THURSDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2022

Geregu Makes History, Becomes First Power Company to List on Stock Exchange Gains 10% on first trading day Otedola: Listing will ensure company’s long-term world-class standard in governance and best practices Kayode Tokede Geregu Power Plc (GPP) was

yesterday admitted into the Main board of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) by way of listing

by Introduction (LBI) with the admittance of 2.5 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N100 per

share on the Exchange.

Geregu Power, a leading power generation company (Genco) in

Nigeria, is the first Genco to be listed on the NGX Main Board, a listing segment for well-established

companies with demonstrable Continued on page 10

NNPCL: How Vandalism, Oil Theft Impacted 2021 Financial Results... Page 6 Thursday 6 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10040. Price: N250

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12 Days After Unceremoniously Leaving for London, Tinubu Returns Today... Page 35

2023: APC NWC, Govs Fail to Agree on Campaign Commencement Date We'll determine when our campaign will start, says Adamu Release of campaign list by PCC unfortunate, Bagudu explains Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A meeting between the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and the national leadership of the

party, led by the national chairman, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, yesterday, failed to reach a compromise on the commencement date for the 2023 elections campaign.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on September 28 lifted the ban on electioneering activities.

The APC meeting, which started

about noon and ended at 5:10pm, was aimed at strategising on the campaign activities and timetable of the ruling party. The meeting came nearly two weeks after the party’s

Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) released a 422-member campaign list, which plunged the party into crisis.

APC had also initially sched-

uled a Peace Walk and Prayers on September 28 to officially kick-off campaigns for the 2023 Continued on page 10

Buhari: Nigerians Owe Our Military Debt of Gratitude as Remaining 23Train Victims Are Freed Urges security agencies to sustain momentum DHQ gives details of victims’ rescue How Mamu’s arrest may have aided safe operation Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said the entire nation owed the military and other sister security agencies a debt of gratitude for walking the talk, as he basked in the euphoria of the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists since March 28.

In a release by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said the agencies had shown outstanding capabilities over the period that the whole world would not fail to take note of.

He urged them to sustain the momentum.

The Defence Headquarters gave a sketchy insight into how the victims, currently in hospitals for medical examination and debriefing, were released and Continued on page 36

APC GOVERNORS/NWC MEETING...

L-R Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulahi Adamu; Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Gov. Bello PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN Mutawalli of Zamfara State, shortly after a meeting at the Party's Governors and the NWC at the Party's headquarters in Abuja... yesterday.

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION...

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Elizabeth Olabisi Ariyo; Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu and Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, Comrade Hassan Akintoye during an award presentation to the Governor at the 2022 World Teachers Day Celebration hosted by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (Lagos State Wing) themed: “The Transformation of Education begins with Teachers” at the NUT Pavilion, Alausa, Ikeja,...yesterday

Presidency: 2023 Budget Proposal May Be Adjusted Before Friday's Presentation to N'Assembly Senate dumps panel's recommendations, approves N3.6trn oil subsidy Increases oil price benchmark from $70 to $73 per barrel House receives 2023-2025 MTEF-FSP report Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Presidency yesterday disclosed that the 2023 budget proposal was still open to alteration to accommodate inputs that may have been inadvertently omitted before its presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly on Friday.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who stated this while briefing newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Buhari at the State House, Abuja, stressed that the budget proposal was the only item for the consideration of the council to enable members to make input.

According to him, if need arises, the budget proposal could be tweaked to accommodate necessary inputs adding that the proposals were discussed at length.

Asked if the FEC meeting endorsed the budget, Adesina emphasised that: "What was done was that it was discussed extensively and there were inputs, whichever input needs to be reflected before Friday will be done and then it will be presented to the National Assembly.

"Let me tell you, you’ll have the Revised 2023/2025 Fiscal Framework; you will have expenditure profile; you’ll have budget proposal, you’ll have aggregate expenditure, overhead cost, personnel cost, capital expenditure and so on and so forth.

"So, all those things have been discussed and where they needed to tweak some of the projections that have been done. The final approved copy will be presented by the President on Friday."

He further said: "It was virtually a one item for the Executive Council meeting in which the budget proposals for 2023 was presented and discussed, at length.

"That budget proposal will be taken to the National Assembly on Friday morning by Mr. President.

So, it will not be proper to begin to discuss the contents of what will be officially presented on Friday.

"So, that is the information I have for us. We won’t have the traditional briefing of what happened at the Council, because it's about the

budget that will be presented on Friday morning. We’ll want to give the National Assembly that honour of receiving it first. Thank you."

Asked about the details, he said: "When will it be appropriate to speak about it, after the budget has been represented?

"Yes. You know, usually after the budget has been presented, then there will be a breakdown by the Minister of Finance. So, it will not be proper to begin to unveil what is being taken to the National Assembly on Friday."

On what the debt profile looks like, the media adviser said it was one of the facts contained in the proposal.

The presidential spokesman also explained why the council cannot resume full in-person meeting which was suspended in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.

According to him, "You know, you have to follow the protocols, as done by the steering committee on COVID-19 and the last protocol they announced was that when you are in an open place, you are at liberty to do without your mask, but when you are in an enclosed place, then it is advisable to still use your mask.

"The Council Chambers is enclosed. There are, I think 42 ministers. By the time 42 ministers congregate there, along with other Cabinet Office staff, it’s becoming choked, then it may not be advisable to have a full blown physical meeting yet, but I'm sure we'll get to that point."

Also responding to a question on the number of vacancies in Resident Electoral Commission (REC) positions that are yet to be filled, he said: "I can tell you that that issue has come up and is receiving consideration.”

Senate Dumps Panel's Recommendations, Approves N3.6trn Oil Subsidy

Meanwhile, the Senate at plenary yesterday rejected the recommendation of its Committee on Finance which slashed the oil subsidy payable in the 2023 fiscal year from the N3. 6 trillion proposed by the executive arm of government to N1. 7 trillion The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Solomon Adeola,

presented the report of the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, National Planning and Economic Affairs on the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper before the red chamber at plenary.

Adeola said the panel decided to slash the N3.6 trillion in order to reduce the fiscal deficit of N11.3 trillion as contained in the MTEF/ FSP. The proposal by his panel on the subsidy was however rejected while other recommendations were approved.

Adeola said, "The Committee

hereby recommends that the cost of petroleum subsidy be capped at N3.6 trillion accordingly.

"All relevant agencies of the governments will be required to take necessary action to keep the petroleum subsidy cost to government within N1.7 trillion ceiling in 2023 by this action.

"A saving of the sum of N737,306,443,151 will be saved and this should be used to reduce the fiscal deficit of N11.3 trillion of the government as contained in the MTEF/FSP. "That the fiscal deficit of N11.3 trillion be reduced with the savings

from subsidy regime amounting to N737.31 billion to N10.563 trillion."

The Committee's recommendation of $73 per barrel oil price benchmark for the proposed N19.76 2023 budget was however approved against $70 per barrel proposed by the executive in the MTEF/ FSP documents.

The panel also recommended daily crude oil production of 1.69million barrel per day, 1.83mbpd, and 1.83mbpd for 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively, be approved.

It also said the oil price of $73 per barrel of crude oil be approved as a result of continuous increase in

the oil price in the global oil market and other peculiar situations such as continuous invasion of Ukraine by Russia as this will result in saving of N155 billion.

The panel said the exchange rate of N437.57 billion be sustained as contained in the MTEF/FSP document with continuous engagement between the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning with the view of bridging the gap between the official market and parallel market.

Continues online

Governors Express Support for Budgetary Increase for Healthcare Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Governors of the 36 states in the country have expressed support for increased budgetary allocations to the health sector as part of efforts towards achieving target on universal health coverage.

The governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), described health financing as a critical building block of the health system that directly impact on the functionality of the overall system.

The Chairman of the NGF and outgoing governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi said in order to solve the problem of financing for primary health care and meet the demands for a responsive and high-performing health system, the country must approach primary healthcare financing and service delivery with new ideas in mind.

Fayemi who was represented by the Nasarawa state governor Abdullahi Suleiman at a conference on Primary Healthcare Financing organised by NGF and Health Commissioners from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, yesterday, said, “until we address the issue of poor funding for health and the fragmentation of the health financing arrangements in Nigeria,

the country will make little or no headway in its pursuit for Universal Health Coverage.”

He said there was need for, "an increase in budgetary allocations for healthcare both at the national and state levels as well as the exploration of innovative ways to pool funds for non-contributory healthcare coverage".

"To solve the problem of financing for primary health care and meet the demands for a responsive and high-performing health system, we must approach PHC financing and service delivery with four key focuses in mind."

Fayemi said the governors were in support of the utilisation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to finance essential health services, especially for the vulnerable and to improve the country's capacity to address public health emergencies.

Consolidate funding to address primary care and essential public health functions.

He said: "An increase in budgetary allocations for healthcare both at the national and state levels. The exploration of innovative ways to pool funds for non-contributory healthcare coverage."

According to Fayemi, it was encouraging to know that varying degrees of effort were already in

place to achieve some of the focuses.

For instance, the NGF said a good number of states have established their State Health Insurance Schemes and have purchased explicit packages of health services for their citizens. States are also increasingly taking advantage of the BHCPF programme to expand access to primary health care and service delivery.

According to Fayemi, some states like Ekiti were working with partners to adequately quantify the medium- and long-term costs of providing a Basic Package of Health Services for vulnerable groups to ensure sustainability and evidencedriven financing.

"As we may know, health systems are driven by their financing arrangements, and this includes the number of funds they receive, how these funds are distributed across the system, and how they are utilised to provide equitable access to services.

"Health financing is a critical building block of the health system that directly affects the functionality of the overall system, and until we address the issue of poor funding for health and the fragmentation of the health financing arrangements in Nigeria, we will make little headway in our pursuit for Universal Health Coverage.

"It is a fact that the right to

health is a fundamental human right. However, the ability of our country to guarantee this right for all Nigerians has been slow, largely due to how the health system is financed and delivered,” he said.

Fayemi lamented that the poor health situation was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which he said exposed significant weaknesses in the health sector, especially in Primary Healthcare.

"As we now know, countries with strengthened primary health care systems are better equipped to respond. Therefore, the challenge before us, is ensuring primary health care in Nigeria is financed sustainably to ensure risk protection, adequate infrastructure and human resources and the delivery of quality health services.

“However, for these efforts to achieve population-level outcomes, we must collectively encourage and catalyse them at scale.

“Given this, the Nigerian Governors Forum at the recent launch of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge committed to a progressive increase in State-level funding for primary health care through the provision of efficient budgetary allocation that aligns with our annual operational plans.

Continues online

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NEWS

SEEKING FEDERAL MIGHT ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE...

L-R: Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, Governor Douye Diri, President Muhammadu Buhari, former Military Governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, during the visit of the Bayelsa delegation to the President in Abuja... yesterday

NNPCL: How Vandalism, Oil Theft Impacted 2021 Financial Results Says at 600,000bpd, Nigeria losing $150m to menace Insists IPO ready by 2023 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) said yesterday that oil theft and vandalism massively impacted its capacity to make higher profits like other oil-producing countries.

The company on Tuesday announced a profit of N674 billion for the second time in its 45-year history, 134.8 per cent or N387 billion higher than the N287 billion announced by the company in 2020.

Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, Umar Ajiya, who spoke

when he appeared on the Global Business Report on Arise News Channel, also restated the earlier promise by the company to be ready for Initial Public Offer (IPO) by 2023.

Ajiya noted that based on the current average 1.2 million barrels per day oil production against the 1.8 million bpd Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) quota, the country was losing almost $150 million to vandals every two days.

He explained that Nigeria was suffering underproduction to the tune of 600,000bpd against the OPEC's quota and against the

capacity of the country, which he put at about 2.7 million bpd.

As a consequence of the escalating oil theft and vandalism, the CFO said some of the oil producing companies had declared force majeure and shut-ins, maintaining that this had led to deferred production and revenue for NNPC and the nation.

"The reality is that the vandalism has impacted significantly on our performance, especially in this era where you have higher oil prices and we are operating at about 1.2 million barrels on average. At a point in this country, we had

reached 2.3 up to 2.7 million barrels per day, just before COVID. "But with the incessant vandalism and theft, our operators cannot tolerate such theft levels. When you send 100 barrels and you get probably 10 barrels at the terminal.

So, as a consequence of that, some of them have declared force majeure and shut-in.

"So, it has deferred production and consequently deferred revenue for us and the nation. Tax revenues and royalties have all declined significantly because we are unable to monetise the production, and therefore, that has affected us

Youths Chase Workers Away as Kogi Seals Dangote’s Obajana Cement Factory Company reveals seven of its staff members were shot Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Kogi State yesterday sealed the Dangote Cement Factory, Obajana, following agitation by the indigenes on the questionable circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the company.

The Kogi State House of Assembly ordered the closure of the company after its investigation into the cement factory's operation allegedly revealed that no valid acquisition took place for the company.

Jubilant youths, who had trooped to the company on hearing the news of the closure, chased workers away but were stopped

by Kogi officials, who promptly waded in to avoid damage.

The youths claimed that the company had neglected the community they were making billions from, despite the fact that the indigenes were dying from illness as a result of pollution.

The State House of Assembly alleged that Dangote, upon invitation by the Assembly, requested for more time but did not appear at the House to show any evidence to the contrary.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, while responding to journalists' questions, said, "Pursuant to the Constitutional authorities of the Kogi State House of Assembly, and upon petition by the people

of Kogi State, an investigation was carried out on the acquisition of Obajana Cement Company by Dangote Company.

“It was found that no valid acquisition took place, as Dangote could not show evidence of what was paid as consideration for the acquisition.

“The legislators invited the Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote, before the House for explanations but he failed to appear before the state Assembly, giving excuses.”

The House of Assembly therefore ordered the closure of

the company pending when they are able to present it with credible evidence of a valid acquisition."

The Director-General, Lands, Kogi State, Nasir Ochi, who was also on ground, added, “In this regard, the security agencies were directed to give effect to the resolution. Similarly, the various organs of government were also informed about this resolution.

"By law, Kogi State House of Assembly can conduct investigation, order anyone to appear before it or produce any document.

Failure to obey such summons may lead to the arrest of a Person

who failed to appear.

"The government of the state has an obligation to also respect and give effect to such resolution from the House in the interest of peace and security of the State, and to avoid anarchy or breakdown of law and order.

"In this regard, Dangote has an obligation to respect and also give effect to the resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly to avoid any act of lawlessness."

Meanwhile, no fewer than seven staff of Dangote Cement, Continued on Page 10

significantly,” he said.

He stated that the current revenue was driven by price differentials, in the sense that oil which was low in 2020 due to Covid-19 rose in 2021, stating that performance was driven by price and cost optimisation drive.

According to him, the decision to spend only a percentage of the company’s revenue has been worthwhile, while automation has also helped in increasing efficiency because every business is being held accountable.

He admitted that although the NNPCL may have underperformed its peers, it had been hindered by certain challenges which have been removed with the transition of the NNPC to a limited liability company.

He added that while N674 billion may be relatively low, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) will enable the company meet its set targets, including the delivery of dividends to its shareholders in billions of dollars.

On why the NNPCL was enjoying a tax break despite government revenues tight , Ajiya noted that it wasn’t a tax break in the real sense, but a reconciliation of the figures between the company and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as well as the upstream regulator.

He argued that the subsidy which he put at N1.7 million for 2021 did not impact the NNPCL’s bottom line, stressing that the company now does importation as an agency of government.

“Therefore, it is in account of the federation. If we incur such costs , it’s a liability to the federation and

it is in our account receivable until such a time that it is settled or we have federation revenue to offset the under-recovery,” he noted.

Still on oil losses, Ajiya added that Nigeria was losing a lot of money which had negatively affected the revenues of the NNPCL. “Every two days, you are talking of almost $150 million down the drain, that's what the nation is losing as we speak."

Ajiya, who restated the earlier promise by NNPCL to be ready for Initial Public Offer (IPO) by 2023, however, clarified that being IPO-ready by next year did not mean listing on the stock exchange same year as some processes had to be followed before listing could happen.

"Talking about the issue of IPO, we have said that by next year, we should be IPO ready. IPO ready does not necessarily mean going into the stock market the same year. There is a process for you to be able to go into the market and also access capital and attract over-subscription, that's really our goal and driver.

"And so, all our business processes, we are working on them to ensure that they are efficient enough that any due diligence that is done, whether it is legal, financial or operational that the company will meet the test of investors and as such, the offer when made, whether it's local or offshore will in reality attract interests and over-subscription.

And that remains our goal," he explained.

Continues online

Group Urges IOCs, FG to Restore Niger Delta Environment Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt International oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta region have been urged to restore the devastated environment before their divestment to offshore.

A non-governmental organisation, "We The People", made the call yesterday in Port Harcourt, reacting to the move by the IOCs from onshore to offshore.

Speaking with THISDAY during its divestment conference with civil society organisations, the media and oil producing communities, held in Port Harcourt, the Executive

Director of 'We The People,' Mr. Ken Henshaw said there would be no divestment without restoring the devastated Niger Delta environment.

He disclosed that in the past three months, a team of researchers visited and held meetings with oil producing communities on the plan by major oil companies to sell their assets and leave the region through divestment. He said their findings showed that the affected communities were not properly briefed on planned actions by the IOCs. The group further regretted that after over 64 years of operation in the region, the companies could

not be held accountable for their devastated activities in the area, stressing that the federal government has a responsibility to hold the IOCs liable for all the damages done in the area.

"The conversation today was on the divestment move by the multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta.

"Since 2010, we have noticed oil companies selling off their onshore assets and leaving the Niger Delta region. This move has intensified since 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“The bottom line is this: that Total, Chevron, Exxonmobil and

Shell companies that have operated in Niger Delta between 60 and 64 years, are all selling off their assets and are walking away and leaving the region.

"Our theory in this regard is that, after extracting crude oil here from the Niger Delta region with devastating environmental impacts, it is impossible to leave. You need to fix the years of the ecological damage you have done.

"The activities of crude oil has not been neutral in Niger Delta. Yes, there has been millions of dollars for the Nigerian state, but they also caused devastating environment

and impacts. For example, all the companies have flared gas from the very start of their activities, they have been culpable in oil spills, destroyed the Rivers and lands of the Niger Delta region.

"On account of oil exploration people have gotten poorer, livelihood, fishing and farming life have been lost. All these companies are culpable and our argument is that if we have had 64years of oil extraction, then it also make sense that we must have a short period to carry out the assessment to exactly what oil extraction has bequeathed to the people in the Niger Delta region.

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AFTER FEC MEETING...

L-R: Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI Sadiya Umar Farouq, at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday

Despite Pressure from World Powers, OPEC Announces 2m Barrels Production Cut Slashes Nigeria’s quota by 84,000 bpd for November

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its oil-exporting allies known as OPEC+ yesterday announced a two million barrel per day cut in oil production.

The oil cartel also slashed Nigeria’s oil production output by 84,000 bpd, although it’s not likely to substantially impact the country which has underperformed by as much as 700,000 bpd in the last couple of months.

It also came despite pressure from Washington to increase production. The development was expected to potentially spike oil and gas prices again.

Nigeria’s production fell in September to one of its lowest levels in a long time, with latest industry data showing output hitting a record low of 972,394 barrels per day in August.

The development marked a new low in the over a year-long downward spiral in Nigeria’s capacity to drill enough oil to boost its desperately needed foreign exchange even at a time that the commodity has continued to hover around a rarely seen price of $100.

The decrease below the one million bpd mark in production in August despite months of assurances of planned improvement by the Nigerian authorities, was

more than 10 per cent compared to the July 2022 production of 1.083 million barrels per day.

THISDAY’s checks showed that in June the country’s production was 1.158 million bpd; it was 1.024 million bpd in May; 1.219 million bpd in April, 1.237 million bpd in March; 1.257 million bpd in February and 1.398 million bpd in January.

The quota given by OPEC to the country for the month of August was 1.826 million barrels per day, meaning that Nigeria under-produced to the tune of about 853,606 bpd during the month.

But yesterday’s announcement immediately led to the increase in the price of oil by about $3 a barrel Wednesday morning. Prices had fallen from about $120 a barrel in June to around $80 a barrel amid concerns about a potential global recession.

It was the first face-to-face gathering of OPEC members since 2020, but the move represents a major reversal in production policy for the alliance, which slashed output cuts by a record 10 million barrels per day in early 2020 when demand crashed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The oil cartel has since gradually unwound those record cuts, albeit with several OPEC+ countries struggling to fulfill their quotas.

The production cut for November was an attempt to reverse a price fall even as the international benchmark Brent crude futures traded at $92.82 a barrel during afternoon deals in London, up around 1.1 per cent while United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures stood at $87.37, almost one per cent higher.

A statement after the 45th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting yesterday, confirmed the reduction in production.

“In light of the uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks, and the need to enhance the long-term guidance for the oil market, OPEC adjusts downward the overall production

by 2 mb/d, from the August 2022 required production levels, starting November 2022 for OPEC and NonOPEC Participating Countries,” it stated.

It further reconfirmed the baseline adjustment approved at the 19th OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting and adjusted the frequency of the monthly meetings to become every two months for the JMMC. OPEC further agreed to hold the OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting (ONOMM) every six months in accordance with the ordinary OPEC scheduled conference.

The cartel further extended the compensation period to the 31st of March 2023, stressing that compensation plans should

and the AMCE. According to a statement yesterday, the signing of the Host Country Agreement builds up on the recent ground-breaking for the AMCE project, in December 2021, presided over by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Commenting on the agreement, Oramah said: “The AMCE Abuja is a first of its kind quaternary level medical facility in the West Africa region and one amongst the very few, if any, on the African continent.

“The AMCE will promote Intra African Trade medical tourism by offering a full spectrum of services in oncology, haematology, cardiology, and general healthcare across the continent, in addition to training, research and development capabilities. The AMCE Abuja will serve as the headquarters for other AMCEs to be launched across Africa.

“The initial capital outlay for the

as Tompolo.

The federal government has variously blamed massive oil theft, vandalism of major assets, dilapidated infrastructure as well as declining upstream investment for its inability to drill more of the commodity.

On Tuesday, the Group Executive Officer of the NNPCL said the all-important Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) which has been down for months will come online in the next few days.

Aside Nigeria, Angola had its production slashed by 70,000 bpd, Algeria’s by 48,000 bpd, Russia’s allocation will decrease by 526,000 bpd while the United Emirates will have a reduction of 160,000 bpd.

Nigeria’s production will now be 1.742 million bpd for November.

WTO Cuts 2023 Global Trade Forecast Amid Looming Recession Energy crisis to slow down global trade growth Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Trade Organisation (WTO) yesterday projected a slowdown in global trade growth in 2023 as sharply higher energy, food prices and rising interest costs curb import demand.

It warned of a possible contraction if the war in Ukraine worsens.

The global trade body predicted that merchandise trade would jump by 3.5 per cent this year, up from its April estimate of 3.0 per cent, but sees trade growth of just 1.0 per cent in 2023, compared with a previous forecast of 3.4 per cent.

The WTO also stated that there was high uncertainty over its forecasts, giving a band of trade

Afreximbank, Nigeria Sign Host Country Agreement for African Medical Centre of Excellence The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of Nigeria have signed the Host Country Agreement for the first African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) currently under construction in Abuja, Nigeria.

The agreement was signed on September 30, 2022, between the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, in the presence of the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Hon. Joseph Nkama, Minister of State for Health; Dr. George Elombi, Afreximbank Executive Vice President, Corporate Governance and Legal Services; and Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Afreximbank Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank; as well as other members of the management team of the Bank

be submitted in accordance with the statement of the 15th OPEC and Non-OPEC ministerial meeting.

The 34th OPEC and Non-OPEC ministerial meeting will be held on December 4, 2022 Nigeria recently took a raft of measures to curtail the oil theft menace, which so far appears to have defied all solutions.

Some of the measures included the renewed deployment of security personnel in the Niger Delta and the real-time monitoring of activities around the pipelines by the NNPCL. In addition, the national oil firm has introduced the whistle-blower strategy as well as the handing over of a N4 billion monthly surveillance contract to ex-militant, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known

first phase of the AMCE Abuja is projected at $300 million. The investment is expected to rise to about $750 million, upon full development, making the facility by a significant distance the single largest private healthcare investment in Nigeria and Africa in general.

“The success of the AMCE Abuja will pave the way for attracting future investments and partnership arrangements within the health sector on the continent. It will also raise the local standards of healthcare delivery as well as provide a blueprint for quality of services required to address Nigeria and Africa’s healthcare and related challenges.”

On his part, Onyeama said: “I know how difficult it is for a country to get host status for a project or institution that everyone is looking for. Today, with all the health challenges facing the world,

every country is looking to host an international health institution.

I thank Afreximbank for bringing this institution to Nigeria as a host.

“The research and development aspect of the project is very important. It is not just a turnkey hospital that is being set up in Nigeria, the African Medical Centre of Excellence will be a research institution, which is vitally important because that is the only way to have sustainable and comprehensive medical facilities and treatment.

The AMCE really ticks all the boxes, because when we do not invest in research and development, we end up with situations where neglected tropical diseases we have on the continent do not have proper treatments, because industrialised countries that invest in research and development prioritise the diseases that affect their citizens the most, as do pharmaceutical companies."

growth expansion of 2.0 per cent to 4.9 per cent for this year and of -2.8 per cent to 4.6 per cent for 2023.

Addressing journalists in Geneva, Switzerland, the WTO DirectorGeneral, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said, "The picture for 2023 has darkened considerably. If the war in Ukraine worsens, rather than gets better, that's going to have a huge impact.

“Today, the global economy faces multi-prong crises. Monetary tightening is weighing on growth across much of the world," Presenting a revision of their annual trade forecast, WTO economists said they still anticipated global economic growth to rise by 2.8 per cent this year, in line with their expectations in April.

They stated that for 2023, GDP growth was now expected to be just 2.3 per cent, down from the previous forecast of 3.2 per cent.

However, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEDC), which has maintained its 2022 forecast at three per cent, expects 2.2 per cent growth next year.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts growth at 3.2 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2023.

Import demand was set to soften as major economies slow, although the slowdown is due to different reasons, according to the WTO. Europe’s economies are reeling from soaring energy prices, which are squeezing household spending

and raising manufacturing costs.

The energy crisis is already pushing Germany — Europe’s biggest economy —into a recession, which would deepen as we head into the winter months amid the ongoing natural gas and energy crisis, Bundesbank, the central bank of Germany, said in its monthly report in September.

Germany also moved last month to nationalise its biggest gas importer, Uniper, to prevent a collapse of German energy and gas suppliers. Across Europe, industries have been forced to curb or shut down production due to soaring energy prices.

In the United States, aggressive Fed rate hikes are set to hit interest-sensitive spending in areas such as housing, motor vehicles, and fixed investment. In China, the zero-Covid policy and weak external demand are challenges to the economy, the WTO said.

“Major central banks are already raising interest rates in a bid to tame inflation but overshooting on tightening could trigger recessions in some countries, which would weigh on imports. Alternatively, central banks might not do enough to bring inflation down, possibly necessitating stronger interventions in the future,” the WTO stated.

Fears of recessions and a strong US dollar weighed on oil prices in the third quarter, when the Brent and WTI benchmarks hit their lowest level since before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Again, World Bank Urges Nigeria, Others to Remove Subsidies Says Africa accounts for 60% of people living in poverty globally

Nume Ekeghe The World Bank has urged Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries to focus on policies that would enhance long-term growth as well as support inclusive growth.

This, it stated was necessary in order to lift their citizens out of poverty.

The Brentwood institution noted that Africa now accounts for 60 per cent of all people living in extreme poverty which it pegged at 389 million, more than any other region globally.

The World Bank further estimated that by 2030, nearly 600 million people would struggle on less than

$2.15 a day.

In a statement, World Bank Group President, Mr. David Malpass explained: “Progress in reducing extreme poverty has essentially halted in tandem with subdued global economic growth.

“Of concern to our mission is the rise in extreme poverty and decline of shared prosperity brought by inflation, currency depreciations, and broader overlapping crises facing development. It means a grim outlook for billions of people globally.

“Adjustments of macroeconomic policies are needed to improve the allocation of global capital, foster currency stability, reduce

inflation, and restart growth in median income. The alternative is the status quo slowing global growth, higher interest rates, greater risk aversion, and fragility in many developing countries.”

Specifically commenting on Africa, it stated: “Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for 60 per cent of all people in extreme poverty 389 million, more than any other region.

“The region’s poverty rate is about 35 per cent, the world’s highest. To achieve the 2030 poverty goal, each country in the region would need to achieve per-capita GDP growth of nine per cent per year for the remainder of this decade.

“That’s an exceptionally high hurdle for countries whose percapita GDP growth averaged 1.2 percent in the decade before COVID-19.”

It emphasised that national policy reforms could help restart progress in reducing poverty.

It advised African countries to, “avoid broad subsidies, increase targeted cash transfers: Half of all spending on energy subsidies in low- and middle- income economies goes to the richest 20 per cent of the population who consume more energy.

“Cash transfers are a far more effective mechanism for supporting poor and vulnerable groups.

“Focus on long-term growth: High-return investments in education, research and development, and infrastructure projects need to be made today. In a time of scarce resources, more efficient spending and improved preparation for the next crisis will be key.”

“Mobilise domestic revenues without hurting the poor. Property taxes and carbon taxes can help raise revenue without hurting the poorest. So can broadening the base of personal and corporate income taxes.

“If sales and excise taxes do need to be raised, governments should minimise economic distortions and negative distributional impacts by

simultaneously using targeted cash transfers to offset their effects on the most vulnerable households,” it states.

The World Bank’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, Indermit Gill stated: “Over the next decade, investing in better health and education will be crucial for developing economies, given the severe learning losses and health-related setbacks they suffered during the pandemic. In a time of record debt and depleted fiscal resources, this will not be easy. Governments will need to concentrate their resources on building human capital and maximising growth.”

Bagudu, described the release of the 422-member campaign list as unfortunate. But Bagudu assured members that the issue would be sorted out.

He stressed that the governors’ visit to the secretariat was to strategise and discuss the campaign.

Asked if the governors were comfortable with the campaign list, Bagudu said, "Governors are very proud of our party, we are very proud of our party leader, President Muhamadu Buhari, we are very proud of the conventions that produced both our national chairman and our presidential candidate, in person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the vice presidential candidate, in the person of Kashim Shettima. We are very proud of the actions of the national chairman

and the NWC, we are very proud of the actions of the presidential campaign council.

"We are happy that we are discussing, even though there were lists that were unfortunate that the campaign (council list), which the party would have announced...a mistake.

“But I am happy that the party is solidly behind our candidate and our party and whatever lists that have come out erroneously, we believe it will be sorted out."

The governors at the meeting were Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Abdulahi Sule (Nasarawa), Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano), Sani Bello (Niger), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).

At the meeting also were former Managing Director of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, and former national chairman of APC and Deputy Director General of PCC, Adams Oshiomhole.

2023: APC NWC, GOVERNORS FAIL TO AGREE ON CAMPAIGN COMMENCEMENT DATE presidential election and other activities, before the campaign was put off indefinitely.

Members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) had frowned on the release of the campaign list without recourse to the leadership of the party. Afterwards, a leaked letter, purportedly written by Adamu to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, demanded the withdrawal of the 422-member campaign list.

But less than 24 hours later, the party made a quick U-turn, when Adamu, in a statement by APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka, denied authoring the letter.

Yesterday’s meeting between the APC governors and the party’s

leadership was part of efforts to get everyone on board and also address the grievances of stakeholders.

Addressing journalists after the about five hours closed-door meeting, Adamu assured APC members that the leadership had established a machinery to resolve whatever issues they had.

Adamu stated, "We are very very comfortable, we have established machinery for resolving anything.

We are together with the governors’ forum and NWC. I believe this meeting we had is more than useful to us. For us, nothing short of victory and that is the spirit of this meeting."

Asked when the ruling party would commence its campaign, the national chairman said the party would determine when the

campaign would start, adding that they cannot run faster than their shadows.

Adamu added, "Don't be faster than the...The fact of the matter is, we as a party, as APC, we will determine when we will do what as long as it is within the framework of INEC's guidelines."

Earlier, Adamu noted that the party could not make meaningful progress in the 2023 elections without the support of APC governors He said, "Essentially, we want to interact with our governors, who are the custodians of the fate of APC in their various states that they are privileged by God to lead at this point in time of Nigeria's democratic dispensation.

"Being the chief executive officers

of their various states, the onus of our great party lies in the hands of God and in their hands, because they are the commanders of the party’s fortunes in their various states.

"We cannot make meaningful progress in the affairs of these states, particularly, in an election year that is approaching. We cannot plan without the buy-in of our governors, so that we can stand together, believing that we share the same aspirations. We will plan together to see how best we can deliver the interest of the party and ensure that victory is ours in 2023 general election that is by the corner."

Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku

GEREGU MAKES HISTORY, BECOMES FIRST POWER COMPANY TO LIST ON STOCK EXCHANGE records of accomplishments.

The listing of Geregu’s shares has added N250,000,000,000 billion to the market capitalisation of NGX, further boosting liquidity in the Nigerian capital market and providing opportunities for wealth creation.

However, amid high investors' demand, Geregu Power's stock gained 10 per cent (N10) m on its first trading day on the NGX to close at N110 per share from N100 per share it was listed by introduction.

The gain pushed its market capitalisation to N275 billion from the N250 biliion it was listed.

The leading power generation company traded 8.5 million volume of shares at N935 million in one day as its listing further boosted liquidity in the Nigerian capital.

To mark the significance of the listing, a closing gong ceremony was being planned for the last week of October 2022.

The company had appointed the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in June 2022, as auditors of the firm; and also brought on board Mr. Paul Miyonde Gbededo, former Group Managing Director/CE of FMN unto its board.

Speaking on the listing, the Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, GPP, Mr. Femi Otedola, stated that, “the listing of the company was the actualisation of a vision to bring world-class standards in governance, sustainability, and business processes to the company and the Nigerian electricity sector.” He added that, “listing on the Main Board of the Exchange will ensure that the long-term growth of the company is assured and its benefits will be passed on to our esteemed shareholders.”

Nigerian Exchange Limited continues to evolve in order to remain an attractive destination for issuers, meet the needs of our valued stakeholders and achieve the highest level of competitiveness.

Commenting on the development, the Chairman, NGX, Mr. Abubakar Mahmood said, “We are particularly pleased that Geregu

Power has joined the prestigious group of companies listed on our Main Board, which will differentiate it as a professionally run power company with high standards, having met NGX’s listing criteria.

“A Main Board listing is a sign of commitment to strong corporate governance, excellence, professionalism, efficiency in service delivery, and providing increased returns to shareholders. It is our expectation that the Geregu Power listing will encourage other power generation and distribution companies to list their shares on the Exchange, thereby opening the sector up to cheaper, long-term capital that will boost infrastructural development and value creation.”

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, said, “Today's (yesterday) listing is a promising development in the country's power sector and we are delighted to welcome Geregu Power Plc to the Exchange. Having Geregu listed in our market is proof of NGX's commitment to building a robust and inclusive market and creating avenues for sustainable investment.

“This listing will enhance liquidity for Geregu, increase its visibility among global investors, elevate its value and boost transparency, as our marketplace is a sterling platform for raising capital and enabling sustainable growth for national development. As a listing platform of choice, we are committed to working with companies at various stages of growth to explore the different opportunities in the capital market to meet their business objectives.”

Beside Otedola, the Board of Geregu Power is made up eminent Nigerians that are committed to corporate governance.

Otedola joined the board of GPP as Chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2013. Prior to this, he was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Forte Oil Plc (now Ardova Plc) from May 2007 to June 2019. His vision transformed Forte Oil Plc into one of the highest performing companies on NGX. The company grew in leaps and

bounds to become a model of the possibilities inherent in Nigeria, winning numerous accolades in recognition of the successful business turnaround, prompt financial reporting, strong corporate governance and investment of choice within the Oil and Gas Industry and NGX. In 2019, with a firm belief in the power reforms of the federal government and overall vision “to be the leading provider of integrated power in the region”, he made a very strategic decision to sell his majority stake in Forte Oil Plc and invest in developing the power industry in Nigeria through the acquisition of a majority stake in GPP, via an investment vehicle called Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited.

He has held several board memberships including President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and as past Chairman of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. He was appointed Member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council in January 2004 and in December of the same year, he was appointed a Member of the Committee saddled with the task of fostering business relationship between the Nigerian and the South African Private sectors.

He was a member of the National Economic Management Team from September 2011 to May, 2015 and the Honorary International Investors Council under the leadership of Baroness Lydna Chalker. Mr. Otedola was further recognized for his immense contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy with the conferment of the prestigious National Honour of “Commander of the Order of the Niger - CON” in May 2010.

A philanthropist with deep involvement in educational causes at all levels via the Sir Michael Otedola Scholarship Awards Foundation, he has continued to demonstrate his passion for his community, Epe, Lagos State and Nigeria in general, committing huge financial resources to the sponsorship of promising but financially disadvantaged students.

Recently, he became the Chancel-

lor of Augustine Catholic University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State; and an esteemed member of the ‘Group of Eminent Personalities’ appointed as members of the National Peace Committee (NPC) ahead of the 2023 elections in Nigeria.

Also on the board is Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, who is the Chief Executive Officer of GPP.. He is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, direction and expansion for the business.

He coordinates the formulation, review and implementation of the organisation’s strategy, goals and objectives. Akin serves as a Director on the Board of Amperion Power Distribution Limited, and GPP. A former CEO of Forte Oil Plc, was responsible for the the massive turn-around witnessed in the oil company before Otedola divested from it.

It also has Christopher Adeyemi as a Director. Adeyemi attended Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife where he obtained his LL.B (Hons) degree in 1989. He became a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1991. Mr. Adeyemi began his legal career as Head of Green Form Advice and Assistance Team in The Legal Aid Board of England and Wales.

Similarly, Paul Miyonmide Gbededo is a Director in the company. Gbededo is a master corporate strategist, hardworking, honest and an urbane gentleman, Paul Gbededo, a Fellow of the Polymer Institute of Nigeria and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators was the Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of FMN from April 2013 to December 2020. He now serves as the non-executive Vice Chairman on the Board of FMN. Julius Owotuga, a Director, is currently the Deputy Chief Executive of GPP. Prior to Geregu Power Plc, he was the Group Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management of Forte Oil Plc. He joined Forte Oil Plc from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) where he had responsibilities for the Corporation’s Assets and Liabilities Management function and

doubled as the Deputy Treasurer.

Seen as a core professional and a turn-around agent who helped steered Forte Oil Plc to the success it attained.

John Lee, a British national, also a Director, has worked in the Financial Services Industry for around 40 years with the last 25 years having particular focus in Nigeria including extensive travel to the region. He has primarily worked for global international banks HSBC & Standard Chartered out of London.

Anil Dua, another British national, a Director of Geregu Power Plc, is a co-founder and partner of Gateway Partners, where he also serves as a member of its investment committee leading deal origination and execution across Africa. Prior to establishing Gateway Partners, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (West Africa), a role he occupied between 2010 and 2015.

Ms. Olawunmi Otedola, also a Director, is a renowned professional and founder of The Utopia Group, an NGO targeted at alleviating the lives of the Nigerian children. Prior to establishing The Utopia Group, Otedola worked with several leading corporates, domestic and international, including Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited and Scottish Church Heritage Research.

Doron Grupper, an Israel national, is a vast professional with experience across and management. He is currently a consultant to Energix Renewable Energies Limited, a renewable energy company with a focus on wind turbine and solar energy.

Akin Olagbende is currently the General Counsel at GPP. Prior to this role he was the General Counsel and Company Secretary at Forte Oil Plc from 2012 to 2019. He is a graduate of the University of Sussex in Brighton and subsequently graduated from the Nigerian law school in 2004. Responsible for the overall legal, compliance and secretarial functions, Mr. Olagbende has over sixteen (16) years of experience in Corporate, Commercial and Company law and practice.

YOUTHS CHASE WORKERS AWAY AS KOGI SEALS DANGOTE’S OBAJANA CEMENT FACTORY Obajana in Kogi state were shot and several others injured as over 500 armed members of the state’s security outfit, the vigilantes, stormed the cement factory at Obajana.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Corporate Affairs Unit, Dangote Group, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

The statement said members of the mining and host communities have condemned the Kogi State Government for what they described as extra-judicial and unlawful deployment of the Vigilantes to cause chaos in the Obajana community.

It further stressed that the members of the Kogi State vigilance Service were led by the state Director-General of Lands; Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Commodore Jerry Omodara(rtd), Chairman of Kabba/Bunnu LGA, Chairman of Ijumu LGA and the State ALGON Chairman, Alh. Taofeek; Senior Special Assistant on Job Creation, Mr Dele Iselewa and Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Alh. Mohammed Dansabe.

"As at the time of this report some seven staff of the cement company have ben allegedly shot and were being attended to at the hospitals over the gunshot wounds inflicted on them.

"A source who identified some of the vigilance group members as thugs said most of them were drawn from state vigilance Service and hunters who have been working for the state government,” the statement added.

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NEWS

NDLEA, INTERPOL SIGN MOU ON ACCESS TO GLOBAL CRIMINAL DATA RECORDS...

Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the National Central Bureau and Vice President, Interpol Africa, Garba Baba Umar (L) presenting a signed copy of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between NDLEA and Interpol to the Chairman/Chief Executive of the anti-narcotics agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) in Abuja ...yesterday

Onnoghen: Lawmakers Pass Bill to Stop CCT from Prosecuting, Removing Judicial Officers Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives at yesterday’s plenary passed through second reading a bill seeking to stop the trial and removal of judicial officers from office by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

It would be recalled that a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen was tried and removed from office

by CCT in 2019.

The proposed legislation titled,

"Bill for an Act to Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Related Matters (HBs.1819, 576, 859, 955, 1000, 1685 &1805),” was sponsored by Hon. Solomon Bob, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Hon. Ben Igbakpa and four other lawmakers.

Leading the debate on its general principles, Bob said the bill stipulates that before any judicial officers could be tried and removed

from the office, the person must have been first removed in line with the section 292(1).

For purposes of reference, section 292(1) of the Constitution stated thus: "A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – In the case of – Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of National Industrial Court, Chief

Judge of High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and President Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate, Chief Judge of State, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal or President of a Customary Court of Appeal of a State by the Governor acting on an address supported by

Pantanmi Canvasses Legislation to Protect Nigeria's Vast Data Asset Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Pantami has said Nigeria needs a law to protect the vast data generated in the country.

Pantami spoke yesterday, at a one-day stakeholders' workshop in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), with support from the Nigerian Identify for Development (ID4D).

The event was organised to get contributions from stakeholders on the data protection bill.

He said: "The data being generated today is mindboggling and because of the huge data being generated, we must have a legislation in place to ensure that there is confidentiality and privacy of that data so that the data will not be abused.

"In order to ensure confidentiality, privacy and security of our citizens’ data, we commenced the process of having a principal legislation in Nigeria Data Protection law.

"The quantity of data generated in Nigeria in the last three years increased by 202 per cent."

According to Pantami, the process was initially coordinated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), adding that President Muhammadu Buhari later approved a full-blown agency – the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) He explained that the, "the Fourth Industrial Revolution was about data generation as citizens

submit their data to government or private institutions, adding that some countries commercialise data.”

According to him, "that is why we are very proactive in Nigeria in order to ensure that there is no vacuum."

He also said relevant government bodies needed to protect citizens' data, noting that that was the reason why they put in place a regulatory framework in place pending when a data protection law will be enacted.

"We came up with the Nigeria Data Protection regulation and relying on our regulatory powers, immediately commenced enforcement because a subsidiary legislation is considered a law up to the Supreme Court "The reason for having it is to ensure that there is no vacuum. The 1999 constitution specifically states that citizens' correspondences and communication must be private and confidential and in Section 37 of the constitution, data protection was clearly mentioned except under the Cybycrime 2015 where there is a provision of Lawful Intercept, where security agencies establish a prima facie case before intercepting certain communication.

"It is a criminal offence to access data in Nigeria without permission," he added In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Yakubu Useni said, "This bill is for all of us. It has been modeled skeletally and we are here to add flesh to it, to make it a full- fledged bureau without

the legislation on it.

"It can't function very well. We should all make our contributions when it is uploaded on the website."

The Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPB), Vincent Olatunji, advised stakeholders to go to the agency's website and make their contributions to the draft before it would be submitted to the executive.

According to him, "with all the inputs we have gotten from the stakeholders, we got a draft from the consultant and at the end of

today, we will update it and upload it on our website and will leave it there for one week for stakeholders to make further input before it goes to the National Assembly as an executive bill."

Earlier in his opening address, the Coordinator of NID4D Project, Solomon Odole explained that the process of protecting data in Nigeria started in 2019, with the National Data Protection Regulation as a subsidiary legislation enacted based on the provisions of the NITDA Act 2007.

two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly of the State, praying that he be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or contravention of the Code of conduct."

He said the bill seeks to amend sections 20 and 24 of the Principal Act to protect Judicial Officers from arbitrary prosecution and removal from office.

According to him, "Any action seeking to prosecute any Judicial Officer in contravention of sub-section (5) of this section shall not be entertained by the Tribunal. It is axiomatic that in a presidential democracy such as we profess to practice, the three arms of government are distinct and independent of one another, each with its powers constitutionally determined.

“Under our constitution, their powers are created by sections 4, 5, & 6 for the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary respectively.

"It is the intention of the constitution that each arm of government be empowered to discharge its responsibilities without interference by the other arms. This is in sync with the U.S. presidential democracy after which we patterned our version.

“The Code of Conduct Tribunal

which is the crux of this bill is a body with statutory judicial powers to try and sanction public office holders found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. The powers of the Tribunal are pursuant to section 24 of the Principal Act – The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. "Let it suffice to state here that the constitution has made very clear provisions for removal of elected officials including judicial officers.

“The obvious intention is to obviate the threat of arbitrary removal from office, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the office and affording the office holders a leeway to discharge the functions of their office without fear or favour in line with their oath of office."

Contributing, Hon. Nkem Abonta said the Principal Act needed proper amendment, saying Nigerians in the last two years have noticed a lot of issues with the Code of Conduct.

On his part, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila while noting that members should have been availed with copies of the amendment before now, however advised any member who has a contribution to send a memo to committee on anti -corruption.

Thereafter, the bill was passed and referred to the Committee on Anti-corruption.

2023: Swear in Ariwoola Now, Appoint More Supreme Court's Justices, Law Professor Tells Buhari Alex Enumah in Abuja A Law Professor, Yemi AkinseyeGeorge has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to swear in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) without further delay.

Justice Ariwoola has been on acting capacity since June 27, 2022, following the resignation of former CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad.

The president had on July 26, 2022, forwarded his name to the Senate for confirmation, following recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

However, two weeks after his confirmation by the Senate, Buhari was yet to swear in Justice Ariwoola as substantive CJN, a development which was beginning

to generate concerns particularly as the 2023 general elections draw nearer.

Speaking to journalists at a two-day workshop on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/ Laws, Professor Akinseye-George, wondered why the president was yet to swear in Ariwoola as substantive CJN. "What is delaying the swearing -in of the Chief Justice of Nigeria?

This matter should be attended to more urgently and we appeal to Mr. President to urgently swear in the new CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. He has been on acting capacity now for several months, that should not be, we appeal to the Attorney General of the Federation to draw the attention of Mr President to the fact that the

Chief Justice of Nigeria needs to be sworn in expeditiously", he said.

The senior lawyer, who is also the President of the Center for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), urged the CJN to immediately move for the appointment of more Justices into the bench of the apex court, which has seriously depleted in the last two years owing to retirements and death.

He advised heads of courts to recommend only the best just as he disagreed with the position of some lawyers that senior lawyers can also be appointed to the apex court bench.

"I personally do not subscribe to the idea of appointing legal practitioners to the Supreme Court because the culture of a judge is different from a practitioner,

the upbringing of a practitioner is different from a judge. Any practitioner that wants to join the bench should start from the High Court", the Law Professor added.

Currently there are only 13 Justices on the bench of the Supreme Court, including the acting CJN, a situation which is not too good for the general elections usually characterised by huge court cases.

Earlier, the Vice President of the CSLS, Mrs. Olaide Akinseye-George, said the workshop was aimed at deepening the implementation of the ACJA/ACJL. She was of the opinion that Nigeria has never lacked good laws but only have challenges of implementation or enforcement.

Continues online

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POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Princewill: 2023 Presidential Poll is Too Close to Call Between Tinubu, Obi and Atiku Deji Elumoye dialogues with former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Tonye Princewill, who says the 2023 presidential poll is a straight battle between All Progressives Congress’ flag bearer, Bola Tinubu; his Peoples Democratic Party’s counterpart, Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi

T

he political campaigns have officially commenced. What is your message to Nigerians?

Nigeria is a big ship that is slowly going astray. It’s drifting. It is my opinion that 2023 is going to be the last opportunity to redefine a new future. It will take a lot of very smart people ready to do a lot of very hard work for us to see a Nigeria that we can be proud of in our lifetime. What we need is a team of good people, led by a man of strong conviction, who sees Nigeria as one entity, but is loyal to no one particular section.

I see a lot of that in the top three men who are running for President. They are all in support of restructuring, each of them have taken on special interests and won and they are all fighters. Give them credit. No need for abuse. What I have not yet seen is the team behind each of them. Hopefully, the campaigns will reveal all these. We will need the same test to apply to all the states and the other constituencies.

Our focus should be the candidates and not the parties. Our focus should be on what they have done before and not strictly on what they say in campaigns, even though what they say does matter.

that do not have my plumage. Maybe I will wait for the era of independent candidates or a party that defines an ideology and defends it.

A party that is truly bigger than its candidates.

APC appears to have hit the rock in Rivers State. Does the party stand a chance in the State in 2023?

I’m not aware of all the details, but I’m aware there have been a lot of defections in many directions. In the APC, some key men have left yes and that is true, but if APC in Rivers is serious, they can still win the election. They have a good candidate and he has a lot of support still. If they do what is required, they can win the state easily. Let us hope they do the needful. Their supporters definitely deserve it. I may have left APC, but I will still support Tonye Cole. I have no reason not to.

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ter to me. People, public relations, media, youth unemployment, rural women and girls empowerment, creative industry, job creation, skills development, SME access to credit and finally tackling insecurity. I’m tired of fighting with people who do not have a common ideology that provides a clear basis for policy positions on the key issues like these. Why then are we gathered, if not to make a difference in the lives of others? What is the point?

Since birds of the same feather flock together or as Hon Patrick Obahiagbon would put it “avian species of identical plumage, congregate.” I refuse to congregate with species

Having left the APC, have you decided where to pitch tent?

No. I have not. And I’m not in a rush to do so either. Leaving APC very fast was the first priority and I’m especially glad that I did so.

My focus now is on candidates and not on the parties. Fighting for our future is not a game.

Where I come from, it’s often life and death. I like fighting, but I’m tired of fighting with people who are not interested in the things that mat-

Peter Obi’s movement appears to have changed the voting demographics ahead of 2023 elections. What are your predictions?

It’s too early to make predictions, so let us be careful. Having said that, let me qualify what I see. If we took the election picture as it is now, I see the likelihood of a run off, yes. As things stand. But this is too early and a lot will, not can, happen in five months. For obvious reasons, and I have made myself clear, I don’t want to see a Muslim/Muslim ticket in the villa, but if we are not careful, the potential in a Peter Obi or an Atiku, that is not fully utilized, will lead us to a Tinubu as President. Why do I say that?

PDP strongholds in the South-south and the South-east and Middle-belt which are ordinarily Atiku bases, will now be split between Atiku and Peter Obi. One is taking the votes of the

other. That means, underestimate Tinubu at your peril. We found this out the hard way.

Underestimate Atiku at your peril. Wike found this out the hard way. And underestimate Peter Obi and his youth at your peril and you may find out the hard way too. None of these men rely on their fellow men.

Your political ally, Rotimi Amaechi, has been silent since he lost out during the presidential primaries.There are rumours that he may not support Bola Tinubu. What is your take on this?

Nothing of the sort. I have been away as you know, so I don’t have the latest, but he was not happy with me when I left the APC. I told him I can be calm and mellow on many things, but not on the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Before the primary, he had said he would accept the outcome of a free and fair process, so like all the good members of his team, we all did.

But I reminded him when he called about my resignation, that ‘me oh, I didn’t agree to a Muslim-Muslim ticket.’ Just like I would not accept a Christian/Christian ticket either. Not at this time in our country’s evolution, and not with current sensitivities.

As for noise, Amaechi does not need to make noise. I recall in 2011, there was talk that he would not support Jonathan because of his silence. In the end, Jonathan played the politics and Amaechi played his part. We all know who became President in the end. Asiwaju will play his politics.

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

Ngwu: I’ll Build on the Positive Imprint of Ekweremadu In an interview with Udora Orizu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Senatorial Candidate for Enugu West, Osita Ngwu, speaks on key issues and his plans for his people if elected Senator during the 2023 general election

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attention in supporting legislative acts that are focused on Human Capacity Development and further pursue vigorously, Mentorship Programs, Skill acquisition and Job Creation.

I will join forces with other progressives in the national assembly to protect the checks and balances of the Federal Government by the independent exercise of legislative powers.

I will stand on preserving the Environment for the benefit of all and sundry and ensure wise, productive use of Nigeria’s resources. I will stand on carrying out oversight responsibilities to enhance Government accountability and appropriate monies that support necessary Government services.

My time at the Senate will be to the good of Enugu West and Nigeria in general. In the light of what I have said, my mission to the Senate is simple but shall be greatly impactful.

ou’re contesting for Senate to represent Enugu West senatorial district, under the Peoples Democratic Party, how optimistic are you of winning?

Winning an election is about the people, and I think the good people of Enugu West are massively with me. What it means is that I am on track to victory by the grace of God. However, I and my team will not relent, or take the support of our people for granted.

We will continue to talk to them and give them genuine assurance of quality representation at the 10th Senate.

If you emerge victorious in 2023, you will be replacing Senator Ike Ekweremadu who has been in the Red Chamber since May 2003, Do you think he has done well and what would you do differently as a legislator?

Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu is an outstanding parliamentarian who performed creditably. His time at the Senate produced good results for our zone. I will build on the positives.

Campaign season is finally here, what’s your campaign plan, and why should the people of Enugu West vote for Osita Ngwu?

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the apex legislative arm of the National Assembly. It is the foremost legislative institution in Nigeria. Its duties and obligations are as clearly provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of which I am well acquainted. My primary obligation is to legislate for the welfare, security, peace and good governance of Nigeria with particular interest on Enugu West Senatorial Zone.

The Senate also has oversight responsibility

Ngwu of every public and even private institution in Nigeria. These and more functions of the Senate are well known to me. The fulcrum around which my legislative efforts will revolve in system and organisational reforms. I will focus remarkable legislative efforts of sponsoring or supporting bills that will promote Excellence in Education, Skill Acquisition and Improved Healthcare for the good people Nigeria. I will continually think and craft legislative instruments for the benefit of Enugu West, Enugu State and Nigeria. Furthermore, I will lobby for the appropriation of funds for projects to be sited within my Senatorial constituency for the benefit of all. I will also pay much

Following the emergence of Peter Obi as the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, the party now seems to be a force to be reckoned with come 2023 general election, do you think Nigeria is ready for Igbo Presidency?

Peter Obi is a movement and is making a lot of impact already. Indeed he is a force to reckon with. We have seen an Ijaw man become the President of Nigeria, so every region can be president. It is the votes of the people that determines who the President will be. Let’s wait and see. We can all focus on our campaigns and our plans for the people. They will decide.

Insecurity in the country is getting worse by the day, South-east is now sadly a haven of gunmen who on a daily basis cause mayhem on innocent citizens. What advice would you give to whoever emerges as President 2023, on tackling insecurity?

Insecurity is regrettably becoming a major problem across Nigeria including my beloved South East. I don’t know why the Government allowed things to degenerate to this level. First you need to identify a problem before you can effectively deal with it. My question is, has the Government tried to evaluate the root cause?

If no, then there is a bigger problem. If yes, then the solution in near. I always support dialogue especially when fundamental root cause is known.

Have you started campaigns? What have you done so far?

I and my team have been consulting and laying a foundation for the campaign to start properly. The people are ready for us and are waiting but the Electoral Act does not permit us to start any form of the campaign until 28th September 2022 based on Section 32 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, With INEC lifting the ban last week, we are swinging into a proper campaign.

The youth of Enugu West organized a rally in our support on the 29th of September and the massive turnout of youth is just a tip of the iceberg of what you will see when we eventually hit the communities.

The people want to lead this campaign and it’s overwhelming. It is the Lord’s doing and marvelous in our eyes. It’s been 62 years since Nigeria attained independence, would you say the country is where it ought to be? Regrettably, no. We took steps forward and suddenly entered a reverse gear. In my opinion, we are far behind and I am sure you and most Nigerians share a similar opinion. We all owe this nation a duty to get in right in 2023 or catastrophe will set in.

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

17

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

In Katsina, FemaleVigilantes Wage War against Bandits Francis Sardauna writes that the female members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Katsina State are lending immense support to the ongoing war against bandits in the state

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s the Nigerian Army, police and other security operatives continue to wage war against marauding bandits in Katsina State, some patriotic youths and adults refused to sit on the fence.

The youths under the auspices of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), have continued to join forces with the security personnel to dislodge the hoodlums who are terrorising some parts of the state.

The exploits of members of the VGN by the state government to smoke out the bandits have been lauded by many security experts in the state but many are not aware that the female members of the group are also playing immense roles in their respective villages, communities and cities towards eliminating the bandits.

These women constitute 30 per cent of the 3,000 vigilante corps recruited by the state government to complement the efforts of conventional security personnel in the ongoing onslaught against the marauders.

They are witnesses to how the criminals rendered hundreds of their relatives homeless, crippled their businesses, ravaged their communities and killed their loved ones across the state.

Therefore, they resolved to sacrifice their lives to fight vehemently for the state to have a durable peace that will usher in development in the nooks and crannies of the state.

The young mettlesome women, alongside their men counterparts, were trained by security operatives at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) College of Peace and Disaster Management, BabbarRuga, Katsina, on intelligence gathering, community policing, armed combat and unarmed combat.

Also, they were acquainted with selfdefence tactics and decoy so that they could fend off all patterns of security threats in order to surmount the security challenges bedeviling residents, especially those living in rural farming communities of Jibia, Batsari, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Safana and other frontline local government areas of the state.

Armed with these war strategies, the female vigilantes can sneak in and out of dangerous spots with ease and have robust intelligence on how to identify threats, especially the activities of bandits’ informants. They are currently sniffing out informants and their accomplices before they could do damage by reporting their nefarious activities to security agencies.

The female squads are committed to stopping the attacks that have almost become a norm in the rural communities.

More importantly, they operate according to the constitutional provisions and legal requirements of the country, in addition to collaborating with the police and other security agencies to respond to the rising insecurity in the state.

With the military and police winning the war against banditry, the female fighters, though not adequate, continue to gather intelligence to frustrate plans of the bandits and their accomplices.The female vigilantes’ weapons and strength are in the clandestine way they operate not minding the horrible environment where they found themselves.

They told THISDAY in separate interviews that they took the decision to sacrifice their lives for the return of peace in Katsina while either mourning their neighbours, relatives, friends or parents felled by the bullets of the bandits. These women are the amazons of the waging war against the bandits in the frontline local government areas of the state.

One of the female vigilantes, Hauwa Usman, 30, said she joined the security outfit to contribute towards the restoration of peace in Katsina and to assist the government and security agencies in salvaging lives and property of the citizenry.

According to her, “I joined the VGN in Jibia, Katsina State, during the peak of banditry in the state. My major tasks are to gather intelligence and report to security agencies. I have received training on intelligence gathering and community police as well as how to

Some vigilante members displaying their skills during training at NSCDC College of Peace and Disaster Management Babbar-Ruga, Katsina, recently escape dangers while discharging my duty.

“But what really led me to join the Vigilante Group of Nigeria was the death of my elder sister, Fatima Usman, who was abducted and killed by bandits while returning from Batsari market. Since then I decided to join the VGN to protect female folks and contribute my quota for the return of peace in Katsina”.

She added that through her peace-keeping efforts, many bandits and their informants as well as those supplying them with food and non-food items, have been apprehended in Daddara, Shimfida and other communities in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.

She, however, lamented that fighting crime in the state had been difficult for the vigilante members because of the lack of sophisticated weapons. She therefore appealed to the government to assist them with some rifles to enable them to fight crimes and criminality in their respective communities.

Another female vigilante, Zainab Khali Ibrahim said: “Since I have decided to sacrifice my life for this cause, I do not see any danger.

I have sworn to tread this path and I will continue to do it for the rest of my life until the return of peace in our state”.

Asked why she decided to join the VGN, Zainab said: “I joined the formation when my mother, Hajju Ibrahim; a farmer and his Cousin brother, Ahmed, were abducted by some Fulani people in Bakiyawa village.

They were later released after the payment of N1,000,000 ransom.

“Also, a friend and three of my neighbours were killed by the bandits. All these irked me and eventually made me resolve to

work against the bandits by exposing them. And I did not face any resistance from my relatives when I decided to join the VGN”.

The 24-year-old vigilance member, said she participated in the arrest of three bandits and their informants who wanted to sneak into Batsari market to wreak havoc. “I was able to recognise them because they used to be my neighbours”, she added.

For 28-year-old Khadija, who refused to mention her surname, providing information and intelligence reports to security forces about the hideouts and movements of bandits, remained her cardinal objective as an agile member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in the state.

Khadija said when she discovered that exposing the criminals was yielding results, “We courageously joined the formation. Though no member of my family was lost to banditry, the killing of my neighbour, Saminu Tanimu, by the bandits really touched me. I desire to contribute hugely to the betterment of Katsina State”.

She appealed to the state and federal governments to support them with monthly allowances, weapons and find alternative sources of livelihood for them once the banditry ends. “We have family members who are in dire need of help so the government should be giving us allowances to enable us to assist them and sustain our daily

Without adequate information, we could not have achieved the level of success we recorded in the fight against banditry. In fact, these young women perform better than some of the men we have and they continue to show bravery at all times

needs”, she added.

Speaking about the activities of the women vigilantes, the State Commandant of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Salisu Rabo, described their contributions as invaluable to the operations of the military and police against banditry and other heinous activities orchestrated by bandits in the state.

He said, “They are very important to our operations in the state. They are mostly used for intelligence gathering. They give information which we report to the military and security agencies and this has been useful in arresting many of the bandits.

“Without adequate information, we could not have achieved the level of success we recorded in the fight against banditry. In fact, these young women perform better than some of the men we have and they continue to show bravery at all times”.

He admonished the state government to complement the efforts of the vigilante members by paying them monthly allowances, provision of operational vehicles, weapons and other humanitarian needs of members of the corps in order to win the war against the bandits.

Rabo, however, applauded the government for empowering members of the community security outfit with 600 pieces of uniforms, 600 parade caps and 600 boots, noting that the government was committed to tackling banditry and kidnapping in the state.

According to him, “We are satisfied with the efforts of the state government towards ensuring peace in the state. But we are appealing to the government to assist us with operational vehicles and motorcycles. Government should also fulfill its promise of providing us with weapons so that we can do more for the state”.

He added that the recruitment of 3,000 vigilante members represents another step the government was taking to enhance security across the state in order to give the people greater confidence as they go about their legitimate businesses.

Meanwhile, out of the 3,000 vigilante members the state government had recruited, 1,100 have been trained so far and the remaining 1,900 are expected to embark on segmented training that will enable them to have vast experience and war techniques in order to ward off security challenges in the state.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022

FOCUS

FirstBank: A Triumphant Return to the Nigerian Banking Frontline The story of Corporate Nigeria in 2022, cannot be complete without a chapter on the incredible performance of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, which saw the hitherto encumbered bank now returning to the top of the ladder of the Nigerian banking industry, amid a harvest of international laurels, writes Festus Akanbi

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y December this year, Nigerian quoted companies will begin to upload their full year 2022 results in compliance with the dictates of the principle of disclosures to regulators, investors and customers as enshrined in the act of Corporate Governance.

While the waiting game for the release of the more detailed full-year results continues, analysts said that bookmakers can only assess the current level of profitability, efficiency and recovery of these companies based on their half-year reports which began to hit the various media platforms from July this year.

For FirstBank, a subsidiary of the behemoth FBN Holdings Plc, the 2022 operation year has been characterised by a superlative performance which analysts believed signposts the confirmation of the bank’s return to the frontline of the Nigerian banking industry following its 2021 equally stellar performance.

From its half-year 2022 reports, which show a remarkable turnaround, and the ability of the management of the bank not only to resolve old corporate governance issues but to also return the bank to the path of profitability, it has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that FirstBank has freed itself from old encumbrances and it is back to its old trajectory of breaking boundaries and being a pacesetter in the Nigerian banking industry.

For instance, analysts who believed that FirstBank’s current excellent performance is a reaffirmation of the new era of a return to greater and better times ahead are quick to point to the bank’s half-year 2022 results which proved the solidity of the financial institution and confirmed that it is back in form as a formidable industry leader.

REINFORCING QUANTUM PROFITABILITY LEAP AGENDA For instance, in its half-year 2022 scorecard, FirstBank recorded a 22.6 per cent year-on-year growth in gross earnings to N338.5 billion while net interest income was up 49.3 per cent year-on-year to N152.9 billion respectively.”

The bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Adesola Adeduntan who gave this figure disclosed that “Amidst a challenging operating and dynamic regulatory environment in the half year 2022, the commercial banking group remained focused on executing key initiatives to position the group for improved profitability in the full year 2022. Our half-year results further reinforced our drive towards our ‘Quantum Profitability Leap’ agenda.”

Adeduntan said, “On the back of the impressive growth recorded in our top line, our profit before tax recorded a strong growth of 40.0 per cent year on year to N60.0 billion, whilst profit after tax also grew by 42.3 per cent year on year to N53.3 billion as the bank continues to reap the dividends of the successful restructuring of our balance sheet and revamping of our risk management architecture.”

“We continue to record progress in driving down our non-performing loan ratio which now stands at 5.4 per cent at the end of H1 and we are on target to bring it within the regulatory limit of 5 percent by end of full-year 2022.”

Awards and Recognitions: FirstBank’s Leading the Pack In terms of recognition, there is no doubt that the ongoing transformation in FirstBank is globally recognised when one considers the harvests of awards and recognitions that are already pouring in for the bank.

Analysts said the awards and recognitions, which include those from the Fitch Ratings and The Banker awards and Euromoney rankings are testimonials of FirstBank’s consistent performance.

number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance, Profitability, Efficiency and Return on Risk.

The magazine, which explained that its Top 100 African Banks ranking for 2022 demonstrates a broad return to stability by African banks after a torrid year for the continent’s largest lenders placed FirstBank among other banks in Nigeria because it happened to be the only bank that led in four areas.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited leads its peers in fifth place overall, displacing Guaranty Trust Bank, now in seventh place. Access Bank ranks in the eighth position, with Zenith Bank in 10th place.

EUROMONEY RANKINGS: FIRSTBANK, MARKET LEADER

FBN CEO, Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan

FITCH RERATING Analysts maintained that the current Fitch rerating of FirstBank aligns with ratings of other global agencies (such as S&P: B- with a stable outlook; Moodys: B2 with stable outlook) – a confirmation of what industry peers already acknowledge – back to leading the pack.

On September 16, 2022, Fitch Ratings announced the upgrade of FBN Holdings Plc’s (FBNH) and First Bank of Nigeria Ltd’s (FBN) Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to ‘B’ from ‘B-’, and according to the rating agency, the Outlooks are Stable. Fitch has also upgraded their Viability Ratings (VR) to ‘b’ from ‘b-’.

It explained that the upgrade of the Long-Term IDRs follows that of the VRs, reflecting that corporate governance irregularities publicly raised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in April 2021, including two longstanding related-party exposures, have largely been addressed and therefore risks to capitalisation have receded, helped by strong internal capital generation since the irregularities were raised.

GOVERNANCE ISSUES LAID TO REST Following its monitoring of the Bank’s corporate Banking endeavours within the last year, the rating agency gave FirstBank a clean bill of health saying the bank’s governance irregularities have been addressed and according to the management of the bank, “the two related-party exposures highlighted by the CBN, which included equity and credit exposures to two companies of whom FBNH’s previous chairman was also chairman, have largely been disposed

of and repaid. Fitch understands from management that FBNH and FBN have not been subject to penalties about irregularities raised by the CBN in April 2021 and no further irregularities have been raised.”

It also attests to the solidity of the bank, affirming that FBN is the third-largest bank in Nigeria, representing 11% of domestic banking-system assets at the end of 2021.

Another reason for the high rating is the fact that the bank’s improved asset quality since FirstBank’s impaired loans (Stage 3 loans under IFRS 9) ratio has declined significantly.

FirstBank also boasts of a Stable Funding Profile. For instance, FBN’s customer deposit base (76% of total funding at end-1H22) comprises a high share of retail deposits (64% at end-2021) and current and savings accounts (81% at end-1H22), supporting funding stability and a low-cost of funding. Depositor concentration is fairly low. Liquidity coverage is comfortable in local and foreign currencies.

BANKERS MAGAZINE: FIRSTBANK BEST PERFORMING IN NIGERIA It is also not a coincidence that FirstBank was rated first among its peers in Nigeria by Bankers Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times.

The Top 100 African Bank Rankings 2022 recently released by The Banker shows FirstBank leading the Nigerian table in four areas, the highest achieved by any Nigerian bank; only FirstBank leads in four areas. The rankings, based on the end of year 31 December 2021 audited financials of all banks in the Top 100, reveal FirstBank’s ranking as

In addition, in 2022, Euromoney Market Leaders, an independent global assessment of the leading financial service providers conducted by Euromoney Institutional Investor Plc crowned FirstBank as a market leader. The bank was rated as a tier one bank in the areas of corporate and social responsibility (CSR).

Not only that, but FirstBank also emerged as a market leader among the tier-one banks in the area of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

In the area of corporate banking and digital solution, FirstBank was highly regarded while it was crowned as a notable player in SME Banking for the period under review.

FirstBank was named “Best Bank Brand in Nigeria” for six years in a row – 2011 to 2016 – by The Banker magazine of the Financial Times Group; it was awarded “Most Innovative Bank in Africa” in the EMEA Finance African Banking Awards 2014; it has clinched the “Best Bank in Nigeria” award

by Global Finance Magazine 15 times and the “Best Private Bank in Nigeria” by World Finance Magazine seven times. Some other recent awards received by the Bank are “Best Banking Brand Nigeria, 2019” by Global Brands Magazine; “Best Mobile Banking App – Nigeria, 2019” by Global Business Outlook and “Best Financial Inclusion Program – Nigeria, 2019

by International Investor.

In the words of FirstBank’s CEO, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, ‘what all these current ratings and recognitions demonstrate is that FirstBank is strongly back on course! Knowing this is only the beginning of a new era of return to the trailblazing position and that better times lie ahead we encourage our customers and other stakeholders to keep believing and keep standing by us.’

BANKING ON ROBUST CUSTOMER SERVICE NETWORK Through the last 128 years of its operations, FirstBank has played a leading role in utilising its robust customer service network and digital banking architecture to support its customers – cutting across diverse cultures, tribes and races beyond the shores of Nigeria – in meeting their individual and business needs.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited operates as a parent company, with the subsidiaries FBNBank in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Senegal; FBN Bank UK Limited in the United Kingdom with a branch in Paris; First Bank Representative Office in Beijing to capture trade-related business between geographies. FirstBank also operates First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s foremost pension custodian. The teeming customers of the First Bank Group are serviced from a network of over 700 business locations across Africa.

19

THURSDAY, ;˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD TEACHERS DAY

FG Awards Outstanding Teachers with Gifts, Says Better Days, Ahead Lawmakers eulogise teachers Ekiti teachers demand prompt payment of pending benefits from Oyebanji Ogun wins best public schools, teachers awards in Abuja Edo leveraging tech, equipping teachers with skills to restructure education Teachers endorse Sanwo-olu for second term Kuni Tyessi, Udora Orizu in Abuja, Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti and James Sowole in Abeokuta The federal government yesterday announced a Lagos- based teacher with Oke-Edo Senior High School, Alimosho as the overall best teacher in Nigeria.

She was selected out of thousands of teachers that were shortlisted for national recognition as part of event to mark the 2022 World Teacher’s Day, and was rewarded with a brand new car.

Also rewarded were Ifetike Chekwube Hope from Government Technical College, Onitsha, Anambra State, who emerged the first runner-up, and Adelana Owolabi Paul from Ijebu Muslim College (Junior), Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, who emerged the second runner-up.

In private school category, Ugokwe Marilyn Uchenna from Susu College, Nkpor, Anambra, State, emerged the overall best teacher, while Adeniyi Olusegun Michael from Caleb British International School, Lagos, and Ayantola Tajudeen Ajayi, from City of Knowledge Academy, Itanrin, Ogun state, emerged first and second runners-up respectively.

St. Michael’s African Church School, Ogun State (primary) was also announced as the best public school in Nigeria, while Nigeria Science and Technology College, Nnewi, Anambra State, and SUBEB Model Nursery and Primary school, Ikole Ekiti, emerged first and second runners-up, respectively.

Similarly, Chukwunedum Sabina Ijeoma, of the Abbot Girl’s Secondary School, Ihiala, Anambra State, emerged the best school administrator of the year.

Also, Akinseloyi Adeola Anne of St. Monica’s Girls Grammar School, Ondo state, and Alamu Bolanle Olusola of the Government Senior College, Agege, Lagos, took second and third positions, respectively.

The federal government Colleges otherwise known as Federal Unity Schools and their teachers were also rewarded for their contributions to the basic and secondary education system in Nigeria.

Usman David Auta from Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Bwari, Abuja, emerged the best teacher in Federal Unity Schools’ category, while Ogu Evelyn Ozoemezie from FGC Portharcourt and Onyemaechi Pius Chinedu from FGGC Nkwelle Ezunaka, emerged second and third positions, respectively.

On administration category, Yakubu-Oyinloye Tokunbo Olafinsao of the Queens’ College, Lagos, emerged the best FGC administrator, and she was followed by Opute Dasoye Ngiere of FGGC Ikot Obio Itong, Akwa Ibom State and Ibrahim Abner of the FGC Billiri, Gombe state.

FGC Portharcourt was recognised as best FGC in Nigeria, and was followed by Federal Government Academy, Suleija, Niger State, and FGC Kano.

Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, presented the awards to the teachers at an event to commemorate the 2022 World Teacher’s Day in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He explained that the recognitions were to appreciate the teachers for their immeasurable contributions to the growth and development of the society.

He assured them that better days were ahead as the new teacher’s policy was already being implemented at tne Federal level and in some States, urging other states to immediately do so because the gains are already showing.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in his remarks congratulated all winners of the Presidential Teacher’s and Schools Awards, and reiterated government focus on deepening the reforms in the education sector with enhanced funding.

He called on states and local governments to prioritise the welfare of teachers by placing their salaries on first line charge in their respective budgets.

“This, we believe will provide a solution to the spectre of unpaid salaries,” he said.

President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Titus Amba, said in his remarks, that the education system in Nigeria is in crisis and need urgent redress.

He lamented the deplorable state of education system and poor working conditions of teachers which has adversely affected education service delivery, especially in the public sector.

Lawmakers Eulogise Teachers

Meanwhile, a slight drama played out on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday following a motion by a member Hon. Dachung Bagos (PDP, Plateau) to honor Teachers all over the country.

programmes that touched the education sector positively, said the sector remains the most thriving industry that requires the spending of every resource for it to blossom.

This was as Fayemi donated two cars and cash gift to the best and outstanding teachers at both public primary and secondary schools in the state to motivate them to give their best to the service of the state.

The teachers said this in Ado Ekiti during a programme commemorating the 2022 World's Teachers' Day.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu Bagos, had at the plenary, raising a point of order on personal explanation, appealed to his colleagues to suspend the House relevant rules and dedicate few minutes to eulogise Teachers as October 5 was World's Teachers’ Day (WTD).

The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) agreed that it was a good idea and the Minority Leader Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) seconded the motion.

Thereafter, the floor was yielded to Bagos to move the motion. The lawmaker while noting the recent efforts of the parliament to resolve the ongoing Academic Staff Union and Universities (ASUU) strike, said teachers should be recognised and given standing ovation.

"Despite ongoing ASUU strike. The house has recognised the importance of teachers and has intervened in the crisis. Knowing their importance, it will be an honor to recognize the teachers and give them a standing ovation," Bagos said.

Commenting, the House Leader Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC, Kano) was of the view that a matter of this magnitude and importance shouldn’t come as personal explanation but should as a motion of urgent National importance.

But, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) in his view, while noting that the House has done a lot for the betterment of the lives of teachers, however said many people will like to use this opportunity to get attention, adding that, that’s what Hon. Bagos the sponsor is trying to do.

Reacting, the Minority Leader, Elumelu faulted the Deputy Speaker's assertion, describing it as unparliamentary.

Elumelu added that Teachers are very important to the society and there's nothing political or mischievous about Hon. Bagos idea to honour them.

Reacting, Wase said, "let us not begin to input what’s not the motive, the motive is to honor teachers. I come from a teaching background and the parliament has done a lot for their betterment."

At this point, the Speaker, Gbajabiamila interjected and ruled in favor of Doguwa's suggestion that it should come as an urgent motion given the importance.

Thereafter, the Speaker, Gbajabiamila called for a minute silence for deceased teachers and as well a resounding applause and thank you for all teachers.

Ekiti Teachers Demand Prompt Payment of Pending Benefits from Oyebanji

Ekiti State teachers, yesterday tasked the incoming Governor of the state, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji, not to compromise their welfare, in order to avert industrial action under his reign.

The teachers, who commended the outgoing governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for initiating landmark

The teachers under the auspices of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools(ASUSS), and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), pledged their supports to the incoming administration, but restated that their welfare must not be compromised to smoothen the relationship when come on board .

The ASUSS Chairman, Sola Adigun, who spoke extensively on behalf of the teachers, said teachers were still optimistic that some of their pending benefits would be paid within the next 10 days Fayemi will bow out of office.

Addressing the teachers, Fayemi said due to the quality of their teachings, school enrolment had exponentially increased from 191,117 in 2018 to 261,292 in 2022.

Fayemi added that the increase in enrolment automatically resulted in the need to establish additional 10 secondary schools in 2021, while government paid a sum of N6 billion counterpart fund to match UBEC's contribution to execute 886 projects.

Lagos Teachers Endorse Sanwo-Olu for Second Term

In commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day, teachers in Lagos State yesterday endorse the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The teachers shared their experiences in the last three years, giving Sanwo-Olu a pass mark in raising the standards of education through investment in infrastructure and capacity building.

At the symposium organised by the Lagos wing of the NUT, the teachers unanimously threw their weight behind Sanwo-Olu, endorsing the governor’s re-election bid.

NUT Lagos Chairman, Hassan Akintoye, who spoke on behalf of the teachers, said the Sanwo-Olu administration prioritised teachers’ welfare and committed unprecedented investment in education and teaching.

Akintoye said not only had the teaching environment been made more conducive for teachers, he noted that there had also been improvement in the performance of pupils in national examinations.

The NUT chief said the governor met and fulfilled majority of demands of the teachers without any confrontation, thereby limiting the prospect of disagreement between NUT and the Government.

Lagos, he said, pioneered the creation of the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General position, which is the apex cadre in teaching career, and designated six slots for teachers across the six Education Districts in the State.

Akintoye added that Sanwo-Olu’s approval of career harmonisation in teaching service placed thousands of Lagos teachers on grade Level 17 - the highest level. This, he said, made Lagos the pace-setting State in the transformation of the teaching profession.

He said: “In Lagos, teachers have not had any major demands which the Government has not prioritised. It is only in Lagos teachers are promoted and get salaries of the new grade level before the promotion letters get to them. It is in Lagos that thousands of teachers are on Grade Level 17 when their colleagues in other states are either stagnant at Level 14 or demoted.

“On occasion of World Teachers’ Day in Lagos, it is about showing appreciation to the leadership of the State. We are using this opportunity to tell our Governor that we have a large number in the teaching service, and this has never been a burden to the system. Come February 2023, we will mobilise not only ourselves, but also our families and relatives to make the election work in your favour.”

NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, sent a note of appreciation to Sanwo-Olu on behalf of Lagos teachers, stressing that Lagos Government had lifted the teaching profession and set enviable standards in the State.

Represented by Comrade Titi Adebanjo, NUT National Secretary, Amba said: “In some states, apart from the Governors being afraid to meet with teachers, Sanwo-Olu can walk confidently among teachers because he has raised not only the standards of teaching in Lagos, the Governor has also improved on the welfare package for teachers to make teaching rewarding.”

Edo Leveraging Tech, Equipping Teachers with Skills to Restructure Education

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has celebrated teachers in the state, noting that the government was leveraging technology and equipping the teachers with requisite knowledge and digital skills to improve learning outcomes in the state.

Obaseki said this in commemoration of the 2022 World Teachers Day, a global event launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994 to celebrate teachers across the globe.

The governor, who hailed the teachers for being the champions in the government’s reforms in the education sector, assured that the government will continue to prioritize their welfare, ensuring that they are adequately rewarded for their role in grooming and moulding the minds of future leaders of the state and nation.

He said, “Today, being World Teachers Day, it is important to appreciate the efforts of our teachers who are playing huge roles in sustaining our administration’s efforts at restructuring the education sector, contributing effectively to the development of our state and nation.

“We understand the role of education in achieving sustainable growth and development in society, which is only possible through continuous investment in our teachers.

“Our government has continued to pay critical attention to teachers in the state, ensuring that they have the tools and knowledge to groom the next generation of Edo leaders. We have also sustained investment in upskilling and providing teachers in our schools with modern tools and skills to improve teaching and learning in the state.”

Ogun wins best public schools, teachers awards in Abuja

After rigorous screenings, St. Michael’s African Church Primary School 1, Ota, Ogun State was adjudged at both State and National levels in the 2022 State and National Teachers' and Schools' Excellence Awards as the Best Public School in the country.

The competition was part of activities marking this year’s World Teacher Day which National Event held at the Eagle Square, Abuja on Wednesday.

The school won an 18-seater JAC bus.

Also two teachers from the State also emerged as the best and runner up respectively in the private and public schools categories.

A statement issued by Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta described the achievement as a manifestation of the investment and commitment of the State Government in the Education sector.

The statement added that two teachers from the state, Mr. Owolabi Paul Adelana of Ijebu Muslim College (Jnr.), Ijebu-Ode won the second best teacher in the Public Schools category, his counterpart from City of Knowledge Academy, Odogbolu, Mr. Tajudeen Ajayi Ayantola won award of the best private school teacher in the country Governor Abiodun had while marking the Teachers’ Day in Abeokuta also rewarded teachers, school administrators and schools that have excelled in academics with houses and cash gifts.

The governor offered employment to the wife of late Mr Sunday Ogunjimi, a teacher in Odeda Local Government Area who slumped and passed away while attending a welfare meeting involving members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state on Friday, July .

Tajudeen Odufeso from Isara Secondary School, Isara- Remo, was given a two bedroom bungalow as the Best Teacher in Public Senior Secondary Schools, while Adelana Owolabi and Orebanjo Olusesan from Ijebu Muslim College (Junior) and Early Education Centre, Ijebu-Igbo, got N2m and N1.5m for emerging Best Teachers in Public Junior Secondary Schools and Public Primary Schools, respectively.

Continues online

20 T H I S D AY THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022 TR

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Thursday October 6, 2022 Vol 27. No 10040

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NATIONAL HONOURS AND THE ACADEMIA

OLUTAYO IRANTIOLA urges those slated for national honour in the academia to turn it down

See page 21

NIGERIA AT 62: A NATION OR A STATE? Nigerians should cast their votes for candidates who are blind to ethnic chauvinism, and imbued with a high sense of justice and fairness, writes ADE ADEFEKO

See page 21

EDITORIAL

INCESSANT BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA…11

See page 22

1

A warmer understanding of gathered multitudes is needed by politicians, recommends MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF POLITICAL CROWDS I may not be able to join the enthusiasts and supporters of Mr. Peter Obi to prophesy that the presidential standard bearer of Labour Party (LP) will occupy Aso Rock Villa come May 29, 2023. Neither do I blame them. The truth is that even those who are paid to put political opponents down by all means and who have been exploiting real and imagined loopholes around Obi to smear him do know in the recess of their souls that the ripples caused by the former governor of Anambra State so far are unexpected, spontaneous and volcanic and that they can no longer be ignored.

Analysts who have dismissed him as a mere social media tiger, a structure-less politician who would be taught bitter lessons in the forthcoming general election, have a number of options open to them: One, UHPDLQ À [DWHG ZLWK WKHLU SUHGLFWLRQ WZR HDW their words and wait for the outcome of the SROOV WKUHH MRLQ WKRVH FKDQJLQJ WKHLU PLQGV DIWHU LQLWLDOO\ ZULWLQJ KLP RͿ DQG IRXU reset their psyche to a neutral mode while peeping into ancient and contemporary history around the world to see if there are examples of personalities like him who have successfully shattered barriers to clinch coveted positions and prizes.

The man most likely never saw that he would become the folk hero he is today when he jumped the ship of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) days before its presidential primary. I’m sure that the graduate of philosophy sat himself down and, in a moment of illumination, smelt a certain defeat awaiting him at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and decided to look elsewhere for the actualisation of his ambition to lead Nigeria.

Looking back now, it wasn’t a reckless step.

Some have argued that as the party’s vicepresidential candidate in the 2019 elections, he was better placed to either pick the top ticket or end up with the second position.

Well, he also read the chemistry and physics of that time and knew clearly the odds against him. Never mind the probabilities, he took his chance and the rest is still unfolding.

I have chosen to tamper whatever enthusiasm I have with caution because, apart from ethical demands, experience has taught me some things. In 1983 during the build up to that year’s election, the Presidential Candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, came to my town in a helicopter to campaign. When he saw the teeming crowd that received him, the sage was overwhelmed with joy and great expectation.

He was so moved that he said he didn’t have to spent too much time there because he was already convinced about his hosts’ love, loyalty and belief in the UPN doctrines. As a young adult, I managed to become one of the party’s agents at the polling units that year.

Needless to say, Awo’s animated reception never translated to any useful electoral value.

Let’s also not forget a similar thing that happened to the late Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe who was Awolowo’s counterpart in the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). Some newspaper reports put the number of the people who welcomed him to his rally in Minna, Niger State at over one million, arguably one of the largest during the 1983 political campaigns. It was also possible WKDW WKH JUHDW =LN RI $IULFD ZDV À OOHG ZLWK nostalgia, having been born in Zungeru, a town in the state, some eight decades earlier.

But in a matter of weeks, it became clear that the mammoth crowd was there for reasons other than wanting ‘their man’ in Dodan Barracks, Lagos.

I freely advise the politicians jostling for YDULRXV R΀ FHV WKDW WKH\ VKRXOG LQFOXGH in their teams, mob or crowd experts if they haven’t done so yet. That would save them plenty of time, energy, money, other resources and even emotional trauma. Their strategy units that have concentrated on crowd-renting can do more by getting to understand the psychology of crowds as the campaign trains move from one location to the other. Somehow, tides are turning. The mindsets of the electorate can’t be trusted to remain as they were in previous republics.

Membership of religions, ethnicities, regions and states may be static but the worlds around are changing for good or ill. The political class has for long done a cruel job of keeping Nigerians divided along those nebulous lines for its own self-aggrandisement but, again, all that can be toppled.

In the course of celebrating the nation’s recent independence anniversary, one party, LP, stood out in publicly maximising the occasion to achieve greater visibility and, hopefully, acceptability. In moves reminiscent of the ‘EndSars’ protests of 2020, people trooped out in some capital cities across the country and elsewhere, in their hundreds and thousands, in support of Obi and his running mate, Dr Datti BabaAhmed. Prof. Pat Utomi, one of the party’s

Will their yearnings and lawful desires mean anything to the political elite this time?

Will crowds truly matter beyond being used as tools to intimidate competitors? Or, are they condemned to being sheep without true, selfless shepherds?

leading lights, said that those parades were actually not planned by LP. If Utomi is to be believed, interesting times lie ahead. For all ‘Obi-dients’, however, this doesn’t call for rolling out drums. No, not just yet.

For quite some time, I’ve been explaining to my friends, especially the ones outside, who have been sending me videos of the open ‘love’ and frenzy that tend to follow Obi around. I realise that some of them are not even willing to listen to any view that draws attention to contending political variables. Some have since concluded that only rigging can stop Obi from being declared winner next year. Surely, such stance has no basis in any rational analysis.

Conclusions that are not directly derived from valid premises are on their own and have no place in logic. Remarkably, however, political outcomes are not always logical products. Strong sentiments can shift to unlikely candidates. Protest votes can occur for whatever reason. And, miracles do happen. Aha! For good measure, seekers of supernatural interventions have never been in short supply here. This last option has become inevitable as the choices available WR WKH ORQJ VXͿ HULQJ SHRSOH RI 1LJHULD DUH disappearing rapidly.

There’s no doubt that huge, jubilant crowds make for good optics, especially when surrounded by well-entrenched interests and rivals. But all Nigerian politicians should be interested in putting the current electorate behaviour in proper perspective. In my opinion, the country is back to the months leading to the 2015 polls when a chunk of crowd energies eventually coalesced around President Muhammadu Buhari, then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), largely for his ascribed competence and capacity. One main GLͿ HUHQFH WRGD\ LV WKDW WKH YHQRP RI WKH demons tormenting the citizenry is deadlier than what obtained eight years ago. Then the most visible threat to national security and cohesion was Boko Haram, limited only to a section of the country. The economy was also beginning to falter, with its vital indices going downwards. Sadly, those challenges have now assumed seeming invincibility. And the people are, at the moment, desperately in search of salvation.

Who or what will save Nigerians now?

Both online and on ground, as individuals and groups, the citizens pour out their hearts, looking for messiahs. Will their yearnings and lawful desires mean anything to the political elite this time? Will crowds truly matter beyond being used as tools to intimidate competitors? Or, are they condemned to being sheep without true, VHOÁ HVV VKHSKHUGV" 0DQ\ TXHVWLRQV VWLOO« Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

OLUTAYO IRANTIOLA urges those slated for national honour in the academia to turn it down

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Nigerians should cast their votes for candidates who are blind to ethnic chauvinism, and imbued with a high sense of justice and fairness, writes ADE ADEFEKO

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22 4

T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

INCESSANT BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA…11 There is need to overhaul the nation’s building and construction regulations Continued from yesterday

T

he Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) recently drew attention to the absence of any coherent framework for the implementation of the National Building Code in Nigeria. This is despite that the code has been in existence since 2006. Other major FKDOOHQJHV LGHQWLÀ HG E\ $5&21 LQFOXGH WKH FRPSOH[LWLHV in the building code, lack of capacity building among the relevant stakeholders, lack of technical training of building code users and assistance, and lack of legislation for enforcement and compliance. In addition, inadequate awareness and government attitude militate against the development of the national building code. It is important for the National Assembly to work with the UHOHYDQW DJHQFLHV WR À OO WKLV gap.

The building code is designed to establish minimum requirements to safeguard public health, safety and general welfare in the process of predesign, design, construction and post-construction stages of the life cycle of buildings and structures. The code and regulations also exist to SUHYHQW FDVHV RI À UH DQG RWKHU KD]DUGV DWWULEXWHG WR WKH built environment. The 2006 code in the country was particularly enacted to, among others, address incessant FROODSVH RI EXLOGLQJV À UH LQFLGHQWV LQ EXLOGLQJV DQG other disasters; dearth of referenced design materials for professionals; use of non-professional and use of untested products and materials. Other areas it addressed include inadequate planning of our towns, cities and other built environment abuses; lack of adequate regulations and sanctions for non-compliance; inadequate database to aid sustainable building process, etc.

The code provides that all state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should domesticate the document. But how many of the states have the full document in operation? The architects’ council reasoned that the absence of an enabling legislation for the building code document has largely contributed to its

LQHͿ HFWLYHQHVV LQ WKH DUHD RI UHJXODWLQJ SURFHGXUHV DQG processes in the nation’s real estate industry. This is also responsible for the poor attitude of most professionals that are yet to accept it as a document to guide their work, let alone the public who are always apprehensive of new ideas.

However, the situation is not irredeemable, as most of these challenges could be minimised through proactive actions, training, raising awareness and provision of resourceful technical support to the code users. It is also important to enact legislation on the enforcement and compliance, simplifying the code requirements and domestication by state governments. Enlightenment among the professionals through the regulatory and professional bodies will go a long way in providing solutions to the challenge of building code for modern infrastructural development in Nigeria.

Besides, professionals in the built environment should DSSUHFLDWH WKH HͿ RUWV PDGH to have a code which is a guide to providing services in terms of best practices. There should be training and retraining of all professionals in the built environment.

It is also important for all members of the public who participate in provision of services with respect to buildings and infrastructure and, above all, the owners and users, to be in tune with the code.

On the whole, there is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of the nation’s building and construction regulations. There should be adequate sanction for both erring contractors and landlords. A policy should be put in place whereby any professional connected with a collapsed building should forfeit his licence and face the full weight of the law. The land upon which the collapsed building was erected should be forfeited to government DQG ODQGORUG MDLOHG ZLWKRXW RSWLRQ RI À QH %XLOGLQJV marked for demolition by town planning authorities, should be demolished without delay. Unless drastic steps are taken and building codes implemented to the letter, the nation will continue to have these avoidable serial disasters.

There should be adequate sanction for both erring contractors and landlords. A policy should be put in place whereby any professional connected with a collapsed building should forfeit his licence and face the full weight of the law T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS INOYO TORO FOUNDATION AND TEACHERS As humanity celebrates 2022 World Teachers’ Day October 5, there is need for increased recognition of teachers and the teaching profession as D À UVW VWHS WR JHWWLQJ WKLQJV ULJKW LQ WKH FRXQWU\·V education sector.

This is in line with the theme assigned by the 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV (GXFDWLRQDO 6FLHQWLÀ F DQG &XO WXUDO 2UJDQL]DWLRQ 81(6&2 IRU WKH :RUOG Teachers’ Day, which is “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”. The Inoyo Toro )RXQGDWLRQ VDLG VWDNHKROGHUV VKRXOG UHFRJQL]H teachers’ centrality in arresting the rapid decline in Nigeria’s education sector. Everyone has a role to play in encouraging our teachers so they can do more to improve the standard of education as any society that desires a better tomorrow for its people must substantially invest today in the education of the people. In the last 15 years, the Foundation has been contributing towards inspiring teachers and teaching excellence particularly across public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom 6WDWH 6XFK FRQWULEXWLRQV KDYH EHQHÀ WWHG PDQ\ teachers in the state, one of whom has gone on to

achieve global acclaim. Recall, the Foundation’s latest teacher ambassador, Ephraim Jacob InyanJXGR ZKR UHFHQWO\ EHFDPH À UVW 6RXWK 6RXWKHUQ Nigerian to win the prestigious Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Advancement Fellowship Award in faraway United States of America.

As the lyrics of the music “Teye ke ateacher akukpep” by a celebrated maestro reminded us, everyone who can read and write should remember they were helped by teachers. We must demonstrate gratitude by saying “Thank You” to a teacher on Teachers’ Day. Inoyo Toro FounGDWLRQ LV RQH RI 1LJHULD·V À UVW HGXFDWLRQ IRFXVHG NGOs which has so far spent over half a billion Naira to reward over 256 teachers, train over 3500 teachers and four principals, mentor over 5,280 students and positively impact over 90 schools in Akwa Ibom State. The Foundation’s 15th anniversary and teachers’ excellence award ceremony are slated for Friday, November 4, 2022, at Ibom E-Library, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Dr. George Akpan, Board Secretary, Inoyo Toro Foundation, Uyo

THE NEED FOR SAFETY IN PUBLIC PLACES Multiple attacks on the country in the last couple of years have ensured that the country has drawn the unwanted distinction of being one of WKH PRVW WHUURUL]HG FRXQWULHV RQ HDUWK $QG ZKDW exactly it is that terrorism does? The Nigerian experience has been especially telling.

Terrorism has turned communities upside down, tearing families apart limb by limb until nothing has remained. For the men and communities who have survived, terrorism has ensured that life as they knew it has been eroded irreparably.

Expectedly, the cost on Nigeria has been almost incalculable. It is not just the quality of life in the FRXQWU\ WKDW KDV VXͿ HUHG 1LJHULDCV *'3 KDV FRQ tinued to take terrible hits. Hunger has soared in WKH FRXQWU\ DV FRQÁ LFWV KDYH LQWHUUXSWHG DJULFXO tural activities in rural areas causing food prices to soar, thus driving food insecurity. The education of many children has been interrupted to leave them at critical crossroads so early in life. In all these, the frustrations of the everyday Nigerian have been compounded by the unmistakable feeling that the government does not take its responsibilities seri-

RXVO\ DQG LV VWXͿ HG DQG VWDͿ HG ZLWK SHRSOH ZKR would rather be elsewhere but stay put in public R΀ FHV LQ 1LJHULD EHFDXVH WKH SHUNV RI VXFK R΀ FHV are inordinately alluring in Nigeria.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, insecurity has burned its way to the front burner. There is a consensus on the fact that without adequate security free and fair elections which form the bedrock of any thriving democracy will be nigh impossible.

With the campaigns having been declared open, it is expected that in the next few months, Nigerians would have to congregate in large numbers in public places to hear what loquacious politicians will say to them.

Given the precarious situation of the country at the moment, while Nigerians must endeavor to sift through the oft outrageous and outlandish SURPLVHV RI FUDIW\ SROLWLFLDQV ZLWK D À QH WRRWK FRPE WR VHSDUDWH WKH ZKHDW IURP WKH FKDͿ 1LJH rians would also do well to be conscious of their safety while in those public places.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

O C T O B E R

S & P INDEX

5 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

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N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

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*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

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MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Experts Canvass for Free Trade Zones, Favourable Regulatory Policies on Blockchain Technology, Crypto Trading

Emma Okonji Experts in the Financial Technology (FinTech) space have stressed the need for the federal government to collaborate with the Central Bank of |Nigeria (CBN), in order to create free trade zones and develop policies that would favour the growth of blockchain technology and crypto currency trading in Nigeria.

The experts who spoke at this year’s Technext 2.0 Conference, held in Lagos, said the value of blockchain technology that is

driving technology innovation in crypto trading, had become so high and widely sought after, such that Nigerian government can no longer ignore it.

They therefore called on the federal government and the CBN, to as a matter of urgency, crate free trade zones for crypto trading and also develop regulatory policies that will control blockchain technology and digital currency in Nigeria.

One of the keynote speakers at the conference, and CEO of Patricia, a FinTech company,

Mr. Hanu Fajiro, said: “Nigeria needs free trade zones to trade on digital currencies because of its huge potential. There is also need for favourable regulatory policies on blockchain technology that is driving crypto trading.

Nigeria needs to move away from dependency on oil and fossil fuel to blockchain technology and crypto currency that is driven by technology innovation. Nigeria needs more technology hubs to develop talents and the human capital through technology innovation. We want favorable

policy that will not stifle the growth of crypto currency and blockchain technology, but rather policy that will enhance their growth.”

Speaking on the value and future of blocjchain technology and crypto currency in Nigeria, Fajiro said the future remained very bright and that patronage from Nigeria has been on the rise.

“Nigeria is ranked fourth among countries with the largest number of crypto currency transactions in the world. This goes to show the importance of crypto. America, which tops the ranking, has

regulations on crypto currency, but in Nigeria, there are no regulations because the government is scared about the negative part of the business, yet the demand for crypto trading is still high. This goes to show that Nigerians, especially the youths, have strong belief that the business is legitimate and prosperous. Government therefore needs to pay attention blockchain technology and crypto currency because of the huge value,” Fajiro added.

In one of the breakout sessions during the conference, the panelists

stressed the need for regulation of digital currencies, especially from the consumer perspective.

A panelists and CEO of Appzone, Mr. Obi Emetarom said regulation, especially from the consumer point of view, remained one key area that will make DeFi more inclusive.

According to him, regulation gives a strong backing that will make online financing and trading more secure, stable and trusted.

“The second key area that will make DeFi more inclusive, is to Continued on page 24

Stakeholders Highlight Priority Areas that Will Disrupt, Deliver Economic Growth for Nigeria Emma Okonji Considering the fact that the playbook that drives economic growth and prosperity globally is undergoing some material disruption, where drivers of global economies are fast shifting from oil and gas to agriculture

and technology innovation, stakeholders in the technology sector have highlighted priority areas that will disrupt and also deliver key economic growth for Nigeria.

In a document titled: “Nigeria’s Q2:2022 GDP-Drivers of Growth in Today’s Digital Economy,” co-

authored by Managing Partner at Verraki, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf and Research Lead at Verraki, Mr. Chigozie Muogbo, which was made available to THISDAY, they were of the view that breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, big data analytics and Internet-of-Things (IoTs) have elevated the role digital

economy plays in economic growth and progress.

Verraki is an African Company that partners enterprises and government to accelerate the development and transformation of Africa by providing business solutions designed for Africa.

According to them, “The global

economy has changed dramatically over the last two decades As a result, the drivers of economic growth are also changing. The current Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) sweeping through the globe represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another. Industry

4.0 is disrupting almost every industry in every country, with technological advancements that are merging the physical, digital, and biological worlds in unprecedented ways. The speed, breadth and depth of this revolution is forcing us to Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 5 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

Yield

102.68

12.12

99.60

13.72

96.84

13.70

110.60

13.07

100.82

13.07

Change Updated Time (%) -0.01 September 30, 2022 0.47 September 30, 2022 0.50 September 30, 2022 0.00 September 30, 2022 0.52 September 30, 2022

MATURITY NTB 13-Oct22 NTB 10Nov-22 NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23

Discount

CPS

5.69

5.70

5.91

5.95

6.51

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Change Updated Time (%) 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022

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MATURITY NENL CP I 24-OCT-22 FSDH CP VII 27-OCT-22 SIBP CP III 27-OCT-22 DLMG CP IV 11-NOV-22 FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23

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Change Updated Time (%) 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022 30, 0.00 September 2022

OTC F X F U T U R E S CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS OCT 26 449.69 September 30, 1 2022 2022 September 30, NGUS NOV 30 2 451.43 2022 2022 NGUS DEC 28 453.18 September 30, 3 2022 2022 NGUS JAN 25 454.92 September 30, 4 2023 2022 NGUS FEB 22 456.67 September 30, 5 2023 2022

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Advancing Oceanographic Data Collection in Gulf of Guinea Considering the rate at which human’s anthropogenic activities has over the years affected the Gulf of Guinea ecosystems, the latest result from research expedition sponsored by the Partnership for Observation of the Ocean (POGO) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research in the region, has shown high level of Uranium and Arsenic contaminants within 150 nautical miles, writes Oluchi Chibuzor

T

he need to continue to observe the resultant devastating effects of human activities in the ocean, especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) has once more become imperative in view of the latest scientific data from oceanographic expedition research undertaken by the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research sponsored in Partnership for Observation of the Ocean (POGO).

This is coming as human population is predicted to reach nine billion by 2050 and people are turning with growing urgency to the ocean for answers to the greatest challenges facing the world, such as feeding the world’s growing population, providing clean energy to power vibrant economies; increasing resilience to dangers from the sea; and mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Suffice to say that healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence as they cover 70 per cent and yet mankind has managed to do tremendous damage to these precious resources. This falls under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 14 ‘Life Below Water’, which is anchored on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

This also means that we must protect them by eliminating pollution and overfishing and immediately start to responsibly manage and protect all marine life around the world.

of the indiscriminate use of fossil fuel causing entire alteration of the carbon chemistry of the ocean. So, to preserve the ocean we need to consistently monitor and observe the parameters in the ocean to be able to understand these processes I have listed before.

That is why essentially we are here.”

He equally explained that, “In December 2020, there was a multilateral cruise sponsored by POGO involving researchers from other West African sub-regions and the institute was at its best and provided the research vessels with which the cruise was undertaken and It was very successful.

“POGO, we partner with them and other researchers from the West African region. We went to sea and observed and we collected data and interpreted the data. It is the data we would look at today and see how we will continue to protect the ocean for sustainable development.”

IMPLICATION TO GOG’S COUNTRIES

PROVIDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Speaking at a two-day workshop to deliberate on the outcome of POGO project on acquisition of oceanographic data in the GOG which was carried out in 2021, the Executive Director, NIOMR, Prof. Sule Abiodun, said, the exercise was conceived to facilitate establishing a regional oceanographic data bank.

He explained that the data bank is needed for studies of oceans, climate conditions and their influence on regional climate and sustainable management of living and non-resources within the GOG. He noted that the ocean renders enormous ecosystem services to humanity especially to the increasing population of coastal states bordering the GOG. According to him, “the ocean is confronted with stressors that threaten its ecosystems, adding that there is therefore a need to address this in order to achieve sustainability through consistent observation.

“In December 2020, POGO in conjunction with NIOMR commissioned a project at collecting oceanographic data which was eventually carried out in January 2021 from the GOG to better understand the dynamics of the ocean waters within the region. POGO also brought together early career scientists from five African countries namely, Cote’ivore, Benin Republic, Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. This was the view of enhancing capacity building in the field of oceanography.”

However, he stated that as part of the partnership, career scientists were taken through detailed lecture, laboratory analysis, and instrument handling after which “they embarked on a oceanographic expedition to collect data in the GOG onboard our vessel RV Bayagbona.”

He continued, “The workshop would enable stakeholders to discuss various oceanographic data acquired, positivity of data and the way forward in ensuring continuous partnership with relevant stakeholders. The presentations by our scientists on the aspect of scientific oceanographic parameters and processes will elucidate areas of concern for the ocean decade action between year 2020 to 2030 and also address specifically the SDGs goal 14 of the United Nation.”

Expressing optimism on the insights from the data gathered from the expedition, the ED also stated that he looked forward to intuitive, vibrant and groundbreaking discussion among the participants.

“Let me at this point thank POGO and its partners for their support in ensuring the success of the project

and will look forward to more collaborations with POGO with instrumentation of POGO’s mandate, that is innovation in ocean observation, capacity development and outreach and advocacy,” he said.

PROTECTING GOG FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM

Meanwhile, for POGO, the present ocean’s state cannot continue and “humanity needs to find ways to manage more effectively its relationship with the ocean, coastal seas and estuaries so that future generations can benefit from it as we do.

POGO affirmed that there must be a continuous effort to be aware of how and why the ocean is changing and better predict the impacts of the ocean on people and of people on the ocean.

According to POGO “To this end, making continuous ocean measurements and observation with global coverage is now a pressing priority, which must be done to manage a safer, more sustainable relationship between people and the ocean. That is why major ocean research institutions of the world have come together to form the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO).”

POGO, founded in 1999 by directors of oceanographic institutions around the world as a forum to promote and advance the observation of the global ocean, has over the years in its mission continued to promote interest in the ocean by funding a research expedition to understudy the micro benthic situation of the region.

This is because the group believed that collectively they have the capability to succeed.

According to POGO, “Enabled by rapidly advancing technological innovations and that working together there is now a real prospect, over the next decade, of making major strides forward in building the truly global ocean measurement system needed to understand and monitor the ocean for the benefit of all.

“The expedition is because GoG hosts many distinct ecosystems, among which is the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem extending from

the intense upwelling area of the Guinea Current in the north to the Benguela Current in the south.

Dotted along the relatively wide continental shelf of the GoG are several lagoonal/estuarine systems including adjacent coastal marine waters that provide livelihood benefits i.e., nutrition and jobs to deprived communities living around them.

“The productive waters of the GoG support shellfish like oysters, mussels, clams, crabs, etc, and a diverse finfish fishery which provide significant livelihood income to coastal communities in countries such as Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria etc.”

POGO’S PROJECT

Giving an overview of the project, the Head of Department, Physical and Chemical Oceanography, NIOMR, Dr. John Paul Unyimadu, said resources in GoG marine life are very enormous.

He maintained that from the World Bank report in 2020 it was estimated that $900 billion per year of resources globally are tied to the ocean through fishing activities, tourism, exploration of oil and gas, and mining of minerals.

He stated that about 80 percent of the biodiversity globally is tied to the ocean and it is also important to note that about 3000 pharmaceutical products are extracted from plants and animals from the ocean.

According to him, “The ocean also contributes enormously to the entire ecological balance of our atmosphere, but there are stressors to the ocean globally.

“What are these stressors? We know that ice caps are melting, forcing sea level rise, fisheries resources are depleting consistently, spontaneous oil spills globally damaging the environment, massive coastal erosion all over the world, more powerful storm surges resulting in phenomena like tsunami.

“In some locations there are incidences like El nino, which is spontaneous change in temperature and salinity that causes massive fish cake and the ocean is acidifying because

Encompassing 17 countries from Senegal to Angola, the Gulf of Guinea is richly endowed with vast reserves of hydrocarbon, mineral like diamond, tin and cobalt, and most importantly fisheries resources, making it a strategic area.

While not a major international shipping route, the Gulf of Guinea represents 25 percent of African maritime traffic and has nearly 20 commercial seaports.

Presenting the findings of the data collected from the GOG, Unyimadu said: “There are a lot of anthropogenic activities that have been affecting our ocean.”

He further said that things like the melting of the ice caps are causing sea level rise, depleting fisheries resources as “massive oil spills into the ocean, algae bloom, beach pollution and recently because of the use of fossil fuels the ocean is acidifying causing change in the carbonate chemistry.

On the implication of the results to the countries within the GOG, Unyimadu opined that it is to analyse completely and give recommendations to POGO on the way forward and it will definitely involve further investigations.

On the position where these contaminants were found, he responded that the locations are in coordinates.

“Is about 150 nautical miles within the GOG. We will make our recommendations to POGO and there is a possibility of another cruise to confirm those investigations,” he replied.

RESEARCHERS’ VIEWS

Giving their technical presentations each of the representatives from the Republic of Benin, Dr. Georges Epiphane Degbe; Ghana, Dr. Botwe Benjamin Osel, Côte d’ivoire; Dr. Kassi Ahon Jean-Baptiste, asked for more concrete efforts to reduce pollution in the GoG considering its huge economical importance.

Meanwhile, some of the research topic presentation includes; Mineralogy of Sediments from Offshore Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea; Textural Characteristics of Representative Sediment Core Off-the Coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea; Distribution of Metals in the Sediments Core from Nigeria Axis of the Gulf of Guinea; Field Activities of MGG Focus on Flow Velocity Measurement, Ecological Quality Status using Macrobenthic assemblage as indicator of Pollution, Western Nigeria Offshore, Assessment of Levels of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Poly-chlorinated Biphenyls in the Gulf of Guinea off Western Nigeria Coast.

Others are Organochlorine pesticide (OCPS) Evaluation in Sediments Core collected during Gulf of Guinea Project: Level, Fate and Ecotoxicological Risk; Acquired pH, Alkalinity and Chlorophyll-a Data during the GOG Project; Abundance, Diversity and Distribution of Plankton along the Western Nigeria Offshore and Study of the Culturable Bacteria Community in the Gulf of Guinea off Western Nigeria Coast.

EXPERTS CANVASS FOR FREE TRADE ZONES, FAVOURABLE REGULATORY POLICIES ON BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY, CRYPTO TRADING open up the financial market and expand it beyond collaterals for all levels of interested players,

so that those without collaterals who are interested in the financing business, can be part of it. The

third area is to incorporate the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into DeFi, to boost the

trust of people who wants to trade on digital currencies online for the purchase of financial assets,”

Emetarom said.

In his welcome address, the convener, Mr. David Afolayan

promimsed to make the annual conference bigger with emerging technologies.

STAKEHOLDERS HIGHLIGHT PRIORITY AREAS THAT WILL DISRUPT, DELIVER ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR NIGERIA rethink how organisations create value, how sustainable economic growth should be achieved and how countries achieve economic development. As economies get increasingly digitised, some deviation in the traditional drivers of growth is expected.”

Given the global scenarios coupled with the fourth industrial revolution, both stakeholders highlighted top top-five priority

areas that would deliver desired growth for the |Nigerian economy, through productivity, capital, and labour linkages of the digital economy. They include Digital Talent, Digital Entrepreneurship, Digital Infrastructure, Renewable Energy and Responsive Public Sector In the area of Digital Talent, they emphasised how technology is having profound effects on

labour markets and employment globally. “Labour is a key factor of production, and a major determinant of economic growth everywhere. Digital technologies have emerged as a major driver of productivity, and digitally skilled workers are required to operationalise digitisation of production. As the digital transformation evolves, demand for digital talents will continue to

soar, even as supply plays catch-up globally. The conglomeration of digital skills has been noted as central in the economic progress recorded in China and India,” they said.

They also stressed the need for government to promote digital entrepreneurship, since entrepreneurs boost economic growth by introducing innovative technologies, products, and services.

Digital entrepreneurs do this by creating new digital-enabled/ delivered businesses, products or services; or through digital transformation of existing business activities and models.

In the area of digital infrastructure, they insisted that the backbone of the digital economy remained hyper connectivity, which they described as the growing interconnectedness of people,

organisations, and machines. Digital infrastructure brings together and interconnects physical and virtual technologies such as computers, servers, networks, applications, and platforms.

In the areas of renewable energy and responsive public sector, the stakeholders stressed the need for government and its agencies to play critical roles in promoting economic growth.

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ICT: Game Changer for Nigerian Economy Since Independence At 62 years of independence, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has significantly impacted the Nigerian economy in various ways, despite avalanche of challenges faced by the economy, writes Emma Okonji

A

t Independence in 1960, Nigeria had a paltry 18,724 telephone lines, with a population of 40 million people, translating to a teledensity of 0.5 per cent. In 2001, when the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) was launched in Nigeria, telephone lines, which were controlled under a monopolistic market by the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and few other Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators, telephone lines, were still within 400,000 in number and they were owned only by the affluent in the society.

Between 2001 and 2006, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecom industry regulator, deregulated the telecom industry and granted five years exclusivity period to GSM operators, a development that suddenly pushed the number of telephone lines from less than 400,000 in 2001 to over 10 million in 2006, thus giving opportunity for all Nigerians to own and operate a mobile telephone.

From the trajectory of the evolution of telecom in Nigeria, it shows that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has the potential and capacity to transform the Nigerian economy and make it competitive with global economy in today’s digital transformation era, giving its growth antecedents.

Speaking about the trajectory of the evolution of telecom in Nigeria, with reference to the nation’s growth, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta, said as at July 2022, active telecom subscribers have grown significantly hitting 209 million active subscribers, which represents a teledensity of 109.47 per cent.

“Besides, basic internet subscriptions have also grown from zero in the pre-liberalisation era to over 152 million. It is also gratifying that the broadband subscriptions now stand at 85 million, representing a 44.49 per cent penetration,” Danbatta said.

ICT CONTRIBUTION TO GDP According to Danbatta, as of today, the ICT sector contributed 18.44 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022. From this figure, telecommunication sector alone contributed 15 per cent.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo said the telecom sector has continued to reduce cost of its service deliveries, even in the midst of inflation and economic hardship, thus making it possible to connect more Nigerians and offer them opportunity to transact online, to boost e-commerce. According to him, it is only in telecom that cost of telecom services continues to drop. “In 2001, cost of voice calls was N50 per minute, but today, it has dropped to less than N20 per minute, while cost of SMS messages has equally dropped from N15 per text message in 2001to N4 per SMS in 2022. The telecom sector is the only sector that supports virtually all other sectors of the economy,” Adebayo said.

The ICT sector has to a large extent, developed the financial sector, through the Financial Technology (FinTech) operators. The Fintech operators have positively disrupted the banking sector, through their innovative technology solutions that have changed the face of financial transactions in the financial sector. With Fintech solutions, mobile apps have been developed that allow bank customers to carry out almost all financial transactions from their mobile phones and from the comfort of their homes and offices, without visiting any physical bank.

SERVICE QUALITY In the area of service quality, Adebayo said although there had been improvement in service quality since 2001, he however said various environmental factors that are beyond the telecom regulator and operators are still impeding service quality. “For Nigeria to have unhindered service quality, all critical factors must be looked into, which he said, include electricity supply, roads, government policies on Right of Ways (RoWs) and multiple taxation. Adebayo therefore advised government not to tax telecoms operations to

death, as currently been seen in some states of the federation.

Adebayo, who commended the federal government for the approval of the 5G network rollout in Nigeria, said: “At 62 years of Independence, government has made the right decision to approve the policy on 5G roll out. This is because 5G is the next generation network that will speed up development. Countries without 5G will be stifling their growth and development.

So the approval of 5G rollout in Nigeria by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is quite significant and this will provide solid foundation for the future development of ICT in Nigeria.”

So many things that will speed up the country’s development, will ride on ICT infrastructure just like the eNaira that was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 5G is the technology that is sought-after and it is coming at the right time when Nigeria is celebrating her 62st Independence, Adebayo further said.

5G ROLLOUT Still counting on the contribution of ICT to national development since 1960, Nigeria, last month, launched her commercial 5G network, beginning from Lagos State.

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, was the first network to launch its commercial 5G network in Lagos, with a promise to carryout 5G commercial launch in six other cities, which include: Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Owerri, and Maiduguri.

The Lagos 5G commercial launch came on the heels of its 5G pilot launch in August this year, as mandated by the telecom industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

During the pilot launch, MTN had promised to carry out 5G commercial launch in six cities, beginning from Lagos.

Speaking during the commercial launch in Lagos last month its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Karl Toriola, said the Lagos 5G commercial launch was in fulfillment of MTN’s earlier promise to begin 5G commercial launch in cities, within one month of 5G rollout.

The advanced 5G technology promises to extend the reach and capacity of MTN Nigeria’s data network in Nigeria and enable much faster speeds and lower latency, giving customers near-instant access to the things they care about and downloads that take seconds, instead of minutes.

According to MTN, to access the 5G network and enjoy its benefits, customers will need compatible devices, such as routers and mobile phones, which can be pre-ordered from designated MTN walk-in stores and online via the MTN Nigeria website and e-marketplace. The pre-ordered devices can be picked up or will be delivered to customers at designated location.

MTN showed its readiness to offer Nigerians the best of service with 5G technology, when it became the first telecom operator to roll out 5G technology services on its network on August 24, 2022. MTN Nigeria kicked off an open 5G pilot in the lead-up to its highly anticipated commercial launch.

With the MTN commercial 5G launch, leveraging the largest spectrum dedicated to 5G in Africa, Nigeria will join a handful of African countries that have rolled out the 5G network.

5G SPECTRUM The spectrum issued to MTN Nigeria as one of the two successful winners of the 5G license bid holds a promising future for technology in Nigeria, and is projected to contribute $2.2 trillion to the global economy by 2034, according to a 2020 GSMA Intelligence report -”The Mobile Economy”.

The implementation of 5G will accelerate the actualisation of the national targets in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, as well as other sectoral policies designed to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation.

With the MTN 5G launch, leveraging the largest spectrum dedicated to 5G in Africa, Nigeria will join a handful of African countries that have rolled out the 5G network.

NCC had in December 2021, auctioned two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum in a keenly contested bid process among MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Nigeria Communications.

At the end of the exercise, NCC declared MTN and Mafab winners of the two frequency slots and gave them timeline to make payment for the 5G frequency licence before issuance of the licence.

CHALLENGES One of the challenges faced by telecom operators in recent times was the planned imposition of 5 per cent excise duty on telecom operations, a development that was vehemently resisted by the industry

stakeholders in the telecom sector. The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, had in August this year, notified the telecom sector of the intention of the federal government to introduce five per cent excise duty on telecom operations, in addition to the 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax(VAT) that all sectors of the economy pay for goods and services rendered.

Disturbed by the planned imposition of five per cent excise duty on telecom services, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, telecom operators and subscribers, all opposed to the plan, describing it as another form of tax.

Pantami faulted the timing and process of imposing the five per cent tax on the telecom industry, and insisted that part of the responsibility of a responsive government was not to increase the problems of the citizens.

On his part, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said: “It is a strange move, it appears a bit unusual. Excise duty is supposed to be apportioned to goods and products, but we are surprised this is on telecom services, and it must be resisted.”

Following the agitations from industry stakeholders, the federal government, last month, announced the suspension of the five per cent tax, and inaugurated a committee chaired by Pantami, to immediately review the policy.

Another major challenge faced by the telecom sector is the refusal of banks to honour the agreement reached between them and the telecom operators over the use of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code, which the telecom operators currently offer to banks to support financial transactions of bank’s customers.

The banks were supposed to be remitting certain percentage of the amount charged for the USSD service to telecoms operators, but they have refused to do so, and the money has accumulated to over N80 billion, a development that recently compelled the operators to announce a new plan to withdraw the service and disrupt the banking operations.

Another challenge is the incessant disconnection of telecom site by government agencies over the refusal of telecom operators to pay certain levies, which the operators perceived as multiple taxes imposed on telecom operations by government.

Despite the many challenges faced by telecom operators, industry stakeholders are of the view that the sector has contributed immensely to national development, since 1960.

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Interswitch Partners World Bank to Unveil 2022 Global Payment Report Emma Okonji Interswitch Group has formally unveiled the 2022 Payments Innovation Jury Report, in Nairobi, Kenya, which was also supported by The World Bank and Global Processing Services (GPS).

The report titled: ‘Payment Innovation: Myths and Realities’ comes as part of the series of the which reveals some surprising insights from senior decision makers across the industry, and the 2022 report, which

coincides with Interswitch’s 20th anniversary commemoration explores several key areas where payment innovation is currently focused, including A2A payments and BNPL, which actually drives innovation, and which areas of innovation are most overhyped, amongst other incisive global payment themes.

The 2022 Payments Innovation Jury whose expert insights and perspectives essentially drove the report was made up of 79 senior payments leaders across 30 different markets. To give

a full, 360- degree picture, a significant number of senior regulators and investors were recruited to the Jury for the first time since its inception, alongside national payments companies, banks, fintechs, and payments policy bodies. All the Jury members participate on an anonymous basis to allow them to speak freely, unencumbered by the innovation priorities of their current organisation. The 2022 report is the tenth in a series spanning 14 years.

Founder and Group Chief

Executive Officer at Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, said: “As one of the leading and influential players in payments who regard Africa as both our origin and primary catchment market, we are extremely enthused at Interswitch to yet again facilitate this timely and important research effort, which curates practical insights and expert perspectives of senior leaders globally, and across the entire spectrum of African retail payments.

“The edition coincides with

the 20 the anniversary of Interswitch’s inception, and I am thoroughly delighted that at such a significant milestone in our journey as a front-row contributor to payment innovation in Africa, we once again have the privilege of supporting this worthy initiative that is facilitating balanced appraisal and better understanding of the payments industry as it continues to evolve.”

Founder/Chairman of the

Payments Innovation Jury and Board Director at Interswitch, John Chaplin, said: “In the payments industry there have long been competing ideas on what will be the ‘Next Big Thing’, particularly as many good ideas fail to achieve the scale to operate economically. As such, what is surprising about the 2022 Payments Innovation Jury is the level of consensus achieved in almost all areas, from the future of BNPL to the end user benefits of CBDCs.”

How Union Bank’s NiX Revolutionises Future of Work Nosa Alekhuogie

L-R: Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Belo-Koko presenting the authority’s plaque to the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo during his maiden visit to the NPA Headquarters, Lagos… recently

ImpactHER Founder, Efe Ukala, Makes Global Heroes Women Executives Role Model List 2022 Sunday Ehigiator The Global Heroes Women Role Model Lists, supported by Yahoo!

Finance showcase leaders who are championing women in business and driving change for gender, has honoured Nigerian Wall Street lawyer and Founder of ImpactHER, Efe Ukala, who emerged one of the three African women on the list of 100 women executives.

Ukala was recognised based on the positive impact she has had on thousands of women globally.

According to records, ImpactHER, a driven non-profit organisation has directly supported over 50,000 women (at no cost to them) across

53 African countries.

Her organisation was recently awarded at the African Union Forum in Egypt as the best women’s support organisation in Africa.

ImpactHER empowers African female entrepreneurs by bridging the gender business financing gap to help African female entrepreneurs realise their full economic potential.

Speaking about the recognition, Ms. Ukala said the honour is to remind her that there is a lot more work to be done.

She added that the recognition renews her commitment to doing her best to ensure that women in Africa and all around the world have access to opportunities that

would improve their lives, the lives of their children, family, as well as businesses.

“I am deeply honoured to be amongst highly respectable and exceptional women listed on the 2022 Global Heroes Women Executives role model list by Yahoo! Finance and INvolve. Your kind acknowledgment reminds me there is a lot more work to be done.

“It is vital that we continue to break barriers, both institutional and structural, that impede women’s growth in the business sector which would trickle down to making the world a better place. It is to our collective benefit for the human race to do so, “she said.

DigiFAB 2022 Summit to Discuss 4IR Technology, Productivity Nosa Alekhugie This year’s DigiFAB Summit, scheduled to hold November 22 in Abuja, will discuss how the adoption of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) will change the Nigerian narrative from a consuming nation to a production nation.

It will also feature the launch of two courses that will aid further dissemination of the knowledge of 4IR technologies to a wider

audience at subsidised rates, according to the organisers.

DigiFAB Summit is a technology event centered on manufacturing, exploring the prevailing trends and driving innovation in changing how things are made.

In June 2019 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja, ITESL FabLab under the auspices of Towards a Greater Nigeria Foundation successfully organised the maiden edition of DigiFAB Summit.

Following impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, DigiFAB Summit Nigeria 2021 edition was held virtually. At that summit, professionals gathered to discuss various ways technology could be used to further drive automation in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, creating products that can be competitive in the global market and putting the country’s manufacturing sector on the world map, while also contributing more to the nation’s economic growth.

ARCON: Why FG Slammed N30bn Penalty on Meta Platforms Raheem Akingbolu The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has announced that it slammed N30billion penalty on Meta Platforms Incorporated, because of their penchant to expose ‘unapproved’ adverts, to Nigerian audience without any recourse to regulatory authority. Meta platforms are the owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms.

In a statement, ARCON said it also sued Meta’s agent, AT3 Resources

Limited, in the suit filed before the federal high court in Abuja.

The regulatory body is seeking a declaration, “that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms

by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.”

The agency said the continued exposure of the “unvetted” adverts has led to a “loss of revenue to the federal government”.

“ARCON is seeking N30billion in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on its platforms. ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on Nigeria’s advertising space, ”the statement reads.

With Union Bank Nigeria flagging off the one-week long Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) in Lagos, tech and future forward creators gathered to explore their experiences at the opening ceremony of the summit, which featured the maiden edition of the Nigeria Innovation Talk (NiX) as the dynamics of work evolved into the future.

The Nigeria Innovation Talks (NiX), which is first of its kind organised by the bank is aimed at calling together creatives from various walks of life to explore how development in tech has transformed the models of work and how these creatives are adjusting to current realities.

Speaking at the event, Team Lead, Digital Innovation at Union Bank Nigeria, Ms.

Efunbolanle Hughes, said the hub was conceived as a nest for innovators to encourage collaboration within the tech ecosystem in Nigeria.

She said: “SpaceNXT is not limited in innovation. We collaborate with partners to innovate on solutions that we are deploying in the market. At the same time, we are open to the public like our demo lab is open to users to evaluate their ideas.

We also have community-based events where we invite experts to meet with young experts.

The Head, Channels, Digital and Innovation, Union Bank, Mr. Akoh Ochai, also added that as a traditional financial institution who is leveraging on technology, the enormous possibilities tech portends has made the institution more open to ideas and innovation which would open up better opportunities.

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Airtel Nigeria Begins Touching Lives Season 7, Challenges Organisations Emma Okonji Airtel Nigeria, on Tuesday in Lagos, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering and uplifting underprivileged people across communities where it operates as it announces the commencement of the seventh edition of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and

sustainability initiative, ‘Airtel Touching Lives’.

The telecom company used the occasion to challenge corporate organisations operating in Nigeria to do same in order to give hope to the hopeless.

Speaking during the press conference to announce the commencement of Airtel Touching Lives Season 7,

the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil, noted that Airtel Touching Lives Initiative remained an opportunity for the telco to further connect with the several communities where they serve as well as focus on Airtel Africa sustainability agenda.

“Last year, Airtel Africa

announced an ambitious sustainability agenda with a strong focus on providing access to digital learning for underprivileged children, working closely with the government to uplift the standard of primary education through the adoption of schools and providing access via financial inclusion to the

underbanked and unbanked,” he said.

According to him, to implement this agenda, Airtel Nigeria through Season 7 of the Airtel Touching Lives programme, will mostly seek causes and opportunities that speak broadly and primarily to digital and financial inclusion as well as the adoption of schools.

Recounting the previous season, Surendran noted, “In the last season of the programme, one of the biggest projects we embarked on was the adoption of Government Day Nursery and Primary school in Gombe State under our Adopt-a-School programme, bringing our adopted schools in Nigeria to a total of 7.”

Promoters of Three Crowns Brand P I A F o t o D i s c u s s Attract Experts to Enugu Women Fora P o l i c y o n F i b r e Raheem Akingbolu In line with its positioning to give care to mothers and by extension their families, Three Crowns Milk, the number one low cholesterol milk brand from the stable of FrieslandCampina WAMCO has renewed its commitment to support empowerment initiatives for Nigerian women at the annual homecoming and gathering of women across

different communities in South-East Nigeria through the ‘Three Crowns Women Fora’- an initiative aimed at empowering women to maintain heart friendly habits and raise healthy and happy families.

In the South-East of Nigeria, the annual ‘August Meeting’ is a major homecoming for women living in towns and cities across the world with a view to discussing socio-economic and cultural initiatives relevant to

their respective communities.

In line with its tradition, Three Crowns milk once again engaged with various women groups in the South-East to amplify entrepreneurship and community development.

Held across major SouthEastern states in Nigeria from August 12 to September 3, 2022, the meetings were fun-filled and featuredrewarding activities. In attendance were notable people in the South-Eastern community

including veteran actress, Ngozi Ezeonu among others.

Speaking on the Fora, Three Crowns Brand Manager, Victor Adeniran, noted that the ‘August Meeting’ is what women in every South-Eastern community anticipate yearly and as a brand that recognizes every mum as ‘theheart of the home’, Three Crowns milk will continue to ensure that they get all the recognition, nourishment and care that they deserve.

Stakeholders Proffer Solutions to Mitigate Looming Food Crisis Emma Okonji Industry stakeholders who gathered at the 38th annual Omolayole Management Lecture (OML) series in Lagos recently, have reignited calls to revamp and reposition Nigeria’s agricultural sector to combat the looming food

scarcity.

In a lecture delivered by the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said it had become critical for Nigeria to start paying attention to the agricultural sector by ensuring that its potential is

effectively harnessed.

Yusuf mentioned that while the agricultural sector contributes 26 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product and 60 per cent of the entire labor force, its value chain remains critical to the growth of the economy.

Event convener and President

of the AIESEC Alumni Nigeria, Olubunmi Abejirin, said the decisions that policymakers and stakeholders in the entire food value chain make today would have long-term consequences for the future of the world’s food systems and significantly impact national food security initiatives.

Deployment at Summit Organisers of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) have concluded plans to discuss issues around formulation and effective implementation of National Dig Once Policy in Nigeria to boost fibre deployment across the country.

The summit, powered by Business Metrics Nigeria, holds October 18, 2022 in Lagos, with the theme: Laying the Foundation for Ubiquitous Broadband for Nigeria’s Economic Breakthrough.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, the billed to deliver the keynote address, while the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, will also deliver a paper on a related topic.

According to the organisers of the forum which is now in its fourth

edition, implementing a National Dig Once Policy will give Nigeria the right footing required to deliver last mile broadband infrastructure to every part of the country.

The objective of a Dig Once Policy is to facilitate the provision of ready-made buried conduits across the country to allow seamless fibre deployment by reducing costs and removing unnecessary duplication.

Fibre is a critical element of backbone infrastructure for broadband and connectivity in pursuit of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Interestingly, the policy has become inevitable to meet the targets set by the Federal Government in its National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020-2025, wherein the country targets 40% and 60% fibre to towers by 2023 and 2025 respectively from a paltry 10% in 2020.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022 2022

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Clamour for Medicine Security, Self- sufficiency in Local Manufacturing Towards ensuring the security of medicines in Nigeria, as well as self-sufficiency in the local manufacturing of drugs, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, PMG-MAN, recently tasked the federal government to create an enabling environment, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

T

he Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) is a sub sector of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) which represents all the manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and allied products in Nigeria, who collectively play key role in ensuring that Nigerians have timely access to affordable, safe and high quality medicines.

Recently, the group reinforced the clamour for medicine security, as well as self -sufficiency in the local manufacturing of Pharmaceutical products including vaccines.

They made this call at the recent press conference to announce the forthcoming sixth edition of the Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo (NPME), themed “Advancing the frontiers of medicine security in Nigeria, expanding local pharma manufacturing in the era of AfCFTA”, which is billed to hold October 18-19, 2022 at the Haven, Oba Akinjobi Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

Medicine Security Medicine security means that every clinic, health worker and patient – everyone – around the world has reliable, equitable access to the medicine and supplies they need to achieve good health…a goal worth striving for.

This is exactly what the group is clamouring for. Corroborating, MD/CEO, May & Baker Nig Plc, Mr. Patrick Ajah, said: “PMG-MAN is the lasting solution to fake and substandard drugs.

“The reason is that the local manufacturers are regulated by the National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and NAFDAC is thorough. So in terms of validating quality, we can be trusted.

We must begin to patronise our own.”

Hope for Local Vaccine Production Giving voice to the need to produce vaccines locally, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), May & Baker, Patrick Ajah, said Nigeria might begin local production of vaccines in 2024.

Ajah, who also doubles as the Chairman, NPME 2022 Organising Committee, said: “Hopefully before the end of this year, there is going to be groundbreaking for the local manufacture of vaccines in Nigeria. Once this is done, I think in two years, we shall begin to manufacture vaccines locally.”

He noted that the federal government’s partnership with May & Baker, which gave rise to the Joint Venture (JV) company, Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL), is making tremendous progress.

Challenges for Local Pharma Despite the huge and critical role the Pharmaceutical industry plays, it’s not without its fair share of challenges.

According to the group, brain drain, high cost of diesel, high cost of production, bad debt are some of the factors undermining its capacity to thrive and compete with their global counterparts.

He said: “Energy plays crucial factor in production, and majority of members don’t depend on government electricity to produce because it is not reliable. Mostly, we generate our own energy by ourselves, even the water, we are using, doing all these alone are great burdens.

“It is something government should providing for us but since what the government is giving us are not reliable, we have to do the needful, the cost of diesel alone is something else yet we are slammed with multiple taxes by government at different levels that not doing the needful.”

Appeal to Government For Frank Muonemeh, executive secretary PMG-MAN, he posited that the government needs to do more to encourage local manufacturers and companies to maintain its leadership in Africa.

Noting that government has a role to play for the industry to thrive, Ajah on the other hand further called on government to address issue of brain drain which is making them

R-L: Pharm Friday Enaholo, manager Fidson Helathcare Plc, member; Pharm Frank Muonemeh, executive secretary PMG-MAN; Pharm Patrick AjahMD/CEO May&Baker Nig Plc and chairman NPME Committee 22’; Mrs Chika Udeozor, manager Juhel Pharmaceutical Nigeria Ltd to loose many good hands in the industry to other nations.

The group also appealed to the Federal Government to pay the money owing its members by teaching hospitals. According to him, the huge indebtedness of the government’s institutions especially, the tertiary health institutions is affecting capacity many of pharmaceutical companies, adding that many teaching hospitals are indebted to pharmaceutical companies to the tunes of several millions.

Ajah also made a call for an enabling environment, which he said is essential because it is going to increase the local aptitude for Research and Development and also build capacity utilisation.

Corroborating, Head of Marketing, Fidson Pharmaceuticals, Friday Enaholo, charged government to create the enabling environment for local pharma manufacturers, adding that they are bearing the brunt of the increase in the price of energy generation which has slowed the pace of their growth and expansion.

Stressing that pharmaceutical manufacturers cannot afford to pass the brunt of cost of production to consumers given that it would make the market uncompetitive and pave the way for foreign companies to take over the local market, he called for balance.

frontier for a smart investment, it has great but largely untapped potential to contribute to national and regional development. “ To unlock the hugely untapped potentials, we organise a Pharma Expo and Exhibition biennially, focusing on the exhibition of latest pharma machinery and equipment and showcasing of our locally manufactured medicines.”

He noted that the event is being put together by PMGMAN and its partners – GPE India, and is designed to offer a complete spectrum of pharma processing and packaging machinery and material on one business platform.

“The NPME is the definitive pharma industry event and is known to attract close to 200 exhibiting companies and nearly 10,000 pharma and related sectors’ trade professionals from across the region.

“This year, exhibitors from five continents, as well as delegates from across Africa are expected at the event that offers the platform for smart investment in the sector, a partnership that works between state and non-state actors in the sector, and most importantly contract manufacturing and market access opportunity.”

Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo Speaking on the forthcoming Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo, Muonemeh said the event offers many opportunities for local manufacturers to showcase, network and exchange idea with their foreign counterpart.

He disclosed that over 50 foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing companies had already registered to participate in the two -days events.

Stressing that the conference is aimed at offering an unparalleled business networking opportunity to meet the professionals across the broad spectrum of pharmaceutical manufacturing, he said: “Nigerian Pharma space is predicted by experts, to be the next

Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement Positioning According to the committee, the sixth NPME is a must attend event for all the actors in the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem, as it offers a “rare opportunity for productive networking and B2B engagement amongst all actors, regulators, policy makers, professionals, ancillary companies, academia, students, development partners, bilateral organisations, researchers, non-governmental organisations”.

They noted that the theme was conceptualised to enable a robust and comprehensive stakeholder engagement in the Industry, essentially as it concerns

The pandemic has challenged us as a group to innovate, re-purpose and upscale our facilities to become competitive and more responsive in closing the gap in access to medicine, as members are making SMART investments –buying machineries and looking at more innovative partnership and technology transfer

Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and the positioning of the industry for global competitiveness, post pandemic recovery.

Expatiating, they posited that given that the economy is just recovering from the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the health sector, the pandemic was a reminder to all on the need for countries to prioritise their local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector as there is a strong nexus between Medicine security and National security, the vaccine Nationalisation comes to mind.

“The pandemic has challenged us as a group to innovate, re-purpose and upscale our facilities to become competitive and more responsive in closing the gap in access to medicine, as members are making SMART investments –buying machineries and looking at more innovative partnership and technology transfer. “ The AfCFTA regime also has its own potentials for revolutionising the industry; however this is attainable, only - within the context which government allows for speedy infrastructural development and contextualised policy. The NPME offers all a platform to have robust discourse on the subject by experts,” they added.

About PMG-MAN Essentially, the PMG-MAN collectively plays a strategic role in ensuring that safe, high quality and affordable medicines are produced in Nigeria.

In 2023, the group will be celebrating her 40years of advocacy on Medicine security, having been inaugurated in the year 1983 and launched by the then Hon Minister for health Prof. Olikoye Ransome Kuti.

The group has evolved from a humble beginning of 20 foundation members to over 120 member companies holding forth in closing the widening gap in access to Medicine in Nigeria and West Africa.

Beyond the collective role of overcoming barriers to -access to medicine in Nigeria, they contribute hugely to the National development, providing jobs to the teaming Nigerians, paying tax etc.

The group’s ambitious goal is to drive the attainment of Self-sufficiency and Medicine Security status for Nigeria, thus reversing the country overt dependency on imported medicine, changing the narrative.

Traditionally, the group leverages on her activities and platform to engage and make bold industry statement on the capacity of the local pharma manufacturing in Nigeria and also promote self-regulatory model amongst members, amongst these activities are the following- Good Manufacturing practice trainings, CEOs Forum, Social corporate responsibility, Policy dialogue on Medicine security and Nigeria Pharma Manufacturing Expo(NPME) etc.

31

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022

FEATURES

FERTILITY

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

FirmProposesAmendmenttoDraft VAGINA ODOR (Part 2) Bill on Counterfeit,Fake Drugs, UnwholesomeRegulated Products Precious Ugwuzor "O JOEFQFOEFOU àSN UIF "OBDPOEB $POTVMUBOUT -JNJUFE has proposed alterations to the draft bill on counterfeit, fake drugs and unwholesome regulated products.

1SJODJQBM $POTVMUBOU UP "OBDPOEB $POTVMUBOUT -JNJUFE Pharmacists Hashim Ubale Yusufu, at a public hearing, ZFTUFSEBZ JO "CVKB PSHBOJTFE CZ UIF )PVTF PG 3FQSFTFOUBUJWFT $PNNJUUFF PO )FBMUIDBSF 4FSWJDF QSFTFOUFE IJHIMJHIUT of the proposed alterations to the bill for an Act to repeal the $PVOUFSGFJU BOE 'BLF %SVHT and Unwholesome Processed Foods (MiscelMBOFPVT 1SPWJTJPOT "DU $"1 $ -BXT PG UIF 'FEFSBUJPO PG /JHFSJB BOE UP NBLF provision for the Prohibition BOE $POUSPM PG $PVOUFSGFJU Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed 'PPET BOE 'PS 3FMBUFE .BUUFST 2021.

Yusufu, who is also a Fellow PG 1IBSNBDFVUJDBM 4PDJFUZ PG /JHFSJB '14/ QSPQPTFE that the enforcement of the provisions of the Act should be vested in an independent body.

“I propose it should be vested in a Task Force to be supervised by the Ministry of Health,” he said, adding that a Director-General should be appointed by the President to head the Task Force.

Yusufu also proposed that the said Taskforce should have a distinct budget line to guarantee its independence,

adding that the Bill should CF GPDVTFE PO 4VCTUBOEBSE BOE 'BMTJàFE .FEJDBM 1SPEVDUT to accommodate statutory EFàOJUJPOT BOE QSPUPDPMT BT contained in international instruments.

He said: “Nigeria is signatories to these international instruments and regulations.”

He observed that the scope BOE EFàOJUJPO PG TVCTUBOEBSE BOE GBMTJàFE NFEJDBM QSPEVDUT is wider, more comprehensive, and contemporary.

Yusufu said the recommendations would substantially change the structure and legal framework of dealing with the menace of substandard BOE GBMTJàFE NFEJDBM QSPEVDUT “To aid this honourable committee, I have also attached and forwarded a re-draft of the #JMM UIJT XJMM HJWF ZPV àSTU JEFB of the composition, functions, powers, and operations of the Taskforce. It will also guide you in seeing that there are no areas of conflict with the /"'%"$ FTUBCMJTINFOU "DU u he said.

Yusufu, in a ‘Memorandum PO B #JMM GPS BO "DU UP 3FQFBM UIF $PVOUFSGFJU BOE 'BLF %SVHT and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous ProviTJPOT "DU $BQ $ -'/ VSHFE UIF $IBJSNBO and Honourable members PG UIF $PNNJUUFF UP GPDVT PO the World Health Organisation 8)0 XPSL PO GBMTJàFE NFEJcal products and to reserve the term “counterfeit” for a GBMTJàFE NFEJDBM QSPEVDU XJUI a counterfeit trademark, in accordance with existing World

Trade Organisation (WTO) EFàOJUJPOT BOE UP DPOUJOVF UP BEESFTT GBMTJàFE NFEJDBM products as an integral part, within the existing framework, of standard setting for quality, TBGFUZ BOE FGàDBDZ He said the Bill should provide support to WHO "GSJDBO 3FHJPO 8)0 "'30 BOE &DPOPNJD $PNNVOJUZ PG 8FTU "GSJDBO 4UBUFT &$08"4 .FNCFS 4UBUFT JO EFWFMPQJOH and implementing policies and programmes aimed at DPNCBUJOH GBMTJàFE NFEJDBM products, including facilitating the exchange of information at the international level and the development of tools, guidelines, training and awareness initiatives, and methodology for evaluation and monitoring.

The memorandum want the Bill to continue the development and dissemination of independent and timely information on instances of GBMTJàFE NFEJDBM QSPEVDUT and to continue to work XJUI .FNCFS 4UBUFT PUIFS international organisations and relevant parties in detecting, monitoring and analysing DBTFT PG GBMTJàDBUJPO BOE UIFJS impact on public health.

Yusufu want the proposed amended Bill to bring together partners from all relevant sectors to work together and promote inter sectoral coordination in order to facilitate better information exchange and sharing of best practice on public health NBUUFST SFMBUJOH UP GBMTJàFE medical products.

World Heart Day 2022: PPC Recommends Healthy Lifestyle for Heart Disease Management Uzoma Mba 11$ )FBMUIDBSF B TVCTJEJBSZ PG 11$ -JNJUFE B leading engineering and infrastructure development company, with deep footprints in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, has called on Nigerians to take charge of their heart health by embracing a healthy lifestyle to improve their heart conditions.

The company in a statement to commemorate the World Heart Day 2022, said it was important to educate people on how to maintain a healthy heart in order to reduce incidents of sudden death. $BSEJPWBTDVMBS EJTFBTFT are the leading cause of deaths globally, responsible for more than 18 million deaths yearly. Four out of àWF DBSEJPWBTDVMBS EFBUIT are due to heart attacks and strokes.

According to a 2020 World Health Organisation (WHO) data, deaths through $PSPOBSZ )FBSU %JTFBTF JO Nigeria accounts for about PS PG UPUBM deaths in the country.

The Head of Medical %FWJDFT BU 11$ -JNJUFE Bamidele Nse-Jacobs said

various life-threatening cardiac diseases could be detected early with regular cardiac checks or use of personal health monitoring devices.

According to her, Bittium Faros, an ultra-slim, personal cardiac monitoring device, has been found effective in the detection of arrhythmia, XIJDI JT POF PG UIF àSTU TJHOT of an unhealthy heart.

4IF FYQMBJOFE UIBU #JUtium Faros is capable of detecting, recording and wirelessly transmitting fullySFDPSEFE &$( JOGPSNBUJPO irrespective of time or place, to cardiologists for analysis and interpretation.

4IF JEFOUJàFE TPNF PG UIF early signs of heart failure as shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent coughing, palpitations, fatigue, swelling of the legs, ankles and feet and general chest discomfort. /TF +BDPCT TBJE i$ISPOJD Mental and psychological stress are some of the predisposing factors that increase the risk of having a heart attack.

As much as we cannot escape from stress in our everyday life, regular exercise, meditation, and quality sleep can help to lower stress levels.

“Exercises can help to improve cardiovascular

health by controlling weight, improving cholesterol level in the blood, and lowering blood pressure. People who lead a stressful life can take a few minutes off work to do TPNFUIJOH SFMBYJOH 3FHVMBS exercise can also reduce the risk of depression, which is another risk factor for heart disease.”

4IF FODPVSBHFE UIPTF XIP were at a high risk of heart disease due to intense stress or family history to conduct regular checks or seek immediate medical help.

4IF FYQMBJOFE UIBU HPPE nutrition could help keep UIF IFBSU IFBMUIZ BEEJOH that food low in salt, low in GBU IJHI JO àCSF BT XFMM BT adequate water intake, fruits and vegetables are good for the heart.

While practicing healthy living, Nse-Jacobs encouraged Nigerians to go for regular heart checks to identify cardiac problems early, even before symptoms appear, for prompt medical intervention.

11$ )FBMUIDBSF JT committed to improving health outcomes through the deployment of state-of the-art medical diagnostic and treatment equipment for health facilities across Nigeria

L

ast week, we started a topic on vagina odor. We talked about some healthy and unhealthy vagina odors and few of it causes. This week, we will be concluding with some of the causes of unhealthy vagina odor andmanagement of bad vagina odor.

kills bad bacteria. Warm water alone is all that is enough to wash the vagina. In fact, some soaps may aggravate the situation by altering the environment in a way that promotes bacterial growth. Deodorants and perfumed soaps should be avoided. If necessary, use a gentle soap that will not change the pH of the vaginal to clean the external folds.

8FBS -PPTF 'JUUJOH #PUUPNT BOE $PUUPO Underwear: The worst types of clothes for healthy feminine hygiene are thongs and lace. Pay close attention to what you wear UP CFE $POTJEFS HPJOH XJUIPVU VOEFSXFBS PS only wearing cotton. Avoid wearing girdles, pantyhose, and tight clothing.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Frequently, vaginal odor does not even originate from the vagina. Being overweight may cause excess skin to develop around the thighs’ inner creases and thighs, which may serve as a haven for bacteria.

4XJUDI UP 5BNQPOT PS B .FOTUSVBM $VQ 4BOJUBSZ OBQLJOT PGUFO QSPEVDF B NVDI TUSPOHFS PEPS EVSJOH QFSJPET $POTJEFS TXJUDIJOH UP a menstrual cup or tampon, but make sure you replace them regularly.

6TF B $POEPN BOE 1FF "GUFS 4FY 4FNFO DBO irritate the vagina causing discharge or odor.

Avoid using a douche after intercourse. To eliminate foreign substances, simply urinate after intercourse. Try Probiotics: There is some data that suggests some oral probiotics may be able to prevent bacterial vaginosis.

You might wish to discuss probiotics or other solutions with the clinician if you frequently have infections.

Do not Douche: Douching is the practice of cleansing the vagina with water or other fluids. Despite being very common, doctors advise against it. Infections in the vagina may result from douching. Douching may also spread bacteria into the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries if you already have an infection. Eat a healthy diet:Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins as part of a balanced diet.

7BHJOB CFOFàUT GSPN B CBMBODFE EJFU XIJDI BMTP CFOFàUT UIF SFTU PG UIF CPEZ 4UBZ IZESBUFE 8BUFS JT CFOFàDJBM GPS NPSF UIBO KVTU ZPVS TLJO TP drink plenty of it. By encouraging healthy TXFBUJOH BOE áVJE SFMFBTF JU DBO BMTP CFOFàU your vagina’s general health.

CAUSES OF ABNORMAL/ UNHEALTHY VAGINA ODORS Trichomoniasis:This is a sexually transmitted disease that is cause by a protozoan parasite. It may result to vaginal itching, bad odor, soreness, pain during urination and sexual activitypain.

The risk of preterm birth is higher in pregnant women with this infection. It may be prevented with appropriate condom use and treated with antibiotics.

Forgetting to take a tampon out: A forgotten tampon may result to bacterial infection and bad vaginal odor. Itching and foul-smelling vaginal discharge may result from the growth of bacteria in menstrual blood. The infection may occasionally spread and lead to life-threatening complications like lower abdominal pain.

Douching:Douches and other items, such as feminine deodorants and sprays, may change the pH levels in a healthy vagina unless prescribed by the clinician. Bacteria and yeast are present in every healthy vagina. These bacteria and yeast are kept in check by the vagina’s natural acidity. Douching can sabotage this delicate equilibrium thereby causing infection that could lead to a foul odor.

In rare cases, more serious medical problems may cause vaginal odor, such as: r 3FDUPWBHJOBM àTUVMB " SFDUPWBHJOBM àTUVMB JT BO BCOPSNBM DPOOFDUJPO CFUXFFO the rectum, the vagina, and the lower part of the large intestine. Bowel contents may seep UISPVHI UIF àTUVMB BMMPXJOH HBT PS GFDFT UP enter the vagina and cause an odor. r $FSWJDBM DBODFS 5IJT XBSOJOH TJHO JT BMTP WFSZ DPNNPO XIFO DFSWJDBM DBODFS àSTU appears. If cervical cancer does not receive enough oxygen, some cells may die and infect the tumor.

The infection is responsible for the foul-smelling WBHJOBM EJTDIBSHF $POUBDUUIF DMJOJDJBO SJHIU BXBZ if the discharge is continuous and appears to be pale, watery, brown, or mixed with blood. r 7BHJOBM DBODFS 4ZNQUPNT JODMVEF heavy vaginal discharge with a strong odor.

CONCLUSION It is usual for temporary vaginal odor to REMEDIES AND TREATMENTS FOR fade away on its own. If you donot have any other symptoms, vaginal odor is thought to be VAGINAL ODORS 5P HFU SJE PG WBHJOBM PEPS ZPV NVTU àSTU OPSNBM 7JTJU UIF DMJOJDJBO GPS B WBHJOBM FYBN address the source of the problem. Maintaining if the odor persists and you are also feeling good hygiene is essential for avoiding health burning, itching, discharge, or irritation. The cause of your vaginal odor will determine the issues and unusual odor.

8BTI 3FHVMBSMZ *U JT JNQPSUBOU UP DMFBO UIF treatment. Medications or treatments options vagina on a regular basis with warm water. best for treating an underlying condition can The vagina is extremely acidic, which naturally be determined with the advice of the clinician.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

IoD, ICAN, Stockbrokers, Rally Support for Ehingbeti Summit Gilbert Ekwugbe Professional organisations in the country have thrown their weight behind the Ehingbeti Summit scheduled to hold next week in Lagos.

According to them, the move is also to express their readiness and support in the State’s government efforts to transforming the Lagos State economy.

The president and Chairman Governing Council, Institute of Directors (IoD), Mrs. Ije Jidenma, at a pre-Summit stakeholders’ engagement commended the State government for its well meaning efforts to implement the THEMES agenda which represents the six pillars of the State’s strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education

and Technology which making Lagos a 21st Century Economy in Entertainment and Tourism as well as Security and Governance.

Also speaking, the president, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Oluwole Adeosun, expressed the Institute’s desire to work with the State government, saying that it is pledging its commitment as partners in progress while urging the government to carry along stakeholders in its quest to build a greater Lagos.

He noted that the Institute and its members are proud to be part of the Ehingbeti summit initiative, applauding the State government’s effort in achieving the overall objectives of building a State that provides endless opportunities for its citizens, residents and investors.

On his part, the president,

Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr. Adesina Adedayo said out of 222 resolutions developed at the past Summit, 211 resolutions have been implemented which he said speaks volume of its relevance.

He added that beyond sensitising key stakeholders on the content and context of the Summit, the initiative has the objective to also garner the input of professionals and stakeholders in shaping a proposed 30 year Lagos State development plan.

The Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy Government, Mr. Kadri Hamzat, said the forum was organised to sensitise key stakeholders on this year’s summit while also seeking inputs of stakeholders in the proposed 30 year Lagos development plan.

L-R: Executive Director, StanbicIBTC Pensions, Dare Otitoju; CEO, Sigma Pensions, Dave Uduanu; Founder & Managing Partner, Aruwa Capital, Adesuwa Okunbo-Rhodes; Managing Partner, Sahel Capital, Mezuo Nwuneli; Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo Osagie, Ozofu Ogiemudia at the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (PEVCA) Conference 2022 in Lagos yesterday

Standard Chartered Bank Champions Key Solutions to Nigerian Financial Market

MARKET INDICATORS

Kayode Tokede

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

As the world continues to contend with the effects of the COVID pandemic, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Plc recently hosted the Global Research Briefing to identify the key concerns for the Nigerian financial market, pool solutions from a cross-section of financial & oil sector experts, and chart a course in a bid to reverse the negative situation.

In his welcome remarks, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Lamin Manjang, noted that the session came at a time of great uncertainty and volatility both globally and locally marked by the spectre of high inflation and slow growth.

“We have seen a very aggressive tightening of monetary policy across almost all central banks in the world. in Nigeria, we have seen the same phenomenon of high inflation. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We have been through similar challenges in the past and we eventually came out of it,” he stated.

During her keynote presentation, SCB’s Regional Head of Research, Africa & the Middle East, Ms. Razia Kahn, highlighted the need for greater reassurance on FX and other policy reforms in order for Nigeria to attract foreign investor participation.

“In terms of the policy response, Nigeria has perhaps been more tested than many other economies.

A lot of the transmission of the different pressures into the great slowdown has been exacerbated by the policy decisions in Nigeria.

Still, Nigeria stands apart from many of its African counterparts simply because it is seen to be an economy that has scale,” she explained.

Addressing the challenges within the petroleum industry, Khan moderated an Oil & Gas panel session which included Mr. Leke Ogunlewe, former Head of Global Banking/Corporate and Institutional Banking, SCB; Mr. Chikezie Nwosu, MD/CEO, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited; and Mr. Femi Ogunbi, Treasurer, ExxonMobil.

Speaking on challenges brought on by the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, Mr. Ogunlewe noted that there were concerns regarding the regulation of the significant investments of oil & gas companies in social initiatives, particularly as they relate to their host communities.

“We now have a regulator that monitors these organizations in a way that is unfavourable to the communities. I’m curious to see how that is going to work out because I know from experience that several oil & gas companies spend much more than the PIA stipulates,” he stated.

Speaking on the session, Olukorede Adenowo, Executive Director, Corporate Commercial and Institutional Banking said, “As a global bank with a rich network of experience and expertise in Africa and the Middle East, we are in a unique position to support the massive shift of capital towards sustainable finance, which has become a priority for stakeholders (investors, clients etc) alike.”

Olutimayin: Equities Investment with LongtermView Imperative to Eluding Inflation Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director, CardinalStone Securities, Ms. Elile Olutimayin has advised investors to hedge their investment with a long-term view citing that a long-term investment strategy especially in the equities market is most suited to evading negative returns on investments.

She noted that with inflation figures currently over 20 per cent

with forecasts it would sustain upward trajectory it has become more imperative for investors to seek professional guidance in a bid to maintain asset value.

In a statement, Olutimayin said: “In Nigeria, inflation reached a fifteen-year height of 20.5 per cent in August 2022, reflecting a pass through from global inflation dynamics and worsening domestic insecurity. Specifically, there have been considerable

pressures on food and energy prices. For instance, prices of food items such as vegetable oil, bread and imported rice have risen 21.0 per cent on average in the past year. Likewise, diesel prices have tripled, while gas prices have doubled over the same period.

These pressures have strained consumer wallets, increased the cost of living, and invariably pushed more Nigerians below the poverty line.”

Ademilua Emerges New President of REAN Kayode Tokede The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) has announced Mr. Ayo Ademilua as the new President of the association.

Other newly elected executive committee members of REAN are: Mrs. Damilola Asaleye, Vice President; Mrs. Safiya Aliyu, Treasurer; Ms. Chioma Ewurum, Head of Communications and Mr. Bassey Obeten, Head of Programs and Partnerships.

The Association also announced a new Board of Trustees and confirmed its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Salamatu Baba Tunzwang as its substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The newly appointed Board of Trustees includes: Prof. Olu Lafe, Ms. Ify Malo, Mrs. Ekaete Sunmonu, Chief Chris Umeh, Engr. Dr. Mrs. Halimat Adeniran, Prof. Mohammed Dauda, Dr. Edu J. Inam, Mr. Ayo Ademilua holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specializa-

tion in finance and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting he is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School (EDC), OXFAM Business Development Program, Stanford Business School: SEED Transformation Program, and a board member at AMDA He has over 12 years’ experience in the Finance industry and worked in various banks within Nigeria including Guaranty Trust Bank before proceeding to pursue his entrepreneurial endeavour as CEO of A4&T.

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

June 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

11.10

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

13.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.45

Savings Deposit Rate

1.38

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

4.97

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.30

Prime Lending rate

12.29

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 27 SEPTEMBER 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $89.50 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.67 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

33

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022 2022

MARKET NEWS

Investors’ Interest in Blue-chip Firms Lift Stock Market by N226.6bn Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday appreciated

by N226.6billion in market capitalisation, attributable to investors interest in newly listed company, Geregu Power Plc and 12 other stocks on the bourse.

The market capitalisation opened trading at N26.373trillion, gaining N226.6billion or 0.86 per

cent to close at N26.6trillion.

Despite increase in market capitalisation, the NGX All-Share Index depreciated by 43.04basis points or -0.09per cent to close at 48,836.70 basis points from 48,879.74 basis points the stock market opened for trading yesterday.

Sectoral performance revealed that NGX Banking Index dropped by 0.98 per cent, due to the losses recorded in

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Unity Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Access Corporation.

The NGX Oil & gas index contracted by 0.27 per cent, driven by the decline in the price of Oando Plc that was down by -1.70 per cent.

NGX Consumer Goods Index: Fell by 0.18perr cent as NGX Industrial Index closed flat.

The yesterday’s trading on the NGX revealed a market

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

breadth index that was broadly negative with 22 losers against 12 gainers.

Among the top five gainers was Geregu Power that gained 10 per cent to close at N110 per share from N100 per share it was listed by introduction on the bourse yesterday.

A total of 2.5 billion ordinary shares of Geregu were listed at N100 per share, under the Utilities sector and Electric Power Genera-

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

tion sub-sector of NGX, with the trading symbol, GEREGU. Geregu Power, a leading power generation company (GenCo) in Nigeria, is the first GenCo to be listed on the NGX main board, a listing segment for well-established companies with demonstrable records of accomplishments.

The listing of Geregu’s shares has added N250billon to the market capitalization of NGX, further boosting liquidity in

O F

the Nigerian capital market and providing opportunities for wealth creation.

Multiverse Plc followed with a gain of 9.88 per cent to close at N4.45kobo, while Redstarex rose by 9.43 per cent to close at N2.32 per share.

Sovereign Trust Insurance went up by eight per cent to close at N0.27 kobo, while Japailgold appreciated by 7.69 per cent to close at N0.28 per share.

0 5 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

THURSDAY, ;˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN MR PRESIDENT...

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) welcoming former President Goodluck Jonathan, to the State House in Abuja...yesterday

PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE.

AfCTA: Nigeria Records First PAPSS Transaction in Africa

Nume Ekeghe

Nigeria has emerged as the first country in Africa to record the first successful transaction through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

This comes after the payment gateway was conceptualised January 2022, in a bid to promote and aid the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The feat recorded by PAPSS in Africa was in collaboration with the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the AfCFTA. THISDAY gathered that the first transaction on the PAPSS platform was made possible by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) and the successful transaction occurred between the Ghana Commercial Bank and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. PAPSS serves as cross-border payments and settlement platform for the African continent. It is available leveraging the NIBSS Instant

Payment platform for commercial banks, Fintechs, payment service providers, card schemes, and other payment industry players to integrate for Intra-African Trade and other economic activities among African countries.

The payment platform aims at simplifying transactions by transforming and facilitating payment, clearing and settlement for cross-border trade across Africa.

PAPSS recognises over 41 currencies and it enables instant,

diaspora payments in local currencies between African markets.

It avails an opportunity for a customer in one African country to pay in their own currency, while the beneficiary in another country receives value in their own local

currency.

It was also designed to reduce transaction time and cost of crossborder financial services by curbing dependency on hard currency and major unknown transaction delays.

Banks at various stages of connec-

tion through NIBSS for the PAPSS integration, it was gathered that deposit money banks are currently undergoing certification, integration, and migration to the PAPSS will Go-live and also consummate live transactions in the coming weeks.

Twitter Shares Surge 22% after Elon Musk Revives Deal to Buy Company Elon Musk has reversed course and is again proposing to buy Twitter for $54.20 a share, according to a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

Owing to this, Twitter shares climbed more than 22 per cent on the news.

The social media company issued a statement saying it had received the letter.

It added, “The intention of the company is to close the transaction at $54.20 per share.”

A deal could happen as soon as Friday, sources told CNBC. The stock was halted earlier in the day after Bloomberg first reported on the Tesla CEO’s plans to go

forth with his deal to acquire the company.

The SEC filing says Musk sent a letter to Twitter on Monday, notifying the company of his intent to proceed with the transaction agreed upon on April 25, the day the deal was publicly announced.

A few weeks after Musk agreed to that deal, valuing Twitter at $44 billion, he quickly tried to back out, officially informing the company in July of his intentions to terminate the agreement.

Twitter sued Musk to force him to go through with the purchase.

The two sides were scheduled to go to trial in Delaware Chancery

Court on October 17.

Musk alleged that Twitter was misstating the number of “bots” on its service as one of the reasons he was reneging on the deal. He and his lawyers claimed the social media company was misleading investors by providing false numbers in corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Twitter countered, however, that Musk’s assertions of fraud were incorrect and were based on

a misunderstanding of the way the company tallies bots and fake accounts on its platform.

Musk also alleged Twitter failed to provide him with the necessary data related to spam and bots, which Twitter denied.

Twitter alleged Musk was looking for a reason to back out of the deal when the company’s shares dropped alongside a broader decline in the overall market.

Although Musk sought to delay the trial date, Delaware Chancellor

Kathaleen McCormick rejected his wish citing the potential for Twitter to incur “irreparable harm.” The chancellor did allow Musk and his attorneys to amend their counterclaim to include certain accusations made by Twitter’s former head of security in a separate whistleblower suit against the company.

In September, Twitter shareholders approved Musk’s original bid to purchase the company.

Meanwhile, Tesla shares closed up nearly three per cent for the day.

Senate Confirms 19 INEC RECs NABTEB Releases 2022 In-school Despite Concerns Raised By Nigerians May/June Examination Results

58,569 candidates obtained five credits in maths, english language Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The National Business and Technical Examinations Board, (NABTEB) yesterday released it's 2022 in-school May/June National Business Certificate/National Technical Certificate (NBC/NTC), examinations result.

It disclosed that 58, 659 of the 84,147 candidates scored five credits and above, including Mathematics and English Language.

The Registrar, Prof Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, who disclosed this in Benin City, Edo State, during the release of the 2022 NABTEB NBC/NTC examination results, said the 58,69 representing 69.60 per cent obtained five credits and above, including Mathematics and English Language She said 75.221 candidates also

obtained five credits and above with or without English Language and Mathematics, representing 89.

39.39 per cent of the candidates who sat for the same examinations.

While noting that this year's performance was slightly lower than the 2021 performance, she explained that 300 candidates were found to be involved in examination malpractice.

Represented by the Director Examinations Administration, Obinna Opara, said 84,147 candidates registered for the examinations but 83,504 sat for it in 1,696 centres across Nigeria and Cote d'voire.

She said emphasis must be placed on the acquisition of employable skills relevant in the 21st century as traditional learning

falls short of equipping students with the knowledge needed to thrive in today's innovation driven economy.

Isiugo-Abanih called for the revamping of all Federal and Technical Colleges in terms of provision of materials and human resources She advised the federal government that strengthening the link between TVET and labour market should be reflected in the nation's national development strategies and education sector plans, with a substantial budget for TVET. Isiugo-Abanih said the enrollment showed that candidates enrolled for 14 Engineering Trades, seven Construction Trades, nine Miscellaneous Trades and four Business Trades.

Deji Elumoye and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate, yesterday, confirmed the nomination of the 19 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), earlier sent to it for approval.

It also confirmed the nomination of Muhammad Sabo Lamido as Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NUPRA).

The confirmations were made sequel to the consideration of the reports of its Committees on Electoral Matters, and that of Upstream Petroleum Sector respectively.

Certain individuals and groups had alleged that some of the nominees were card-carrying members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and expressed doubts over their ability to be neutral in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Phillip Aduda, attempted

to raise the issue after the Chairman, Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, presented his report but was cautioned by the Chief Whip, Senator Uzor Kalu.

Kalu said Aduda, who was a member of the INEC panel that screened the nominees, did not raise any objection during the screening session.

The Resident Electoral Commissioners confirmed were Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa), Obo Effanga (Cross River), Umar Ibrahim (Taraba), Agboke Olaleke (Ogun), Samuel Egwu(Kogi), Onyeka Ugochi (Imo), Muhammed Bashir (Sokoto), Ayobami Salami (Oyo), Zango Abdu (Katsina), Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Ebonyi) and Agunndu Tersoo (from Benue).

Others were Yomere Oritsemlebi, Delta; Yahaya Ibrahim Makarfi, Kaduna; Nura Ali, Kano; Agu Uchenna, Enugu; Ahmed Yushau Garki, FCT; Hudu Yunusa, Bauci; Uzochukwu Chijioke, Anambra and Mohammad Nura from Yobe.

Presenting his report, Gaya said,

"To determine their suitability for the positions, which they were nominated, nominees were asked questions that bothered mostly on partisanship, membership of political parties, and how they hoped to improve the electoral process if and when their nominations for appointments are confirmed".

The nominees, Gaya explained, assured the committee of their nonpartisanship, non-membership of any political party, and promised to discharge their responsibilities diligently according to the laid down laws.

He said the committee found no merit in the petitions against four nominees that bordered on alleged membership of political parties, partisanship, compromise and incompetence .

"The committee did due diligence on the petitions by listening to the defence of the nominees and carrying out detailed examination of the petitions to determine the validity or otherwise of the allegations against the four nominees," Gaya said.

35

THURSDAY, ;˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CELEBRATING TEACHERS' DAY...

L-R: Ogun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Abiodun Akinola; Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Governor Dapo Abiodun; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu and the Deputy Governor; Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele during the conferment of the Stand-out Performer Award on the governor as part of activities marking 2022 Teachers Day at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta... yesterday

12 Days After Unceremoniously Leaving for London, Tinubu Returns Today Adedayo Akinwale The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would return to the country today from London, THISDAY can report.

Tinubu, who left the country on September 24, would be returning after a 12-day rest in London.

While the APC presidential candidate was in London, he held several consultative

meetings with some prominent Nigerians, including billionaire businessman, Yemi Idowu, who had shown interest in investing in Nollywood, and the owner of the defunct hiTv, Toyin Subair.

The former Lagos State

governor had also tried to show proof of his physical fitness while in London, even though that was met with derision by a skeptical public.

Tinubu had left the country after the secretary of the APC

ASUU Strike: FG Opposes Stay of Execution of NICN Ruling CONUA urges association to obey industrial court order Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Federal Government, yesterday, opposed an attempt by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to move a motion before the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, for a stay of execution of the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), ordering members of the union to return to work.

At the end of proceedings, the court fixed October 6 for hearing in a motion filed by ASUU for stay of execution of the judgment, which ordered the striking lecturers to resume work pending the resolution of their dispute with the federal government.

But the newly registered Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), has appealed to ASUU to obey the order of NICN, asking its members to go back to work.

A statement issued by the media unit of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, narrated that at yesterday's proceedings, Femi Falana, SAN, had sought to move the motion but the federal government’s lawyer, James U. K. Igwe, objected on the ground that he had not been served with the motion dated September 28, 2022.

It said the record of the court, however, revealed that the motion was served on the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

According to the ministry, Igwe sought a short adjournment to enable him respond to the motion and the presiding justice, Barka Hamma Akawu, subsequently fixed Thursday, October 6 for hearing of the motion.

However, it said the court challenged the federal government and ASUU to resolve their dispute amicably out of court.

"The three-man Appellate Court panel, presided over by Justice Barka Hamma Akawu suggested 24 hours for the two parties to have a rethink, sit down and come out with resolution that would make Nigerians happy.

"Specifically, one of the justices, Justice Biobele Georgewill, tasked counsel to the federal government, Mr James Igwe SAN and that of ASUU, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, to first sit down as lawyers, take patriotic position and convey the position to their clients.

The judge said, "There is time for everything, time for war and time for peace. As ministers in the temple of justice, we want to see the two of you as Senior Lawyers to encourage and explore amicable settlement of this dispute.”

Also, the Chairman of CONUA, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria chapter, Abdulahi Isiaku, while speaking with journalists at the premises of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, said although their members did not join the strike, they were locked out of the system because their sister union embarked on strike.

The union leader regretted that they were not being paid salaries because of the understanding that ASUU represented all academic staff.

He restated that CONUA does not subscribe to the method adopted by ASUU in tackling the problems bedeviling the university system in Nigeria, adding that incessant strikes could be counterproductive and detrimental

to the development of university education in the country.

"We are monitoring the case in court and we are interested in its outcome. But as you know, we are not members of ASUU and we have not been on strike all this while. Our members were working in the universities, when suddenly the other union declared strike and then, management closed down

universities.

"Since that time, our members have not been on strike. We are appealing to our sister union, ASUU, to consider the Nigerian students and the development of education in Nigeria and obey the ruling of the Industrial Court that says that lecturers should come back to work and that universities should be reopened,” he said.

Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Hon. James Faleke, released a 422-member list of the council. The PCC list met resistance from party stakeholders, including the NWC and governors, who claimed they were not carried along.

While the controversy and disaffection created by the list among party faithful continued, Tinubu jetted out to London to rest. The news of his travel triggered a wave of speculations about his health, with rumours swirling about his death, especially following his inability to attend the peace accord signing ceremony in Abuja.

All the presidential candidates signed the accord.

But the vice presidential candidate of the party and the former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented Tinubu at the event.

So to try to debunk the rumours about his health, Tinubu posted a seven seconds video of himself riding a bike, as proof that he was fine.

The presidential hopeful also tweeted through his verified Twitter handle and declared that he was hale and hearty and ready to serve Nigeria from day one.

He tweeted, "Many have said I have died; others claimed I have withdrawn from the presidential race. Well…nope.

"This is the reality: I am strong, I am healthy and I am ready to serve Nigeria from day one."

That was followed by another picture of him wearing a suit while having a conversation with Idowu and Subair on Tuesday in London. All that, however, did little to stop the speculation about his health.

2023: Atiku Strikes New Deal With Women, Youths, Concedes 60 Percent Says campaign no longer a jamboree as PDP moves to appeal court ruling on Ogun

Chuks Okocha in Abuja In its determination to consolidate, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, struck a new deal with women and youth populations, and pledged to concede 60 per cent of his cabinet membership to them, if he was elected the president next year.

Atiku, who, therefore, charged his women and youth supporters, to go back to their wards and polling units and canvass support for him to win the presidential election, warned that it was important they did so because campaigns were no longer a jamboree.

This is as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has expressed its resolve to appeal the judgement of the court that ordered a fresh governorship primary election in Ogun State chapter of the party.

Atiku, who spoke at the commissioning of the Security, Health and Education (SHE)Campaign office of his wife, Titi Abubakar, said, "Campaigns have started. This time around, campaigns will no longer become a big jamboree.

“No, what will happen is the youths and women will go back to their wards and polling units, to ensure that you deliver Atiku/ Okowa presidency. You must go back and campaign and ensure that we win and be ready for appointment."

Reiterating his pledge that his administration would consist of over 60 per cent of youths and women as members of his cabinet, Atiku said, "When you return to your wards and polling units, and campaign and we win, hold me to my words. I shall honour this pledge. It is a covenant between me and the women and youths.

We must work to deliver the PDP

in the next presidential election."

Meanwhile, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said he has received and thoroughly reviewed the situation in its Ogun State chapter, as it relates to the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta in Suit No. FHC/ AB/CS/83/2022 delivered on September 27, 2022.

He said the PDP was dissatisfied with the judgement of the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo, which directed the state executive of the party to conduct a fresh primary to nominate candidates for the 2023 general election.

Oguntoyinbo had held thus: “I hereby order that fresh primary elections be conducted by the current Ogun State Executives of the 2nd Defendant (Peoples Democratic Party) for the nomination of candidates for elective

positions i.e House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senatorial and Governorship elections within 14 days.”

But, according to the PDP, "After a comprehensive review and extensive consultations with party leaders and critical stakeholders, particularly, in Ogun State, the NWC has resolved to appeal the judgment.

Consequently, the NWC, has directed the National Legal Adviser of the party to commence all actions necessary to appeal the judgement."

The PDP, however, urged all candidates of he party in Ogun State, all critical stakeholders, party members and the teeming supporters to remain focused and not allow themselves to be distracted as the party continued to rally Nigerians to rescue, rebuild and redirect the nation from the alleged misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

36

THURSDAY, ;˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

UNVEILING OF VALUEJET...

L- R: Chief Commercial Officer, ValueJet, Trevor Henry; Chairman, Adekunle Soname; Accountable Manager/Managing Director, Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi; and Marketing, Team Lead, Ayisat Adams, PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN during the official unveiling of ValueJet, the new domestic airline at Ikeja, GRA, in Lagos... yesterday

To Celebrate World Teachers’ Day, Atiku Calls for Improved Investment in Education Decries prolonged ASUU strike, non-payment of teachers’ salaries Chuks Okocha in Abuja Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, joined the global community to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. Atiku called on governments at all levels to pay more attention to the management of the education sector in the country.

The former vice president spoke during the commissioning of the Security Health and Education (S.H.E) Initiative office in Abuja. He said it was regrettable that education was not getting the attention it deserved from all stakeholders.

The S.H.E Initiative is the brainchild of Atiku’s wife, Hajiya Titi Amina Abubakar.

Atiku stated that the poor management of the education sector, which was manifested in poor remuneration of teachers and the attendant prolonged industrial action by teachers, could not engender the kind of progress and development that the country desired.

He said, “With the increasing expansion of the poverty line across all age demographics, the smartest direction to go is to invest in education. When people are educated, it becomes

a lot easier for them to create wealth and make personal decisions that will promote a good lifestyle for their families and the society.

“The current practice, whereby education takes the last rung of our investment priorities, is not only selfsabotaging, it is, indeed, a threat to national security.

“Most of the challenges that face us today in the name of security issues are concerns that started from illiteracy and later grew to economic disempowerment, which soon grew into national security concerns.”

Atiku said notwithstanding the poor working conditions of teachers in many states, they had continued to contribute their quota to nation building.

The Waziri of Adamawa reminded the gathering that as globally attested to, “No nation can grow higher than the quality of its education system and no education system can grow higher than the quality of its teachers.”

He said progress might continue to elude Nigeria unless there were trained and well-motivated teachers.

He described as unacceptable a situation where some

states owed teachers’ salaries for months, noting that it is counterproductive for development initiatives.

Mrs. Abubakar noted that

the S.H.E Initiative was born out of a genuine concern to reverse the ugly socio-economic realities in Nigeria that had pushed many people, especially,

women to the receiving end of economic hardship.

“Through the vehicle of the S.H.E Initiative, Nigerian women will be setting the

agenda to reverse the spiral decline in their socio-economic lives, as well as that of youth and people living with disabilities,” she said.

NBA Seeks Sanction of Judges Delaying Justice Dispensation Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday, called for the sanctioning of judges found clogging the wheels of justice in the country.

President of the NBA, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, made the call against the backdrop that justice could only be achieved when it is "dispensed transparently, with integrity, speed, and circumspection."

Speaking at a special court sitting in commemoration of the 2022/23 Legal Year, which held in Abuja, he said, "My Lords, a situation where parties and their counsel struggle to obtain records of proceedings or copies of the judgment, weeks or even months after a judgment is delivered, either to enforce or appeal the same, is a negation of

the duty of the court to convince the public that justice was indeed accomplished upon delivery of the judgment.

"Allegations of tampering with judgments after delivery, spurious as they may be, can gain some attention, when copies thereof are not made available at least to the parties immediately after delivery as prescribed by the constitution.

"This is not the experience in this Court and members of the Bar, who practice in this Court can attest to this", he said, calling on other judges, who had not appreciated the importance of making judgments readily available to begin to emulate the culture of the Industrial Court.

Continuing, he said, "On the other hand, erring judges must be seen and treated as those working against effective justice delivery and

should be liable to sanctions by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Meanwhile, the federal government has commended the National Industrial Court for putting the nation’s interest above other considerations in its handling of the dispute between it and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, who made the commendation, observed that the court had, on many occasions, saved the country from undue crisis through its deft handling of labour disputes.

Represented by the Head, Civil Appeals, Federal Ministry of Justice, Tijani Gazali (SAN), the AGF said, "The court’s pronouncements in recent times, particularly, in the wake of industrial actions embarked

upon by both the National Association of Resident Doctors and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, suffice to say, that indeed, the legal status of any strike action, let alone a protracted one, raises very crucial questions of law, and the approach with which the judges of the National Industrial Court, have dealt with the related issues, in making better provision for promoting harmonious relations between workers and their employers, is quite laudable.

"Having to prioritise on the greater good, determining merit or otherwise, by focusing on outcomes and its impact on the greater number of people in ultimately stabilising agreements freely negotiated by employers and trade unions, is an even more unique and daunting task of the National Industrial Court."

BUHARI: NIGERIANS OWE OUR MILITARY DEBT OF GRATITUDE AS REMAINING 23 TRAIN VICTIMS ARE FREED had since been kept in its custody.

There were indications that the recent arrest, in Cairo, Egypt, of Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, and media aide to renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, might have played a role in the successful operation to free the abductees.

The president said in the statement, “This country’s Armed Forces are as good as any. Given needed support and encouragement, as we have been doing, there is no task that they cannot accomplish. I commend them for this remarkable outcome."

While expressing satisfaction with the successful deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic processes, leading to the eventual safe release of the remaining hostages, Buhari also congratulated the families of the victims

on having them back alive. He said the relief that came to the country from the closure of the kidnap saga must be sustained at all times, all over the federation.

The president also credited his government for resolving the train incident and for reduction in terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, which had surged recently. He assured that the efforts would be sustained.

The traumatic experience of the remaining 23 victims lasted seven whole months after they were kidnapped in a Kaduna-bound train attacked by terrorists. Their freedom ended many sleepless nights of horror and torture in the hands of their merciless abductors.

In the attack, which occurred on March 28, at least eight persons were reportedly killed, with others either kidnapped or declared

missing. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had put the total number of passengers onboard at 362 before the attack.

While the victims were released in batches after alleged payment of ransoms, the terrorists claimed a few of them were freed on compassionate grounds.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced the release of the hostages about 4pm.

DHQ said in a statement by the secretary of the joint Presidential Committee and Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), set up for the purpose of freeing the victims, Professor Usman Yusuf, that the released hostages were already in its custody.

The committee stated that other security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to the

operation. It said the committee secured the release and took custody of the kidnap victims.

The statement said, "I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-102022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L. E. O. Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.

"The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS, who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation

contributed immensely to this Operation."

The statement further said, "The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is what made it all possible.

"Members of this committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this humanitarian operation. May God Almighty heal our wounds and bring peace to our land."

The terrorists had demanded the release of their colleagues at Kuje Prison in a swap deal for the kidnapped passengers.

But after failing to have their demands met, the insurgents launched an audacious attack on Kuje Prison and freed 40 Boko Haram members detained in the

facility, a situation that triggered a bedlam in the country.

While the hostages remained in the custody of the terrorists, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced the arrest Mamu. He had functioned as a negotiator between the terrorists and relations of the kidnapped victims as it related to ransom payment.

The DSS had said, in a statement, that Mamu was in its custody as "a person of interest".

It added later that he was arrested on his way to a terrorism summit.

A subsequent statement by the DSS said findings during a raid on Mamu’s residence were mind-boggling.

Consequently, an Abuja Federal High Court later granted a request by the DSS to detain Mamu for 60 more days.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

SOLIDARITY VISIT…

L-R:Deputy Chief of Staff to Enugu State Governor, Prof. Malachy Okwueze; the Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, when the leadership of the Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) visited the governor in Enugu…yesterday

Police Warn Politicians against Recruiting, Arming Thugs for Campaigns John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna state police command yesterday warned politicians against recruiting and arming thugs for campaigns for the 2023 general elections.

The command also warned against the removal or defacing of political opponents’ posters and banners as well as pasting of banners on public buildings.

The Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr. Yekini

Red Cross Society Seeks Partnership to Mitigate Climate Change Funmi Ogundare International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) yesterday called for a collaborative effort with the private and public sectors to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Speaking at a forum themed,’ Moving Beyond Green: A Dialogue on Accelerated Climate Change Action’, in Lagos, the Head of Delegation, IFRC, Bhupinder Tomar, expressed concern about the devastating effects of flooding in countries like Pakistan and Nigeria which has impacted negatively on the people.

He said the private sector can throw their weight towards strengthening the resilience of the people, raising the issue and allow for larger investments. “We have had the worst flooding in Pakistan and here in Nigeria, we are seeing

flooding that has impacted half a million people and those that have died and what we are saying is that the impact of climate change is already here and people are suffering from its impacts. “ Actors like ourselves in Red Cross, who traditionally responds to these disasters, cannot do it alone, we need support from government and private sector. We need to start investing towards its preparedness in Nigeria and the whole of Africa itself,” he stated.

The Head of Delegation said conversation about ensuring that the next generation and young people in Africa work with partners in the private sector and humanitarian organisations to make a change, should be raised, adding that the private sector should make the issue of climate change, a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR).

Court Contempt: Edo PDP Warns Candidates against Campaigning The candidates of the People’s Democratic Party in Edo state have been warned against embarking on campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election following numerous court cases which may affect them negatively in the face of the new electoral law.

Alegal consultant to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Convener of the Centre for Electoral Values in Africa, Dr. Amos Ikuruka, stated this Benin city, saying that it was better for the affected candidates to seek legal interpretation before jumping to conclusions especially with the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Ikuruka, who iss a former Deputy Director in INEC revealed that with the numerous cases concerning the crises in Edo state PDP, any candidate who proceeds to campaign could be prosecuted and embarrassed for contempt of court.

“Any candidate who jumps into the field to start campaigning may just be exposing himself or herself to the judicial tests of the law. INEC on its part may prosecute such erring persons just to deepen our electoral culture.

All interested factions in the party would have been served notices of the numerous suits pnding at various courts on the same issue.

It is good they are abreast of these information because ignorance is never an excuse in law. Some of the cases are very germane. Until they are concluded, nobody should go ahead to campaign,” he said.

“It is important that all affected persons keep calm and allow the judiciary perfect the matters so that they don’t fall short of the law. Political parties should take the lead in advising their members so that they don’t make matters worse for their parties.”

Ayoku, sounded the warning at a meeting with leaders of the political parties in the state and other stakeholders.

He said the law prohibits the use of non-state security outfits and the bearing or use of weapons such as dane guns, swords, daggers, bows, arrows and other dangerous weapons at campaign venues.

He called on political parties

and their candidates to focus their campaigns on issues and ideas, noting that “politics is basically a contest of ideas without bitterness.”

“You are to eschew violence, hate speech, indecorous languages which have tendency of escalating into chaos.

“I have to seriously warn against removal/defacing of opponents’ protesters and banners

as I equally remind that there should be no pasting of banners on public buildings as government institutions, schools, hospitals, INEC offices and worship centres.

“In planning your campaign itinerary, I require you to submit your campaign schedule/ application for security to my office 48 hours prior to such campaigns or rallies for proper harmonisation to avoid clash or

convergence of such activities at the same location, day and conflicting timing.

“Political parties are strongly advised not to make the mistake of employing the services of thugs and other miscreants in the electoral process.

“Parents and guardians are equally warned to caution their children and wards into beings used for thuggery.

2023: Makinde Opens Two-day Training for PDP Candidates Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, yesterday declared open a two-day workshop for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standardbearers in the National Assembly and state House of Assembly seats as well as members of the Governorship Campaign Council in the state.

The workshop had in attendance the three senatorial

candidates of the party, 14 House of Representatives candidates, 32 House of Assembly candidates, Director-Generals of Senatorial campaigns, local government coordinators of the Governor Makinde Campaign Council and local government chairmen.

The governor, while speaking at workshop in Ibadan, said his administration has been able to bring about a paradigm shift in governance and politics in the

state, a development which he noted has resulted in the massive development ongoing in Oyo State.

He declared that his government has learnt a lot of lessons and would be able to set adequate priorities for the development of the state if re-elected into office in 2023.

He added that the PDP would run issue-based campaigns, noting that as an administration that has been driven by data, logic and

science from its first day in office, it would further “sit down, draw plans and follow the plans.”

Governor Makinde, who also declared that papers for the IddoEruwa road contract had already been perfected, added that the road would soon be flagged-off.

He called on residents of Ibarapa and other zones of the state to re-elect him and also support all PDP candidates in the forthcoming election.

2023: Group Urges Rivers Youths to Shun Electoral Violence Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Rivers State youths have been urged to shun electoral violence and other vices during the 2023 general election across the state.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Rivers All Stars for Sim (RASS), made the appeal to the youths yesterday during a briefing with journalists

in Port Harcourt.

The group advised the youths of the state to desist from activities dangerous to their lives, especially in consolidation for the incoming youth inclusive government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Siminalaye Fubara.

RASS said it has officially launched the Youth Against

Electoral Violence Project, which would cut across the 23 local government areas of the state.

The Convener and DirectorGeneral of the group, Muma Gee, an Afrocentric musician, who spoke on the project, advised youths in the state to channel their energy to building a better life and society.

Gee disclosed that the group comprises super stars, celebrities

and professionals of the creative industry in Rivers State and in the diaspora, adding that RASS has resorted to harnessing talents across the state.

She stressed on the need to re-orientate and re-conscientise the minds of the Nigerian youths to shun all forms of electoral violence in the state and country in the forthcoming election.

16 Suspects Arrested for Protesting against EFCC Operations in Delta SylvesterIdowuinWarri Sixteen suspects were arrested yesterday by security agents over the violent protests by alleged internet fraudsters in parts of Delta State.

Security sources told THISDAY yesterday that the suspects were apprehended by soldiers drafted to Otvwodo Junction in Ughelli,

Ughelli North Local Government to quell the protests, which led to the burning of 15 trucks and some national assets in the area.

While those arrested have been transferred to the Delta State Police Command Headquarters in Asaba, it was learnt that more arrests were still being made at the time of filling this report.

Meanwhile, the Ughelli North Local Government has imposed a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the town.

Residents of Ughelli, Warri and environs in Delta State were alarmed yesterday as some youths that were suspected to be internet fraudsters and their sympathisers staged the protests calling for the abolition of the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC) over incessant raids of their hideouts.

The protesting youths took over Ughelli, Effurun and DSC roundabouts in Uvwie and Express Junction in Udu as well as Otovwodo Junction along East-West Expressway in Ughelli North Local Government Area chanting “End EFCC Now.”

‘Strategic Investment in Education Strong Foundation for National Devt’ Ugo Aliogo For the country to recover from its economic downturn it must invest strategically in the educational sector so as to lay strong foundation needed for national development.

An Associate Professor of Comparative Politics and Head,

Department of Political Science, Lagos State University(LASU), Dr. Paul-Sewa Thovoethin, stated this at the event organised

by Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Badagry branch as part of 2022 World Teachers Day in Lagos.

Thovoethin, who delivered a paper titled, ‘Nigeria Politics

and Education: Way Forward’, Lagos, said without education the foundation of development will flop ultimately.

According to him, the ongoing event in Nigeria’s educational sector, specifically the Federal Government-Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) imbroglio that has culminated

in the seven-month-old strike makes this topic garner profound currency as a national discourse.

In his words: “Political leaders at all levels of our education scheme must make the provision of sufficient funds to realise the goal of education-fordevelopment a priority.”

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

HONEYCOMB BAKERY OPENS IN IKEJA…

L-R: Pastor, Triumphant Baptist Church, Dr. Sunday Oladejo;Guest of Honour, Mrs. Bunmi Sobowale; Executive Vice-Chairman, Honeycomb Confectionery Limited, Mrs. Biyi Tunji –Olugbodi, and Guest of Honour, Mr. Ade Ogiidon, at the opening of Honeycomb Bakery and pick up outlet in Ikeja, Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Ondo Ex-militants Hail FG over Pipeline Surveillance Contract to Tompolo Fidelis David in Akure

Ex-militants in Ondo State under the aegis of United Sea-Wolf Avengers, have applauded the federal government over the

award of the pipeline surveillance contract to Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

The ex-militants made the commendation yesterday in a

Mbaka Denies Prophesying against Peter Obi’s Presidency Gideon Arinze in Enugu The embattled Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has denied that he prophesied against presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi. The outspoken cleric, who was only recently replaced as spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu (AMEN), made this known in a video he shared on Facebook just before heading to the monastery.

Mbaka was reported to have declared during a Sunday service in June this year that the former Governor of Anambra State would not win the presidential election.

He, however, clarified that he did not mention Obi or talked about him during the said service, adding that it was the work of purveyors of fake news.

He said: “After handing over to Fr. Anthony Amadi on Sunday, I started hearing that Fr. Mbaka spoke against Peter Obi. ‘I, Rev. Fr. Mbaka, on that Sunday never mentioned Peter not to talk of Obi.’ “Please, whoever is being used by the devil to blackmail me in the name of doing any job for anybody is satanic and should apologise, withdraw such nefarious and satanic utterance and be careful when you want to harm the image of a man of God.

statement signed by their leader, “General” Deji Ehinmowo, in Akure while assuring that Tompolo, who was the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), would secure the pipelines across the region for the benefit of the country.

According to them, Tompolo was in the best position to execute the pipeline surveillance

contract awarded by the federal government, having carried out similar exercise successfully in the past, noting that the federal government’s decision to award the contract to Tompolo was not misplaced.

The statement reads: “The former leader of the MEND has done enough to keep the peace in the Niger Delta. Tompolo hated bunkering activities in the Niger

Delta due to the destruction of aquatic lives and its health implications.

“It is on record that Tompolo has worked tirelessly for the peace in Niger Delta and will continue to sustain and protect the wealth of the nation in collaboration with other stakeholders. The United Sea-Wolf Avengers commend the Federal Government for doing the right thing by awarding the

protection of a vital nation’s wealth to our leader, Tompolo. The contract to Tompolo is another source of empowerment to the people of the Niger Delta region.

“We are ready to support the federal government’s efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region and the development of the region as well as to boost the economy of the country.”

Accept Your Culpability for Judicial Misrepresentation, Osun PDP Tells Oyetola Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chided the state All Progressives Congress (APC) for denying its principal culpability for media trial and judicial misrepresentation in the ongoing hearing of the election governorship petition tribunal despite avalanche of evidence and facts.

Reacting to APC’s statement on alleged rumours over what transpired at the tribunal last Tuesday, the PDP reaffirmed that it issued no statement on the proceedings because it has high regards for the tribunal but posited that the sitting was open to members of the public who all witnessed the proceeding from the beginning to the end.

In the statement signed by the

state party Caretaker Chairman, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the PDP said: “We saw the many advantages we had yesterday from the conduct of the petitioners’ counsel to the brilliant presentations of respondents’ lawyers, but we opted not to issue a statement as a way of keeping our eyes on the ball. How APC turned around to blame us for its legal woes is still a puzzle for us.

“The PDP as a law-abiding body has every responsibility to bring the court order nullifying Oyetola’s candidature to the notice of the tribunal. The legal basis for this is the reality that today, the petitioner was not a candidate at the election he is challenging at the tribunal.” “f the petitioner is not a candidate at that election, and as long as that order subsists, the tribunal indeed has nothing to proceed on.

Receives Bayelsa Gov, Promises Action on Requests Gombe Gov Swears in Justice Buhari told the governor that his actions Earlier in his address, Diri, government should take over the Deji Elumoye inAbuja the request would be with, who was accompanied by his Bayelsa State Medical University, Mohammed as Acting Chief Judge President Muhammadu Buhari on“promptness and immediacy.” predecessor, Senator Seriake now that government was

SegunAwofadejiinGombe

The Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya yesterday sworn in Justice Halima Sadiya Mohammed as the Acting Chief Judge of the State.

The appointment of Justice Halima is sequel to the attainment of the mandatory age of retirement of the substantive CJ, Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak.

Impressed by the exemplary leadership of the outgoing chief Judge of the State Justice Joseph Awak, paid special tribute to retiring CJ for his laudable and selfless service

to the Government and people of Gombe State, and the entire nation.

He said the jurist served the State with distinction throughout his long career in the Judiciary.

“During that period, Justice Awak has distinguished himself as a judicial officer of the finest caliber, who is committed to the pursuit of justice and the preservation of law and order”.

He described his dedication to duty, hard work, legal scholarship, professional competence as worthy of emulation saying “Even though he is retiring, the State shall frequently require his wise counsel”.

NGO to Transform 20m Nigerian Girls, Seeks Enhanced Media Collaboration Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

An international non- governmental organisations (NGO) and civil rights body, Plan International Nigeria, has disclosed that it has an agenda to transform power relation in favour of millions of girls in Nigeria in the next five years.

This is just as the organisation called for enhanced synergy with the media in Nigeria to promote the girl child transformation, especially on issues of adolescent girls and the protection of the

Nigerian child in general.

Country Director, Mr. Charles Usie Emmamuzou, made the call during an interactive session with media representatives in Abuja , where he highlighted the progress made so far by Plan International in the last one year in Nigeria and how the organization has mapped out strategies to expand its network of operations in the next five years, one of which he said was partnering with relevant stakeholders, especially the media.

yesterday met with the Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri, at the State House, Abuja, assuring him that he would address three major requests he tabled before him.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the president categorically

Responding to an address by the governor during his visit, Buhari stressed the need for immediate response to the governor, saying, “given the period we are in, I know most of you are in the field campaigning. I will respond to your requests as quickly as possible.”

Dickson; His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and the Chairman of the State’s Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, asked for three important things from the president.

According to him, the federal

setting up medical hospitals in the geopolitical zones; a speedy completion of three federal roads in each of the Senatorial Districts; and the restoration of the Oil Mining Licence, (OML 46) to Bayelsa State, which he said was unjustly revoked and awarded to a private company.

2023: Soludo Denies Ordering APGA Members to Work against Obi David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has denied media reports that he ordered officials of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to work against former state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi’s presidential ambition.

There had been reports that Soludo had allegedly charged APGA members during a

meeting at the governor’s lodge to work against Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

The report alleged that Soludo instructed his supporters to work for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who they said has promised to hand over to an Igbo man after his tenure.

But the Chief Press Secretary

to Soludo, Mr. Christian Aburime, has described the report as false, disdainful, and distasteful.

According to him, “We would have chosen to ignore this mischievous and utterly despicable publication, but for the benefit of a few innocent Ndi-Anambra who could be mis-informed by the write up.”

Aburime said the meeting with APGA chieftains was

a routine gathering where issues concerning APGA were discussed, adding that at no time during the meeting was Obi made a point of discourse.

“It is pertinent to note that issues discussed at the meeting were purely issues relating to APGA affairs. We, therefore, urge Ndi-Anambra and members of the public to completely ignore and disregard the publication in its entirety,” Aburime said.

Quintuplets: Mother, Babies Deserve Special Care, Says Abia APC Guber Candidate Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, has called for a special care for the mother of quintuplets and her babies, Oluomachi Nwojo, a 24-year-old

final year student of Forestry and Environmental Management at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU).

He made the call yesterday when he visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia where the five babies were born 24 hours earlier, saying he came to rejoice with the new mother

and her family.

Nwojo was delivered of the five babies via cesarean section last Tuesday. The multiple births were three baby girls and two boys.

Emenike, who was represented by the Director-General of his governorship campaign council, Chief Uche Ogboso, congratulated

the parents of the quintuplets on the safe delivery of the “bountiful gifts from God.” He presented gifts of cash, baby formula, beverages and diapers for the care of the young mother and her babies, adding that multiple birth is a rare occurrence which demands holistic prenatal and postnatal care.

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THURSDAY, ;˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

James Makes History in Chelsea’s Defeat of Milan at Stamford Bridge CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

FC Salzburg 1-0 D’Zagreb

Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

Chelsea recorded their first win in Group E of this season’s UEFA Champions League after a comfortable 3-0 win against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge last night.

Reece James made history on the night, at age 22 years and 301 days, he is now the youngest

C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E Chelsea player ever to both score and assist a goal in the same UEFA Champions League game.

Also on target for Chelsea was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

while Wesley Fofana opened his goals account for Graham Potter’s side.

The win took Chelsea to second place on four points after three

games played.

Chelsea opened the scoring in the 24th minute thanks to Fofana who netted his first goal for the Blues from a corner.

In the 56th minute Aubameyang doubled Chelsea’s lead as he turned home James’ cross.

James then got on the score sheet on 62nd minute to make it 3-0.

In Group G, Erling Haaland continued his impressive form in front of goal, as he bagged a brace in Manchester City’s 5-0 win against Copenhagen at the Etihad.

Leipzig 3-1 Celtic

R’Madrid 2-1 Shakhtar Man City 5-0 Copenhagen Sevilla 1-4 Dortmund Benfica 1-1 PSG Juventus 3-1 M’Haifa

Ajibade Leads Super Falcons against Nadeshikoin Kobe Olawale Ajimotokan Ace forward Rasheedat Ajibade will lead Nigeria’s senior women team when they confront their Japanese counterparts in a prestigious international friendly in Kobe today.

Regular skipper Onome Ebi is only just recovering from an injury sustained at the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in July and Spain-based forward Asisat Oshoala is not in Kobe for this encounter.

The precocious Ajibade scored three of Nigeria’s goals in Morocco, including the winner against Cameroon in the quarter-finals that qualified the nine-time African champions to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next year.

First choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is available, alongside defenders Michelle Alozie, Osinachi

Reece James...now Chelsea’s youngest UEFA Champions League scorer

Rasheedat Ajibade...to lead Super Falcons against Japan in an international friendly today

Rain Disrupts Lagos Tennis Cup, Timibra Shines The opening games of the 2022 Lagos Tennis Cup were interrupted for about an hour before play resumed with players completing the day's schedule on Wednesday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Shining brightest on the day was late qualifier Godsgift Timibra.

The Bayelsa star had to travel from Port-Harcourt overnight by road after receiving a last-minute call-up to replace title favourite and home boy Wilson Igbinovia who withdrew after failing to reschedule his flight to the USA because of the exorbitant penalty.

Despite his stressful trip, Timibra rallied to beat No. 5 seed Thomas Otu in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. Unfortunately for Otu he was one of a few players who had battle injuries to complete their games.

Next up for the maiden Lagos Tennis Cup finalist will be a game against the only Lagos-based men's player left in the tournament, Phillip Abayomi. Abayomi opened his campaign in fine style after outlasting No.2 seed Nonso Madueke 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Defending champion Uche Oparaoji looked set for a tricky

opener against No.1 seed Henry Atseye, but instead earned a walkover after Atseye failed to show up.

Oparaoji will now take on fellow Abuja-based player Peter Lawal who dispatched No.7 seed Chima Michael in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.

On his part, Chima will try to get his campaign back on track with a difficult game against Atseye who is expected to be on ground for his

second round game.

Meanwhile first round vanquished Otu and Madueke will seek to earn their first points against each other next.

In the women's category it was easy going for top seeds Marylove Edwards and Aanu Ayegbusi.

Defending champion and No.1 seed, Marylove, coasted past Rachael Adunoye 6-3, 6-0 in straight sets,

Twenty Bucks, Okwor Foundation Using Sports to Fight Electoral Violence Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Non-government organizations, Twenty Bucks Creative and Jalo Okwor Foundation have organised the Peace Cup 2022 to raise awareness among the youth to eschew violence and promote peace in the country during the 2023 general elections.

The Founder of Twenty Bucks Creative, Charbel Olusanya Jarrouge, said the five- aside tournament held in Abuja was packaged for the youths to know what is right by

not selling their votes.

“Seeing what is going on in Nigeria, I thought this is an opportunity to come out, speak and create awareness and to educate the youth. They should not sell their vote and future. They should look at tomorrow and not today. That is my short and direct message to them,” Jarrouge said.

He cautioned the youth not to present themselves as willing tools to perpetuate violence.

His view was corroborated by

World Cup: Ukraine Join Spain and Portugal's Bid to Host 2030 Tournament Ukraine have joined Spain and Portugal's bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Representatives of the Spanish, Portuguese and Ukrainian football associations confirmed their plans at UEFA's headquarters on Wednesday.

The Ukrainians were invaded by Russia in February and the war has continued since then with thousands of troops and civilians killed and major cities suffering significant destruction.

while Ayegbusi crushed Bunmi Are with two bagels of 6-0, 6-0.

In other games, a comeback from sixth seed Stella Udokwelu was halted by seventh seed Toyin Asogba after the latter triumphed 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 in three sets. In the final game of the day, 16-year-old Oiza Yakubu survived a fightback from late call-up Blessing Omotayo to earn her first win 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5).

Spain and Portugal originally announced a joint bid in June 2021.

"Our bid is not an Iberian bid any more, it's a European bid," Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish federation (RFEF), said.

"I'm convinced that now our bid is much better than before. Football is universal and if it is capable of changing the life of people in so many ways it should also be used for doing good."

The three-way partnership has "unconditional support" from UEFA, European football's governing body, according to a statement by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

"The example of tenacity and resilience set by the Ukrainian people is inspiring," the FPF said.

"This proposal aims to contribute through the power of football to the recovery of a country undergoing reconstruction."

the Stephen Okwor, the National Coordinator of Jalo Okwor Initiative.

Okwor noted that the initiative, in partnership with Mary Jane Foundation is designed to be as umbrella or vehicle to promote peace in Nigeria especially with regards to the2023 election by educating the youths who are the usual tools by politicians for electoral violence He noted that they decided to fuse sport into the campaign against violent elections plan because sports is a unifier.

“Sports is a unifier, as we are playing football now, no body is asking the other persons whether they are Hausa or Igbo or Yoruba.

None is asking ‘are you Christian or Moslem?’ We don’t care about the ethnic or racial divide, social differences or economic status. We just want to play sports. That is why is sports is a special vehicle because it is neutral of religion of social and ethnic bias,” Okwor said.

He said they organised a similar programme in Ogoja, Cross River State in November last year on the heel of the first edition in Abuja in 2019. He said there is a plan for the next edition to hold in Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

Ohale, Ashleigh g Plumptre p and Glory Ogbonna Ogbonna, as well as mid midfielders Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Uchenna Kanu.

Also in Kobe are goalkeeper Peace Obidinma, defenders Jumoke Alani and Akudo Ogbonna, midfielders Peace Efih and Esther Onyenezide, and forwards Amanda Uju Mbadi and Flourish Sebastian.

Abiodun, Obidinma, Alani, Onyenezide and Sebastian were in the Nigeria U20 squad at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August.

The Super Falcons, ever-present at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, take on former world champions Japan at the Noevir Stadium, Kobe as from 4.30pm Japan time(8.30amNigeria time) this evening.

Akinwunmi: ‘Football First’ Dream Still on Course

The Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association and the immediate past 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, has opened up after losing the election to become the president of the NFF last Friday in Benin City.

Akinwunmi said that he would continue to support football and help the youths to grow in the round leather game just to further confirm his football first campaign for the NFF elections.

He said: “Let me start by saying the dream epitomised by the ‘Football First’ campaign is not dead.

“I know the road for me in football has not ended, especially with the messages I have received from the football fraternity including my competitors, that have actually been very humbling

and in a sense fulfilling. Youth development is part of my DNA and I will not turn my being away from that.

“One good thing that has emerged especially after the elections is that the “FOOTBALL FIRST” Strategic Development Plan put together by my BSA for NFF President Campaign team has emerged along with the 10-year Football Masterplan as the blueprint for football development in Nigeria, going forward. “In addition, I remain a vital and relevant player in driving this football development, one way or the other.

“I am very relaxed about the outcome of the election. To shake the table as we have done despite the forces and funding that were against us gives me hope for the future of the game.”

SportBusiness + Brands Magazine, Sport Impact Africa Conference Announce Partnership Leading Sports Business publication, SportBusiness + Brands Magazine has partnered the upcoming Sport Impact Africa Conference, slated for November 2022.

It is the first partnership for SportBusiness + Brands Magazine, also available online, sportbusinessbrand.com, which offers businesses visibility at highly influential and well attended events.

Publisher, SportBusiness + Brands Magazine, Ojeikere Glover Aikhoje said: "We are proud to partner SportImpact Africa to boost the business of Sports in Africa.

"It is an opportunity to unlock the potentials of sports business in Nigeria and Africa. Live events are a mainstay of the sports business industry and an opportunity for networking."

Sport Media Consultant and

Convener of Sport Impact Africa, Ayodeji Omotoyinbo, expressed satisfaction with the partnership.

"SportBusiness + Brands has shown commitment to the sucess of this maiden edition. We are proud of this partnership," he stated.

Sport Impact Africa spans two days and brings together thought leaders in the sports industry to explore the various commercial opportunities in the sports business value chain, discuss the power of sports as a tool for youth development initiatives and showcase the huge potential of the African market for sports retail business.

It will feature conferences, seminars and media masterclasses, facilitated by the best hands in the industry. The Conference runs from November 3, through November 4, 2022.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Aisha Buhari to Politicians

“Failing election for three times was a big blow to any contestant. But those that have contested for just yesterday, a simple primary election, they are still living in a traumatic condition. I tried to console them, I tried to talk to them; some of them have switched off their phones up till today. Just because of a primary election”—First Lady, sharing personal experiences on how she dealt with her husband’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

A Nation of Many ‘Technocrats’ I

visited Bayelsa State in January 2015 while Governor (now Senator) Seriake Dickson was planning his transition. My host had secured a 6am appointment with the governor, which I considered rather unusual. He explained that my attending the daily Christian morning devotional at Government House would make it easy for me to see Dickson following the session. So, by 6am the next morning, I was among the congregation, with everybody singing loftily to a medley of Christian songs. When Dickson danced into the venue with a tambourine, the tempo of the worship increased. Thereafter, the Governor brought the praise worship session to an end with a short prayer and announced: “The State memory verse”.

I was still trying to understand what that meant when the people around me chorused in unison: “Jeremiah 20 verses 11 and 12” and began to chant the Biblical passage which was recited three times. In the process, someone who saw that I could not follow handed me his mobile handset where the passage had been downloaded. It reads: “…But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so, my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.”

As I reflected on that recitation after the session, I was baffled not so much by the strange fact that the state had a Biblical ‘memory verse’ but rather about the choice of the text. How could the call for ‘persecutors’ to stumble, be disgraced and dishonoured reflect what Bayelsa residents would wish when the Bible contains numerous passages about people in authority and their own welfare? Evidently, the ‘memory verse’ was targeted at the governor’s enemies and the congregation corralled into adopting it. Such is the power of religion in the Nigerian public space that no government house is complete without a Church or Mosque (or both). Sadly, godliness is not reflected in the governance of our country at all levels.

Not surprisingly, religion was one of the talking points at the 2022 edition of ‘Platform Nigeria’ which held last Saturday in Lagos.

In their presentations, both author and serial entrepreneur, Mr Kunle Soriyan and former National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) executive chairman, Dr Sam Amadi spoke to the issue of religion. Soiryan’s contention is that it will soon become extinct. “Faith and spirituality will expand but religion will die”, predicted Soriyan who canvassed the need for people to open their minds to knowledge.

Amadi, himself a pastor, cited personal examples to illustrate why we should not continue to mix religion with politics or public policy in Nigeria. At NERC, the practice he met was to recite Christian and Muslim prayers before the commencement of every meeting, as they do at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) sessions. He stopped it. “We have mosques and chapels in the building where anyone could go and pray at designated religious periods.

But in official meetings, people should pray in their hearts. We start our meeting with national anthem where necessary. Otherwise, we go straight to business.” Interestingly, according to Amadi, instead of this policy being opposed, it was well received. “Even the most religious

Pastor Poju Oyemade staff of NERC embraced it and didn’t find any bias or disrespect for their religion in that policy. This experience convinced me that government needs not get entangled with religious issues. Leave religion totally out of official government policy and programmes.

Let the people worship God if they like and how they like.”

I will return to this issue in future but there is a growing consensus that religion has not been a positive factor in the Nigerian public space and de-emphasizing it is important if we are to make progress. But the interactions at ‘Platform Nigeria’ last Saturday were not about religion. Rather, the forum’s focus was how to reposition Nigeria for the challenges ahead. The lively session began with respected bureaucrat and DAI Country Director, Dr Joe Abah (who came clad in traditional Igbo ‘Isi Agu’ dress) sharing uncomfortable nuggets about our country as a self-appointed spokesman of the gods.

In using the power of silence and reflection to illustrate her point, the CEO of RadioNow 95.3FM, Ms Kadaria Ahmed emphasized that unity of purpose, as opposed to pulling in different directions, is what Nigeria needs at this moment. “You can’t have a nation unless we come together,” she said. Renowned broadcaster and communications strategist, Dr Victor Oladokun reminded us that nations are not built “by fate, accident, daydreaming or wishful thinking”. The future to which we aspire, he added, “was yesterday so we are already late” which then means we have no time to waste.

“We must consciously design the future we want and work for it,” he admonished.

The futility of applying a plaster to a deep wound formed the kernel of the intervention by transformation strategist, Ms Alero AyidaOtobo who called on citizens to “arise and stop making excuses” for our failings. The

question posed by the founder & principal of Alder Consulting, Dr Leke Alder was ‘how do we create a better Nigeria?’ and he provided insights on what he believes we should all be doing. But it was the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA) Director General, Prof Eghosa Osaghae who set the tone for the conversations by telling three stories in what turned out a day of interesting anecdotes. As I explained in my own presentation, stories have the power to connect reality with imagination, allowing us to learn from the achievements, failures and foibles of others. They also offer listeners diverse world experiences which can then shape, strengthen or challenge how they view the past or envision the future.

In the first story by Eghosa, he spoke of visiting a governor who claimed to have done so much for his people yet felt unappreciated.

After listing his achievements, the governor reportedly asked, “What else do they want?”

Eghosa said he replied by asking in return, “have you asked them what they want?” The governor, according to Egbosa responded: “We know what they want.” His second story deals with a drunkard who lost money and walked several metres away to a new location where he conducted a search. When asked why he was not searching where he lost the money, the drunkard reportedly replied: “There is light here.”

Egbosa explained the import of the two stories as they relate to governance and the state of our nation, as did others. But for me perhaps the best anecdote of the day was the one by our host, Pastor Poju Oyemade. In his opening remarks he called on whoever wins the February 2023 presidential election to assemble a pool of talent, even from outside their political party. Pastor Poju added that he understood the nature of the reward system in politics before sharing the story from a friend who defined a technocrat: “When I was an undergraduate at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, my roommate and I were cooking one day and a friend of ours came in and we shared our meal with him. But surprisingly, this friend of ours always showed up anytime we were cooking. It became obvious to us that his visits were not accidental, so my roommate described our friend as ‘a technocrat.’”

If we stretch the story to examine the Nigerian condition, the mindset with which most Nigerians relate to their country is not different. And successive governments shoulder a lot of the blame for that. The famous quote from the late President John Kennedy’s January 1961 inaugural address, charging Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country” is a mantra many Nigerians like to mouth.

Yet, our people have been led to believe they are not expected to contribute to building the collective good. Even as late in the day as it is, Nigerians are still being told that government is coming to take care of them. So, we are consciously building a ‘technocratic’ citizenry brought up on a culture of entitlement, even while resources are not there.

In his third story last Saturday, Prof Eghosa expanded on his thesis that “altruism, patriotism, loyalty and sacrificing for country have become outlier elements of citizenship in Nigeria.” He said we have unwittingly created a system where ownership and legitimacy remain highly contested while people come not to give but

rather to take. Most citizens, according to Eghosa, “relate to the country only in terms of what they can get for themselves as individuals and the groups to which they belong. Our attitudes to payment of tax and even holding leaders to account reflect these fundamental tendencies.

The country has no father or mother, and can be fleeced to death, who cares?”

Having perfected the art of detaching ourselves from the nation as a shared patrimony, we are yet to come to that special place where both the government and the people meet in an honest admission of shared responsibility for the challenge of national retrieval. This convergence requires leadership and political will and is difficult in an environment where there is a shallow understanding of the concept of nation building. This leads to an important question: Who builds a nation—an involuntary collectivity of citizens or an elite with a common vision?

This question was answered last weekend by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a public lecture to mark the 62nd independence anniversary. He argued that the story of successful societies is one of commitment and sacrifice by the elites.

“Put differently, every successful society is the product of a conscious, elite consensus: the implicit and explicit agreements of the elite to change their societies for good,” said Osinbajo.

As we can see from other societies, nationbuilding results from a visionary leadership and an enlightened elite. They are held together by a consensus of irreducible minimal agreement and led by capable people who understand the virtues of responsible governance, sacrifice and trenchant commitment. This then leads us to another question: Does political opportunism create an enlightened elite?

The answer is simple. People do not follow those who cannot lead themselves out of a dark alley. Selfless commitment to the nation, knowledge of the land and its people, a nonmaterialistic desire to serve without asking to be served are the minimum requirements to galvanize the people to assume their role as change and development agents. Nigeria’s endless quest for credible leadership is caught in this web of elite selection crisis in politics, economics, bureaucracy and technocracy.

And this brings me to the question of the moment: How do we escape the tyranny of ‘technocrats’—the food is ready brigade who populate our country?

That, precisely, is the historic conundrum of the coming 2023 general election.

Aníkúlápó

Y

esterday, I watched ‘Anikulapo’, the latest movie from Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) on Netflix and I agree with those who describe it as a masterpiece. From the storyline to the screenplay, camera work and acting, the movie is simply brilliant. The lady who played the errant queen (Bimbo Ademoye) nailed her role, as they say. She is just too good! It is indeed remarkable that without support from government, our young men and women have succeeded in creating a vibrant music and entertainment industry with global appeal.

To Kunle Afolayan, my congratulations!

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