TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Moderation in Food Prices Eases Inflation to 32.15%

Severe in Bauchi, Kebbi, Jigawa, others

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities declined to 32.15 percent in August

compared to 33.40 percent in the preceding month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday.

The NBS attributed the 1.25 percent drop in the headline index to moderation in food and commodity prices.

According to the CPI figures for the review period, year-on-year, however, inflation was 6.35 percent higher compared to 25.80 percent in August 2023. Month-on-month, headline inflation dropped to 2.22 percent

compared to 2.28 percent in July. Month-on-month, the food inflation stood at 2.37 percent or 0.10 percent decrease compared to 2.47 percent in the preceding month.

The NBS attributed the fall to the decline in the rate of increase

www.thisdaylive.com

Emmanuel Addeh in

Sets up disaster relief fund, seeks private sector support Shehu of Borno wants flood disaster probed Zulum commences distribution of relief materials to impacted persons

Acknowledges donations from agric ministry, NEMA, NNPC Kano donates N100m, Ndume N50m IGP orders reconstruction of damaged police facilities

in the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, said he had to shelve his proposed visit to the United States, to identify with the people of Maiduguri and environs in Borno State over the recent flood disaster, which almost crashed commercial and social activities

Continued on page 14

represented an 8.18 percent increase compared to 29.34 percent in August 2023.

According to the statistical agency, the rise in food inflation

in the average prices of tobacco, tea, cocoa, coffee, groundnut oil, milk, yam, irish potatoes, water yam, cassava tuber, palm oil, and vegetable among others. However, food inflation stood at 37.52 percent, year-on-year, which Continued on page 14

Tinubu Reschedules US Trip to Visit Maiduguri, Pledges Help for Borno

PAPAL HONOUR FOR LADY DOJA OTEDOLA...

Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins (left); and the recipient of the Papal honour of Pro

Pontifice by His Holiness Pope Francis, Dame Christine Doja Otedola, during the investiture of Papal Nights and Medalist on her at The Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos... on Saturday

Ndubuisi Francis, James Emejo in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Ecclesia et

Abuja

Deji Elumoye, Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade and Linus Aleke in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

TINUBU VISITS FLOOD RAVAGED BORNO...

L-R: Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu: Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar Garbai Ibn El-Kanemi; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and former governor Ali Modu Sheriff, during the president’s visit to Borno State while extending his deepest sympathies to the governor, and those affected by the flood disaster in Borno in Maiduguri... yesterday

NEITI: FG, States, LGs Shared

N3.473tn from FAAC in Q2 2024

Wants monitoring, tracking mechanism by civil society strengthened

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N3.473 trillion to the three tiers of government in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting an increase of N46.77 billion or 1.42 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2024, it was learnt yesterday.

Data from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) from its latest Quarterly Report on Federation Account Revenue Allocations for Q2, indicated that the federal government received N1.102 trillion, representing 33.35 per cent of the total allocation.

Besides, the 36 states received N1.337 trillion or 40.47 per cent of the entire monies, while the 774 local government councils shared N864.98 billion or 26.18 per cent.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, made the announcement in the report released at NEITI House, Abuja, according to a statement by the Assistant Director, Communications & Advocacy, Chris Ochonu.

In addition, nine oil-producing states received N169.26 billion as their derivation share from mineral revenue.

A comparison with the previous quarter showed that the federal government's allocation decreased by N41.44 billion (3.76 per cent), while state governments saw an increase of N58.13 billion (4.29 per cent), and local government councils

experienced a rise of N30.82 billion (3.57 per cent).

The Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) were identified as the main revenue-generating agencies for the Federation Account.

Their contributions, NEITI said, included oil and gas royalties, petroleum profit tax, company income tax, value-added tax, and import & excise duties.

The report highlighted an upward trend in revenue allocations in the latter months of 2023 and early 2024. Total monthly disbursements increased from N1.094 trillion in January 2024 to N1.098 trillion in February but then declined slightly to N1.065 trillion in March.

On state by state allocations, Delta State received the largest share of allocations in Q2 2024, with a gross allocation of N137.357 billion, including oil derivation. Lagos State followed with N123.282 billion, and Rivers State was third with N108.104 billion. Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Ekiti States received the least, with N24.735 billion and N25.404 billion, respectively.

Among local governments, Alimosho in Lagos State received the highest allocation at N5.721 billion, followed by Ajeromi/Ifelodun (N4.592 billion) and Kosofe (N4.541 billion).

Ifedayo received the smallest share of N661.82 million.

Nine states benefited from 13 per

cent oil derivation revenue, with Delta State leading at 40.153 per cent, followed by Bayelsa (38.112 per cent) and Akwa Ibom (36.117 per cent).

Rivers State recorded a derivation ratio of 27.272 per cent, while the other oil-producing states had ratios below 20 per cent.

The report also noted that solid minerals-producing states did not receive derivation revenue in Q2 2024 due to insufficient revenue generation from the sector.

Bauchi State recorded the highest debt deductions in Q2 2024 at N6.49 billion, followed by Ogun State. Anambra State had the least

deductions at N115.6 million, while Lagos and Nasarawa recorded no debt deductions for the quarter.

NEITI recommended that states take advantage of ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector to diversify their revenue sources.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should strengthen measures to stabilise the exchange rate and reduce fluctuations in Federation Account remittances. States should adopt realistic budget benchmarks for oil production and exports to minimise fiscal shocks from price volatility.

“The Revenue Mobilisation Alloca-

tion and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) are encouraged to increase transparency and accountability, particularly in the payment of special revenue accruals like derivation arrears and debt repayment refunds,” NEITI stated.

The NEITI quarterly review is designed to provide timely information on FAAC disbursements and to promote citizen education, advocacy, and accountability in the use of public funds.

The executive secretary, Orji added: “The quarterly review aims to highlight the sources of funds into the

Federation Account and the factors affecting the growth or decline in revenues and distributions over time.

“The ultimate goal of this disclosure is to enhance knowledge, increase awareness, and promote public accountability in the management of public finances.”

The NEITI executive secretary urged the citizens and civil society organisations, particularly those involved in revenue and expenditure monitoring, to show interest and strengthen their capacity in budget tracking and monitoring of allocations and disbursements to all tiers of government.

Oluremi Tinubu Unveils #OneNigeria/Unity Fabric to Be Worn on Independence Day

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday, unveiled #OneNigeria/ Unity Fabric, a symbol of national unity and cultural diversity, with a declaration that the fabric would be worn nationwide to commemorate this year's Independence Day on October 1.

In a keynote address at the unveiling of the cloth at State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu, "The fabric will be officially worn for our Independence

Day celebration on the 1st of October, 2024, across the nation."

She added that the fabric would be mass-produced by local manufacturers through Sunflag Nigeria Limited in Lagos and BBY Multitrade Limited in Kano, to stimulate local industries, create jobs, and boost the economy.

According to her, "As we showcase this design, our goal is to encourage local mass production of the unity fabric by two of our local manufacturers, namely Sunflag Nigeria Limited, Lagos, and BBY Multitrade Limited, Kano, making

Troops Foil Plan to Build New Oil Bunkering Hubs in Niger Delta

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian Army (NA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), yesterday announced that they successfully foiled several attempts by oil theft syndicates and economic saboteurs, to build new illegal oil bunkering hubs in the Niger Delta region.

The Army and NAF disclosed this in separate statements yesterday.

The Army in its statement revealed that troops of Six Division discovered and effectively deactivated no fewer than 37 illegal refining sites, identified 10 illegal connection points, and destroyed six wooden boats used for conveying stolen products, within the period under review.

This was as troops, deployed to Kwaga village of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killed two fleeing terrorists, during an ambush operation in the area.

The Nigerian Army revealed that troops of 6 Division scaled up clearance operations in the creeks, waterways and rivulets, aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta region. While conducting operations at different fronts in conjunction with other security agencies, across the Joint Operations Areas, the NA, said the troops, also apprehended over nine suspected oil thieves, seven vehicles, eight motorcycles used for the nefarious activities, four trucks, several pumping machines as well as confiscation of over 221,000 litres of illegally refined products.

These, the NA said, were in addition "to frustrating the criminals’ several attempts at establishing new illegal bunkering hubs in the region."

According to the statement, "In Rivers State, around Imo River, in the general area of Owaza and Odogwa Creeks, troops confiscated

over 15,000 litres of stolen crude in a large wooden boat. The same feat was also recorded at Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, where troops deactivated nine active illegal refining sites, destroyed five wooden boats, and several motorcycles as well as confiscated over 13,000 litres of stolen products.

"Also, along road Ebocha Ndoni, a reservoir with over 8,500 litres of stolen products, 116 sacks stocked with over 7,000 stolen products were recovered. Additionally, 10 empty metal drums, 10 metal pipes and one motorcycle were also recovered."

The Service said, the troops, also intercepted one suspect in a Toyota Camry with Reg No KTU 423 EC Lagos with over 2,000 litres of stolen products.

"Similarly, along road Ndoni Obiafo, troops intercepted a suspect who fled on sighting troops and abandoned a Toyota Sienna with

Reg No Lagos EPE 789 JC conveying stolen products.

“In the same vein, a Volvo car without Reg No was intercepted with 36 sacks with products estimated to be over 2,000 litres," the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, troops deployed to Kwaga village of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, positioned an ambush against terrorists, transiting along Birnin Gwari-Manini axis, leading to an intense firefight that led to the killing no fewer than two terrorists.

The statement averred: "The Nigerian Army continues to demonstrate its resolve in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State in dismantling terrorist networks across various theatres of operations and delivering heavy blows to the fleeing villains.

it accessible to all Nigerians.

“By mass-producing this fabric, we aim to stimulate local industries, create jobs and boost our economy. We envision this fabric will be used in national celebration events and daily lives, symbolising unity, love and pride in our nation."

The fabric was designed by 25-yearold Miss Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, who went home with a cash prize of N25 million after emerging winner of a fabric designs competition, organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), chaired by the first lady.

Bamidele’s entry was picked as winner from 111 entries.

The first lady explained that the concept of a national fabric was inspired by her visit to Zimbabwe in December 2023, where she saw a similar initiative.

She said the #OneNigeria/UnityFabric Competition was launched in February 2024, with youths aged 15-25 asked to create designs that would represent Nigeria's unity.

A panel of judges, including renowned fashion doyen, Zainab Abba Folawiyo, and international textile fashion designer, Miss Banke Kuku, selected the best design from 111 entries.

Tinubu praised the rigorous selection process and thanked the judges and members of the Governing Board of RHI for their effort.

She stated, “Today, my heart is filled with joy as we have just witnessed the unveiling of the #OneNigeriaUnity Fabric, the announcement of the winner of the competition and the presentation of prize ceremony. I say big congratulations to Miss Bamidele

Mufiyinfoluwa, she did quite a fantastic job.

“I would like to briefly share the background to what led us to this moment. In December 2023, I visited Zimbabwe for the launch of #WeAreEqual Unifying Campaign of the Organisation of the African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and on this visit, I came across the concept of a national fabric, which they have, and this fascinated me.

“I believe this concept is a unifying one, where we can infuse our cultural diversity and break down tribal barriers to identify as a people of one nation. So, I decided that it would be a good idea to have a similar experience.

“Upon my arrival, at one of the meetings of the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), I mooted the idea and to my surprise, everyone seemed excited about it.

“Thereafter, the #OneNigeriaUnity Fabric Competition was announced through various media platforms in February 2024, calling on all our youths between the ages of 15 to 25 to create a design for a fabric that will be launched as the national unity fabric.

“Entries for this competition closed on the 30th of June, 2024. On 2nd of July, 2024, we invited two panellists; a renowned fashion icon, Princess Zainab Abba Folawiyo, who has been at the forefront of the fashion industry for 60 years, and Miss Banke Kuku, an international textile fashion designer. She's the one who actually designed the gift scarves I give out because she's a textile designer.

WINNER OF ONE NIGERIA /UNITY FABRIC GETS N25 MILLION...

Wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu (right) and Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima (left) presenting N25million cheque to the winner of One Nigeria/Unity challenge, Bamidele Mofiyinfoluwa Peace, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja ... yesterday

WTO Chief Okonjo-Iweala Seeks Second Term to Complete 'Unfinished Business'

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi OkonjoIweala will seek another four-year term as head of the organisation following a broad Africa-led push

to start the process early, aiming to complete "unfinished business" from her first mandate, Reuters reported yesterday.

Okonjo-Iweala, 70, a former Nigerian finance minister, made history by becoming the first female

and African chief of the 30-year-old trade body in 2021. "I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story and I stand ready to compete for the position," Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters in comments later confirmed by a

WTO statement. "For my second term, I intend to focus on delivering," she added, saying among the priorities were addressing "unfinished business".

These include a deal on ending fisheries subsidies and reaching a

Polaris Bank Announces New Board Appointments

Gidado named Chairman

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has constituted a full Board of Directors for Polaris Bank Limited, in a major transition that signaled the remarkable achievements of the new management and the future of the Bank.

The Ten-man board is headed by Dr. Kassim Gidado as board Chairman.

According to a statement, other Non-Executive Directors appointed by the central bank for the commercial bank included: Dr. Akwa Effiong Okon, Mallam Ambursa Abubakar Umar, Mrs. Ayaba M. Ayo-Joseph, Mrs. Giwa-Amu Subulade Ibironke and Dr. Onosode Christopher.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Kayode Lawal, said the diverse expertise and experience of the new board members would further enrich on-going strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening their position as a leading digital bank

“We are thrilled to welcome these seasoned professionals to the board of Polaris Bank. Their diverse expertise and leadership qualities will be invaluable as we drive our strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the bank as a leading Nigeria digital bank.

“These appointments mark a significant step in Polaris Bank’s journey towards achieving sustained growth and delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders.”

Gidado, the new Board Chairman, is an academic with over 35 years of experience in the fields of Engineering, Project Management and Strategic Development. He brings a wealth of expertise and a dynamic vision to the bank’s board.

He has held prestigious roles, including Group Managing Director and Chief of Staff at MAG Group Limited where he managed a diverse portfolio of companies across 35 countries. His extensive experience in public-private partnerships

and infrastructure development, among other strategic footprints, will be invaluable to the growth and development of Polaris Bank.

A community leader of repute, Dr. Gidado is the Wazirin Jam’are in Jam’are Local Government in Bauchi State. His extensive academic, public service and professional background will provide invaluable leadership as he assumes the role of Board Chairman.

Okon who holds a doctorate in Law, has experience as a Special Assistant on Finance and later MD at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt and as a Non-Executive Director of FHA Mortgage Bank Limited in Abuja, where he represented the federal government's interest.

Abubakar Umar is an expert in Enterprise Transformation and Development Finance with over 30 years of experience in the banking industry, including a distinguished tenure at the CBN.

With 12 years of consulting expertise, he is renowned for his strong risk management skills and extensive experience in product management across various areas including credit, liquidity, market risks, regulatory capital and customer experience.

He holds a Master of Science in Banking & Finance from Bayero University, Kano and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Sokoto.

Ayo-Joseph has over three decades of experience in the banking industry. A member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), she brings to the Board as a Non-Executive Director a wealth of experience in Corporate Management, Business Development, and Strategy Execution. Her track record includes serving as an Executive Director at Bank PHB, where she played a critical

role and delivered transitional change between 2010 and 2011 following her appointment by the CBN.

She holds various professional memberships, including with the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), the Nigerian Bar Association, and WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business, and Public Service.

Ibironke, a Lawyer by training, holds an MBA degree from the University of Warwick, UK and brings over 27 years of experience in financial services, real estate investment & development and business process re-engineering across the West African region to the Polaris Bank Board.

Giwa-Amu will leverage her expertise in Corporate Transforma-

tion, Strategic Management and Real Estate Structuring to support Polaris Bank’s drive in corporate banking initiatives.

Her extensive background includes notable board positions and successful leadership roles. She is the Founder & CEO of Brookstone Investments and a former Managing Director/ CEO at International Commercial Bank (FBN Bank Ghana).

Christopher holds a doctorate in Economics and energy major from Kent University, UK. He joins the Board with over 30 years of experience in business systems analysis and design, strategy and operations, project management and policy analysis.

breakthrough in global agriculture negotiations, as well as reforming the WTO's hobbled disputes system and decarbonising trade.

Officially, she has until the end of November to decide whether to apply again. But the African-led move to start early, initiated in July before US President Joe Biden withdrew from the election campaign and supported by dozens of countries, was seen as motivated partly by a bid to secure her second term ahead of the US vote in November.

Under WTO consensus rules, the report stated that that would be possible if nobody else applies and all states accept her.

In 2020, former US President Donald Trump's administration blocked her appointment in a step seen by some as an attack on an organisation he once described as "horrible". She secured U.S. backing when Biden succeeded Trump in 2021.

Asked whether both she and the WTO could be successful if Trump is elected, she said: "I don't focus on that because I have no control."

Okonjo-Iweala is one of the few WTO chiefs in the body's history to land global trade deals, including the first part of a global treaty on cutting

fishing subsidies agreed in 2022.

But a high-level meeting earlier this year yielded more meagre outcomes: the accession of two new members and a rollover on a deal to hold off from imposing digital tariffs.

Since then some agreements such as a follow-up fishing deal have been blocked most clearly by just one member - India.

Okonjo-Iweala admitted to Reuters the job was difficult and that geopolitical tensions among its 166 members was a significant challenge.

"It is tough, you know, very tough. There's no getting away from that. But it's also a job that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning," she told Reuters.

Since the Trump the administration blocked judges in December 2019 to the WTO's top adjudications court, leaving it unable to function, the watchdog has had limited scope to constrain the flouting of rules by members.

The policy has continued under Biden, although Washington is engaging on possible reforms which could eventually see some form of review system for disputes eventually revived.

Continued Detention of Binance Executive in Nigeria May Sever Relationship, Says US Lawmaker

Emma Okonji

Worried about the continued detention of Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria, a United States lawmaker in the House of Representatives, James Hill, has said the long time detention could negatively impact on the bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a statement on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Hill wrote: "I'm surprised Nigeria, a country considered a friend to America, is holding a US citizen in detention over a matter he's not directly involved in. I urge President Biden to push harder for his release."

Hill, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the subcommittee overseeing digital assets and financial technology, highlighted Gambaryan's contri-

butions to combating cybercrime, saying that since he has helped America bust many cybercrime rings, It's time to return the favour.

The lawmaker's intervention comes as Gambaryan's case continues to draw attention, with many calling for his release.

Hill's engagement with US Under Secretary for Management, John Bass over the detention, underscores the growing concern among US officials.

In a video interview posted on his verified X handle, Hill asked Bass: “In this administration, we have seen a lot of action on Americans wrongfully detained abroad. And they frequently get a designation.

“But suddenly here we have a country like Nigeria which we removed from the list in the Biden administration on religious freedom issues; signed a commercial and investment partnership with in the

middle of this personal tragedy, detaining an American citizen indefinitely.

"What do you think the sticking point is, for getting Gambaryan home to his family? "

He also described the government's response to the issue as embarrassing.

"The response of the government is embarrassing in Nigeria and I think while our Ambassador is doing his best on the ground there, we need to press harder. We need the president engaged here. This is wrong. This is a dispute that in no way involves Tigran Gambaryan and we're watching him decline in his health.

"It is a horrifying situation and, this country is a friend of the US; we are not talking about Iran, or Russia here, we are talking about Nigeria.

“I don't think this leadership,

the national security adviser, the president, the cabinet leadership in Nigeria get to understand they're putting our relationship on the line because of the way they're handling this situation,” he added.

Giving details of the efforts made by the American government to get Gambaryan out of detention and when possibly that can happen, Bass said: "I think we are picking our way through some complicated tangles within the Nigerian system but I am hopeful we are taking out ways to resolve those in the near future, and I can assure you that the secretary and deputy secretary, along with myself are seized with this and doing everything possible to get him out soon.

"We have asked the US embassy to advocate for the humanitarian release of Gambaryan because of the horrible conditions in the prison, his innocence and his health."

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

2024 NATIONAL DAY OF IDENTITY...

to the

Nigeria Loses Huge Revenues as Massive Silting of Excravos Channel Delays Movement of Vessels

Users blame NPA for slowing down remediation, non-enforcement of rules Businesses spend heavily on towing equipment Situation compounding fuel supply challenges, operators say

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigeria is losing huge revenues from the operations of businesses along the Excravos water channel due to heavy build-up of silt on the waterway, hindering smooth passage of vessels, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

The problem has been further compounded as a result of the slow paperwork for the ‘desilting’ of the channel by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the federal government agency that manages the operations around the affected area in the Warri axis of Delta state.

Sources told THISDAY that several vessels had been running aground in the channel, further compounding the mess because the NPA, which should ensure the orderly movement of vessels around the area, has largely shirked its responsibility.

The Escravos channel, an important water route for vessels, flows about 57 kilometres, ending off the Gulf of Guinea where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

“Typically, this is the channel that allows access into the Warri port and there are multiple users. It is also a channel that provides access for the tankers that bring in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the country.

“NNPC is a key user because those

are tankers that are commissioned by them. Now, with regards to crude oil production for the country, some of the assets in the western Niger Delta corridor also convey crude oil from the fields via mid-range tankers shuttling from the asset through the channel to offshore location for export.

“Now, this channel, over the years as is typical with nature has been silted. So, increasingly, it has been difficult for vessels to navigate and once aground will require assistance to refloat with high-powered tug boats, ” one of the tug boat providers said.

THISDAY checks showed that in the past, several ocean-going vessels owned by Matrix Energy and other ship owners/charterers including MV Adebomi 3, MT Matrix Triumph, MT Matrix Asa, and MV Zola had run aground within the same axis. It was further learnt that since the maximum draft at the channel during high tide is about 6.2 meters, many vessels now routinely get stuck in the area, leading to loss of huge revenues, including expenditure on heavy machinery for towing the affected vessels.

Before they are towed, these vessels are said to block the entire channel, thereby making it impossible for other vessels to move along the route for sometimes as many as 10

days, leading to significant financial losses.

Aside the oil companies, including Chevron and Shell, which use the route, it was further understood that other local small scale endeavours also use the line to move bulk products.

To ensure sanity on the water route pending dredging, THISDAY learnt that the users have clamoured for NPA to maintain stricter oversight on the issue of draft restrictions in order to avoid the occurrence of blockage of the channel by overloaded vessels.

“You would expect that the responsible agency would ensure that it remains navigable because of its importance because these operators are providing a service, and they are supporting the country' cash flow plans and revenue generation, whether through the production making its way to the terminals.

“But businesses are experiencing frustration and there’s a heightened sense of emergency to do something, anything at all, on that channel. There's an agency there that governs or marshal out user rules and regulations.

“But you can imagine that people also play ‘try your luck’. They will

load up their vessels, pass the acceptable rate for the draft, and will just try to see if they can find their way through. On the average, you could see vessels that are grounded for seven days or over 10 days.

“And what it means is that as soon as you have that, there are businesses that are suffering. There’s zero activity for the next seven days, and the ramifications or consequences is the inability to deliver service timely,” one user told THISDAY.

Another channel user added:

“Every channel has a limit of six, seven, eight metres and there's always a control tower that tells the vessels to come in at the right time, depending on their draft then.

“But what is happening now is that because that place is silted, and the chiefs in Abuja and Lagos are not making the right decisions, the harbour master in Warri and his team still give vessels green lights, even when he knows that their drafts are not accommodated by the channel.”

The user pointed out that once they get in there, they will run aground, then a tugboat will be sought for to pull it out. About three

days ago, he stated that there were three blockages, which had taken an average of eight to nine days to open up. It seems this is another business for tugboat vendors which the operators are wondering what the motive is.

“So, you can understand that business activity in that axis has crumbled. And this is where you have oil production and other activities. This is the channel. There are two channels in Warri. One is the Escravos channel. One is the Forcados channel. They've allowed the Forcados channel to silt a long time ago. So, that one is abandoned.

“Now, this one, if they allow it to go this way, it means that it will get to a point where they will even abandon any marine economic activity in the Warri axis as well,” the source added.

According to the source, it is expected that parties move to urgently resolve the business challenge that is currently impacting business activities in the Niger Delta.

“We all are aware these could be another issue that leads to not improving the commercial and business activity in the Niger Delta.

“It seems the issue today is because as usual in Nigeria, everybody wants his interest to be covered, reason it’s taking NPA time to close the dredging mobilisation for such a critical national interest (what could be termed a water gateway) to deteriorate. “NPA, if needed should explore initiative to fast track, including seeking the support of the users who ordinarily pay for the use of the channels. This is like a toll highway, as such funding shouldn’t be an issue.

“Clearly, the impact of this on the PMS distribution in the country is obviously from the long queues. The impact on production shut-in is almost a billion dollar in this time of below par production and shortage of Foreign Exchange for the country ,not to mention the added cost to the business due to long waiting of vessels at the channel ,” THISDAY was told.

In May this year, about seven daughter vessels carrying a combined total of 150 million litres of petrol were reported to have been trapped on the high sea at the Escravos channel, leading to a worsening of the fuel supply crises.

OAGF: Employees' Data on IPPIS Platform Safe, Secure

The African Leadership Foundation (ALF) and the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce (FEWACCI), on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expansion of training to expose more Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) operators to potentials and opportunities in the export markets.

The MoU, was signed at the opening of SME Agribusiness Export Readiness Accelerator Training Programme for West Africa organised by the ALF in conjunction with African Export-Import (AFREXIM), Bank.

The training, which was the second edition, after the one held last year, drew participants numbering 100 from the 13 West African countries.

Like the last year's edition, the 2024 training, was held at the Legacy

Resort within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Addressing participants and stakeholders, which included representatives of the AFREXIM Bank, FEWACCI and participants of the 2023 training, the Executive Director of ALF, Dr. Olumide Ajayi, said testimonies from the first edition, which had 50 participants, showed that the programme, was impactful.

Ajayi commended the AFREXIM Bank for partnering with the foundation on the programme, which has now become a sub-regional programme with participants from West African countries.

Ajayi said: "At the ALF, we are immensely proud of our ongoing partnership with Afreximbank.

“Together, we are forging a path that not only nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit but also strengthen the economic fabric of our continent.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) yesterday reaffirmed the federal government's determination to maintain and operate a secure and efficient personnel and payroll system.

In a statement, Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, maintained that the Integrated Personal and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) database had not been compromised, contrary to speculations.

Some workers had reported certain anomalies in their salaries, promoting speculations of a possible breach.

Mokwa, however, assured that employees personal data on the IPPIS database remained safe and secured.

The OAGF manages the IPPIS and other financial management initiatives of the federal government.

Mokwa said the office is already implementing its ICT security policy that aims to ensure that its digital assets are secured in line with global best practices.

He insisted that no data is saved on

its website, adding that the IPPIS uses the website to only share information and not for any transaction.

He said, "The IPPIS is not using the OAGF website for any transaction. The website is actually the medium to share information. Neither payroll nor payment is made through the website, therefore, no data is contained in the website."

The OAGF explained that the IPPIS validation portal that was

recently developed for updates of employees information was deployed for a period and after the exercise was over, the data was pulled out and the site shut down permanently.

The statement added, "The IPPIS validation portal was deployed on a secure platform. A secured database and application were purchased from the popular HELIX-FONS.'

The office acknowledged that the IPPIS is of utmost importance to Nigerian workers, thus it became imperative to assuage the fears of any loss or breach of employees personal data in the IPPIS database."

The OAGF noted that the personnel payroll system had put in place necessary mechanism to resolve any problem that may arise in its operations and advised workers that observe anomalies in their salaries to follow the official procedures inorder to get such issues resolved.

Gov Oyebanji Hails Ajayi’s Appointment as

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed the appointment of Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the new Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS). Governor Oyebanji, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the appointment as a befitting recognition of Ajayi’s distinguished public service record.

“So, it’s not surprising that he has risen to the zenith of his profession, and appointed by the President to head the Department of State Service.

“We wish him well in his new assignment,” the governor added.

The governor, who described Ajayi as a highly professional intelligence officer with great insight, said his first contact with the new DSS boss was when he served as Chief Detail to the first Military Administrator of Ekiti State, the Late Col. Inua Bawa, upon the creation of the state in 1996, adding that he demonstrated professionalism and integrity as a young officer then.

James Sowole in Abeokuta

James Emejo in Abuja

L-R: Secretary

Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Abisoye Coker -Odusote; and Group Chief Executive Officer of SEAMFIX, Engr. Chimezie Emewulu, during the 2024 National Day of Identity in Abuja ... yesterday

PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

FG Set to Exploit $7 Trillion Global Halal Economy Market

Targets $1.5bn GDP through strategic initiatives by 2027

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government will tomorrow launch a comprehensive strategy to position the country as a leading player in the Halal economy.

The project is part of initiatives to diversify the economy and tap into the burgeoning global Halal market- products and services that meet Islamic standards of permissibility and embodies ethics, integrity, and universal values that resonate across cultures and regions.

Speaking yesterday, ahead of Wednesday’s Halal Stakeholders Engagement Programme billed to hold at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, said the initiative would bring together government

agencies, private sector leaders, and international partners with a view to capitalizing on Nigeria's position as the eighth-largest domestic Halal economy globally.

According to him: "The Halal economy represents a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria to diversify our economy, generate foreign exchange, and achieve sustainable growth.

"By increasing our Halal exports

and focusing on strategic import substitution, we project an addition of nearly $1.5 billion to our GDP by 2027."

He noted that the Halal economy extends beyond religious compliance, embodying principles of ethics, integrity, and quality that resonate across cultures.

"The success of Sukuk bonds and the growing appeal of Islamic banking demonstrate that Halal

TINUBU RESCHEDULES US TRIP TO VISIT MAIDUGURI, PLEDGES HELP FOR BORNO

towards the cause of humanity.

Tinubu declared the flood disaster a natural occurrence.

But Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Abubakar Umar Garba, requested a probe into the flood disaster.

Tinubu, who was received by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, and other stakeholders in the state, made straight to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, where he commiserated with the monarch.

On his way to the palace, the president visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, where he assured the flood victims of maximum support by the federal government.

Speaking at Shehu's palace, Tinubu said he had to reschedule his official trip to the United States of America in order to sympathise with the people of Borno State over the unfortunate incident.

He said, "I am just here to sympathise with you. I know your palace was overtaken by flood. I have heard the report. My VP gave me details but to me personally, I know I had to cut off my trip to America.

“I was going to go to America but decided to be with you even if only for five minutes – to share the moment. I thank you very much for your leadership, for your various prayers. This is one disaster that we must pay attention to. We will help Borno State.

"We, as a government, as Nigerian people, we pledge to stand with you. We assure you that we will help you in the rehabilitation process. It is our problem not just your problem. We must share in each other's pains.

“The situation that we find ourselves in the environmental problem, climate change and all of these is what we must tackle differently and we must educate our people."

At the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri, Tinubu announced a disaster relief fund to assist citizens affected by flood and other disasters. He said the relief fund was expedient, as the climate became more unpredictable and many places in the country were vulnerable to its vagaries.

He said, “After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.

“There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.

“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging."

Tinubu thanked Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF); Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo; and other governors who looked beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.

While saying Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity, the president extended his sympathy to the government and people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government's continued support

for victims of natural disasters.

He stated, “For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together.”

Tinubu thanked Zulum for his prompt intervention as well as the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives.

He said, “I am glad that Professor Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State, and share the burden.

“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest. May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth."

The president commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied Tinubu on the visit, said the National Assembly would collaborate with the executive to establish the relief fund.

In his comments at his palace, Shehu of Borno, requested the president to get to the root cause of the flooding.

The monarch stated, "My request is one, that is, find out the root cause of this flooding and address it appropriately so as to avoid future occurrence, as

OIL MARKETERS: IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR NNPC TO SELL LOCALLY SOURCED PETROL HIGHER THAN IMPORTED FUEL

“If NNPC can sell Dangote product higher than the imported product, it doesn't make sense. What is the celebration we're having all this while then?, ” IPMAN’s National Welfare Officer, John Kekeocha, said on Channels Television.

Last Sunday, the NNPC began loading the first batch of petrol from the Dangote Refinery on Sunday, saying it got petrol at N898 per litre from the private refinery.

Early Monday, the national oil company released estimated prices of petrol obtained from the Dangote Refinery in its retail stations across the country, stressing that in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), petrol prices are not set by government, but negotiated directly between parties.

“The NNPC can confirm that it is paying Dangote Refinery in USD for September 2024 PMS offtake, as Naira transactions will only commence on October 1, 2024.

“The NNPC assures that if the quoted pricing is disputed, it will be grateful for any discount from the Dangote Refinery, which will be passed on 100 per cent to the general public,” it stated.

In the attached document, the NNPC stated that fuel from the Dangote refinery will sell for N950.22 per litre in Lagos; N960.22 in Oyo; N980.22 in Rivers; N992.22 in Abuja; N999.22 in in Kaduna; N999.22 in Kano; N999.22 in Sokoto and N1,019 in Borno, based on the September pricing template.

A breakdown indicated that the final price from the Dangote refinery was N898.78, according to the statement, while distribution within Lagos is N15 per litre, inspection fee is N0.97, NMDPRA fee is N8.99, with an expected margin of N26.48.

Before lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery on Sunday, NNPC retail outlets in Lagos sold petrol for around N855 and N897 in Abuja.

But the Dangote Refinery denied selling petrol to the NNPC at N898. A spokesman for the refinery Anthony Chiejina in a statement on Sunday described the claim by the NNPC as “misleading and mischievous”.

“It should also be noted that we sold the products to NNPC in dollars with a lot of savings against what they are currently importing. With this action, there will be petrol in every local government area of the country regardless of their remote nature,” Chiejina said.

But the IPMAN executive explained that it was assumed that the product should be relatively cheaper because it is no longer being shipped in from abroad.

He argued that the fuel that NNPC is getting from Dangote cannot be costlier than the one imported, because it has the advantage of the removal of a huge part of supply logistics.

“The products we are about to get from Dangote refinery cannot be costlier than the one imported because we have an advantage of

supply logistics,” he said.

“If the Dangote refinery’s petrol price is N950 per litre without government intervention, it means under-recovery gradually comes to an end and maybe, Nigerians would get it cheaper,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NNPC has adjusted some portions of the nationwide petrol price document it released earlier on Monday.

Although the estimated prices for selling petrol around the country remained the same, however, the NNPC altered the analysis of the transaction it had with Dangote Refinery.

THISDAY’s checks showed that the areas of differences between the first press statement and the second was that while for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the fee was N8.99, the second statement showed N4.495.

Also, while the first statement had an inspection fee of N0.97, a margin of N26.48 and a distribution fee of N15, the second statement did not indicate inspection fee and margin. Also, the distribution and logistics fee was changed to N42.45.

Besides, the second statement had an additional Midstream and Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) of N4.495. The MDGIF is a government fund set up to invest in infrastructure projects that will improve transportation and processing as well as utilisation in the sector.

80 per cent has been affected by this disaster.

"This great city of Maiduguri was established sometime in 1907. It's a period of 117 years. Nothing like this happened. Although about 30 years back, 1994, similar disaster of this kind happened but this that happened is worse."

He expressed appreciation to the military for their role in rescuing the victims.

Zulum thanked the president for cutting short his trip to the US to commiserate with his people. He recalled that the president had a long term relationship with the people of the state, stressing that Tinubu contributed immensely to the growth of democracy in the state.

The governor said, "Your Excellency, your relationship with the people of Borno State has been in existence long before you became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Some may not even count the number of times you came to Maiduguri.

“For those of us in the position, we knew your contributions to the growth and development of

principles are compatible with global economic standards and can benefit all Nigerians," the presidential aide explained.

Sheriff added that strategic focus on the Halal economy opens up new avenues for Nigerian businesses to compete on the global stage.

“It's not just about tapping into a market; it's about elevating our standards and practices to worldclass levels,” he pointed out.

our dear state. We have known your contributions to the growth and development of democracy in Borno State and, indeed, to our own party.

"We have seen the contributions you made when we had the Sabari Masaka; the many more incidences that have happened in Borno State. Now that you have become the president, I am not surprised.

“So, you have been here, rest assured that the people of Borno State will never disappoint you. You have a dependable ally, we will never disappoint you."

Zulum expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their support to the state so far.

Meanwhile, Zulum had begun the distribution of relief materials to victims of the Maiduguri flooding taking refuge in about 36 camps across the state capital, Maiduguri, and its environs.

Zulum acknowledged the receipt of food donation from the

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA, and NNPCL to support victims of the recent flood disaster.

Kano State Government presented a cheque of N100 million to the Borno State government as part of the collective effort to ameliorate the suffering of the flood victims.

The immediate past Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, also donated N50 million to victims of the disaster.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate reconstruction of police facilities damaged by the flood.

Maiduguri and parts of Jere and Konduga local governments were submerged in water as a result of overflowing water from Alau Dam due to massive rainfall. The floods left about two million people displaced and property put at several billions of Naira destroyed.

The flag-off ceremony for the distribution of relief items to the victims took place at Bakasi camp along Damboa Road in Maiduguri.

MODERATION IN FOOD PRICES EASES INFLATION TO 32.15%

on annualised basis was caused by increases in prices of bread, maize grains, guinea corn, etc (bread and cereals class), yam, irish potatoes, water yam, cassava tuber, (potatoes, yam and other tubers class).

Others are palm oil, vegetable, etc (oil & fats class) and ovaltine, milo, lipton, (coffee, tea and cocoa class), among others.

On the other hand, core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy stood at 27.58 percent, year on year, in August, up by 6.43 percent when compared to 21.15 percent in August 2023.

The highest increases in core inflation were recorded in prices of rents (actual and imputed rentals for housing class), bus journey intercity, journey by motorcycle, etc (under passenger transport by road class), and accommodation services.

Others include laboratory service, x-ray photography, consultation fee of a medical doctor, etc (under medical services class).

Month-on-month, core inflation increased to 2.27 percent in August 2024, compared to 2.16 percent in July.

Year-on-year, urban inflation increased to 34.58 percent, compared to 27.69 percent in August 2023, while month-on-month, the index stood at 2.39 percent compared to 2.46 percent in the preceding month.

Also, rural inflation increased to 29.95 percent, year-on-year compared to 24.10 percent in August 2023. Month-on-month, the rural index stood at 2.06 percent, down by 0.04 per cent compared to 2.10 percent in July.

At the state level, the "All Items" inflation was highest in Bauchi (46.46 percent), Kebbi (37.51 percent), and Jigawa (37.43 percent), while Benue (25.13 percent), Delta (26.86 percent) and Imo (28.05 percent) recorded the slowest rise, year-on-year.

Month-on-month, however, the highest price increase was recorded in Kwara (4.45 percent), Bauchi (4.22 percent), Adamawa (3.99 percent), while Ogun (0.21 percent), Abuja (0.92 percent) and Kogi (1.14 percent) recorded the slowest rise.

Under the review period, food inflation, year-on-year was highest in Sokoto (46.98 per cent), Gombe (43.25 per cent), and Yobe (43.21 per cent) while Benue (32.33 per cent), Rivers (33.01 per cent) and Bayelsa (33.36 per cent), recorded the slowest rise.

Month- on-month, however, the food index was highest in Adamawa (5.46 per cent), Kebbi (4.48 per cent), and Borno (3.88 per cent), while Ogun (0.08 per cent), Akwa-Ibom (0.45 per cent) and Sokoto (1.00 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.

Meanwhile, a former Commissioner for Finance in Imo State and President of the Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN), Prof. Uche Uwaleke, has advised the federal government to resolve the current oil price controversy between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery to stem its negative impact on the general price level.

Uwaleke, who spoke against the backdrop of the latest inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday, noted that easing in the headline inflation rate was due chiefly to the moderation in food inflation occasioned by the harvest season.

According to the NBS, Headline inflation stood at 32.15 percent year-on-year (YOY) in August as against 33.40 per cent in July 2024.

Uwaleke, the Director, Institute of Capital Market Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, noted that the easing in the headline inflation rate in August was due chiefly to the moderation in food inflation occasioned by the harvest season.

He explained that the drought reported in many parts of the north partly explained the high rate of food inflation in states like Sokoto and Kebbi.

He alluded to the increase in the core inflation rate in August, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria should shift attention to how the fiscal authorities could be supported to boost food production.

"What all these points to is that

on page 21

it is time for the CBN to recognise the real pressure points and shift some attention to how the fiscal authorities can be supported to boost food production beginning with a halt in MPR (Monetary Policy Rate) hike this month.

"The federal government should intervene in the recent 'oil price dispute' between the NNPCL and Dangote Refinery to stem its negative impact on the general price level," he recommended.

Also, former lawmaker representing Warri Federal Constituency, Hon. Daniel Reyenieju, called for NNPCL’s restructuring, saying the national oil has to start prioritising transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

Reyenieju, in a statement yesterday, said the NNPCL was capable of driving national growth, stressing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s courageous initiative to reshape Nigeria’s future was commendable. The former federal lawmaker acknowledged that the challenges facing the nation were significant but not insurmountable noting that decisive and courageous action and demonstrated visionary leadership were all required.

“Allowing entrenched personal interests to perpetuate the status quo will only hinder future leaders who will inherit a more complex landscape. “We must unite in support of President Tinubu’s efforts to implement comprehensive restructuring and deep reforms in the NNPCL that prioritises transparency, efficiency, and accountability", he said.

Also the Chairman of DAS Energy Services Limited, Udu near Warri, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, called for the sack of the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari over lingering dispute over petroleum pricing between the organisation and Dangote refinery.

Onuesoke, also in a statement issued yesterday, noted that the dilly dally game between NNPCL and Dangote refinery in the past few days over the pricing of PMS was bringing a bad image to the country and will discourage the needed foreign investments.

Aliyu Bunu Sheriff

Continued

Gunmen Attack Police Station in Anambra, Kill Two Officers

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Gunmen suspected to be secessionist elements yesterday attacked Umunze police station, killing two personnel on duty.

The gunmen, who invaded the station shooting sporadically also burnt a building within the premises of the station.

Umunze, which is in Anambra South Senatorial

district is a border town with communities in Imo State.

There have been series of attacks on police facilities in Anambra in recent times, under the headship of Mr. Obono Itam as Commissioner

MRA Condemns Harassment of Citizens by DSS over $100m Dangote Refinery Land Deal

WaleIgbintade

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the alleged harassment of the leaders of a citizens group by the Department of State Services (DSS) for exercising their fundamental right to request information from the Lagos State government under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, over the $100 million purportedly paid by billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for approximately 7,000 acres of land now occupied by Dangote Refinery.

MRAin a statement issued yesterday by its Communications Officer, Idowu Adewale, described the act of

intimidation as unlawful and aimed at undermining the very principles of transparency and accountability that the Act is designed to uphold.

The statement claimed that the DSS in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, reportedly called one of the conveners of Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, Mr. Jamiu Olayinka, on telephone on September 12, 2024, and asked him to report at the DSS office in Ibeju-Lekki at 10 a.m. that same day.

According to MRA, Olayinka said upon honouring the invitation, he was questioned about an FOI request made to the Lagos State Government and subsequent lawsuit filed to enforce compliance with the FOI request over the $100 million reportedly

paid by Dangote to the state government for approximately 7,000 acres of land now occupied by Dangote Refinery which was ‘’compulsorily acquired by the government without compensation and which the government claimed to have given to Dangote free of charge about nine years ago.’’

The FOI request was made by De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a socio-cultural organisation, by a letter dated July 29, 2024, addressed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asking him to confirm a recent statement by Dangote that he paid $100 million as compensation for the land he acquired for his refinery.

of Police, with no news of arrest or resistance. Many police personnel have in this way lost their lives.

Meanwhile, police authorities in the state have confirmed the attack. Spokesperson of the police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press release, said operatives of the command recovered some improvised explosive devices, and have gone after the attackers.

He said: “Arsonist and armed secessionist group members in the early hours

of today 16/9/2024 attacked the Umunze Police Station.

“Joint Security Forces comprising the Police, Army, Navy, Civil defence and other security agencies have recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on their trail. “The suspected armed proscribed group invaded the facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the station.

“Two of police operatives on duty during the gun battle in a

bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc, paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue.”

He said CP Itam has visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment. He pleaded for information from anyone who has any information that will aid the investigation to come forward. He also assures the people of utmost confidentiality to any such information.

Muslim Association Tasks INEC on Edo, Ondo Guber Elections

Ayodeji Ake

Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for caution in the conduct of the 2024 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

The association in a communiqué signed by its president and national publicity secretary, Professor Dhikru Yagboyaju and Hon. Mudirakat

Ajibona, respectively, implored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other agencies that are connected to the exercise on the need for a level playing field to maintain the confidence of the electorate.

MAN also called for the attention of the government at different levels to several issues that require urgency.

These, according to the

association, include: rising cost of living which has worsened conditions of the ordinary citizens in particular. The association felicitated the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria on the occasion of the 2024 Eid el Mawlid (celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad) and prayed for peace, harmony, and progress for Nigeria and the generality of the citizens.

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Ighodalo Slams N20bn Suit on Oshiomhole over Defamatory Comments on Planwell

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, has filed a N20 billion defamatory suit against Senator Adams Oshiomhole over comments on Planwell scheme.

Ighodalo through his counsel, Ayo Asala & Associates, also sought an immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for the false, defamatory, and malicious comments which should be published in at least two national television networks

and three nationally circulating newspapers.

The PDP candidate noted that the allegations by Oshiomhole were baseless, false, and malicious, describing them as another of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the recent past.

In a statement yesterday, he added that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story was a figment of Oshiomhole’s imagination, intended to denigrate his good character and

reputation for the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of Oshiomhole’s party and candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.

A letter by Ighodalo’s lawyers dated September 16, 2024, and addressed to Oshiomhole read, “We are counsel to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who is the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election.

“It is our information that at a

campaign rally of your Party on Saturday, 14th of September, 2024, you made statements to the effect that our aforesaid client, Dr. Ighodalo, was associated with or participated in an alleged pyramid scheme known as ‘PLANWELL’ in which numerous Nigerians were defrauded of their hard-earned funds.

“This false and unfounded statement of yours was broadcast live on television and has received extensive exposure on electronic and social media.

No Valid Leadership in Labour Party, Abure’s Tenure Over, INEC Tells Court

The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party, LP, has taken a new turn as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by the Labour Party challenging the exclusion of the party from a refresher training organised by the commission for uploading party agents in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election.

The Abure and National Working Committee (NWC) had filed a lawsuit in the court to stop INEC from granting recognition to the newly installed Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee.

They want the commission to confer legitimacy on the party leadership by respecting the March 27 convention that returned him and members of the NWC to office.

But in a counter affidavit deposed to by Ayuba Mohammed, an Executive Officer in INEC’s Litigation and Prosecution Department in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, the electoral body maintained that based on its records, Abure’s tenure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, along with the party’s NWC, expired in June 2024.

INEC claimed it did not monitor, participate in, or recognise the purported national convention of the party held on March 27, 2024 in Anambra State where Abure claimed to have been re-elected.

It argued that the convention was conducted in breach of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, and the Labour Party Constitution 2019.

Citing its regulations, INEC stated that it only deals with valid and subsisting national chairmen and secretaries of political parties in issuing notices and correspondence.

It noted that as of August 16, 2024, when the refresher training notice was issued, the commission asserted that the Labour Party had no valid national chairman or secretary, as their tenures had elapsed in June 2024.

In a written address in support of the counter affidavit, INEC’s legal team, led by Tanko Inuwa, SAN, argued that the Labour Party’s suit is seeking declaratory reliefs, which cannot be granted as a matter of course or based on mere admissions.

They contended that the Labour Party must succeed on the strength of its own case, even in the face of admissions.

The commission’s lawyers further submitted that having failed to comply with the extant legal frameworks in conducting its national convention, the Labour Party does not have a valid leadership that INEC can engage with.

They urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that the Labour Party is not entitled to the reliefs sought.

The lawsuit comes barely two weeks after the Labour Party’s presidential flag bearer in 2023, Peter

Obi; Abia State Governor, Alex Otti; and some party stakeholders set up a 29-man caretaker committee.

The committee, headed by Usman, a former minister, was tasked with conducting an expanded election to birth new executives at the ward, local government, state, and national levels.

However, the decision did not sit well with the Abure-led NWC, which described the arrangement as null and illegal.

The party, through the sacked National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, further warned Otti to stick to governance and stop meddling in the party’s affairs.

Sokoto

He stressed that Otti and others have “no power within the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and even within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to convene any meeting of the party.”

Four days after the Usman committee was inaugurated, the party leadership withdrew the automatic ticket given to Obi and Otti ahead of the 2027 election.

While debunking claims that the decision was a revenge mission, Abure said the move was taken to provide equal opportunity to qualified candidates ahead of the next election.

“It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends.”

It added: “This baseless, unfounded, false, and malicious allegation has become another in a long line of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by you in respect of our client in the recent past.

“Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and a corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth up till the current day is entirely in the public domain and our client has absolutely no connection with and could never have been involved in any manner whatsoever with the purported ‘PLANWELL’ scheme with which you have seriously defamed our client's reputation.”

Ighodalo further noted, “It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said 'PLANWELL' scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever, is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely for the purpose of denigrating the good character and reputation of our client for the achievement of the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Edo

State Gubernatorial elections.”

According to the letter: “Our client has been inundated with calls and other contacts from concerned members of the public who heard your said allegations on electronic and social media as a result of which our client has suffered enormous unwarranted reputational damage arising from the lies and baseless fabrications of which you have become the purveyor.

“Our client is determined to ensure that these defamatory lies and fabrications which you have put in the public space do not go unchallenged.”

He demanded, “In consequence of the foregoing, therefore, our client demands the following: i) An immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for your false, defamatory and malicious statements which should be published in at least two (2) National Television Networks and three (3) Nationally circulating newspapers.

“Pay to our client damages N20 billion for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements referred to herein.

“Take notice that it is our client’s instructions that we immediately institute appropriate proceedings against you for damages in the sum of N20 billion for your said false, malicious, irresponsible and damaging statements made against our client without any foundation whatsoever.”

Govt Convokes 88 Returnee Sudanese Medical Students at Usman Danfodio Varsity

As higher education commissioner lauds governor

The Sokoto State Government has concluded the convocation of no fewer than 88 returnee medical students which held at Kasarawa Conference Centre, Sokoto.

The medical graduates who were studying at the Sudan International University Khartoum were repatriated back to Nigeria due to war to continue their study at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Medical

College, where they successfully completed their medical programme Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi, who represented Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the convocation ceremony commended the governor's uncommon commitment to higher education in the state.

He also described the sterling achievements recorded in the state, as a result of top priority

accorded to the education sector by the governor.

The commissioner further described the governor as education friendly who swung into action and ensured the students were appropriately put back to their studies.

His words: "One part of the project for this year is dedicated to education, our tertiary institutions have been positively done, infrastructure is provided, this is part

of the agenda of the government.

"The governor will continue with his passion and put it as a priority to see that we have qualitative education, where students can run, because education is considered as a right of this administration."

The commissioner however extended Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s congratulations to the graduating students and urged them to utilize their knowledge in a professional manner that provides humanity.

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

LAWYER

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

PULLOUT

DSS: Hounding Voices of Dissent?

NLC PRESIDENT, JOE AJAERO

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU DSS DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ADEOLA AJAYI

LAWYER

DSS:HoundingVoicesofDissent?

QUOTABLES

‘Let us work together to create a conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections, where every voter can exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.’ - Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, Inspector General of Police, Federal Republic of Nigeria

‘Dangote Refinery will also help to make sure that it corrects this distortion of the Naira, bring stability to the Naira, bring growth, development and prosperity.’ - Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON

JOY HARRISON-ABIOLA MBA, MCMI, FSM

Law firms must pay attention to developing business best practices, and the multidisciplinary competences required to run a successful business.

“FROM THE BACK OFFICE” explores these concepts and ways to re-engineer the contribution of the legal management professionals within law firms.

Joy Harrison-Abiola, is an adept Organisation Development, Leadership and Business transformation professional with a mission to “humanise the workplace and empower individuals to reach their full potential.” The natural outcome is increased organisational efficiency, and higher levels of success for all.

With over 25 years’ experience, she possesses a demonstrated track record of advocating and interacting with law firm leaders, to institutionalise business best practices in their law firms. She is a trusted advisor to several law Partnerships, providing subject-matter input into strategy formation and implementation.

Joy Harrison-Abiola worked at Dentons ACAS-LAW for 22 years, providing strategic oversight to the business aspects of the Firm. She is the co-founder and President Emeritus of the Association of Law Firm Administrators, Nigeria; Chairperson of the IBA Law Firm Management CEO Subcommittee; Founding Member of the International Relations Committee (Africa) - Association of Legal Administrators Illinois USA; Fellow, Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered); Board Advisor, Business Africa Online; Member of Faculty, Centre for Organisational Leadership and Development; Executive Director, Catalyst for Peace and Justice; Founder Jenet-Serem Empowerment Foundation.

Admitted Facts: Effect on Burden of Proof on the Other Party

Page IV

Lagos Judiciary Rolls Out Legal Year Programme

Page V

NBA Commiserates with Borno Flood Victims, Sets up Dedicated Account for Donations

Page V

Governor AbdulRazaq Tasks Kwara Judges to be Impartial, Diligent

Page V

‘Mohbad’s

Page V

Maiduguri, Trump: A Tale of Contrasting Disasters

The highlights of last week were the long awaited American Presidential Debate, and the horrible flood incident that occurred in Maiduguri, Borno State. May God console those who lost their loved ones in the disaster, and ease the suffering of those who survived it.

Harris/Trump Debate

As I was watching the American Presidential Debate last week, that is, the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, I couldn’t but see the similarity between Trump’s abusive behaviour and utterances, and that of many Nigerian politicians who are self-centred and self-absorbed, and have absolutely nothing to offer the people, but prefer to spend the time running themselves down in the media space instead!

Donald Trump, who behaved like a spoilt child that wasn’t getting their way, appeared to be more interested in self-praise and mudslinging, than detailing his campaign manifesto, that is, if he does have a manifesto! The fact-check showed that Donald Trump more or less lied his way through the 1 hour 45 minute debate, making at least 30 false claims - if we calculate the amount of time allocated to each Candidate to speak, it could have been almost a lie a minute! - from claiming to have rebuilt America’s military, to Haitian Immigrants in Springfield, Ohio eating people’s dogs, cats and pets, to some States allowing abortions after a baby is born! How can States be actively involved in permitting murder? Donald Trump doesn’t appear to know the difference between abortion and murder/infanticide; that abortion is the termination of a pregnancy, and that once a baby is born, the pregnancy is completed, and the killing of such a new born is a criminal offence called murder/infanticide! See the case of United States v Deegan (2010) No. 08-2299

Decided May 25, 2010 in which the Appellant was sentenced to 121 months imprisonment for killing her new born son.

This isn’t to say that VP Harris didn’t make any misleading statements, for instance, about Project 2025. But, unlike Donald Trump, VP Harris didn’t lie her way through the debate, and was able to clearly articulate some of her manifesto.

All-in-all, after that debate, most right thinking people would have chosen VP Harris over Donald Trump. And, I’m not playing the gender card here, she earned it - she is a stable, better, stronger, safer and more reliable candidate than Donald Trump.

US Politics and Democracy v Nigeria’s But, the truth is that, even if Americans don’t choose VP Harris as the next and first female President of USA in its 248 year history, over the years, America has been able to build such strong institutions that four or eight years of a foolish Presidency by an inept, unstable or unsuitable individual cannot destroy - strong institutions, not strong men America also has a decent accountability structure, part of which is the mechanism of free and fair elections that works, so that if there’s a general consensus that a President or other political office holder has performed less than par, they are voted out of office at the next opportunity. Their system of accountability is also one that encourages people to not only voluntarily resign when they feel they are not doing justice to the job, they can even decide not to run for election again if need be, like President Joe Biden, if they believe that they may no longer to be able to give their best to the country. Even within the political party structure, there is more internal democracy - after President Biden’s June debate with Trump, the Democrats had voiced their misgivings and there appeared to be a consensus that President Biden should not run for a second term. He heeded the voice of his party members, for the greater good.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has not managed to evolve that kind of system in this Fourth Republic. There is corruption and little or no accountability, particularly for wrongdoing. Whether it is the Nigerian political parties which are a component of the foundation of our democracy, that all lack ideology and internal democracy, and are permanently at loggerheads amongst themselves, or it’s government, our institutions are as weak as possible. And, we all know that a house built on a shaky foundation like sand instead of rock, is bound to fall due to its unsteadiness caused by weakness of what it stands on.

As far back as 2018, I had referred to Nigeria as being a Fragile State, and unless, going forward Government makes a bold and conscious decision to make nation building a priority, over and above parochial and all other interests, I fear that it would be near impossible for Nigeria to get out the fragile condition she finds herself.

The Maiduguri Flood Disaster I cried when I saw a news clip of the Maiduguri flood disaster - the unnecessary hell that our brothers and sisters in Maiduguri are experiencing, as a

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

“The

fact that it was easy to do an immediate fact check on everything thing that Donald Trump and VP Kamala Harris said during their debate, is instructive and cannot be overemphasised. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, we run an opaque system based on minimum information and little or no statistics”

result of what may be an unnecessary flood caused possibly by negligence, ineptitude or nonchalance, allegedly arising from not taking the necessary measures to secure the Alau Dam which then overflowed its banks as a result of heavy rainfall last Monday. Are the people of Maiduguri not already going through enough, with the persistent insecurity they have been experiencing for at least a decade as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency over there? Now this? I read an Al Jazeera news report stating that, warnings had been sounded months ago about the disaster that could occur. The question is, why were the necessary precautions not taken, so that this resultant disaster could maybe have been avoided or minimised? What happened to the funds that were provided for rehabilitation of the Dam? Irreplaceable lives have been lost, while property worth billions of Naira have also been lost, including state-of-the-art hospital medical equipment. It is time to hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable, for their acts or omissions.

I also read a news report that the Federal Government has since come out to blame the Maiduguri flood on the overflow of the Ngadda River, and not the collapse of the Alau Dam. I fear that Nigerians may never know the truth about what caused the disaster, particularly if it may be related to government error.

Unfortunate incidents like the Maiduguri disaster occur because, over the years, Nigeria has gradually been caught in a vicious cycle of regression and failure caused by an interwoven web of corruption, lack of accountability and weak institutions. These three elements are the root cause of all the other evils that have now become part and parcel of Nigeria - poverty, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure etc.

Though it is shameful that 64 years postindependence, Nigeria is still using terms like ‘nation building’ which is usually reserved for a country that has just attained independence,

Galadima, JSC. So, while we are looking for Mr Bichi Junior, if the story has any iota of truth in it, it appears that Mr Bichi Senior also has a case to answer.

The issue of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will continue to be a recurring decimal in the fight against corruption being selective, until the security agencies do the needful and arrest him. The security agencies failed to take advantage of the several opportunities they had to arrest Yahaya Bello in Abuja some months ago, to go and face money laundering charges filed against him to the tune of N80 billion. And today, it is alleged that he is hiding in State House, Lokoja, which is not inviolable, as it isn’t one of the exceptions mentioned in Section 1 of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act; but, instead, Yahaya Bello is the one dictating to the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies, the terms of how he should be handled, from under the rock he is hiding. It is shameful, and shows a lack of commitment on the part of law enforcement to upholding the rule of law - the optics are bad.

Yet, it was easy for the security agencies to happily arrest the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on what may be nothing more than spurious allegations of terrorism financing, and stop him from travelling to the UK for a Trade Union Conference last week. I call it spurious, because, if the DSS could really substantiate those allegations against Comrade Ajaero, he would definitely still be in detention by now!

Conclusion

since Nigeria started self-rule, particularly the last 14 years, successive government administrations have allowed the country to hit such a rock-bottom that it’s almost as if the Tinubu administration has to start rebuilding from scratch, unless of course President Tinubu prefers for his administration to remain immersed in Nigeria’s regressive story. And, in so doing, this administration must avoid following the wrong roads travelled by past administrations, if not, it’s best efforts will not yield any positive results.

Like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, the very first item on President Tinubu’s administration agenda, should be to eschew corruption and reckless expenditure. See Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023) (the Constitution). Also see the case of Psychiatric Hospital Management Board v Ejitagha (200) LPELR-2930(SC) per Samson Odemwingie Uwaifo, JSC on government not exceeding or abusing its powers, acting reasonably and in good faith. Last week, a news report concerning the son of the immediate past Director General of DSS, Mr Yusuf Bichi, allegedly stealing $2 million from his father’s safe and disappearing, made the rounds. If the story is true, the question is, what was Mr Bichi Senior doing with $2 million cash? What is the source of the funds? By virtue of Section 3 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 (MLA), any transaction in an amount exceeding $10,000 must be reported to the appropriate authorities with the source of funds made known, failing which such person may be guilty of the offence of money laundering contrary to Section 18 of the MLA and punishable upon conviction with imprisonment of 4-14 years or a fine or both (see Section 18(3) of the MLA). See the case of Kalu v FRN (2016) LPELR-40108(SC) per Sulaiman

If we are to start to rebuild Nigeria from scratch, the fight against corruption and crime cannot continue to be as selective as it has been under past administrations. If not, it will never be effective. We have to rebuild the country based on the right values, so we can get optimum results. Why should an individual who works in a company and is accused of Stealing N5 million contrary to Section 383(1) of the Criminal Code (CC) or Theft contrary to Section 286(1) of the Penal Code (PC) be sentenced to 3 or 5 years imprisonment (see Sections 390 & 287 of the CC & PC respectively), while a Politician can get off with a plea bargain arrangement and no jail time for stealing N20 billion from Government coffers? If all I have to do is return some of my stolen loot if I’m caught, there’s absolutely nothing stopping me from stealing as much as I like! In fact, the more the merrier, making extra provision for the funds that I may have to return in a plea bargain, if I’m caught stealing government funds. See the case of PML (Nig) Ltd v FRN (2017) LPELR-43480(SC) per Amina Adamu Augie, JSC on the position of the law on the concept of plea bargain. Considering the fact that corruption is responsible for almost ruining Nigeria I’m wondering whether Nigeria has come of age to use the somewhat lenient approach of plea bargain to punish corruption. Possibly, the plea bargain method can be used when corruption reduces from being the order of the day to a very bare minimum. For now, will justice not be better served and Nigeria saved, by offenders not just forfeiting their illicit funds, but serving serious jail time too?

The multiplier effect of corruption are all its other relatives that we see - lack of accountability, nepotism, lack of infrastructure, mediocrity, regression, poverty, crime and insecurity, to mention but a few.

The fact that it was easy to do an immediate fact check on everything thing that Donald Trump and VP Kamala Harris said during their debate, is instructive and cannot be over-emphasised. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, we run an opaque system based on minimum information and little or no statistics”. The Freedom of Information Act, is only there to decorate the statute books. Why is SERAP in trouble? Possibly for asking too many questions like Socrates, that Government doesn’t care to answer. The next question is, how do we rebuild properly without reliable statistics? We do not even have current population figures, let alone know how much fuel the country consumes per month! How do you plan and build accurately, without the requisite information to input as a basis?

President Tinubu should make the organisation of a census a priority. Every country should hold a census, at least every 10 years. It’s been almost 20 years, since Nigeria had her last census (2006), and I’m sure the reasons for the delay in organising a census is not unconnected to the usual suspects, corruption and politics.

In 2016, President Barrack Obama failed to cut his vacation at Martha’s Vineyard short when a flood occurred in Louisiana in 2016, and he was accused of dereliction of duty and lack of compassion. President Tinubu has been away on official assignments to the China-Africa Summit and the UK. Since he didn’t cut his trip short to visit Maiduguri, Nigerians hope that Borno State will be President Tinubu’s first port of call now that he’s back in the country. A hands-on approach coupled with compassion, which was sadly lacking during the eight year Buhari administration, would not only be welcome, it is the right way to go.

Former US President, Donald Trump

US Vice President, Kamala Harris

Admitted Facts: Effect on Burden of Proof on the Other Party

Facts

Sometime in 2008, the Appellant entered into a loan contract with Intercontinental Bank, wherein the Bank granted the Appellant an overdraft facility of N100 Million for a period of 180 days. As at 27th of May, 2008, the Appellant had overdrawn its account to the tune of N97,421,614.09. On the 13th and 14th of January 2009, the Appellant paid the sum of N30m Million in part liquidation of the debt owed to the Bank. As of 31st October, 2009, the debit balance of the Appellant stood at N61,255,923.97 which comprised of principal, interest and charges. The Appellant made a profit of N23,271,107.04, by trading with the facility granted by the Bank within 77 days. At the end of the tenor of the facility, the Bank wrote several demand letters to the Appellant for repayment of the loan to which the Appellant responded by seeking indulgence to pay the debt owed in instalments. The loan was subsequently taken over, by the present Respondent.

When the Appellant defaulted in repayment of the loan sum, the Respondent instituted an action against the Appellant under the Undefended List Procedure. The Appellant filed a Notice of Intention to Defend, and the trial court ordered that the suit be transferred from the Undefended List to the General Cause List to be heard on merit. The suit was heard, and the trial court entered judgement in favour of the Respondent for the sum of N61,255,923.79 being the amount owed as of 31st October, 2009. The Appellant’s Counterclaim, was also dismissed by the trial court. Aggrieved by the decision of the trial court, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which court also dismissed the appeal. The Appellant appealed further to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination

The Supreme Court adopted the issues for determination as distilled by the Appellant for the determination of the appeal, thus:

1. Having regard to the wordings of paragraphs 19 and 20 of the Appellant's Statement of Defence and Counterclaim, whether it can be said that same amounts to admission such as to discharge the burden on the Respondent of proving the alleged indebtedness of the Appellant in the amount of N61,255,923.97 alleged to comprise of principal, interest and charges.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that Exhibits F, G and J were not made on the understanding that the said exhibits will not be used by the Respondent to support her case in court, when same (the exhibits) were letters exchanged between parties in the course of finding an amicable settlement of the parties' differences and contained offers of compromise.

3. Whether the lower court was right in holding that Clause 7 of Exhibit A (under the heading “other terms and conditions”) gives the Respondent the liberty to call in the facility at any time before the expiration of its tenor of 180 days, and in effect, breaching the contract.

4. Whether upon a proper evaluation of the pleadings and credible evidence adduced by the parties at the trial court, the lower court was right in holding that the Appellant did not prove her counter-claim of loss of profit.

Arguments

On issue one, Counsel for the Appellant argued that the Appellant in its pleadings never admitted its indebtedness to the Respondent but rather expressly denied being indebted to the Respondent. Counsel argued further that the admission must be clear, direct, and unequivocal, and not based on misapprehension. He contended that paragraphs 19 and 20 of the Appellant’s Statement of Defence and Counter claim are not unequivocal and so clear and direct as to amount to admission of indebtedness to the Respondent. That what is clear from the paragraphs is that the Appellant acknowledged exchange of communication with the Respondent with a view to finding an amicable settlement of the dispute. Conversely, counsel for the Respondent argued that the Appellant in paragraph 19 of the Statement of Defence and Counter claim admitted paras 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23 of the Statement of Claim. Counsel argued that the position of the law in this regard is that once a Defendant admits the receipt of a loan or overdraft, the burden of proof as to the

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja

On Friday, the 21st day of June, 2024

Before Their Lordships

Uwani Musa Abba Aji Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa

Stephen Jonah Adah

Abubakar Sadiq Umar Justices, Supreme Court SC/CV/88/2020

Between ANTONIO OIL COMPANY LTD APPELLANT And

ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION OF NIGERIA (AMCON) RESPONDENT

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Stephen Jonah Adah, JSC)

repayment or non-repayment of same is on the Defendant – KENFRANK (NIG.) LTD v UBN PLC (2002) 15 NWLR (PT. 789)

46. Counsel submitted that the Respondent led evidence and tendered documents to establish the agreed rate of interest and also led evidence on the sum of N61,255,923.79 owed the Respondent by the Appellant.

Arguing issue two, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that Exhibits F, G and J were letters exchanged by the parties in pursuit of an amicable settlement of their differences and those letters cannot be used as evidence in court - ASHIBUGWU v ATTORNEYGENERAL BENDEL STATE & ANOR (1988) 1 SCNJ 248, 306 - 307. Counsel contended that those exhibits were written in the process of negotiation for amiable settlement and that regardless of their not being marked “without prejudice” they cannot be used as evidence by any of the parties involved. He argued further that there is nowhere in those exhibits in question that the Appellant

“…. a fact which is admitted by the Defendant in his pleadings need not be proved by the Plaintiff, but should be deemed as established at the trial. Any fact admitted by a party, reduces the burden of proof cast on the other party. In fact, the courts do not need proof of facts already admitted”

unequivocally, directly, and expressly admitted its indebtedness. That at best what took place can be called informal admission and that informal admission is not conclusive. The Respondent countered the submission above, contending that Exhibit F, G and J were not made in the course of amicable settlement; rather, they were letters written in response to repayment demands by the Respondent and as such, they cannot be regarded as letters written in course of negotiations. Counsel submitted further that those letters were not marked “without prejudice” and were rightly admitted in evidence and relied upon by the court.

On issue three, Counsel for the Appellant argued that clauses of an instrument cannot be read in isolation. Counsel submitted that the fragmented interpretation of the said Clause 7 of Exhibit ‘A’ gave the Respondent the liberty to breach the parties’ contract and did violence to the entire contract of the parties. Counsel for the Respondent argued that the facility was repayable on demand as stated in paragraph 7 of other terms and conditions of the facility. Regarding issue four, it was the submission of Counsel for the Appellant that paragraph 12, 17, 18, 23, and 24 of the Statement of Defence and Counter claim, set out the particulars of her claim as it relates to loss of profit. Counsel argued that the Appellant supported its claim with evidence that was not contested by the Respondent, therefore the Respondent admitted the evidence of the Appellant. Counsel for the Respondent argued that the statement of account of the Appellant was tendered by the Respondent

as Exhibit K, and the Appellant did not query or contest any of the entries therein. That having admitted the debt, the Appellant needs to pay it. Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the first issue, the Supreme Court held that litigation is fought on pleadings of the parties, which is the foundation upon which the case is built till judgement. The success or failure of every case is derived from pleadings; it follows therefore, that a party swims or sinks with his pleadings. The basic rule of pleading is that every pleading must contain only a statement of material facts which a party to an action relies on, and not the evidence by which they are to be proved. It is certain that the Plaintiff needs to plead material facts in his pleading, and it is up to the Defendant in the case to admit or traverse those facts. It is very fundamental to highlight that a fact which is admitted by the Defendant in his pleadings need not be proved by the Plaintiff, but should be deemed as established at the trial. Any fact admitted by a party, reduces the burden of proof cast on the other party. In fact, the courts do not need proof of facts already admitted. The Supreme Court, in agreement with the lower courts, held that the Appellant has by its pleadings admitted its indebtedness to the Respondent, as the language used in the pleadings of the Respondent is very clear and completely devoid of any ambiguity. It is incumbent on the Appellant to so discharge the burden of showing the facts that they have repaid the money, or state the reasons for nonpayment. The said indebtedness was therefore, established from the admission of the Appellant. On issue two, the Supreme Court held that the exhibits which are letters written by the Appellant in response to the Respondent’s demand letters are from their wordings very simple and plain, and they do not require any interpretation to understand them. The letters clearly admit the indebtedness of the Appellant. The Apex Court held that our law of interpretation is very elementary to state that our cardinal rule of interpretation requires that where the language, words and terms used in any section of law or a document are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their ordinary and actual meaning. A departure from this principle is only allowed where such terms, words or expressions will lead to absurdity. More so, the letters under reference were not marked “without prejudice”; therefore, they were properly admitted in evidence and duly relied upon by the trial court and the lower court to arrive at the decision that the Appellant was indeed, indebted to the Respondent as claimed. In resolving issue three, their Lordships held that courts do not make agreement for parties. The duty of the court as an arbiter is to carefully look at the agreements of the parties in their contract, and determine their rights thereunder. There is no definition clause in the contract document, which means that the parties never desired that special meanings be applied to the words and phrases used in the contract. Parties, in that wise, intended that the words and terms used should be given their plain and ordinary meanings. The court held further that there was nothing before the court to show that the Respondent called off or demanded for repayment of the facility before its expiration, and the burden of proving that the facility was called off before due time is on the Appellant.

In resolving issue four, the Supreme Court held that the onus of proof is on a Claimant to establish its anticipated loss of profit which will help the trial court to assess the accuracy of the projected profits. Relying on the case of UWA PRINTERS LTD v INVESTMENT TRUST LTD (1988) 5 NWLR (PT. 92) 110, the Apex Court held that loss of anticipated profit is in the nature of special damages which has to be particularised and specifically established by quantity. The Appellant in this case, had the burden of proving the loss alleged by putting before the trial court credible evidence in proof thereof.

In conclusion, their@ Lordships held that the Appellant failed to convince the court of the need to interfere with the concurrent findings of fact of the lower court and the trial court.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

S.A. Oshodi for the Appellant. Nick O. Omeye with C.O. Ezugwu for the Respondent.

Honourable Stephen Jonah Adah, JSC

Lagos Judiciary Rolls Out Legal Year Programme

Stories by Steve Aya

The Lagos State Judiciary has announced its activities, to mark the beginning of the 2024-2025 Legal Year.

A statement signed by the Acting Chief Registrar, Mr T.A. Elias and directed to all staff of the Judiciary

states: “I am directed by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, to invite you to 2024/2025 New Legal

Year”.

The programme is scheduled to start on Monday, September 23, 2024, with a Church

service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina and Islamic prayers at the Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos at

NBA Commiserates with Borno Flood Victims, Sets up Dedicated Account for Donations

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed its condolences to victims of the recent devastating flood in Borno State, and pledged its commitment to support colleagues and residents in the State.

NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, stated this in a condolence letter addressed to the Chairman of the NBA Maiduguri Branch, which conveyed the Association’s sadness over the incident, and its commitment to providing immediate relief to those impacted.

The flood, which ravaged parts of Borno State, have caused immense loss and hardship, displacing numerous residents, and severely affecting legal professionals in the area. Recognising the plight

of their colleagues, the NBA has dispatched a delegation to Maiduguri to assess the damage firsthand and commiserate with those affected.

To ensure swift and effective support, the NBA appointed Auta Nyada, NBA Welfare Secretary, and Ehi Barnabas Henry, NBA Assistant General Secretary, to work closely with the leadership of the NBA Maiduguri Branch in coordinating relief efforts. The Association aims to mobilise all available resources, to offer assistance where it is most needed.

The NBA has also set up a dedicated account, “NBA North-East Support Account, Account No. 0780027440, Access Bank Plc”, where colleagues who wish to contribute to the relief efforts can make their

Governor AbdulRazaq Tasks Kwara Judges to be Impartial, Diligent

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Governor and Chairman Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF), Alhaji AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, at the weekend, called on the newly sworn-in Judges of Kwara High Court, to discharge their duties with "diligence, impartiality, and overriding interest of the community and national security".

The newly sworn-in Judges are, Justices Ibijoke Olabisi Olawoyin; Fatimah Funsho Abdulrasaq; Oluwatosin Adenike Adeniyi; Yusuf Diko Adebayo; Olalekan Osuolale Ajayi; and Muritala Folohunsho. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the Government House Ilorin, Governor AbdulRazaq congratulated the Judges on their appointment, and expressed confidence that they will remain committed to the administration of justice for all.

He called the development another milestone, as it was the first time six Judges were sworn-in at the same time in the State.

"This also makes a total of eleven High Court Judges, that I have administered their oath of office within five years in office", he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq stated, "I congratulate the newly appointed Judges and their families. I also celebrate your hard work, and other noble qualities that brought you here.

"Today, you have been entrusted with the immense responsibility of upholding justice, and ensuring that the rights of every citizen are protected.

"As you take on this noble task, remember that your decisions will shape the lives of individuals and the fabric of our society.

"Let me remind you of the remarkable words of Usman Dan Fodio, who said that ‘a kingdom can endure unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice."

The Governor said he will continue to support the Judiciary, recalling how the administration has renovated and remodelled several courts within the State.

donations. The NBA reaffirms its commitment to catering for the general welfare of its members, particularly during pressing moments of adversity.

“We stand united in our resolve to support and uplift our colleagues during this moment of need”, stated Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, in the letter.

‘Mohbad’s

The NBA extends its sincerest sympathy and unwavering commitment, to providing the necessary assistance and support to those affected by the flood in Borno State.

In another related development, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN on Thursday September 12, 2024, inaugurated

the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association Women’s Forum (NBAWF) and four other Committees. The other four committees are National Litigation Committee, Citizens Liberties Committee, Adjudicature Review Committee (ARC), and 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee.

10am simultaneously. This will be followed by the Inspection of the Ceremonial Guards of Honour at High Court Complex, Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi.

On Tuesday, September 24, a Webinar on ‘Cyber Offences in the Digital Stratosphere: Civil and Criminal Implications’ will hold at 11am.

The Legal Year programme will round off with a Medical and Eye Services Outreach for Judiciary Staff on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, 2024.

Father Demanded Quick Burial After Davido’s N2m Donation’, PA

Adeyemo Boluwatife, the Personal Assistant to the late Mohbad has stated that the late Singer’s Father, Joseph Aloba demanded for immediate burial of his son after receiving N2 million from Davido. Adeyemo said this while testifying at the Coroner’s Inquest in Ikorodu on Wednesday.

The Coroner’s Inquest

which began on September 29, 2023, was set up by the Lagos State Government to unravel the cause of Mohbad’s death.

Mohbad died on September 12 2023, under questionable circumstances, and was hurriedly buried the following day.

Following the calls for justice across the nation,

his body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

However, during the court sitting on Wednesday, Adeyemo, who is also Mohbad’s nephew, told the Ikorodu Magistrate Court that Mohbad’s father insisted on burying him immediately, after receiving

N2 million from Davido. Adeyemo also claimed that he transferred N1 million to Mr Aloba, and later gave the remaining amount to Adura, Mohbad’s younger brother, after settling the hospital bills and ambulance rental fees. He further revealed that, Investigators took custody of the deceased’s phone after his death.

Don’t Overstretch Jurisdiction of Vacation

The bid by two men, Abiodun Ariori and Tajudeen Akanbi (representatives of the family of late Chief Mojisola Cole) to obtain an interim injunction to restrain NASCO Town Ltd from exercising possessory rights over an expanse of land located at Abule Oshun in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State failed last Thursday, as the Vacation Judge, Hon. Justice Aishat Opesanwo directed them back to the substantive Court (Hon Justice M. A. Savage) to continue further proceedings in the case after the vacation.

Justice Opesanwo told Lawyers present in her court that there's no sufficient time for her to conduct all the cases, as the end of vacation was imminent. “Today is the last day this court will sit. Tomorrow is Friday, and Monday is another Public Holiday. A new legal year resumes next week, and

I will ask all of you to go back to the substantive courts originally handling your cases”, she said.

The Judge decried the practice of Lawyers invoking the jurisdiction of vacation Judges, in respect of matters that are devoid of any element of urgency as required by the rules. She warned that cases that ought to come before vacation courts, are ones that are urgent in nature.

“It's like a doctor handling an emergency surgery. Many of the cases you filed here, are not emergency cases. You file frivolous applications, and get orders that may conflict with that of the substantive court.

When Judges are blamed for conflicting orders, no one blames Lawyers who file conflicting applications. Go back to your substantive courts, and handle your cases there”, the Judge said.

The Defendants had

approached the vacation Judge for an interim injunction against the Claimant (NASCO), despite the fact that there is a subsisting interlocutory injunction in favour of NASCO by the substantive court, which had restrained the Defendants and their agents from interfering with the land.

In the Defendants’ vacation processes filed by Hussain Tijani comprising of a 19-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Tajudeen Akanbi, the Defendants claimed that the land belongs to them and that NASCO should be restrained from exercising possessory right over the land.

Meanwhile, on May 16, 2024, Hon. Justice Savage (the substantive court hearing the matter) had granted an interlocutory injunction in favour of the Claimants (NASCO), restraining the Defendants from carrying

Judges

out any act of ownership on the land.

Despite being aware of the matter since 2020, the Defendants only filed their Defence in 2024. NASCO’s Counsel, Chief Anthony George Ikoli, SAN, therefore, applied to the Court for an order of injunction to restrain the Defendants from such acts pending the determination of the suit. After carefully considering the evidence of the parties and arguments canvassed by their Counsel, Justice Savage on May 16, granted an injunction restraining the Defendants from continuing construction work or exercising acts of ownership over the land, pending the determination of the suit. The Defendants filed a Notice of Appeal dated May 24. 2024. However, the appeal has not been entered, neither has there been a compilation of records.

NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq

Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad

DSS: Hounding Voices of Dissent?

The recent rearrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and the raid on the offices of one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights Civil Society Organisations, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has raised serious concerns about the human rights posture of the Tinubu administration. Many Nigerians, and the international community have continued to condemn in very strong terms, what most perceive as trampling on the rights and freedoms of citizens and organised dissent of government policies. Femi Falana, SAN; Emmanuel Onwubiko and Olarenwaju Suraju assess the human rights records of the Tinubu administration in the face of the these arrests, hounding and raids

Illegal Criminalisation of Protests in Nigeria

Femi Falana, SAN

Intimidation of Protesters by Colonial Regime

During the colonial period, the British imperial regime banned public protests under the Public Order Ordinance. As the law did not stop aggrieved citizens from protesting against the the illegal exploitation and egregious human rights abuse committed by the British government, many citizens were charged for unlawful assembly, incitement, sedition and allied

offences. But, no colonial subject was charged with treason or treasonable felony, for calling for an end of foreign domination in Nigeria.

Treason Trial of Political Opponents by PostColonial Regimes But, under the first post-colonial

“It is therefore, curious that the Bola Tinubu administration has turned round to clamp down on radical citizens, and thereby exposed the country to unprecedented ridicule”

regime, opposition political leaders like Chief J.S. Tarka and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, SAN were charged with their associates, with treason and treasonable felony respectively. While Chief Tarka was acquitted, Chief Awolowo and a number of his political lieutenants were convicted and sentenced to various prison terms.

In the Second Republic, Mr Zanni Bukar Mandara, a military food contractor, was charged for treason at the Federal High Court. He was alleged to have complained to some soldiers that the economy was no longer what it used to be, and that the country was drifting to a point where a change was needed. Even though he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, the Supreme Court freed him on the ground that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to have tried him at the material time.

Criminalisation of Protests by Military Dictators Apart from the trivialisation of

the offence of treason, the Ibrahim Babangida military junta engaged in the criminalisation of public protests in Nigeria. For instance, the late Chima Ubani and eight other student leaders at the University of Nigeria were arrested in May 1986, and charged under the Miscellaneous Offences Decree before a Special Military Tribunal. We defended them, and ensured that the charge was dismissed in their favour.

Following the criminal annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and I were charged with unlawful assembly. The case was struck out.

In June 1992, five of us, including late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN and the late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti were charged with treasonable felony in a Gwagwalada Chief Magistrate Court, for daring to organise protests against the sabotage of the political transition programme by General Ibrahim Babangida, who had wanted to metamorphose into a civilian President. Chief Fawehinmi and I who defended ourselves and our comrades, turned the case into the trial

DSS: Hounding Voices of Dissent?

of the military officers who had toppled civilian and military governments in Nigeria.

A year later, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and I were charged with unlawful assembly at a Magistrate Court in Abuja, for organising a protest against the criminal annulment of the results of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election. The Magistrate Court refused our application for bail, and ordered our remand in Kuje prison. But, while we were in custody, General Ibrahim Babangida was forced to abdicate power, as many more protests took place in many parts of the country.

On November 17, 1993, late General Sani Abacha seized power and embarked on the elimination of political opponents like his predecessor and co-coupist, General Ibrahim Babangida. The first charge filed against Senator Bola Tinubu (now President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces) read thus:

"That you Ameh Ebute; (2) Chief Polycap Nwite; (3) Rev. Mac. Onyemechi Nwulu; (4) Onyeka Amadi Okoroafor; (5) Abu Ibrahim and (6) Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others at large on the 30th day of May, 1994 at Lagos in the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court formed an intention to remove during his term of office other than by Constitutional means the Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Sani Abacha as Head of State and manifested such intention by issuing a Press Statement declaring the Federal Government illegal and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 41(a) of the Criminal Code Act 77, Laws of the Federation, 1990 and punishable under the same section." Through trumped-up charges, the Abacha junta charged many serving and retired military officers with treason. Activists and journalists who exposed the fake coups were tried and convicted by military tribunals, for being accessories after the fact of treason. Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, were arrested for protesting against the pollution and degradation of Ogoniland by Shell producing Nigeria Limited. The environmental activists were tried, convicted and sentenced to death by a Special Military Tribunal. The junta proceeded to execute them, without awaiting the record of the proceedings of the Special Military Tribunal.

Illegality

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Atiku Abubakar, were declared the winners of the 2003 Presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A major opposition political party, the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) decided to hold a series of rallies, to protest the rigging of the 2003 general election by the ruling party in connivance with INEC.

On the instruction of the Presidency, the Police violently disrupted the first rally that was held in Kano on September 22, 2003. The attendees of the rally,

including the Presidential candidate of the ANPP, General Muhammadu Buhari, and his Vice, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, who had attended the rally, were dispersed with a heavy dose of teargas. In justifying the violent breakup of the rally, the Police stated that the ANPP did not obtain a Police permit.

The ANPP and 10 other opposition political parties, challenged the constitutional validity of Police permits for rallies in Nigeria. In dismissing the defence of the Police, the trial Judge, Chinyere J. held that Police permit was inconsistent with Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

According to the learned trial Judge:“I am therefore, persuaded by the argument of Mr Falana that by the combined effect of Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the right to assemble freely cannot be violated without violating the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and association. I also agree with Mr Falana that violation can only be done by the procedure permitted by law, under Section 45 of the Constitution, in which case there must be a state of emergency properly declared before these rights can be violated”.

Consequently, the court proceeded to grant an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Defendant (the Inspector-General of Police) whether by himself, his agents, privies and servants from further preventing the Plaintiffs and other aggrieved citizens of Nigeria, from

“Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the State Security Service has ever arrested the anti-democratic individuals, with a view to prosecuting them for treason, treasonable felony or terrorism”

organising or convening peaceful assemblies, meetings and rallies against unpopular government measures and policies.”

The appeal against the judgement was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Adekeye JCA (as she then was) asked “…how long shall we continue with the present attitude of allowing our society to be haunted by the memories of oppression and gagging meted out to us by our colonial masters through the enforcement of issuance of permit to enforce our rights under the Constitution?”

On the fear usually expressed by the Police that a rally might be hijacked by hoodlums leading to a breach of the peace, the Court was of the view that “If, as speculated by law enforcement agents, that breach of the peace would occur, our Criminal Code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.”

In his contribution to the leading judgement of the Court, Muhammad JCA confirmed that Police permit is alien to a democratic society when he reiterated that: “In present day Nigeria, clearly Police permit has outlived its usefulness. Certainly, in a democracy, it is the right of citizens to conduct peaceful processions, rallies, or demonstrations without seeking and obtaining permission from anybody. It is a right guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, and any law that attempts to curtail such right is null and void and of no consequence”.

Trial of Protesters for Terrorism

In 2013, the Federal Government dispatched armed thugs to attack and disperse the BBOG members in Abuja for reminding the State of its responsibility to free the abducted Chibok girls. As if the barbaric attack was not enough, the Nigeria Police Force banned public protests in the Federal Capital Territory. The illegal ban was successfully challenged at the

Federal Capital Territory High Court in the unreported case of Hadiza Bala Usman &Ors v Commissioner of Police & Anor.

However, the Federal Government turned round to criminalise protests by charging protesters with terrorism, treason, and treasonable felony. Specifically, on June 8, 2014, the Police disrupted a peaceful rally held by the members of the All Progressives Congress at Ado, Ekiti State. Mr Niyi Afuye, the then Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Government Affairs and 10 other protesters, were arrested and taken to Abuja.

After their brief detention, the protesters were charged with terrorism by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN. As Counsel to the Defendants, we filed a preliminary objection to challenge the charge under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, which exempted protest or strike. As the Federal Government had no reply to our preliminary objection, the charge of terrorism was withdrawn, while the Federal High Court dismissed it.

Trial of Protesters for Treason

On August 8, 2019, the State Security Service obtained an order of the Federal High Court to investigate Mr Omoyele Sowore, for terrorism for planning to convene a protest against the Muhammadu Buhari administration. At the end of the investigation, Mr Omoyele Sowore and Mandate were charged with treasonable felony, money laundering, and cyberstalking.

Based on our preliminary objection against the frivolous charges, the Federal High Court struck out the counts of money laundering and cyberstalking. Even though the State Security Service had listed eight witnesses, the only one called gave evidence against the Defendants. But, under cross-examination, the witness admitted that President Muhammadu Buhari, who led the bunch of coup plotters who overthrew the civilian regime on December 31, 1983, had not been tried for treason. The witness also admitted that General Buhari had called for a revolution akin to the 2011 revolution in Egypt, which sacked the elected Mossi administration. To prevent the defence from further tak-

NLC President, Joe Ajaero

Executive Director, SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni

DSS: Hounding Voices of Dissent?

ing advantage of the cross-examination of the remaining prosecution witnesses, the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, took over the case from the State Security Service. As the prosecution could not call any of the remaining witnesses, the case was subjected to several adjournments. The defence was compelled to apply for the striking out of the case, for want of diligent prosecution.

Having inherited the case, the current Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN reviewed it and decided to file a nolle prosequi motion to terminate the trial in exercise of his powers under section 174 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. Consequently, the ill-advised treasonable felony charge, was struck out by the Federal High Court.

It is therefore, curious that the Bola Tinubu administration has turned round to clamp down on radical citizens, and thereby exposed the country to unprecedented ridicule. In order to control the protests, the governments of the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States filed ex parte applications before the High Courts on the eve of protests. Without paying due attention to the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the case of IGP v ANPP. In granting orders restricting the protesters to some designated centres, the Judges pretended not to know that under Section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020, it is the duty of the police to provide adequate security for protesters during rallies, public meetings or processions. The basis for charging 10 protesters for treason and terrorism for participating in the August 2024 protests. For instance, Comrade Michael Adaramoye has been held in detained for over three weeks in the anti-robbery department of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, because he answers to the Police sobriquet “Lenin”. Comrades Elejo Opaluwa and Mosiu Abolaji are also detained in the same Police station for belonging to a socialist organisation that supported the protest.” In view of the possibility that the case may be turned against the Bola Tinubu administration, the Attorney-General should withdraw it without any further delay.

Conclusion

After all, it is public knowledge that under the current political dispensation, top military officers have repeatedly disclosed that they were under pressure from certain politicians to sack the civilian regime, and replace the same with military rule. Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the State Security Service has ever arrested the anti democratic individuals, with a view to prosecuting them for treason, treasonable felony or terrorism.

Femi Falana, SAN

NLC, SERAP Harassment: Authoritarianism in the Making

Emmanuel Onwubiko

Recent events in Nigeria are raising alarm bells, about the country’s trajectory toward a Police State. The arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President,

Comrade Joe Ajaero, on questionable allegations and the raid on the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by Department of State Services (DSS) officers, are just the latest in a troubling series of events. These incidents represent not only an attack on human rights, but also an erosion of Nigeria’s democratic foundations. If left unchecked, this trend could lead to the systematic stifling of civil liberties. The critical question remains: how can Nigeria curb this growing authoritarianism, before it spirals out of control?

Comrade Joe Ajaero’s Arrest Joe Ajaero, the sitting NLC President, has long been an advocate for workers' rights in Nigeria. As the head of the country’s largest Labour union, his voice carries immense weight, especially in negotiating better working conditions and wages. However, his recent arrest, under what many have termed "flimsy allegations", casts a shadow over the freedom of association and expression in Nigeria. This is not the first time Ajaero has faced such repression. His continuous persecution suggests a deliberate attempt by State authorities to suppress dissent, especially from individuals or groups advocating

“Ajaero’s arrest….raises concerns that Nigeria is leaning towards a pattern of governance that tolerates no opposition, whether political or social”

for socioeconomic justice. Ajaero’s arrest has left many questioning the motives behind the Government’s actions. It raises concerns that Nigeria is leaning towards a pattern of governance that tolerates no opposition, whether political or social. Labor unions like the NLC, play a pivotal role in holding governments accountable and advocating for the masses. The continuous arrests and intimidation of Labour leaders undermine their ability to function, stifling one of the few remaining forces that can check government excesses.

Raid on SERAP

The raid on the offices of the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by DSS officers, is another troubling event. SERAP has earned a reputation for holding the Nigerian Government accountable, particularly in cases involving corruption, mismanagement of public resources, and human rights abuses. In a democracy, organisations like SERAP are indispensable, because they ensure transparency and advocate for justice on behalf of ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, their work has made them a target for State repression.

The invasion of SERAP's offices allegedly followed its call on President Tinubu and his Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of petrol, and to ensure the prompt and thorough investigation of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.

The DSS’s raid on SERAP’s offices is not only an attack on the organisation, but also a blatant disregard for the rule of law and due process. Raiding the offices of a civil rights group without any substantial legal backing sends a message that the Government is willing to employ brute force to silence dissenting voices. This move has sparked widespread outrage, and concern that Nigeria’s democracy is being systematically undermined.

Nigeria’s Descent into a Police State

The arrests and raids are not isolated incidents, but part of a larger trend

that signals Nigeria’s potential descent into a Police State. In a Police State, the government exerts excessive control over its citizens, often through surveillance, intimidation, and the repression of freedoms. The instruments of the State, particularly the security forces, become tools of oppression rather than protectors of public order and safety.

In Nigeria, the growing influence of the security apparatus in civil and political affairs, is unmistakable. Arbitrary arrests of activists, protesters, journalists, and opposition figures have become increasingly common. Security forces have been used to suppress peaceful protests, as seen during the #EndSARS movement, where the Government responded with heavy-handed tactics to calls for Police reform. The same security forces, notably the DSS, are now being employed to intimidate civil society organisations like SERAP, and influential figures like Joe Ajaero.

The arbitrary detention of ten #EndBadGovernance protesters, along with others detained across various prisons in Nigeria between August 1-10 for peacefully protesting against corruption and deep poverty, is a clear violation of their fundamental rights. These protesters should not have been detained, in the first place.

The Nigerian authorities' weaponisation of stringent bail conditions to justify these arbitrary detentions, is a troubling trend that excessively restricts activists' right to freedom of peaceful assembly. This practice is part of a broader strategy to silence dissent, and stifle the voices of those demanding accountability and justice. The perception that Nigeria is fast descending into a Police State, is gaining ground. The rule of law is being undermined, as the Government seems willing to bypass constitutional protections in favour of authoritarian tactics. Such actions erode public trust in State institutions, and weaken the very fabric of Nigeria’s democracy. Nigeria is no stranger to authoritarianism. The military regimes that governed the country for much of its post-independence history were

DSS: Hounding Voices of Dissent?

characterised by repression, corruption, and the suppression of dissent. Under these regimes, civil liberties were curtailed, and citizens lived in constant fear of arbitrary arrest and detention. However, with the return to civilian rule in 1999, there was hope that Nigeria would move toward a more open and democratic society.

Unfortunately, the current trend is reminiscent of those dark days. The use of security forces to intimidate and silence opponents, the suppression of civil liberties, and the marginalisation of dissenting voices bear an uncomfortable resemblance to the actions of past military dictatorships. The Nigerian Government must recognise that a return to such authoritarian practices will only lead to greater instability, unrest, and international condemnation.

While the situation in Nigeria is dire, it is not without hope. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) like SERAP, play a critical role in defending human rights and holding the Government accountable. These organisations must continue their work, despite the mounting pressure and intimidation they face. However, they cannot do it alone. The Nigerian public must also remain vigilant, and demand that the Government respect their rights and uphold the rule of law.

The Role of the International Community

The international community, also has a role to play. Nigeria is a signatory to various international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These agreements bind Nigeria, to respect and protect human rights. The international community, particularly organisations like the United Nations and the African Union, must hold the Nigerian Government accountable for its actions. Sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and public condemnation, can help curb the Government’s authoritarian tendencies.

Additionally, foreign governments, particularly those that maintain close diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria, must not shy away from condemning human rights abuses in the country. While Nigeria is a key player in African geopolitics, its international partners should not allow economic or strategic interests to overshadow the need for accountability and respect for human rights.

Preventing Nigeria from Descending into a Police State

To prevent Nigeria from fully descending into a Police State, several critical actions must be taken. One of the foremost priorities, is the restoration of the rule of law. The Nigerian Government must recommit to upholding the Constitution, and ensuring that the rule of law is respected. Arbitrary arrests, raids, and intimidation tactics must come to an immediate end, with a focus on allowing courts to function independently. Security forces must also be held accountable for their actions, to prevent further

erosion of citizens' rights. Strengthening civil liberties, is another essential step. The rights to free speech, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly are enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, and must be protected. The Government has a responsibility to create an enabling environment, where citizens can express dissent without fear of repression. This is fundamental to maintaining a healthy democratic society.

Reforming the security forces, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), is crucial. These institutions need urgent reforms to shift their focus back to protecting citizens, rather than intimidating them. Establishing clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms for the actions of security forces, will be essential in curbing abuses of power and ensuring that their mandate aligns with democratic principles.

Another vital measure is increased support for civil society organisations, such as SERAP. These groups play a key role in checking government power, and are instrumental in protecting human rights. Ensuring they receive both domestic and international support, including funding, legal protection, and international solidarity, is essential for their continued operation and effectiveness.

Finally, public engagement is critical. Nigerian citizens must remain actively involved in the democratic process. Public awareness campaigns, peaceful protests, and advocacy efforts can put pressure on the Government to respect civil liberties. The media,

“Civil society groups exist to serve the public good…. We urge President Tinubu and relevant authorities to ensure that the rights and safety of civil society groups are upheld, so they can continue to operate freely in the interest of our nation”

too, plays an indispensable role in exposing human rights abuses, and holding the Government accountable. Keeping these channels open and robust, will be key to preventing further erosion of democratic values in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The arrest of Joe Ajaero, the raid on SERAP’s offices, and the growing use of security forces to suppress dissent, are troubling signs that the country is inching closer to authoritarianism. However, this trend can be curbed if decisive action is taken by civil society, the public, and the international community. Nigeria’s democracy, hard-won after years of military rule, is worth defending. The Government must realise that sustainable progress can only be achieved through respect for human rights, adherence to the rule of law, and a commitment to justice for all citizens.

Emmanuel Onwubiko, Head, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA); former National Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria

DSS Invasion of SERAP’s Office: A Call for Protection of Civil Society Organisations

Olanrewaju Suraju

Condemnation

Following the recent invasion of the Abuja office of the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) strongly condemns the unwarranted act of intimidation against the civil

society organisation by the security operatives.

As HEDA’s Chairman, the civil society group maintains that the attack represents a disturbing threat to the democratic principles and freedoms that form the bedrock of our nation.

Stop Harassment and Intimidation of CSOs

We firmly stand in solidarity with SERAP, and call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the DSS to halt all forms of harassment, intimidation, and attacks on SERAP or any other civil society group. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are vital stakeholders in nation-building, playing an essential role in ensuring accountability, protecting human rights, and upholding democratic values. Any form of threat, harassment, or suppression of their activities is an assault on these values, and an affront to the rule of law. Civil society groups exist to serve the public good, and our work must be protected, not threatened. The recent attack on SERAP undermines the collective efforts of CSOs to foster a transparent and accountable governance system in Nigeria. We urge the Nigerian Government to immediately investigate the officers responsible for this invasion, and ensure that those involved are held accountable for their actions.

HEDA Resource Centre believes that a vibrant civic space, is essential for democracy to thrive. It is therefore, the duty of the Government to protect and support civil society organisations as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a party.

We will continue to collaborate with like-minded organisations to challenge any attempt to shrink civic space, or curtail the fundamental rights of Nigerians. We urge President Tinubu and relevant authorities to ensure that the rights and safety of civil society groups are upheld, so they can continue to operate freely in the interest of our nation.

Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman, Human and Environmental Development Agenda

Deputy Director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare

FROM THE BACK OFFICE

Organisational Structure of Ants: A Lesson to Learn from

Go to the Ants, learn from their ways and become wise. They have no commanding officer, general overseer, oga-at-the-top or saviour-leader, but they individually do what they need to do to achieve collective success. In the ant’s kingdom, leadership is distributed. Distributed Leadership challenges the notion that, leadership is the sole domain of a few individuals at the top. It is a concept that recognises that leadership can, and should be exercised by people at all levels. Organisations benefit from leveraging the strengths and insights of their entire workforce and structures, processes and systems become elevated. Like with the Ants’, organisational success depends on effective structures, processes and systems. These include clear communication channels, efficient workflows, and robust support systems. Decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation are enhanced when diverse perspectives are included. These elements ensure that the organisation functions smoothly and can adapt to changes and challenges, independent of any single leader. Effective processes are the invisible hand that guides an organisation; they persist long after individual leaders have moved on; enduring beyond a single leader’s vision or influence. They are the true bedrock of an organisation’s resilience, surpassing the impact of even the strongest leader. So, Ants drive home the importance of processes and systems, over saviour-leadership. In the human world, it is vastly different.

Fixation on Leadership Figures: Are Global Leaders Performing?

As I observe the unfolding events around me, I am increasingly persuaded that the concept of leadership is overrated. Globally, leaders appear to be exacerbating the world's problems rather than offering solutions that seem straightforward enough, even to the average Joe. From the conflict in Gaza to the war in Ukraine, from the immigration crises in Europe to the mass migration from Nigeria's rural areas to Lagos, and from the waste management issues in Lagos to the catastrophic oil spills in the Niger Delta—often cited as a prime example of ecocide—there is a pervasive sense that leadership is failing to address these challenges effectively.

Our fixation on leadership figures, and our continued investment in their promises and projections, frequently leads to our disappointment when they perform sub-optimally. This recurring disillusionment stems from the overrated nature of leadership. We often surrender control, relinquish our agency to leaders, and retreat into a state of passivity and learned helplessness. Maybe leadership is a specific kind of talent, and certain other types of talents are also critical to building Nations and a successful organisation.

Leadership and the World of Work

Bringing it closer to the world of work; while leadership frequently occupies the spotlight within our organisations, it is the collective effort and the often-invisible contributions

JOY HARRISON-ABIOLA harrisonabiolajoy@gmail.com

Leadership is Overrated

of many that truly drive transformative outcomes. You will agree with me that, organisational success depends on a myriad of factors beyond leadership.

It is the expertise, dedication, and innovation of individuals at all levels, the effective collaboration of teams, the seamless operation of subdivisions, and the initiative of individuals that collectively constitute what we might term regenerative transformation and meaningful progress. So, there is an ounce of leadership in all of us.

The conventional narrative of leadership, which venerates the saviourleader—an individual whose vision and charisma are purported to guide the organisation to greatness—fails to sufficiently capture the complexities of organisational dynamics. A leader’s vision, no matter how compelling, cannot achieve success without the invaluable effort, and engagement of the entire team.

A leader's decisive actions can bring transformation; however, it is often the less celebrated roles within an organisation that determine its ultimate success. So, there is more than an ounce of leadership in all of us. Every wise leader will do well to celebrate the countless others who execute daily tasks with precision and care; whose contributions may often

“…. the concept of leadership is overrated.…. It is the expertise, dedication, and innovation of individuals at all levels, the effective collaboration of teams, the seamless operation of subdivisions, and the initiative of individuals that collectively constitute what we might term regenerative transformation and meaningful progress”

go unnoticed, yet are vital to achieving organisational goals; shaping, refining, and bringing the leader’s vision to life. To truly appreciate the complexity of creating a successful organisation, we must continuously recognise the importance of valuing every contribution, no matter how small it may seem. Leaders should foster a culture of recognition, where efforts are acknowledged, and successes are celebrated collectively. By doing so, they can build a more engaged and motivated workforce.

"Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company that Changed the World," In "Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company That Changed the World," Chris Lowney draws on his experiences as a former Jesuit priest to present a unique perspective on leadership. The Jesuits, referred to in the book as the 450-year-old company, are a religious order of the Catholic Church founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. Over the centuries, the Jesuits have been influential in various fields, including establishing numerous educational institutions worldwide, science, missionary work, and social justice. In the book, Lawney challenges the conventional notion that leadership is the domain of a select few individuals in high positions of power. Instead, he argues that leadership is a set of skills and attitudes that everyone can develop and apply in their everyday lives. Here are some key points from the book showing that leadership is overrated in its traditional sense:

Everyone Can Be a Leader: Lowney posits that leadership is not confined to those with formal authority or highranking titles. We are all leaders and we are all leading all the time; well or poorly. He emphasises that everyone, regardless of their role, has the potential to lead through their actions, decisions, and influence on others.

Leadership as a Way of Life: Lowney suggests that leadership is not about occasional grand gestures but about

consistent, everyday actions. Leadership is not an act, it is life, a way of living. He argues that leadership should be integrated into everyone’s daily life, through continuous personal development and a commitment to making a positive impact on those around them. Leadership springs from within, it is about who I am as much as what I do

Leadership is an Ongoing Process: True leadership is not a static state but a dynamic, evolving pursuit. It involves more than just reaching a position of authority or achieving a set goal. Instead, it is about constantly refining one's skills, understanding, and approach to meeting ever-changing needs around us. The essence of leadership lies in its fluidity—leaders must remain open to learning, embrace change, and respond to new challenges with flexibility and resilience. This perpetual process of growth means that leadership cannot be “completed” in a conventional sense. It is not about achieving a final state of perfection but about ongoing self-improvement and adaptation. Hence effective leaders regularly assess their actions, seek feedback, and adjust their strategies. They recognise that leadership is a journey without a fixed endpoint, where the pursuit of excellence is as important as the achievements themselves.

By examining the Jesuit's history, and their organisational success over centuries, Chris Lowney illustrates how the Jesuits' inclusive approach to leadership has allowed them to thrive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while leadership is often highlighted as the cornerstone of a Nation’s and organisational success, it is essential to recognise that, it is only one part of a much larger picture. Organisational success is crafted by the collective efforts of many. The unseen hands—the dedicated employees, effective processes, and supportive culture—are what truly shape the success of an organisation. Same for a Nation.

By shifting the focus from the overrated notion of saviour-leaders, boss men, ogaat-the-top, to the importance of collective effort, we can better drive self-agency and appreciate the intricate dynamics that drive success.

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611

Edun: China’s Investments in Nigeria’ll Improve Nation’s Economic Portfolio

At the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to People’s Republic of China and participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, in this interview with Deji Elumoye in Beijing, speaks on China’s renewed comprehensive mutual bilateral cooperation with Africa and Nigeria’s current efforts to stabilize the economy, among other issues.

What is your impression about Nigeria’s outing at this year’s FOCAC?

What has happened is that President Bola Tinubu led four Governors vis Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, and Niger States as well as Senators and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), to accompany him first of all, to a State visit to the People’s Republic of China hosted by President Xi Jinping.

Secondly, there has been participation by that same contingent led by Mr. President to FOCAC 2024, which is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is all about a joint effort and mutual support and, encouragement for the development and improvement of the lives of the citizens of the continent of Africa with support from China. So, this is what I would say, has been a very successful engagement.

What is unique about the State visit?

First of all, the one-on-one bilateral discussions that the President has had with President Xi Jinping in which they discussed matters clearly of mutual interest particularly mutual cooperation on the global stage at the international fora such as the UN’s common views on the ascension of the continent’s of an African country to the UN Security Council and so forth.

But more important, was the discussion and witnessing of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on projects of key importance in the areas of railways, ports, petrol-chemicals, and so forth that mean investments in critical infrastructure and critical projects in Nigeria.

Continuing in that same vein, President Xi Jinping expressed his commitment at the FOCAC plenary session, when he opened it, he expressed commitment to global security, global development, and global civilization, so, going beyond the physical development to include cultural exchanges and things that lift the spirits of citizens and ensure that the citizens buy-in to the developmental efforts and story.

So, it was a very comprehensive engage-

ment for Nigeria. Further agreements have been signed not just in the presence of Mr. President early in the State visit but right throughout the week’s engagement including gas, and methanol projects at Brass Island in Bayelsa State and so on. Lagos State signed an MoU with China Habor Engineering company as well as the Ministry of Finance Incorporated to put in place the green line plan of Lagos State which basically opens up light rail and rail transport for cargo as well as for passengers along the Leki axis thereby, providing very much needed improved logistics for evacuation

and movement of goods and people. What is important about that particular investment, or the style of that particular company is that it is the majority owner of the Lekki Port. It is a foreign direct investment, that is, an equity investment, not so much pilling on more debts to be repaid later but an equity investment that not only creates jobs but helps to ensure performance, operational performance, profitable performance, and efficient performance of that facility as time goes by. In fact, the company in that Private Public Partnership (PPP), is talking of doubling the capacity of the Port and even more investment in that sector.

So, that’s a critical yardstick and a critical example of what President Bola Tinubu’s

philosophy and economic strategy is all about. Stabilizing the Nigerian economy, creating an environment for investment, particularly by private investors, and non-government investors whether domestic or, foreign to encourage the growth of productivity, creation of jobs, growth of the economy, and course reducing poverty in the country, which China has done very well over recent decades.

Are there projections in terms of FDI volume?

President Xi Jinping was very specific. He talked about $140 million for investment to help with security and defense in African countries. He talked about another $140 million for the social sector and $50 billion in funding over three years in various sectors of the economies and the societies of the African continent. And of course, when we take it back home, the equity investments in particular, the FDI that we have mentioned before was $535million invested in Leki Port and the prospect is that that would be doubled as further investment is made.

So, we are talking about concrete figures. The President of the People’s Republic of China did lay out 10 items, and initiatives that he is seeking to launch and implement over the next three years in particular, and that range from defense, infrastructure, education, training, and cultural exchanges. Really, a whole of society approach to development is the way I will characterize what President Xi Jinping laid before the African continent as a way of mutual cooperation to mutual benefits to modernizing the economies of the African continent, as China despite all its advances still regards itself as a South country, a developing country and maybe, when you do look at the Gross Domestic Product, the GDP per capita figure is still relatively low compared to some of the even countries in Asia, Korea, and South Korea. However, it has made giant strides and it is joining hands with the leadership of the African continent to try and help our countries emulate what has been achieved by way of modernization in China.

Tinubu’s Decisive Move on Security

Fredrick Nwabufo in this piece writes about the encouragement being given by President Bola Tinubu to the armed forces and other security agencies for them to tackle head-on the security challenges facing the nation.

It takes decisive leadership to roll back the forays of terror. Terror understands the language of terror. The recent successful operations of Nigeria’s security forces across the country bear a defining mark of resolute leadership.

On Thursday, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji made a quick delivery. They dispatched terrorist leader, Halilu Sububu, and his gang of death-dealers in a five-star caravan of wry irony to the netherworld.

Terrorist leader Sububu had risen in notoriety with the savagery he dealt on citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other parts of northwestern Nigeria. He was loud, imperious, and brutal, issuing threats and making crowing pronouncements on videos. Lives have been lost, communities displaced, property destroyed, and citizens maimed by the sheer industry of Sububu and his gang.

The troops also achieved another victory, neutralising Sani Wala Burki, kin of Sububu in the terror business, and his gang, as well as extirpated a terrorist hideaway in Kaduna, freeing 13 kidnapped students.

According to PRNigeria, an authoritative news source on security operations, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji also eliminated four terrorists in Zamfara state -- Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaleri.

local government area, where he confessed to masterminding numerous attacks across the state.

The troops further launched offensives against fleeing terrorists in Sambisa Forest, neutralising many of them.

This string of propitious outcomes in the north-west and the north-east follow President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the service chiefs to relocate to the zone and his consistent support to the security agencies.

President Tinubu is a renowned democrat, but also a firm and bold Commander-in-Chief.

On September 3, 2024, in a decisive response to the killings in Yobe state, the President had said: ‘’The perpetrators of this sinister act will have an inevitable encounter with justice.’’ And true to his promise, the troublers of the nation are having fated encounters with justice, and so will all those visiting terror on Nigerians.

Additionally, the successful operations also show that there is synergy and proper coordination among the security agencies and the intelligence agencies. Intelligence is a fundamental piece in the counter-terrorism puzzle.

In the past, inter-agency rivalry had been a detraction to the counter-terrorism effort. The effective coordination and deployment of security resources attests to a strong and

reinvigorated leadership.

Fundamentally, successive actions against terrorism will not be effective or be permanent solutions without a conscientious plan to address the underlying cause. A prominent contributor to the challenge is youth illiteracy and socio-economic dislocation. Economic and social security is essential for corporeal security.

This is the reason the President Tinubu-led administration is making critical investments in education. The federal government, through its out-of-school children initiative, recently reintegrated four million children into the educational system. Also, the Out-of-School Children Commission, set to commence this month, will provide training to approximately 10,000 young Nigerians.

The Tinubu administration is addressing the bottom-line precipitates of socio-economic insecurity through seminal policies and programmes while redistributing wealth to the vulnerable and the most vulnerable through revamped social welfare schemes.

As the President re-affirmed, immediate and latent security threats will be decisively dealt with.

-Nwabufo, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, writes from Abuja.

Edun

In another valiant endeavour, the security forces apprehended terrorist leader, Hosseini Osman, in Plateau state. The news agency says Osman was netted at Ganawuri village, in the Riyom

President Tinubu

Email: chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Daniel Kimmage: Countering Disinformation through Resilient Information Ecosystem, Partnerships

When it comes to countering disinformation, Daniel Kimmage is big on partnerships that help to foster a more resilient information ecosystem while strengthening democratic institutions. As the Principal Deputy Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center at the U.S. Department of State, his recent visit to Nigeria as a speaker on the Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa conference co-hosted by the U.S. and Nigerian governments, he exclusively fielded questions from Chiemelie Ezeobi on how he coordinates efforts in countering disinformation, the framework used, how AI is changing the landscape of international communication and diplomacy, role of media in countering disinformation, amongst other issues

Can you give me a brief rundown on what the Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa conference is all about?

So we're here at this conference because our mission is to counter disinformation globally and, specifically, foreign information manipulation outside of the United States. So artificial intelligence is one of the biggest developments in this field because technology is so central to how disinformation is spread, how we identify it and how we counter it, that we need to keep track of all the latest technologies. Artificial intelligence is a big part of that, and the reason I'm here this is my 4th trip to Africa in the last year.

We're very engaged specifically in identifying technological innovation in Africa that can help to fight disinformation. So this is a way for us to meet some of the, leading thinkers, to hear African voices and perspectives on artificial intelligence, and hopefully, to meet people who could potentially serve as partners. So for us, this is a very exciting opportunity.

So how does it align with your job as the Principal Deputy Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center at the U.S. Department of State?

So as I said, technology is a huge part of what we do. And, one of the things that we, do at the Global Engagement Center is we conduct, for example, tech challenges. Tech challenges are where we invite, applications from tech innovators. We go through them, we select seven or eight participants, and then we invite them to a day-long or a two-day event.

At the end of that event, we award $250,000 to develop tools. We've conducted a, tech challenge in Cote d'Ivoire in October of last year. We are, planning to conduct one next week in Tanzania. That's one of our initiatives. It's not the only way we engage with technology.

One of the other ways is to come to events like this where we can hear the perspectives of innovators and leaders in the field, where we can meet with them. Because where disinformation spreads is on our phones, in our pockets, and it's determined by the technology. And so we wanna be in touch with the leading voices who understand those tools, who are developing the next generation of tools. Because just as artificial intelligence can accelerate the spread of disinformation, it can also put powerful tools in the hands of the people who are fighting disinformation.

So beyond the tech challenges you have, how else do you fight this disinformation? Sure. So, I would say partnerships are really at the core of what we do. And if I had to put it sort of in one sentence, I would say it is collaborative partnerships informed by common principles to achieve positive outcomes. So, we work with fact checking organisations. We work with, tech innovators and analysts. And, I already talked about, our tech challenges. We want to, encourage analysis that identifies the sources of disinformation. We want to work with some of the people who are promoting digital and media literacy. I can't stress enough how, technology is central to what we do, and our main vehicle, our main way of accessing technology is through partnerships.

As part of my IVLP Countering insurgency through media messaging, we went to the terror cell in Denver and one of the things that struck me most was how it was easy for them to capture or create messages that could trigger people

or influence them to join their terror groups. What do you think the good guys can do to get the right messages down to people that need it?

You're talking about the messages that can can can sort of bring people a different perspective? I think what it involves is is identifying kind of the right local partners, because what you need are people who have the language skills, the cultural skills, the understanding of the environment, because whether we're talking about recruitment to an extremist organisation, or disinformation spreading in a market that is undermining social cohesion, it's always driven by local dynamics, and we can't sit in Washington and counter it from there. We need to work with the people who have the understanding of the local environment. So once again, it it all comes down to the partnerships with the right people, the right organisations, who have the right tools to do the good work of countering the actual disinformation.

Do you think it would be much easier for telecoms company to help to block access to all these, terrorists propaganda online if you partner them? Or you just partner tech?

So let me be very clear that we're not a regulatory agency. We're not engaged in blocking content. Our approach is primarily, first, analytical. We want to understand what's out there in the environment, how it's spreading, and then we really want to work with local partners who can counter it. So they can put correct information out there that can help people to become more informed consumers. What what we believe on the basis of our research and our approach is that free access to accurate information is the best antidote, the best counter to disinformation.

At the centre, you coordinate efforts in countering disinformation. How is AI changing the landscape of international communication and diplomacy?

That's a huge question. It's changing it in pretty much every way in the same way that it's revolutionising other fields. The the GEC has got let me sort of give two examples of of how we're trying to work with this. One of our most powerful tools- we're diplomats, we're at the state department, and we have a diplomatic tool here. This is our framework to counter foreign state information manipulation. This framework lays out five areas where countries can make themselves more resilient to information manipulation. So the first is national strategies. The second is institutions. The third area is human and technical capacity. The fourth area is independent media, academia, and civil society, and then the last

We want to, encourage analysis that identifies the sources of disinformation. We want to work with some of the people who are promoting digital and media literacy. I can't stress enough how, technology is central to what we do, and our main vehicle, our main way of accessing technology is through partnerships.

area is international engagement. That framework has room for working on issues like the responsible use of artificial intelligence, or sort of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI is is is our approach in the US government. So the framework is our primary tool. 22 countries have endorsed this framework so far. I'm happy to say that, Cote D'ivoire is the first African country to endorse the framework in April of this year, and we are, hoping to secure additional endorsements of this framework as a way to work together with other countries in a collaborative partnership to make ourselves more resilient to foreign information manipulation.

Are you saying this framework is is the key to countering disinformation online? It's not the cure all for it, but for us and our work with other governments, it's a powerful tool to identify areas where we can improve, and this includes the United States, where we're struggling with this and and grappling with this problem, like other countries. So we feel in in the in the diplomatic sphere, the government to government sphere, that the framework is a sphere, that the framework is a powerful tool. We have other tools for partnerships in the tech sphere, for example, to work with innovators like our tech challenges, but we're very enthusiastic about the framework in this government to government sphere.

While we have the positives of AI, we also have the negatives. How is your centre promoting the safe and sound AI global? We want AI to be a force for good in the world, and this is the whole logic behind the promotion of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. And trustworthy is really key in the counter disinformation space because people have to have confidence that the information they're receiving is credible, that they can trust the source. One of the areas where we're working is in, you know, what's called the authentication of content. So we're working with some of our other colleagues in the US government to develop standards to authenticate the content that we put out, so government content, so that people know they're getting real information from their government. And then we're going to use that to do international engagement. I would identify also content authentication as one of the areas where we can promote the, safe, secure, and trustworthy use of artificial intelligence.

With your background in Russia and Central Asian issues, how do you view the role of AI in shaping political dynamics, particularly in areas where the US has strategic interest?

So, as everywhere else, artificial intelligence is a factor. Technology is a factor. Broadly, what I would say is that every country has the right to make its case to the world and to other countries, but that case has to stand or fall on its merits. And on its merits means, you know, without information manipulation, including manipulation that relies on AI tools. We know that AI can be used to to produce fakes.

It can be used to to promote things online. So we are against that, and and and we've exposed, certain campaigns. We, as I said, fully accept that each country can and should make its case to the world, but that case must stand or fall on its own merits.

NOTE:

Daniel Kimmage

Again, Gunmen Kill Five in Fresh Attack in Plateau Community

Seriki AdinoyiinJos

Five persons have were last Sunday night killed in Mbar community of Bokkos Local Government Council of Plateau State by gunmen.

This was confirmed in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, Mr. Farmasum Fuddang and Duwam Bosco respectively.

The statement read: “We wish to condemn in the strongest terms the tragic killing of five innocent young men in Mbar community on September 15, despite prior intelligence reports of suspected terrorist’s influx into the area.

According to the statement, the

harmless, unarmed youths were attacked on their way from Mbar town to Koh village along a bypass encircling Yelwa Nono village at about 7:30 p.m. by fleeing terrorists on motorcycles who were initially repelled by the military from the surrounding mountains.

The statement added that by the time the security forces were informed about the attack and arrived the scene several minutes later, the terrorists had completed their mission and fled without apprehension. “This incident adds to a series of armed attacks in our villages, including the recent murder of 11 youths in Tarangol, Daffo, and Bargesh villages on September 3.

“We perceive these unprovoked

attacks as a calculated attempt at evicting our people from their ancestral homes and taking over the land. We request to be involved in the handling of the threats in our land, working in synergy with security forces as is in the case with the civilian joint task force in the northeast and northwest regions.

“This is not to undermine or underrate the efforts of the military. However, we understand the logistical and manpower shortages faced by the military, requiring the active participation of local community members who by the way know the terrain and can better assist with intelligence to identify and expose criminal elements in communities.

Computer Village Traders Decry Imposed Levies, Ethnic Manipulation

Ayodeji Ake

The incorporated trustees of Ikeja Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management Lagos, have appealed to Mrs Folasade Tinubu Ojo to promptly comply with the Ikeja High court’s judgement on computer village market and stop being in contempt of the court of law.

The group, in a press statement, also said that its Yoruba allies (Igbimo Yoruba Apapo Lagbaiye) should stop instigating non-existent issues of ethnic manipulation which is designed to avoid their

compliance with the honourable court judgment which directs the duo to refrain from interfering in the computer village market management affairs as the market has a right to their own self determination and choice of leadership.

Also, the group wants the duo to desist from collection of levies or imposition of lump sums on their business partners.

“The marketers and stakeholders are taxpayers and are capable of managing their market by themselves and further distances themselves from the fabricated

publication put up by the Worldwide Igbimo Yoruba Agbaiye as total lies and fallacy and that it’s a misrepresentation of what’s ongoing in computer village.

“Computer village has its own Yoruba association which manages the interests of Yoruba ethnicity already, trying to change the narrative by playing ethnic card will not suffice as there is no single record of such incidence nor rancor or disharmony between any ethnic group within the information technology hub or its immediate environment in several years till date.”

Firms Commence HCDT Projects in Three Rivers Communities

Blessing Ibunge inPortHarcourt

It was jubilation at the weekend when indigenous companies, Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) and Lekoil Oil Joint Venture, kickstarted several projects to positively impact on its host communities in three communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The projects are being provided in conjunction with Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), and the New Nigerian Foundation (NNF) from the 3.0 per cent operating expenses (OPEX), aimed at implementing the provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)

for the development of oil host communities.

In their design, structure, and processes of the companies’ social responsibility programme they are intended to maximise valueaccelerating factors throughout our host communities of Ikuru Town, Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama & Asukoyet.

The projects to be executed in the first phase of the implementation of the five-year-plan include: one kilometer road leading into Ugama Ekede, Scholarship for students in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education.

As well as Bursary for university

students in Ugama Ekede, a Town Hall and a Box Culvert in Asuk-ama and a road projects in Asukoyet.

Several other sustainable development initiatives have been undertaken through the MoU regime since 2014, until the establishment of the Host Community Development Trust under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

The coming on stream of these projects saw royal fathers, community chiefs, women and youths of the three benefiting communities of Ugama Ekede, Asuk-ama and Asukoyet, overwhelmed with joy.

Adeleke: Ile Ife Deserves Flyovers, Dualised Roads, Others

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Governor Ademola Adeleke has decried the low physical and infrastructure development of Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba people, declaring that the source of Yoruba race deserves total upgrade in terms of flyovers, dualised roads and upgraded facilities befitting the cultural capital of Yoruba people.

Hosting a delegation of Ife Development Board at the Government House yesterday, Governor Adeleke said the low developmental outlook of the ancient city is not acceptable to

him and his team, hence the decision to commence massive upgrade starting with the Lagere flyover and the dualisation of the road leading to the palace.

He justified his administration’s decision to change the face of Ile Ife on the ground that the ancient city cannot continue to look like a village when global visitor comes calling, affirming that Ile Ife is too important to remain low rated in infra outlook.

Governor Adeleke, accompanied by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, told the visiting dignitaries that Ile Ife

is not only the cultural capital and source of all Yourba people but also the global tourism and religious base of Yorubas in North America, South America and other parts of the world.

Thanking the Ooni of Ife and other Ife leaders for supporting him on the ongoing flyover and dualisation projects at Ile Ife, the governor said aside the cultural and tourism factors, the economic case for the Lagere flyover has been well canvassed as the junction is the meeting point for business interaction from Osun West, from Ilesa and from Ondo through Garage Olode.

Family Announces Death of Ama-Opusenibo Mervyn Taylaur

The Taylaur Family announces the passing into glory of Ama-Opusenibo Mervyn C. Taylaur.

According to a statement from the family, AmaOpusenibo Mervyn C. Taylaur who was born on May 29, 1929, died on September 5, 2024Taylaur (29th May, 1929 - 5th Sept, 2024).

“M.C. Taylaur, an accomplished Chartered Accountant, was Area Partner, Nigeria and Senior Partner, West Africa and the first black International Partner with Pricewaterhouse. He transited peacefully in the presence of his family and loved ones,” the statement added.

Ama-Opusenibo Mervyn C. Taylaur

Although the country in August produced its second highest crude oil volume since January, it is still missing the 2024 budget benchmark of 1.78 million barrels per day by as much as 210,000 bpd, a THISDAY analysis of available data has revealed.

Latest information from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Company (NUPRC) indicated that the combination of crude oil and condensates output by Nigeria reached 1.57 million bpd during the month under review.

At a point in the past, the gulf between expected and actual production was up to 700,000 bpd when outputs fell to as low as 1

million bpd.

However, condensates, which accounted for 218,993 bpd in August as against the actual oil production of 1.35 million bpd are outside the monthly calculation of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Nigeria has consistently failed to meet its oil production target for the 2024 budget as well as the OPEC quota of 1.58 million bpd, but in August it made progress towards the mark, with the 1.57 million bpd, even though it continued to lag.

In a draft document, tagged: “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP),” last June, the federal government said its ability to achieve the 2024 budgeted revenue step-up of 77.4

per cent from 2023 was at risk if oil production remained 27.0 per cent below budgetary provisions.

“Our ability to achieve the 2024 Budgeted revenue step-up of 77.4 per cent from 2023 actual is at risk should oil production remain 27.0 per cent below budget. Fifty per cent of the annualised year-to-date variance suggests a lower-than-budgeted revenue of N15.7 trillion at the current run rate,” it said.

It added that the oil production, which it put at 1.4 million bpd compared to the 1.78 million bpd budget assumption and the OPEC quota of 1.58 million bpd, resulting in federal government revenue shortfalls.

Overall, it explained that the oil sector, as the fiscal anchor

for the Nigerian economy, has underperformed due to years of underinvestment, inefficiency and opacity, leading to lost revenues and jobs and a grossly underserved local energy market.

However, with the significant improvement from 1.4 million bpd to 1.57 million bpd since that time, a rise in production by about 170,000 bpd, the government may soon need to heave a sigh of relief even though it also continues to have a deficit between actual dollar budget of $77/barrel to the current circa $70 to $72 per barrel.

According to the NUPRC data, Nigeria produced oil and condensates of 1.643 million in January, the highest this year; 1.539 million bpd in February; 1.438 million bpd in

March; 1.447 million barrels in April and 1.468 million bpd in May.

In June, Nigeria produced a total oil of 1.5 million bpd oil and condensates; 1.533 million bpd and 1.57 million bpd.

In all, 50.9 million barrels were produced in January; 44.6 million in February; 44.5 million in March; 43.4 million in April; 45.5 million in May; 45.0 in June; 47.5 million in July and 48.6 million in August.

Most of the production for the month of August came from the Bonny Terminal with 5.4 million barrels; Brass which had 897,737 barrels; Qua Iboe with 3 million; Forcados which produced 9 million barrels; Excravos produced 4.2 million barrels, while output from Odudu was 2.58 million.

The country’s low production has been attributed to massive crude oil theft in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, ageing oil fields, poor crude oil terminal maintenance, shutdowns, and reduced investments in the upstream oil and gas sector. The federal government has said it is sustaining efforts to reinforce pipeline surveillance and clamp down on oil theft.

Earlier this month, the Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, stated that the latest upstream deal in Nigeria’s oil sector was expected to help boost crude production

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has hosted a workshop on the grid-scale solar programme in Abuja, showcasing findings from two comprehensive documents: The Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) Integration Study and the Solar Auction Framework Study.

The studies, conducted in collaboration with the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), a statement from NERC said, are set to underpin Nigeria’s inaugural utility-scale solar auction. The workshop brought together

key stakeholders, including government officials, energy experts and representatives from the World Bank, NERC stated, adding that the event provided an in-depth look at the VRE integration study, which examines the challenges and opportunities of integrating large-scale solar power into the

national grid.

The study, it said, highlights the potential for solar energy to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s electricity supply, while also addressing issues related to grid stability.

The solar auction framework study, another crucial component,

NERC stressed, outlines the structure and mechanisms for Nigeria’s first grid-scale solar auction.

“This framework is designed to ensure a transparent and competitive bidding process. The study provides a detailed roadmap for the auction process, including criteria for project selection, financial models, and regulatory guidelines.

“As Nigeria moves forward with its grid-scale solar programme, the successful implementation of these studies will be crucial in achieving the country’s renewable energy targets and fostering a more sustainable and resilient power sector,” it added.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L-R: Global Chief Executive Officer of PIL Shipping, Mr Lars Kastrup been presented with a plaque by the Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Akutah Pius Ukeyima at the council headquarters during the latter’s courtesy visit… recently

NNPC: 134 Illegal Oil Refineries Demobilised, 63 Illegal Pipelines Uncovered in One Week

Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As part of Nigeria’s fight against oil theft, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has disclosed that 134 illegal refineries were destroyed in seven days.

In its weekly audio-visual on the progress made so far, it noted that 63 illegal pipeline connections were also uncovered during the period,

with a joint team of security agents discovering a large wooden boat illegally loading stolen crude oil from barge AGS01 within the OML 18 operating area.

According to the national oil company, based on credible intelligence, the large wooden boat was caught receiving crude oil from the barge.

It explained that while the barge was towed away with a tugboat in custody, five speedboats used in

Green Energy, Lekoil Invests in Infrastructural Devt of Rivers Communities

Sunday Ehigiator

Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) and Lekoil Oil & Gas Investment Limited have announced a significant investment in the infrastructural development of several communities in Rivers State.

The investment, which is part of the companies’ corporate social responsibility initiatives, aims to improve the lives of residents in the beneficiary communities by providing them with access to basic infrastructure such as roads, water, and education.

In a jointly signed statement from the two companies, they said, the communities, namely Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama, and Asukoyet, are all beneficiaries of the various positively impacting projects, which include infrastructural and non-infrastructural projects as well as human capital development projects.

“Some of the projects to be implemented include construction of Asukoyet link road (Phase1), construction of Asukama box culvert, completion of Asukama town hall,

construction of Ugama Ekede link road (Phase 1), administration of scholarship and empowerment in Asukama, administration of scholarship in Ugama Ekede.

“In addition, the company is also renovating the community secondary school and other buildings in Ikuru town community, borehole repairs and water reticulation in Asukama, completion of 6 classroom block in Asukoyet, scholarship, bursary and empowerment in Asukoyet, concrete, embankment round Ayama Ekede town hall, scholarship and bursary in Ayama Ekede among others,” the statement read.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, representative of Green Energy LEKOIL JV, Godwin Omayi, noted that the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) has been implemented to enhance the wellbeing of the people in the community and enjoined members of the community to ensure peace and cooperation with the contractors handling the projects, as the only prerequisite for greater development in the community.

towing the large wooden boat to the illegal loading site were detained.

It noted that the particulars of the tugboats and barge used for the operation were seized for further investigation, adding that in Rivers state, two barges involved in illegal bunkering activities were also seized and the crewmembers were arrested.

In addition, wooden boats transporting stolen crude oil, the NNPC said, were confiscated in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa State and

Abia States.

In Bayelsa and Abia States, it noted that repairs were executed on pipelines while illegal connections were detected and removed, pointing out that it was not just the pipelines that were under the siege of vandals and oil thieves.

According to the NNPC, across the swamps and waterways, illegal refineries with toxic sites of crude oil refining were destroyed in states like Rivers, Abia and Bayelsa,

describing illegal refineries as shadowy operations that pollute the environment and bleed the economy.

Besides, the NNPC stated that 25 suspects were arrested and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.

It said: “Between August 31 and September 6, 2024, a total of 302 incidents were identified across various locations in the Niger Delta from several incident sources.”

It listed the sources as Tantita Security Services, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Maton Engineering Company, Heirs Energies Limited, Oando Plc, NNPC Limited’s Command and Control Centre and government security agencies.

“There is no backing down on the war on crude oil theft until the menace is eradicated,” the state-owned firm said.

Oil-rich Nations Launch ‘Pushback’ against Fossil Fuel Phase-out

Oil-rich nations are making a concerted effort to slow progress on a landmark UN climate agreement to end the use of fossil fuels, according to western nations taking part in global climate change talks.

Negotiators from five western countries told the Financial Times that they were applying pressure to Azerbaijan as the host country for the upcoming UN COP29 summit to prioritise fossil fuel phase-out discussions, in an attempt to counter a “pushback” from the petrostates and their allies.

At COP28 in Dubai last December,

almost 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems by 2050 and to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.

But the negotiators said that a group of countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Bolivia — which have historically proved a block to any global agreement to phase out the use of fossil fuels — were yet again frustrating progress.

Azerbaijan, which is heavily reliant on oil and gas exports economically, is seen as reluctant to champion a further shift away from oil and gas.

One negotiator from a major western country said that “there’s clearly pushback by some countries” in discussions about the fossil fuels agreement.

“We’re having to be very clear with Azerbaijan that this COP won’t be a success if we don’t also talk about the process of implementing mitigation, including the COP28 decision,” they said.

A negotiator from another western country added: “At this stage, it looks extremely bleak and there’s a real risk that large emitters within the G77 (group of developing nations) will

use the difficult finance negotiations to block any meaningful progress on mitigation.”

At this year’s COP29, to be held in November, countries are due to agree on a new global goal for climate finance, with nations clashing about how much this should be, who pays and its structure.

At the weekend, African governments, including Nigeria, called for more than £1 trillion a year in climate finance. Oil and natural gas brings in about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

FG: Nigeria’s Partnership with US on Clean Energy Will Optimise Mutual Opportunities

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has expressed optimism over the US-Nigeria clean energy partnership, stating that it will optimise mutual opportunities for both nations and investors in the sector.

At the two-day US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Security Dialogue, which ended in Washington DC over the weekend, Ekpo emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging its vast gas resources for economic growth and energy transition.

A statement by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, quoted him as highlighting the Decade of Gas Initiative, which aims to drive industrialisation, reduce energy poverty, and position Nigeria as a regional gas processing and industrial hub.

The minister acknowledged the US as a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s energy sector, offering support and collaboration across various areas. He stressed the need to strengthen ties, working together to address challenges like energy

security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Ekpo welcomed ongoing initiatives, emphasising the significance of the partnership in achieving Nigeria’s energy goals.

He expressed hope for substantive discussions and interactions during the dialogue, focusing on energy security, decarbonisation, and investments in the gas and renewable energy sectors.

“The United States has been a steadfast partner in our energy sector, offering support and collaboration

across various areas, from technical expertise to capacity building.

“ As we navigate the complexities of the current global energy environment, it is imperative that we continue to strengthen these ties, working together to address challenges such as energy security, climate resilience, and the need for sustainable development,” Ekpo said.

On his part, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, renewed the US commitment to supporting the US-Nigeria energy transition.

Mamador: Transforming Lives through August Women Meeting

Management Expert & Founder The Green Investment Club, Tomie Balogun; Health Influencer, Egemba

Actress, Ngozi Nwosu and Brand Manager, Mamador, Oluyinka Adeyeye, during the 5th edition of the August

Arthur Eriye

In the last five years, Mamador has celebrated Nigerian women’s strength, resilience, and diversity through the August Women’s Meeting. This year’s edition tagged Mamador August Women’s Meeting 5.0, themed, “Nourish to Flourish,” left no stone unturned in its dedication to empowering, inspiring, and educating women.

The event, held at Sheba Hall, Maryland, Lagos, boasted an impressive list of speakers who explored sessions on health, nutrition, financial independence, modern parenting, and more. The list included guest speaker veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu, event host Chigul, celebrity fitness and wellness coach Dr Kaffy Shafau, Sola Adesakin, Sandra Oluwadare, Tomie Balogun, and Egemba Chinoso, popularly known as Aproko Doctor.

The theme “Nourish to Flourish” focused on women’s health and encouraged success. It encouraged women to have a mindset to survive and thrive while taking good care of their health and building wealth. The audience was thrilled to see an array of renowned speakers who covered diverse topics dedicated to helping women flourish in every aspect of life.

Opening with the Welcome Address, Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar Limited, Chioma Mbanugo, disclosed that the annual Mamador August Women Meeting is the brand’s way of recognising and celebrating the significant contribution of women to society. Also, it has become a considerable platform not only for communal gatherings but also for occasions where women meet their peers and thought leaders, rub their minds and exchange ideas for the advancement and empowerment of Nigerian women.

A testament to the event’s acceptance and popularity is the increase in attendees from 250 in the last edition to the massive turnout of 750 women this year. This development was bolstered by the Brand Manager, Mamador, Oluyinka Adeyeye, who said the brand remains committed to uplifting the modern Nigerian woman, regardless of demography or tribe.

The presentations lived up to the billing as each speaker delivered nourishing insights packed with inspiration that will make the participants flourish. Sandra Oluwadare, a certified Family and Parenting Coach, led the way with the topic ‘Parenting in this generation’, tasking women to take responsibility

as shapers and moulders of destinies to be intentional in how and how they raise their kids. She underscored the need for women to take care of themselves to enable them to confront threats that can hinder them from effectively parenting their kids.

Egemba Chinonso, a health influencer and medical doctor popularly known as Aproko Doctor, lent his voice to “Health and Food Choices”, imploring women to take good care of themselves by embracing a healthy life through healthy foods. Award-winning dancer and fitness coach, Dr Kaffy Shafau raised the roof with her energetic dance steps and urged women to keep fit and take care of their mental health because “women’s minds are critical in keeping healthy lifestyles.”

The financial aspect of the session, which focused on wealth building, kicked off with Sola Adesakin, a finance and wealth coach, who discussed “Wealth and the Woman”, urging women to be clear about their priorities and map them according to their finances. She advised women to invest 50% of their earnings while 30% and 20% should be channeled toward savings and personal care and development, respectively.

Tomie Balogun, a certified financial education instructor whose session “You are a Business”, delved into entrepreneurship with advice on having a good understanding of business structure and figures before dabbling in any business because they are determinants of its overall success. The session ended with veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu, who joined the other speakers during a panel session before the elevator pitch presentation to encourage women to be ready and determined to confront challenges that may arise in the cause of their career or family life.

The major highlight of the event was the elevator pitch presentation. Vennile Pads won the grand prize of a two-million-naira cash grant, while Maka Marvi, the first runner-up, got one million naira, and Farhms Food and Sauce Global Limited, the second runner-up, went home with five hundred thousand naira.

As the event ended, attendees expressed their delight at Mamador for consistently delivering on the big stage with the Mamador August Meeting 5.0, which has continued the tradition of meaningful discussions among Nigerian women—from family dynamics to building businesses for the greater good of society.

Ariston Water Heaters: A Safer Way to Enjoy Hot Water Baths

Hot water baths are as old as time and their preparation has evolved through the years with the advancement of science and technology. The discovery of electricity took us away from the traditional art of boiling water in a pot placed on burning charcoal or firewood, even the advanced kerosene or gas stoves.

The emergence of electricity witnessed the birth of new ways to heat water through electric appliances like the electric boiling ring, electric kettle and electric stovetop also known as hot plates. They were modern and offered a faster way to get hot water in a few minutes with less stress. No sooner than people embraced the use of these appliances did they realize that the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. People started realizing how unsafe it was to use following shocking cases of skin burns from hot water spills, to electrocution, which could be sometimes fatal, and the worst cases of electrical malfunctioning that resulted in house fires leading to loss of lives and property.

A lot of Lagos residents have terrifying experiences of using the electric boiling ring which was often adapted for various uses like boiling water and cooking light meals. It caused a lot of disasters and even claimed lives in homes due to improper usage. In most cases, people forget to unplug the appliance or switch off the socket in cases of power outage such that by the time power is restored it continues to function, burning and melting anything on its way till it results in a deadly fire. The same sad tales go for the electric stovetop also known as hot plates, they can’t be regulated, so keep functioning as long as there is electricity. There is little to no hazard in the case of electric kettles, the main challenge they have is a spill which could result in skin burns.

Just as change is constant, science and technology continue to evolve proffering solutions. The safest technology in the preparation of hot or warm baths remains the use of water heaters. Water heaters are known to bring peace of mind, delivering functionality, beauty and convenience in homes- thus making hot or warm water bath experiences pleasant.

Unlike electric appliances such as the electric

boiling ring, electric kettle and electric stovetop also known as hot plates, water heaters are much better because of their safety, energy efficiency, fast heating, constant availability of hot water, and timed regulations among other unique characteristics. There are so many water heater brands in the market but one stands out from the crowd. Ever heard of Ariston? Ariston is

a leading global brand in the production of boilers and water heaters providing people all over the world with an extensive range of innovative and energy-conscious products designed to improve and simplify home life.

Owning a brand of Ariston water heaters is bringing Italian state-of-the-art quality into your home and choosing safety from electrical hazards. Also is the guarantee of sustainability with its energy efficiency that will reduce energy costs, especially in present-day Nigeria of pre-paid metres. Ariston water heaters come in three ranges: Electric Instantaneous Water Heater, Electric Storage Water Heater and Gas Instantaneous Water Heater. So, when next you need water heaters, look no further than the stamp of quality, efficiency and comfort in ARISTON!

L-R: Assistant Brand Manager, Mamador, Racheal Memeh; Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Chioma Mbanugo; Finance and Wealth Coach & CEO SmartStewards, Sola Adesakin; Investment and Wealth

Chinonso (Aproko Doctor); Certified Family & Parenting Coach, Sandra Oluwadare; Veteran Nollywood

Women Meeting organised by Mamador held in Lagos… recently

Oluchi Chobuzor

34TH ANCHOR INSURANCE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING...

L-R: Executive Director, Technical, Anchor Insurance Company Limited, Mr. Adebisi

Director,

Contract Breach: Trouble Brews over FG’s

Inconsistent Policies, Duplication of ICTN Contract

As FG, firm set to lose over $2.3bn due to contract repetition May lead to avoidable legal battle

Wale Igbintade

A major scandal is brewing over federal government’s inconsistent policies, and duplication of contract already awarded by the previous government of Muhammadu Buhari for the International Cargo Tracking Note Scheme (ICTN).

On July 13, 2024, the Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, approved a contract to procure advanced solution technology in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, thereby re-awarding an already existing contract.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the deal at a press briefing, saying it will enable the country to track every cargo of crude oil loaded in Nigeria up to its destination.

The project is expected to install the necessary on and offshore flow metres in all of the country’s exporting points. This, the minister said, “will significantly curb oil theft and diversion, ensuring that our revenues are protected.”

The contract was awarded to PLyne Energy Limited and is expected to be completed in 180 days.

However, official documents available to THISDAY revealed that in March 2023, under former President Buhari, the federal government awarded similar contract for the cargo tracking system to a consortium of 5 companies comprising Messrs Antaser Afrique Bvba Belgium/ Antaser Nigeria Limited, Messrs Velocity Logistics and Marine Services Limited, Messrs Sahams Crystals Investment Limited, Messrs Winslow Logistics Limited and Messrs Equal Logistics Limited for a period of 15 years on “No cure No Pay’ basis

with a revenue sharing ratio of 60:40% accruable to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the consortium respectively.

This contract was to be fully funded by the lead partners (Antaser Nigeria Ltd/Antaser-Afrique Bvba) at zero cost to the federal government, and a commitment by Antaser Nigeria Limited to “procure and install” the necessary on and offshore flow metres in all of the country’s exporting points.”

The whole essence of engaging an independent firm to monitor all imports and exports, including crude oil exports is to introduce transparency, accountability, check and balance, and to obtain accurate trade data in all cargo movement in Nigeria, as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Nigerian Custom Service lacked the needed capacity to monitor themselves. But, in breach of the procurement laws and another effort to sabotage the already existing contract, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) introduced their own form of ICTN, called “Advance Ruling system’’. Whereas, it is the sole reasonability of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to monitor movement/ transportation of cargo via water within the country.

Also, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), a letter dated June 7, 2024 directed the Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to ensure that no other government agency is undertaking a similar assignment particularly the Advanced Cargo Tracking note under the defunct Federal Ministry of Transportation

The letter tagged, “Due Process Review Report for Procurement of Pre Field-Development Studies for Advanced Declaration Solution Technology, sighted by THISDAY, said “Due Process Certificate of ‘No Objection’ cannot be granted to the Ministry of Petroleum/ Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for the award of contract for procurement of Pre Field-Development Studies of Advanced Declaration Solution Technology (ADST) in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Upstream Sector in favour of Messrs P-Lyne Energy Limited in the tender sum of US $2,687,625.35 inclusive of 7.5% VAT and 180 days completion period. The position is supported by Section 16 (18) of the PPA, 2007.”

The letter, signed by BPP DirectorGeneral, Mamman Ahmadu, further stated: “However, in the strength of submission by the NUPRC and in order to ensure value for money, Due Process Certificate of

‘No Objection’ can by granted to the Ministry of Petroleum/ Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for award of Contract for Procurement of Pre Field-Development Studies of Advanced Declaration Solution Technology (ADST) in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Upstream Sector in favour of Messr P-Lyne Energy Limited in the reviewed of US$2,278, 050.35includive of 7.5% VAT and 180 days completion.”

However, a similar contract had been awarded by the Buhari-led government which the present administration deliberately ignored.

It remains unclear why the Tinubu-led administration awarded a duplicate of this contract to P-Lyne Energy Limited, while the same contact awarded to Antaser Nigeria Limited has not been annulled.

To those familiar with the issue such contradictions by the federal government are some of the serious obstacles to Nigeria’s economic

growth and is often cited by domestic and foreign investors as a significant barrier to doing business.

Recently, a non-government organisation, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), condemned the new oil and gas metering contracts awarded by presidency, saying the procurement blatantly undermines Nigeria’s national interest and reeks of high-level corruption.

In its statement, CASER said the two recent contracts awarded by President Tinubu are clear duplication of services that are meant to be at a total zero cost to the Federal Government of Nigeria under the implementation of the ICTN.

“It is important to question why the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy have not activated the existing contract with the Antasserled consortium, instead, they have allowed for duplication of the same contract to another agency of the

same government,” the group said. Already, most West African countries are implementing International Cargo Tracking Notes (ICTN), while Nigeria is now the continent’s gateway for dumping all manners of illicit trades such as arms and drugs as well as contrabands for onward land transportation to other countries.

Just recently, the federal government declared a state of emergency at the Onne Port in Rivers State following the repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the port.

According to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, the recurring incidents pose a threat to national security and the health of citizens as the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend which he said also posed a threat to the health of citizens.

Group Mobilizes for Maiden S'South/S'East Culture, Tourism, Business Summit in Asaba

The identification and promotion of potential tourism sites we will not only preserve our natural and cultural treasures but also create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities for our people, a group organizing the first ever tourism and business summit targeting the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones has said.

Unveiling the programme for the maiden "South-East/South-South Culture, Heritage, Tourism, and Business Summit 2024" at press conference in Asaba, the organisers harped on the uniqueness of the multidimensional socio-economic summit, assuring that it would have a positive ripple effect on the economy of the two contiguous geopolitical zones. They asserted that their vision

Gov Alia, Fed Lawmaker in War of Words Over Palliative

George Okoh in Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has disclosed that he confiscated palliatives belonging to a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ushongo/ Kwande Federal Constituency, Terseer Ugboh, because he was investigating the circumstances surrounding the palliatives that were diverted to a private residence.

The lawmaker had accused the governor of confiscating the palliatives meant for his constituency with the truck impounded in the Benue Government House.

In a press briefing by the governor's press secretary, Mr. Tersor Kula, in Makurdi on Monday, the governor explained that there was a tip that

some palliatives were diverted to a private residence at Kilometre Two, along Gboko Road.

He said: “Immediately the governor received the information, he directed the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency to trace the residence and directed that the truck be moved to the government house.

“The palliative was secured from the National Emergency Management Agency in Jos and in normal circumstances, such palliatives sent to the state ought to be registered at the SEMA office in Makurdi which was not done.

“We have inquired from stakeholders and traditional rulers in the federal constituency and they said they were not aware of any palliative coming to their areas.”

The governor who appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his support and interventions to the people of the state said that the palliatives would be sent to the people of Kwande/ Ushongo Federal Constituency, the moment the investigation is concluded.

The federal lawmaker who spoke to journalists on the phone on Monday said that he transported the relief materials to Benue State from Jos, in collaboration with NEMA adding that he had an agreement with NEMA to offload the relief materials at a warehouse in Makurdi pending when a date for distribution to beneficiaries at Jato Aka would be fixed.

The lawmaker who condemned the action of the state governor, regretted that the issue was being politicized

and added that he expended over N5 million to convey the materials to the state.

He said: “It is true that the Benue State Government seized one of the truckloads of palliatives and diverted to the government house under the pretext that we planned to divert the materials.”

He listed items in the seized truck to include; 578 bags of rice, 578 bags of garri, 578 mosquito nets, 578 mattresses, 578 pieces of wax print, 58 cartons of vegetable oil, 58 cartons of seasoning cubes and 58 cartons of tomato paste.

The federal lawmaker who said that his image had been bruised by the state government threatened to seek redress in court if the truck is not released by Tuesday.

was not just on bringing to the fore the rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity of the area but also on deliberately unraveling its vast unexploited economic resources.

The comprehensive meeting is also in tandem with the eight (8th) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations regarding economic empowerment, the group added.

"The Summit is not just a social gathering for merry-making; rather it is another opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria shared cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, the richness of their traditions and the vast untapped economic potentials. It is a platform where we, as custodians of history and bearers of tomorrow's hopes, converge to reflect on our past, embrace our present, and reshape our future for collective prosperity."

The summit, scheduled for the last day of November, is a brainchild of the collaboration between Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Incorporated and Akurulo Media Organization "to promote our communities' cultural connectivity and identity, as the value of a community handshake lies in its beauty and fostering connections that lead to numerous business benefits.

"Our agenda is unambiguous, which is to draw the attention of the global community, particularly

the black race and the people of the South-South/South-East East region, to the uniqueness of our cultural, linguistic, and heritage values.

“We want to passionately showcase the vast untapped economic potentials in the tourism sector of the SouthSouth/South-East regions of Nigeria and to promote the core business values that define us as a people," the organisers said.

In their separate remarks, the President-General of the Apex Association of Anioma Indigenous Inc and Chairman of the LOC, Apostle Patrick Nwanze, along with the CEO of Akurulo Media International, Chief Chuks Ibegbu, stressed that "the summit is a clarion call for unity, mutual understanding, collective growth, and the pursuit of a prosperous future.

"Notably, the summit aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which advocates decent work and economic growth", the pointed out, saying that could not close their eyes to the need to empower our communities economically through harnessing the inherent values of our culture, heritage, and tourism.

"The promotion of our business values, combined with the celebration of our cultural diversity, creates a unique opportunity to stimulate economic growth within the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria.”

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Ikuomola;

Mr. Akinola Taiwo; Chairman, Mr. Ben Udowa; MD/CEO, Dr. Ebose Augustine; Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, Mr. Ime Umoh; and Director, Mr. Chris Attah, during the 34th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos…on Friday

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

PRESENTING RELIEF PACKAGE TO VICTIMS OF MAIDUGURI FLOOD...

Kukah: We Can’t Force Edo PDP to Sign

Peace Accord, Tinubu Did Not Sign in 2022

Says committee’s work moral, not in Electoral Act INEC, police have reassured us of commitment to credible exercise, says Obaseki Wife denies opposition’s claims of federal might, says president won’t destroy own legacy Parties explain why Edo REC must go their neighbour.

Chuks Okocha Adibe Emenyonu

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, said it was unfortunate that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) refused to sign the peace accord ahead of the Edo State governorship election.

But Kukah stated that the peace accord committee could not compel the party to endorse the peace agreement. He said PDP might have taken a cue from President Bola Tinubu, who did not sign the accord in 2022.

Kukah added that the functions of the committee were moral.

He cautioned that political parties and their candidates’ failure to publicly demonstrate commitment to non-violent electoral process in the country had been sending the wrong signals to Nigerians and the international community.

However, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said PDP was pleased with the commitment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetoku, and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to ensure a free, fair and credible election in the state.

First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) planned to use “federal might” to influence the upcoming Edo State election. She said President Bola Tinubu would not destroy his own legacy.

At the same time, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) called on the INEC chairman to ensure that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Dr. Anugbum

Onuoha, was removed before the September 21 governorship election.

Speaking during the Edo Election Security Town Hall in Benin City, the state capital, Kukah lamented that PDP decided to act from the poor script written by Tinubu before the February 2023 presidential poll.

He admitted that the National Peace Accord Committee (NPAC) was not in any position to force candidates or parties to sign the peace pact, which has become an electoral ritual in the country over the last decade.

The town hall programme was

TINUBU RESCHEDULES US TRIP TO VISIT MAIDUGURI, PLEDGES HELP FOR BORNO

The relief materials shared included a bag of 25kg of rice, a carton of pasta, and N10,000 cash to each of the flood victims.

Speaking to journalists at the venue of the distribution, Zulum lamented that many people not affected by the flood were trooping to the IDP camps, thereby complicating the distribution of the palliatives to the real victims.

He said, “We observed that it is no more sustainable to continue receiving people in the camps because many people that were not affected are trooping to the camps.”

In addition to the distribution of relief materials, the governor also announced plans to comprehensively assess the affected areas for future interventions.

He stated, “So we decided to mobilise the resources and ensure that each affected victim had the relief items. We have also concluded arrangements that we shall do the assessment at the communities to verify the actual number of those that were affected.”

Zulum acknowledged the receipt of food donations from NEMA and NNPCL to support victims of the flood disaster.

The senator for Borno Central Senatorial District, Kaka Lawan, commended the governor for his leadership.

put together by Channels Television, in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and UK International Development.

Kukah stated, “It’s a pity, but we are not going to take anybody to court for not signing the Peace Accord. The only thing it does to you as a candidate is that it sends a wrong signal, which can be very easily exploited by the opposition.

“At the National Peace Committee, what we do is not in the Electoral Act, it’s not law; it’s moral. You can’t compel people to fall in love or love

“If you go back to the 2015 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the PDP, was not there to sign the Peace Accord. And, of course, the opposition went to town, which is what it ought to be, and the next day, he (Atiku) turned up to sign.

Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, highlighted her agency's interventions for the victims.

Umar said since the flooding started, the agency had been providing shelter and mobile water purifiers to provide clean drinkable water to those affected.

Kano

Donates N100 Million to Victims

Kano State Government presented a cheque of N100 million to the Borno State government to support the flood victims.

A delegation led by the Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, presented the cheque to Zulum during a sympathy visit to Borno State.

Dantiye said the initiative demonstrated the commitment of Kano State and its people to always empathise with disaster victims.

The commissioner, who represented Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, expressed sympathy for the victims, describing the humanitarian

Lawan said at the venue of the distribution exercise, “Let me commend the governor for providing leadership since the flooding started. He was out with his entire team trying to carry out search and rescue and assisting his people. I also join His Excellency in commending our donors and urging others to complement the government in assisting victims.”

crisis as catastrophic.

Yusuf called for collective efforts to support the affected people and reaffirmed Kano State's solidarity with Borno State during the difficult time.

In his response, Zulum commended the gesture from the Kano State government and its people. He assured that the donation would go a long way in bringing succour to the affected residents.

Ndume, who donated N50 million to the victims, also rallied leaders and other stakeholders from Borno South Senatorial District to raise additional funds for the victims.

Ndume, who announced the palliative measures in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, lamented the plight of the victims.

He called on the federal government to consider the flood disaster a national issue and create emergency feeding centres for the victims. He also commended Zulum for creating over 25 camps for the victims.

A former ministerial nominee and member of the Presidential Committee on Palliative Distribution, Dr. Maryam Shettima, expressed satisfaction with the composition and distribution mechanism adopted by the federal government to address the immediate needs of flood victims in the North-east and vulnerable communities across

the North-west and other parts of the country.

She stated that President Bola Tinubu was intensifying efforts to mitigate food shortage in impacted regions across the country through new initiatives in the agricultural sector.

Shettima said the committee included representatives from various political associations, which symbolised a broad-based approach to the crisis.

In an interview on Arise Television Morning Show, Shettima discussed the Tinubu administration's palliative regime, and critical issues of targeting efficacy, specifically how effectively the initiatives were reaching the most vulnerable populations.

She also spoke on the mechanisms in place to ensure transparency, accountability, and probity in the distribution of the palliatives and other related issues.

While answering a question on the quantity of rice sent to Kano State, Shettima confirmed that "19 trucks of 25kg bags of rice" had been sent to the state.”

She added, "This is just the beginning of the palliative distribution across the nation."

Shettima expressed confidence in Tinubu's commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable and national economic growth.

IGP Orders Reconstruction of Damaged Police Facilities

Egbetokun ordered the reconstruction of police facilities damaged by the devastating flood in Borno State. He gave the order when he paid a scheduled visit to the state to sympathise with the government and people of Borno over the flood that wreaked havoc on some communities in the state.

A statement by the force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP was accompanied during the visit by Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Department of Finance and Administration, DIG Bala Ciroma, and Department of Operations, DIG Ede Ayuba, along with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Airwing, AIG Danladi Lalas.

While reaffirming the commitment of the police to provide adequate security for residents of the state, the IGP expressed his sympathy with the governor on behalf of the entire police family in Nigeria.

Egbetokun promised to set in motion machinery to repair the damaged police facilities in the affected communities.

Zulum appreciating the IGP for his love and commitment towards reforming the police. He also commended the police boss for his sterling leadership qualities.

“What is also very interesting is that the current president, when he was a presidential candidate, did not sign. It wasn’t our fault that the political opposition didn’t take advantage of it.” Kukah was referring to the September 2022 forum where the former Lagos State governor and then APC presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Tinubu, failed to sign the Peace Accord endorsed by other candidates in the race.

But the current vice president and Tinubu’s then running mate, Kashim Shettima, showed up at the event to represent him.

Obaseki: INEC, Police Have Reassured Us of Commitment to Free, Fair Poll

Obaseki said PDP was pleased with Egbetoku and Yakubu’s commitment to a free, fair and credible election in the state. He said this while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting of the party’s caucus, at Government House, Benin City. Expressing confidence that the party would come out victorious in Saturday’s governorship election, Obaseki said PDP was ready for the polls. He asked PDP leaders and members to continue mobilise support for the party across the state.

Obaseki stated, “As a caucus, we are pleased with the current utterances from the security agencies in Nigeria. We want to particularly appreciate the statement issued by the Inspector General of Police, making a commitment to support the peace process, ensuring that there is a level playing field for all the players, and we endorse his efforts to draft a lot more men to Edo to support the elections on Saturday.

“We are also pleased with INEC

Continued on page 22

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum (left); assisted by Bakasi camp manager, Alhaji Grema Terab (2nd right), presenting a relief package to the victim of the Maiduguri flood disaster (1st right).

Suspect in Trump’s Assassination Attempt

Charged,

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh, may have been lying in wait for nearly 12 hours along the tree line at Trump’s golf club, authorities said in a criminal complaint yesterday.

Routh, 58, was charged with possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number during an initial appearance

Waited for Ex-president for 12 Hours

in federal court Monday morning.

The investigation into Sunday’s apparent attempt on Trump’s life is continuing, and additional charges could be brought, law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN.

The initial gun-related charges were filed as prosecutors seek to keep Routh detained while authorities continue to investigate the incident.

A detention hearing has been set for September 23, and the arraignment is set for September 30. Routh will

be held in jail while he awaits trial.

The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. Sunday after a Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a rifle poking from the fence between the 5th and 6th hole of Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, Florida, in a tree line near a heavily traveled road.

Cell-phone data indicates Routh may have spent nearly 12 hours on Sunday near the area where he was spotted in the bushes along the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club, according to charging documents unsealed yesterday.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the agent fired at the gunman, who officials said was within 500 yards of Trump. Bradshaw said no shots were fired by the gunman, who later fled in a car. The Secret Service later said Routh had no line of sight on the former president.

Along the fence line, authorities found a sniper’s nest which included a scoped rifle, a GoPro camera and backpacks with ceramic plates.

detained, local state attorney David Aronberg told CNN. Trump’s golf outing was not on his public schedule and it’s not yet clear how Routh allegedly knew where Trump would be at that moment.

Aronberg said Routh will face federal, not state charges. He told MSNBC that Florida initially considered pursuing state charges, but stood down when federal agents took over the case.

the Foreigners Coordination Department of the Land Forces Command, told CNN over the phone that “the best way to describe his messages is – delusional ideas.”

Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri said Monday that Routh had a very active online presence and that authorities were still going through his social media.

only to safeguard voters and not terrorise citizens nor tamper with election results.

Confident in a similar outcome under Tinubu, she dismissed the opposition’s claims as unfounded.

KUKAH: WE CAN’T FORCE EDO PDP TO SIGN PEACE ACCORD, TINUBU DID NOT SIGN IN 2022 so far and have every reason to trust the authorities of INEC and what they are committed to doing. So, our leaders are going to various local governments to continue mobilising for citizens to come out and support our candidate, who clearly stands shoulder high above other candidates in the governorship race.

“We want to say that we are ready for this election. From this meeting of the caucus of the party, we have made sure that we have covered all grounds and the leaders of our party have all assured me that they are heading back home now to cross the Ts and dots the Is on Saturday.

“We are hoping that when the courts resume tomorrow, Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, all our people who have been detained in Abuja all these weeks will be released. If they are granted bail, allowed to come back home to their families and participate in the democratic process, we would consider signing the Peace Accord.”

Betsy Obaseki Refutes

Opposition Claims of Federal Might in Edo Election

First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, dismissed claims that the ruling APC planned to use “federal might” to influence the Edo State election in their favour.

Responding to questions during an interview on Crack Team TV, hosted by Albert Obaze, from Leeds, UK, and monitored by THISDAY in Benin City, Mrs. Obaseki characterised the claims as baseless, describing them as a ploy to seek federal backing for dubious schemes.

Reflecting on the 2020 governorship election, she reminded viewers that similar claims of federal intervention were made at the time, yet Obaseki emerged victorious.

Mrs. Obaseki praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for his democratic stance, and asserted that federal power in 2020 was used

Mrs. Obaseki questioned the plausibility of Tinubu undermining democratic processes, given his own history as a reformer during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

“He brought the best hands to work with him and ensured continuity by choosing successors like Fashola,” she stated.

‘Why

Edo REC Must Be Removed’

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) called on the INEC chairman to ensure the removal of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, before the Saturday governorship election.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had publicly acknowledged that Onuoha was his cousin and had been in office for more than one year.

PDP had called for the transfer of the REC, accusing him of bias and lack of transparency.

In a statement by the secretary of CUPP, Peter Ameh, the coalition said, "Wike's admission implies a conflict of interest that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. To maintain the trust of the electorate and prevent any potential bias, Dr. Onuoha's transfer is necessary.

"The recent revelations that Wike's cousin is the Edo INEC REC and his ally as the state police commissioner have sparked widespread concern among stakeholders in the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, scheduled for September 21st, 2024.

“This development has far-reaching implications for the credibility of the election process and the impartiality expected of state actors involved in the conduct of the election."

An FBI agent said in an affidavit filed in court that during their initial investigation, authorities got phone records from T-Mobile that indicated Routh’s phone was “in the vicinity of the area” where he was first spotted by US Secret Service from around 1:59 a.m. Sunday until 1:31 p.m., when a Secret Service agent saw his rifle poking out from a tree line.

More

“This whole set-up indicates a very high level of pre-planning,” former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe told CNN.

Routh was driving his daughter’s car when he was later detained, according to a law enforcement source. A picture released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office after he was detained showed him wearing a long-sleeved, salmon-coloured shirt with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Routh remained silent while being

On social media, Routh was a staunch supporter of Ukraine who said he supported Trump in 2016 but later became disillusioned with the former president. He’s been frequently critical of Trump recently.

Routh, according to CNN, travelled to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion two years ago, attending a rally in Kyiv on May 1, 2022. Representatives for Ukraine’s foreign legion said Routh contacted them several times but distanced themselves from Routh.

Oleksandr Shaguri, an officer of

“In addition, we’re going through media reports and public statements he made that he wanted to recruit Afghan soldiers and others to fight for Ukraine,” said Veltri, of the Miami field office. “The FBI has sent multiple requests to companies for returns on the subject’s phone and social media accounts.”

The FBI is working with its partners to pursue search warrants for Routh’s vehicle, cell phone and other devices, Veltri added. Routh’s son Oran Routh called him a “good father, and a great man” in a statement.

Leaders Pray for Nigeria’s Security, Unity at 2024 Eid-el-Maulud, Greet Muslims

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Yinka Kolawole

More Nigerian leaders, yesterday, celebrated the Eid-el-Maulud, the birth of Prophet Muhammad, and used the occasion to pray for the country's security, peace and unity.

The Eid-el-Maulud was on Sunday, but yesterday was declared a public holiday in commemoration of the day, during which leaders from different faiths sought peace and unity of the country.

Bala Mohammed Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in his goodwill message, tasked the Muslim faithful to imbibe the teaching of the Prophet.

Fatal Motor Accident Claims 35 Lives in Kaduna

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Over 35 Muslim faithful from Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have reportedly died in a fatal motor accident.

They were said to be travelling on Sunday from Saminaka to Kaduna for the Maulud celebrations on Monday.

The victims were said to be travelling in a J5 bus when the vehicle collided with an articulated vehicle.

Malam Abdullahi, one of the organisers of the Maulud celebration, confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists on Monday in Kaduna.

Abdullahi said the sad incident disorganised the elaborate plans for

the celebration.

He added that about 35 other victims who sustained injuries were moved to the nearby Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, for treatment.

He added that a second vehicle travelling together with the bus, also crashed with a motorbike, leaving some of the occupants dead while others sustained various degrees of injury.

"I did the head count, there were about 70 people, including women and children who were travelling in the two vehicles.

"It was a sad development. We have taken the injured to JUTH for medical attention," he said.

Mohammed, in a statement by his media adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, stated, “It is to the glory of Allah that we are alive to witness this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration when we commemorate the birth of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him).

“As we celebrate the Eid-elMaulud, we should remember that the Holy Prophet had during his lifetime preached peace, honesty, patience, generosity, humility, sincerity, love for one another and fear of God. It is these virtues that people, irrespective of their religious inclinations, are enjoined to imbibe and practise.”

DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also extended its felicitations to Muslim Ummah in the country on the occasion of Eid-el Maulud.

A statement by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, also extended his warmest greetings and best wishes to the Muslim faithful as they celebrated the special day.

"As we commemorate the sacred and auspicious event, I call on all Nigerians to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which

emphasised peace, compassion, tolerance, justice and service to humanity."

He said those were the same virtues that guided the noble mission of the military to protect the territorial integrity of the country and safeguard the security and well-being of all Nigerians

Ademola Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, charged the Muslim Ummah in the state to embrace the essence of the birth of the Holy Prophet of Allah, Prophet Muhammad, which was the good of all mankind.

Adeleke, who congratulated Muslims in the state and beyond for the symbolic moment that the birth of Prophet Muhammad signified, reminded them to take cognizance of the noble example of peace and hope that the Holy Prophet reflected.

While emphasising strict adherence to the message of compassion and kindness that the life and teaching of Prophet Muhammad embodied, Adeleke stated that his government remained committed to initiatives and interventions that would lessen the pains of the moment and ensure a better tomorrow.

in Osogbo and Linus Aleke in Abuja

L-R: Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Kasali; Chairman, House Committee on Defence and member, Oriwu Club of Ikorodu, Hon. Jimi Benson; and President, Oriwu Club, Prince Ganie Oluwole, during the induction of new members of the Oriwu Club of Ikorodu in Lagos... on Sunday

Chiesa in Liverpool’s Match-day Squad for AC Milan Opener Tonight

Federico Chiesa is in Liverpool's

squad for their

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Asked about Chiesa's inclusion, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said it was still "too early for him to play 90 minutes". Liverpool are playing their

Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa Struggle to Keep Pace as Delta Leads in Medal Rush

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Stephen Keshi Stadium and other centres around Asaba have continued to be a beehive of various sporting activities as Delta State leads on the medal table, four days into the 8th National Youth Games.

The host state was leading in the number of medals so far won by the participating

8TH NATIONAL YOUTH GAMES

won the 400m boys gold medal in

Gymnastics event after winning 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. It was Team Delta all the way in Judo, where the state got her first Gold in the - 32kg girls event through

...Sports

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has expressed his deep admiration for the impressive display of talent at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba.

Senator Enoh praised the young athletes, highlighting the extraordinary potential being unearthed at this year’s event.

first Champions League match after a year away, having competed in the Europa League last season.

"It's a big game, also for me, but a big game for us," said Slot, who takes charge of his first Champions League match as Liverpool boss.

"Because of the history these two teams have, the venue it is played in, it is one to look forward to."

Liverpool, who suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, have no fresh injury concerns.

Tyler Morton has also travelled in the 23-man playing squad. The 21-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan at Hull City.

Libya have fired much-travelled Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic aka Micho just weeks to a 2025 AFCON double-header against the Super Eagles.

Next month, they will first visit Uyo to tackle the Super Eagles, before both teams clash again a few days later in Tripoli in continuation of the qualifying series. Micho was booted out on the back of a disappointing start by the North Africans in the AFCON

qualifying campaign. They drew 1-1 at home with Rwanda, before they lost 2-1 to Benin on the road.

Libya are now bottom of Group D with a point after two rounds of matches.

Micho took over Libya in October 2023 and had led them to nine victories before the AFCON qualifiers got underway. He was criticised for his team selection.

Libya Sack Coach Ahead Double Header Clash with Nigeria CCSF Partners French Embassy to Bring Paris 2024 Inspiration to Schools

In the spirit of the just concluded Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria and the French Institute, will be hosting the Inspire the Future workshop on Wednesday, September 25, at Springhall British School, FCT Abuja.

The closed workshop is part of a range of sporting activities across various schools in Nigeria being organized by the French Embassy to showcase its dynamism in the period of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The workshop, which will be based on the Paris 2024 Olympics theme of “Excellence, Respect and Friendship“, will be spearheaded by Team Nigeria’s Captain to the London 2012 Olympics and Beijing 2008 Olympic medalist, Chika Chukwumerije.

60 students have been confirmed to participate in the closed workshop, which would include basic self-defence training for girls, and introduction to taekwondo, the Olympics values and Nigeria taekwondo Olympics history. The event is powered by the French Embassy in Nigeria and the French Institute.

The objective of the ‘Inspire the Future‘ workshop is to inspire, inform and educate the young participants on the subjects of ‘olympics, taekwondo and self defence.‘

“It is amazing to see the incredible talents chinning out in this youth competition. The real highlight this year isn’t just the medals being won but the remarkable discovery of raw talents across different sports,” Senator Enoh remarked.

Nigeria. At just 8 years old, Ichado represents Kogi State in chess, having developed a passion for the game at the tender age of 3.

Among the many young stars shining bright, one standout is Isabella Inmi Ojo Ichado, the youngest female chess player in

Her father, a chess coach, has played a significant role in nurturing her skills, and she has since demonstrated exceptional prowess on the chessboard.

Senator Enoh lauded Ichado’s achievements, emphasizing the

importance of identifying and supporting such talents at an early stage.

“Young athletes like Isabella are proof of the immense potential that exists in our country. She is an inspiration, not only because of her skill but also her dedication to the game at such a young age. We are proud of her and the other young stars rising through this platform.”

I'm Not Leaving Nigeria, Declares Dambe Fighter from Poland

National Stadium. He said he had decided to stay in the country because Nigerians accorded him a treatment deserving of only a king.

from Poland has revealed his plan to stay behind in Nigeria out of his love for the country. The "White Mamba" edged Dan Yellow

"I am not going anywhere. I am staying in Nigeria because l love you people so much. We are going to do many great feats among African top teams. So we can't wait till when we start the

Mateusz declared. The Polish adulated his opponent for giving him a tough fight in his

maiden fight in Nigeria. He said he had to learn how to respond to the wit of his opponent after the first round, because he struggled to deal with his awesome punches.

"My opponent was the biggest winner tonight because he gave me something to think about. I knew it was going to be tough, because l realised he can punch. And that is not a joke because before the fight, l was looking terrified. I want to thank

my coach, Awilo. If you are looking for the best coach in Dambe, it is the gentleman here," Mateusz said. Dogon Shegiyar Mota, caused one of the biggest upsets in one of the other bouts, beating Denis Chernysh from Russia by unanimous decision, while Ali Bahagon Kansila, secured victory over Rabe Bahagon Ebola via a first round technical knock out. Kaddara defeated Sojan Kyallu by unanimous decision while Yau Biyar defeated Bahagon Ali Kawoji.

The hearing into Manchester City's 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules began on Monday.

City were charged and referred to an independent commissionin February 2023 following a four-year investigation.

It is alleged City breached its financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City strongly deny all charges and have said their case is supported by a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence".

The Premier League claim City breached rules requiring the club to provide "accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club's financial position".

This information covered club revenue, which includes sponsorship

income and operating costs.

It has also accused the Premier League champions of not cooperating.

When the Premier League investigation began, City said the allegations were "entirely false" and that the allegations originally published in German newspaper Der Spiegel came from "illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails".

City have won eight league titles, multiple cups and the Champions League since their 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group. The private hearing, expected to last around 10 weeks, is being held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in the city of London.

matchday

Champions League opener at AC Milan, but will not start at the San Siro tonight.

The 26-year-old winger joined the Reds from Juventus for £10million in August and has yet to feature for his new club.

Delta State relay quartet trying to catch their breath after a race at the ongoing NYG in Asaba... on Monday afternoon

Youth Games.

Elsewhere, young gymnast, Etiosa Success, scored 16.80 in Aerobics to win Gold for Edo State.

At the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Monday, David Udoh of Delta State

a time 49.33secs. Team Delta made it double, as Ngozi Treasure Okereke of Delta State won the 400m girls final in a time of 53:50 seconds.

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

One of the foreign fighters at the Dambe Warriors League (DWL) super-fight contest in Abuja on Sunday, Mateusz

Tula via a unanimous decision in one of the fights held at the Velodrome of Moshood Abiola

work,"

Marvelous Duru. Ondo state was second, while Edo and Abia were joint third.

Federico Chiesa (right)...listed in Liverpool’s squad to face AC Milan tonight

Obi’s Spokesman to Presidency TUESDAY

abati1990@gmail.com

“Perhaps the most laughable of such delusions is the Presidency’s effort to ridicule Obi by dragging his name into the U.S electioneering process, by scandalously linking him with the Republican Party candidate, Donald Trump. We are very much aware of the motive behind these ridiculous comparisons, which is their uncanny way of currying favour so undeserved from the Democrats” --PeterObi’sSpokesman,IbrahimUmar,decriesattempttolikenObitoTrump.

WITH REUBEN ABATI

Now That Tinubu Is Back…

The return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from what looked like a long trip abroad must come to many as a relief. When the President travelled on August 29, his destination was announced in very clear terms. He was heading to China to attend the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in his capacity as Nigeria’s leader and as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS). The President himself has described his trip to China as successful. On September 2, he met with President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People, and also, On September 4 with Premier Li Qiang, with the Chinese expressing a commitment to upgrade China-Nigeria relation to “a comprehensive strategic partnership”. At the end of bilateral meetings with the Chinese five Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed on the Belt and Road Initiative, nuclear energy, infrastructure, media engineering and mining at national, sub-national levels and with the Nigerian private sector. The President also visited two Chinese companies. At the opening session of FOCAC, President Tinubu made a strong case for China-Africa relations within the context of multilateralism and the promotion of global peace. I thought he added a little dose of saccharine when he said the objectives of FOCAC align with those of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement. How exactly? But what is not in doubt is that China is determined to further extend its inroad into Africa and the developing world, under the New Silk Road project, committing to making available to the African countries additional financing support of 51.4 billion US dollars. President Tinubu met with Nigerians in China, members of NIDO, China chapter, using the opportunity to explain his administration’s reform efforts. He lauded the $280 billion economic trade partnership between China and Africa.

China has a lot to gain from Africa and vice versa. Africa is the last frontier where major nations of the world – France, Russia, Japan, Germany etc. are seeking partners and markets. In an increasingly multi-polar world, Africa provides China with a fertile ground to deepen its geo-political influence in the face of its fierce competition with the West, especially the US in virtually everything. Africa also has a lot to learn from the Chinese. I was expecting that the 53 African leaders who went to China for FOCAC would return home with memories of the technological wonders in China, the speed trains, the cutting-edge innovations of the Chinese, their work culture, organizational efficiency and capacity to pay attention to details, and therefore seek to imbibe the value of how a nation defines its own character. African leaders are very quick at signing MOUs and showing excitement at the promises that China offers, but they hardly have the skills set to maximize advantages for their own people. This is the story of the debt trap in which many African countries including Zambia, Angola, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya have found themselves, resulting in accusations that what China practices is “debt trap diplomacy.” Nations look out for their own interests. No nation except perhaps Nigeria engages in Father Christmas diplomacy, and now years later, the same countries who benefitted from Nigeria’s generosity treat us badly. In addition to whatever we do in the foreign scene, there is yet a need for the re-thinking of Nigeria’s foreign policy process. Shortly before President Tinubu’s departure to China, there was an incident involving Ogun State and a Chinese company, Zhongstan Fucheng – the enforcement of an arbitral judgement which saw three Nigerian aircraft being attached in France as well as properties in the UK and Canada. This was the latest in a series of agreements that Nigeria botched. It will be recalled that around 2016/2017 when

President Muhammadu Buhari visited China, so many MOUs were also signed. But what happened? Many of the agreements with the Chinese were not implemented or they are in various states of confusion, including the HEDA-SINOPEC deal, and other projects involving Chinese companies such as China Composites Group Corporation (CCGC) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). Many of the issues could be resolved not through litigation or arbitration, but diplomacy. Did President Tinubu address this challenge during his trip to China? Was there anything about the contract problem involving Ogun State, more so as that particular issue generated so much concern among Nigerians? The problem with Nigeria is our ad-hoc-ism, lack of consistency and continuity. International agreements require competence and consistency in execution. President Tinubu said at the heart of China-Africa relations is a foundation built on trust and mutual respect. The Chinese will only respect us if we get our acts together. It is not enough to sign MoUs, there should be follow-through action on the understanding reached. President Tinubu has visited about 24 countries in the last 16 months. We need ambassadors in these countries. Many of our missions have no ambassadors manning them at the most senior level. It has been a whole year since Nigerian envoys were recalled. The President must send envoys abroad, competent persons not party members and their children looking for titles!

The China summit ended on September 6, and we were informed that the President would have a stop-over in London. He stayed longer in London than he did in China, only to return on Sunday, after more than an additional week. In one report we were informed that the President stopped over to discuss climate action with King Charles III. For one week? What kind of climate action discussion is that? This is not the first time that the President would travel to one destination, and instead of returning after his main assignment, Nigerians would be told that he would stop over either in France or London. Twice, his managers even forgot to announce his whereabouts. Such absent-mindedness should be avoided, the President of Nigeria must not disappear into an artificial Bermuda triangle even for a day, only to show up later in a photo-op. The people of Nigeria have the right to ask for their President. They voted for him. He asked to be given the job. The littlest expectation is that he

will show up on duty. If there is any reason for him to be absent, the people have the right to know. In the absence of transparency, Nigerians are quick to resort to speculations and rumour-mongering. And that was exactly what happened this time around: someone had taken a photograph of the President leaving a hospital in London, it was said, and immediately the rumour-mill jumped to the conclusion that the President had gone to see his doctors. The President is a human being. There is nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution where it is said that to be eligible for President, the candidate must be super-human. The President’s handlers must pay attention to this detail and going forward, respect the people’s right to know. In other parts of the world, the state of the President’s health could have reverberations in markets, and generate political consequences.

But now that he is back, it is good to see him, getting back quickly into the groove of things. He was in Maiduguri, Borno state capital yesterday to identify with the people who were displaced by the massive flooding that overtook Maiduguri and Jere LGAs of the state. Knowing that the President had just returned from the UK where he reportedly discussed climate action with the King, and knowing that there have been torrential floods in parts of the world, certain government officials may inform the government that the flooding in Maiduguri is as a result of climate change. It is a lie. The flooding could have been prevented. The dam managers, if they are experts, should have known that there would be a massive inflow from Nagdda River, at a particular time of the year, and plan for any eventuality accordingly. I refer President Tinubu to a damning report in the Daily Trust of Monday, September 16 at page 4 titled “Maiduguri flood: N400 m budgeted for Alau Dam in 4 years.” The pith of the story is that the Alau Dam has been defective for upwards nine years, and despite over N400 million budgeted for its rehabilitation between 2020 and 2024, the dam managers did nothing. Now, over 30,000 persons have been displaced, the death toll keeps mounting, there are fears of a possible disease outbreak. The visit of the President and the Vice President before him, and the prompt response of the agencies: NEMA and the Nigerian Army is commendable, but there is a lot more to be done. The President should order an immediate investigation into the Borno flood incident. What happened to the budgeted funds? Who collected what? What did the Chad Basin Development Authority do or did not do? Each time there is a crisis in this country, we are quick to lament and wring our hands, but the real challenge is the negligence and incompetence of officials. Every year, Nigeria’s low plains are flooded, from the banks of Rivers Niger and Benue to the Delta. Farms are destroyed. Lives are lost. We lament. We move on. The following year, the same tale is re-enacted – it is either the Rivers Niger and Benue overflow their banks, or water is released from Lagdo Dam in Cameron, or from Oyan Dam or the Ogun-Osun River Basin. We lament. We move on. This year, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency in its 2024 Annual Flood Outlook had listed 31 states as high-risk areas, including Borno. Characteristically, nobody took precautions. We need to take a second look at our dams nationwide, and the management of the country’s river basins.

President Tinubu returned to Nigeria on the same day NNPC Limited lifted petrol, from the Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion investment, with a refining capacity of over 650, 000 barrels per day, the largest single-train refinery in the world. Dangote has been praised deservedly for his courage, patriotism and faith in the Nigerian project, and on Sunday, President Tinubu was also congratulated. It is on his watch that the Dangote Refinery began its operations. Government-owned refineries have been moribund

for about 28 years, swallowing state resources and producing nothing of value other than corruption. The Dangote Refinery marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The responsibility of government is to provide an enabling environment for those who believe in this country to thrive. This is why I consider the altercation between NNPC Limited and Dangote Refinery, somewhat of a distraction. Dangote Refinery is not an NGO, it is not a charity organization. It is in business to make profit. NNPC Limited is also in business to make profit, what it calls a willing buyer, willing seller market. The regulator is the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA). Whatever negotiations that may be necessary by October 1 as announced must be the focus of the government at this time, not the battle of press releases that we have seen in the last few days. As President Tinubu settles down after his long trip around the world, he must get on top of the issue of petrol supply. Nigerians would like to know for once if the government is truly subsidizing fuel and by what amount and if the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) needs to be revisited, so be it. Laws should serve the best interests of the people. Market forces must wear a Nigerian face.

The energy security that has been talked about, and savings in forex expenditure that local refining may bring should translate into greater productivity in the Nigerian economy. President Tinubu should move away from running a palliatives economy, and run an economy that puts people to work and creates massive opportunities. This should be the renewed hope message that he preaches. No country grows on the strength of a handout economy, where as we have seen, the people have been turned into beggars in their own country. The people of Nigeria have made it clear that they are hungry and angry, and what government does is to distribute rice, and millet, and cash that may not be properly accounted for. I have only just heard that each Minister has been given 1, 200 bags of rice to distribute to the old and vulnerable in their constituencies. Your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen to those bags of rice, but there is also something ugly about having a Federal Cabinet of rice distributors.

In Maiduguri, President Tinubu reportedly said he had to alter his travel plans to return home to visit Maiduguri. He had planned to move from the UK to America. I don’t want to believe that he actually said that. He went to China a week after returning from France! There is brewing discontent in the land as a result of the rising cost of living. If, as someone calculated, it costs about N1, 500 to have a slightly decent meal these days, then anyone would need about N5, 000 per day. Multiply that by 30 days, that is about N150, 000 per month on feeding alone. People have other expenses, including rent, out of pocket healthcare spending, an army of extended family mouths, and other dependants, and yet the minimum wage of N70, 000 has not yet been implemented. The new national minimum wage has already been wiped out by inflation. It is no longer a status thing to own a car. It is expensive to maintain. In the month of August, Nigerian youths trooped out in a protest they called #EndBadGovernnace, some of the persons arrested during that protest are now facing trial for treason. Should any citizen receive the death penalty for saying he or she is hungry, or for carrying placards? While the President was away, these same angry youths have been talking about another protest. They call it #FearlessinOctober. There is an army of hungry people out there ready to defy the authorities. They think they deserve more than the handouts of rice, maize and millet from their government. Other Presidents before Tinubu enjoyed some honeymoon with the people of Nigeria before the critics descended on them. President Tinubu must reconsider his strategy.

President Bola Tinubu