FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Tinubu Upbeat on Economy as Nigeria Records N6.95tn Trade Surplus

SOLIDARITY VISIT TO BORNO FLOOD VICTIMS...

Obokun of

NNPC Demands Deployment of Its Crude Monitoring Team to Dangote Refinery

Aliko Dangote agrees to sell fuel in local currency as negotiation progresses 44% of 650,000bpd can satisfy Nigeria’s total fuels’ demand, says DIL VP

Discloses 98% of petroleum product importers in Nigeria not patronising refinery

Tinubu to Buckingham Palace

L-R: Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Kwara State Governor/Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) Chairman, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq during a solidarity visit to Maiduguri following the recent flooding in the metropolis in which thousands of people have been displaced. On the entourage were also the Governors of Adamawa, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa...yesterday

Continued on page

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, a prominent Yoruba monarch, has

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

Obasanjo Appeals to Biden to Remove Cuba from List of Countries Sponsoring Terrorism

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo has written to United State’s President, Joe Biden to remove Cuba from among the countries listed as sponsoring terrorism globally.

The former President in a letter dated September 3, said the effect of the listing was adversely affecting millions of Cuban citizens.

company now requesting to deploy its permanent monitoring team at the facility as part of the deal between the two entities.

Also, it was learnt that the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has now accepted to sell the refined petrol from his 650,000 barrels per day refinery in Nigeria’s local currency, the Naira, as part of the agreements reached with the NNPC.

Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, disclosed this during an X Space event hosted by ‘Nairametrics’ and monitored by THISDAY.

Edwin, at the session, discussed the progress made by the refinery in the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol, stressing that the NNPC had informed the management of Dangote Group of its intention to station a team of six to 10 people permanently at the $20 billion refinery.

Edwin said NNPC told the management of the refinery that the team would be overseeing the production and buying back the products in Naira since the national oil company would be supplying the crude.

He added that the request aligns with the NNPC’s aim to closely monitor the entire process, ensuring consistent crude supply and efficient processing while securing a steady flow of PMS for the country.

“NNPC has informed us that they intend to station a team of six to 10 people permanently at our refinery. They’ve asked us to provide office space for them since they will be supplying the crude, overseeing the production, and buying back the products in Naira.

"This request aligns with the NNPC’s aim to closely monitor the entire process, ensuring that crude is supplied and processed efficiently while securing a steady flow of PMS for the country," Edwin stated.

Providing further information on the production and commercial arrangements at the refinery, Edwin noted that the discussions with the NNPC revolved around a new model for crude supply where the refinery will buy crude from the government in Naira and sell PMS in the same currency, rather than in dollars.

He noted that the negotiations were ongoing, with critical aspects like crude pricing and the Naira exchange rate yet to be finalised.

“We are still in talks with the

Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed confidence in the reforms his administration is pursuing and believed they will create a more robust economy that will usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigerians.

The statement pointed out that the economic indicators, which were low when Tinubu assumed office last year, are turning positive.

The government, according to the statement, will continue to consolidate on the gains of the reforms as more fiscal and tax policy reforms already embarked upon by the administration come to fruition.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his determination to confront the inhibitions that have stunted the growth and development necessary to unlock the country's full potential.

The letter read: “I have great pleasure in addressing this letter to you, Mr. President, in my capacity as former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has always advocated for peace,

government about receiving crude in Naira. The discussions are ongoing, and nothing has been finalised yet. Some unresolved issues include the pricing of crude, the pricing mechanism, and determining the appropriate exchange rate for the Naira,” he said.

But Edwin explained that Aliko Dangote had agreed to the federal government’s proposal to sell products from the NNPC to the government in Naira, despite the likelihood of financial losses.

According to Edwin, Dangote highlighted the critical need for foreign exchange and the deteriorating value of the Naira as key factors in his decision to proceed with the deal.

“Dangote intervened and said: ‘’We are going to accept this because the country desperately needs foreign exchange, and the value of the Naira is deteriorating every day. I understand that I am going to take a loss – because, by the time we sell the product and convert it to dollars, the exchange rate may have worsened.”

Edwin also expressed frustration over the seeming boycott of Dangote Refinery’s products by local marketers, revealing that despite the refinery’s efforts to supply affordable petroleum products, many traders in Nigeria have refused to purchase from the facility, preferring to continue importing refined products from abroad.

He said: “The whole purpose of doing this refinery in Nigeria was to utilise our local crude instead of exporting raw materials and importing finished products. We should be able to refine and use the finished products within Nigeria and produce more to export the surplus.”

But the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) vice president stated that despite the refinery’s large production capacity, local marketers were only purchasing about 3 per cent of the output.

According to him, the remaining 97 per cent of the refinery’s production, including diesel and jet fuel, was being exported due to a boycott by local traders who refuse to buy at the refinery’s lower prices.

“I’m selling 2 to 3 per cent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the rest 95 to 97 per cent I’m forced to export,” suggesting that some marketers prefer to import for reasons he did not state.

The trade figures came days after the country recorded almost 100 per cent oversubscription of its first $500 million domestic bond and half-year revenue of N9.1 trillion. The latest trade report underscored the increasing positive shifts in the economy over the last year, the statement added.

According to the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics -Q2 2024, which was released by the statistical agency, total trade however, declined by 3.76 per cent N31.89 trillion when compared to the preceding quarter, and rose150.39 per cent compared Q2 2023. Essentially, exports accounted for 60.89 per cent of total trade which amounted to N19.42 trillion, representing a marginal increase of 1.31 per cent compared to N19.17

justice and the well-being of all nations.

“It has been brought to my attention that Cuba is currently listed by the United States as one of the countries supporting or sponsoring terrorism globally.

“As my interaction and relationship with the

In a bizarre twist to the entire story, Edwin disclosed that oil marketers wrote to President Bola Tinubu, complaining about the refinery’s pricing strategies, especially for reducing the rate Nigerians buy diesel.

He explained: “They wrote to His Excellency, the president, claiming that we are disturbing the market by dropping our prices,” expressing concern over the continuing resistance by the marketers.

According to him, the refinery can produce up to 54 million litres of refined petroleum products per day, depending on crude oil supply, but lamented that local crude supplies had been inconsistent, forcing the refinery to rely on imported crude from countries like the US and Brazil.

Edwin added that the situation was further worsened by International Oil Companies (IOCs) which prefer to prioritise foreign markets and selling crude oil at prices above the market rate. He disclosed that just 44 per cent production of the refinery was enough to meet Nigeria’s

joined his ancestors, after reigning for 42 years.

The first-class monarch, who once served as Chairman of Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, was aged 87.

He was admitted at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, till Wednesday, before he passed on.

Sources within the palace said the Oba passed away on Wednesday after a brief illness.

Although the palace had yet to issue any official statement as regards the passage of the monarch, sources close to THISDAY at the palace confirmed his death.

A source explained, “Baba Owa has passed, but we are waiting for official announcement from the palace. You can notice that they have started performing some traditional rites. This has to be done before any announcement can be made.”

When THISDAY visited the palace yesterday, there was considerable security presence in the area. Some traditional rites typically performed following the demise of a king were also being carried out.

The monarch, it was gathered, had been sick for some time, but his health degenerated during the week before he was hospitalised.

trillion in Q1 2024, and a 201.76 per cent rise over N6.44 trillion in Q2 2023.

According to the NBS, crude oil dominated exports trade in the quarter under review, accounting for N14.56 trillion or 74.98 per cent of total exports.

On the other hand, non- crude oil exports stood at N4.86 trillion or 25.02 per cent of total exports, of which non-oil products contributed N1.94 trillion or 10.01 per cent of total exports.

On the other hand, total imports decreased by 10.71 per cent N12.47 trillion in Q2 compared to N13.97 trillion in the preceding quarter, but rose 97.93 per cent compared to N630 trillion in Q2 2023. Total imports accounted for 39.11 per cent of total trade.

government and people of Cuba is concerned, especially during and after the time of Fidel Castrol, I want to appeal to you, President Biden, to reconsider Cuba’s inclusion on the list of countries supporting terrorism globally.

“I know and appreciate what contributions Cuba made to final liquidation of colonialism and apartheid in Africa. I plead with you to act on the matter with compassion and empathy for the millions of Cuban citizens who are bearing the brunt of this inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries supporting terrorism globally.”

petroleum needs, while the rest could be exported.

“We have invested a lot on training and capacity of the production with the refinery capacity. As I said, 44 per cent of the refinery production can meet 100 per cent of the requirement of the country.

“So the balance 56 per cent of the refinery's production will have to be exported, whether it is jet fuel, whether it is diesel, whether it is PMS, we have to export 56 per cent of our production because 44 per cent will meet all the requirements of the country.

“So we are not only going to save a lot of foreign exchange by import substitution, but we are also going to generate a lot of foreign exchange by exports. Now, you talked about the transparent mechanism of the pricing. So as I said, NNPC is giving us the crude and they are going to have people sit here to monitor all the production processes, the stocks which are coming out, everything.

“And they are going to agree on the price at which they will sell the crude in Naira and then they are

A palace source disclosed that no one knew the whereabouts of the monarch after his health deteriorated last week.

Oba Aromolaran ascended the throne on February 20, 1982, and his reign spanned 42 years.

Prominent Nigerians started sending their condolences to the palace, yesterday, and leading the pack was President Bola Tinubu, who expressed deep sadness over the Oba’s transition.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Oba Aromolaran kept his palace above the fray of partisan politics. He was open to all political tendencies.

On behalf of the federal government, Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Osun State, the people of Ijesaland, and the family of the late traditional ruler.

The president affirmed that the departed monarch firmly believed in the values of Yoruba culture and African tradition. His respect for these values and systems defined his remarkable 42-year-reign on the throne of his ancestors, the president stated.

Tinubu paid tribute to the

Essentially, the balance between exports and imports resulted into the trade surplus

In the quarter under review, Spain emerged as the largest export partner, receiving goods valued at N2.01 trillion or 10.34 per cent of Nigeria's total exports.

The United States followed closely with N1.86 trillion (9.56 per cent), France N1.82 trillion (9.37 per cent), India (N1.65 trillion (8.50 per cent) and The Netherlands N1.38 trillion.

European and American countries dominated Nigeria’s top export destinations in the review period. Conversely, China remained the country's highest trading partner on the import side, followed by Belgium, India, United States of America, and The Netherlands.

going to collect all the products. So they are going to work through to see how the prices will be. So it is not something where we are trying to exploit somebody,” he maintained.

According to him, while 2,900 tankers can load every day, he explained that the refinery was currently not even loading 29 tankers per day.

“So, it is very strange that after putting the refinery to supply the products locally, every diesel I am producing, I have to export. Every jet fuel I am producing, I have to export because they do not want to buy from us. So, we are in a very strange situation,” Edwin stressed.

With investment of about $3 billion in fertiliser and $20 billion in the refinery, he explained that unless the business makes some money, it will not be able to invest in upstream.

He disclosed that he has been an employee of Aliko Dangote for as far back as 33 years, noting that all the money that Africa’s richest man makes goes into further investment to ensure the employment of Nigeria’s teeming population.

departed monarch, expressing his deep admiration for Aromolaran's unwavering support, optimism, and commitment to Nigeria's unity and prosperity, “as his dedication to these noble causes inspired us all”.

He stated that the late Oba would be remembered for his useful educational contributions through his many books and publications, his advocacy for what was right and fair, and his protection of the vulnerable from exploitation.

Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed sorrow over Aromolaran’s passing, and recalled the late monarch’s fatherly warmth. Atiku described the late Oba as more than just a father-in-law, but also a symbol of courage, boldness, and discipline emblematic of the Ijesha people.

Atiku’s wife, Titi, is from Ilesa in Osun State.

Atiku, who took to X, shared the statement alongside a picture of him, the monarch, and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

He wrote, “With a heavy heart, I received the news of the passing of the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.

“The late Owa was more than a father-in-law to me. Each time I visited him, he accorded me the homecoming welcome of a son. We all loved him dearly.”

Ademola Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, also expressed his condolences over the passing of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.

In a statement in Osogbo, Adeleke described the late monarch as a "father figure, a pillar of support, and a teacher," who was deeply committed to the development of Ijesaland and Osun State.

He praised Oba Aromolaran for his boldness, candour, elegance, and literary energy, through which he inspired the people during his successful reign as Owa Obokun.

While expressing sadness

“He has not built any other palace or any other house. He is living in the same 35-year-old house. The only thing he can sit is an aluminium sheet shed. Nothing else he has built. And 33 years ago when I joined, he had a house in Atlanta. He was a neighbour to Ted Turner, the then owner of CNN.

“He sold it. He had a house in London. He has sold it. When we were doing the sugar refinery in 1997 to 1999, he sold all those houses and put the money in the sugar refinery.

“All the money we made from our textiles and salt he put it in sugar refining, flour milling, pasta and noodles. Then all the money which we made from that, he started investing in cement.

“Now the money which he has made in cement, he has been investing in oil and gas, fertiliser and refinery. All our businesses are listed companies. So how much profit we are making as a company, how much dividend he is getting, are all published figures. So you can see all the money where it is going,” he added.

at the demise of the Kabiyesi, Adeleke acknowledged the late Oba's unwavering support for his administration, even in challenging times, and appreciated his constant communication on matters of development in Ijesaland and Osun State, at large.

The governor stated, "Kabiyesi was a deeply selfless father, who took no prisoners when it came to matters of development and wellbeing of the people. He was a friend of good governance, no matter the colour or race.

“The last time I was with him was the flag off of the dualisation of Brewery-Palace road. I am glad our late erudite scholar witnessed a new phase of development for Ijeshaland.”

Olagunsoye Oyinlola

Former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, described the death of Oba Aromolaran as a great loss.

Oyinlola, in a statement, commiserated with the people of Ijesaland, Osun State, and Nigeria, as he described the late Oba as a national treasure.

The statement read, "The death of a revered monarch anywhere impoverishes a culture and an heritage. This is exactly how I will describe the death of Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, whose transition was announced today. He was a national treasure, and his death, a loss of immense proportion.

"My relationship with the late Oba extended well beyond my years as governor of Osun State. We had a very wonderful father-son relationship that lasted over 30 years, which included my time as the Military Administrator of Lagos State.

"With Owa's death, we are left to reflect on the lessons of his extraordinary life of service to his people, which lasted over four decades. He gave his people love and leadership and left legacies that will serve as benchmark to measure subsequent occupants of that stool.

Obasanjo

SHETTIMA MEETS STAKEHOLDERS IN AVIATION INDUSTRY...

L-R: Director of Admin, United Nigeria Airlines, Mr.

Chairman Airpeace and Vice President, Airline

of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mrs. Anastasia Gbem and

for

of

NBET Seeks 5-year Operating Licence Renewal from NERC, Reports over $2bn Annual Trading Volume

With bilateral contracting regime, regulator says parties to

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) yesterday attended a public hearing organised for it by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), where it sought to convince the power sector regulator on why it deserved to be given a renewal of its operating licence which expires November 21 this year.

At the event which held at the NERC headquarters in Abuja, the organisation told the NERC commissioners that over the years it had achieved the milestone of trading in excess of $2 billion every year.

NBET was set up by the federal government to act as a link between the Generation Companies (Gencos) and Distribution Companies (Discos) through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Vesting Contracts.

To this extent, NBET ensures that Gencos are paid through the prime source of revenue which is the payment receipts from the Discos for energy sales through vesting contracts. Essentially, it is the manager and administrator of the power pool.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of NBET, Johnson Akinnawo, who was grilled by the NERC officials at the event attended by representatives of Gencos, Discos, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), experts, consumers, among others, stressed that in addition, NBET incentivised greenfield power generation investment of close to $1 billion in the industry.

“The Bureau of Public Enterprises and Ministry of Finance Incorporated are NBET’s shareholders with 80 per cent and 20 per cent stakes respectively. NBET was incorporated on July 29, 2010 and it commenced trading in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in February 2015, which marked the start of the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM).

“It has transparently administered a contracts portfolio with an annual trading volume in excess of $2 billion. It has made considerable progress in the quest to achieve its mission of being an effective and efficient catalyst for private sector investment into the electricity industry in Nigeria’, the NBET chief executive stated.

Akinnawo stressed that the execution of power purchase agreements and vesting contracts paved the way for the privatisation involving about $2.5 billion investment in Gencos and DisCos respectively.

According to him, the vision of the organisation is the attainment of a self-sustaining electricity market driven by market forces, where public funding will no longer be a key driver of investments and transactions.

But before that level is attained, Akinnawo argued that the NBET still has a critical role to play and therefore requested that the current operating licence should be renewed for another half a decade.

While acknowledging the recent order on bilateral contracting in the sector,

NBET stated that it would require a payment plan and commitments from all Discos prior to the operationalisation and commencement of the new contracting order by NERC.

“NBET requires this firm payment commitment on the invoices issued to Discos for it to honour its contractual payments to Gencos. Discos will be required to settle the historic nontariff shortfall portion of the market obligations while the FGN will be taking responsibility for the tariff shortfall portion.

“Within the five-year trading licence period, NBET will transform into an energy exchange with the following key objectives.

“To promote bilateral trading between Gencos/Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and commercial/industrial customers through an automated energy trading platform/exchange developed and deployed for the sale of electricity, with multiple energy brokers playing a key role in linking energy suppliers and customers registered on the platform.

“It will enhance the rapid growth of the market, create a diversified trading environment, play a key role in closing the supply-demand gap for electricity in the country and catalyse a self-sustaining electricity market where public funding and guarantees will cease to be the key drivers of investments and transactions,” the MD said.

Earlier, NERC’s Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, who headed the

panel, supported by Nathan Shatti, NERC’s Commissioner, Finance and Management Services as well as Chidi Ike, Commissioner, Engineering, Performance and Monitoring, noted that the meeting was called to discuss NBET’s application for the renewal of its licence.

He stated that NBET was established further to the old legislation that governed the power sector as a special trader and as a traditional institution to balance the sector at that point.

Akpeneye pointed out that NBET had an initial run of 10 years which expired in 2021, wherein they were issued another renewal that expires in November of this year.

“The commission doesn't believe that we know it all, we are not seven wise men, and we think that in view of how the industry is changing and evolving, it's important that we get critical stakeholders’ input into the consideration of the NBET’s request for the renewal of their licence,” he explained.

However, he argued that a lot of things that NBET was designed to do, could not be done through no fault of theirs, admitting that since the last renewal that was issued to NBET, the sector had changed.

“I don't think there's been more changes in our sector than has happened in the past one year or so. The legal framework has changed. The constitution has been amended to fully allow sub-nationals unfettered

US Backs Nigeria, Africa’s UN Security Council Permanent Seats’ Bid

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The United States would support two permanent seats for African states on the UN Security Council, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said yesterday.

The announcement, which echoes a similar call from the UN Secretary General António Guterres to overhaul the Council so it would reflect the world powers of 21st century, comes ahead of the UN General Assembly later this month, the New York Times reported.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which have permanent seats with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. The other 10 members of the Council rotate

every two years.

Adding any new permanent members would require the approval of all five permanent members and changing the UN charter, a dim prospect given the divisions among the permanent members, the report said.

Adding only African countries as permanent members would likely get pushback from other countries, including Japan, Brazil, India, Germany and Italy. For years, those nations have also lobbied for seats, arguing that the world had evolved since the aftermath of World War II when the world body was founded. For several years, Nigeria has been asking to be considered for a permanent seat at the UN, flaunting its several contributions

to global peace, especially to the UN peace keeping mission across the globe as well as to peace and security in Africa.

Thomas-Greenfield’s announcement could be viewed as a geopolitical gesture toward repairing US relations with Africa, which have been frayed by the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, and toward matching Chinese and Russian influence there.

The two US rivals, which have been keen on expanding their influence on the continent, have already backed permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield may also be considering her legacy at the United Nations as her term possibly draws to an end, with

the American election looming in November and the likelihood that a new administration would appoint a new ambassador. During her tenure, she has made Africa a priority of her diplomacy, frequently traveling to the continent.

“The problem is, these nonpermanent seats don’t enable African countries to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices to the work of the Council,”

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said during a meeting at the Council on Foreign Relations, a think-tank in New York City.

The Council is tasked with maintaining peace and stability, preventing and mediating conflicts and approving UN peacekeeping missions, and it has the power to impose sanctions.

bear own risks

access to be full players and regulators in the sector.

“The legal framework upon which we regulate the sector has also changed. We now have the Electricity Act. Certain regulatory initiatives taken by the commission, in view of current economic situations, also changed as well.

“We are moving to financial contracting. We now have cost-reflective tariffs for a certain band of customers.

And with that as well, we can see that there's been vast improvement in supply.

“The next move now is to move to bilateral contracting, whereby the

excuse of government is not standing in our way, or government will no longer be there. If mainstream enters into a contract with a utility, those are two private parties, and they will bear the full consequences of the terms of their commercial transactions”

“No one is going to run to the House Committee on Power or the Senate Committee on Power or to the Villa and say, 'put pressure or intervene'. It's a transaction between two private parties, and their performance will be held by the terms of the contract,” he stressed.

Forfeiture of $2.045m, Properties: Judge Returns Case File to Admin Judge for Re-assignment

Wale Igbintade

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday, returned the case file in a suit seeking final forfeiture of monies and properties allegedly linked to a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, back to the Admin Judge for re-assignment and further directive.

Justice Akintayo Aluko had on August 15 ordered an interim forfeiture of $2.045 million, and some landed properties allegedly linked to Emefiele following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge granted the forfeiture order, after taking hearing EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

Other properties ordered to be forfeited by the court include: two fully detached duplexes of identical structures, lying being and situated at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped land, measuring 1919.592sqm with Survey Plan No. DS/LS/340 at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos and a four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi.

Others are an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; 8 units of an undetached apartment on a plot measuring 2457.60sqm at No. 8a Adekunle

Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land measuring 2217.87sqm at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The judge also ordered that two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust belonging to Emefiele be temporarily forfeited.

After granting the motion, Justice Aluko further ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in a well-circulated national newspaper within 14 days, for any interested party to show cause and tell the court why the money and properties should not be finally forfeited.

However, when the matter came up yesterday for hearing of all pending applications, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, counsel to Emefiele told the court that his application seeking for stay of proceedings is pending before the court.

He said the application is seeking stay of all applications pending the hearing and determination of the criminal charge filed against Emefiele before a sister court.

But, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, insisted that the application to show cause should be heard first.

After a prolonged argument by both counsel, Justice Dipeolu ruled that in view of the contentious nature of the matter and the fact that his term as a vacation judge ends today (Friday) he would not have adequate time to hear all the pending applications and rule on same.

Linus Awute;

Operators

Nigeria (AON), Dr. Allen Onyema; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Special Adviser to the Minister

Commissioner

NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin during Vice President Meeting with Stakeholders in the Aviation Industry and and PEBEC at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ... yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT...

FG Signs N589bn Partnership with UK to Boost Education, Health, Other Sectors

The federal government yesterday signed eight partnership agreements with the United Kingdom (UK) valued at about N589 billion (£272.6 million) to boost governance, climate change, education, health, and the economy.

The programme implementation agreements signed by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, and the UK Charge d’ Affaires, Ms Cynthia Rowe, committed both countries to collaboration in those critical sectors.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Bagudu expressed appreciation for the UK government’s support, describing it was a significant show of friendship.

He said the timing of the implementation agreement was significant given the downward trend of world economies, noting

that "Many economies in the world are going through turbulent times", and that "Nigeria and the UK are not exceptions."

The minister praised the UK’s spirit of partnership, which enabled it to support other countries despite its economic challenges.

Bagudu noted that some agreements would benefit more than Nigeria, explaining that they deal with global issues.

He said: “Health is no longer a local issue. COVID-19 reminded us that we have a shared universe. Climate is a universal phenomenon. Governance is no longer a local issue.

Governance failure in one country can affect other countries through forced migration, conflict or the spread of arms."

The minister also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s administration's recent economic reforms, which he regretted had

Food Security: Ogun to Introduce Price Control, Bans Levies in Markets

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed plans by his administration to introduce a price control mechanism in the state.

Abiodun also disclosed that henceforth, all forms of market levies have been suspended, noting that only development and environmental levies will be allowed, as they are meant for the development of markets in the state.

The governor made this known during a meeting with market leaders led by the Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs.) Yemisi Abass, at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Abiodun said as part of measures to control the uptick in the prices of food items, the state government would soon commence the operation of its Bulk Purchasing Company, which has now been rebranded as Gateway Trading Company, with the aim of ensuring that the cost of food items is much more affordable for the people.

Abiodun also noted that the Gateway Trading Company would, in the first instance, begin operations in the four zones of the state.

His words: "We've also resolved that we will begin the implementation of Bulk Purchase and Selling in the state.

To that extent, the state government has rebranded our Bulk Purchase Company. It is now called Gateway Trading Board.

"Gateway Trading will now assist in bringing food items to our teeming public at prices that will be significantly below what they can obtain when they go to the market themselves.

"So, we are going to aggressively implement our Gateway Trading objectives. They will first start in the four zones; they will buy in bulk and resell at prices that will be more affordable to our people."

Abiodun also announced the ban on all forms of levies in the markets in the state.

He added that a market enforcement task force with a central body in the state would be mirrored in all twenty local government areas, adding that all forms of coercion and intimidation by people who add no value to markets across the state will be stamped out.

Abiodun further noted that anyone caught collecting illegal fees in markets across the state would face the full wrath of the law, adding that he would also ensure that all exorbitant and unbearable shop and stall rents imposed on market men and women are stopped.

caused some discomfort among the people.

However, he explained that they were part of its Renewed Hope agenda strategies aimed at macroeconomic stability that would stimulate local and foreign investments needed for the nation’s economic revival, growth, and development.

Bagudu said the agreements recognised that despite the best efforts of a country, it might not have all the resources it needed

to meet its developmental needs, adding that Nigeria was confident that with working partners, it would overcome its challenges.

The minister thanked the charge d’affaires for her cooperation and assistance in ensuring the consummation of the implementation agreements, which he said were the 15th to be signed by the ministry within a month.

In her remarks, Rowe commiserated with Nigeria over the recent flood

in some states and expressed how sorry the UK was over the incident.

She appreciated Nigeria's longstanding cooperation and praised the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for being an integral partner that had shaped the relations.

The new implementation agreements, she said, would complement the over £1 billion that had been spent on several programmes in states across the country.

She said: “I am passionate about the UK’s close relationship with Nigeria and working with the government to advance the country’s development agenda.

“The signing of these important agreements today builds on our support worth over £1 billion, delivering real improvements for people in health, education, governance, our work with women and girls, and helping where there is humanitarian need.”

NUPRC Inaugurates Arbitrators for Upstream Dispute Resolution Centre in Bayelsa

Diri insists IOCs must relocate headquarters to Niger Delta

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has inaugurated a ‘Body of Neutrals’ for the upstream Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The body made of eminent personalities, including retired judges, senior advocates and experts in the oil and gas industry is charged with the responsibility of providing a seamless approach to dispute resolution in order to save time and cost.

According to the NUPRC, the move aligns with it's quest to provide quality, efficient, and cost-effective dispute resolution services within the upstream oil and gas industry.

Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, while inaugurating the body, said the establishment of the body was not only the culmination of extensive planning and dedication but also the commencement of a transformative chapter in the realm of dispute resolution.

He said the centre will guarantee access to quality, cost-effective and time-efficient resolution of disputes that arise in the upstream petroleum sector.

He said: "In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the demand for effective and efficient dispute resolution has never been more critical.

"While traditional litigation remains necessary and important, it is often accompanied by inherent

delays, high costs, and adversarial postures that can exacerbate conflicts and strain relationships, as seen in numerous protracted legal battles between producers and host communities.

"These challenges underscore the inefficiencies of traditional litigation and the immense financial burdens and prolonged suffering it imposes on the individuals and communities involved."

He added that the esteemed group of professionals which embodies the core values of impartiality, expertise, professionalism, and dedication were chosen after a meticulous review and thorough consultation.

The members which include lawyers, retired judges, oil and gas industry experts, among others will

be entrusted with the oversight of disputes and the mediation of matters that fall within the centre's jurisdiction.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, expressed appreciation to the commission for siting the centre in Yenagoa, noting that the inauguration of the Body of Neutrals would enhance peace in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region. He restated his position that international oil companies in the region should relocate their headquarters to states where they operate.

On the issue of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the governor again called for amendment of sections of the Act that excluded roles for the states and local governments.

Senate, House of Reps Shift Resumption by One Week

Adedayo Akinwale and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate and the House of Representatives have separately postponed their resumption dates from the current long vacation to September 24, an extension of one week.

The Red Chamber through a memo to the Senators by the Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, announced the new resumption date.

The senators were supposed to resume plenary on Tuesday September 17 after about two months vacation.

The memo read: “ Dear

Distinguished Senators, I hope this memo finds you well. Please be informed that the resumption date from the ongoing recess has been rescheduled from Tuesday, September 17, 2024 to Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 am.

Also, the House of Representatives has extended its resumption from its annual recess by a week. The Green Chamber was scheduled to resume on September 17 before it was extended by a week and would now reconvene on September 24. Its spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, in a statement said it's decision to extend the recess followed an internal memo communicated

to the members by the Clerk of the House.

He said: “The House of Representatives is set to resume from its annual recess on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 11:00 am.

“This follows a rescheduling from the original date of September 17, 2024, as communicated to Honourable Members via an internal memo by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, on Wednesday, on the directive of House Leadership.

“During the recess, Honourable Members engaged extensively in constituency outreach across the country, addressing critical issues of concern to constituents, and

deepening oversight of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), in accordance with functions spelt out in the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and the House Standing Orders.

“Upon reconvening, the leadership of the House will inaugurate the new board of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and the Joint Senate/House Ad Hoc Committees on the Petroleum Industry Investigation on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.” Rotimi added that further details regarding these activities would be announced during plenary on the day of resumption.

James Emejo in Abuja

UK Charge d’ Affairs, Ms Cynthia Rowe, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, during the signing of eight Programme Implementation Agreements between the United Kingdom and Nigeria in Abuja … yesterday

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L-R: Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Olusegun Alabi; President, African Packaging Organisation, Amb. Alex Omah; Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; and Regional Director, Afrocet Montgomery, Mr. George Pearson, at the

Food Processing, Labelling and Print Exhibition in West Africa held in Lagos recently

Stakeholders Jubilant as FG Signs CTC Practice Direction to Reduce Cost of Airline Operations

Keyamo says move will usher in new era for airline business in Nigeria

The federal government yesterday signed the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Practice Directions in a move to reduce the cost of airline operations in the nation's aviation sector.

The CTC Practice Direction was signed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja.

With the signing of the CTC Practice Direction, the Cape Town Convention

becomes actively and fully operational in Nigeria, thereby reducing the cost of insurance for airlines.

It will also restore investors’ confidence in the nation's aviation sector and enabling domestic airline operators to dry lease aircraft, among others.

Some local operators had in the past, breached the CTC which regulates aircraft leasing across the world, leading to the Aviation Working Group, cochaired by Airbus and Boeing, saying Nigeria would be blacklisted until it implements a law that would guide against a repeat of such breach.

Speaking after the signing of the

CTC Practice Direction, the Vice President said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is a pro-business government that is ready "to take all the necessary measures – as painful as some might be – to protect, promote, project and preserve the interest of the Nigerian nation," as well as preserve and promote the nation's airlines industry.

He said, "It is a great day for the Nigerian nation. We had fruitful engagements and we were able to cross-pollinate ideas across all sectors and have come up with robust solutions to the challenges facing the aviation industry.

"I want to seize this opportunity to commend my Lord, Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Judges are, by nature, very conservative people. For him to frontally address the issue and sign the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Practice Directions, I think, is worthy of commendation."

Shettima also commended the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, saying "All the issues agitating the minds of the airlines operators have been frontally addressed by the Minister, and on Monday they are meeting him to further consolidate

Aviation Unions Threaten Nationwide Protest over Continuous Deductions from Agencies IGR

Chinedu Eze and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Aviation unions across the country have threatened to embark on nationwide protest, September 18, 2024, over continuous deduction of remittances from the Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) of aviation agencies.

The unions which had canvassed an end to the deductions stated that the protest, which will take place at all airports nationwide, is a response to the failure of the federal government to exempt these agencies from the deductions.

The affected agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

But in a quick response, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Thursday, appealed to unions in the sector to reconsider their planned protest on September 18, 2024, and allow for dialogue to take place.

He noted that government believes

through constructive engagement, a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the aviation sector.

Keyamo, in a statement made available to the presss in Abuja, said while he acknowledges the concerns raised by the unions within the aviation sector regarding the deduction of 50% of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at source by the government, he wants to assure all stakeholders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is looking into the concerns raised.

The miffed unions explained

that these agencies are cost-recovery organizations and not profit-making entities and as such, they cannot survive on half of their incomes.

The unions warned that critical safety activities within these agencies are already being compromised due to the financial strain imposed by the deductions, noting that this has emasculated their operations and may degenerate further if the deductions are not halted.

They further cautioned that they would not be held responsible if the aviation industry becomes dysfunctional due to these financial constraints.

all our gains."

The Vice President assured airline operators in the country that Tinubu will do everything to promote and preserve the Nigerian airline industry.

He said, "And, of course, my brother, Allen Onyema, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, and Dr. Yunusa Sarina, the Chairman of Azman Airlines, I want to assure you that the present administration headed by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, is a pro-business government, is a proNigeria government, and will take all necessary measures to protect, promote, project and preserve the interest of the Nigerian nation.

"Air Peace has a fleet of 35 airlines and 26 more on order. Be rest assured that President Bola Tinubu is keenly interested in the promotion and preservation of the Nigerian airline industry. I spoke with him about three days ago, and he was very much interested in the outcome of our deliberations today, and I will report back to him."

Also speaking, Finance Minister, Edun, promised to meet with airline operators and other stakeholders to perfect issues pertaining to agreements reached at the meeting with the Vice President.

He said, "My Lord, the CJ of the Federal High Court, called it action to revolutionise the airline industry. PEBEC is all about improving the business environment and reducing cost and what has been signed here is action that will substantially reduce cost in the airline industry.

“It will facilitate growth and development of that industry, and include further action that, I’m sure, would be taken in that direction once I meet with the airline industry and also have Customs present to discuss some charges which they want lowered, and which they believe by law should, in fact, have been implemented at lower levels.

"So, we’ll discuss that on Monday; that will be a further step in the direction of improving the business environment for airlines and, of course, it is all about a strategy that already has produced a growing economy, lower inflation, a relatively stable exchange rate and increased foreign reserves, positive balance of trade."

Speaking on behalf of Airline Operators in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Pace Limited, Onyema expressed appreciation to Tinubu for enhancing a positive change in the aviation sector.

Fidelis David in Akure

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Thursday, said the state Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS) has produced no fewer than 4,265 babies since its inception.

in London

At Royal's Request, Tinubu Holds Private Meeting With King Charles III

Duo discuss global, regional issues, including complex climate change challenge Explore opportunities for collaboration ahead of COP29, CHOGM in Azerbaijan and Samoa

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, Wednesday, in London, the United Kingdom, held a private meeting with His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, highlighting the enduring and cherished relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to a release yesterday by the Special Adviser to the

President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, latest meeting which was at the King's request, would be the two leaders' first meeting since they met in Dubai at the COP 28 Climate Summit in November, last year. Both leaders discussed global and regional matters of shared priority, focusing on the urgent and complex challenge of climate change.

President Tinubu and His Majesty also explored opportunities for collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming COP 29 Summit in Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

Tinubu reiterated Nigeria's firm commitment to addressing climate change in a manner that aligns with the country's energy

security objectives whilst affirming Nigeria's readiness to adopt global strategies for sustainability.

During their dialogue, the two leaders shared ideas for innovative approaches to climate financing and funding, expressing mutual interest in strengthening partnerships by harnessing Nigeria's leadership position in Africa and the Commonwealth.

This is just as the governor announced government's plan to construct a cancer healthcare center in the state.

Aiyedatiwa who said the scheme which was designed by his late principal and former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in 2022 for pregnant women and children under five years of age to prevent maternal mortality in the state stated the state government’s commitment to revitalising the state health sector.

He revealed this through the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Awolowo Banji Ajaka and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simi Odimayo, in Akure the Ondo State capital, at a programme organized by the Commissioner for

Information, Wale Akinlosotu, for state government officials to give stewardship of their offices. Specifically, he said, over 4,265 babies, among which are 380 twins, 10 triplets and two quadruplets all delivered under the state equity scheme.

His words: "Implementation of Abiyamo Maternal and Child Insurance Scheme (Abiyamo Scheme) - fully funded by Ondo State Government where pregnant women and under-5 children are fully covered as vulnerable. Till date, Abiyamo scheme has recorded over 46,741 beneficiaries (pregnant women and children below 5 years of age).

"Total deliveries 4,265; twins 380; triplets 10; quadruplets two and all services are provided at no cost to the beneficiaries."

On healthcare financing, Aiyedatiwa said the establishment of Ondo State Contributory Health Commission was aimed at ensuring Universal Health

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PDP Refuses to Sign Edo Peace Pact, Gives Condition for Free, Fair, Credible Election

APC buckles, signs peace accord IGP rushes to arraign detained PDP chiefs Govt alleges Afegbua now speaks for police Ighodalo: why Edo should vote for us

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, declined to sign the Peace Accord ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state.

The party also gave conditions for a free, fair and credible poll.

However, less than two hours after it had announced that it would not sign the Peace Accord, Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) signed the agreement, committing to a peaceful poll on September 21.

The accord, started in 2014 by the National Peace Committee (NPC), a non-governmental initiative under the leadership of former military Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, is a commitment to peace and lawful conduct before, during, and after elections in the country. Now typically part of the pre-election process in Nigeria, the accord has been endorsed by participants in general and off-cycle elections since 2015.

While accusing the police, which are responsible for enforcing the accord, of partiality, the national chairman of PDP, Illiya Damagum, called for the redeployment of the Edo State

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Commissioner of Police over alleged bias against the party and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Curiously, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, arraigned the detained members of PDP at a magistrate’s court in Abuja, after Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki had accused the police of working with APC. Edo State Government, equally, described Director of Media, Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, as the mouthpiece of the police, and alleged he attempted to spin the events at the signing of the Peace Accord.

Nevertheless, the PDP candidate said the Edo State electorate should vote him and his party because the state was in dire need of people who could offer good governance.

PDP, through its state chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, had insisted that his members and chieftains, who had been illegally arrested by the police and whisked to secret holding centres in Abuja, must be immediately and unconditionally released or charged to a court of competent jurisdiction before it would consider the signing of the accord.

Aziegbemi, in a statement, said it would be unfair, unconscionable and unreasonable to request a party that was currently under a vicious attack by the opposing party, utilising the illegal services of the police, to step forward to sign a peace accord.

He further demanded an undertaking by the Nigeria Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field and not allow themselves to be used as a private army by one of the parties in the election.

The statement said, “The people of Edo State are well known to be peaceful and law-abiding, particularly in the conduct of elections, and we are certain that Your Excellency, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, with the benefit of previous experience, will bear witness to this fact.

“In the course of preparations for this election, however, strange and disturbing new elements have been introduced, in particular, by a party that has apparently reached the conclusion that it cannot prevail in a free, fair and peaceful election.

“That party and its senior officials have openly boasted about their intention to deploy ‘Federal Might’ to ensure victory despite the will or wishes of Edo people.

“On the 18th of July, 2024, for instance, the said party unleashed its ‘Lions and Tigers’ on the streets of Benin City in a purported attempt to enforce a court order by self-help.

“Various newspapers and electronic media carried pictures and videos of these known and identifiable gun-wielding APC thugs, who marauded the streets of Benin for hours (e.g please see page 15 Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, July 23rd 2027) and their activities unfortunately culminated in the death of a police officer in what appeared to be a case of friendly fire.

“It must be noted that there was no evidence or record of any member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State or official of government as having participated in the unfortunate event of that said day.

“Despite this reality, however, the APC has since procured a Rogue Contingent of Policemen, who have been given a lengthy list of PDP members and sympathisers and they have since, in gestapo fashion, embarked on surreptitious arrest of these members of the PDP, who were subsequently whisked to Abuja (or other unknown detention centres), without charge and without bringing

them before any court of law as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The situation has subsequently degenerated into an all-out reign of terror where members of the APC are acting as pointers for effecting the illegal arrest and rendition of the said PDP members without charge.

“This situation threatens to create unpalatable reactions as those who are being threatened may have no option but to resort to self-preservative moves creating the risk of violence, disorder and chaos when we have less than two weeks to a pivotal election.”

Aziegbemi said persons arrested or were being harassed by the police included Lucky Aidenya, Festus

Unuabor, Maxwell, Francis Inegbeneki, Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Saugie Enabulele, Festus Ovienloba, and Moha Haruna. Others were Luke Einojie, Gabriel Omhenra, Emmanuel Oroto, Noel Mathews, Amos Tom Udehagene, OsiImojire, Kingsley Osehon, Kehinde Olotu, and many more. He listed those in police custody for upwards of two weeks to include Noel Mathews, Amos Tom Udehagene, OsiImojire, Kingsley Osehon and Kehinde Olotu and many more Aziegbemi said those who had been declared wanted by the police were Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Emmanuel Oroto, Moha Haruna, Luke Einojie, Festus Unuabor, Gabriel Omhenra, and many more

Ember Months: Niger Police Commissioner Puts Officers and Men On Red Alert

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Niger State Police Commissioner, Mr. Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman has put his officers and men on " Red Alert" with few months to the end of the year.

Danmammam also asked the public to be extra security conscious and report suspicious situations to the police and other security agencies for immediate intervention during the period.

anti-social behaviour".

As a result, the statement said, the Police Commissioner has directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and DPOs to emplace robust crime preventive measures and ensure effective visibility policing with adequate community/stakeholders’ engagement for intelligence gathering and responsive policing as mean of proactiveness within the Ember months to ensure safety of lives and property."

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Less than one week to the Edo State gubernatorial election, the governor of Abia State, Mr. Alex Otti, yesterday, called on the electorate and Labour Party (LP) faithful in the state to vote for the governorship candidate of the party, Olumide Akpata, and be vigilant to ensure their will is not circumvented.

He gave the charge when he visited Benin City, the Edo State capital to galvanize votes for the governorship candidate of the party in Edo.

Mr. Otti said the forthcoming governorship election in the state which the party is having its candidate, Olumide Akpata, is a

crucial one and they must ensure that their votes are guarded jealously.

Otti said though the party may not have the guns and ammunition to win the election but they have the people to deliver their choice candidate for the people of the state.

His words: "I have come to appeal to you. You are all our people. I told Olumide that there is no need preaching to the converted. We have converted you already and it is now time for us to go and convert others.

"This is election, it is an election that will make a difference in Edo State. It is election for the people. We may not have all the guns and the ammunition, but we have you the people.

"So, the charge I want to give you

is that, when you vote on that day, remain in your polling booth and don't go home. That is how we did it in Abia state. So, for 48 and 72 hours, nobody slept.

"I used to tell our people - we have one saying. We say rat does not eat something when the owner is awake.

"So, you people should not sleep. If it is about the votes, we will have the votes, if it is about winning, we will win. We will not allow any rat to steal our victory."

On his part, the national secretary of the party’s caretaker committee, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, appealed to the people of the state not to disappoint the party by voting for other candidates except Akpata, if

they really want to enjoy the dividends of democracy which the people in Abia State are currently enjoying.

"The victory is ours and we must deliver full time on that particular day and what Abia is enjoying today, Edo State will enjoy it too", Nwokocha said.

Earlier, the Edo State LP governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, while welcoming the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti to the state, said Otti is in Benin City to help talk to the people of the state to vote for him and his running mate, Kadiri Asamah, SAN, and not to talk the party faithful.

"Jesus Christ said, he didn't come for the saved but for the lost", Akpata noted.

The police commissioner made the remarks in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna with the caption: "Niger State Police Command Strategizes and Beef Up Security for Ember Months,2024".

The statement signed by the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, noted that the directive is because "The months of September to December are customarily known and referred to as "Ember Months” and usually associated with an upsurge in social, economic and political activities culminating in the rise in human and vehicular movement.

The statement read: "This unfortunately also culminates in increased crimes as armed robbery, house/shop breaking, theft of vehicles, traffic violations and other related

According to the statement an Operation Order for the season had been drawn and adequate number of police personnel mobilised, and alerted across the state with effective deployment of Operation Flush and other operational assets of the Command to different strategic locations within the major cities of the State to tackle prospective urban crime.

Meanwhile the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC Niger State Command has apprehended two people for allegedly vandalizing electric cables at the Niger Farm in Bida. State Commandant of the Corp Mr. Adamu Abdullahi Kambara who disclosed this in a statement made available to the press in Minna did not disclose the names of the suspects but said they are currently undergoing interrogation pending when they will be charged to court.

L-R: Chairman Okomala CDA Ilasamaja, Peter Balogun; Head of Section, Social Mobilisation, Mrs. Florence Aderemi (representing the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Education Authority Secretary); Group Head, Card and Digital Payment Operations, Access Bank, Ebi Okosun; Head Boy, Ilasamaja Primary School, Jonathan Umoh; Head Girl, Hawa Hammed; Head Teacher, Mrs. Chioma Iwuoma; and Chairman, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Access Bank, Adewale Adegbite, during the Access Bank Card and Digital Payment Operations Group 2024 CSR Project for the distribution of back-to-school materials to students of Ilasamaja Primary School, Okomala, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos….. yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

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Wike Wins as NWC Approves Congress of Faction Loyal to Him, Fubara in the Lurch

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has won again as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the contentious Rivers State congresses from wards to the local governments and the state.

With the current state of play, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no control over the party in the state.

Although matter is still a subject of litigation because a Rivers State court had restrained the PDP from holding the congresses in the state.

Also, the NWC might have tentatively shifted the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party from September 26 to October 26.

These were some of the outcomes of the NWC meeting presided over

by the acting national chairman of the PDP, Amb Iliya Damagum.

At their meeting two weeks ago in Jalingo, Taraba State, the PDP governors directed the NWC to ensure that all the congresses in Rivers State should be handed over to the Rivers State governor, Fubara

But Wike threatened any PDP governor, who interferes in the political affairs of Rivers State, warning that he would make their states ungovernable.

In response, the PDP governors, in a statement by the Director General of the forum, chided Wike, stating that his utterances were unacceptable and reckless.

The PDP governors renewed their directive to ensure that all the structures were returned to Fubara.

But at their NWC meeting of yesterday, the Damagum-led party approved the congresses in Rivers State

CAS: Efficient Management of Resources a Moral Imperative

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, yesterday, said the efficient management of resources of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has become not just an operational necessity, but a moral imperative, as the service forges ahead in these challenging times.

Abubakar also noted that when resources are managed with integrity and prudence, it enhances the service's ability to maintain a high state of readiness, to train, equip, and deploy its personnel effectively as well as ensure that every operational directive is executed without financial constraints.

Abubakar said this while declaring open the Nigerian Air Force Finance Seminar 2024 organized by the Accounts and Budget Branch, Nigerian Air Force, themed, “Fostering a Culture of Accountability in the Management of NAF Finances in Support of contemporary Air Power Demands”.

Noting that the accounts and budget branch are the backbone of NAF's operational effectiveness, the Air Chief said that it is incumbent on every officer, from the highest

levels of command to the most junior, to internalize the principles of accountability in all financial dealings.

This, he said, is not merely a requirement of their roles, it is a commitment to the future of the Nigerian Air Force and the security of the nation.

According to him, "We must all note that accountability is the bedrock upon which trust is built, both within the ranks of the Air Force and between our institution and the Nigerian people. It ensures that every naira and kobo allocated to us is used judiciously, with the utmost respect for the sacrifices made by the citizens we have sworn to protect".

He said that the Nigerian Air Force Finance Seminar 2024 is aimed at building the professional capacity of NAF finance personnel which is in line with the second key enabler of his Command Philosophy.

Stressing that the Nigerian Air Force has over the years distinguished itself as a pivotal arm of the nation's defense architecture, Abubakar said officers of the service have continually demonstrated courage, skill, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation.

Though there were some opposition from the National Legal Adviser, of the party, Adeyemi Ajibade, that it was not fair to recognise the Rivers State congresses alone as there were some legal challenges that were yet

to be resolved

He was overruled by the NWC. There were some states included in congresses like in Abia and Ebonyi, the NWC ruled that they be concluded before the next National Executive

Committee (NEC) meeting. The NEC meeting was therefore moved from September 26 to October 26. With a shift in the NEC meeting, all the congresses would be ratified at the

October meeting and subsequently, a new national chairman might emerge. With this development, there were indications that Fubara might hasten his plans to move to the Alliance Peoples Party (APP).

Military Airstrikes Kill over 28 Terrorists in Niger State

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), yesterday said that no fewer than 28 terrorists were killed in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, during an intelligence-led and coordinated air operations by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch.

A statement by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said that the mission targeted terrorists in Bassa, upon receipt of a request for air support from friendly forces in the area, as part of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists and bandits freedom of action in the area.

Meanwhile, a top security source, revealed that the successes recorded in Niger State by the Nigerian Air Force, followed a joint operations involving, the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Vigilante groups and hunters in the affected Community.

He further revealed that the DSS provided credible intelligence that led to the precision strikes that killed dozens of terrorists.

According to NAF Deputy Spokesperson, "Nigerian Air Force (NAF,) air assets, on arrival, observed over 100 terrorists engaging friendly forces in a fierce firefight.

“After confirming the positions of friendly troops, the NAF conducted precision airstrikes on the terrorists’ positions. The strikes were devastating, neutralizing dozens of terrorists in successive passes".

He noted that no fewer than 28 bodies were recovered from the target area, with several more terrorists, weapons, and burnt motorcycles still being cleared.

Ali, said that the successful operation underscored the Nigerian Air Force's commitment to protecting the nation and supporting, sister services and other security agencies in combating banditry, terrorism, insurgency and all other forms of criminalities.

He assured Nigerians that NAF will continue to conduct air operations, both independently and in collaboration with surface forces, to eliminate all threats to the peace, prosperity and security of our great nation.

Also confirming the killing of the terrorists, a highly placed security sources familiar with DSS operations confirmed that following available critical intelligence received from the Department of State Services (DSS), a combined team of security operatives comprising the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other sister agencies on 11th September, 2024 successfully repelled a group of Boko haram terrorists and bandit elements who attacked Bassa-Kukoki village, Allawa district of Shiroro LGA, Niger State.

He noted that while the dissidents suffered huge casualties, regrettably, three members of the community were killed by the fleeing terrorists. This he said is in contrast with reports in sections of the media that state forces lost three personnel during the operation.

He further disclosed that on 7th September 2024, operatives of Delta State Command of the DSS, intercepted a wooden barge containing about 37,000 barrels of crude oil. During the operation, he said, five suspects connected to the incident were arrested and are being investigated and profiled. The source also disclosed that on 9th September, 2024, a combined team of the DSS and the military personnel apprehended a high-profile commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He averred that the arrest followed intelligence which confirmed his active involvement in the coordination of IPOB activities in Ebonyi State. He added that the top IPOB commander had recruited several mercenaries in preparation for further attacks in Ebonyi State and concluded that over 600 rounds of 5.56mm caliber ammunition among other items were recovered from the suspect.

NOTAP: Nigeria Must Domesticate Foreign Technology to Solve Socio-economic Challenges

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The Director General/CEO of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, has stated that Nigeria must attract and domesticate foreign technology to address her socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, hunger, poverty and others.

She stated this at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja at the agency's headquarters to herald the forthcoming 2024 "African Day for Technology and Intellectual

Property Rights (IPRs)."

Amadiobi said no nation on earth can develop without adequately deploying science, technology and innovations.

She stated: "Undoubtedly, no nation of the earth can develop without adequate deployment of science, technology and innovation; especially indigenous technologies.

"Additionally, the concept of IPR is derived from the rights conferred on an individual or corporate body by a legal authority to have exclusive control over the exploitation of his or her works of intellect over a stipulated period,

exercising exclusive monopoly over the invention.

"Unless Nigeria develops the technical manpower to attract and domesticate foreign technology in various facets of socio- economic activities, it may be difficult for it to meet up with the challenges of unemployment, hunger, poverty, accelerated climate change, scarcity of resource, increased pressure on the environment, youth restiveness and insecurity."

According to her, in today's knowledge-based economy and thriving global business environment, absorption of

new technology has become a veritable component for companies to survive and increase their competitiveness in the market place.

She underscored the fact that, for a nation state, technology is used as a tool to enhance global competitiveness.

Her wors: "Nations are no longer valued in terms of their population, geographical landmass or mineral resources but on the organic mass of knowledge in its citizenry translated into viable R&D outputs, highly valuable IPRs and commercialized products.

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Mr. Kayode Lawal, Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, receiving on behalf of the bank, Premium Membership Certificate into Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) from Mr. Kayode Falowo, NBCC’s Ex-President/Chairman, Greenwich Merchant Bank in Lagos on Monday

Politics

Acting Group Politics Edito r DEJI ELUMOYE

Email: deji.elumoye @thisdaylive.com

08033025611 s M s O n LY

Issues that May Blight Imo LG Polls

a head of the September 21, 2024 Local Government Council polls in Imo state, members of the ruling a ll Progressives Congress and the opposition parties are wary of the process leading to the election, Tony Icheku reports.

About two weeks to Imo State’s first local government council polls in five years, furrows have formed on the foreheads of the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants, and their eyes are red and bleary from sleeplessness and worry. They are no more certain that the process would be transparent, free and fair as they grapple with the contradictions in executing the letters of the party’s constitution concerning internal democracy.

In early June, 2024, Chairman of the Imo state Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), Chief Charles Ejiogu announced Saturday, September 21, 2024 as the date for local government council polls in the 27 local government areas (LGAs) of Imo State. He assured critical stakeholders and all registered political parties in the State of ISIEC’s preparedness and readiness to offer all a level playing ground. “It will be free, transparent, and credible”, he said.

APC loyalists quickly embraced the exercise. They looked forward to a seamless and rancourfree process: The governor may have nothing at stake, they reasoned, that he is in his second and last term. Expectations were high that he would play the unbiased umpire and allow loyalists who have stood with him through thick and thin to finally have their day in the sun.

In a twinkle of an eye, over 800 councillorship hopefuls purchased nomination forms to jostle for 305 councillorship seats at N1 million each and 200 chairmanship hopefuls shelled out N3 million to jostle for 27 chairmanship seats.

The weeding out process would be through primary, the party and ISIEC assured them stressing that the principles of internal democracy would be duly observed, but after four postponements, the message finally sank in that it may not all be smooth sailing after all.

By the tail end of August, 2024, after several postponements of the primary, Governor Hope Uzodimma finally intervened and prescribed consensus as his preferred option for the selection of chairmanship and councillorship candidates. The governor while addressing all chairmanship and councillorship aspirants, state leaders and stakeholders at APC’s Secretariat in Owerri, the state capital explained that the party constitution allows for three methods of producing candidates for election, namely direct primaries, indirect primaries and consensus.

The Imo Governor also declared that party aspirants who failed to clinch the party ticket will be refunded their expenses, but on the condition that they exhibit good behavior during and after the process, stressing that the decision to opt for consensus candidates was taken to promote unity and cohesion in the party as well as stability of politics in the State. He reminded the party members that APC was one family in the State, urging them to make sacrifices for the victory of the party.

His words: “I will plead with the party to go into the contest with one spirit. Those who win, we will encourage them to work with those who didn’t win”.

According to him, the 27 chairmanship and the 305 ward councillorship candidates would emerge through consensus. He added that where the consensus option fails to select a candidate, the party will conduct a primary election, either direct or indirect. The decision became imperative following the high number of interested candidates in the polls, he said.

Uzodimma was economical with details of how the consensus candidates would emerge. And it is also pertinent to recall that earlier in the race, he recommended zoning of the positions as one of the factors in determining the flagbearers for the chairmanship slots.

Aspirants left the meeting holding their breath in suspense which turned to bewilderment few days later when Local Government chairpersons of the party were forbidden from holding meetings in their domain forthwith.

Uzodimma’s current posture and body language are at variance with his earlier stand that he is “not going to influence the Local Government Election, it will be transparent. We must go by

the rules and ensure that credible people that will serve the people are elected.”

He advised those angling for positions as either chairman or councilor to go to their people and sell themselves since they will be accountable to the people at the end of the day.

Analysing the issue, a journalist and public

affairs analyst, Henry Ekpe stated that Governor Uzodimma’s position on zoning and consensus option are opaque and ambiguous as “there are clear differences between zoning formula and consensus, including Direct or Indirect primaries.

“While zoning means the rules must be

followed to balance the political equation in each given LGA based on their age long way of sharing political positions, but consensus means arriving on immediate acceptable solution based on what is on ground, not minding if it met balancing or not”

Again Ekpe maintained that the consensus option renders the delegates impotent while transferring powers to a clique or a powerful leader to produce the candidates. So, who ever, between a leader or group of leaders who manage to foist a chairman on a LGA become automatically a kingmaker or kingmaker(s).

“Under this consensus option, the Imo APC chairmanship and councillorship primaries have been left on the altar of the survival of the fittest, lacking in democratic norms, but the end justifying the means, with a looming implosion”, he submitted.

Ekpe argued that the true pictures would emerge if Uzodimma’s next political agenda is known - Will he be running for elective office after his governorship or simply interested in installing his successor? Either way, he would want only his trusted allies to hold power as Executive Chairperson or Councillor under the LG’s new financial autonomy dispensation where they would be very influential.

In its reaction to the development, a civil society organisation, the National Youth Alliance (NYA) Imo State chapter described the consensus option as a confrontational attack on the psyche of Imo people and a brutal attack on democracy and rule of law.

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

Soludo’s Anambra, A Huge Construction Site

THISday’s David-Chyddy Eleke joined other correspondents in anambra state to visit sites of infrastructural projects being executed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and concludes that the governor has turned the state into a huge construction site.

Penultimate week, reporters in Anambra State went on a guided tour of some of the projects of the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. The tour was organized by a human rights activist, and a former critique of the state governor, Mr Osita Obi. He said he was spurred to show journalists the projects after he took an individual tour of the projects and felt that the governor was doing much, yet they are not visible in the media.

During the tour, journalists visited the 10-kilometer Amansea-Awa-Ndiukwuenu-Ufuma road, the 20-kilometer Amansea-EbenebeUgbene-Ugbenu-Awba Ofemili road, the new Ifite-Awka flyover bridge by Aroma junction. Other projects visited included the new Anambra Government House and Governor’s Lodge, the Solution Fun City project, the renovated Dr Alex Ekwueme Square and many others.

Indigenes of Anambra State who spoke to newsmen during the tour commended Soludo over his infrastructural projects in the state within two years as governor.

At Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbene-UgbenuAwba Ofemili road, some indigenes of the communities expressed delight that the state of the road had been a major constraint to farmers who wished to move their farm produce to major cities.

One of the indigenes, Mr Chinedu Oraekie, a native who has lived in the area for the 46 years of his life said: “The tarred road is a dream come true. I never thought I would see a tarred road in this area. We are grateful to Governor Soludo and will vote for him many times over.”

Another respondent, Chuks Agwuna noted that the road project has increased the value of housing estates in the area, attracting develop-

ers and bringing new life to the community. However, they appealed to the governor to complete the Ayamelum link road to make their joy complete.

At the new Government House which is being constructed by Soludo, his Special Adviser on special projects, Dr Ebuka Nwankwo told journalists that the project is being built to be the biggest Government House in the country. The new government house project has for long been stalled since the days of Dr Chris Ngige as governor. The project was said to be handled then my the Uba family, but a disagreement stalled the project. Subsequent governors were said to have shied away from the project, especially with the involvement of the Uba brothers, and the agreement involved.

During the days of Mr Peter Obi as governor, he had abandoned the site and mapped out another site at Ishiagu for the construction of a three arm zone, but the project never saw the

light of the day. The insistence to continue the project by Soludo has been adjudged a major advantage to his government.

Nwankwo said: “This project is seated on 23 hectares of land. This is going to be one of the biggest government houses in the country, a very efficient one and the greenest too. We have the secretariat here, the Chief of staff, secretary to state government will all have their offices here. Over there is the executive council chambers, there is a multi-purpose hall here, and there are all kinds of offices for all support staff. We have the deputy governors office here, and there is also residences for all kinds of support staff too. If I take you down, you will see a host of duplexes of four flats each and that will be for support staff, people who are going to be working closely with the governor.

“When I take you down there, you will see where the governor’s lodge is. Within the governor’s lodge, there is a chapel, offices and behind is a presidential lodge. When we have dignitaries, like if the president visits, he will have a befitting place to stay and down there too you will see a net expanse of green area. Our plan is to make this place a net zero facility where all the emissions will be absorbed by greenery and we will have a banquet hall over there.

“The total kilometers of roads you will see here is about 3.2 of internal roads and the total perimeter fencing is over two kilometers. One thing to note is that this government house will increase the productivity of people working here. This project is 80 percent completed, and all the doors and fittings for this project are all ready.”

We pay for the choices we make, argues JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

WHO CHOSE CHEAPER PETROL OVER BETTER SCHOOLS?

I was scrolling through X, when I saw two tweets. The first read, “Just a soft reminder. Fuel was N197 per litre on the morning of May 29, 2023”. The response read, “And Nigeria FG was paying over 20 trillion naira yearly to subsidize the fuel and defend the Naira. I guess you’ll like to remind us of our years of wastage”. Like most things over the decades, the Nigerian government has not done a great job of making Nigerians see the cost of cheap dollars and even cheaper petrol. Both subjects aren’t just economic questions, they have socio-political ramifications. However, many citizens don’t care for the reaction. Why should they?

The government could make petrol sell at N100/litre. The same could be done for the dollars. They could buy dollars at the prevailing market price and then decide to sell it to Nigerians lucky enough to buy it from the banks at any cheap price set by the government. Nothing is impossible, it just comes at a cost.

The price of petrol and all the actions leading up to it is more a political issue than it is an economic one. An active Dangote refinery does not mean a straightforward path to the cost of fuel and its accessibility. There are other interests to consider. Without these considerations, things could happen accidentally. Who likes accidents?

At times over the years, it has felt like there are saboteurs who are more powerful than the government. Maybe they are not, maybe it just appears so. Take banks declaring stupendous profits for instance, amidst the inability of poor Nigerians to understand the many charges the banks arbitrarily impose on them. If you open the same type of account in say the United Kingdom, the United States and then Nigeria and then leave your money for a year, you will meet a little more than your money in the U.S. and the UK — or at worst, your exact money — but your money would have evaporated a little bit in the Nigerian bank. It’d have suffered some charges or the other.

It is not unusual to see American banks that are over 100 times bigger than Nigerian banks yet are only able to make profits that are only about 15 times bigger. There is something there if you look harder, may be it is the economic genius of Nigerian bankers over their American counterparts. Or the Central Bank and its policies. I should not digress for far too long though.

It is probably deemed a national security issue. If not, I often wonder why the government has not shown Nigerians the true state of their economy. That way we get to understand that contrary to what we think we know, we are barely getting by as a country. This is where the activists and grants-fueled advocates will remind you of the fact the VP’s residence was renovated at a certain cost and that the president spent this and that amount on whatever and that the First Lady also had some amount of money spent on her cause. And they’d be right about those arguments. Because government has not exactly moved like it is broke. National Assembly members are enjoying more privileges today than they did when the government was not said to be broke.

The other truth though is, even if the National Assembly earned less — and they ought to earn a lot less in a way that reflects not just the current state of the economy but by default — we still wouldn’t have enough to fund our fuel and dollar indulgences. Even

if the VP’s residence was not renovated — and they could have decided not to renovate the residence and may be just have him stay wherever he was staying before he got elected VP — the money wouldn’t have made any marginal difference to the state of our government’s ability to balance the budget. I ought to say the same argument applies to other such expenses that are deemed unnecessary. Sadly, you need to force many into understanding that more than one truth can co-exist; the presidential villa should have its budget reduced to reflect the state of Nigeria’s financial position, that action will not create a supply of enough money to fundamentally change the state of the economy. They should still stop moving like they govern a rich country.

Many people, especially politicians themselves think of sums of money in terms of their absolute size. That is also why we think we are a rich country. We hardly ever see our numbers against the reality of our population. If we did, we’d better understand the true state of our collective wealth — or poverty — and we probably will be inclined to push for decisions that better reflect the need to direct our limited resources into economic structures and infrastructure with a more telling impact on most citizens and on our collective future.

That said, I understand the allure of cheap dollars and even cheaper petrol. I even understand these more against arguments that, “that is the only thing poor Nigerians enjoy” because of course, there are no free and cheap schools, to university level.

You’d have to understand why it is hard for the average person to understand the advantage of cheaper and better schools. Because the reward for cheap petrol and cheap dollars are here and now, schools don’t deliver nearly as fast rewards.

In the end, we all pay for these choices. That’s fair enough. And we wonder why we have been so poor all these years. Why is it easier to understand the effects of poor decisions at the individual level yet it is treated like a quadratic equation once its time to apply the same logic to the country? That said, Nigerians deserve cheap petrol and cheap dollars. We do, like they have it in most other countries with great productivity as ours. To not think this way is to be evil. I kid you not. We chose cheaper petrol over better schools. That’s wise too.

Omojuwa

is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/BGX Publishing

The PDP candidate is fit and proper to lead Edo State, reckons BENJI IHENYEN

A VOTE FOR ASUE IGHODALO

In this season of campaigns and politics, it is easy to accuse anyone of partisanship. This is moreso in the current campaign for the governor in Edo State where the stakes are so high and the political divide is so wide.

Comrade Adams Oshiomohle, the current senator representing Edo North Senatorial District of the state is a reoccurring name in the election campaign for good and for bad. He brought the current governor Godwin Obaseki to the state as an adviser. The relationship soon blossomed to the point Godwin Obaseki was the senator’s best man at his second wedding. The wedding attracted media attention. Buhari as president graced the occasion as well as the leader of APC and now the current president Bola Tinubu. They were on hand to wish the couple well.

Godwin Obaseki soon became Oshomhole’s favourite and it did not come as a surprise he influenced his emergence as Edo governor under APC ticket. But the relationship soon turned sour, and Obaseki decamped to PDP and the rest as it is said is history.

It has to be noted that another technocrat Oshomhole invited to assist him in governance was Asue Ighodalo. He worked as an adviser to Oshomhole for eight years. And when Oshomhole lost his first wife, Clara, who hailed from Ewohimi (the home town of Asue Ighodalo) Oshomhole stayed in Asue Ighodalo’s country home throughout the duration of the burial. Does it not sound curious that Oshomhole is now telling the world Asue Ighodalo has no house in his village?

In a very rare outburst, Asue Ighodalo said Oshomhole talks before thinking.

Ordinarily, the race is supposed to be between the candidates: Senator Monday Okpebholo of APC and Asue Ighodalo of PDP. While Ighodalo has visited all the 18 local government areas and wards selling himself and his manifesto, his opponent is hardly seen and sadly, hardly heard. Instead, his surrogates are the ones speaking on his behalf.

On few occasions he has tried to speak at campaigns, but it has been a disaster and a serial embarrassment. His campaign has shielded him from interviews in print and electronic media. How can a candidate seek to be a governor without speaking to the people? The Esan people are worried that “a puppet” who will easily be manipulated by forces outside Esan land is desperately at work for his selfish interest. In the view of most people, Esan man may be in office and the power may be elsewhere. What is office

without power?

It is even more concerning when Senator Monday Okpebholo’s campaign structure is dominated by people outside Esan. Who for instance was Oshiomhole’s first choice as candidate? It was the current deputy governorship candidate who has now be foisted as the deputy to Senator Monday Okpebholo. Do you smell a rat? From day one, this ambition has been established and loyalty in question.

Compare this to how Asue Ighodalo emerged as candidate. Godwin Obaseki from day one said it was the turn of Esan, that is, Edo Central Senatorial District has to produce the governor for the sake of justice, equity and fair play. Edo North had produced Oshomhole, and Obaseki the current governor js from Edo South. He never imposed any candidate on Esan.

Chief Tom Ikimi, an elder statesman and the committee he led was mandated to screen interested aspirants. All the aspirants attended interview at the country home of the chief. At the end of the rigorous exercise, Asue Ighodalo came out top. Where did Godwin Obaseki influence the choice of the candidate from this transparent process? Chief Tom Ikimi is highly respected in local and national politics. Does he look like someone that can be manipulated? We should thank Godwin Obaseki for stating from day one that an Esan man or woman has emerged as the next governor of Edo State.

A few people have expressed the fear that Godwin Obaseki may influence and manipulate Asue Ighodalo in office. The question to ask is: does Asue Ighodalo look like someone that can easily be manipulated? His educational background, his work experience including boardroom background at the highest levels are there for all to see. He is a University of Ibadan- trained economist; London School of Economics and Political Science-trained lawyer; former chairman of Nigeria Breweries; former Chairman of a bank and board member of many thriving companies and lots more. We should be grateful to have such a man at the helm of affairs in Edo State. He is eminently qualified and well equipped for the position he seeks.

Ihenyen,

a Journalist, writes from Benin

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE FLOODING OF MAIDUGURI

It pays to be proactive

We commiserate with the residents of Maiduguri caught in the flooding this week. It will take a long time for the ugly experience to ebb from their memories even after the water must have receded. With about two dozens dead and more than 400,000 displaced, the flood has severely impacted several neighbourhoods, including Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin where people are being forced to evacuate their homes for camps on higher ground. The situation has been exacerbated by wild animals fleeing from the flooded state zoo. Snakes, crocodiles, and ostriches have reportedly been seen roaming the streets, adding to the chaos and danger for residents.

This awful event brings to the fore the need for vigilance and installation of early warning systems across the country. Storms will always come but it is important for the government to put in place mitigation and adaptation strategies. These can be achieved through early information flow to the communities. Those in charge of dams usually know from calibration when the water is getting to levels that could cause it to either overflow or burst. This is the reason for controlled release of water from dams after people likely to be affected have been alerted. With more vigilance, the burst of the Alau Dam that released most of the water could have been prevented. But we understand that government agencies charged with the responsibility of monitoring the weather and warning residents about impending storms are poorly funded and ill-equipped. And regrettably, authorities in Borno State were not proactive, because they issued the flood alert on the day the dam collapsed. Borno State government warning came too late. They should have known and done better, because this is not the first time the dam would collapse. In 1994,

this same Alau Dam collapsed, leading to widespread devastation. Indeed, nearly half of Maiduguri was submerged.

Government and public-spirited individuals should come to the aid of the people of Maiduguri in this most difficult period

T H I S D AY

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

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU

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

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recognises the imperative of having a flood preparedness plan for communities in the Chad Basin. “Any slight rainfall or flow of rivers from upstream, can cause problems for Maiduguri,” according to Zakari Haruna of NiMet, who explained how the tragedy could have been averted or mitigated. “I don’t know how they manage that dam, but it may have been overflowed by the consistent heavy rains we have been having, and the river above Maiduguri from the Chad Basin that has been making water collection beyond normal.” When it comes to the issue of flooding, three federal government agencies coordinate activities. NiMet produces information that is used by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) while the Nigeria Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) is responsible for mitigation. In NiMet’s view, most of those areas in August, September, and part of October would witness above-normal rainfall. The dam management is crucial in this regard. One option is to perform a sustained release of the water and if it is not done, the dam will either overflow or breakout, according to experts.

Describing the flooding of Maiduguri as a monumental disaster, the Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey admonished that there must be adequate support to all the displaced people “not just in terms of immediate needs, but in terms of ensuring their long-term recovery.”

We endorse his prescription as we call on government and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the people of Maiduguri in this most difficult period.

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.

BALA MUHAMMED'S LOYALTY TO JONATHAN

Senator Bala Muhammed, Governor of Bauchi State, is a man whose exemplary loyalty and friendship to former President Goodluck Jonathan should be case study for students of political science and politicians in particular.

When the contentious issue of Doctrine of Necessity was needed and adopted by the National Assembly in 2010 to make Jonathan the acting president of Nigeria, history reported that it was then Senator Bala Muhammed that coined and championed the cause among his colleagues at the National Assembly to enable Jonathan to be sworn in as acting president.

It would be recalled that then President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua did not hand over to his vice president (Jonathan) before proceeding on medical leave outside the country. When the politics of Yar'Adua's succession raged and the country was in quagmire as to how to go about it, Bala Muhammed was at the forefront of strict constitutional compliance regardless of religious and ethnic sentiments.

He became a Senator in 2007. This writer doubts if Jonathan knew him before that time or contributed in any way in making him a Senator. However, as a man of conscience, he insisted that the right thing should be done according to constitutional provisions.

President Jonathan appointed him as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He left his Senate seat to take up the job of a minister primarily to help stabilize the Jonathan's government. He was not sycophantic or jobless to have championed Jonathan's acting presidency. After all, he had a job as a sitting senator. In this current government, we have seen where a serving minister, Simon Lalong, resigned his ministerial position to become a senator. Therefore, Bala Muhammed could not have done what he did for Jonathan just to become a minister. Furthermore, one thing that is germane and instructive about Bala Muhammed's commendable friendship and loyalty to Jonathan is his consistency. He was not the only one appointed by Jonathan. However, since Jonathan lost

power in 2015, how many of his political appointees still identify with him publicly? Governor Bala Muhammed is obviously the best in that regard. Even in Jonathan's home state of Bayelsa, he applied his presidential power in ensuring a sitting governor did not get a second term. He made another one a governor, yet there were problems.

Recently, Governor Bala Muhammed was quoted to have said that he would not contest the presidency in 2027 should Jonathan indicates interest in the position. He made it emphatic that only Jonathan's ambition could stop him from contesting. That's undiluted loyalty! He still believes that Jonathan was harassed out of power due to his minority origin. Of course, Nigerians have witnessed and seen that comparison between Jonathan's government and his successors is akin to day and night. Jonathan obviously represents day.

Ifenyi Maduako, Owerri via ifeanyimaduako2017@gmail.com

FOCUS

Ojeaga: A Dedication to Breaking Barriers

Bayo Akinloye

Obehi Ojeaga, the General Manager of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at Quinn McGrath Limited, plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s operations, overseeing communication, government relations and sustainability for Quinn McGrath Limited, the parent organisation of Nigeria Machine Tools Limited (the leading integrated industrial, engineering, and manufacturing firm, as well as Badagry Development Port Limited).

Over the years, she has brought to fruition ideas and concepts that have benefitted her organisation and many other facets of society. Not known for half measures, Ojeaga is respected for and trusted to go the extra mile. Her corporate dossier is filled with testimonies of breaking barriers and reinventing the norms while building bridges and bridging gaps.

As a resourceful professional, Ojeaga is committed to personal and organisational development.

She holds a master’s in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in the United Kingdom, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Advertising Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria (APCON).

Ojeaga’s know-how, sense of duty, dedication and ingenuity always shine through in every enterprise she undertakes. As a leader of men and women, the corporate guru illustrates the purposefulness of hard work, honesty, hindsight and insight. Her clear vision underlines her foresight and the intensity of her commitment to work.

“I’m particularly proud of launching Career Masterclass, Nigeria. In 2017, following a conversation over tea with a dear friend and founder of Career Masterclass UK (an organisation that focuses on enabling career growth for the BAME community, especially amongst women), we decided to start a similar initiative in Nigeria,” Ojeaga tells AOW in an interview.

She adds, “The decision to launch in Nigeria was in response to the many requests from our growing community of professional women in Nigeria who follow activities in the United Kingdom. I was delighted that we are finally able to serve these discerning Nigerian women as we know that the principles taught at the events are applicable globally wherever you work. The goal is to be the go-to hub for professional women in Nigeria by incorporating the local Nigerian nuances into the tried and tested Career Masterclass approach.”

Her depth of intuition is often used to champion the cause of others.

“Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world, and when they work together, great things happen,” Ojeaga points out.

Ojeaga is a result-oriented professional and influential leader renowned for her strategic acumen and exceptional relationship management skills. Her fervour for organisational effectiveness, sustainable impact, and leadership development for young people

distinguishes her in the field.

“My fundamental philosophy is that we owe it to new talents, the organisation and ourselves to be selfless and share knowledge through mentorship if we ultimately want to move the organisation forward. When you share knowledge, it’s the only way to remain immortal,” says Ojeaga.

According to her, mentorship and knowledge sharing have helped mankind survive and evolve into an intelligent and productive species.

Currently serving as the General Manager of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at Quinn McGrath Limited, Ojeaga plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s operations. She oversees communication, government relations and sustainability for Quinn McGrath Limited, the parent organisation of Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, the foremost integrated industrial, engineering, and manufacturing firm, as well as Badagry Development Port Limited.

In her capacity, Ojeaga provides visionary leadership, directs business operations, and guides teams to achieve business objectives while enhancing overall organisational performance. Her efforts have been instrumental in business growth, client relationship management, operational efficiency, waste reduction, and cost discipline.

With over 18 years of diverse experience, Obehi has successfully driven growth and implemented corporate strategies across various sectors, including FMCG, telecommunications, industrial engineering, manufacturing, and oil and gas. Her international experience spans

the United Kingdom, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. Throughout her career, she has managed business development, relationship management, corporate social responsibility, investor relations, and corporate communications, working with notable brands such as Oando PLC, MTech PLC, Clarins, Estee Lauder, Econet, Vmobile, MTN, and GLO.

Ojeaga is a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion, actively promoting local capabilities and capacity across the oil and gas value chain, which earned her a seat at the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) committee on in-country manufacturing, capacity and capabilities for specific products.

“I have learnt to embrace who I am and my femininity,” she states. “One piece of advice I give everyone is to stand out for what makes you different. I have gotten used to seeing the conference room filled with dark-suited people, a contrast to my pink shoes and bold colours.”

Her commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion is reflected in her roles as a member of the Oil and Gas Council: Africa Assembly Women’s Council and AOWomen at Africa Oil Week, initiatives aimed at bridging the gender gap in the oil and gas industry. She is also dedicated to promoting local talent and products, leveraging her position to support and elevate Nigerian enterprises.

“By mentoring employees, we are establishing them with the knowledge needed to advance their skillset. We are also learning from them how to be better teachers and leaders and how to get the best out of our future co-workers,”

Ojeaga explains. “But this cannot be done in isolation. The organisation needs to have a mentorship-friendly structure in place.”

Her dedication to improving workplace environments for women is evidenced by her successful advocacy for a world-class lactation room for a renowned indigenous company, which contributed to a significant increase in the company’s female employee population from 21 per cent in 2016 to 38 per cent in 2017. It is fitting, therefore, that Ojeaga leads the Brighter Girls Initiative Advisory Board Communications project, aiming to build a supportive community for girls to maximise their potential. She has also served as the regional leader of Africa for a non-governmental organisation focused on advancing women’s careers.

Ojeaga’s equanimity has made her stand out over the years, bustling with ideas and tremendous dexterity. Ojeaga’s persona is a metaphor for passion, perseverance and perspicacity.

While broad-minded, she admits, “At the moment, a passion of mine is pushing for more ‘women-focused’ plenary sessions in sector events. I’ve been privileged to work with a lot of event organisers in positioning women at the centre of the core discourse in the energy sector.”

As a champion of women’s rightful place in society and the corporate stratosphere, Ojeaga places a high premium on inclusion.

“It’s all about including men in the discussion. This was something I found at first quite daunting,” says Ojeaga. “But it’s important that men also get to hear our voices and for women to see how we can collaborate and work together more efficiently across companies and within the industry.”

Ojeaga’s trajectory is not paved with gold, emerald, diamond, or jasper. She has often had to walk the tightrope of occupying a space in the so-called man’s world. For Ojeaga, though the path daunting and lonely could be, there is always one way to turn: forward.

“The one thing that stands out is that the logistics of getting into a maledominated sector were tough, and rising to a position where I commanded respect was even tougher,” Ojeaga admits. “For a long time, it was an old boys’ network. However, I feel I have managed to keep my head high and face whatever challenge came my way.”

She holds the aces in many places. Sublime and successful, Ojeaga, however, does not rest on her laurels. She thrives in taking up challenges and delights in achieving breakthroughs where barriers are erected, especially in business sectors where there appears to be a glass ceiling.

“We need to normalise the concept of women-led departments and womenchampioned causes,” Ojeaga points out. “Quotas help with this because they make it mandatory for women to be there.”

She adds, “However, quotas work best in tandem with positive action and reorientation. The next step would be to ensure that equal value is placed on the work done and that women and men get to understand, practice, and appreciate different working styles so that they understand the best way to be effective in this industry, sector, and society.”

Obehi Ojeaga

Arthur Eriye

The federal government’s aggregate receipt of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in Q2 2024, stood at N1.56 trillion, indicating a growth rate of 9.11 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis from N1.43 trillion in Q1 2024.

The figure represents a 99.82 per cent increase compared to the

N781.35 billion collected in the corresponding quarter of last year.

According to numbers released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the Q2 VAT rose by 9.11 per cent from N1.43 trillion in Q1 2024.

The data showed that local VAT payments recorded were N792.58 billion, foreign VAT payments stood at N395.74 billion, while import VAT contributed N372.95 billion in Q2 2024.

activities with 59.75 per cent.

Analysis of the NBS numbers showed that human health and social work activities recorded the highest growth rate with 98.44 per cent, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing with 70.26 per cent, and water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation

Contrarily, activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use had the lowest growth rate with –46.84 per cent, followed by real estate activities with –42.59 per cent.

In terms of sectoral contributions, the top three largest shares in Q2

2024 were manufacturing with 11.78 per cent; information and communication with 9.02 per cent; and mining and quarrying with 8.79 per cent.

“Nevertheless, activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use recorded the least share with 0.00

percent, followed by activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies with 0.01 per cent; and water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities with and Real Estate Services 0.04 per cent each.

“However, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in Q2 2024 increased by 99.82 per cent from Q2 2023,” NBS stated.

Dana Air in Dilemma over Settlement of 500 Laid Off Staff after Suspension of Operations

Dana Air, one of the major airline operators in Nigeria, is currently facing another challenge on how to settle the over 500 workers that it laid off after its operation was suspended in April this year.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended the airline, when one of its aircraft over shot the runway on landing at the Lagos airport during heavy downpour.

NCAA had also directed that the airline should do away with its MD 82/83 aircraft, which are now permanently grounded, leaving it only two Boeing 737 aircraft.

The regulatory authority said it is also not pleased with the airline’s financials, which according to it could not buoy it to safe operations.

Following the inability of the airline to meet all safety regulations and other conditions given it by NCAA, the airline, in May this year, disengaged its workers without severance payment. Since the disengagement, the affected workers, numbering over 500, have continued

to wait without clear directions from their employer.

THISDAY learnt that the founder of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani has put its aircraft on sale to raise money to pay off the workers. THISDAY also learnt that a new entrant into the aviation industry, NG Eagle, has taken one of the two Boeing 737 aircraft with registration number 5N-DNA, while the second Boeing is in maintenance facility overseas.

Although it is not certain whether NG Eagle outrightly purchased the aircraft or it was leased to it, sources from NCAA confirmed to THISDAY that the airline owner wanted to use the money generated from the aircraft to pay off the workers.

The Director of Communication and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, told THISDAY that the acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, had met with Dana Air and NG Eagle officials to discuss the refund of money to customers who bought travel tickets from the airline before it was suspended. They also discussed about the money the airline owed NCAA and also about the settlement

of the workers that were laid off by the airline.

“The Director General had met with the top officials of Dana Air and NG Eagle to discuss issues including how to refund passengers who are willing to collect their money for their tickets, the money the airline owed NCAA and how to settle the workers of the airline that have been laid off.

“The core mandate of NCAA is to ensure safety and security in airline operations in Nigeria. The Director General does not play with any issue that has to do with safety and security,” Achimugu said.

Although, NG Eagle has taken over the Boeing 737 aircraft, the workers of the airline said they have not heard anything yet from the airline, but Achimugu told THISDAY that the airline was doing everything possible to generate money and pay off the workers.

However, THISDAY investigation revealed that before the Boeing 737 was given to NG Eagle, it was rejected by two airlines, which concluded that the aircraft did not meet their airworthiness standard.

The first airline (name withheld) sent its engineers to look at the aircraft and after the technical review, declined to take the aircraft.

The second airline also rejected the aircraft when it failed to meet its expectations in terms of engine capacity, as it could not secure the aircraft Airworthiness Directive (AD), which gives details of when the aircraft was last serviced and when it is due for major maintenance from the owners.

“We wanted to acquire the Boeing 737 aircraft, which is now with NG Eagle, but could not because we wanted to get the aircraft AD but the management could not give it to us. Also, the two engines of the aircraft are not of the same capacity. We suspected that one engine is 20KK and the other is 22KK horsepower. This means that in operating them you need to apply staggered throttle. This can be corrected but it has to be done by Boeing and when we approached Boeing for the correction they requested for the serial number, which we gave them

and they said it was going to cost about $120, 000. We felt that we would not spend that much on the aircraft. It may be that NG Eagle made the correction before they changed the aircraft livery to theirs,” an airline insider told THISDAY.

The Management of NG Eagle last week announced through NCAA that it would refund passengers who bought ticket from Dana Air. But so far, it is not clear whether NG Eagle has acquired the aforementioned aircraft from Dana Air. However, industry insiders are of the view that for the airline to have changed the livery of the aircraft, it means that it has been acquired by the new airline.

Last week, NCAA announced that NG Eagle would be responsible for honouring flight tickets and processing refunds for passengers affected by the suspension of Dana Air operations.

The acting Director-General of NCAA, Captain Najomo confirmed that his management team had met with Dana Air and its new partner, NG Eagle, to address

the concerns of passengers who had paid for flights that were not operated due to the suspension.

“The resolution is that NG Eagle will be taking up this obligation, Dana Air has informed that while alternative modalities were being put in place to treat cash refund requests, passengers who intend to utilise their tickets for travel will be able to do so on NG Eagle,” Najomo said.

A Dana Air insider, however, told THISDAY that he was not sure that an open contract has been signed by the two airlines, saying that maybe NG Eagle may settle the refund issue to the airline’s customers by using the PR number on the tickets.

On the severance package for the workers of the airline, a former senior staff of the airline, told THISDAY that the uncertainty about the whole issue was that the owner of the airline has wrapped his plan on when to pay the workers in secrecy.

Chinedu Eze

Air

WAtCh

As FAAN Fortifies Security at Nigerian Airports

Chinedu Eze

One of the major challenges in air transport is fortifying security at airports to protect travellers, aircraft and airport users.

Since the advent of terrorism, airport security had become very critical, as it has become a crucial factor in certifying and evaluating airports around the world.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has enjoyed good records in terms of security since the averted tragedy in air transport, when the underwear bomber, Abdulmutallab, was stopped from bombing North West Airlines Flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. It was only in Nigeria that the passenger processing of Abdulmutallab was captured in video despite the fact that he came from Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport to Lagos and from Lagos to Amsterdam and was also processed for final departure to US from the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

Throwing light on the efforts to improve security and deploy technology advanced security equipment to further fortify the airports, FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security Services (AVSEC), ACP Afegbai Albert Igbafe, spoke extensively on what the agency is doing to ensure a more secure airports.

He said shortly after he was appointed as a director, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) carried out audit on airport security and the country passed it and since them the agency has been trying to improve in accordance to international standards and recommended practices.

“When we came on board, we had the ICAO audit and they gave us their own marks. We met a lot of issues when we came on board. We tried to fix a lot of them by providing some of the amenities like the CCTV cameras, we upgraded them. Now, presently, we are trying to do access control whereby every individual that is coming to the airport will be properly checked because we found that we have a lot of concessionaires, we have a lot of security people who are not supposed to be on the airport that come in and out. So right now put the access control in place, I think it will help us a great lot and we have a lot of gaps during the ICAO audits; so, we’re trying to close the gaps,” he said.

Over the years there has been the controversial perimeter fencing of the airports. It is believed that it should be the primary protection of the airport territory but many airports under the management of FAAN do not have this facility.

Igbafe said because the airports had remained porous there had been incursions but explained that efforts have been made to improve the situation.

“Perimeter fencing is an issue in the sense that since we came on board, we had witnessed a lot of encroachments in the perimeter areas, especially at the Lagos airport because it’s a vast land. We have been trying to put it in place with the little resources we have. We have deployed security operatives to engage on patrol measures. We have patrol at night. We have observation posts, which are being manned by the AVSEC personnel. Then we have the joint patrols with the military, the Air Force, and the AVSEC personnel. And because of the monitoring of perimeter area, we just recently launched the armed unit of the AVSEC.

“But most of the issue we have has to do with the fencing. We all came about with this commander and a lot of the fencing have been destroyed by the neighbouring communities. I will tell you this is a big challenge because we will get as many as 20 to 30

NAHCO Welcomes Emirates Back to Nigerian as Flights Resume October

Stories by Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has secured the bid to provide passenger and cargo ground handling services for Dubai based mega carrier, Emirates Airlines at the Lagos airport, as the Middle East carrier is scheduled to resume flight services in October.

The company said in a statement that this renewed contract underscores NAHCO’s unrelenting commitment to delivering exceptional ground handling services and highlight its role as a critical partner in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The agreement with Emirates Airlines reinforces NAHCO’s position as the

trusted service provider to some of the world’s leading airlines.

Chairman, NAHCO Plc, Dr. Seinde Fadeni, said: “We are honoured to welcome Emirates Airlines back to Nigeria and to continue our longstanding relationship with this important airline.

Securing this renewal is a testament to NAHCO’s consistent quality of service and the trust our partners place in us. We look forward to further strengthening valued partnerships and continuing to set the standard for ground handling in Nigeria.”

Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development at NAHCO Plc, Prince Saheed Lasisi, said: “Our successful renewal of this contract with

Emirates Airlines is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire NAHCO team. We are proud to be the preferred ground handlers once again for Emirates as they resume their flights to Nigeria. Our focus remains on delivering world-class services that meet and exceed the expectations of our airline partners.”

Also, the Group Managing Director/CEO of NAHCO Plc, Mr. Indranil Gupta, noted that it was a privilege to have been chosen once more by Emirates Airlines for their ground handling needs at Lagos Airport, and to extend the company’s successful partnership with one of world’s leadingairlines.

NAMA Showcases Key Achievements of Aviation Sector

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Ahmed Umar, along with NAMA’s top management team, is attending the 14th Air Navigation Conference (AN-Conf/14) at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

The conference is a critical global platform that gathers aviation experts to discuss issues concerning air traffic management, safety, security, and

intruders every night. They continued to come because we do not have strong punitive measures against them. When we hand them over to the police before we know they are released. The Legal Department of FAAN is collaborating with the Attorney General of the state to help us get mobile courts so that these things will be handled swiftly,” he said.

On the allegation of money laundering, which the Minister hinted that airlines airlift funds for their clients, the Director said that the Minister launched a task force on that and the members of the task force are currently investigating private aircraft owners.

“When you are talking about money laundering it is a different ball game, because we are talking about private jet owners, we had a meeting with the NSA (National Security Adviser), who gave us some guidance and gave us some instructions and gave us some orders that we are following through the Minister and the Managing Director of FAAN.

“But we are monitoring them. With the task force in place, what we want to do first of all is to make sure all the private jet owners adhere to the rules of FAAN, whereby everybody that is coming through the hangers will be properly screened by the AVSEC p ersonnel. That is being worked out. So, we are trying to launch the fast track. But the fast track system is not going to be just only for the VIPs. Anybody that is interested will come in if you want to be attended to swiftly, seamlessly. It happens all over the world. We have witnessed it in America; at Chicago airport. They have a fast track system,” he further said.

Igbafe said nobody would be given preferential treatment at the airport and everyone would go through the security screening process

“Even my Minister subjects himself to search; my Managing Director subjects herself to security screening. I subject myself to screening too. You will pass through the screening in machines or the body detector machine. You must adhere to the rules when you come to the airport,” he added.

On using technology to enhance security, the AVSEC Director said on his appointment he introduced data base system and noted that AVSEC remained a professional body where the staff members undergo regular training, including training on screening which they are given certificate at the end. They also undergo instructor courses in accordance to ICAO standards.

“So, what we are putting in place is, we are preparing an algorithm whereby everybody will put in the database. And with the flick of the button, we know who have done their courses, those who are certified, the time they are supposed to go for certification, the time their certificates will be expiring. All those are being worked on,” he further said.

On the deployment of artificial intelligence to improve security at the airports, the AVSEC Director said the Minister is looking at some companies who have made propositions to bring in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

“We are going to do the access control, and the access control will work with AI system. This is whereby when somebody is coming into the airport they will be captured by the camera and everything inside them will reflect in the system. If you have any weapons with you, if you have anything that is with you, the AI will detect it, and immediately send a signal to the command center. We are working on that,” Igbafe said.

operational efficiency and NAMA delegation used the opportunity to showcase the achievements the sector has recorded over the years.

The NCAA, as Nigeria’s aviation regulatory body, is the focal agency for coordinating Nigeria’s participation in ICAO’s global initiatives.

The 14th Air Navigation Conference, centered around the theme: ‘Performance Improvement Driving Sustainability’, with the aim

of fostering global consensus on performance improvement initiatives. The discussions were vital as they addressed how ICAO member states, including Nigeria, could adapt to aviation’s environmental challenges and the rapid advancements in operational technologies.

During the conference, technical experts engaged in detailed discussions, which are expected to lead to high-level recommendations in air navigation and safety.

ISN Set to Host 2024 Annual

In response to the need for growth of innovation hubs, startups and the overwhelming opportunities for collaboration within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem, the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Hubs is set to organize the fifth edition of her Annual Gathering in Akwa Ibom State.

The event holding between October 29th and November 1st 2024, themed, “Scaling Together,

Building a Collaborative Culture for Nigerian Innovation,” amongst other activities, showcase the efforts of ISN towards supporting the growth of Innovation Hubs across Nigeria.

The event is expected to attract over 10,000 participants including innovation hubs, startups, investors, development partners, corporates, policymakers, advocates, academia and other ecosystem stakeholders,

Meeting

converging to explore the enormous potential of collaboration to drive innovation and economic growth across the country.

The ISN Annual Gathering 2024 will also feature an annual general meeting, designed to review the progress of the organisation, a Deal Room where investors meet inventors from its member Hub clusters and emerging businesses for collaboration.

The Flipside of Nigerian Airports

The recent report, which showed how Nigerian airports recorded poor rating in passenger comfort among major airports in Africa, has prompted industry experts to identify major factors that make the airports inimical to travellers, writes chinedu eze

Last weekend the Minister of Aviation and Aeronautical Development, Festus Keyamo, carried out inspection tour of the E-Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and he was impressed by the new facilities installed at the terminal.

He commended the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the electronics billboard directing travellers on how to report to FAAN management if they were harassed by security operatives at the airport. He was also impressed by the new, state-of-the-art conveniences built for arriving passengers at the terminal.

“There is a great improvement here. The management and staff of FAAN have worked very hard at making this place look very welcoming and a big lift from where it was before. This is not where we are going. This is not our big plan for the airport. But this is a low-hanging fruit we can lash on for now. We want to make the place as conducive as possible for passengers who are coming into Nigeria. And that is why you can see that the management has actually initiated very simple ideas and executed very simple ideas to make the place very cozy.

“There is need for more lighting, new toilets, new signs. For instance, I want to show Nigerians this in particular. Now, we have been very concerned, Nigerians have been very concerned about the issue of harassment at the airport, touting at the airport, extortion by even uniformed personnel. This is our first step in addressing this issue, which is what you have seen here. So, for Nigerians, please look at this. When you come into the E-Wing of the international airport in Lagos, you are going to see a sign discouraging, touting, extortion and general harassment of passengers coming into Nigeria,” the Minister said.

Although impressed and encouraged by what FAAN did, the Minister promised that the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would do more to revamp the international airports, adding that he has received a nod from the President to evolve transparent process to concession the major airports.

But it is the view of industry experts that before the lofty plan would come to fruition, there are critical issues the management of FAAN would attend to in

order to make the airports, especially international airports, conducive for travellers.

It has been reiterated variously that passengers pay a lot of taxes at the airports and despite the criticism by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which described Abuja and Lagos airports the costliest airports in Africa and among the tops in the world in terms of taxes paid by passengers, FAAN is still introducing new charges. Many travellers have also adduced that it is only at Nigerian airports that passengers pay for trolleys because trolleys are free in most airports in the world.

PAsseNger FAciliTATioN

Aviation industry experts have excoriated the delays encountered by passengers during the boarding process, from the time they entered the terminal to the time they queue to get the boarding pass. They identified major cause of the delay to security checks. They noted that unlike in many airports in the world, there are too many security checks and too many security personnel, many of whom impair quick passenger movement. They noted that at first many of the security operatives appear stern and business-like and when they push passengers to a corner with real

or trumped up allegation, they melt to extortion. I can tell you that any security system at the airports or elsewhere, where security personnel compromise their status through bribery or extortion, that security system is compromised. And that is what happens every day at the airports.

So, industry experts who spoke to THISDAY identified factors that inhibit passenger comfort at international airports and these include too many security personnel and too many checks. They noted that most security personnel come to make money at the airports. Then there is the issue of cleanliness of the airports, especially the toilets and at the departure there are no enough seats at the old international terminal.

They also spoke about the menace of the tow van operators and the newly set up task force to eradicate touts at the international airports that use the opportunity given to them to engage in illicit businesses.

The Chairman of West Link Airlines Limited, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, asserted that all operatives at the airports must abide by the rules and regulations of FAAN, which is the landlord, stressing that they must obey FAAN’s processes.

“FAAN is landlord and their processes should be first respected. There should be passengers’

free flow.. That’s a good order but we should handle it with national security in mind. There are too many checks and check points should be dismantled.Today, machines exist that can detect drugs and other things in luggage. FAAN should acquire them and keep them before the terminal for arriving luggage and after checkin and before the departure containers for departing luggage. Hand luggage can be scanned also and suspicious items could be pulled aside. If you miss your flight once, you will amend next time not to carry suspicious items in hand luggage. It happens outside Nigeria; so, we can also do it here,” he said.

MulTiPle securiTy AgeNcies

Aviation security expert and the CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), told THISDAY that one of the major problems of Nigeria’s airports today was the introduction of multiple security agencies and multiple control.

Ojikutu recalled that even before the incident of 9/11, “the Al Gore Report and the establishment of the TSA (Transport Security Administration) in the US, we have tried similar thing as the TSA at the MMIA in 1993/94 when I was the Military Airport Commandant.”

He said during that time there was an attempt to have one Airport Security Committee, where all the government security agencies like Immigration, Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and others would be under one command.

“Those in the management of the government aviation agencies need to read Annex 17.3.1.5 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which asked member nation to create National Aviation Security Committee and not National Civil Aviation Security Committee as against the National Civil Aviation Security Committee that is contained in the Nig CARs (Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations) that provides for FAAN to be coordinating the government security agencies working in the airport for aviation security functions.

t he story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Operators: Port Concession Ensured Job Security, Better Remuneration for Dockworkers

Eromosele Abiodun

Terminal operators at the nation’s seaports yesterday in Lagos said Nigeria’s port concession policy has been a transformative game-changer which has ensured job security and improved remuneration and welfare for dockworkers.

Stakeholders, who gathered at the 2024 Dockworkers Day organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in collaboration with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), in Lagos, said the Dockworkers are the backbone of Nigeria’s seaborne trade, yet their inputs usually go unnoticed.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, said, as the unsung heroes of the maritime industry, dockworkers play a crucial role in ensuring smooth operation of the nation’s ports. She emphasized that their

skills, expertise, and dedication facilitate the movement of goods, stimulate trade, and drive economic growth.

Haastrup applauded SCAN for initiating and organising the Dockworkers’ Day, saying: “Your pioneering idea of shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked heroes of our ports is truly praiseworthy, and your dedication to annually celebrating their vital role is truly laudable.”

She said by introducing private sector expertise and investment at the port, the port concession has improved working conditions and safety standards, enhanced productivity and efficiency, increased job security and better remuneration, and provided training and development opportunities.

Prior to the 2006 port concession programme, she said dockworkers faced numerous challenges, including poor remuneration, lack of conditions of service, and lack of identifiable employers.

“Today, dockworkers have comprehensive and robust conditions of service, which include health insurance, life insurance, workmen compensation, pension, gratuity, and bonuses,” she said.

Speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola lauded the SCAN, stating that the annual Dockworkers Day celebration will enable government to take appropriate policy decisions that will sustain the great strides already achieved in the maritime industry.

Represented by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, he said that the Dockworkers Day event is coming at a time the federal government has committed to maximally harness potentials in marine and blue economy sectors to ensure improved productivity, creation of jobs for teeming youths, increase in revenue generation and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in order to attain sustainable development in the country.

Bridgewater, Global Citizen to Economic Development Assemble in Abidjan

The inaugural Economic Development Assembly: Advancing Africa’s Future is set to take place on October 9 and 10 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Focused on mobilizing significant financial investments from G20 countries to support the World Bank’s IDA21 replenishment, the timely two-day gathering will convene Heads of State, finance ministers, private sector leaders, Multilateral Development Banks and civil society to address and dismantle development barriers across Africa, setting the continent’s trajectory for equitable and sustainable growth. The Economic Development Assembly is presented by Global Citizen and Bridgewater Associates, in partnership with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and Harith General Partners, and

supported by Global Citizen’s global partner Citi.

“The Economic Development Assembly will make a compelling investment case for the G20 – the world’s largest economies – to increase their contributions to IDA and enable its replenishment goal of $120 billion by December 2024. Topics and themes to be addressed include the opportunity presented by the continent’s creative economy, catalyzing private investment to build on IDA’s efforts in Africa, the future of ethical investing and addressing debt to accelerate development,” the organisers said in a statement.

“IDA is the world’s largest, most effective fund for fighting extreme poverty in the most vulnerable countries across the

globe — many of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fully funded, IDA can help improve living conditions for more than 1.5 billion people,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO, Global Citizen. “As a public fund, IDA needs G20 governments to massively accelerate urgent and strategic investments in its replenishment this December, so the potential of Africa’s booming young demographic can be unlocked to become an asset for the continent and the world.”

“Africa is at a crossroads with a demographic boom on the horizon. That boom will have significant implications and opportunities for the trajectory of the continent and the globe,” said Nir Bar Dea, CEO, Bridgewater Associates.

Unity Bank Targets N4bn Profit in Q4 2024

Kayode Tokede

Unity Bank Plc has projected gross earnings of N27 billion and a Profit After Tax of N4 billion in the fourth quarter of (Q4 2024), in its latest earnings forecast released to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

Although the projected gross earnings represent a marginal increase from the N26 billion projected for Q3 2024, the lender continues to maintain a profitable outlook, with pre-tax

profit expected at N4.2 billion.

An analysis of the earnings forecast shows that the lender also expects interest income to rise from N23 billion to N24.5 billion, with net revenue expected to rise marginally by one per cent to N7.2 billion within the quarter compared to N6.5 billion in Q3, 2024.

Net operating income is projected at N12 billion, while cash flow from financing activities is projected to rise to N481.4 billion from N353.6 billion, a

1.3per cent projected increase on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

This projected growth in cash flow from financing activities continues to reflect the lender’s growing liquidity position, which is essential for sustained business operations.

The lender said it expects to cover the milestones with a consistent optimistic outlook in its projection, barring any significant changes in the operating environment, under which the assumptions were made.

Nneka Chidoka Family Empowers Female Business Owners

Ejiofor Alike

In honour of what would have been Nneka Chidoka’s 76th birthday, her children have continued her legacy of compassion through the Nneka Chidoka Outreach Programme, with a grant of N100,000 each to female small business owners.

The late philanthropist and women leader passed last year after a 15-year battle with cancer, but her spirit lives on as her children have continued to support women. According to a statement by the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka on behalf of her children, 10

women were selected and each received a N100,000 grant on Friday to grow their businesses, in fulfilment of their mother’s dream of empowering female entrepreneurs.

The former minister revealed that he reached out on social media to female small business owners with a team of two to five staff.

“Ten women were selected from the overwhelming response and each received a N100,000 grant to grow their businesses—fulfilling our mother’s dream of empowering female entrepreneurs.

“Membership in my Mekaria Mentorship Programme was a

MARKET INDICATORS

factor in our choice of grantees. All the recipients would undergo the Mekaria Mentorship Foundation Course,” the statement explained.

Chidoka, who was also the Corps Marshall of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), stated that “our mother’s 15-year battle with cancer, made possible by early diagnosis, fuels our commitment to providing the same opportunity for women in need.

“So far, we have screened over 2,000 women for cancer, facilitated 60 free surgeries, treated over 1,000 people, and paid school fees for 500 students in Obosi,” he added.

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $87.33 a barrel on Monday, compared with $86.00 the previous Thursday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference

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

(Nigeria),

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

L-R: Managing Director, PTML, Mr. Ascanio Russo; Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Vicky Haastrup; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, and Director of Press, Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, Olujimi Oyetomi at the 2024 Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) Dockworkers’ Day celebration in Lagos yesterday.

Red Star Express Shareholders Commend N0.27kobo Dividend Payout Amid Challenges

Kayode Tokede

The shareholders of Red Star Express Plc, yesterday appreciated the management for paying N0.27 kobo from its 2024 financial year (FY) performance, stressing that the company last year withstand local and foreign macro economy challenges.

The company in 2024FY reported N16.13 billion revenue, representing an increase of 16.24 per cent from N13.87 billion reported in 2023FY.

Red Star Express’s profit after

tax closed 2024 FY at N343 million, an increase of 9.6 per cent over N313.9 million declared in 2023, while profit before tax for 2024 was at N542 million, compared to N593 million in 2023.

Additionally, the company’s Earning Per Share (EPS) stood at 36 kobo per 50 kobo share compared to 33 kobo per 50 kobo share in the previous year.

The management had recommended to shareholders a dividend of N0.27 kobo (2023: N0.20 kobo), amounting to a

total of N257.69million (2023: N190.88 million).

Speaking to shareholders at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Chairman, Red Star Express, Suleiman Barau stated that the company’s 2024 FY performance underscores its resilience and ability to adapt to challenges operating environment.

On future outlook, he said, “As we look ahead to the new financial year, we are excited about several strategic initiatives that position us for sustainable

growth and enhanced service delivery. One of our major initiatives includes the adoption of cutting-edge e-logistics technology to streamline our operations, improve efficiency, and expand our service offerings.

“Additionally, we are positioning our business to explore ore opportunities in the identified growth services that have significantly contributed to our financial year’s results. We remain committed to maintaining best practices in cost management to

ensure we continue to deliver strong performance and maximize returns for our esteemed shareholders.

“We are also committed to investing in our workforce through continuous training and development programs to ensure our tea remains highly skilled and motivated. By fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, we aim to maintain our leadership position in the logistics industry.

On his part, the Group Managing Director/ CEO, Red

Star Express, Mr. Auwalu Babura stated that the 2024 FY performance is a statement to the management successful expansion efforts and robust operational strategies. He expressed that the 2024FY performance has been a period of significant achievements for the company and its subsidiaries, stressing that the performance led to Red Star Express securing a certificate of registration as agents of foreign airlines, and also obtained a recruiter’s licence that further strengthen its service portfolios.

LIon AnogwI AnYAnwu:

Inspiring Selflessness, Service in nigeria

In a world where selflessness is a rare commodity, Lion Anogwi Anyanwu, the newly elected Multiple Council District Chairperson of Lions Club International in Nigeria, is on a mission to inspire a new generation of servant leaders to embrace the values of humanitarianism and community development. With a strong conviction that true fulfillment comes from serving others, he shares his vision for growing the Lions Club movement in Nigeria and making a meaningful impact in the lives of millions with MARY NNAH

Congratulations on your new role sir. Can you tell us what inspired you to take up this leadership position as the Lions Club Multiple Council District Chairperson in Nigeria?

Iwasn’t inspired to take on this role; I was selected to serve. The governors expressed their desire for me to work alongside them, and now, here I am. As their servant leader, I am committed to serving them.

Nigeria has six districts, and during their training in Chicago at our head office, the district governors gathered to discuss the selection of the multiple council chairperson. They asked, “Where will the multiple council chairperson come from?” and decided that it would be from District 404A3, which is my district. They then inquired, “Among the qualified individuals in District 404A3, who would you prefer?” and chose me without consulting me.

Following this, we attended the multiple district convention, where they announced that I would be joining their district and serving them. And so, I am now serving them. I have assured them that I am their dedicated chief servant.

What specific goals and initiatives do you plan to implement in the districts during your term as Multiple Council District Chairperson?

My goals for the multiple districts are to work with the district governors to achieve significant growth and expansion of our services. The Lions Club International has an ambition to move from 1.4 million to 1.5 million members, and I believe that in Nigeria, where we currently have 10,000 members, we should aim to increase our numbers to at least 13,000. My job is to work with the district governors to identify and invite individuals who share our passion for serving humanity to join us, so that we can render more services to those in need.

We have eight key areas of focus, including childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, environment, humanitarian service, sight, hunger relief, and youth. These are the areas where we aim to make a positive impact in the lives of people. It’s important to note that while the Lions Club is an international organization, every Lions Club is community-based, serving the local community. So, we have clubs like Akowonjo Lions Club, Yaba Lions Club, Ikeja Lions Club, Owerri Lions Club, Abakiliki Lions Club, Lions Club of Abuja, and many others, each serving their respective communities in various ways.

My goal is to work with the district governors to grow our numbers significantly from the current 10,000, especially considering that Nigeria has a population of 250 million people. We need to increase our membership to be able to serve more people and make a greater impact in their lives. We also need to ensure that our projects have a tangible impact on people’s lives. For instance, many of our clubs and districts have undertaken cataract surgeries for people with vision problems, while some of our governors are working to establish food banks to provide regular food supplies to hungry people.

We need to continue serving our communities, but we require more people to join us in this effort. Every Lion is a leader, and we need to continue developing leadership skills in all our members. Additionally, we need to contribute to the Lions Club International Foundation, which is the worldwide foundation that raises money and provides grants to Lions clubs and districts to enable them to render services to humanity. The Lions Club has a proud history of making a difference in Nigeria, from eradicating Onchocerciasis and measles to establishing critical healthcare infrastructure like the Lion Isaac Olushola Dada Dialysis Centre, eye hospitals in Warri, General Hospitals in Oshogbo and Akure, and dialysis hospitals

in Igando and Ogoja. We need to keep serving our communities, and we need more people to join us in this endeavour.

So what do you consider the biggest challenges facing the Lions Club in Nigeria and how do you intend to address them?

In my opinion, there are two significant challenges facing us. The first is the deteriorating economic condition, which continues to decline. As it worsens, people’s ability to have spare income to help others diminishes, making it a substantial challenge. However, I believe the second challenge is even more severe: the growing selfishness among humans, particularly in Africa. This is a major reason why the Lions Movement is not growing here.

I come from a village where Irish missionaries brought education, selflessly dedicating their lives to our community.

Despite having no personal connection to us, they left their comfortable lives, endured hardships, and even sacrificed their lives to malaria and other challenges to help us. Yet, now that we are more comfortable, we are reluctant to even bend down to lift someone in need. This growing selfishness is a far bigger problem than the economic situation. These two challenges are the most pressing issues I see.

Do you have projects you intend to embark on or continue from your predecessors?

As the Multiple Council District Chairperson, I don’t have personal projects that I plan to pursue. In the past, my predecessors have initiated projects, such as the one at the University of Medical Sciences in Akure or the nationwide diabetes screening program. However, my approach is different. Instead of launching my projects, I will focus on supporting the initiatives of my governors. They

have their projects, and I am committed to providing the necessary support to ensure their success.

What factors have contributed to the decline in membership numbers for Lions Clubs International in recent years?

The immediate cause of the decline in Lion’s Club membership is the sudden shock of the exchange rate problem, which has significantly increased economic challenges in the country over the past year. This has increased the amount required to be a Lion. According to Lions Club International policy, clubs that owe international dues for more than 120 days are cancelled. The sudden change in the economic situation has created a situation where several clubs, especially those in rural areas, were unable to meet their financial obligations and were subsequently cancelled.

To regroup and revitalise our clubs, we are seeking service-minded individuals who, despite the economic challenges, can still afford to pay their annual dues after meeting their basic needs. The Lion’s Club is a business club with a humanitarian focus, founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones, an insurance broker who transformed a businessmen’s club in Chicago into a humanitarian organisation.

Melvin Jones noticed that due to the effects of the First World War, many Americans were suffering, destitute, and hungry. He proposed to his business club that they turn their club into a humanitarian organisation that could raise money to support those in need while still enjoying their social activities. This led to the formation of Lions Club International in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois.

Today, we have approximately 1.4 million Lions spread across 200 countries and territories worldwide. The Lion’s Club is intended for individuals who are

service-minded, willing to serve their society and environment with their time, treasure, and talent without expecting financial rewards. To grow to 1.5 million members, we need people who are service-minded. If you are service-minded, that is the first requirement. You can bring your time, treasure, and talent to make a positive impact. Some clubs were cancelled due to non-payment of international dues, which is a requirement for Lion’s Club membership. You cannot be a Lion without paying your dues, as resources are needed to run the international club.

It means that it’s a bit expensive, so to speak.

Well, expensive is relative. I’m sure there are more than 10,000 Nigerians that can spare more than 100,000.

What are the local dues you pay?

The $48 is international dues. Then the local dues differ from club to club. Some people pay $30,000. Some people pay $50,000 annually.

What economic advantages come with Lions Club membership?

Many people ask me, “What’s in it for me to be a Lion?” My response is always, “There’s nothing in it for you to be a Lion.” To be a Lion, you must be service-minded, willing to serve your community and the less privileged with your time, treasure, or talent. That’s the primary requirement. If you have a disposition to serve, then you’re qualified to be a Lion.

As the Bible says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and every other thing will be added unto you.” If you’re service-minded, auxiliary benefits will follow. However, if you join the Lion’s Club seeking benefits, you’re not qualified. You’re not joining the Lion’s Movement for personal gain but to serve your fellow man.

While nothing good comes for nothing, being a Lion offers opportunities like making friends, building networks with professionals from various fields, and potential business benefits. You’ll also have chances to travel and see the world while attending conventions and forums. These are ancillary benefits, not the primary reason for joining.

The first Lion’s Club in Nigeria, Lagos Doyen Lion’s Club, was formed in 1964 with only one Nigerian member, Akintola Williams. Since then, many notable Nigerians have been part of the Lion’s Club, including Ola Vincent, Architect Majekodunmi, Engineer Maduka, and Air Vice Marshal Anthony Okpere. Currently, we’re hosting our International Director, the first female black woman to hold the position since the organization’s inception in 1917.

In today’s selfish world, everyone asks, “What’s in it for me?” But I say, if you focus on what’s in it for others, benefits will come to you in unimaginable ways. As Zig Ziglar said, “If you can find a way to solve a problem for many others, all your own problems will be solved.” This mindset is essential for being a true Lion.

Being a Lion is not just about personal benefits; it’s about making a difference in the lives of others. It’s about serving with humility and compassion. If you’re willing to embrace this selfless approach, then you’re ready to be a Lion. Remember, the Lion’s Club is a business club with a humanitarian focus, founded on the principles of service and community engagement.

By joining the Lion’s Club, you’ll become part of a global network of like-minded individuals committed to creating positive change. You’ll have opportunities to develop leadership skills, build lasting relationships, and contribute to meaningful projects that impact lives. You’ll be part of a legacy that has been making a difference for over a century.

So, if you’re ready to serve and make a difference, join us as a Lion. Together, we can achieve greatness and create a better world for all. The rewards may not be immediate, but the sense of fulfilment and purpose will be invaluable.

Anyanwu

Another Firm Set to Drag FG to International Arbitration over Alleged Breach of Due Process

Donnington Nigeria Ltd and its foreign partners have given notice to the federal government of their intention to drag the country into international arbitration over issues surrounding Cargo and Crude Oil Tracking and Notification (ACD/CTN) scheme.

Recall that the government had recently been engaged in a legal debacle that led to a Chinese firm seizing properties belonging to Nigeria abroad in pursuit of a court judgement, including presidential jets and real estate properties in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

In the current case, Gary Summers of Gray's Inn, London-based solicitor to Donnington Nigeria Limited (DNL), Donnington International AG, Vortexra

UK, and DP World UAE, has written to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) over what he described as “the recent publicised appointment of a new consultant by the federal government for the ACD/CTN scheme, which we believe disregards ongoing legal proceedings and raises serious issues of transparency and due process.”

The award, the firm argued, was made while Donnington and the government are in court over the same matter.

Donnington and its international partner and specialists insist it has suffered substantial financial harm after some top officials in the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration allegedly used proxies to divert the CTN scheme to themselves.

It stated that this was despite a presidential executive order that had snapped on a greenlight to Donnington Ltd which said it went through a stringent procurement process in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2007 with numerous government ministries.

According to the company, it was successfully endorsed by the Ministries, the Customs service and the Minister of Justice, to implement the scheme that would have generated billions of Naira for Nigeria. This alleged abuse of office and breach of fiduciary position, it said, left the country bleeding because, according to a report, over $4.9 billion had been lost annually due to the inability of the scheme to be implemented as planned - because of the legal battle

the CTN contract had elicited.

In suits FHC/ABJ/CS/1483/2022 and FHC/ABJ/CS/2351/2022 against the federal government and others, Donnington is seeking declaratory reliefs and an order of injunction to halt the alleged unlawful re-award of the ACD/CTN Scheme.

In pursuance of the successful procurement process and appointment, it stated that it had committed both financial and human resources to the realisation of the CTN scheme.

According to the Donnington solicitor with a “historical unfinished procurement process” awarding the ACD/CTN scheme to a new consultant, P-LYNE Nigeria Limited, despite subsisting court orders and cases, apart from not being standard practice is also null and void, and

Shettima: No Going Back on Nigeria's Digital Revolution

Oodua investment company commits to FG's economic revolution Seeks collaboration in agriculture, IT

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated the resolve of the President Bola Tinubu administration to revolutionise Nigeria's Digital Economy, saying it is on course and fully backed by the necessary support, initiatives and partnerships.

Shettima said the federal government would continue to open its doors to all willing partners and stakeholders, who believed and invested in the Nigerian project. He said it was just a matter of time before the country took its rightful position across the globe.

Shettima gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja, when the

management of Oodua Investment Company Limited, led by its Chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, paid him a courtesy visit at State House. He praised the company for its initiatives and investment in agriculture, digital economy and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The vice president stated that the sectors remained critical to Nigeria's economic development and future.

"The South-west region of our country has the enormous capacity to revolutionise the country given its endowments, just as the policies of President Tinubu will, in no time, manifest as the greatest milestones crossed for the development of

Nigeria," Shettima stated.

Shettima described “weaponisation of fuel subsidy" and the hitherto manipulated exchange rate as an albatross that hung on the neck of the country.

He stated, "Few persons sat on our commonwealth and manipulated our resources. But we are checkmating these manipulations and as can be seen, the economy is gradually beginning to recover and pick up.

“We are, indeed, ready to carry the burden of leadership and together with stakeholders like you, we are crossing the Rubicon and the time for reaping will come."

Speaking earlier, Ashiru commended Tinubu for promoting

ease of doing business in Nigeria.

He stated, “You could see that businesses are coming in, and that is why we are here. I see a brighter future in this country with what we have seen in general.

“Nigerians have no business going around the world looking for money, especially with the volume of resources at its disposal, more so that our investors are our greatest assets.”

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Group Managing Director of Oodua Investment Company Limited, Abdurrahman Yinusa, said the company was seeking to collaborate with the federal government in the agriculture and information technology sectors.

NERC Restates Commitment to Ensure Quality Service Delivery to Consumers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensure good services delivery to all consumers by the distribution company across the country. The Director General, NERC , Lanre Onilu gave this assurance while speaking at Consumer Complaints Resolution meeting in Lokoja, the state capital yesterday.

The DG, represented by the Commissioner of Consumers Affairs, Aisha Mahmud, stated the commission was in Kogi State to listen to all complaints of the consumers and resolve them amicably . He highlighted some the mandates of the commission as the monitoring of the electricity industry, managing the electricity consumers , protecting both consumers and Discos, issuing licences and ensuring that Discos fulfil their obligations.

The Managing Director of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company who was represented the Kogi Regional Manager, Mr. Olaseani Aginpopo, assured the general public that AEDC is poised to provide regular supply of electricity in the state.

He pointed out that no fewer 13000 meters have been earmarked for the people of the state in 2024.

He urged all customers to embrace metering to enable the AEDC to

deliver quality services, noting that the provision of electricity is party social services and not really business concern.

The Managing Director pointed that that was why Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission so that the Discos would not make abnormal profit.

He therefore solicited for the operation of the people of Kogi State, stressing that all the complaints would be adequately addressed.

against the rule of law.

Donnington said the appointment of P-LYNE as the new consultant, raises “concerns about conflicts of interest, the lack of due diligence, due process, transparency, and the appointments not being in the best interests of the people of Nigeria”.

The company said in the letter to the AGF: “It has come to our attention that despite the ongoing high court case involving Donnington Nigeria Limited (DNL), the Petroleum Upstream department within the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMoPR) has moved forward with approval for the FGN appointing P-LYNE Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of the Sahara Energy Group, as the consultant for the ACD/CTN scheme, in total disregard for the court order of the ongoing cases at the High Court referenced earlier in this document.”

Donnington further stated: “This decision, made in the absence of thorough due diligence and amidst legal actions, not only undermines the judicial process but also poses a significant risk to the integrity of the ACD/CTN scheme itself.

“It is extremely concerning that this appointment was made in such a hurried way, disregarding the ongoing procurement procedure and the legal issues raised by Donnington Nigeria Limited and being heard within the High Court of Nigeria.”

“The award of the ACD/CTN contract to P-LYNE Nigeria Ltd, a

company with clear ties to Sahara Energy Group—a major player in crude oil trading—raises significant concerns about conflicts of interest. It argued that the it is like a case of putting a goat in charge of a warehouse full of yams.

“A company involved in crude oil trading nationally and internationally, should not be entrusted with the responsibility of tracking crude oil, as this could compromise the objectivity and effectiveness of the ACD/CTN scheme,” it noted. It said that it therefore should be concerning to the Nigerian people that awarding the ACD/CTN contract to an oil trading, shipping, and processing organisation may pose a risk of overlooking or failing to report discrepancies in crude oil transactions, especially if they are self-serving.

Donnington said it was concerned by the “speed and lack of transparency in the processes that led to the recent announcement of the appointment of P-LYNE Nig Ltd and P-Lyne Energy Ltd to execute a part of an already awarded contract which is being contested in the High Courts of Nigeria. It stated that more worrisome to the company was the fact that the government awarded a payment of $21million (which is understood to be a mobilisation fee) to P-LYNE when its arrangement with the government and approved by the Ministry of Finance was at no cost to the federal government.

UNICEF: Nigeria Needs 20m Toilets to End Open Defecation by 2030

James Sowole and Funmi Ogundare

UNICEF, yesterday, disclosed that Nigeria requires approximately 20 million toilets to eliminate open defecation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Jane Bevan, Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), made this known at a two-day media dialogue in Lagos focused on ending open defecation in Nigeria and eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The media dialogue, organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), gathered stakeholders from Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun states, alongside representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and the private sector.

Bevan emphasized the need for better hygiene practices and strong political commitment from the government to end open defecation. She highlighted the severe health risks

associated with the practice and called for urgent action, stating, "We need political will to tackle open defecation. We need to make it real and make washing our hands a priority. This is what the media must help promote so that we can put an end to open defecation."

Chizoma Opara, Deputy Director of the 'Clean Nigeria Campaign' at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, explained that around 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, according to the 2021 WASHNORM report. She linked the practice to the spread of sanitation-related diseases, including several NTDs like onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), which are transmitted through contaminated soil and feces, perpetuating poverty, malnutrition, and ill health.

Opara stressed that tackling open defecation would significantly reduce the transmission of these diseases.

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L- R; Group Managing Director, Red Star Express Plc, Mr. Auwalu Babra; Chairman, Mr. Suleiman Barau; Company Secretary, Mrs Frances Akpomuka; Group Executive Director, Mr. Charles Ejekam and Non Executive Director, Mr. Sulaiman Koguna during the 31st Annual General Meeting of Red Star Express Plc in Lagos...yesterday.

ABIODUN AJALA

MEDIA BRIEFING TO UNVEIL SITFINE TOILET SEAT SANITIZER...

First lady Commiserates with Borno over Flood Disaster as Pressure Mounts for Help

More Nigerians sympathise with victims

Deji Elumoye, Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade, Kuni Tyessi, Kasim Sumaina in Abuja, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi and Laleye Dipo in Minna

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commiserated with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State over the flood that ravaged parts of Maiduguri, the state capital.

That was as pressures continued to mount on the federal government to provide humanitarian assistance, and more Nigerians sympathised with the victims.

The first lady, in a four-paragraph release personally signed, wrote, "I commiserate with the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umaru Zulum, his wife, and the entire people of the state as they face the devastating impacts of the recent flooding.

"My heart and prayers are with you during this challenging time. The tragic loss of lives, homes and livelihoods is an immense burden that no community should have to bear.

"I pray that Borno State would rise above this tragedy and emerge stronger and more resilient. May Almighty Allah grant the departed souls Aljanah Firdaus and may you find the strength and hope to overcome these trying times."

Niger Wants FG to Expedite Action on Humanitarian Services

"The late Oba was imbued with uncommon wisdom and adequate education and knowledge. He effectively used his years as the paramount ruler to build and nurture relationships with various peoples, communities and institutions in Ijesaland, in Osun State, and in Nigeria, as a whole.”

Orji Kalu

Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, commiserated with the government and people of Osun State over the demise of the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.

Kalu, the senator for Abia North Senatorial District, in a statement personally signed, described the passing of the prominent monarch as a huge loss to the nation.

Kalu applauded the “remarkable and successful reign” of the traditional ruler, and added that the late monarch was a highly detrabilised Nigerian,

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, pleaded with the federal government to expedite action on provision of humanitarian services to people affected by the floods that ravaged Maiduguri and its environs in Borno State early this week. Bago said the timely release of assistance to the victims would go a long way in ameliorating their suffering.

In a solidarity message to Zulum, and the people of Borno, Bago described the disaster, which rendered hundreds of people homeless, as "unfortunate and pathetic".

In the message signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described the incident, "As a trying moment for the government and people of Borno State."

Northern Senators Pledge Legislation to Tackle Future Environmental Disasters

Northern Senators’ Forum, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the senate will continue to pursue legislation and policies that would mitigate the effects of environmental disasters and promote sustainable development.

The chairman of the group, Senator Abdulaziz Yar'adua, made the pledge

who used his position to advocate peace and unity among Nigerians.

Kalu, who is also the Bobameto of Ijeshaland, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the late traditional ruler to the social, economic, and political development of Nigeria.

He said in the statement, "The late traditional ruler was a selfless and patriotic statesman, who used his resources to advance the cause of his people. His reign brought tremendous development to Ijeshaland and Osun State in general.”

There were also condolences from the Asiwaju of Ijesha land, Olayinka Fasuyi, and Shola Oshunkeye. Fasuyi, in In his farewell message, described the monarch as a "Quintessential imperial majesty," and remarked, "An era comes to an abrupt end.”

Oshunkeye said Oba Aromolaran “desired more than the traditional stool. He aimed for the sky. He resolved to be king in a different kingdom – the academia. However,

in a statement to commiserate with the government and people of Borno State over the flood that ravaged the state recently.

Yar'adua said in the statement, “On behalf of the Northern Senators Forum, I extend our deepest condolences to the people and government of Borno State over the loss of lives and property resulting from the collapse of the Alau Dam.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and those displaced by this devastating flood. The senate will continue to pursue legislation and policies that would mitigate the effects of environmental disasters and promote sustainable development.

“We appreciate the prompt visit by Vice President Kashim Shettima to assess the situation and provide leadership during this challenging time. His swift response demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting affected communities.”

Yar'adua added, “We also commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N3billion for each state to address flood and disaster relief efforts. This timely intervention will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of affected citizens.

“We urge all states to take responsibility and develop strategic plans to address climate change and prevent further environmental disasters.

if providence ever permitted him to sit on the throne of his forefathers, he wanted to do so with a PhD in his bag”.

Oba Aromolaran II, a millionaire publisher was unanimously chosen in 1982 by all Ijesas at home and in the Diaspora to become the 40th OwaObokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, precisely, with effect from February 20, 1982.

That was after his predecessor, Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Peter Adeniran Olatunji Agunlejika II, who ruled from September 24, 1966, joined his ancestors on September 26, 1981.

He was coronated by the then governor of the old Oyo State, the late Chief Bola Ige, on Saturday, May 15, 1982.

The federal government, in consideration of Oba Aromolaran’s meritorious and selfless services to the nation, honoured him with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).

A Christian, who worshipped at Otapete Methodist Cathedral,

We stand in solidarity with the people of Borno State and assure them of our support during this difficult period.”

Former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in a statement, expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property caused by the flood.

The president of the Ninth Senate stated, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the severe flooding in Borno State, which has caused untold hardship and suffering to our compatriots. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and property in this disaster.

“I urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to swiftly provide relief materials and assistance to the affected communities.”

Refugee Commission Leaves for Borno Today with Food, Other Items

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) will today leave for Borno State with supplies to cushion the effects of the flood that devastated many parts of the state.

About 40 per cent of the state’s farmlands were said to have been affected ahead of the harvest season, with the destruction of crops. Federal Commissioner of the Commission,

Ilesa, Oba Aromolaran was the first Nigerian Oba to hold a PhD and his first book, Economics for West Africa, was published in 1966, in collaboration with his friends, Alabi Ogun and Areoye Oyebola.

Oba Aromolaran’s pen since ascending the throne “never lost its power and his proclivity for writing never waned”.

The last born of his mother, Oba Aromolaran was born on October 13, 1937 into the royal household of Kabiyesi, Alayeluwa, Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I, the Owa-Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland (from July 1920 to July 31, 1942) and Princess Tinuola Aromolaran – a princess of Esa-Oke in Ijesaland.

He started his primary education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa, which he completed at the prestigious Agbeni Methodist School, Oke Ado, Ibadan. He attended Ilesa Grammar School, between 1970 and 1974.

Oba Aromolaran was a school teacher before proceeding to Wesley College, Elekuro Ibadan, a Teachers’

Tijjani Ahmed, who disclosed this at a press briefing, said NCFRMI would also provide mental health and psychosocial support to the traumatised population.

While calling on the federal government for more support and to live up to its responsibilities, Ahmed said in order to prevent a reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident, the commission will liaise with stakeholders to organise advocacy on the need to educate households to ensure the clearing of drainage lines to allow for seamless flow of water.

He stated that the commission, "In line with our mandate, which is vested with the responsibility of ensuring protection, assistance, care maintenance and rehabilitation as well as provision for durable solutions to those displaced by climate change induced disasters, will provide food, non-food items, educational materials, wash, shelter, drugs and medical supplies for emergency needs.

"About 40 per cent of farmlands are under siege ahead of the harvest season. The destruction of crops is likely to increase food insecurity, which has affected over a million people.

"Flowing from the needs assessment carried out, many persons have been displaced, some children declared missing and lives lost. Infrastructural facilities, including bridges, roads,

Training College. He later studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State.

The Oba attended the then University College Ibadan (UCI), which was then a College of the University of London (now the University of Ibadan), where he obtained a B.Sc. in Economics in 1964.

In 1965, he did a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration of the University of Ife, then located in Ibadan, and went overseas for a management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Pittsburgh/ Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Mathematical Economics.

Oba Aromolaran studied and earned his Ph.D. in Development Economics under the supervision of Professor Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

Oba Aromolaran joined the civil

houses, have been affected, hampering access to hospitals, school, markets, and other livelihood activities."

WFP, Borno Government Provide Hot Meals to Displaced Persons

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) set up in Borno State, providing emergency food assistance to communities affected by the massive flooding that displaced over 230,000 people in the North-east state.

A statement yesterday said WFP was working to provide hot meals to 50,000 of the worst affected children, women, and men who had lost their homes in what had been described as the worst flooding in North-east Nigeria in 30 years.

WFP’s Country Director and Representative, David Stevenson said, “Maiduguri is facing a crisis within a crisis, with conflict, record food price inflation and now floods displacing hundreds of thousands of people, most of whom were already cut off from their farms.”

According to the statement, WFP has established food kitchens in three camps – Teachers’ Village, Asheikh, and Yerwa – to provide meals to flood-hit people over the next two weeks.

service of the old Western Region, served in various capacities and rose to the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary, before he voluntarily resigned his appointment to set up his private business called Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited in Ibadan on December 1, 1971. The company had branches along the West Coast of Africa – in Ghana and Sierra Leone – as well as London and New York (USA). As a reputable publisher, he authored over 100 titles for use in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and overseas, and contributed to national and international journals.

Kabiyesi was an Examiner for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level Economics for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and Ghana. He was Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State (now Modibo Adama Federal University of Technology) from 2002 to 2014.

L-R; Iyaloja, Computer Village, Mrs Abisola Azeez; Chairman, Shodan Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mr. Seun Tola Shosanya; Vice President, Shodan Pharmaceuticals, Daniel Okeoma; Media Resources Lead, Shodan Pharmaceuticals, Miss Oshime Gbafe; and Director, AlphaCrest Consulting, Emmanuel Emeh during the media briefing to unveil the Sitfine Toilet Seat Sanitizer by Shodan Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Lagos...recently

ABIODUN AJALA

INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE TO MARK 90TH BIRTHDAY OF THE ESAMA ...

L-R: Edo State Governor,

APC State Chairmen to Meet Tinubu, Party Leadership over Economic Hardship

The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen has resolved to meet President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership over the current economic hardship.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the Forum Chairman and Secretary, Cornelius Ojelabi and Alphonsus Eba, said they had resolved to have a close-door meetings with the leadership of National Working Committee (NWC) and

NLC Seeks Support of NBA to Tackle Human Rights Violations

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has said that it would collaborate with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure that democracy thrives, and that governance is anchored on justice, fairness, and accountability.

A statement signed by NLC's Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah said that the labour movement led by its President, Joe Ajaero, paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the NBA yesterday.

He said the NLC delegation met with the newly elected NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and his team to discuss on how the labour and legal sectors can work together to ensure that democracy thrives, and that governance is anchored on justice, fairness, and accountability.

According to Upah, the meeting provided an opportunity for both organizations to exchange views and experiences on the importance of entrenching the Rule of Law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens. He said that discussions focused on how the labour and legal sectors

can work together to ensure that democracy thrives, and that governance is anchored on justice, fairness, and accountability.

"Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC's commitment to working alongside the NBA in promoting the rights of workers and all Nigerians. He emphasised the importance of a strong legal presence that protects citizens from abuse, ensures the freedom of association, and upholds democratic norms.

"The NLC president also commended the NBA’s role in defending the integrity of the legal system, while expressing optimism that this collaboration will lead to meaningful change in Nigeria’s political and socio-economic landscape," Upah said .

In his remarks, NBA President, Osigwe (SAN) highlighted the NBA's determination to uphold the Rule of Law and strengthen Nigeria’s legal institutions.

He assured the NLC of the NBA’s readiness to partner with the Nigeria Labour Congress in advocating for policies that respect citizens' rights and promote social justice.

FG Fixes Section of KanoMaiduguri Road Cut Off by Flood in Bauchi

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government has constructed the section recently cut off by flood in the Sabon-Gari axis of Section 2 of the Kano-Maiduguri road, Bauchi State, the ministry of works said yesterday.

“Not long ago, the federal ministry of works received an alarming report on the heavy flooding that damaged the Sabon Gari axis of Section 2 KanoMaiduguri road of Bauchi State.

“The Honourable Minister of Works swung into action to bring relief to the people whose livelihood was adversely affected by the devastating flood,” a statement by Uchenna Orji, the spokesman to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said.

This flood disaster which it said was occasioned by climate change, it said, was going to cause monumental hardship to the people of the affected

area and indeed all the users of the road.

But Umahi said President Bola Tinubu, brought immediate and prompt intervention and directed him, with the minister visiting the area on August 15, 2024.

The statement stressed that Umahi initiated emergency response processes and permanent solution measures towards sorting out the critical situation of the road.

“Today, the life-threatening problems faced by the people on account of the destroyed road has been solved as the federal ministry of works has fixed the road.

“It has further opened it for use on emergency basis pending when final and permanent construction work is completely executed. The road was on September 12, 2024 opened for use,” the statement added.

government.

The Forum particularly commended the party’s NWC under the leadership of Abdullahi Ganduje, for extending the tenure of the Tony Okocha-led Rivers State Caretaker Executive Committee.

Ojelabi said: “On the hardship experienced in the country, we know that everybody has been complaining and we are not unaware of that.

“We are going to have a closed-door meeting with the party on one side and the federal government, but until the meeting is held and matters advised, it will be premature to talk to the media on the issues. Rest assured that in no distant time, you will hear the outcome of our meeting.

“We met to discuss issues that are of great concern to the party’s democratic ethos

and the success of our APC-led administration under the able leadership of President Tinubu and his dependable Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“While the Forum has resolved to have close-door meetings with the leadership of NWC and government, we considered it necessary to discuss the recent action of the NWC under the leadership of Ganduje with respect to the extensions granted

to the caretaker committee of Rivers state APC-led by Tony Okocha.”

“This press briefing will be followed with a commendation letter to the national chairman of our great party in appreciation of his firm stance on the decision of the APC Rivers State Executive Committee which suspended the erstwhile executive of Emeka Beke and who was further restrained by Rivers State High Court.”

CBN Deputy Governor, Abdullahi, Chairs Newly Reconstituted NIRSAL Board

Arowosafe takes charge as MD/CEO

James Emejo in Abuja

The new board of NIRSAL Plc, chaired by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, has been inaugurated.

Also, Mr. Babajide Arowosafe, a development finance expert, was appointed as new Managing Director/Chief Executive of NIRSAL.

This followed the reconstitution of the board of directors of the institution on August, 30, 2024, according to a statement by NIRSAL's Head, Corporate Communications, Jude Nnadozie.

He said the inauguration took place at the 21st Meeting of the Board of Directors held on September 10, 2024.

NSIA

The board emphasised the need to refocus NIRSAL back to its core mandate of de-risking agricultural lending.

Prior to his appointment, Arowosafe, has worked with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ekiti State Government, and Southwest Agric Company (SWAgCo), the statement added.

Other members of the board include, Mallam Ado Wanka, Non-Executive Director; Dr. Daphne Dafinone, Non-Executive Director; Mr. Hamidu Sa’ad, Non-Executive Director; Dr. Bankole Allibay, NonExecutive Director, and Hon. Shehu Balarabe, Non-Executive Director.

Last month, CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, reportedly ordered the sack of top management staff of

Earmarks

as Edun

James Emejo in Abuja

the NIRSAL, According to sources who spoke on conditions of anonymity, those affected included Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Abbas Umar Masanawa; Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Kennedy Nwaruh and Executive Director, Technical, Mr. Olatunde Akande.

NIRSAL is a $500 million public private initiative, wholly owned by the CBN as a licensed financial institution designed to appropriately define, price and share agribusiness related credit risk.

The institution has a mandate to increase the flow of finance to commercial agriculture by de-risking and fixing the agricultural value chain.

Additional $2m

improved the prospects for those with cancer, making it a "fairer fight".

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has called for a united front against cancer, adding that the county has the capability to treat the ailment.

This is as the Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Aminu Sadiq Umar, said it has earmarked an additional $2 million to the training of healthcare professionals over the next of years.

Both spoke at the Medserve Oncology Summit 2.0 event, with the theme, "Enhancing the Oncology Workforce in Nigeria", which was organised by the NSIA in Abuja.

The minister said global collaboration and technological advancements have

He said as the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria has a key responsibility to lead the charge in the global effort to combat and ultimately defeat cancer.

Edun said, "The true test is to have the ability and determination to maintain the efforts, so that over time, the benefits are available to a large number of people, and what you start, others can take to greater heights."

He said, “But then, there's that whole human side, the social, psychological side, and what we saw in that BBC interview is hope. It's when people see it, they see that in Nigeria, we have all it takes to treat people with empathy, to treat people with compassion, but also to bring the skill, the knowledge

Only recently a private Consultant Dr. Steve Olusegun Ogidan returned N1.5 billion to the EFCC in a plea bargain to avoid conviction in a case involving Abdulhameed, after arguing it was legitimate earnings from consultancy services.

The EFCC pursued interim forfeiture of the funds, alleging they were proceeds of unlawful activities, while Ogidan and Abdulhameed contended the funds were legitimate payments under a PMRO contract approved by NIRSAL’s board.

However, its activities had been overshadowed by allegations of corruption under its pioneer Managing Director, Mr. Abulhammed Aliyu, who is currently facing corruption allegation charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC).

to Healthcare

Seeks Global Alliance Against Cancer

and the technology that can cure them.

“So, what we are all doing today and what our effort is all about - is making the fight a fairer one for people and nations that are determined to fight; to make an effort and to help their people.

"We need to improve technologicallywise, so, that it's a fairer fight for those who are up for it, and as nations, we must be up for it on behalf of our people,."

However, Umar said the additional financing was to help strengthen the against fight cancer.

He said, “NSIA has so far committed to spending $2 million to the training of healthcare professionals over the next few years.

"We have actually started this programme already in eight teaching hospitals across Nigeria.

Financing

"We should move to do more, it is important to do more because the requirements for healthcare professionals and the scourge of cancer, Nigeria and the rest of the world need this to work efficiently."

He said, “This year our theme, 'Enhancing the Oncology Workforce in Nigeria' is one of the major issues in oncology.

"Cancer, as we know, is a growing health pandemic in Nigeria and other parts of the world, with the increasing number of cases that we see each year."

The NSIA boss stressed that by investing in healthcare professionals and equipping them with the skill they need, the country will be able to provide comprehensive and high-quality care to cancer patients throughout Nigeria.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Mr Godwin Obaseki; Celebrant, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion and his wife, Lady Cherry Igbinedion; during the interdenominational service to mark 90th birthday of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, in Edo State.. yesterday

STUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR MOUNTAIN TOP UNIVERSITY...

L-R: Staff members of the Department of Mass Communication, Mountain Top University Miss. Titi Owoeye; Mrs. Oluwadamilola Alebiosu; General Overseer, Mountain of

and

of Department, Mass Communication, Dr Chinyere Mbaka; Dr. Ngozi Wellington; Dr Maduka Nwambam, and Mr. Gbenro Ashade at the presentation of studio equipment to the department by Olukoya in Lagos…yesterday

Terrorists Kill Five Policemen, Three Soldiers in Zamfara

Abduct many travellers

Onuminya Innocent

No fewer than eight security personnel have been killed by suspected terrorists yesterday during an ambush in GusauFuntua road.

The security operatives killed include five policemen and three soldiers.

The attack was said to have occurred while the security forces were escorting workers from Setraco Nigeria Limited, a construction company, in the Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

A source from the military said the ambush caught the security team off guard.

Group Decries Suppression of Artists Rights, Calls for Sanity

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

A group, Unchained Vibes Africa, has advocated artists’ rights who have long been using their contents to bring about positive change in Nigeria, but often face myriad of challenges and suppression from authorities in the course of their production.

The Executive Producer of the body, Ayodele Ganiyu, made the observation during his presentation at the stakeholders’ engagement organised by the group in Kano yesterday.

Ganiyu lamented the way some artists are suppressed by the authorities without due legal

processes, calling on them to exercise their rights to protest peacefully in their contents.

He said: “Artists must exercise their rights and protest peacefully through their content because we have the power to challenge the status quo and inspire reform by speaking out against injustice and advocating our rights.

The executive producer offered recommendations to the board to change its name to Classification Board, instead of Censorship Board. According to him, “The word censorship is paradoxical and should be changed.”

FRSC Begins Training of 341 Unit, Outpost Commanders

Kasim Sumaina inabuja

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has kickstarted capacity development programme for 341 Unit and Outpost Commanders on traffic enforcement and management, road safety education and advocacy.

The training, FRSC said, also included data analysis and research, leadership and management development, as well as, digital literacy and technology adoption.

The commission explained that the training programme, which is presently taking place at the FRSC Academy, Udi, Enugu State, is part of a collection of leadership programmes initiated by the present leadership of the corps in line with

its administrative policy thrust.

The Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Operations Department, ACM Hyginus Omeje, who declared the training open on behalf of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, reaffirmed that Unit and Outpost Commands are a very integral part of the Corps that plays key role in enforcing compliance of traffic rules and regulations.

Shehu, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Corps Commander, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, Olusegun Ogungbemide, added that they also contribute immensely to moving the Corps forward and the Corps considers them as invaluable asset due to the critical role they play in the actualisation of FRSC mandate.

AGSI Old Students Meet to Discuss School’s Infrastructure

The annual general meeting of the 1972/76 set of the Anglican Grammar School, Igbara-Oke, Ondo State, will come up tomorrow, Saturday, 14th September, 2024.

According to a statement from the association, the meeting will be hosted by

the President of AGSI Old Students 1972/76 set, Mr. Dare Owolabi, at his residence, Ijapo Estate, Akure.

“The meeting will commence at 12 noon. On the agenda of the meeting is the infrastructural development of the 67-year old school,” the statement added.

It also revealed that a swift response from the troops of the Nigerian Army helped forestall further casualties.

A reinforcement team arrived at the scene, engaging in a fierce

gunfight with the attackers, killing several of them.

However, some of the terrorists managed to escape, taking with them weapons stolen from the fallen security officers.

The military responded promptly to reinforce the team, and were able to neutralise many of the bandits.

The police were said to have since evacuated the bodies of both their personnel and the terrorists.

Police spokesman, Assistant Superintendent, ASP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident and said that security forces have been deployed to the scene to ensure security along the highway.

Police Arrest Three Dismissed Soldiers, Others for Murder in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the alleged killers of the Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Mgbuoshimini in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, River State, Chief Ndidi Livingstone.

It would be recalled that Livingstone was shot dead on January 13, 2024, in front of his church, Peculiar Faith Ministries, Rumueme. In a viral video, four men stormed the church, dragged the victim out and murdered him, shooting him four times with AK-47 rifles, in the presence of

his wife, son and congregants of the church.

Based on the video in the public space, the state Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said directive was given to a team of Operatives of the FID-Intelligence Response and the Command on a nationwide manhunt for the killers.

During the investigation, the special team identified the four men in the video, including the alleged mastermind of the assassination, Peter Daddy Chukwu, who was hunted down to a hideout in Ibusa, Delta State, on April 5, 2024, in his attempt to resist arrest died in gun duel with the police.

Embrace Righteousness, Olukoya’s Wife Urges Youths

The wife of the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries(MFM), Mrs. Folashade Olukoya, has called on the youths and young adults to embrace God and righteousness so as to get to the greatest level that God has destined for them.

She called on the youths to desist

from sexual immorality, which she said is a means the devil is using to steal their virtues and God-given potential.

Olukoya, who ministered at a special youth programme in the MFM, Magodo Youth Church, Region 28, Lagos State, on the theme ‘Taking Possession of the gate for

your next level,’ stressed that youths and young adults could only achieve lasting greatness by God’s power.

She explained that there was no crooked means to achieve one’s divine greatness unless through God, and daily renewal of one’s mind with the word of God, through prayers, as well as welcoming positive thoughts in line with God’s agenda for one’s lives. She insisted that only Christian youths that have given their lives to Jesus Christ and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, those who have overcome sins, carnality and the devil, could attain God’s divine greatness for their lives.

NIPOF Strategic Move to Address Challenges Facing Polytechnics, Says Bugaje

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, has said that the establishment of the Nigeria Polytechnics Foundation (NIPOF) is a strategic move towards

addressing critical challenges facing polytechnics in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration of the council members of the foundation yesterday at the NBTE headquarters in Kaduna, Bugaje described the foundation as milestone in the efforts to rejuvenate polytechnic education in Nigeria.

He said: “This foundation marks a significant milestone in our collective mission to rejuvenate polytechnic education in Nigeria, raising its standards and aligning it with global best practices.”

According to him, “The establishment of NIPOF represents a strategic move towards addressing the critical challenges facing our polytechnics. “As we know, the world is rapidly evolving, and education must adapt to meet the needs of the 21st century. In this light, the council’s role is pivotal.

Ibadan Residents Appeal to Gov Makinde over Circular Road Setback

Kemi OlaitaninIbadan

Residents of the Ibadan Circular Road corridor in Oyo State yesterday again appealed to the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the purported plan for a setback of 500 metres left and right of the road.

The affected residents across six

local government areas in Ibadanland, while addressing journalists in Ibadan urged the state government to stick to the initial plan of 75 metres left and right of the road setback agreed during the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

The Chairman of the corridor residents, Chief Adedeji Ahmed,

said over 300,000 residents have been traumatised as they lived in fear of displacement upon the realisation that their source of livelihood was about to be lost.

He noted that several houses have been marked for demolition, appealing to Governor Makinde to speak out on the raging issue and stop further demolitions. During the press conference, the affected residents in Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas displayed banners with various inscriptions such as: ‘We are bleeding with notice of house demolitions’.

Kogi Restates Commitment to Provide Quality HealthCare Services Delivery

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing of the citizens through the provision of qualitative and affordable health care services.

The state Governor, Usman Ododo, stated this in a message to the 8th Quadrennial State Delegate Conference of the Kogi State chapter of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria in Lokoja. The governor, who was

represented at the occasion by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Onuh Edoka, said his administration is poised to fulfill its promises to the union to achieve set goals in the health sector.

According to him, all the requests of the union are being tackled headlong and will soon yield the needed results. The governor solicited the continued partnership with the union for a greater Kogi State.

Unpaid Emoluments: DSIEC Urges Affected Ad Hoc Staff to Submit Correct Account Details

State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has called on Ad Hoc staff who participated in the last local government council elections and yet to receive their emoluments to submit their correct account details to their respective Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs).

DSIEC’s Commissioner for Public

Affairs and Communications, Olorogun Jude Emurotu, made the call in a statement in Asaba.

Emurotu said majority of the Ad Hoc staff members have been paid while those affected were returned by their banks for incorrect account details.

He urged the affected persons

to send their correct account details to the CEOs in their various local government areas for onward payment. The statement read:

“The attention of DSIEC has been drawn to reports of non receipt of emoluments by some Ad hoc staff who participated in the just concluded Local Government

Council Elections in the State.

“The commission has paid all Local Government Returning Officers, Ward Returning Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers while a good number of other categories, such as Presiding Officers and polling clerks have received payments.

Fire

Miracles Ministries, Dr. D.K. Olukoya; Head

Blessing Ibunge in port Harcourt

‘Buhari Can’t Laugh at Nigeria’s Woes’

Sunday

Ehigiator

Prominent Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has expressed its disagreement with ARISE News Channel presenter and former spokesman to exPresident Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati, over his comment, suggesting that former President Muhammadu Buhari is laughing at Nigeria’s current state from his Daura residence.

In a statement signed by the group’s Convener, Muhammad Yakubu, it sharply disagreed with Abati, saying he is only struggling to justify falsehood with the reality on the ground. Yakubu argued that Buhari’s eight-year tenure put Nigeria into socio-economic hardship, which President Bola Tinubu inherited. He listed alleged scandals and economic woes during Buhari’s administration, questioning how the current state could amuse him.

The statement read: “How can Buhari be laughing at

This is just as the group accused the immediate past president, Buhari, of bringing the country’s economy to its knees, and advised President Bola Tinubu to detach his government from that of his predecessor.

Nigeria when he used eight years to put the country into hunger and hardship which President Bola Tinubu merely inherited?

“How can Buhari laugh when the central bank governor under his administration is still constantly in and out of detention, and how can he laugh when his nephew is under serious investigation for allegedly embezzling billions of naira?

“How can Reuben Abati say Buhari is happy when the economy he handed over to his successor has been brought to its knees because of poor foundation?

Delta Communities Seek Help to Combat Ocean Surge

Sylvester IdowuinWarri

Indigenes of four Itsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have asked for help to fight against the menace of ocean surge leading to coastal erosion.

The devastating ocean surge has been sweeping through Ogheye Eghoroke, Orere, Ogheye Zion and Ogheye Ajadogo communities for the past two weeks.

Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri/Liaison to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Edema Collins

Oritsetimeyin, in a statement lamented the plight of residents of the communities and threat to their ancestral homes.

Oritsetimeyin disclosed that the Itsekiri communities were facing a dire situation due to the relentless ocean surge that has wreaked havoc on their livelihoods, homes, schools and vital infrastructure.

“Ugbeni Primary School, the only school in the community, had been completely washed into the ocean. Several homes, including the residence of the community leader (Olare-Aja), built in 2020 by Hon. Daniel Ireyenieju, have

been lost to the advancing waters.

He noted that during an on-thespot assessment visit to the affected communities, some residents, whose homes were washed away, revealed that they are now forced to squeeze 10 people into a single room for shelter.

“Most alarming is the fact that the community’s only borehole, which served as the sole source of drinking water, has also been claimed by the ocean, leaving residents with no choice but to rely on ocean water for bathing, without access to clean drinking water.

Minister of Arts Culture Partners Nigeria’s Got Talent Season 3 to Boost Development

Sunday Okobi

The Minister of Arts Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has announced a partnership with Pure Imagination Production and Filmworks Limited, the official franchise holder of the Got Talent reality show in Nigeria and Ghana, for

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I formerly known and addressed as MIss PaTIENCE NDIDIaMaka oJIMBa, now wish to be known and addressed as MRs PaTIENCE NDIDIaMaka EzEkUNIE (NEE OJIMBA) All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

the much-anticipated new season of Nigeria’s Got Talent.

In a statement, it was noted that the collaboration aimed to drive talent discovery and development across the country, supporting the federal government’s initiative to diversify the economy through investment in the creative sector.

The National Council for Arts and Culture is also a key partner in this effort.

The partnership marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s Got Talent history, blending entertainment with cultural promotion.

The minister explained that the ministry would take an active role in the show, with over 15,000 participants benefiting from its Creative Leap Accelerator Programme (CLAP), a flagship initiative designed to fuel economic growth, foster innovation, and empower the nation’s creative talent.

Clap is implemented through the National Council for Arts and Culture and integrated with ICE and Origins key imitative of the NCAC which are embedded in Clap.

Musawa said: “CLAP is designed to foster an environment where talent can thrive, ideas can flourish, and new industries can emerge.”

She emphasised the importance of capacity building and collaboration, stating that through the CLAP platform they are offering world class and comprehensive form training, mentorship, and resources, adding: “we aim to empower our creative talent to excel and innovate.”

The National Council for Arts and Culture is the implementation agency and has built a network of close to 1,000 hubs, co working spaces and partners in the public and private sector to deliver this programme.

Rotary District 9111 Organises Public Image Seminar

Rotary International District 9111 is set to hold its public image seminar for Rotarians, non-Rotarians, journalists, public relations and advertising practitioners, bloggers, and graphic designers.

According to Rotary District 9111 Pioneer District Governor, Rotarian (Dr.) Wole Kukoyi, who is the Chief Medical Director, Ace Medicare Clinic, Ota, “the public image seminar holds on Thursday, October 3, 2024, between 9.00 a.m and 12:00 noon at the Rotary Centre, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.” He said the seminar has the theme: “Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC): Strategy as Magic for Promoting Public Image in Rotary.”

Commenting, Chairman Public Image Committee, Rotarian Olalekan Otun, stated: “ Executive Secretary, National Institute For Cultural Orientation (NICO), Otunba Biodun Ajiboye will chair the lecture and Hon Stephen Ogundipe, Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) Chairman of Information, Strategy

and Security Committee will be the Special Guest.”

He further disclosed that “the President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) & Head of Advertising Sectorial Group (HASG), Mr. Lanre Adisa, the Chief Executive of Noah’s Ark will deliver the keynote address. President, Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa, who is the Head of Corporate Communications and Strategy, Polaris Bank Plc will speak on Public Relations as IMC strategy. Others speakers he noted include: Mr. Austen Osokpor, Head of Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, who is to address Sponsorship; Rotarian Tope Akande, Head of Corporate Communications, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) will speak on Outdoor Advertising and Rotarian Michael Effiong, Senior Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Lagos Liaison will talk on Branding.

How Does Islam Reconcile Free Will with Divine Predestination? (III) WORLD OF ISLAM

Spahic

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Omer/IslamiCity Islam on Civilizational Determinism

Third: A nuanced relationship between freedom and predetermination

Human freedom is constrained by the life boundaries set by the Creator, which are constant. In essence, human life is a balance between the consequences of our freedom and the outcomes of our predetermined fate. People will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment for how they utilized the former and whether they had faith in and honored the latter.

Definitely, just as people are both free and predestined, their civilizational behavioral patterns are also free and predestined. Many aspects of existence, strictly defined by the Creator’s limits, are relevant to civilization. These include civilization’s impermanence, earthly nature, the patterns of growth and decline, lifespan and the eventual end.

Despite this, human freedom, creativity and ingenuity can improve a civilization’s quality, reforming its trajectory and potentially prolonging its worth, which nonetheless might be mistaken for prolonging its actual lifespan.

There is nothing wrong in trying to understand the created limits or boundaries that represent a civilizations virtually cast-iron framework along the lines of the laws that govern the rise, continuity and fall of civilizations. Ibn Khaldun certainly was one who did thus. Having been inspired as much by historical realities as the Qur’anic narratives,

Ibn Khaldun came up with a cyclical theory of the rise and fall of dynasties and their civilizational (‘umran) productivity, revolutionizing how people perceived the unfolding of history and the processes involved in creating and dismantling civilizations.

Hence, it can be said that Islam promotes a type of civilizational determinism but whose vitality is human freedom and human productivity penchant. There is ample room for personal freedom in this understanding of civilization, allowing individuals and groups to express their true selves.

Similarly, there is enough space for divine providence, helping individuals stay grounded and manage their ambitions. The aim is to avoid leaning too heavily towards either absolute fatalism or unrestrained freedom, thus preventing extreme views both in civilizational determinism and “civilizational liberalism.”

The realistic goal of human life on earth is to concentrate on what can be accomplished within the confines of our existence, rather than getting caught up in fantasies about, or attempting to explore, what lies beyond our reach and has no meaningful impact on the prospects of humanity. Civilization is fundamentally about identifying and solving problems, thereby propelling mankind forward and enhancing the consequentiality, plus quality, of life.

It is not about being naive or impractical, nor about internal uncertainties and chaos that can spill over and dominate the external world. Civilization should not revolve around asking questions that deepen disorientation and confusion, as this would contribute to the problems at hand rather than solving them. Therefore, a successful civilization aligns closely with the truth, while a failing one drifts further away from the truth towards its opposite.

This idea of Islamic civilizational determinism is touched upon in a number of verses of the Qur’an. Some such verses are as follows: “O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority (from Allah)” (al-Rahman 33).

“O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create (as much as) a fly, even if they gathered together for that purpose. And if the fly should steal away from them a (tiny) thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued” (al-Hajj 73).

“Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn. And when their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they (merely) rejoiced in what they had of knowledge, but they were enveloped by what they used to ridicule” (Ghafir 82-83).

“That is because Allah would not change a favor which He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing” (al-Anfal 53).

“Say: ‘If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants’” (al-Isra’ 88).

“But you cannot will, unless Allah wills. Verily, Allah is ever All-knowing, All-wise” (al-Insan 30).

“He said: ‘Do you worship that which you (yourselves) carve, while Allah created you and that which you make (do)?’” (al-Saffat 95-96).

Guided by their belief in regulated freedom and sensible predestination, the true Muslims avoid dwelling on issues that could compromise their freedom or destiny. They know that doing so is both wrong and unviable. It is unethical.

For example, the true Muslims do not entertain the absurd ideas like seeking immortality, seeking super-humanness, believing in extraterrestrial intelligence and extraterrestrial civilizations, making humans a multiplanetary species, viewing science as the only or the best way to understand

and deal with reality (scientism or science-worship), believing that nothing exists except matter (materialism or matter-worship), relativism, atheism and desacralization of life in all its essential aspects.

Indeed, life is too short and too meaningful to be wasted on trivial matters that do not contribute to civilization, regardless of any scientific veneer they may have. Civilization is more profound and more consequential than that, being a valuable asset rather than a liability.

That said, excessive “civilizational liberalism” can be detrimental, but a balanced civilizational determinism is the way to go.

Fourth: Civilizational determinism necessitates setting life priorities right

Another aspect of the Islamic civilizational determinism is that - since Allah created the universe, endowing it with extraordinary potentials and resources, and appointing man as the vicegerent with everything on earth and in the heavens being subjected to his vicegerency office – the presence of a civilization, whereby the potentials and resources of the created world are optimized and placed at the disposal of man, is an inevitability. It is within humanity’s reach and is their right, as it were. As a consequence, throughout history, man has never stopped using, probing, discovering and utilizing the bounties granted to him by his Creator. However, it must be emphasized that doing so is not something that should be placed on the pedestal and should unduly preoccupy man, simply because the discovery, utilization and consumption of the bounties bestowed by God are certain and imminent.

Hence, there is nothing special in performing the inevitable (predetermined), no matter how spectacularly and auspiciously that may be done. By way of illustration, if significant discoveries and inventions like DNA, electricity, gravity, medications, vaccines, the wheel, the compass, calendar, clock, printing, computer, refrigerator, engine, steel, concrete, etc., were not made by their original discoverers and inventors, they would have been made by others at different times.

The way the creation realm has been configured and predetermined meant that all discoveries and inventions were bound to happen, dormant until their moment arrived. This is so because as far as the life mission of man is concerned, those things play second fiddle to the actualization of the God-revealed truth. As accidents, not substances, they assume a subsidiary role. In its function as the only real thing and the end of all ends, the truth should preoccupy man and his endeavors. Everything else is secondary and based on its temporary life objective and serviceability. It follows that civilization, too, ought to be concerned merely about the truth, with the validity of other issues being measured exclusively against it.

The world, restless human intelligence and divine providence are in a constant motion, drawing one another towards prolific alliances. Man should understand that his discoveries and inventions simply reflect his newfound awareness of things and events that have existed since time immemorial.

Those are by no means new or independently critical in the ambit of the truth and its uninhibited operations. For that reason, man should not be carried away by his discoveries and inventions, not least if they come between him and the world of the truth.

Those discoveries and inventions are gifts. They should humble man and incite in him a sense of gratitude. They demonstrate the greatness of the Creator, who alone has the power to create from nothing (ex nihilo), and the smallness of man, who neither does nor can create; his task is but to conceptualize, use, reuse, mix and manipulate in whatever creative ways the given gifts.

Stemming from all this is a contention that, for example, a farmer guided by the truth, who recognizes and serves the truth through his work, is more civilized and a more positive life force than a scientist who is misguided and egotistical, seeking to undermine spiritual values and moral standards.

The farmer is a source of peace and felicity, while the scientist is a source of infectious confusion and inner mayhem. The guided farmer furthermore is a source of unpretentious but genuine well-being, while the deluded scientist is a source of an alluring but, in reality, destructive life model.

The farmer offers little, but his little is everything he has and is true, whereas the scientist offers much, but his much is hollow and behaves like a venomous goblet.

The farmer represents a true example of civilizational determinism, where a combination of human hard-cumcreative work and divine interventions governs. In contrast, the deceived scientist symbolizes “civilizational liberalism,” focusing solely on human efforts which are given a license to explore the unexplorable, seek the unfindable, and appreciate the inappreciable.

For the claimed benefit of advancing freedom and civilization, such a scientist - without doubt - abuses both freedom and civilization, his intelligence, his very self and life as a whole.

Finally, it cannot be said enough that the rise of civilization depends on human choices, but its longevity and decline are influenced by a mix of choices and predetermination (fate). In civilization, the relationships between God and humanity are most distinctly defined. The advancement of civilizations reflects the advancement of these relationships, while the decline of civilizations indicates a decline in these same relationships.

Tinubu Declares 8th National Youth Games Open in Asaba

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the National Youth Games starting officially today in Asaba, Delta State as the vision of hope for the country's sports.

Speaking through the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enough, at the opening ceremony inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the President stressed that there was no better time than now to stage this NYG after the poor outing at the Paris Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games where Team Nigeria won

seven medals.

"There is no better time than now to stage this National Youth Games after our participation at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics."

He however stressed that the country's athletes did better at the Paralympics, "there is an urgent need to re-strategize for Nigeria’s sports to return to winning ways. One of the reasons our sports is on the decline is age falsification. We need to get it right at this level."

President Tinubu there confirmed

that his government was determined to turn around the situation.

"My administration is dedicated to repositioning sports for a better tomorrow. When I came here for the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of the National Youth Games last year, I was barely two weeks old in office. I can proudly say that there is a drastic improvement in the opening ceremony this year, " he noted.

Tinubu therefore urged all Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the sports industry, to join

hands with the Sports Ministry in its desire to change the face of the nation's sports.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Governor Sherrif Oborevwori said the aim of hosting the National Youth Games is to discover young athletes to replace ageing ones, adding that Delta being the home of sports in Nigeria would continue to lead the way.

Oborevwori said: “Nigeria’s performance at major international sporting events is on the decline. It may not be the problem of the

sports minister. We need to tackle the issue together. I expect old records to be broken and new ones set in this year's National Youth Games. Delta is proud to partner with the Federal Ministry of Sports in hosting this Games to reposition our sports.

"There is a good result from hosting these games because, you can see this last Olympics in Paris, our daughter, Favour Ofili did very well even though she did not win a medal. She is a product of these games.

"So, in this year's games, we are

looking for a talent better than Ofili. I assure our people that this year will be better than last year.” He urged all the athletes to compete fairly saying: "You are on your way to winning medals for Nigeria at the Olympic Games.” Oborevwori also urged the sports ministry to as a matter of urgency reverse the age limit of participation in the National Youth Games to its original U-17 from the present U-15 so that athletes discovered can easily form the bedrock of the National U-20 teams.

and Eguavoen in Abidjan

The ongoing Confederation of African Football (CAF) Coaches Symposium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire has brought together, the last three men that handled the Nigerian senior national team job.

Gernot Rohr, Jose Peseiro, and Austin Eguavoen are among the elite coaches currently gathered in Abidjan.

Gernot Rohr whose tenure of 5 years and 55 matches is the longest ever by any coach in Nigeria, is currently handling Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying rivals, Benin Republic.

He was succeeded in the interim by Austin Eguavoen who is presently having another interim stint with the Super Eagles.

Peseiro left his position after the Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan where the Super Eagles were second second-best team behind the hosts, Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire last February.

The symposium, which will end today and was organised by the CAF, featured a star-studded lineup of former players and coaches, including Senegalese icon El Hadji Diouf, Ivorian legend Gadji Celi, and Cameroon’s former goalkeeper Antoine Bell.

Other prominent names include South African defender Mark Fish, Ghana’s Black Stars coach Otto Addo, and Fulham legend Luis Boa Morte, who currently coaches Guinea-Bissau.

The symposium marks the first-ever gathering of its kind, with over 50 national team coaches from CAF member associations in attendance.

Ten Hag Hits Back at Ronaldo

Erik ten Hag yesterday brushed aside Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism about his ambition at struggling Manchester United, saying the Portugal star is "far from Manchester".

Ronaldo's second spell at United ended in a high-profile break-up in November 2022 after he made stinging comments about his Dutch boss.

The 39-year-old Al-Nassr player again hit out at Ten Hag this week, saying his attitude was too negative for a club of the stature of United.

Ronaldo told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: "Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you're not going to fight to win the (Premier) League or Champions League.

"You have to be, to mentally say, 'Listen, maybe we don't have that potential but I cannot say that. We're going to try.' You have to try."

He also said the club need to "rebuild everything" and that it "will be difficult" for them to challenge for the biggest trophies.

Ferdinand was Ronaldo's teammate during his trophy-laden first spell at United, from 2003 to 2009.

Ten Hag has said he is "quite confident" of claiming more silverware this campaign after lifting the League Cup and FA Cup over the past two seasons.

But he said in July his team are a "long way away" from being ready to win the Premier League, with United not crowned champions of England since Alex Ferguson's final season in charge in 2013.

When Ronaldo's comments about his mentality were put to him at a Thursday press conference, Ten Hag said: "He said that Manchester United can't win the Premier League. No, he said this if you read the article very well.

"So, he's far away in Saudi, far from Manchester. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion. It's OK."

Ronaldo's interview came after an international break that immediately followed United's humiliating 3-0 loss at home to bitter rivals Liverpool.

But Ten Hag said he did not let it affect him.

"It doesn't impact me," he insisted.

"I know in the process where we are, what we have to do, where we are going.

"I have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team.

"We are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team. Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game.

Gavi Returns to Barca Training after ACL Injury

Spain midfielder Gavi returned to training with Barcelona on Thursday, nearly 10 months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Gavi underwent surgery after suffering the injury in Spain's Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia last November, and missed the rest of the season, along with Spain's triumph at the Euros.

Barcelona posted a video on

social media of the 20-year-old back training with the squad, but Gavi is not expected to make a return to action just yet, and the club's next game is away to Girona on Sunday. Under new manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona have made a perfect start to the season, with four wins from four games putting them top of the La Liga standings, four points ahead of defending champions Real Madrid.

In an exciting development for Nigerian motorsport, three talented athletes will represent the country at the upcoming FIA Motorsport Games scheduled to take place in Valencia, Spain, from October 23 to 27, 2024.

The selected representatives, according to the Head of Delegation and Communication Manager for FIA Nigeria, Linda Enakeme Dominguez, include Baruch Roy Bako in Karting Sprint Senior; Femi Olaoye in Esports GT, and Kamto Chukwureh in Esports F4.

Leading this group of athletes, Dominguez, who has been appointed as the head of delegation by the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN) in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, said Baruch Roy Bako has made a name for himself in the karting community with his impressive performances on both national and international stages.

“Known for his speed and precision on the track, Bako’s participation in the Karting Sprint Senior category will be crucial for Nigeria, as he aims to showcase his skills against some of the best karting talents from around the world,” she said.

The head of the delegation added that Femi Olaoye represents Nigeria in the Esports GT category, “with a growing interest in competitive gaming, and has honed his skills through various online platforms

and competitions. His experience in virtual racing will be pivotal as he competes against other Esports racers globally. The inclusion of Esports categories at such prestigious events highlights the evolving nature of motorsport and its accessibility to a wider audience.

“Also, Kamto Chukwureh will compete in Esports F4, another exciting addition to Nigeria’s representation at the games. Chukwureh’s background in competitive gaming positions him well for this event, where strategy and quick reflexes are essential for success. Kamto 's awards, achievements, and accolades include 2x Gamerfest Sim-Racing Winter Winner (2023 and 2024), Gran Turismo Sport World Record Holder (2023),

PSGL GT7 Tier 1 Polesitter (2023), 2x GTSRL Charity Race Podium Finisher (2019, 2021), P2 SAS Takona Charity Race Championship GT7 (2023), Top 4 in the Racing Prodigy RaceRoom Points Rankings. His participation in Esports F4 signifies Nigeria’s commitment to embracing modern forms of motorsport.”

On the significance of the sport, she stated that the FIA Motorsport Game is an important platform that brings together competitors from various disciplines within motorsport under one roof. It does not only promote international camaraderie but also provides athletes with exposure to different racing styles and techniques.

“For Nigeria, participating in

this event marks a significant step towards establishing a stronger presence on the global motorsport stage. “As preparations ramp up ahead of October 2024, all eyes will be on Baruch Roy Bako, Femi Olaoye, Kamto Chukwureh, Linda Dominguez and the entire Nigeria ASN delegation (Drivers, Media, Entourage, Mechanics: Alozie Chimeruche Michael, Showemimo Ahmed Adedayo, Tunrayo Tosin Olasan, Olawale Azeez Ishola, Ogbodo Chukwuebuka Franklin, Nduziem Henry Okechukwu, Titilayo Foyeke Olaoye, Alexxa Oyebamiji Dominguez) as they aim to make history for Nigeria at this prestigious event like they did in France in 2022,” she added.

Sponsorship Support for GCU Relays Gathers Steam

With barely two months to the November 9th (ninth) date, which has been confirmed for the 6th (sixth) edition of the Government College Ughelli. GCU Relays, sponsorship support windows have opened in earnest, with consistent and regular Partners-Gamaliel and Susan Onosode Foundation, GAMSU leading the charge. And now, President Genera, l Worldwide PGWW, GCUOBA, Chief Albert Akpomudje SAN, has drummed up sponsorship and partnership requests from Ancient and Young Mariners and Corporate Nigeria.

‘’As with past editions of the GCU

Relays, we are again soliciting for sponsorship and partnership support from both Ancient and Young Mariners as well as Corporate Nigeria’’ Akpomudje disclosed at the weekend. Following closely on the heels of GAMSU Foundation is the Chief Executive of Pillar Oil, Mr Spencer Onosode and conglomerate giant, Barr. Andrew Oru of the January ’73 Class.

Key Sponsor Arik Air remains a pillar of support for the annual Inter-Collegiate Athletics Competition which is open to invited Secondary Schools Pan Nigeria.

‘’We shall continue to acknowledge

the massive support that has driven and delivered the GCU Relays over the years’’ Akpomudje said. Unflinching support for the GCU Relays has been provided by the erstwhile PGWW, Prof. Oritsegbemi Omatete, whose beloved wife will be laid to rest next week with funeral Obsequies at the Shepherd Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos. Consistent Partners include; Arco Group, Capitol Hill Clinic/ Hospital, NNPC/SHELL, MUDI, Benkline Nig. Ltd, TRITHEL, RIVOTEL Hotel & Golf Resort, and P.B.Djebah amongst a host of Ancient and Young Mariners Companies.

Eguavoen (middle) with Pesiero and Rohr

Femi Solaja with agency report

Sunday Okobi

PSC to Police Officers

“I will never spare thieves wherever I am. We are here to assist the government fight corruption. I come to work before 8am and I am the last person to leave the office. That is leadership. I have not changed and will never change; I know that leadership is everything. My mandate is not to come here to embezzle money. I must ensure transparency and openness and I will fight to the last” –Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Hashimu Argungu, warns Police Officers against corruption and other misdemeanours.

TUNJIBELLO GUEST COLUMNIST

Cartels as Common Enemy

The Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC) decided to host this townhall meeting in Lagos as part of a broader initiative to foster a national conversation around the sanity of the marketplace.

Before I continue, let me seize this opportunity to debunk a gross misrepresentation of the position of the Commission at the Abuja edition of the townhall series by a section of the media, particularly some of the online platforms. Contrary to the impression they created, at no time did we say we were giving traders ultimatum to crash prices across the country by fiat. That is quite ridiculous. The Commission would have required an army to enforce that. Certainly, our statutory mandate does not include price control. We are not here to fix prices or dictate to any law-abiding trader or manufacturer how to relate to the market. Rather, ours is to ensure there is no price fixing or gang-up in trade transactions.

As a Commission, we are not acting out of a brainwave. Indeed, we had carried out extensive discreet market survey across the country and our findings were quite disturbing. We identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices. We noticed 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. In some areas, we discovered that some players are engaged in hoarding of grains, to create artificial scarcity, thereby distorting the market, resulting in unduly high prices of such food items.

To be sure, we cannot deny that the removal of fuel subsidy has brought some discomfort, just as we quite recognize that an unfavorable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency. But nothing justifies selling a blender sold N140,000 in the U.S. for N950,000 in Nigeria, for instance, representing more than 500 percent inflation of the cost.

Perhaps, the case of BUA cement best illustrates how the middlemen collide sometimes to distort the market and make life more miserable for the consumers at a time when people are already facing economic challenges. You will recall that after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu last year, the Chairman of BUA cement, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, agreed to bring down the price of cement to N3,500 ex depot as his own way of helping to bring succor to Nigerians passing through economic difficulty. But Alhaji Rabiu’s commendable gesture was frustrated by unscrupulous middlemen who bought cement from BUA at N3,500 and ensured that prices remained at N7,000.

In our investigation, we also discovered that some traders form a cartel in the market and put barriers in form of ridiculous membership fees intended to ensure price fixing in the market. Without joining them, they won’t allow anyone to sell goods in the market or provide services. Such practices are against the law and constitute

some of the offenses the Commission is against, ladies and gentlemen. To be clear, price gouging and price fixing are not only unethical, but patently illegal also under the FCCPA. Section 17 of the Act empowers the Commission to eliminate anti-competitive practices, misleading, unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable marketing, trading, and business practices. Sanctions include fine of up to N10m and a jail term for anyone found guilty by the court.

But rather than applying the full weight of the law in the first instance, the Commission is deliberately adopting the option of dialogue with you the stakeholders to collaborate with us to help check unfair pricing in the market.

To galvanize a more efficient process nationwide, I am pleased to announce that Commission is upgrading its consumer engagement portal to make it more inclusive and interactive and in real

time. In simple terms, it means that, when fully calibrated, it will be possible for any consumer who feels aggrieved to lodge a complaint and upload the receipt of the transaction as evidence and such complaint will be processed promptly free of charge with a view to ensuring that justice is done without fear or favour.

At our engagement with stakeholders in Abuja two weeks ago we heard their own stories. They listed factors like insecurity, high costs of transportation and extortion on the road by both state and non-state actors as part of the reasons for prevailing high costs of consumer goods. As a government agency, our responsibility is to get feedback to help policymakers. At Abuja, we heard the stakeholders loud and clear and shall take the message back to the government.

At this juncture, let me acknowledge and thank the Lagos State Government for a good step

To be sure, we cannot deny that the removal of fuel subsidy has brought some discomfort, just as we quite recognize that an unfavorable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency. But nothing justifies selling a blender sold N140,000 in the U.S. for N950,000 in Nigeria, for instance, representing more than 500 percent inflation of the cost

already initiated in this direction. According to a media report few days ago, the Lagos State Government said it would henceforth track the movement produce from the farms to the markets with a view to checkmating those in the habit of hijacking the produce and manipulating the prices at the expense of consumers. Having supported farmers with free inputs and processors, the Lagos State Government is, of course, justified to track the produce to the markets to ensure that the prices at which those produces are being sold are reasonable for average Nigerians. We welcome such a step and encourage other states to emulate this to ensure fair pricing for the benefit of Nigerian consumers.

Before I round off, I think it is also important to report that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not unaware of the pains caused by the economic reforms being implemented to reposition our economy. As a responsive and sensitive leader, President Tinubu has taken some extraordinary steps by removing taxes on food items, pharmaceutical products, and public transportation. Such laudable initiatives would however be in vain if the benefits are not passed down to the consumers by way of reduced prices of goods and services in the times ahead.

In Abuja, I had enjoined stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation at this challenging moment. Here in Lagos, I am echoing that statement. Please, let us talk to ourselves and say no to the exploitation of one another.

•Being excerpts from the keynote address by the Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer (FCCPC), Mr. Tunji Bello, at a Stakeholders Meeting on Exploitative Pricing hosted by the FCCPC and held in Lagos on Wednesday, September 11, 2024

A cross section of participants of the FCCPC town-hall meeting