

seasons

24 league goals as he won Serie A under Conte in 2021, with his form sparking Chelsea's decision to recruit him.

Gernot Rohr Rolls Out Strong Army against Super Eagles

Ahead of the opening AFCON 2025 qualifying round of matches, Benin Republic’s national team coach, Gernot Rohr has rolled out a strong squad that will take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Uyo on September 7th and 10th of the same month at home against Libya.

At the press conference yesterday, the former Nigeria gaffer announced his 25-man squad that largely included mainly from the team that secured a 2-1 win against Super Eagles on Match-day four in the ongoing World Cup African qualifying matches.

In the list, the duo of Steve-Waren Traoré who plays for Lokomotiv Sofia makes a return to the squad and same

with Jordel Dossou is presently without a club at the moment.

Two debutants are also included to fill in the gap for the injured players. They are: Bachirou Sika (Coton FC) and Samadou Attidjikou (Bani Gansè FC).

The full squad:

Goalkeepers: Saturnin Allagbé, Marcel Dandjinou, Karim Abdoul Aziz Defenders: Rodrigue Fassinou, Cédric Hountondji, David Kiki, Rachid Moumini, Yohan Roche, Rabiou Sankamao, Bachirou Sika, Mohamed Tijani, Olivier Verdon Midfielders: Mattéo Ahlinvi, Mariano Ahouangbo, Romaric Amoussou, Samadou Attidjikou, Sessi D’Almeida, Dodo Dokou, Hassane Imourane, Junior Olaïtan

Falconets Land in Bogota Ahead Opening Clash with Korea Rep

Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets have taken up residence at their Wyndhad Hotel, Bogota, where the team will reside for their first two matches of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.

After scoring 27 goals in a total of eight premium games (six competitive and two friendly matches), the 2010 and 2014 runners-up arrived in high spirits while looking forward to their first match of the tournament against Korea Republic on Monday, 2nd September.

The Koreans have finished in third place in one championship in the 22-year-old competition, and have promised to provide stiff opposition for the perennial finalists. Nigeria is one of only four countries to have featured in every edition of the finals since the competition was launched in Canada as an U19 event in 2002.

The Falconets have further group phase encounters against three-time champions Germany (also in Bogota) and Venezuela (in Cali) on 4th September and 7th September respectively.

LSTTA Laments Exodus of Lagos Athletes to Other States

The chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), Tunji Lawal, has expressed concern over the exodus of Lagos athletes to other states due to a lack of support for table tennis.

This trend has seen several athletes from Lagos being poached by other states ahead of major national championships, depleting the quality of athletes in Lagos.

“Most of our players are moving to other states, and we have

lost many of our senior players to Ogun, Delta, and Rivers States. We need to develop new players, especially from the youth. This requires bringing in the necessary facilities to help them develop their skills. I hope we can achieve something with our ongoing efforts,” Lawal lamented.

Lagos has historically been a hotbed for table tennis talent, but Lawal emphasized the need for more support to help players reach their full potential.

Disposing of the Belgian – who has not played for Chelsea since May 2022 – gets his £325,000-a-week wages off the books.

Speaking in a pre-match news

conference, Conte said Lukaku could make his Napoli debut in Saturday's game against Parma (19:45 BST).

Lukaku's departure comes as Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin also moves to Italy's Serie A, joining Empoli on a three-year deal.

Chelsea and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are both in talks to sign Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 25, which will help Napoli offset their

spending.

Various reports said yesterday that the top Saudi Arabian club has now agreed with Osimhen.

One of the reports claimed that the deal would be a four-year contract. Osimhen’s salary has been improved to 40 million euros a year after the initial proposal of 30 million euros a year was rejected.

The new salary will be four times

Mixed Fortunes for Team Nigeria in Paris Paralympic Games

Team Nigeria opened her campaign at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in France with mixed fortunes yesterday.

First the good news: In the Para Badminton Singles event yesterday, Team Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna triumphed over Germany’s Marcel Adam with a 2-0 victory.

Nnanna dominated the encounter, winning the first game 21-12 and continuing his strong performance with a 21-15 win in the second game, starting his group campaign on a high note.

Next up for Nnanna today is Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan.

Similarly, African champion and world No. 2, Mariam Bolaji, showcased

Hisense Partners Real Madrid to Enhance Fan Experience in Nigeria

Emma Okonji

Hisense, a global leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, has announced a strategic partnership with Real Madrid, one of the world’s most iconic football clubs, specifically targeting fans in Nigeria.

The alliance not only deepens the connection between Hisense and Real Madrid with their Nigerian fanbase but also represents a significant milestone for both organizations as they strive to deliver unparalleled fan

engagement over the next three years.

Renowned for its global success and passionate supporters, Real Madrid continues to captivate millions in Nigeria.

With a roster featuring global icons like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, alongside a rich history of legendary players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane, the club continues to solidify its status as a sporting powerhouse.

The partnership will encompass

Real Madrid's men's and women's first-division teams in all championships, including the UEFA Champions League and the Supercopa de España, which will be held in Saudi Arabia. Fans in Nigeria will experience deeper connections with the club.

Hisense and Real Madrid are committed to enhancing fan experiences in Nigeria. As part of this collaboration, they will launch a limited-edition co-branded 100-inch TV, designed to elevate the home viewing experience.

her prowess against India’s Mandeep Kaur in the group stage of the Badminton Women’s Singles event.

Bolaji demonstrated why she is among the best in the world, overwhelming her Indian opponent with a 21-8, 21-14 win to secure a 2-0 victory.

Bolaji will face Australia’s Celine Vinot in her next group match to determine her advancement to the knockout stage.

However, it was a tale of woes in the table tennis doubles events for Team Nigeria.

Kayode Alabi and Victor Farinloye

were defeated 3-0 by China’s Huang Jiaxin and Peng Weinan in the Round of 16 of the Men’s Doubles.

The Chinese pair dominated from the start, winning 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 to advance.

Alabi faced further disappointment when he partnered Faith Obazuaye in the Round of 16 of the Mixed Doubles event.

Despite losing the first game 11-6 to Great Britain’s Joshua Stacey and Bly Twomey, the Nigerians fought back to win the second game 11-7, leveling the tie at 1-1.

However, the experience of Stacey and the youthfulness of Twomey proved decisive as they overcame Alabi and Obazuaye 11-6, 11-6 in the third and fourth games to complete the 3-1 rout of the Nigerians.

Meanwhile, despite the early exit of Team Nigeria players in the mixed and doubles events of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, National Para-table tennis Coach, Nasiru Sule, remains optimistic. He believes the setback will not demoralise the team as they prepare for the singles events.

Air Warriors Engage MFM in Mind Game as Zenith Bank Basketball Takes Centre Stage

There is excitement all around as the 2024 Zenith Bank Basketball League takes centre stage across two centres with the defending champion, the MFM Women Basketball team ready to defend their title after emerging as winner in Lagos last year.

Teams competing in the Savannah Conference would be fighting for points at the Lafia City Hall Basketball Court with those in the Atlantic Conference taking their battle to Akure, the Ondo State capital, starting from Sunday, September 1 to 7.

Speaking yesterday, defending champions MFM’s Coach, Ochuko Owolabi, said his team is ready to defend the crown.

“We are already in Akure and getting ready for the tip-off this weekend,” the coach pledged.

“At the moment, we are having three of our players with the National team (U-18) but the most important thing is to get enough points ahead of the second leg.

“I want to assure you and our fans that we have enough players to do the job in Akure and also move ahead for the second phase later.”

Getting set for the Savannah Conference, Air Warriors star player, Onome Polycarp, said the only thing on their mind is to reclaim the title from MFM.

According to her, “We are heading

to Lafia this weekend and the thing on our mind as a team is to get our hands back on the trophy.

“We lost it to MFM last year and all we have to do as a team this time around is to give it our all and get the first phase done first before thinking of the second phase.” Meanwhile, the record winner of the title, the First Bank Women's Basketball Team, who have won the league for a record 9-time, are already looking forward to winning this year’s title. An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said they are not

Romelu Lukaku

Femi Solaja with agency report

Friday, August 30, 2024Price:

MISSILE

NCC to Mobile Network Operators

“The NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000. The Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of Mobile numbers in Nigeria” –Director, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Reuben Muoka, gives subscribers new deadline for NIN-SIM linkage.

PAT UTOMI GUEST COLUMNIST

The New Tribe and Motherland

Of the 14 intervention cohorts of the new tribe eight of the cohort leadership teams have been quite active preinauguration scheduled for October 1 2024. A report on the goals and activities of these cohorts present a sense for the state of the motherland.

The cohorts of Values Proselytization; Healthcare; Skills and Education, Ubuntu Community intervention, the Diaspora for national renewal cohort, Elections Reform, Public Accountability, Public policy and economic growth, and Infrastructure, have been the most actively engaged in evaluating the state of the motherland and options of interventions that will bring renewal. A summary of the kernel of discussion on the platforms of these cohorts constitute a report on the state of the motherland on the subject area of cohort interest..

Healthcare

The six co-chairs of healthcare cohort and the eight others in the leadership council continue for healthcare constitute a model to cheer about with 4 Women and two men, four physicians, one pharmacist, and one celebrated Nurse practitioner, located in Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles, California, The UK, Abuja , Kano and South Florida they point proudly to one in their 14 member leadership council who this year established medical support outsourcing now employing more than 100 professionals in Lagos servicing US Medical Centers in an outsourcing model that plans to expand the Nigeria call Centre to more than 1000 employees by next year with consequential inflow of US dollars to service Nigerian operations.

The co-chairs are led by Atlanta based Cardiologist Dr Abiodun_ Olatidoye and include Dr Acho Emeruwa, Dr Zainab Bagudu, Dr Lorretta Oduwa Ogboru-Okor, Zahrau Ibrahim, and Dr Tonia Agbanufe.

The cohort recognizes that progress without strong healthcare is improbable , pointing to the work of Princeton University Nobel Prize winning economist who wrote The Great Escape - Health Wealth and the origins of inequality.

Great development initiatives the cohort recognizes will come

to nothing if those driving it face debilitating challenges. The cohort is therefore committed to canvassing new approaches to advancing primary healthcare, massive public education on both communicable and noncommunicable disease burdens and the use of telemedicine to bring to the people both altruism driven charity care and affordable care. It also plans rotation of world class caregivers in the Diaspora using international standard facilities on ground in the motherland.

The cohort laments the return of Cholera and Malnutrition is major concerns of now in the motherland and urges more support for the agenda of the policy team at the Center in Nigeria even though it recognizes that decentralization and the principle of subsidiarity is key to getting healthcare strategy effectively implemented.

The cohort commends one of its own Dr Ben Okwara for the Call Centre initiative and other Doctors in the Diaspora commuting routinely to Nigeria to offer care as part of giving back. It praised the commitment of Diaspora to Medical Missions and committed to helping structure missions to be able to offer continuing care beyond the luck of running into a

mission surgery that alleviates a lifethreatening condition.

Values and Progress

The cohort on Values proselytizing staying true to thenewtribe mantra that values shape human progress regrets that the values crisis in the land in which corruption is pervasive, merit is given scant consideration as nepotism reigns

The cohort notes that the near collapse of culture manifests itself iin the disconnect between state and the people as evidenced by the poverty capital of the world title being reinforced by food price inflation dragging many into abject poverty while the presidency is ordering new Presidential Jets, Luxury Yacht and building new luxury mansions for government officials.

It notes the need for a revitalization of the National Orientation Agency to prioritize personal integrity, the work ethic, inclusion and regard for the dignity of the human person as core values in the consciousness of citizens.

The cohort plans to canvas the upgrade of civics education at primary

and secondary schools levels and a revival of leadership development initiatives like the Boys Scout, Girls Guide and Man’O War.

Public Accountability

The cohort is sad that many presume the failure of institutions of transparency and public accountability are designed to malfunction and then or function with little care for justice.

It called for a forensic audit of the accounts of the NNPC. It also called for a reward system celebrating honest service that promotes accountability and desires that civil society specialize in monitoring particular agencies.

Infrastructure

The leadership of the cohort which parades people who have had senior executive positions in the biggest political infrastructure firms in North America such as Dr. Engr Adiele Nwankwo and Soji Tinubu,in Atlanta, Arc Philip Njowusi in Washington DC, and in Abuja Dr Eng Halimat Adediran and Dr (Arch) Peter Agada with Engr Ajiri Aluta in Port Harcourt has offered a comprehensive plan which is on the platforms of thenewtribe for gra nular discussions

The Policy team in its deep probe into the current chaotic state of policy points us to the essence of citizenship

1. Prof. Pat Utomi

2. Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi

3. Mr. Salvation Alibor

4. Mr. Obi Ajuga

5. Hon. Rea Agazuma

6. Engr. Olohimal Juliet

7. Mr. Chidozie David Okonkwo

8. Dr. Tony Agbonasevbaefe

9. Mr. Cheta Nwanze

10. Eshomomoh Ogene

11. Abdulkarim Ibrahim

12. Nasser Sidi Alli

deserve our acknowledgment for their work in the policy team

Conclusion

The ferociously non-partisan movement that is people rooted and service cultured but partisan for the citizen declares the nation is in poor health. Just like the conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal we know our country is challenged and only citizen action can reclaim it for the people.

TRUTH & REASON

N400

Tinubu