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Dangote Cement Closure: MAN Berates Kogi Govt, Says Action Illegitimate, Anti-business State: No payment was paid, vows to recover company Ibrahim Oyewale, Lokoja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos The Manufacturers Association

of Nigeria (MAN) has berated Kogi State government for allegedly engaging armed youths to enforce the sealing of

the Dangote Cement’s factory located in Obajana, describing the action as insensitive and capable of discouraging investors.

The association’s position on the matter came just as Kogi State government has presented to the public the report of the

Specialised Technical Committee on the Evaluation of the Legality of the alleged acquisition of Obajana Cement Company Plc by Dangote

Cement Company Limited.

The President of MAN, Mr. Continued on page 5

CBN: N2.10tn Disbursed to 426 Projects Under Real Sector Facility... Page 5 Friday 7 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10038. Price: N250

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Wike Set to Assent Motion Striping Omehia of ‘Former Governor’Title Lawmakers order Omehia to refund N696m benefit Rivers withdraws criminal suit against Amaechi, Cole, others Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt For not sharing Governor Nyesom Wike's political views and not

supporting his crusade to remove the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former governor of Rivers State,

Mr. Celestine Omehia has been stripped of his title as a former governor of the state.

This was just as the Rivers State

Government yesterday withdrew the criminal suit filed against immediate former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi,

governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections in the state, Tonye Cole and five others.

The Rivers State House of Assembly apparently working Continued on page 5

Buhari Meets 23 Freed Kaduna Train Victims, Charges Service Chiefs to Replicate Success Appreciates military for bravery Lists unprecedented acquisition of military platforms, hardware in seven years Says he inherited nation at crossroads, with bombs going off at frightening frequency, even in cities Gbajabiamila commends FG, armed forces CAN hails president, security agencies over release Military vows to track down train bombers Deji Elumoye Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, met with the freed 23 passengers of the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) hospital in Kaduna.

Buhari charged the service chiefs to replicate the success recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North-east in other parts of the country. He said his administration had bolstered the armed forces with unprecedented acquisition of military platforms and hardware in the past few years, despite inheriting a dispirited nation.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, also expressed joy at the news of the release of the remaining 23 hostages abducted from the Kaduna-bound train. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila urged Nigerians to be relentless in their pursuit of peace in every ramification.

The Christian Association Continued on page 5

THE NATION FEELS YOUR PAIN...

President Muhammadu Buhari met the freed abducted train attack victims in Kaduna State...yesterday

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CBN: N2.10tn Disbursed to 426 Projects Under Real Sector Facility Apex bank, GIZ engage MSMEs, artisans on access to loans James Emejo, Anwuli Umunna in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday disclosed that cumulative disbursements under the Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) currently stands at N2.10 trillion disbursed to 426 projects across the country.

The facility was established as part of efforts by the apex bank to stimulate output growth, enhance value addition and engender productivity in the economy, and is channelled towards increasing credit to priority sectors of the economy with sufficient employment capabilities, high growth potential, increase accretion to foreign reserves, expand the industrial base andconsequently, diversify the economy.

The central bank added that it had released the sum of N66.99 billion to 12 additional projects in manufacturing and agriculture under the facility.

This was disclosed by the

CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, who also said the bank was seriously committed to export-ready businesses, thereby encouraging businesses to embrace the bank’s concept of Produce, Add Value and Export (PAVE).

Speaking at the CBN Special Day at the ongoing 17th International Trade Fair, themed: “Creating an Export Ready Market through SME Digitalization”, which was

organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Nwanisobi, also stated that the central bank also recently disbursed N20.17 billion to 14 projects in healthcare, manufacturing, and services, bringing the cumulative disbursement under the 100 for 100 Policy on Production and Productivity (PPP) to N93.39 billion to 62 projects.

Represented at the exhibition by the CBN acting Director, Corporate

which is designed to be the key for fast-tracking a bucket of substitutes to crude oil export, encourages backward integration for the local production of items in which we have a comparative advantage.

“If it worked for the South-east Asians, it surely can work for us in Nigeria. I, therefore, urge SMEs to ensure that their products and services are export-ready and can compete globally.”

He also said the CBN had

supported entrepreneurship development in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, by committing the sum N39.26 million under the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES), bringing the total disbursement under the intervention to N332.43 million.

According to him, despite the global economic challenges, the Continued on page 12

BUHARI MEETS 23 FREED KADUNA TRAIN VICTIMS, CHARGES SERVICE CHIEFS TO REPLICATE SUCCESS of Nigeria (CAN) said it was pleased with the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnap victims.

A statement signed by CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended Buhari for the development, saying it signposts the efforts of the federal government to tackle the country’s common enemy, insecurity.

The military high command, yesterday, declared that the terrorists who bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train and killed eight passengers

would not go unpunished.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement, disclosed that Buhari made the impromptu visit to the hospital to see the victims of the train attack after inaugurating Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the Nigerian Defence Academy at Afaka, Kaduna State.

Before boarding the presidential aircraft, NAF 001, back to Abuja from the Kaduna International Airport, Buhari went to the hospital,

DANGOTE CEMENT CLOSURE: MAN BERATES KOGI GOVT, SAYS ACTION ILLEGITIMATE, ANTI-BUSINESS Mansur Ahmed, told journalists yesterday in Lagos, during a press briefing on the 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association that the body viewed the news of the shut down the cement factory as worrisome development and with tremendous concern.

He said it was alarming that a government could take measures to shut down a plant that had been providing jobs and sustaining economic activities on a very large scale over an alleged non-payment of taxes.

Ahmed also announced that the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, would be the distinguished guest speaker for the 2nd Adeola Odutola Lecture during the AGM scheduled to hold between October 17 and October 19, 2022, with the theme, “An Agenda for Nigeria’s Industrialisation for the Next Decade.”

He said: “Now, this is totally illegitimate. If the government has any issues against any member of our industry (association), or indeed against any corporate citizen, the appropriate thing to do is to take the company to court.

“You can't use strong arm tactics to shut them down or impose very severe restrictions on their operations simply to force them.

This is illegal. And I believe that what has happened will not happen in any normally manage economic environment.

“We have no reason not to pay taxes to Kogi State government as and when you due. Indeed, I'm aware, and I obviously I have the right to say so that the Dangote industry is one of the largest taxpayers in Nigeria.

“And I believe that as a matter of principle that they (Dangote Group) pay their taxes as at when due.

There is no justification to threaten with closure of that industry.

“We are totally, totally opposed to that kind of measure. Because any issue between government and the citizen, or even between citizens, there are ways of resolving it amicably or at least in a legal manner, not to use any strong arm tactics.

“We hope that the relevant authorities at both the state and federal level will step in to ensure that this kind of behavior is not repeated.”

He added that MAN has taken the matter up to the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment with the expectation that the relevant government authorities would take steps to resolve the matter.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadri, said the threat to shutdown Dangote Cement’s factory in Obajana was uncalled

Communications Department, Mr. Sam Okogbue, he said, the PAVE concept aims to make Nigerians consume what they produce, add value to such products and export the surpluses.

Nwanisobi said, “It is an initiative similar to the exportled industrialisation policy of South-East Asia, which changed the economic fortunes of countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. PAVE,

for and as a matter of fact against the run of events in the country.

Ajayi-Kadri said: “As we transit to a new government, this is not the time to show how insensitive, and that is the kindest word that I can use, a government can be to an industry.

“Even the host community never participated in that inglorious exercise. You can imagine private citizens bearing arms to shut down a corporate citizen of Nigeria. Nigerians should see it as an affront and the Kogi State Government should be advised to immediately seize all hostilities.

We cannot be working against the interest of the people.”

Speaking on other economic issues, he said the re-introduction of excise duty on carbonated soft drinks was done at a very wrong time and amounted to changing the goal post in the middle of the game.

“We had a three- five-year plan for the escalation of the excise duty but all that was thrown into the wind and a new one introduced that is targeted at killing the industry. This should be rescinded immediately. That is the only way that sector will survive.”

Meanwhile, the detailed report submitted to the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello last month was presented to the public by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Ayoade at the Government House in Lokoja, yesterday.

Ayoade alleged that the transfer of Obajana to Dangote Industries Limited, was "invalid, null and void.”

She disclosed in the report that three Certificates of Occupancy for Obajana Cement Company Plc, which was solely owned by Kogi State government as at the time, were used to obtain a loan of N63 billion by Dangote.

According to her, the Committee in view of its findings therefore recommended that Kogi State should take steps to recover Obajana Cement Company from the Dangote Group.

The Committee, chaired by the SSG, also recommended that: "Kogi State government should take steps to recover all accrued dividends from profits made over the years, including accrued interest on same.

"Kogi State government should take steps to cancel the existing seven Certificates of Occupancy in the name of Dangote Cement Company."

The SSG added, “Agreement between Kogi State Government of Nigeria and Dangote Industries Limited, dated 30th July 2002, and supplemental agreement dated 14th February 2003, as contained in Exhibit 71 of the

Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report, purporting the transfer of Obajana Cement Company Plc to Dangote Industries Limited, are all invalid, null and void.

“There is no evidence of consideration paid by Dangote Industries Limited to Kogi State Government from the alleged transfer of Obajana Cement Company Plc and no dividend was paid to the state from the profits realised from the inception of Dangote Cement Company Plc to date.

“By the assignment of the three certificates of occupancy, the title in Obajana Cement Company Plc, still vests in Kogi State government as the sole owner. The three documents were used to obtain a loan of sixty-three billion naira only (63,000,000,000.00) to finance the construction of the cement plant in Obajana.”

Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, specifically noted that the acquisition of the Obajana Cement Company by Dangote was without the resolution of the House of Assembly, which made the process null and void.

“It is clear that you cannot sell a state government property of any form without the resolution of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

“All the transfer process of the share capital to Dangote from Obajana by the previous administration was without any law backing it by the state House of Assembly,” Kolawole stated.

In his remarks, the governor said he took the bold step in line with his mandate to safeguard the lives and livelihood of the people of Kogi State, including residents, and to ensure their wellbeing.

Bello said this was also coming on the heels of protests by the people of the state who felt they had been suppressed and marginalised by the Dangote Group which he alleged was ripping them off.

The governor, however, said that the state was open to discussions once the Dangote Group was ready to come clean.

“We received several petitions from the general public over this particular subject matter. In the past five to six years, all efforts to sit with the proprietors of the Dangote Conglomerate failed.

“We set up a committee to look into this and invited the Dangote company to discuss with them and tell them the imminent dangers they are exposing the people to, but it all fell on deaf ears.

“I am here to defend my people, and from all reports, it is clear that Obajana Cement Company does not belong to Dangote," Bello declared.

where he also thanked the Nigerian military for their brave services in securing the safe release of the hostages from Boko Haram terrorists.

Members of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, led by Major General Usman Abdulkadir (rtd), who facilitated the release of the train victims, were present at the hospital.

Others in the team included Major General Adamu Jalingo (rtd), Brigadier General Abubakar Saad (rtd), Dr. Murtala Ahmed Rufai, Ibrahim Abdulllahi, Ambassador Ahmed Magaji, and the committee’s secretary, Professor Yusuf Usman.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Leo Irabor, introduced the committee members and briefed the president.

Speaking earlier at the passing out parade of the Cadets of 69 Regular Course, Buhari restated the commitment of the armed forces, under his command, to fulfilling the promise to neutralise Boko Haram terrorism in the North-east.

He pledged that they would not relent in resettling and rehabilitating the victims of the tragedy.

However, Buhari acknowledged that although successes had been recorded in the fight against the insurgency inherited by his government, especially in the North-east, the security challenges in the country had evolved and assumed other dimensions in some areas.

According to him, “We have devised both military and nonmilitary methods to intervene, and even rolled out an amnesty programme to rehabilitate repentant terrorists who surrendered and laid down their arms unconditionally.

“Our tasks as the guardians of the nation are to prepare for the evolving and complex security situations and make sure that no terrorists can threaten Nigeria’s sovereign integrity.

“In this regard, I have instructed the service chiefs to replicate the successes in the North-east in other parts of the country, and I call on all Nigerians to continue

to support our armed forces and security agencies.”

The president charged the military to continue to safeguard the economic and military capabilities of the country and not allow terrorists and insurgents destroy the investments in key national infrastructure.

The president stated, “Our interventions, and even where we dealt with saboteurs, were designed to prevent the collapse of the economy and revitalise the armed forces, and this is the legacy we are handing over to the next administration.

“This is an important point we must acknowledge, especially as the election year draws closer. I am utterly committed to ensuring that the forthcoming elections are peaceful and transparent, and it is our collective responsibility to continue to work towards building a united and prosperous country.”

He highlighted the comprehensive and systematic acquisition of weapons for the military by his administration within seven years, describing them as unprecedented in the past 38 years.

Buhari told the cadets that it was an honour to serve as the Reviewing Officer of the Passing Out Parade of 69 Regular Course for the last time as, “President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He explained, “When this government came in 2015, we inherited a country at crossroads, with bombs going off at frightening frequency, even in our cities, and we came in to confront and manage the crisis.

“This administration has since coming on board procured over 550 naval platforms, out of which 319 have been delivered, as part of the aggressive fleet recapitalisation of the Nigerian Navy.

“We have also increased the number of Nigerian Air Force platforms by more than 38 per cent and enhanced the serviceability rate of aircraft in the NAF inventory by over 70 per cent.

“In pursuing this same objective, the Nigerian Army has received more than 2000 units of various armoured fighting vehicles, guns, and equipment. These are in addition to improved funding of the three services along with other security and intelligence agencies.

“These comprehensive and systematic acquisitions within seven years are not only unprecedented in the past 38 years, but they also align with our pledge to safeguard and strengthen the security architecture of our country.

“Although this is not a forum to introduce you to the military hardware you are stepping out to inherit, it is imperative to identify the magnitude and complexities of conflicts surrounding us.

“While acknowledging that our measures have yielded results and we remain ever grateful for the sacrifices of members of the armed forces, we must brace up for the dimensions this conflict has taken.”

On the release of the train victims held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists, the president hailed the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches adopted by the military in tackling the country's security challenges.

He said, “This feat was not achieved without our military, as the interventionist Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee set up by General LEO Irabor was at the centre of the development, along with sister security agencies.

I say bravo to our soldiers, officers and gentlemen.”

The president, while congratulating the graduating cadets, noted that their journey and career as officers in the armed forces of Nigeria had begun.

He stated, “There is no better time to prove your valour and demonstrate the virtues upon which this academy was founded in the defence of your fatherland, and I trust you to do so with uncompromising dignity and honour.

“Your convergence here symbolises our national unity, Continued on page 34

WIKE SET TO ASSENT MOTION STRIPING OMEHIA OF ‘FORMER GOVERNOR’ TITLE on Wike’s directive, decided to de-recognise Omehia whose victory was handed over to Amaechi by Supreme Court in 2007, barely six months into the tenure.

The court had ruled that the victory belonged to the party and not individual, hence Amaechi who won the primary and denied the ticket assumed governorship position following the ceremonious judgement.

Currently Omehia is one of the allies of PDP presidential candidate, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who defeated Wike in the party’s presidential primaries.

However, the state Assembly in the approved motion has also ordered Omehia to refund all monies, especially the sum of N600 million as benefits in addition to receipt of N96,520,359.40, as monthly pensions received till September, 2022.

The House Leader, Martin Amaewhule, representing Obio/ Akpor Constituency I, presented the motion to, "Rescind the Rivers State House of Assembly Resolution on the Recognition of Sir Celestine Omehia as former governor of Rivers State and the restoration

of all benefits and entitlements due to him."

Presenting the motion addressed to the Speaker and members of the House yesterday, Amaewhule recalled that on June 30, 2015, a motion was moved, seconded and argued upon and a resolution was passed in favour of recognition of Omehia as former governor of the state and the restoration of his privileges and entitlements.

Amaewhule who is a close ally of Wike said based on the resolution of the House, the Rivers State government through an instrument published in the Official Gazette of the state, No. 5, Volume 52, of March, 2016, under Wike, had recognised Omehia as former governor and restored all the privileges and entitlements accruing to the former Rivers governor.

The House Leader stated: "Pursuant to the official recognition, Sir Celestine Omehia received a lot in financial benefits and entitlements from the Rivers State Government including the sum of N600,000,000.00 only as benefits, in addition to receipt of a total sum N96,520,359.40 only, as monthly pensions as September, 2022."

Amaewhule recalled that the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Amaechi versus INEC and two others in 2008, had declared that the appellant (Chibuike Amaechi) was the actual or valid governorship candidate of the PDP in Rivers State for the 2007 general election and not Omehia, who contested the election.

He further said the Supreme Court also held that, "in the eyes of the law, Omehia was never a candidate in the election much less a winner."

Amaewhule stated that being mindful of the position of the apex court on the subject matter and in line with Section 287 (I) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that, "the decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by, courts and subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court."

He said the continued recognition of Omehia as former governor of the state and the continued granting of privileges and entitlements accruing to all former governors of the state Continued on page 35

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

TINUBU RETURNS...

APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (right) and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Tinubu's return from the United Kingdom yesterday's night at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

NNPC: How Illegal Export Line Connecting High Sea Was Undetected for Nine Years Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja In a shocking revelation, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has narrated how an illegal oil pipeline connecting directly to the high sea was recently discovered.

Kyari said the major oil export terminal that had its products diverted into the sea had been operating undetected for nine years.

The four-kilometre or 2.5-mile connection from the Forcados export terminal, which typically exports around 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil, into the sea was found during a clampdown on theft in the past six weeks, Kyari said during a meeting with the Nigerian senate.

"Oil theft in the country has been going on for over 22 years but the dimension and rate it

assumed in recent times is unprecedented," Kyari told the lawmakers.

“But in rising up to the highly disturbing challenge, NNPC, has in recent time in collaboration with relevant security agencies clamped down on the economic saboteurs.

“In the course of the clampdown within the last six weeks, 395 illegal refineries have been deactivated, 274 reservoirs destroyed, 1,561 metal tanks destroyed, 49 trucks seized.

"The most striking of all, is the four-kilometre illegal oil connection line from Forcados Terminal into the sea which had been in operation undetected for nine solid years,” he added.

While thieves often tap landbased pipelines to siphon oil undetected, but an illegal line in the ocean is highly unusual and suggests a more sophisticated theft operation.

Forcados is operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), a local subsidiary of Shell.

Nigeria has been losing potential revenue from some 600,000 bpd of oil, Kyari mostly as a result of shut-ins due to vandalism.

Crude oil exports fell to 972,000 bpd in August for the first time since at least 1990 as a result, starving Nigeria of crucial cash.

Activities at the affected terminal have been stopped since a leak was found from a sub-sea hose at the terminal on July 17.

Shell said this week that it expected loadings to resume in the second half of October.

Kyari, however puts it in a number of days.

Nigeria recently took a raft of measures to curtail the oil theft menace, which so far appears

to have defied all solutions.

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

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo yesterday called on governments at all levels to plan cities in the country as well as growing urban centres to meet the needs of the growing population.

Osinbajo made the call in his address at the Archibuilt NIAInfodrac conference, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architecture (NIA), in Abuja.

The vice president stressed the need to develop cities and urban centres that are habitable and sustainable with life.

He said: "We are dealing with the rate of population growth and urbanisation that is probably unparalleled; we are dealing with some of the highest growth rates anywhere in the world.

"These are the sort of dramatic changes that challenge our capacity for social planning and urbanisation. Now, how do we ensure sustainable urban planning that transforms our cities and growing urban clusters to truly habitable space;that are of health and sustainable growth with high quality of life?

"Urban planning must include key energy need of a large number of people."

In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed said government had created several innovative approaches to financing and developing infrastructure projects by raising funds and resources and deploying them in key areas of concern.

She cited the Road Infrastructure Development and Fefurbishment

Investment Tax Credit Scheme launched in 2019, to leverage private sector capital via tax credits, and provide private sector expertise to construct, repair and maintain critical road infrastructure in key economic growth corridors and industrial clusters in Nigeria.

Ahmed also listed the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund through the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the Sukuk.

According to her, the government has so far issued a total of N694.5 billion Sukuk with the plan of issuing another N250 billion.

She stated that the funds raised had so far been deployed for specific road projects across the country.

Noting that the government had invested to fund projects in key sectors such as health,

in the "next few days".

Kyari further told the lawmakers that Nigeria was in a 'calamitous' situation over oil theft, and pipeline vandalism with its attendant low production.

He explained that the NNPC had been carrying out aerial surveillance of the affected areas and discovered "the economic saboteurs carrying out their activities unchallenged and unperturbed.”

Wabote Harps on Effective Service Delivery to Oil Industry Stakeholders Peter Uzoho In commemoration of the 2022 Customer Service Week, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development

Osinbajo Calls for Proper Planning of Cities to Absorb Population Growth Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

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.

Last Tuesday, during a briefing on its audited financial report for 2021, Kyari had said the allimportant Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) which had been down for months would come online

education, agriculture, financial services, housing, she said some of the flagship projects that the NSIA embarked upon were the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, the Lagos Ibadan expressway, second Niger bridge, as well as Abuja, Kaduna, Kano roads, among others.

"The revised National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan for 2022-2043 cost about $2.3 trillion to modernise Nigeria's infrastructure stock over the next 21 years.

"As architects, you know, it is impossible to build without a master plan. For this reason, we have revised the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan and also developed, implemented the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and its current successor, the Nigeria Development Plan for 2021 to 2025."

and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote has stated that delivering effective service to stakeholders of the Nigerian oil and gas industry was a key objective under the implementation of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap.

A statement by the agency quoted Wabote to have stated this yesterday, at the third day of the ongoing NCDMB 2022 Customer Service Week holding at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to him, the Board’s awareness of the important role of stakeholders in Nigerian Content operations was reflected in the dedication of two pillars and one enabler of the 10-year roadmap towards delivering quality and effective service to internal and external stakeholders.

He emphasised that the 10year strategic roadmap now in the 5th year of implementation has the central goal of increasing Nigerian Content level in the oil and gas industry to 70 percent by the year 2027.

“This goal is hinged on five key pillars and four enablers which are underpinned by various initiatives that will facilitate the achievement of the target,” he said.

Wabote drew a connection between customers’ satisfaction

and business’ profitability and survival, adding that public corporations may not have finances as their focus, yet they are not exempted from promoting efficient service delivery because it builds positive brand image in the eye of the public.

He remarked that satisfied customers would happily play the role of an organisation’s brand ambassador, stressing that getting customers satisfied is not achieved by wishful thinking or leaving the outcome to chance.

He advised that “organisations must be deliberate in setting up systems and processes that will deliver desired outcomes for all to see.”

Providing details on Organisational Capability - one of the pillars of the 10-year roadmap that support efficient customer care to NCDMB’s internal stakeholders, the executive secretary said the Board had provided comfortable and conducive office spaces and work tools for staff and also provided numerous capacity development programs for staff to meet the standards of the oil and gas industry it regulates.

He noted that the Board also provided facilities and programmes to enable staff improve their physical and mental fitness.

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REMO TRADITIONAL RULERS ENDORSE ABIODUN...

L-R: Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Idowu Basibo; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the Akarigbo Remo and Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Babatunde Ajayi when the traditional rulers in Remoland endorsed the governor for a second term in office at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu…yesterday

Stakeholders Kick against Heavy Fines as NMDPRA Ends Consultations on PIA Regulations Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) yesterday concluded its consultation on two Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) regulations, but with stakeholders kicking against the proposed 'heavy' penalties for potential infractions.

The three-day event which kicked off in Abuja was in continuation of efforts to streamline the Authority's regulations which came as a fallout of the new PIA. The latest set of regulations dealt with health and safety in the sector as well as accuracy of measurement devices to ensure that parties. The two new regulations are the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety Regulation as well as the Petroleum Measurement Regulation.

Under the proposed regulations,

the NMDPRA said that tampering with metering systems or its ancillary equipment without approval will now attract a sanction of $2 million per meter.

But at the end of the programme on Thursday, the stakeholders said that the fine proposed for the potential infractions would kill the oil and gas companies.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, said the meeting underscored the importance of stakeholders’ feedback on the proposed new rules.

Some of the participants included: Chevron, the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), Nigeria LNG, World Bank, Shell, the upstream commission, among others.

Represented by the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage & Retailing Infrastructure, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, who also

doubles as head of the technical team, Ahmed assured that the concerns raised by the operators would taken into consideration in the final regulations.

According to him, in the coming days and months, the NMDPRA will make public the regulations which will essentially ensure their official take-off.

Some of the objectives of the new regulations will be to oversee the safety and occupational health in the Nigerian midstream and downstream petroleum operations and provide for the safety standards to be observed during petroleum operations.

In addition, the Petroleum Measurement Regulations shall ensure accurate measurement and allocation of petroleum, petroleum liquids, natural gas and their derivatives.

It will also determine the basis for calculating revenue accruing to government, licensees,

contractors and other parties as well as provide sanctions and penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.

On the other hand, among others, the proposal on measurement proposes a $2 million fine for non-compliance for tampering with metering systems or its ancillary equipment without approval per meter.

The stakeholders further called for a redrafting of the regulation to address peculiar situations and called for a review for the period for appointment of Competent Persons as well as synergy between the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the NMDPRA to reduce some costs.

They also called for the specificity of the kind of training needed in the industry, retention time for inspection records, and replacement of intelligent pigging in the industry.

“Administrative penalties

Forensic Audit: FG Orders NDDC to Publish Compendium of Completed Projects in N' Delta Says region benefited from 872 high-impact projects Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to follow up on the Commission's Forensic Audit Report by publishing a compendium of projects completed in the nine states that constitute the Niger Delta region.

The compendium is to incorporate the projects, sector by sector, location by location, as well as date and cost of the contracts, to enhance accountability and transparency.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Mr. Umana Okon Umana, who gave the directive in a Radio Nigeria News programme, said it was a new era of transparency and accountability in the ministry in which stakeholders would be in a position to interact with and directly contribute to the

governance process in the region through feedback mechanism.

Umana recalled that the report of the forensic audit of the NDDC identified more than 13,000 projects, 50 per cent of which had been completed.

He said: "I have directed the NDDC to follow up on the Forensic Audit Report and publish a compendium of projects completed in the nine states, sector by sector, location by location, date and cost of the contracts to enhance accountability and transparency.”

He stated that the federal government invested in 872 high- impact projects across nine states of the Niger Delta region.

The minister disclosed that the projects which were at various stages of completion, included skill acquisition centres, cassava processing mills, oil processing mills, roads, bridges, and education facilities, among others.

Umana stressed that the

projects cover sectors such as agriculture, empowerment, housing, environment, youths and women development.

Describing the East-West Road that traverses the Niger Delta region as the defining project of the ministry and a prime federal investment in the region, Umana said the 338 kilometre dual carriage way was 80 per cent completed.

He explained that on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, the road project was handed over to the Ministry of Works and Housing, which had redesigned the Eleme section in Rivers State into a six-lane super highway to accommodate heavy traffic from the industrial clusters between Eleme and the Onne portion of the road.

The minister added that his ministry had built housing estates in all the states of the region, adding that some of the houses

had been allocated to end-users.

According to Umana, the new housing plan in the ministry was to encourage investors to develop site-and-service schemes so that people can be incentivised to build their own houses.

His ministry, he added, would prioritise efficient allocation of resources and collaboration with other stakeholders, including state governments in the region, in the planning and monitoring of projects to avoid duplication of efforts.

Umana said the federal government was deeply concerned with environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region, and was considering recommendations from the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on how to tackle the problems posed by illegal refining, which is a significant contributory factor to environmental pollution in the region.

should be reviewed downward and dollarisation of fees and penalties should be reviewed,” the oil and gas operators demanded.

The comments on the high penalties were the most numerous

during the event, while the duties of licensees and permit holders, operation and maintenance of measurement system, fees, duty to provide information came in that order.

Report Exposes Weak Social Cohesion in Nigeria James Emejo in Abuja

A new study has adjudged the Nigeria Social Cohesion Index (NSCI) as weak, indicating increasing polarisation along ethnic, religious, economic and political fault lines.

The 2022 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey (#NSCS) report was released yesterday by the Africa Polling Institute (API) in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.

The concept of social cohesion refers to the willingness of citizens of a country to cooperate and work together towards ensuring the survival and prosperity of the country.

However, the report further demonstrated a weakening of the state of social cohesiveness in the country.

The study recorded the current social cohesion index at 39.6 per cent in 2022, which remained below the average of 50 per cent, and represents a 4.6 per cent decline from the 44.2 per cent recorded 2021.

The Executive Director, Africa Polling Institute, Prof. Bell Ihua, said the outcome of the study further indicated a weakening on the state of cohesion in the country over the last year.

He explained that drawing from the literature, and building upon the 2019 and 2021 survey round, the current edition captures attitudes and perceptions of citizens using 13 key indicators to measure social cohesion in Nigeria including – identity, trust, social justice, participation and patriotism, natural resource governance, and gender equity.

Others are impunity, corruption, polarisation, peacebuilding, coping strategies, self-worth and future

expectation.

Ihua said, “The 2021 and 2022 survey rounds reveal marked differences: The data reports that the proportion of citizens who believe that the country is much more divided today than it was 4 years ago increased slightly by 1 per cent from 65 per cent in 2021 to 66 per cent in 2022.

“Citizens' trust in President Muhammadu Buhari declined by 9 per cent from 26 per cent in 2021 to 17 per cent in 2022.

Similarly, trust for the National Assembly (NASS) declined by 6 per cent from 22 per cent in 2021 to 16 per cent in 2022; while trust for the Judiciary also declined by 5 per cent from 27 per cent in 2021 to 22 per cent in 2022.

“Nonetheless, the data reveals that the proportion of citizens who believe that Nigeria will be better in the future increased marginally by 1 per cent, from 59 per cent in 2021 to 60 per cent in 2022. However, on the contrary, there was no difference in the proportion of citizens who believe that the future of Nigeria would be much worse than it is today (27 per cent in both 2021 and 2022).

However, in the identity indicator, the report noted that overall, 81 per cent of Nigerians feel comfortable with the dual identity of being identified as both Nigerian and from their ethnic group, but to different proportions.

“Remarkably, 66 per cent of citizens opined that the country is much more divided today (in 2022) than it was four years ago; compared to only a few (10 per cent) who said the country is much more united today and 20 per cent who believe that the country has stayed the same.”

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

NIMASA PRESS BRIEFING...

L-R: Director General , Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , Dr. Bashir Jamoh ; Executive Director, Finance and Administration , Chudi Ofodili; Director , CABOTAGE, Rita Uruakpa and Director , Maritime Safety Olu Aladenuse at the weekly State House Briefing held at the Presidential Villa , Abuja …yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

MTEF: House Approves N1.7trn for Oil Subsidy, Slashes 2023 Budget Deficit to N10.5trn Okays $73 per barrel oil price Begins probe of alleged illegal dismissal of Col. Hassan, others by Nigerian Army Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives, at plenary yesterday, approved the recommendation by its Committee on Finance that the oil subsidy payable in the 2023 financial year should be N1.7 trillion, as against the N3.6 trillion proposed by the executive arm of government.

The lawmakers also reduced the fiscal deficit of N11.3 trillion to N10.5 trillion for 2023. The reduction was based on the expected savings from subsidy, amounting to N737.31 billion.

The federal government projected that the scheme would last only the first six months of the year, with savings to the tune of N3.36 trillion.

They also approved the recommendations of the daily crude oil production of 1.69mbpd, 1.83mbpd, and 1.83mbpd for 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. It

approved oil price of $73 per barrel as a result of continuous increase in the price of oil in the global market and other peculiar situations, such as invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

It said this would result in the saving of N155 billion.

The adjustments followed the adoption of the recommendations of the report of the House Committee on Finance on the 20232025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

In the report presented by the committee's Deputy Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Saidu, the House approved N9.3 trillion revenue as a result of increase in the benchmark as the ceiling oil subsidy of the year in review. This was above the federal government’s projected total revenue of N8.46 trillion captured in the MTEF/FSP 2023-2025 presentation by Minister of Finance, Budget and National

Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to the committee earlier.

The lawmakers further approved the exchange rate of N437.57 as contained in the MTEF-FSP document, with continuous engagement between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance with a view to bridging the gap between the official market and parallel market.

Other recommendations approved included, "The projected GDP growth rate of 3.75 per cent be approved; the projected Inflation rate of 17.16 per cent; projected New Borrowings of N8.437 trillion (including Foreign and domestic Borrowing), subject to the approval of the provision of details of the borrowing plan by the National Assembly; fiscal deficit of N10.563 trillion (including GOEs). Statutory transfers, totalling, N722.11 billion;

Debt Service estimate of N6.31 trillion; sinking Fund to the tune of N247.7 billion; Pension, Gratuities & Retirees Benefits of N827.8 billion.

"Aggregate FGN Expenditure of N19.76 trillion, made up of Total Recurrent (Non-debt) of N8.53 trillion; Personnel Costs (MDAs) of N827.8 billion; Capital expenditure (exclusive of Transfers) N3.96 trillion; Special Intervention (Recurrent) amounting to N350 billion; and Special intervention (Capital) of N7 billion. A significant reduction in both waivers and tax exemptions of corporate organisations to cushion the effect of the budget deficit.

“All revenue-generating agencies should reconcile their accounts with the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), the report of which should be

Jonathan Congratulates Youngest CFR National Honour's Recipient Sunday Aborisade, Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the youngest Nigerian recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Dr. Eruani Azibapu Azibapu is the President of the Azikel Group and also the Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Refinery.

Jonathan in a congratulatory message to the awardee said the award was well-deserved.

The immediate past president lauded Azibapu for his immense contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy through his substantial business and economic investments in the country.

Jonathan recalled Azibapu's contribution to his home state, Bayelsa, as Special Adviser on Community Health; Chairman, Bayelsa State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) as well as Commissioner for Health.

The former President said the industrialist served the state with distinction and without blemish.

He was upbeat that Azibapu's first private hydro-skimming refinery in Nigeria would cushion the effects of the scarcity of refined petroleum products in the country.

He said, "On behalf of my family, l offer my sincere felicitations to you on your conferment with the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, CFR, by His

Excellency President Muhammadu Buharn, GCFR, President of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

"This award is well deserved as it attests to your hard work and contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy through your substantial business and economic investments in the country.

"As an entrepreneur, you have been a pride to many young ones, exemplifying the Nigerian spirit of resilience and determination to succeed, even in the most challenging circumstances.

"Your trailblazing feat of establishing the first private hydroskimming refinery in Nigeria is a courageous achievement that will inspire and galvanise many Nigerians to aim for the stars in

productive entrepreneurship.

"I believe that President Buhari appreciates the fact that your refinery will contribute immensely to cushion the effects of the scarcity of refined products in the country.”

Eruani, 48 years-old medical doctor, industrialist and celebrated entrepreneur becomes one of the youngest Nigerian to be conferred with the rank of CFR. According to the letter conveying the national award to him, President Buhari approved the honour to him in line with the National Honours Act No 5 of 1964.

The conferment notice was signed by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume.

PDP Appoints Directors for National Campaign Management Committee Chuks Okocha in Abuja The leadership of the presidential campaign organisation (PCO) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the appointment of Directors and Deputy Directors for its National Campaign Management Committee (NCMC).

A statement by Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Director General of the campaigns, yesterday listed the directors of

the campaign directorate to include Director, Training, Austin Opara; Director, Strategic Communications, Dele Momodu; Director, Field Operations, Umar M. Bature, Director, Finance, Abdullahi Hussaini MaiBasira and Director, Security & Intelligence, Brig-Gen. Koko Essien, Rtd. Others were the Director, Support Group, Mrs. Baraka Sani; Director, Admin, Ibrahim Bashir; Director, Legal Affairs,

Kamaldeen Ajibade; Director, Technical, Nurudeen Taoheed Ademola (Youth), Director; Election Management, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher; Director, Research, Dr. Sam Amadi, and Director, Monitoring & Evaluation, Mrs. Sanyaolu Modupeola.

Other directors included that for International Affairs, Amb. Ahmed Magaji, Director; Voter Intelligence & Strategy, Chief Osita Chidoka;

Director, Diaspora Group, Prof.

Isah Odidi; Deputy Director, Election Management (South), Rt. Hon. Tolford Ongolo and Deputy Director, Election Management (North), Hon. Chile Igbawua Tambuwal called on the directors, “to please contact the DDG, Administration, Prof.

Adewale Oladipo for further details.”

He urged them so stay committed to the campaigns.

submitted to the Committee of Finance for consideration and approval. “There should be a common electronic platform for reconciliations amongst the government MDAs, OAGF and Fiscal Responsibility Commission for effective monitoring and remittances; there should be strict compliance with the Constitution, Fiscal Responsibility Act and other extant laws by all agencies of the government with regards to revenue remittances.

"The relevant oversight Committees of the National Assembly are at liberty to remove recycled projects in their budget proposal during the Committees’ budget defence; mainstreaming of annual GOEs’ budgets into the federal government budget processes to ensure the same level of scrutiny, procurement and monitoring exercise.”

Meanwhile, the House received a report from chairman of the police affairs committee, Hon. Bello Kumo, on the issuance from Statutory Budget of the Nigeria

Police Trust Fund, the total sum of N65, 905, 252, 467 for personnel and overhead expenditure for the year ending, 2022.

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions also began investigation into the refusal of the Nigerian Army to comply with a court judgement ordering it to reinstate Colonel Danladi Hassan and others, who were compulsorily retired in 2016.

Hassan and 37 other senior officers were forced to retire by the army in June 2016. The mass dismissal affected nine Major Generals, 11 Brigadier Generals, seven Colonels, and 11 Lieutenant Colonels.

In 2019, the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordered the Army to reinstate Colonel Danladi Hassan.

Delivering judgement in the suit filed by Hassan, Justice Sanusi Kado declared the letter written by the army on the retirement of Hassan was null and void. He ordered that the colonel be given all his rights and privileges. The Army lost its bid to reverse the judgement.

FG Detects 130 Cases of Vaccinederived Poliovirus in 16 States

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has disclosed that about 130 cases of Circulating Vaccine-derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) variant were detected in 47 local government areas across 16 states of the country as at September this year.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Fraisal Shuaib who disclosed this at the quarterly review meeting of the northern traditional leaders’ committee on primary health care delivery held in Abuja, said following the detection, the agency has commenced outbreak response campaigns in the affected 12 northern States.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Vaccine-derived poliovirus is a well-documented strain of poliovirus mutated from the strain originally contained in oral polio vaccine (OPV).

OPV contains a live, weakened form of poliovirus that replicates in the intestine for a limited period, thereby developing immunity by building up antibodies.

The virus is transmitted by person-to-person, mainly through the fecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis.

Speaking on the reemergence of Vaccine-drived Poliovirus in parts of the country, Shuaib said, "As at 23 September, 2022, 130 cVPV2 have been detected in 47 local government Areas across 16 states.

"Although this is about 82 percent reduction compared to the same period in 2021 when we had 711 cVPV2, this is still worrisome as we are witnessing breakthrough transmissions in two states namely Sokoto and Zamfara," he said.

The NPHCDA Boss said there was the need to further strengthen community engagement as the risk of polio was still very much with us.

He explained that, “apart from the fact that we are still contending with the challenge of cVPV2, the reemergence of WPV in some African countries shows that all countries are vulnerable until the virus is totally eradicated worldwide.”

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NEWS

SEMINAR ON LAGOS HISTORIC NATIONAL VOTING FORTUNE...

L-R: Chief of staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Ayinde; APC Lagos Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Director General, Asiwaju Grassroot Talk (A.G.T), Dr Hakeem Adetugbobo and Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Hon. Abdullahi Jebe, during a seminar on Lagos historic national voting fortune organized by A.G.T themed: Political Evangelism: Raising Active Voters above 50 percent, at the 10 Degrees Event Center, Oregun, Ikeja...yesterday

Fuel Scarcity Worsens in Abuja as NMDPRA Blames Kogi Flood for Supply Disruption NNPC calls for calm, says it has enough fuel in stock Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos Fuel queues grew longer in Abuja yesterday with motorists spending long man-hours in queues to get the product which has intermittently had its supply disrupted since the beginning of this year.

Several filling stations, including the NNPC mega station in zone 1, Conoil and Total, opposite the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), formed long queues as they patiently waited to purchase petrol.

Black marketers took advantage of the situation, selling petrol to interested motorists for as high as N3,500 for a 10-litre gallon container.

But the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in an advisory blamed the massive

flooding in Lokoja, Kogi state for the disruption in supply.

“The Authority wishes to state that the fuel queues are caused by unprecedented flooding in Lokoja, Kogi State, which has submerged a greater part of the city and grounded all vehicular movements. This unfortunately has affected the distribution of petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and environs,” a statement from the agency stated.

As part of measures to mitigate the situation, the NMDPRA said that trucking via alternative routes is currently ongoing, assuring the public that there are sufficient petroleum products inland.

“Consequently, the general public is advised to avoid panic buying at fuel stations as the NMDPRA is working assiduously with relevant stakeholders and government agencies to ensure product availability across the

NDLEA Secures Court Order to Extend Detention of Billionaire Arrested with N8.8bn Worth of Tramadol Wale Igbintade The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a Lagos-based billionaire, Nsofor Kennedy Ugochukwu, a.k.a, Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, in its custody for a period of 14 days pending the conclusion of ongoing investigation.

Justice Akintayo Aluko made the order yesterday, following an exparte application by the NDLEA Prosecutor, Umar Hussain, seeking to empower the agency to remand the defendants in its custody for an initial period of 14 days.

In an affidavit in support of the Motion Exparte deposed to by one Kareem Olayinka Musibau, a litigation officer attached to the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services at the NDLEA, he stated that the respondent was arrested at plot-2-130, Road 67 VGC Housing Estate along Epe Expressway in Lagos, on September 30, 2022, in connection to the seizure of 10,598 kilogrammes

of tramadol, while dealing and conspiring to distribute same to his associates in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

"That the respondent is an illicit drug baron operating a drug trafficking organisation in collaboration with his associates in Nigeria and other part of the world.

"That this court has the powers under the law to make the orders sought on the motion paper. 9.

That it will serves the interest of justice if this application is granted."

NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, had in statement said following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives had on September 30, stormed the Plot A45 Road 2 home of the 52-year-old billionaire drug kingpin.

He had stated that a search of the expansive mansion had led to the discovery of 443 cartons of Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg, which contains 13,451,466 pills of the drug while some cartons were already burnt in a fire incident in the house same day.

country.

“In the same context, marketers are advised to desist from hoarding the product so as not to inflict hardship on Nigerians. The Authority wishes to reiterate its commitment to Nigerians to ensure seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company

Limited (NNPC) has said it has sufficient stock of petroleum products, urging the public not give in to panic buying.

“The current queue situation in some parts of Abuja and its environs is as a result of delays in arrival of fuel trucks. This is happening as a result of heavy flooding that has submerged parts of the highway passing through Lokoja, Kogi State and also an

incidence of a failed road section around Badegi-Agaie highway in Niger state.

“Consequently, vehicles, especially fuel tankers, are finding alternative roads to get to their intended destinations,” a statement from the NNPC noted.

The national oil firm said it was working assiduously, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, to open

up the major highway and ease supply disruption.

“While we do that, we urge the general public to remain calm and not to engage in panic buying of petroleum products.

“The current situation is temporary and has nothing to do with shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as the NNPC Ltd has a 30-day products' sufficiency,” the statement added.

Atiku Sympathises with States Adversely Impacted by Floods Bayelsa sets up task force as lawmaker urges FG to intervene in Kogi Chuks Okocha, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, sympathised with victims of the destructive flooding, which recently swept across many states of the country.

But one of the affected states, Bayelsa, has already constituted a task force to mitigate the effects of flooding in the state.

Also, following days of heavy flooding in Kogi State, which has led to massive loss of lives and properties, Hon. Teejay Yusuf, has called for immediate intervention by relevant agencies of the federal and the Kogi State governments.

Atiku, in a press statement by his media office expressed sadness that the flooding that has ravaged such states like Jigawa,

Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Kebbi, Taraba, Kano, Bauchi, Anambra, Niger and Ebonyi, among others has left in its trails, casualties in human lives and property, adding to the hardship that continued to grip Nigerians.

The PDP presidential candidate noted that, “Yet again, we have a situation in our hands that calls for national emergency both in the management of climate change challenges and providing palliatives to victims of the flooding disasters in order to soften the effect in the lives of individuals and families.”

He, however, warned that with the alert from the meteorological agency that 24 states would still witness huge rainfall that might worsen the situation, it was imperative that those who lived in the most vulnerable areas be temporarily evacuated to avert further loss of lives.

Atiku, therefore, called on government at all levels, as well as non-governmental institutions to rise to the occasion by ensuring that necessary reliefs got to those affected by the flooding disaster.

In Bayelsa, the committee was set up during the weekly state executive council meeting on Wednesday and presided over by the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iselema Gbaranbiri, said the committee had himself and his counterparts from the ministries of Works and Infrastructure, Health, Lands, Housing and Urban Development as well as the commissioners representing the three senatorial districts and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Gbaranbiri said the task force would urgently identify and inspect

areas ravaged by flood as well as provide succour to victims, adding that, the task force would relocate affected persons to higher grounds and provide relief materials.

His Works and Infrastructure counterpart, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the government was aware of the flood situation in the state and set up the committee to alleviate the suffering of the people.

He added that beyond providing short term relief for victims, the committee had the responsibility of proffering medium and long term solutions to the issue of flooding in the state.

Teibowei said as part of efforts to reduce the impact of flooding, the government has built flood barriers in some communities, saying its officials would assess the effectiveness of such barriers before taking a decision to either replicate or improve on them in other parts of the state.

NDIC Appeals to Depositors of Liquidated Banks to Claim Funds James Emejo and Anwuli Umunna in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, yesterday made a passionate appeal to depositors, creditors and shareholders who have money in some of the liquidated banks to claim their funds.

He said the corporation had made repeated calls to depositors of 20 closed banks in which it had declared full liquidation dividends to come forward for verification and payment of their deposits that are

in excess of the guaranteed sums.

Speaking at the NDIC Special Day at the ongoing 17th International Trade Fair, themed: “Creating an Export Ready Market through SME Digitalisation,” which was organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Hassan said, “I, therefore, like to once again call on depositors, creditors and shareholders of the listed closed banks to avail themselves of the verification platforms provided by the corporation to claim their funds.”

He said those who are unable to travel to its offices could also take advantage of its online App

to claim their monies.

Some of the affected banks include ABC Merchant Bank Limited; Allied Bank of Nigeria; Alpha Merchant Bank Plc.; Amicable Bank of Nig. Limited; Commerce Bank; Commercial Trust Bank Limited; Continental Merchant Bank Plc.; Cooperative & Commerce Bank Plc and Eagle Bank among others.

Represented by NDIC Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Mr. Bashir Nuhu, Hassan said, “The implication of this is that, through our dogged liquidation activities, the corporation

has realised enough funds to fully pay all depositors of the banks.

“Similar notices were also sent to creditors of seven DMBs inliquidation as well as depositors and ex-staff of two MFBs and a PMB, details of which are still available on our website and social media handles.”

He further noted that the essence of the corporation’s participation in the exhibition over the years was to continuously sensitise depositors, other stakeholders, and the public about the existence of the Deposit Insurance Scheme (DIS), its benefits, and its limitations.

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NEWS

NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON ENERGY TRANSITION...

L-R: Country Director, BudgIt Foundation, Gabriel Okeowo; Regional Manager, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) West Africa, Mrs. Nafi Chinery; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, and focal person Africa Climate Foundation, Zira Qhaghe, during the national dialogue on Energy Transition in Nigeria held in Abuja…yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Yakubu: INEC Won’t Pander to Partisan Whims in 2023 Vows new technology will protect choice made by Nigerians Urges parties, candidates to study provisions of 2022 Electoral Act

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday, promised that the electoral body would not pander to any partisan whims and caprices in the 2023 elections.

Yakubu, who was confident that the new technological innovations introduced by the commission would protect the sanctity of choice made by Nigerians, however, pledged that INEC would do its duties with the highest sense of responsibility and integrity.

He also urged the political parties and their candidates to carefully study the 2022 Electoral Act as amended and avoid fouling the provisions thereof as the campaigns have begun.

"We shall not pander to any partisan whims and caprices. We

pledge to discharge our duties with the highest sense of responsibility and integrity," said Yakubu at the 6th conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers in Lagos.

While cautioning against fake news and information, he called on members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to help contain the spread of such fake news as it is injurious to nation and the conduct of the general election.

"I wish to restate once again, the commitment of INEC to credible elections. Votes will continue to count and will be the sole determinant of electoral outcome.

"For this reason, the Commission has introduced many new innovations, supported by the deployment of appropriate technology, to protect the sanctity of the choice made by Nigerians

The Gamesville Foundation Raises N3.5m for Orphans, Underprivileged Children The Gamesville Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that provides recreation and aid to humans that are affected by hardship, old age, loneliness and disability has raised N3.5 million in scholarships from a corporate sponsor for 10 orphans and underprivileged children across three charitable organisations.

A statement yesterday, explained that the scholarships were awarded at a presentation ceremony at the corporate sponsor’s office in Lagos.

According to the statement, Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative, which focuses on the rescue and integration of street boys into society, received N1.874 million to fund the education of five boys for the next two academic years.

Also, it disclosed that Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation, which focuses on housing and schooling formerly neglected and abused girls, received N813.5 thousand to fund the education of two girls for the next two academic years or till graduation, whichever came sooner.

In the same vein, JAKIN N.G.O, which caters for the needs of impoverished communities in Lagos state, received N816.6 thousand for education support like school kits, lessons, nutrition, and transportation for three girls.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the corporate sponsor was quoted to have said: “A lot of children, through no fault of theirs, find themselves in precarious positions. We are focused on improving humanity and uplifting people wherever they

find themselves and giving them hope. I see in these kids future Managing Directors, future CEOs.” He continued to exhort the children by telling them: “Your future lies in your hands. Where you come from is in the past. Don’t let it block your future. Each one of you has a different pathway to success in life. Work hard and be diligent.”

The sponsor made a commitment not to stop at scholarships but continue to monitor the progress of the students and support them according to its capacity, including with their initial forays into the workforce.

In addition to its Managing Director, the event was well attended by the corporate sponsor’s management staff.

The Founders and Directors of the N.G.O.s, Mrs. Fola Soyebo of Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation, Mrs. Comfort Alli Babalola of Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative, and Mrs. Olubukola Adebiyi of Jakin NGO, talked about the community impact of each of their organizations, and introduced each of their student recipients who thanked The Gamesville Foundation and its sponsor for their generosity.

Co-founder and Trustee of The Gamesville Foundation, Mrs. Chidinma Obi Sedenu said: “We use our platform to support the front-line work that these reputable charities do in intervening to break generational poverty for the most underprivileged children.”

at the polls, ranging from voter registration to voter accreditation and result management.

"The deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) with its dual fingerprint and facial biometric accreditation process, has ensured that only genuine voters are accredited to vote during election.

"This has curtailed the incidence of multiple voting and other sharp practices associated with voter accreditation during elections.

The BVAS has come to stay and will be the only means by which voters will be accredited in the 2023 general election," he declared.

Explaining that the introduction of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, has made the result management procedure more transparent, Yakubu contended that, "Polling Unit results are now uploaded in real-time to the IReV portal for public view.

“This has enhanced the transparency, credibility and consequently public confidence

in the outcome of elections. The IReV has come to stay and polling unit results will be uploaded to the portal in real-time in the 2023 General Election."

The INEC chair, who reminded political parties and their candidates of the Peace Accord signed last week on the watch of the National Peace Committee (NPC), in which they committed themselves to peaceful electioneering, urged them to be guided by the letter and spirit of the Accord.

His words: "For our part, the Commission will pay particular attention to the conduct of parties, candidates and their supporters. As a regulator, the Commission will play its role to ensure compliance with the provision of the law as well as our guidelines and regulations.

"We will pay particular attention to peaceful campaign devoid of abusive, intemperate and slanderous language as well as the use of innuendoes or insinuations likely to provoke a counter-reaction

resulting in the breach of the peace.

"Similarly, we will pay special attention to the observance of limits on parties and candidates’ finance. I urge political parties and candidates to carefully study the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and familiarise themselves with their obligations as well as the penalties under the law.

"As you are aware, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. As the Commission is doing its best to ensure a credible process, we also appeal to the media for continuous partnership. Managing the electoral process for credible outcome is the responsibility of all of us.

"As campaign activities get underway, the media will continue to play an important role. A lot of the activities will take place in the media of which the new media is a critical player. We must continue to work together against the spread of fake new, misinformation and disinformation, that seek to create or exacerbate tension or de-legitimise processes

and outcomes," he stated.

To this end, he charged GOCOP to lead a network or alliance of stakeholders to curb fake news engineered by unpatriotic individuals, stressing that, fake news is a threat to national security and all hands must be on deck to check it.

“Managing this process requires in part, concerted efforts. We have noticed that your members have so far steered clear of fake news.

We urge you to do more. GOCOP should come out strongly in the battle against fake news, which is clearly a challenge to the electoral process going forward.

"We are happy to note that you have your peer review mechanism using your leaders to regularly remind every member of the need for credible journalism. This is highly commendable. We urge you extend this beyond GOCOP to serve as a bulwark against the menace of fake news," he stated, stressing that, at the commission, national interest comes first.

PDP NEC Members Appeal to Wike, Others to Sheathe Swords Chuks Okocha in Abuja Ahead of the official commencement of the PDP Presidential Campaigns on Monday, October 10, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the party, have appealed to aggrieved the persons in the party, especially the five governors led by Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance.

The NEC members, who were ex-officio of the party said, their appeal was due to the fact that the post-presidential convention crisis rocking the party was yet to abate.

Wike alongside the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Samuel

Ortom of Benue State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State were still aggrieved over the outcome of the presidential nomination convention.

They had called for the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. Addressing a press conference, the NEC and ex -officio members, in a statement, read on their behalf

by Dr. Yunana Iliya, from Nasawara state, said, "We have been confronted with very disturbing and destabilising scenarios playing out in our party against the plea by our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, that admonished us to be very careful in our utterances, our posturing and body language in presenting to the public the internal issues of our Party.

"The aggravating circumstances being thrown up by conflicting accusation and counter-accusation of who is right and who is wrong, a matter which the Forum of National Ex-officios feels is not necessary at this electioneering period. It is our considered view that the driving force of PDP members from Ward to National level is how best to win the elections in 2023 to rescue, rebuild and reposition Nigeria.

"We are greatly alarmed by the effect of all these controversies on the moral of the generality of our teeming supporters across the length and breathe of Nigeria and the diaspora."

Accordingly, the group appealed to all party members, especially, those who had expressed contrary views and opinions to please

sheathe their sword and join hands in ensuring the victory of the party in the forthcoming general election.

Leader of Ex-officio group in the PDP NEC reiterated their support for the resolution of 97th NEC meeting, the purpose of which was to present the party as one united family going forward.

"We implore all our leaders and members, who have one issue or the other to avail themselves of internal differences resolution mechanism as provided for in our Party Constitution. Finally, we reaffirm our loyalty and commitment to our party in its determined resolve to win 2023 general election at all levels to restore Nigeria to its pride of place," he said.

CBN: N2.10TN DISBURSED TO 426 PROJECTS UNDER REAL SECTOR FACILITY central bank under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, would continue to ensure that the bank delivers on its core mandate of ensuring monetary and price stability and that CBN remains a people-focused central bank.

He, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of all stakeholders towards returning the country to the path of greatness through SMEs, which remained the real engine of growth in any economy.

The CBN director also said as the world gradually inches towards a digitalised global economy, the apex bank had kept pace with the emerging trends with the launch of the Central

Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) also known as the eNaira, which he said was the first of its kind in Africa.

He said the move was in consonance with the bank’s resolve of continuous modernisation of the country’s payments system in view of the increasing sophistication of fintech solutions that offer new capabilities to users.

He stressed that the eNaira aims to support Nigeria’s stable and resilient payment system; enhance financial inclusion, especially for SME operators, and reduce the cost of processing money amongst other benefits.

According to him, the eNaira was also designed as an efficient

payment instrument, to support the delivery of the targeted government’s social investment scheme, and promote regional trade and international remittances thereby enhancing foreign exchange stability.

He said, “I, therefore, encourage you to not only onboard on the eNaira platform but to transact with the eNaira. In ending my remarks, I wish to reiterate the bank’s request to all of you to see the Naira as one of Nigeria’s critical assets; respect and keep it clean.

“Do not spray, mutilate, hawk or counterfeit the Naira. On our part, we shall continue to ensure that we make clean notes available

for you.”

However, the President of ACCI, Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, commended the CBN for its intervention programmes which he said, helped to liberate the economy in turbulent times.

Represented by the VicePresident of ACCI, Alhaji Usman Balarabe, he said, “We have a deeper appreciation of the critical importance of the central bank to the overall growth and development of the economy. More importantly, we understand the dimension and the depth of issues involved in being a Central banker in times of national economic emergency.”

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

The Unpopular Move to Unseat Ekweremadu

Ejikeme Ekpete faults the move by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, Ogochukwu Onyema, asking a law court to declare vacant the Enugu West senatorial seat occupied by embattled former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

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hock. Anger. Disappointment.

Disgust. These and more have greeted the recent lawsuit filed by Sir Ogochukwu Onyema (popularly known as O.A.U Onyema) asking the Enugu Division of the Federal High Court to declare vacant the Enugu West Senatorial District’s seat presently occupied by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

In Suit No. FHC/EN/CS/7/2022, Onyema also seeks an order of the court “commanding and mandating” the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and PDP to “select, nominate, and forward” his name to the National Assembly “as a replacement” for Senator Ekweremadu.

He equally seeks another order of court “commanding and mandating the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and INEC to withdraw or revoke, as the case may be, the Certificate of Return earlier issued to Ekweremadu and issue a fresh Certificate of Return to him as “the only available runner up” that can validly replace the embattled lawmaker.

Among others, he wants the court to decide: “Whether it is the intendment and contemplation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended in 2018; the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended; and the Senate Legislative Calendar 2022, that the seat of Enugu West Senatorial District in the 9th Senate will be declared vacant by default, if the Senator representing, without just cause absents from sittings of the Senate for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-thirds of the total number of days during which the Senate meets in any one year, which is one-thirds of 181.

“Whether by virtue of the continuous absence of the 3rd defendant (Ekweremadu) from the Senate since 22nd day of June 2022 or days prior (when he last attended the sitting of the Senate), up till the date of adaptation of this Summons, or any other date thereafter, it could be said that the 3rd defendant is still validly representing the plaintiff (Chief Onyema) and Enugu West Senatorial District, as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Senate Standing Order 2015 as amended, in Nigeria Senate.

“Whether by virtue of the 3rd defendant’s travails, which was not caused by the plaintiff or any of his constituents, and going by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, the Senate Standing Order 2015 as amended, it is wise and best, for the 3rd defendant to honourably agree that he has defaulted in representation, withdraw from his position, and mandating the 1st and 2nd defendants (the President of the Senate and the Senate) to declare his position vacant by default, and instantly communicate same to 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th defendants (Clark to the National Assembly, Dr. Ayu, PDP, Prof. Yakubu, and INEC) for appropriate and timeous actions, of his replacement with the plaintiff, by the 5th and 6th defendants and Certificate of Return to be issued to the Plaintiff by the 7th and 8th defendants”.

To advance his case, Onyema lied on oath that the 1st runner-up, Mr. Isaac Okah, is dead. But Okah, a retired Director in the Federal Civil Service, has come out to state that he is “alive”, “well”, and running his private business.

Okah has dissociated himself from a lawsuit, he described as “wicked” and having “no bearing whatsoever with Nigerian laws, conventions and practices of the National Assembly of Nigeria, and our humanity and culture as Ndigbo”.

He said “it is a shame that naked and unbridled ambition has pushed O.A.U Onyema into the sacrilege of wishing his fellow man dead”.

On the points of law, it baffles that O.A.U

member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, would cause him to be disqualified for election as a member; (c) he ceases to be a citizen of Nigeria; (d) he becomes President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser; (e) save as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution, he becomes a member of a commission or other body established by this Constitution or by any other law; (f) without just cause he is absent from meetings of the House of which he is a member for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets in any one year; (g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected: Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored; or (h) the President of the Senate or, as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives receives a certificate under the hand of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that the provisions of section 69 of this Constitution have been complied within respect of the recall of that member”.

Onyema, a lawyer of over 25 years and a perennial senatorial aspirant, is ignorant of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 on the matter.

Among others, Section 68 (1) of the 1999

Constitution (as amended) provides: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if: (a) he becomes a member of another legislative house; (b) any other circumstances arise that, if he were not a

-Ekpete is an Enugu-based lawyer NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

NIWA Extends Democracy Dividends to Coastal Areas The Director-General of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, George Moghalu, talks about the agency’s activities including benefits enjoyed by the citizens in the hinterland

W

hat’s the major challenge that you’re facing in your efforts to transform the water transportation sector in Nigeria?

I will disappoint you by telling you that funding is not the major challenge because you can get all the funding you want in the world and if you don’t know what to do with it, it becomes wasted. The major challenge I met, when I came in was that NIWA was under-reported. People don’t know what NIWA stands for. The next issue was staff morale. Getting everybody to understand my vision; getting my management to understand where I’m coming from.

So for me, addressing the issue of staff morale, and us coming together to understand where we want to take NIWA to.

We also had to develop a plan, which we anchored on massive training. We lay so much emphasis on training. Adopting the train the trainers program.

Having said that, you can now talk about funding. No nation, Nigeria is not an exception, has the resources to solve all it required to solve all its problems.

Therefore, we also must appreciate the fact that the resources available to government is not as robust as it used to be. Time was in this country when oil was selling for $120, $130.

By the time his administration came into being, oil dropped to about $25/$30 a barrel. So you must take that into consideration.

What that translates to is that as the resources available to government is dropping, you must reflect on the agencies that are on the government.

So we are also part of those agencies of

government. But as the resources improve, certainly NIWA will also get more funds to be able to address all what it needs to do. I know that in the past four/five years, our IGR has been on the constant increase. And we have been contributing, we have been regular in paying into our consolidated revenue fund. That’s why I talked about awareness; as you’re getting people to know about you, getting them to know their responsibility towards your organisation, revenue grows. By the time you let them know that there are laws to be obeyed, there are fees to be paid for the agency to grow.

What are you doing to make NIWA a self sufficient agency, fund wise?

We are doing quite a lot. Look at our revenue profile, it shows a gradual increase

from what used to be to what it is now.

We have not come down even during the COVID period, we still managed to maintain an upward trajectory and we intend to sustain that.

And don’t forget, like for example now, we have concessioned Onitsha River Port. Our revenue from that source will increase. By the time we concession Baro; by the time we conclude with Oguta, we conclude with Lokoja and by the time we increase the use of the waterways because as we are increasingly opening up the channel, the needs will increase.

Like I said, by the time we move cargo regularly the way we want to move them between Onitsha and Lagos. The truth is that over 60 to 65% of containerized cargo that arrive Lagos today end in Onitsha and Aba. And all these cargoes, let’s take an hypothesis, let’s say it’s five million containers that arrive and is destined for South East. What that translates to is 10 million trailers being on our roads. Five million carrying the container down, five million carrying the containers back.

And the roads are not designed to carry those pressures. There’s no way our infrastructure will survive it.

So by the time we remove this pressure from our roads, and move into the water, where it is additional revenue for us, because those containers now move by water, certainly, we’re going to get more money. So we are concerned about it. We are working towards it. And that’s why we’re laying so much emphasis on it.

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

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Friday October 7, 2022 Vol 27. No 10041

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NIGERIA AT 62: ENHANCING INTERNAL SECURITY ADEBAYO OLOWO-AKE agues the urgent need to address the operational status of both the DSS and the Police Force

See page 21

A COTTON PRISON AMERICANA OKELLO OCULI contends that the current promotion of American Cotton seeds is antithetical to the interests of local communities

See page 21

EDITORIAL

TASK BEFORE THE NFF PRESIDENT

See page 22

1

The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party’s efforts to resolve their internal conflicts remain stressful, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

FRANTIC EFFORTS TO PUT OUT BUSHFIRES The two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, are still busy SXWWLQJ RXW WKH EXVKÀUHV LQKLELWLQJ WKHLU HͿRUWV WR KLW WKH FDPSDLJQ WUDLO 7KRXJK the other two main ones, the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, have also not shown a structured head start, the challenges in the APC and the PDP are of concern because they threaten to deny the electorate the opportunity to interrogate their programmes and plans as its attention LV GLVWUDFWHG E\ WKH LQWHUQDO VTXDEEOHV There were rays of hope earlier in the week as the big parties held crucial meetings whose outcomes indicated the softening of positions E\ WKH ZDUULQJ FDPSV 2Q 7XHVGD\ APC governors met with the National Working Committee to resolve their dispute with the Presidential Campaign &RXQFLO RYHU WKH FDPSDLJQ WHDP OLVW Speaking separately after the meeting in Abuja, Atiku Bagudu, the governors’ chairman, and Abdullahi Adamu, the party’s national chairman, said they had decided to back Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate, even as the LVVXHV DURXQG WKH OLVW ZHUH EHLQJ ÀQH WXQHG In the PDP whose Board of Trustees’ delegation met with Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State and the leader of the rebellion in the main opposition SDUW\ WKHUH ZDV D VLPLODU PLGGOH RI WKH URDG UHVROXWLRQ /HG E\ $GROSKXV Wabara, a former president of the Senate, the BoT delegation sought to make peace with the aggrieved governor who has with him four others RQ WKH SDUW\·V SODWIRUP Perhaps applying his skills as a diplomat, Wabara was measured in his report of the outcome of the hours of meeting with Wike in the garden city FDOOHG 3RUW +DUFRXUW +H VDLG WKRXJK the parley was inconclusive, it was, QHYHUWKHOHVV D ZRUN LQ SURJUHVV +H VDLG they now have some information with which to work to achieve a resolution, adding that a further meeting in Abuja LV QHHGHG WR VHDO D GHDO 5HQGHULQJ KLV own account, the governor agreed that the possibility for peace existed and that what was important was the unity of the party which is required for it to win the impending presidential election even as he reiterated his group’s decision to UHPDLQ ZLWKLQ WKH IROG Not many details about what transpired in the meeting have been divulged but given the solemnity with

which Wike spoke, it is safe to say that the reality of the need for détente has VHW LQ )RU DV WKH FDPSDLJQV RSHQHG ODVW week, it became clearer to both sides of the divide that something had to give otherwise the stage would be set for mutually assured destruction that ZRXOG OHDYH HYHU\RQH ZRUVWHG The reality of the situation is that Wike’s minimum demand for peace LV XQUHDOLVDEOH +H ZDQWV ,\RUFKLD Ayu, the national chairman, to stand down to balance the power and zoning HTXDWLRQ ZLWKLQ WKH SDUW\ KLHUDUFK\ $V he has been told severally, this is not going to happen for both political and FRQVWLWXWLRQDO UHDVRQV +H DSSDUHQWO\ gave the same condition on Tuesday and it must have been reiterated that the chairman would have to deliver the candidate before a rebalancing of the ]RQLQJ DUUDQJHPHQW FRXOG EH GRQH The fact of the matter is that both the convention and constitution of the SDUW\ FDQQRW VXVWDLQ :LNH·V SRVLWLRQ Neither of the two prohibits both the presidential candidate and the national chairman from coming from the same UHJLRQ :KDW WKH\ UHVWUDLQ LV IRU WKH president and the national chairman to FRPH IURP WKH VDPH ]RQH In 2006, when Umaru Yar’Adua IURP WKH 1RUWK ZHVW HPHUJHG DV WKH presidential candidate, Ahmadu Ali IURP WKH 1RUWK FHQWUDO ZDV WKH QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQ +H OHG WKH FDPSDLJQ IRU WKH JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQ 2QFH <DU·$GXD ZDV inaugurated on 29 May 2007 a national convention was convened two months ODWHU DW ZKLFK 9LQFHQW 2JEXODIRU IURP WKH 6RXWK HDVW ZDV UHWXUQHG DV WKH QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQ 7KLV ZDV WKH EDODQFH XQWLO WKH SUHVLGHQW GLHG LQ R΀FH LQ and his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan IURP WKH 6RXWK VRXWK DVFHQGHG OHDGHUVKLS The ascendancy of Jonathan to power disrupted, for a brief period, the zonal EDODQFH DV KH LQKHULWHG 2JEXODIRU ZKR ZDV ODWHU UHSODFHG E\ 2NZHVLOLH]H 1ZRGR DV WKH QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQ %XW as soon as the president was sworn LQ RQ 0D\ D VSHFLDO QDWLRQDO convention was held months later to rebalance the power equation in the party with Bamanga Tukur, a former JRYHUQRU IURP WKH 1RUWK HDVW HPHUJLQJ DV WKH QDWLRQDO FKDLUPDQ No doubt, these facts have been presented at every negotiation with the aggrieved camp but it remains LQWUDQVLJHQW 7KLV REYLRXVO\ KDV OHIW Atiku Abubakar, the presidential

candidate, to make a decision to move ahead, announcing the presidential campaign team and releasing the campaign timetable despite the ZLWKGUDZDO E\ :LNH·V FDPS It had been clear from the outbreak of hostility that Wike’s options were limited and that his intransigence FRXOG QRW EH WROHUDWHG IRU WRR ORQJ 7KH party’s strategy would appear to be to wear him out with a lengthy dialogue while the candidate progresses with his electioneering, knowing full well WKDW KH ZRXOG LQ WKH QH[W ÀYH PRQWKV have to work out a strategy to manage the risk of losing substantial votes from 5LYHUV 6WDWH DQG WKRVH RI :LNH·V DOOLHV What, however, could not be managed by the party is the heavy war chest available to the Rivers State governor, which if placed at the disposal of the ruling APC would be too discomforting IRU WKH 3'3 7KLV PD\ KDYH DFFRXQWHG IRU WKH LQWHQVLYH HͿRUW WR NHHS KLP LQ WKH IROG ,W LV WKRXJKW WKDW ,I $WLNX KDV his own resources to run, many of the other candidates of the party at other levels of the contest are not similarly endowed and will need a helping hand IURP :LNH As it has now turned out, there are growing concerns among party ELJZLJV WKDW WKH SHDFH HͿRUWV FDQQRW be perpetually elastic and that the time has come for the party to move on even if its elders would continue the engagements with Wike and his allies who by now should be seeing the handwriting on the wall that they DUH IDVW ORVLQJ WKH JURXQG 7KH %R7 delegation last Tuesday was, therefore, HVVHQWLDOO\ D VRIW ODQGLQJ RSSRUWXQLW\ RͿHUHG WR WKH EHOO\DFKLQJ FDPS WR PDNH D WXUQDURXQG It is, however, not too late for the Wike camp to utilise this opportunity DW WKH SURSRVHG IROORZ XS PHHWLQJ LQ $EXMD $V LW VWDQGV WRGD\ LW QHHGV WKH 3'3 PRUH WKDQ WKH SDUW\ QHHGV LW This is why when Wike said his people would not leave the party, he was seen to be merely stating the obvious reality WKDW KLV FDPS FDQQRW E\ ODZ ÀHOG LWV candidates on any other platform WKDQ WKH 3'3 $QG WKHUH LV OLWWOH RU QR assurance that a bipartisan voting strategy on Election Day will not have XQLQWHQGHG RXWFRPHV Adebiyi, the managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes from bolaji.adebiyi@ thisdaylive.com

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ADEBAYO OLOWO-AKE agues the urgent need to address the operational status of both the DSS and the Police Force

NIGERIA AT 62: ENHANCING INTERNAL SECURITY It is no longer news that Nigeria has been battling a dogma-inspired insurgency for well over a decade, while other forms of security challenges ranging from kidnapping to banditry, ritual killings and outright armed robbery have featured prominently and with regularity in the country’s domestic security calculus. A lot has thus been said and written by many experts and erudite observers on the state of Nigeria’s security and how to adequately respond to it.

While not an expert, I consider that I could pass as an informed observer and I thus intend to add my own contribution WR UH YLVLWLQJ WKH LVVXH DQG RͿHULQJ VRPH suggestions. I will therefore attempt, in this analysis, to provide an overview of the

evolution of Nigeria’s security architecture from the period of the country’s vociferous anti-apartheid policy, to the ECOMOG years and then to the threats I have listed above. I will then focus on the need to ramp up support in all forms for two critical legs of Nigeria’s domestic security apparatus, as I believe they are the most deserving of support in the country’s current response to the threats facing her. It is my considered opinion that comprehensively enhancing the capacity of these two institutions will strengthen national security as we build up to the conduct of elections and ultimately to H-Hour, i.e. May 29, 2023 when a new DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LV H[SHFWHG WR DVVXPH R΀FH First, permit me to submit that the threats Nigeria has had to contend with in her recent history have been purely internal, GRJPD LQVSLUHG DV\PPHWULF ÁXLG DQG protracted. Emanating from the north-east, where the country shares borders with three countries (Cameroon, Chad and Niger), it was, in its origins, a home-grown threat but gained a generous infusion of foreign elements and weapons, equipment and devices, proliferating towards her borders from Libya (where the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) had dropped several sophisticated weaponry in its attempt to RXVW &RORQHO 0RDPPHU *DGGDÀ The cocktail of internal threats that emerged to further undermine Nigeria’s internal security, i.e. banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, ritual killings and armed robbery only served to further complicate the existing danger that persists to varying degrees in the north east and in other parts of the country. These criminal activities sometimes seamlessly blended into the ongoing insurgency, thus complicating the response of state institutions.

Secondly, I aver that while the threats LGHQWLÀHG DERYH WKULYHG RQ ODQG 1LJHULD also faced threats in her maritime domain,

largely unleashed by pirates who at one WLPH VLJQLÀFDQWO\ KHOG VZD\ LQ WKDW VSDFH It is to the credit of the Nigerian Navy (NN) and to some degree, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) that the country has been delisted from the list of states ravaged by piracy. This outcome was evidently due to the robust training, deployment of modern platforms (including seaward defence boats built domestically) and application of high-tech architecture like the ‘Falcon Eye’ maritime domain surveillance systems by the NN. This is a monumental achievement that not only should be celebrated, but whose current status must be maintained at all costs to make Nigeria’s blue economy assured and secured.

The oil boom years of the mid to late 1970s saw Nigeria develop an activist foreign policy, under the Murtala-Obasanjo administration that made Africa “the centerpiece” of that endeavour. It was ÀUPO\ KHOG WKDW DV WKH ODUJHVW %ODFN FRXQWU\ on earth, Nigeria would not fold its hands ZKLOH IHOORZ EODFNV VXͿHUHG XQGHU WKH yoke of racial segregation and in subhuman bondage in Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. That resolve saw Nigeria fund most of the liberation movements in these countries and brought KHU LQWR FORVH IRUHLJQ SROLF\ FRQÁLFW ZLWK the Euro-Atlantic powers who supported WKH DSDUWKHLG UHJLPHV 7KDW VWDWH RI DͿDLUV suggested that the threat facing Nigeria would be external or externally motivated and likely informed a re-articulation of the order of battle of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It resulted in the re-building of both the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the NN and the domestic intelligence service.

Thus, that administration acquired for the NAF, the MiG-21 multi-role all-weather supersonic aircraft and its all-weather supersonic interceptor variant (among other platforms), while the NN was gifted several missile-capable ships, including NNS Erinomi and Eyinmiri (Mk IX Corvettes equipped with Seacat missiles), NNS Dorina and Otobo (Mark III Corvettes), the Tiger-Class Fast Missile ships (NNS Agu, Ayam, Damisa, Ekpe, Ekun and Siri all equipped with a combination of Exocet and Otomat missiles) and the general purpose Frigate NNS Aradu (with Otomat missiles).

The NN, with this order of battle, was tasked with defending Nigeria’s emerging RͿVKRUH RLO SURGXFWLRQ IDFLOLWLHV IURP D possible threat from South Africa and its western allies, even though this was never publicly stated.

The tension in relations between Nigeria and the Euro-Atlantic powers eventually ebbed with the liberation of Angola by the MPLA (heavily funded by Nigeria and backed by Cuban troops and Soviet weapons and equipment), Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) by the combined forces of ZAPU and ZANU and the commencement of disannulling the control of Namibia by the racist South African regime. The icing RQ WKH FDNH IRU 1LJHULD FDPH ZLWK WKH ÀUVW ever visit of an American President to black Africa when President Jimmy Carter visited Nigeria from March 31 –April 3 1978.

Olowo-Ake is currently the Director/Principal Research Fellow at the African Resource Development Centre in Lagos

OKELLO OCULI contends that the current promotion of American Cotton seeds is antithetical to the interests of local communities

A COTTON PRISON AMERICANA sell to sister businesses.

Promoters of AMERICAN COTTON SEED fail to praise the intellectual genius RI LWV VFLHQWLVWV ZKR 0RGLÀHG LW WR JHQHUDWH income for industries which manufacture irrigation technology; fertiliser and herbicides. It also generates income by forcing farmers in other countries to continuously import parent seeds.

Large- scale farmers in the United States also enjoy Subsidy with free labour by thousands of PRISONERS. These are predominantly AFRICAN-AMERICANS. Critics have noted that the high rate of arrests by the Police of young AfricanAmerican males is to meet this demand.

The oppression in the drudgery of PICKING COTTON dominates songs, protest rhetoric and written literature by African-Americans.

The work of plant geneticists by American universities became celebrated in the ‘’green revolution’’. In Nigeria, plant geneticists in RESEARCH INSTITUTES have also produced ‘’IMPROVED SEEDS’’ which are adapted to local soils, rainfall level and annual patterns, pests and technology.

The primary problem of these Research Institutes is the POLITICAL WEAKNESS of the peasant farmers they strive to serve.

Colonial governments which for six decades forced communities in Northern Nigeria to allocate the most fertile soil to cotton and groundnut production (instead of traditional practice of planting millet and in Washington, D.C.; and can put telephone sorghum), because factories in Liverpool calls to those who can open doors to jobs for and Manchester demanded them. British their graduates. Their Senators and Members scientists in Nigeria and Britain felt no of the House of Representatives hire their accountability to oppressed farmers.

Post-colonial civilian governments undergraduates as ‘Interns’’ (or apprentices) to develop their contact with the culture of used “Marketing Boards’’ as substitutes power and lobbying for policies relevant to for voices of local farmers. Succeeding military governments lacked the tradition farmers.

In his autobiography, President Bill Clinton of listening to voices of peasant farmers.

UHSRUWV ZRUNLQJ LQ WKH 2΀FH RI 6HQDWRU The arrival of oil revenues deepened Fulbright from his state of Arkansas. His job the deafness to voices and poverty and of reading scores of daily local and foreign decreasing incomes of farmers. Modibbo newspapers marked out what was likely to Ahmed Mohammed reported that be relevant for the Senator. That task gave %ULWLVK R΀FLDOV GHOLEHUDWHO\ VXSSUHVVHG him a width of knowledge which enabled local textile economy to ensure a market him win the highly competitive scholarship to for textiles brought from Manchester’s post-graduate study at Oxford University in factories.

The current promotion of American England. That, in turn, gave him opportunity to visit Communist Russia. Coming from Cotton seeds falls within this tradition of a backward State, he was able to study in policies which block the accumulation institutions familiar to youth from more of income by peasant farmers. During the short-lived Buhari-Idiagbon military developed States in the north. $PHULFD·V &RWWRQ IDUPHUV KDYH EHQHÀWHG government, Debrah Ogazum, the from research which has produced a COTTON Commissioner for Industry in Kwara State, SEED with horizontal linkages to FERTILIZER, started to use textiles produced by weavers IRRIGATION and HERBICIDES. Unlike seeds in Okene Town on furniture produced native to Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Uganda, by a factory in Ilorin Town. Following its next generation seed or ‘children’, are vigorous opposition by German interests, GENETICALLY MODIFIED to ensure that it she was transferred to be Commissioner is barren. It does not ensure the same yield as for Health. Cotton farmers and weavers were not consulted. its parent seed.

7H[WLOH ÀUPV LQ .DGXQD 7RZQ ODFNHG It is, therefore, a seed which demands irrigation technology; fertiliser, and herbicides linkage to Fulani village textile weavers in – all costing money. A farmer loses considerable the Birnin Gwari /Funtua area, weavers income in the planting process. Furthermore, in Ilorin Town and the larger region. The each farming cycle, farmers must Buy New Engineering Department at Ahmadu Bello Seeds if they are to get good yields. These University does not serve indigenous four inputs constitute a FINANCIAL and textile industrial inventors behind SEED PRISON for farmers. Multinational traditional weavers. corporation engaged in farming often also Prof Oculi own factories which produce fertilisers, writes from Abuja irrigation equipment and herbicides which The United States of America has a rich culture of innovation. In the knowledge sector, was conceived the concept of “LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES” whose mission is to link budgets of a university to its teachers and researchers producing knowledge that support interests of local communities.

In States where agriculture is a major occupation of the population, farmers expected Chemists, Soil Scientists, Plant Physiologists, Agronomists, Physicists, Economists, Anthropologists, Foreign Language scholars, etc., to produce knowledge which ensure increasing income for farmers and those who process and market their produce. Taxes by citizens is directly linked to the production of knowledge.

Departments of Political Science employ academics whose classmates hold high R΀FHV LQ )HGHUDO *RYHUQPHQWV 'HSDUWPHQW

22 4

T H I S D AY

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

TASK BEFORE THE NFF PRESIDENT Ibrahim Gusau should do well and rebuild a winning team

A

s it has become a ritual every four years, the hullabaloo that trailed the election into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has come and gone. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, 58, is succeeding Amaju Melvin Pinnick as the 36th president of the NFF. Prior to his election, Gusau was the chairman of Zamfara State Football Association. But he is taking over at a time stakeholders are divided and unsure of the future of the country’s football.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar between November and December. The Super Eagles, the premium brand of all the 13 national football teams, failed to make impact at the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon last year, crashing out in the second round. Our senior women’s team, the Super Falcons have lost their invincibility in the continent they dominated with nine African Women’s Nations Cup titles in the past. They lost the chance to win their 10th crown last July in Morocco.

0HDQZKLOH WKH FRXQWU\·V WRSÁLJKW OHDJXH WKH Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) has been comatose since the last season ended with no clear sign of when it will resume. In addition to these, debts in hundreds of millions of Naira owed hoteliers around the country and airlines are piling XS 6DPH ZLWK GHEWV WR FRDFKHV DQG VHFUHWDULDW VWDͿ Outstanding bonuses and allowances to players, some dating back several years, are also there to be settled. And so, Gusau is inheriting a federation riddled with so many challenges.

However, credit must be given to Pinnick for bringing some sanity into the chaotic manner the NFF was managed in the past. He brought in Financial Derivatives and the PricewaterhouseCoopers as consultants to manage the federation’s books. His partnership with AITEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc,

NIKE, etc., helped in the funding of some NFF activities. With dwindling resources from the federal government, Gusau and his team will need to think outside the box on how to get partners to fund football activities. Also as a way of cutting costs, it is not compulsory for Nigeria to attend all football competitions. The essence of most of the under-age competitions is developmental.

Finally, this is not the time for blame game on what has caused the drop in the quality of Super Eagles.

The rot started way back in 1998/99. All past sports ministers and the NFF boards have only glossed over the matter. Since the 1994 ‘golden generation’ faded out of circulation, QR FRQFHUWHG HͿRUWV KDYH been made to recreate that era. Constant hiring and ÀULQJ RI FRDFKHV KDYH QRW helped our development.

What we are reaping now is the manifestation of years of “looking for immediate results”, using footballers bearing our indigenous names but lacking in that Nigerian football philosophy.

The new board needs to liaise with the ministry on the recent 10-year road map put in place for football development. Football is a multi-billion dollar business around the world. With good professionals with marketing background constituted to run League Management Company (LMC) just like the English Premier League, there is no reason why the Nigerian league cannot attract multiple sponsors.

But the Sports Ministry must act quickly to resolve all disputes. Some 12 years ago, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) put together a body headed by Adokiye Amiesimaka to midwife ADR for Nigeria.

The report of that body has gathered dust with nothing done to date. It should be revisited to put an end to frivolous litigations from stakeholders with disruptive tendencies.

To the Nigerian fans, learn to swallow the bitter fact: We are down at the moment. Now is the time for Gusau to return our football to the basics and rebuild.

With dwindling resources from the federal government, Gusau and his team will need to think outside the box on how to get partners to fund football activities 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 NAVIGATING THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS For long, Nigeria was secure in its position as one of the world`s poverty capital. As misery loves company, in the last couple of years, Nigeria has also come to be established as one of the world`s most terrorized and insecure countries. The consequences of these on Nigeria and on Nigerians have been exceedingly harsh.

The standard of living has continued to plummet taking the quality of life with it for its constant plunge into desperation and despair.

As physical as well as social security has gone out of the window due to a combination of cataclysmic conditions, anxiety has continued to mount within Nigerians about what the future holds for them in a country that once promised so much but has been consistent in delivering so little for many years.

The question for many Nigerians has been the rational question of `what next’, of what they can do to arrest the slide. Because many Nigerians come up short each time they are forced to confront these questions, they are often left in a mental limbo. Nigerians are a resilient bunch. Nigerians have been known to show extraordinary fortitude even in the most hopeless circumstances. When confronted with PDPPRWK GL΀FXOWLHV 1LJHULDQV KDYH D ZD\ RI VLWWLQJ EDFN VRDNLQJ it all in, and weathering the storm. In a deeply religious country, there may never be an accurate gauge of the role religion plays in building the remarkable resilience Nigerians show everywhere, but one suspects

that it is quite a lot.

Consequently, with all the problems in the country, it is a miracle that rather than become a country with one of the highest rates of suicides in the world, Nigerians always give whatever problem they have a run for its money. But it does not mean that there aren’t those who are ending their own lives. In country where mental illness is swiftly becoming an epidemic, these days, those who commit suicide always manage to make the news.

Another factor that is obviously compounding the problem is the GHDUWK RI TXDOLÀHG SUDFWLFLQJ SV\FKRORJLVWV LQ WKH FRXQWU\ 0DQ\ people who are mentally ill simply do not have readily available mental health professionals to talk to. With no one around to guide them through what is often very deep darkness and tremendous personal VXͿHULQJ WKH\ VRRQ JLYH LQ WR WKH YRLFH ZKLFK GHPDQGV WKDW WKH\ ÀQG rest in death.

With the many stressors which have become a daily experience for Nigerians, it goes without saying that the country is experiencing a mental health crisis. Recognizing this and taking adequate steps to rectify it is key to having a healthy citizenry brimming with vitality.

Kene Obiezu, Twitter: @kenbiezu

EDO: FIX AIR CONDITIONERS AT STATE LIBRARY The Edo State temporary library situated at the Federal Secretariat or Palm House in Benin City KDV VHYHQ DLU FRQGLWLRQHUV 2I WKDW QXPEHU ÀYH RI them recently packed up, making it very uncomfortable to use the library.

2΀FLDOV VD\ WKDW WKH\ KDYH FRPPXQLFDWHG WR WKH SHRSOH UHVSRQVLEOH IRU À[LQJ WKH $LU FRQGLtioners but they are yet to receive a good response as of October 5, 2022.

The role of the library in nation-building, and indeed in the lives of young people cannot be RYHU VWUHVVHG ² PDQ\ RI WKHP ZKR DUH DͿHFWHG by the ASUU strike often use the library as a location to continue their studies. If they have to do this under very stressed conditions the way the library is, it becomes a matter of double jeopardy.

Edo government please move fast.

Bob Etemiku, CERLSI, Benin City

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 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

6 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Despite Economic Hardship, Airfares Hike, Nigeria Records High Outbound Flights

Chinedu Eze Despite the outrageous fares that foreign airlines charge Nigerian passengers, coupled with the economic hardship in the country, Nigeria still records high outbound flights, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

Some foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, who confirmed the development, said many citizens were still leaving the country adding that they recorded full load-factor in their outbound flights in recent times.

THISDAY findings revealed that it had become difficult to get seats at short notice from most of the foreign carriers that operate into Nigeria, even for economy class, which price has risen to average of N1.5 million to N2 million, depending on the airline and destination.

Travel agents told THISDAY that there are higher load on the outbound flights than inbound flights because many Nigerians who travelled do not have the intention to return.

A travel blogger, Dozie Uzo, told THISDAY that last week his sister travelled overseas with her children;

that it was only her that had return ticket; her children had one-way ticket because they did not intend to return.

THISDAY learnt that many corporate organisations have lost their technical and professional staff to the exodus because there is loss of confidence in the nation’s economy.

They added that the fears that the 2023 general elections might not provide succour are also fuelling the exodus.

It was learnt that foreign carriers jerked up airfares because of their inability to repatriate their funds

from Nigeria as a result of scarcity of foreign exchange.

Studies carried out recently by Business Travel Management (BTM), the all- in- one business travel platform, explained that normally, foreign airlines that serve Nigeria would sell their tickets in Naira and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would convert that income to dollars for remittance back to their headquarter locations.

However, currently, due to scarcity of foreign exchange in Nigeria, foreign airlines have the equivalent of over $450 million sitting in Nigeria

that cannot be repatriated.

According to the studies, “The consequence of this for Nigerian travellers is that it will lead to lower airline frequencies to, from, and within Nigeria. Several international airlines such as Emirates, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Lufthansa and others have reduced their flight frequencies into Nigeria.

“This leads to higher fares since demand is outstripping supply on both domestic and international routes. Fare quotations are rarely available when the client calls back to book. BTM recommends

that clients call (not email) to book only when the journey is approved for purchase and instant ticketing.

As a result, airlines are adopting a very rigorous churning policy against agents that hold seats without ticketing and issuing Agency Debit Memos (ADMs) for those that do.”

The report further stated: “Consequently, seats cannot be held and as it is always the case, fares are not guaranteed until purchased.

Aviation fuel is in short supply in Nigeria since it all must be imported, Continued on page 25

Google Spends 20% of $1bn on African Projects, Begins First Cloud Region Emma Okonji One year after Google announced its five-year plan for African projects that would gulp $1 billion, the technology company has said that it had already spent over 20 per cent of the budget, which covers the establishment of its first cloud region in Africa.

Managing Director, Google Africa, Nitin Gajria, who disclosed this during the Google for Africa 2022 event, said Google had last

year, committed $1 billion over five years to increase connectivity and invest in companies to accelerate Africa’s digital development, adding that this year, Google is focusing on how it is fulfilling the pledge.

According to him, other African projects include the connectivity to more people in Africa, with Equiano subsea cable now linked to Togo, Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa, and operations set to begin by the end of the year; Voice typing support for nine

additional African languages; A refresh of Street View in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal; The opening of Google’s new product development centre in Kenya, and the expansion of AI development centre in Accra; Investments in entrepreneurship and technology, including a $4 million Google for Startups Black Founders Fund to support 60 African startups, among others.

Gajria said the new Google Cloud region would be established

in South Africa, being its first on the continent.

The new Cloud Region will help users, developers, businesses and educational institutions across Africa to move more information and tools online, improve access options for customers and in turn, create jobs. According to research by AlphaBeta Economics, commissioned by Google Cloud, the South Africa Cloud Region will contribute more than a cumulative $ 2.1 billion to the country’s GDP,

and will support the creation of more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.

The Director of Google Cloud Africa, Niral Patel, said: “We believe in growing an open and healthy ecosystem of technology solutions to support Africa’s digital transformation goals, which leads to more opportunities for businesses. It is part of our company-wide ethos to respect the environment, which is why we operate the cleanest cloud in the industry, supporting sustainable digital transformation.”

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Philly Mapulane, said: “Our National Development Plan 2030 calls for stimulating growth in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector and innovation by driving public and private ICT investment, especially in network upgrades and expansion.”

Earlier this year, Google announced plans to open its first Continued on page 25

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 , 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 (%) September -0.01 30, 2022 September 0.47 30, 2022 September 0.50 30, 2022 September 0.00 30, 2022 September 0.52 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

6.65

6.62

6.78

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

7.05

September 30, 0.00 2022

6.84

Yield

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

Discount Yield 17.25 17.45 11.11 11.20 10.26 10.34 13.61 13.82 12.64 13.42

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

24

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

A I R WATCH

Security, Passengers’ Facilitation a t N a t i o n ’s A i r p o r t s L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko presenting the Authority’s plaque to the Provost of the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina ,Very Revd Adebola Ojofeitimi (Phd ) during his visit to the NPA headquarters Marina in Lagos… yesterday

Controllers Urge Minister to Confirm Pwajok as Substantive NAMA Boss Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has urged the Minster of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to accelerate the confirmation of Mr. Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, who is in acting capacity as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as substantive MD and Chief executive of the agency.

Speaking during his welcome address at the association’s 51st annual general meeting/conference held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital recently, the President of NATCA, Abayomi Agoro, said his association was impressed by the performance of the new management team in NAMA led by Pwajok and requested on behalf of the association to confirm Pwajok’s appointment.

“We speak for majority of our members in soliciting that the Hon. Minister of Aviation graciously extend his usual midas touch in seeking the confirmation of Mr. Matthew

Lawrence Pwajok as the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive of NAMA,” Agoro said.

Agoro who commended the new management team under Pwajok for the progress being made in the upgrade of navigational infrastructure across the country, noted that the Air Traffic Controller remained the centerpiece in the changes and improvements being made in NAMA with the introduction of new procedures and even the deployment of newer solutions.

Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Managing Director, Mr. Pwajok said as part of management’s response to the unacceptable increase in mortality rate among Air Traffic Controllers and as a measure to arrest incidences of fatal health issues among controllers, the agency recently implemented the health insurance scheme for workers just as it was committed to increasing the medical allowances of NATCA members.

Pwajok who was represented by

the Acting Director of Operations, Mr. Haske Jibrin, revealed that despite the challenging fiscal environment, management had conducted more professional, operational and specialized trainings for controllers lately.

He recalled that 16 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) were trained in Basic Procedure Design and Airspace Planning in Cairo in the first quarter of 2022, just as 12 ATCOs were also trained in Nairobi, Kenya in Search and Rescue Mission Operation at about the same time, and another 8 ATCOs who were in Czech Republic for the Multilateration (MLAT) operational training much earlier in the year (2022). The NAMA boss said all these trainings were part of the requirements for the development of capacity for the production of maps and charts including Visual Flight Rules (VFR) charts, in an effort to achieve a seamless conduct of the ICAO Universal Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

NPA Management Receives Leadership of CMS Cathedral In the spirit of fostering good neighborliness, the Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko yesterday, received the Bishop of Lagos Diocese (Anglican Communion), Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye at the NPA Headquarters in Marina.

The 155-year-old Cathedral

Church of Christ, which sits on Plot 29 Marina Lagos shares fence with the Nigerian Ports Authority headquarters located on Plot 26/28.

Speaking during the visit the Diocesan Provost, Very Revd.

Adebola Ojofeitimi (PhD.) commended the Management of the NPA for the enabling atmosphere of mutual coexistence and noted that this visit which was the first of its

kind is a testament to the friendly disposition of the NPA, pledged the goodwill of the Church for the trade facilitation initiatives of the Authority.

Responding the NPA Managing Director expressed appreciation to the Church for the assistance accorded staff of the Authority who took refuge in the Cathedral during the EndSARs attack.

New Nigerian Carrier, ValueJet, Announces Inaugural Flight Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

ValueJet has announced that it would open its booking portal and would start flight operations from Monday, October 10, 2022 with flights to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba and Jos daily and plans to increase routes and frequency when its fourth and fifth aircraft arrive.

The airline made this known during its launch party, emphasising that it will be a hybrid carrier offering both low-cost and legacy option to ensure that ‘everyone can fly’.

Chairman of ValueJet, Kunle Soname, who gave the opening remark at the event said that the airline was no stranger to the industry and would base its services on the need for right pricing.

“ValueJet is hardly a stranger in the industry and all operational insights from previous partnerships have been applied in building our business plan and propositions. We have identified a niche in the sector, the need for fair pricing amidst the rising cost of commercial aviation to

the average customer compounded by tough economic realities for air operators,” he said.

He talked about the airline’s fleet stating that it consists of CRJ 900 and stressed that with time, the airline would expand.

“Our fleet of modern and efficient CRJ 900 aircraft is ready, we can boast of a resolute professional workforce which is among the best in the industry to deliver end-to-end customer experience backed by modern technology.

“With a long-term vision and growth mindset, we have set our sights in the coming years to expand beyond the Nigerian airspace. We are in a privileged position despite existing economic headwinds. We are building a cost-conscious business with an understanding of the sector and how Nigeria is poised to play a key role in developing Africa’s aviation by joining the rest of the global players in regional and international markets,” Soname said.

Chinedu Eze The main objective of passenger’s facilitation is to make the traveller meet all conditions required to enable him or her travel with a particular flight and also to board on time, as scheduled by the airline.

That process has become rigorous in every part of the world due to security threat. So it is not only that the airline, the handling company and the airport management would ensure that the passenger boards his flight, but care is taken to ensure that he did not board the flight with incendiary devices and other prohibited instruments or goods.

This is a global response to terrorism, including hijackers who might access the aircraft with dangerous weapons if not checkmated during facilitation.

Air travel is a sensitive means of transport because top business moguls, entrepreneurs, government officials, international diplomats and others travel by air. For these travellers to be safe, security operatives make sure that every passenger is scrutinized within short possible time.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), many countries require Advance Passenger Information (API) before the flight bringing them to the country lands at their destination “Over 90 countries now require airlines to send API before the flight’s arrival.

More countries are planning to introduce similar requirements in the near future. API information usually consists of data found in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of passports and other travel documents (full name, date or birth, gender, passport number, country of citizenship, country of passport issuance).

However, some countries require information that cannot be machine-read. IATA’s aim is to ensure that all countries requiring API-type data harmonize their requirements with global standards and guidelines,” IATA stated.

In a resent presentation at the Aviation Round Table (ART) breakfast meeting in Lagos, aviation security expert, Dr. Ayodele Obilana, spoke on passenger facilitation in the aviation security regime, where he stated that facilitation and security operational process in International Civil Aviation settings are explicitly enshrined in the Annexes to the Conventions of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 9, which covers facilitation and Annex 17 that deal with security programmes respectively with their proprietary working documents which provide guidelines for implementation of the global processes involved in airports facilitation and security programmes.

“Virtually all ICAO member States of which Nigeria is one, do pattern their procedures after ICAO Annexes and are encouraged to develop their operational programmes/documents in accordance with their national laws and regulations; hence NCAA Civil Aviation Acts / Regulations in place,” he said.

Obilana explained that the focus and objective of civil aviation facilitation and security is to ensure seamless safe passage and free flow of passenger, their luggage and cargo, through airport facilities following established global procedure.

“The process is expected to adequately have in place uncompromised layers of security coverage in all ramifications. It is an all-time airport process during normal or favourable periods, as well as adverse periods especially during occurrence of

flight disruption or delay.

“From airline operational perspective, the process involved in airport facilitation takes cognizance of acceptable International Standards and practices with recourse to the following among others: timely departure and arrival of airlines; fast and efficient Immigration/customs/health protocols: reduction and or elimination of airport congestion; use of technology for the process as much as possible and support; seamless passage for physically challenged passengers, transit passenger, VIP (security) and their luggage and provision of Infrastructural facilities for enhanced processing as well as efficient and safe delivery of passenger(s) luggage,” he said.

Obilana stated that Operational process for seamless airport passage calls for ‘balancing act’ between facilitation and security procedures, adding that one is not to override the other.

“Accordingly, the security regime should also ensure coordination and cooperation between airport agencies and the tasking authority who are statutorily assigned for implementation of the process in all facets. The process of facilitation must also ensure that security layers are not compromised in the process in itself.

“Security layers of airport operations should be strictly enforced particularly now that aviation remains a prime target of perpetrators of unlawful acts. And things must not be taken for granted hence, there must be compliance on screening and other security measures to acceptable international standards,” he stated.

Narrowing the security situation to Nigerian airports, Obilana stated that The airport agencies are hereby recognized, especially those who provide services in areas of security and facilitation, but there should be scope for improvement.

“The submission herein is not to indict any person or group of persons, rather, it is to factually point out issues creating lacuna in airport facilitation and security process in the country, with a view to addressing them for a positive change. The existing anomalous situation has lingered continuously for decades thereby creating numerous challenges regarding delays, gaps, hindrances and sometimes congestion at Nigeria International Airports. They impede & negatively impact airport facilitation process and security operations,” he said.

He identified some of the challenges to include multiple and unnecessary checks/regulations; as exemplified at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, saying that over 15 of such desks exist on departure and a minimum of five on arrival compared with two or three in the US and other countries for International travelers.

He frowned at analogue operations, which is doing things the old way or outdated way, working at cross-purposes - LEO (Law Enforcement Operatives) causing delay on facilitation, training, which is lacking in many areas (Deployment of personnel without training to the airports, gratifications and untouchable personnel).

Others include passenger data exchange, including poorly streamlined at co-located points (Immigration and State security), corruption and extortion (both on arrival and departure levels) airline bear the brunt of such corruption and others.

So passenger facilitation goes hand in hand with security checks. Passengers on local and international travel are always advised to come to the airport in time because security checks can cause delays and passenger processing cannot do without it.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD

AGRICULTURE

Prioritising Agri-Tech to Attain Self-Sufficiency in Food Production There is no better time than now for economic managers to prioritise investment into agriculture technology in their bid to boost Nigeria’s capacity to meet its food demands. Gilbert Ekugbe writes

I

f there is any lesson to take from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is that attaining food security and food self-sufficiency are serious challenges across many cities and regions.

The challenge posed by the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe followed the shocks that were experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and increasing severe weather events that had been driven by climate change.

Nigeria with a population of over 200 million can no longer depend on hoes and cutlasses to feed itself as a nation. The country on an annual basis spends $22 billion on food importation, a situation that leaves much to be desired for a country that is blessed with natural and abundant resources capable of making it the food basket on the continent.

Regrettably, Nigeria is on the brink of food scarcity with food prices soaring beyond reach of consumers. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on a month-on-month basis, food inflation rate in July was 2.04 per cent, 0.01 per cent insignificant decline compared to the rate recorded in June 2022 2.05 per cent.

Although the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), reported that the food price index averaged 140.9 points in July, down 13.3 points 8.6 per cent from June, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline, but unlike Nigeria, food inflation has continued to surge in Nigeria for the fifth straight month.

The international organisation noted that the July decline was the steepest monthly fall in the value of the index since October 2008, led by significant drops in vegetable oil and cereal indices, while those of sugar, dairy and meat also fell but to a lesser extent.

AGRI-TECH TO THE RESCUE

There is an urgent need to produce a lot more with a lot less, and also the need to give nature some breathing space to bring it back from the point of no return. Efficiency measures such as increasing crop yield and decreasing resource use per unit of output can take the nation’s agricultural sector only so far. Research in crop genetics is key to creating improvements in the quality, nutritional value, yield, resource-use efficiency and resilience of the crops. .

However, the next ‘green revolution’ has begun slowly, but with powerful momentum. An agricultural technology revolution that promises to produce more with less, decouple food production from environmental degradation and provide food

security by ‘crashing’ supply chains and producing locally.

Agricultural technology or agro technology is the use of technology in agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture with the aim of improving yield, efficiency, and profitability. Agricultural technology can be products, services or applications derived from agriculture that improve various input/output processes.

One of the challenges facing farmers today is the need to meet labour demands and with labour costs on the high, farmers can reduce cost by over 50 per cent deploying the combination of harvesters and planters to simplify their processes with even quality and greater yields. For a country like Nigeria, the benefits of modern technology adoption in agriculture cannot be over emphasised, there is need for increased crop productivity, reduced impact on natural ecosystems, increased worker safety, decreased use of water, fertilizers and pesticides.

There are also concerns over the safety of food from farm to table as it passes through different forms of processing. Handling of agriculture produce is key as many farmers are still depending on harmful substances to preserve their crops, but with the use of crop sensors, it makes it easier for farmers to effectively apply fertilizers and pesticides, as much as the amount needed for crops to grow healthily.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), technology is needed to transform agrifood systems, and with associated knowledge drives sustainable development, pointing out that for success, deployment of technologies needs to be accompanied by enabling social, political and institutional factors. Investments in human capital through capacity building are also required.

BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Agricultural biotechnologies encompasses a suite of technologies from low-tech ones such as artificial insemination, fermentation techniques, biofertilizers and nuclear techniques, to high-tech ones involving advanced DNAbased methodologies (including Genetic Modification (GM), genomic selection, whole genome sequencing and gene editing) and multi-omics technologies.

They have wide-ranging uses and possibilities including, inter alia, crops adapted to biotic and abiotic stresses, nutritionally enhanced and longer lasting foods with reduced losses, reduction of allergens, food borne disease detection, food safety surveillance, monitoring of genetic diversity and biodiversity, phyto remediation and improved soil health, efficient use of nutrients in feed by animals, rapid diagnosis of diseases and development of vaccines.

Globally, people waste one-third of all food produced for human consumption, or 1.3 billion tonnes, each year. Producers and consumers toss edible and spoiled food all along the supply chain. Most of it ends up in landfills where it leaches methane gas for months, if not years.

However, if the world could reduce its food waste by just 25 per cent, there would be enough to end world hunger.

Everyone has a major role to play in reversing food waste, including innovators and problem solvers. Thanks to them, several new agriculture technologies are already hard at work minimising unnecessary and avoidable waste. These promising inventions are paving the way for a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.

SOIL SENSORS

A soil moisture sensor is a device that measures current soil moisture. Sensors integrated into the irrigation system aid in scheduling water supply and distribution much more efficiently.

Such gauges help to reduce or enhance irrigation for optimum plant growth.

Over 15 per cent of food is lost before leaving the farm. This waste is often a byproduct of slaughter operations and produce lost during harvesting. However, soil climate can also play a major role in crop disease, death and loss.

Nowadays, plenty of agri-tech gadgets come with soil sensors to gather data and keep fields healthy, from self-moving tractors to underground plant health monitors. They allow farmers to identify which areas need treatment based on water penetration and nutrient levels.

SMART PACKAGING AND STORAGE

Active and smart packaging and modified atmosphere processing are hot trends in agritech these days. These rather recent innovations

preserve food during the processing and distribution stage and give many items a longer shelf life.

DYNAMIC PRICING ALGORITHMS

Price instability due to erratic supply, seasonality, and information disparity is the fundamental issue of the agricultural commodity market. To achieve quality returns from investment, sellers must quote the optimal price of the products. The key to digital market success for an agro-seller is a continually adjusting dynamic pricing mechanism that adapts to the market fluctuations.

Smart packaging remains important in extending shelf life at the point-of-sale and in-home levels.

However, dynamic pricing algorithms can further reduce food waste if companies properly implement them. Essentially, this solution allows retailers to update and display discount prices on items nearing expiration. Similar software has also made its way into restaurants, where it helps chefs identify which dishes are least popular and thus, produce the most waste.

MINIMISING FOOD WASTE

Food wastage has severe effects on the entire food value chain. If the waste ends up in landfills, it releases methane (greenhouse gas) and produces 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. It results in global warming and becomes even more harmful for climate change.

Changes in consumer demands have led to a transformation in the food and beverage industry, with demand for fast, affordable, and readily available food options. The industry has come up with innovative ideas and has started deploying advanced traceability and predictive technologies.

Deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions aid in managing wastes, scale-up operations, and stay relevant in a dynamic market environment of the food industry. AI can solve this problem and unlock $127 billion opportunities by reducing food waste by 2030, starting with regenerative agricultural practices.

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut solution to minimising food waste. Countries and regions face various needs and, therefore, require different approaches. What is more, agri-tech is still in its infancy, which means many technologies are still too expensive to produce on a larger scale. Innovators and farmers need more funding from federal agencies and private investors to take the next steps.

GOOGLE SPENDS 20% OF $1BN ON AFRICAN PROJECTS, BEGINS FIRST CLOUD REGION African product development centre in Nairobi to develop and build better products for Africans and the world.

Yesterday, Google announced the launch of voice typing support for nine more African languages in Gboard, the Google keyboard.

To support African entrepreneurs in growing and developing their talent, Google said it would continue to support African small

businesses through the Hustle Academy and Google Business Profiles, and to help job seekers learn the skills they need through

Developer Scholarships and Career Certifications.

According to Gajria, Google is collaborating with governments,

policymakers, NGOs, Telcos, business leaders, creators and media to help accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.

paying somebody N120, 000 the value of the money has slumped so it cannot buy what it used to buy. We are import-oriented nation, what we are exporting is insignificant compared to the volume of our imports. So there is so much pressure on forex.”

He said that airlines were guided by two factors in their pricing. One is volume and the other is yield.

In Nigeria they have created a scenario whereby they will make profit if they airlift 100 passengers (volume) and make the same profit if they airlift 20 passengers (yield)

by increasing prices.

He said that the airlines do this by increasing the fares; so the 20 passengers share the fares of the 100 passengers. This explains why some of the airlines cut down their frequency to Nigeria but increased the fares by over 100 per cent and they fly out of Nigeria with full load with the outrageous fares.

THISDAY learnt that many travellers who wished to book flights, have since discovered that many of the airlines were fully booked, and they had to postpone their trip.

DESPITE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, AIRFARES HIKE, NIGERIA RECORDS HIGH OUTBOUND FLIGHTS and importation is being hampered by the economic challenges described above. Fares fluctuate daily and pricing currently seen and available is relatively expensive.”

President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Susan Akporiaye, told THISDAY that there are more passengers on outbound flights than inbound because many Nigerians are leaving the country and they don’t intend to return in the foreseeable future.

According to her, Nigerians pay for the outrageous tickets

because they don’t have choices than to send their children back to school; some even sell their assets, especially those who don’t intend to come back.

“Those who are leaving the country permanently and those who have their children abroad are the ones that can afford to buy the tickets, which are very expensive.

Those travelling on holidays are no more going due to the expensive tickets, which is about N2 million for the economy class.

“We are hoping that this will end soon, I pray that this problem

does not linger till next year. It will definitely end this year. It is not as bad as COVID-19 that was clouded in uncertainty. No one knew when it would end but, by 2021 hope rose, especially in Africa that the pandemic would ease off. We are not selling tickets like before but whatever profit you make inflation will diminish the value,” she said.

The immediate past NANTA President and the Group Managing Director, Finchglow Holdings, Mr. Bankole Bernard, said: “What Nigeria is going through

now is brain drain because the Nigerian environment is no more conducive. People are leaving for more favourable environment and some with their entire family.”

According to him, “Most of those moving are the middle class. The middle class is the engine room of any country. The more they wait the more the currency becomes lower. These people have been offered safer environment to earn higher emoluments and some will allow you come with your family.

I have lost 20 staff to the exodus.

They left for Canada. If you are

26

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Aviation Industry: Still Struggling 62 Years After In 62 years the aviation industry recorded progress that was mired by policy summersault, economic crunch, even though the industry has held on to safety in the last nine years, writes Chinedu Eze

T

he Nigerian aviation industry has recorded good progress, dogged by uncertainty due to inconsistent policy, inadequate infrastructure and short life span of domestic carriers.

Before independence in 1960, Nigeria along with some West African countries had one national carrier, the West Africa Airways Corporation (WAAC), which started in 1946 and went under in 1958, when the Nigeria Airways Limited was established.

The deregulation of the airline sub-sector by the federal government in 1988 brought private investors into the air travel market. The airlines like Okada Air, ADC Airlines, Kabo Air and many others competed with the national carrier, Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL), till its liquidation in 2004.

Unfortunately, except for Kabo Air, all the aforementioned airlines have gone under and new ones birthed like Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Green Africa, Dana Air and others.

In 1970s and 80s available airport infrastructure was adequate for the volume of passengers that travelled then. But there was rapid growth of passenger traffic in many airports, especially in the major airports like Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa; the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. The surging passenger growth necessitated improvement and expansion of facilities in these airports. Some of them have been remodeled while new terminal facilities were built in some of these airports.

DEFICIENT FACILITIES

Former Chief Operating Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, said that in the 1970s and 1980s, there was spurred growth of the aviation industry and during the period there was massive infrastructural development of airports and other ancillary facilities but over the years these infrastructure have suffered deficiency because of lack of or poor maintenance.

“We liberalised the industry to create more jobs, we established more airlines but we are yet to have strong airlines with maintenance facilities. So we need to look inwards and take aviation where it ought to be. We have made progress but we are not where we are supposed to be. Most of our airlines are struggling. The infrastructure development and maintenance is deficient. The regulator needs to pay more attention to ensure that the airlines survive,” Sanusi said.

But many Nigerians concerned about the aviation sector believed that huge opportunity has been missed, from the failure of the country to be a hub in West Africa because of its advantageous location, the high passenger traffic, which is the highest in the sub-region and the skilled manpower available or could be deployed at short notice.

They also regretted that despite the nation’s huge opportunities, the country is not able to have major aircraft maintenance hangar, a major airline that could dominate at least West Africa and an industry that ought to contribute significantly to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP).

But the good news in the area of facility is that the federal government has completed the new terminals at Lagos, Abuja, Kano ad Port Harcourt

airports and the state-of-art facilities, which have been put into use, have relieved the stress in the old facilities.

SAFETY

2013 was the last time Nigeria recorded air crash involving commercial airlines; this is attributed to strong regulation by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

NCAA is the bedrock of the aviation industry, which performance determines the fortunes and misfortunes of the sector. The agency has strongly regulated the industry and that explains why there is improvement in safety. But years ago Nigeria was experiencing air crashes, sometimes twice in a year, but after the accident involving Associated Aviation in October 2013, Nigeria has not recorded any accident involving schedule passenger flights.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, said in the last three years under the saddle of Captain Musa Nuhu, as the Director General, there were lots of improvements, especially in the area of safety.

Since 2010 when Nigeria obtained its first Category one status from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Nigeria has sustained the standard, which enabled FAA to continue to retain the country on that status. Category One Safety Status enables US airlines to fly to Nigeria. Within the period (2010-) many countries have lost their certification.

“Nigeria is a Category one nation, meaning we are among what a one-time Director General termed as “the Premier League of nations” with sound safety records. It is not a mean task that this has been sustained over the years at a time others are losing theirs,” he said.

Adurogboye attributed this to hard work, training and re-training of personnel; recruitment of qualified, skilled, and experienced hands “in our inspectorate divisions”, which constitute the livewire of any aviation regulatory organisation.

“The quest to attract and retain qualified personnel in sufficient numbers made Capt Nuhu to go all out seeking for enhanced and competitive salary package for deserving personnel of NCAA from the approving authorities,” Adurogboye further said.

STRONG AIRLINES

One of the drawbacks in the Nigerian aviation industry is that the country is yet to have very strong airlines that could operate and compete with international carriers. Although the airlines have been striving but one of the major challenges they face currently is foreign exchange, which is very scarce. The second challenge is the high cost of aviation fuel, which tend to retard the growth of the sector; then policy summersault that seem not to fare the home carriers most of the time. But on the flip side, Nigerian airlines have been modernizing their fleet, which are more fuel-efficient equipment and save them money for frequent maintenance, which old equipment demands.

Leading the pack on modern aircraft acquisition is Air Peace, which has five brand new aircraft out 13 it ordered. Speaking on the benefits of

modern equipment during the delivery of one of the planes, the Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu said: “Today is another milestone and it is a paradigm shift in the aviation industry in Nigeria. Not since the days of Nigeria Airways quite as a young man when I started my career have I seen any Nigerian airline purchase brown new aircraft. It is not only ordering a brown new aircraft but the right size aircraft for the Nigerian market. That right size is as critical as being brown new because it further enhances the airline economics, you break even with much lower passengers, the operating cost are lower, your maintenance cost are lower, it is much easier.

“In addition to that, another factor we don’t realise; this new aircraft are environment friendly, less noise, less pollution. I am really proud to be the DG of NCAA when this change is coming.

I see a paradigm shift for other airlines, like the chairman of Air Peace prayed, I also pray that other airlines also will buy brown new aircraft and the right size, so that the air transportation industry can grow much better. If it grows much better it means more job, more income and the contribution of the industry to the GDP will grow.”

About two weeks ago the federal government announced that it would partner with Ethiopian Airlines for the establishment of a new national carrier, Nigeria Air. The Minister of Aviation said that the project has gained high momentum and would soon start operation, first with three aircraft and in the near future it would acquire more and start international operation. The new airline would buoy the image of Nigeria and would grow to become a strong carrier.

AMCON

The Asset Management Corporation o Nigeria (AMCON)’s foray into the aviation industry and taking over the management of Aero Contractors and Arik Air did not get to the desired end, which is to revive the airlines and may be sell some stakes and recover its debts owed it by the two airlines.

Although the Corporation helped to sustain the airlines, especially Aero Contractors for some time, but the growth trajectory of the two airlines was halted due to the managerial style of AMCON. So it made Arik Air stagnant and left Aero Contractors moribund.

Former senior official of the airline and now the Managing Director/ CEO of 7 Star Global Hangar Nigeria Limited, Isaac Balami, told THISDAY that AMCON tried to rescue Aero Contractors when it took it over. It injected billions of naira in the airline and Arik Air, but after some time the agency felt it would not continue to inject fund into the airline, recalling that during that period the federal government and the then Minister of Aviation were worried and wanted to safeguard the jobs of the personnel and that explained why it continued to operate till the recent shut down; although there were times it stopped operation temporarily before it was revived in 2017.

“But now all the airlines are struggling. Nigerian airlines are really trying but the problem is the

high cost of aviation fuel. Aero management is wise enough to know when to stop; realising that because of high cost of Jet A1 and high cost of forex, they have to shut down so that when they come back people can trust them,” Balami said.

NEW AIRPORT TERMINALS

One of the greatest achievements of the Buhari administration was the completion of the aforementioned new airport terminal in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, during the unveiling of the Lagos new terminal in March this year said the terminals in Abuja and Port Harcourt had been completed and commissioned already, while that of Kano has been completed and would soon be put on stream. Facilities in the terminal include five baggage collection carousels, 16 Immigration desks at arrival, 28 Immigration desks at departure, eight security screening points, two food courts, four premium lounges, 22 guest rooms and spa, 16 airline ticketing offices, visa on arrival and port health facility, as well as praying area, more than 3,000 square metres of duty free space, approximately 5,000 square metres of lettable utility space, amongst others.

He said the new terminal was expected to generate about 3,000 direct and indirect employments for Nigerians, as well as enhance passenger facilitation and comfort at the Lagos airport.

“We have also complemented these robust initiatives with specific fiscal policies to drive aviation infrastructure renaissance. These include the designation of four airports name Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt as free trade zones in which Customs duty does is not applied. Removal of VAT on all forms of shared transportation including air transportation and exemption of commercial aircraft and spare parts from VAT payment. Similar projects at both Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Port Harcourt International Airport were completed and unveiled by this administration and our people have since been benefitting from the positive economic impact of these magnificent terminals. The one in Kano has also been completed and will be commissioned soon while work continues to complete that of Enugu shortly. I therefore congratulate all Nigerians on the successful completion and commissioning of the terminal building of the MurtalaMuhammed International Airport Lagos, our premier airport,” he said.

POLICIES

Industry stakeholders said one of the banes to growth of the aviation industry was policy summersault. They said that government was not consistent with its policy and this discourages foreign direct investment and long term plans by the airline operators and other service providers in the aviation industry. The canvassed for policy consistency, noting that a new Minister should not jettison what the previous Minister has done, but should rather continue with the implementation of the existing policies.

While it could be said that there are many things to cheer in the aviation industry but there were opportunities missed and the industry has not grown near its possibilities.

This

Weekend

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WEEKLY MAGAZINE

28

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

COVER

Heroes of Independence ÙÜÖÎ ÞÏËÍÒÏÜÝ ÎËã áËÝ ʨÜÝÞ ÙÌÝÏÜàÏÎ ÙØ ÍÞÙÌÏÜ ͖˜ ͚͒​͚͕ ÞÙ ÒÙØÙßÜ ˹ ÜÏÍÙ××ÏØÎËÞÓÙØݲ Þ ÓÝ Ë ÝÚÏÍÓËÖ ÎËã ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ËÚÚÜÏÍÓËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÞÏËÍÒÏÜÝ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÝÏÖʮÏÝÝ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ ÞÙ Òß×ËØÓÞã ÓØ ×ÙßÖÎÓØÑ ÖÓàÏݲ ßÞ ÓÞ˪Ý ÙʰÏØ ÍÖÓÍÒÏ áÒÏØ ãÙß ÒÏËÜ ˫Ë ÞÏËÍÒÏÜ˪Ý ÜÏáËÜÎ ÓÝ ÓØ ÒÏËàÏØˬ˜ áÒÏØ ÞÒÏã ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÌÏ àËÖßÏÎ ËØÎ ÚÜÏ×Óß× ÚÖËÍÏÎ ÙØ ÞÒÏÓÜ áÏÖÐËÜÏ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ Ë ÝÙÍÓÏÞã ÞÒËÞ ßØÎÏÜÝÞËØÎÝ ÞÒÏ àËÖßÏ ÙÐ ÏÎßÍËÞÓÙØ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ ÍÜÓÞÓÍËÖ ÜÙÖÏ ÙÐ ÞÏËÍÒÏÜÝ ÓØ ØËÞÓÙØËÖ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ ÓÝ ÙØÏ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÜÓàÏݲ Chiemelie Ezeobi, Mary Nnah ËØÎ Rebecca Ejifoma ÜÏÍÏØÞÖã ÝÚÙÕÏ áÓÞÒ ÝÙ×Ï ÞÏËÍÒÏÜÝ ÐÜÙ× ÞÒÏ ÚÜÓ×ËÜ㘠ÝÏÍÙØÎËÜã ËØÎ ÏàÏØ ÞÏÜÞÓËÜã ÖÏàÏÖÝ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÚËÝÝÓÙØ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÔÙÌ ËØÎ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÒÙÚÏÝ ÐÙÜ Ë ÌÏʵÏÜ ÞÙ×ÙÜÜÙá Who is a teacher and why should they be honoured? A teacher is someone trained and certified to impart knowledge to his pupils, students, or otherwise. So given the role they play in moulding lives, they should be honoured, which sadly isn’t the true situation. So from THISDAY, here’s wishing Happy Teacher’s Day to our Independence Heroes.

Pix credit for cover teacher picture: google

ULOMA AGU Dawnfield Montessori School Lagos

I am a teacher. I inspire and help my pupils build self-esteem and believe in themselves and their ability to learn, no matter their background. I love teaching because it gives me a deep sense of purpose. As a teacher, I believe I have a reason for doing what I’m doing. It helps bring value and meaning to my life.

Being an educator also allows me to keep learning and growing in knowledge by constantly researching to be abreast with happenings and new inventions.

As a very active adult, teaching keeps me on my toes and ensures that I am never bored. I hope that all Nigerian teachers will be provided the necessary pedagogy

through adequate training to be able to perform their duties. I also hope that Nigerian teachers will be better paid and motivated because they are nation builders.

I had always wanted to be a teacher and I didn’t know why.

But as I grew up I got a clearer picture. Being a teacher to me is like partnering in a very strategic and crucial manner with society to bring humans to the fullest of their potential. So, teaching is a divine calling.

I have been a university teacher for 22 years and a few months.

And with modesty, I have seen how one’s activities and input are being appreciated. I have witnessed the indescribable transformation of lives as a result of teachers and lecturers.

And some of these students

The teaching profession has done a lot for humanity. It is not new that teaching is the mother of all professions. A world devoid of teachers is a world filled with anarchy and hopelessness.

Is there hope for teachers in Nigeria today? Yes, but only when our society starts paying attention to teachers and the educational process as a whole.

Teachers are the hub of civilization and a listening society is what it needs to thrive.

Lastly, I want to specifically state that I have a personal love for the profession. I love teaching so much that I don’t think I can ever do without being a teacher. I love to see young people become

Director Of Studies, Difas Schools Ikorodu, Lagos

come back to testify while some do it openly on Social Media eulogizing how our activities as teachers have led to decisions, to attitudes that make them different and fulfilled as human beings.

I am happy to be a teacher; if there were to be another world, I would come back as a teacher.

Amazing Talents Schools, Idimu-Lagos

Postdoc Research Fellow, Indigenous Language Media in Africa, (ILMA) Northwest University, South Africa

all products of a particular teacher, the teaching profession should be of paramount importance to any nation and should be celebrated.

Therefore, on behalf of Mr & Mrs. Ajilore, the proprietor and proprietress of Microseville Schools, our staff and teachers, we say happy teachers’ day to all teachers all over the world.

ABUMERE MARGARET EBAHI

Teaching is my call, just like other great professions we know today. My love for the teaching profession emanated from what I have seen from my teachers from primary schools to tertiary institutions. They have been my mirrors.

I wanted to be like them, impacting knowledge into coming generations for the benefit of my immediate environment.

It’s a privilege and obligation considering what my teachers have done for me as well. The reason my teaching philosophy is centred on individual students’

needs.

Teaching may not be lucrative as other known professions worldwide, it is the bedrock of human professions.

a teacher, I love and cherish teaching because it remains a ladder through which others attain their success. Therefore, teaching is a God-chosen profession.

Sincerely, I have millions of hope for Nigerian teachers that God should illuminate their lives and generations. Teachers’ efforts should be crowned with resounding success in all ramifications.

confidence that can match any product from any country.

The future is bright for teachers in Nigeria because I know that with the right motivation and empowerment from government and all stakeholders, the profession will see a shift in a positive direction.

Proprietor and Founder of Whitehall Group of Schools, Fagba, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos

CEO, The Vale College and The Vale Tutorial College, Ibadan I love teaching and education generally because I am passionate about molding and impacting the next generation. I also love working with young people who will become lifelong learners and leaders.

My hope for Nigeria is to realise the importance of Education and spend the UNprescribed 26 per cent of the annual budget on education at all levels, from pre-school to tertiary level.

I hope that Nigerian Teachers will continue to be the very best versions of themselves, teaching empathically with their lives and

While growing up I used to gather little kids together in front of my house and teach them.

I used to help them with their assignments and difficult areas they had in their academic work.

I never thought I would be deeply drawn into the profession full-time. I love teaching because it brings joy to my heart that I am imparting knowledge, and new ideas to those I am educating.

It brightens my heart when I see successes in my little ones( pupils and students alike). I love teaching, it is in my blood. There is great hope for the teaching profession in Nigeria because teachers in Nigeria are one of the best in the world. They produce great minds with intellectual

DR. OGEDENGBE O ALEXANDER

FUNSO ADEGBOLA

Fortress Ville School

academically birthed. I cherish the whole process that goes into this birthing.

The talking, counseling, the corrections (and shouting, sometimes), the frequent funny moments and the breathtaking love you get from the young minds. This profession is the real thing for me and I think I am content with that.

NGOZI LINDA ADIKWU

DR. ISRAEL AYINLA FADIPE

Microseville International School, Ijoko, Ogun State

Teaching is a profession on which other professions rest.

In education, teaching is the connected sharing of knowledge and experience, which is usually organised within a discipline and, more generally, the provision of stimulus to the psychological and intellectual growth of a person by another person or artifact.

It is a noble profession that comes with so much responsibility and duty towards students.

Teachers do not only teach and impart knowledge but inspire and motivate students for life. They keep working to keep to boost the confidence of students and direct them in the right direction.

Based on the foregoing, as

TAIWO DIMEJIJOJOLOLA

Communications and Language Arts Department, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan

EDWARDSON BRIGHT TOE

I love teaching because of the following reasons: teachers are regarded as role models, life builders, respected and are the hidden brain behind the development of any society.

As it is today, teachers in Nigeria are not being catered for and respected. Teachers ought to be treated as the second god.

So, my hopes for Nigerian teachers are that; someday the young ones would proudly look into their parent’s eyes and say, “mom/ dad I want to be a teacher when I grow up.”

Also, I am looking forward to seeing that day when teachers would be counted among the richest. Since the Doctor, Lawyer, Journalist, Engineer, Pilot, etc are

PROF. AYOBAMI OJEBODE

continuously improving their minds. We appreciate the great work done by the Great Teachers in Nigeria.

The teaching profession is an Art. Waking up as early as 4 am, preparing how to make other children out there successful professionals in the future is something so motivating.

In my earlier years of teaching, seeing students passing through a class to higher classes and eventually into higher institutions and becoming a graduate fascinated me much. It was always like nourishing children into adulthood.

There are some born teachers.

They derive so much joy when they see students succeed both academically and economically.

These sets of teachers devote a major part of their time to the

students. I think I belong to the category of teachers.

Teachers should always involve in continuous selfdevelopment. When a teacher is well-loaded, he will surely deliver competent products to society.

We will also continue to plead with the government to create more development opportunities, good welfare, and good operating environment for the educators and private school operators in the country.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

29

COVER OLADIPO KOLAWOLE

EDDY ODIVWRI

Proprietor, Amazing Talents School The motivation to become a teacher may have been long ingrained in me. In the village setting where we were raised, the teachers were clearly the elite of the community. Their views were sought on almost everything in the community, The positions they advised or upheld became the ideal. They dressed decently. They appeared almost always very neat. They carried themselves with the carriage of one who was a head or two ahead of others.

What was more, they married the most beautiful women in the community. Not so much was an issue that they didn’t really have much money, even as they managed to present status and

Fortressville Private School, Ijoko, Ogun State

STEVE AKERELE Microseville International School, Ijoko, Ogun State

contentment.

But all that are in the past.

Not such a distant past. Society’s evolution has thrown the memory and prestige of the typical teacher into the dustbin of distant history. Not many have any scintilla of respect for the teachers of today as many of them struggle to pay even rent of one-bed room apartments.

The profession that moulds lives daily is the teaching profession. I am passionate about the profession because it had been my innate desire to touch the lives of these young ones in my little way. If you see teachers that are fulfilled in this profession, none of us went into the profession for money but rather out of an innate desire to help and improve lives. If you ask the students nowadays how many want to go into the teaching profession, hardly will you get two per cent of them just because of the way teachers are being treated.

Don’t forget there was a time in the history of this nation around the late ‘80s when house owners

Teaching is a profession that is so noble that it can never be over-emphasized because it has been right from creation.

It’s so satisfying to an extent that even when the money is not forthcoming the passion, respect, and love for the profession is the beauty that covers every difficulty.

We can only pray that God opens the eyes of the people concerned to note that treating teaching as a common profession can only spell backwardness for the society at large.

ADEOLU BABAJIDE

DR. JAMES ONYEASHIE

MR. ARIMI JAGUN

Certified or trained, a teacher is someone vested with the sole responsibility of moulding destinies to make our world a better place.

Teaching as a profession involves passion and knowledge impartation, so, to be able to teach, you must possess what to offer.

Another indelible reason why I love teaching is that teachers make all other professions possible. Irrespective of the level or class, teaching is the mother of all other high-sounding and highly respected professions.

As life-changing as the profession is, my hopes for teachers in Nigeria include being

Senior Lecturer and Ag HOD, English Department, Augustine University, Ilara-Epe Lagos

Graphics Instructor/ Lecturer, Department of Broadcasting, Times Journalism Institute

I teach because some of my teachers inspired teaching in me, not necessarily because of my talents or support from the government. The theme of this year’s Teachers’ Day is “The Transformation of Education Begins With Teachers”.

Today I love to teach because I have the privilege to provide moral support for many young persons because I know the implication of discouragements. I lost interest in Arithmetic because of a teacher who taught in primary school. I love Literature because of a teacher who taught me in secondary school.

I like teaching because I see it as fun and derive happiness in downloading the knowledge I have acquired so far to the coming generation.

The coming generation needs adequate knowledge both academic and social to build strong minds that would be difficult to manipulate by the unscrupulous element in society.

Also, it helps in shaping their future careers.

I hope to see teachers in Nigeria live a good and comfortable life with more opportunities and eagerness to

St. Stephen’s College, Awotan, Ibadan, Oyo State

well remunerated here on earth and eternity for a job done. This will make teachers able to afford a decent life which in turn reflects in the lives of their children.

Also, teachers’ relevance and recognition should not be treated with disdain by whatever arm of government. If there is no relevance and recognition, there would not have been a world acclaimed day- 5th October of every year to celebrate teachers.

Building Nigeria lies in the hand of teachers in Nigeria.

DR. HASSAN BIODUN SULEIMAN, PH.D

Pathfinder Academy, Lagos

The schedule is so malleable that you can manage your time. I can equally utilize my time to do other things.

We need to package ourselves well. This is because appearance is key. Students see us as role models.

Assistant Chief Education Officer, Lagos State Government

to empowering their students and making them better and more successful human beings in their life.

Teachers need to be valued and well taken care of. I pray It keeps getting better for all teachers out there.

HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY.

E-Rising International School, Lagos

Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos

met lecturers who inspired me.

Because of society’s poor regard for teachers and education, generally, some people say, “The teacher’s reward is in heaven.”

But what of teachers who unfortunately will make it to heaven?

The present bunch of Nigerian leaders have little understanding of the role of education.

Teaching is a very spontaneous and creative activity for me. I join my learners daily on a journey to harness the gifts and potentials they carry and utilise them well.

I get excited to see my learners come into class having zero ideas on a subject matter but leaving at the end of the day as masters in that area.

The fulfillment derived from teaching can never be gotten in any other field. I have great hopes for teachers in Nigeria. I know a time would come when we would be given greater recognition than other professionals in different fields and we would be paid what we truly deserve as it is done in other advanced countries.

We all need to keep training ourselves, developing

I love teaching for several reasons one of which is my passion to impart lives and be an agent of positive change. I consider myself privileged and blessed to be involved in a child’s all-around development. History is rarely made without a good teacher down the lane. Teachers are life moulders.

Lastly, teaching keeps me on track academically and improves my reading prowess. One of the greatest advantages of teaching is one’s lifetime learning. The more you teach, the more you read and this has greatly helped

me as an individual.

Teaching should be treated as the most significant profession in Nigeria as it is what informs and gives birth to every other profession, thus teachers should be well remunerated.

My hope, therefore, is that teachers should be proud of their professions and make every effort to live up to their responsibilities.

Every teacher out there should make self-development a priority.

They should take advantage of 21st Century Teaching Skills.

DR. RUTH KARACHI BENSON OJI

TREASURE ARIZE

DR. BUNMI AJIBADE

I have a natural flair for imparting knowledge. It is always said that knowledge is power, so if you want to empower people, give them knowledge.

The most unfortunate people on earth are those who lack knowledge. Knowledge, acquired through education, is the key to development.

Right from primary school, l admired my teachers who taught me most effectively. At the School of Basic Studies (for WAEC A/LEVEL), they taught me most efficiently that l longed to be like him. My desire for more knowledge was also fueled at the university level, where l

Being a teacher is an amazing journey and experience. I love teaching because the love, laughter, mischief, creativity and imagination of children are like an eternal fountain of joy and vitality. The visible results you see from pupils are guaranteed to send you home with a sense of pride!

I love teaching because it is really rewarding. It’s satisfying to see children progress both academically and nonacademically as rounded people and future citizens.

Teachers do not only teach and impart knowledge but inspire and motivate students for life and take important steps in life.

Teachers dedicate all their life

rev up their already acquired knowledge and skills. This will be good for the development of our country.

MRS. PHILOMENA OGHENEKEVBE AGBOMA

MRS. FLORENCE AVBIORO

(Senior Lecturer), Department of Journalism/ Media Studies, School of Communication, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos Teaching for me is a calling. It is an unbridled passion for the profession. I was almost at the pinnacle of my career. If anyone is looking for money, academics is not where you come to look for money.

But you will be comfortable.

You can have access to all the basics of life. It enables you to have a simplicity of life. If it is about the money, I would have remained where I was as the Information Officer in the Speaker’s office.

Teaching enables self-discovery.

A teacher needs to know that the pupil or student wants to see encouragement and love in him or her, nothing less. A teacher can kill a dream and a teacher can give life to a dream. I want to give life to a dream.

will not give out their apartments to teachers because of the poor payment of their salaries. The present problem of ASUU is its benefits.

I want to use this medium to plead with the government to please do the needful to encourage the teachers.

Senior Lecturer, Institute of Humanities, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos

continuously in this field by taking new courses and attending CPDs. We should never get discouraged or tired. Knowing that we are role models and we are there to mould and shape the lives of young minds, the reward for our labour will come so fast.

God bless all the Nigerian teachers who labour daily. We will rise as an edifice.

Teaching is a life-changing project that is completely fulfilling and satisfying for me. A real teacher sees the power inside her, not as a means to wield authority but as one to make a child. For this reason, I undertook a book project titled, ‘Communication in Education - A Handbook for Teachers’ to assist fellow teachers in understanding the dynamics of classroom communication.

Someday, teachers in Nigeria would be adequately remunerated the same as their counterparts the world over. They would be seen as being in an affluent profession and capable of investing in their personal and

professional development even without much support from any organisation.

Someday, the teachers would be recognised and rewarded for their hard work and unflinching service to humanity.

30

T H I S D AY ˾ ͵˜ ͰͮͰͰ

NEWS

Thesaurus Bay Boosts Tourism with Omu Creek Tour on Oct. 1 Stories by Mary Nnah The Lagos State government recently reinforced the potentials of water transportation with the tour of Omu Creek organised on Independence Day by Thesaurus Bay, a water transportation initiative and an arm of Thesaurus Gardens Limited.

Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun said that Nigeria has not tapped into the huge resources and revenue generation from waterways. Eshilokun said Nigeria needs to explore the waterways, which is a safe means of transportation, for revenue and to create employment opportunities as more youths would be gainfully employed if the nation invest in

this means of transportation.

The Deputy Speaker said this during the flag off of the Tour of Omu Creek, a new package by the Thesaurus Bay, a water transportation initiative, held on October 1st, noting that that Thesaurus Bay, an arm of Thesaurus Gardens Limited, would increase revenue generation in Lagos State.

Eshilokun added that the pressure on motorways in Lagos state would be shed off and give relief to traffic gridlock experienced by residents of the Ajah-Ibeju axis to link other parts of Lagos State.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Thesaurus Group Limited, Mr. Bolaji Olasode said his firm has embarked on the innovative idea of water transportation for sustainable growth and the development of

infrastructures to enable Lagos residents to limit the stress and hours spent on gridlock before they get to their businesses and workplace.

He explained further that the initiative launched in conjunction with Lagos State Government is to maximise water transportation’s potential in Lagos state and tackle the gridlock experienced by Lagos residents, while also connecting Sangotedo axis to Falomo, CMS, Ikorodu, Apapa, Victoria Island with other parts of Lagos through waterways.

“We are here to celebrate publicprivate partnership on sustainable growth and development of infrastructure. We are partnering Lagos State on Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu T.H.E.M.E agenda.

“Last year, we said we would

start water transportation and now we are introducing another package into it which we call the Tour of Omu Creek where people canseethewonderambianceLagos has from the Omu Creek to other parts of Lagos.

“We also have the conventional ferry movement from here to any part of Lagos. We have floated a project called ‘The tour of Omu Creek’ whereby people can commute on our Jetty opposite Crown estate to see the beautiful Creek of Omu and from there to Ilashe and Ekpe and other areas of Lagos State.

“We are also partnering BCIS Gardens Lekkki and other resorts, where we would make sure they can have a real-time experience of Lagos waterways and revel in its beauty.”

EVENTS

LULI CONCERT 2022 EDITION HOLDS TODAY

Luli Concert 2022

The 6th edition of the Luli Concert, an interdenominational show for Christian will hold today, Friday, October 7th at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos.

The worship concert that made its debut in 2016 is powered

by El-Berachah Worship Ministry and seeks to create a medium to promote worship, God’s word and intercede vial praises for the nation.

Billed to perform at the event are Sensational gospel artistes Sola Allyson, Tope Alabi, Imole Akin and other notable artistes who are set to perform at the concert.

Other gospel artistes that will minister at Luli Concert 2022 include Moses Harmony, Segun Ajidara, Bidemi Olaoba, Lekan Remilekun Amos, Imoleayo Akin Adebayo, Michael Harjovy, Engo, Celestial Church of Christ’s Central Choir and International guest artiste, Jolly Suru from the Beni Republic.

This year’s edition has the theme, “In The Day Of Thy Power” anchored on the scriptures Psalm 110:3.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, the convener of Luli Concert, Dr. Gbenga Daniel- Adebayo said, “Nigeria is at a crossroad in its history, this is the time for us to raise altars of worship to attract divine intervention”.

Beyond the annual concert, the ministry is also involved in community outreach and promotes healthcare through medical outreaches with its covenant partners.

This year’s event will also have a space specifically reserved for physically challenged people at the venue.

Over the coming years, Luli Concert intends to create a platform for inter-denominational worship, a situation where one stage will accommodate gospel artistes all over Christendom.

FODADO DEBUTS IN NIGERIA

Thesaurus Bay.

Flutterwave Equips Young Employees with Professional Skills Following its recruitment of 200 new hires, Flutterwave has engaged the services of a leading HR consulting firm in Nigeria, Human Capital Partners (HCP), to equip the new graduate trainees with the skills and competencies to set them up for success as they begin their careers at Flutterwave.

According to Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford research center, 85 per cent of job success comes from having well-developed soft (power) and people skills while only 15 per cent comes from technical skills.

These power skills are not just important in helping the individuals/new employees get along, they complement technical skills and help produce business results.

Speaking on its objectives, Partner Learning & Development, Human Capital Partners, Adetutu Songonuga, said, “Competencies needed for success in the world of work today include creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and effective interpersonal communication skills.

“These are just as important as the technical skills, if not more so, and organisations looking to hire for the long term should prioritise an onboarding process that includes equipping their new hires with these skills. Working with Flutterwave was a joy because we were on the same page”.

Chief People and Culture Officer,

Flutterwave, Mansi Babyloni, said, “Very glad to have partnered with HCP for our Graduate Trainee Program. The team understood our training needs and designed a bespoke program to help our

200 GTs be set up for success not only at Flutterwave but for life” Reni Odebiyi, Head of Talent Management at Flutterwave said, “ It was of utmost importance to us that the training modules were

consistent with our ethos here at Flutterwave, detailed enough to equip trainees with foundational skills needed to hit the ground running, and delivered engagingly.”

Opay Boss Proffers Means to Eradicate Poverty The Chief Executive Officer and President of Opay Nigeria, Olu Akanmu, has said only adequate financial inclusion will effectively eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

While explaining efforts aimed at making financial products and services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses, regardless of the personal net worth of his firm, the Opay Boss said data, talent shortage, lack of infrastructure are some of the issues and barriers to financial inclusion.

He said therefore that for us to have incentive borrowing, we need to design models that can solve market solutions where everyone cannot use the model at the same time.

He said: “NIN Biometrics subscribers have reached 90 million but there are still vulnerabilities and the potential of the MSMEs is yet to be maximised.

“If we can have a centralised database it would aid cyber security.

Although there are challenges, with double authentication, cyber

security rights and limiting balance risk, it takes care of the loopholes.

“Artificial intelligence and machine learning is another means to enhance cyber security. Poverty is a major challenge, and we need to lift the numbers affected out of poverty.

“There is a shortage of talent in Nigeria, everybody will not use a model if it is designed but there would be adaptation in processes.”

Also speaking, CEO of EFInA, Isaiah Owolabi, said only 40 per cent of the population has access to fintech, stating that access to digital payments could only be driven by digital financial services, which was determined by access and breaking the barriers.

He said: “Access to digital payments drives the adoption of digital financial services.

Once consumers use the service for the first time and have a

good experience, they will always return to convenience.”

Isaiah added that its efforts are to bridge the huge financial gap and access to funds for Micro, Medium, and Small-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, enhancing financial innovation and access, the company in partnership with GIZ held an innovative virtual hackathon contest tagged: ‘MSME Finance…

Breaking the Barriers’.

In Nigeria, Access to finance remains a priority area of assistance for both SMEs and Micro enterprises.

The competition produced winners with innovative solutions geared toward addressing some of the key challenges MSMEs hinder access to finance from formal financial services in Nigeria. The exercise showcased Nigeria’s potential for developing homegrown solutions that promote microbusiness financing from formal financial service providers in Nigeria.

FoDado Debuts

Friends and family from the diaspora and Nigeria recently gathered to witness the opening of the Lagos office of Fodado International Travels and Tours Limited.

A 360 degrees provider of travel and tours for clients seeking to relocate, relax or study abroad, the company offers many packages that prospective travelers can choose from.

Speaking on why the company was set up, Madam Doris Ogunba , the CEO of the company who is also a popular socialite in the United Kingdom says putting smiles on people’s faces brings her the most joy.

According to her, a lot of people are looking for means to relocate but cannot afford it because of the exorbitant levies and rates put up by agents but for Fodado, you pick the best travel package that suits your budget and relocation dreams as we aim to deliver Fodado has over the years built a top-notch team that delivers premium quality enthused the Chief Operations Officer Mojisola Sesan-Aina.

“We have a platform that readily caters to people of any cadre, we offer ticketing services, hospitality services, we also build capacity alongside, thereby ensuring that our womenfolk are fully equipped for the new roles they would be undertaking outside the shores of the country.

“The year is almost wrapping up and there is a rush, Fodado is the aggregator that seeks to prepare you for the reality of the new life you are about to embark on.”

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Uduanu: PFAs Investment in Infrastructure Yielding Around 20% Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Pensions, Mr. Dave Uduanu has stated that Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) investments in infrastructure are currently yielding as high as 20 per cent.

He noted that although the exposures of PFAs to infrastructure are small, the ripple impact of investing in the critical infrastructure needed by Nigeria is also a gain for the PFAs. He revealed this recently In Lagos at the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association of

Nigeria (PEVCA) conference where stakeholders converged to discuss ‘The Road Ahead, Private Capital for National Development. “ If you look at the alternative broad asset class, what has done well is infrastructure funds. Infrastructure debt as a sub-asset class is about 1 percent of the industry and within that 10 percent construct and this fund has done well.

One of the infrastructure debt funds although in the early days is tracking at 20 percent of returns and it is naira based, “Uduanu said.

Furthermore, he added that asides it providing competitive

returns, another gain for his firm is being able to reduce the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria.

He added: “We are currently invested in two infrastructure funds and they are and they are doing very well. Infrastructure funds are doing better than private equity funds and we would begin to see more interest in that area. We would allocate more money to infrastructure because as we know the country needs a lot of infrastructures and the pension funds are getting competitive returns from these infrastructure funds.”

Wema Bank Emerges Best Performing Bank in H1 2022 Nigeria’s most innovative bank, Wema Bank Plc, has emerged the best performing bank in the first half of year 2022 financial year with a weighted average score of of 2.83 points, beating 12 other banks.

According to a special report on the Nigerian banking performance in the first half of 2022 prepared by an online medium, Wema Bank ranked first in one category, second in three categories and third in one category. Stanbic IBTC and First Bank came second and third respectively.

The key metrics considered in the report are total asset growth, loan book growth, profit growth, cost-to-income ratio movement, and return on average equity.

The 13 reviewed banks,

which are listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) posted a net profit of N1 trillion in 2021 from N887.1 billion recorded in 2020.

The 13 reviewed banks are Wema Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, FCMB, GTB, Jaiz Bank, Access Bank, and Stanbic/IBTC. Others are UBA, Sterling Bank, Unity Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, and Fidelity Bank.

During the first six months of 2022, the report said the thirteen banks posted an aggregate of N501.1 billion as profit after tax, representing an increase of 13.1% compared to N443.17 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021 “The banks grew their bottom line despite headwinds ravaging the global economy as the energy

crisis triggered a significant surge in the operational costs of businesses operating in the country, while some banks were forced to ration their operating hours in a bid to manage the rise in the cost of operation”, the report said.

Wema Bank came first in the category of Leading banks’ by customer deposits growth. The bank recorded ±30.2 percent customer deposit growth during the review period, followed by Fidelity Bank and Access Bank with +13.1 percent and +12.8 percent respectively.

Wema Bank came second in three other categories - total assets growth rate (+13%), loan book growth rate (+19.9%) and profit after tax growth rate

Parallex Bank Collaborates with UNILAG for Diamond Jubilee In alignment with its core value of collaboration, Parallex Bank Limited, the most outstanding young Commercial Bank in Nigeria as awarded at the 2022 Marketing Edge Annual Summit and Award, has extended partnership to the University of Lagos in celebration of the institution’s 60th anniversary.

The year-long celebration, kicked off with a Jumat service at the university mosque last month and further made more beautiful and richer with a Parallex Bank sponsored cocktail event at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium of the University.

The Managing Director of Parallex Bank, and an alumnus of the University, Mr. Olufemi Bakre, posited that the institution is celebrating sixty years of significantly advancing humanity, transforming lives

and building lasting legacies.

Therefore, it is a privilege for a financial institution like Parallex to share in the celebration by extending a partnership to the premier institution.

In his speech, Bakre recognizes that Unilag and Parallex Bank share core values such as professionalism, innovation, excellence, customercentricity, and collaboration.

He continued that on such a significant day marking the institution’s diamond jubilee, it is only worthy that these shared values allow for a partnership.

In comparison, He had pointed out out that like Unilag, Parallex Bank is setting the standard for others to follow in the financial industry by redefining and redesigning banking to meet its customers’ contemporary

needs and aspirations because the bank’s offered services are tailor-made and personalized to meet each customer’s needs.

According to him, Parallex Bank is the bank that gives customers the freedom to express themselves and explore their limitlessness.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe affirmed that Parallex Bank has always lended it’s support to the institution, having been a significant part of some landmark events of the school, which had included a major sponsorship of the cocktail event of the 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebration.

He expressed excitement at a deeper relationship and collaboration between the bank and the university.

Paxful Becomes Africa Bitcoin Conference Major Sponsor Paxful, the global peer-to-peer fintech platform, has been announced as one of the lead sponsors for the first annual Africa Bitcoin Conference (ABC), taking place on 5 - 7 December, 2022 in Accra, Ghana.

The conference, titled; “Accelerate Bitcoin Adoption in Africa,” aims to foster collaboration among thousands of Bitcoin developers, technologists, investors, advocates, and educators working in the African bitcoin ecosystem.

Additionally, the event hopes to strengthen knowledge and resource sharing and form connections between African influencers and those working around the globe.

The three-day event will see Paxful founder and CEO, Ray Youssef give a keynote presentation on the event’s main stage—championing Accra as one of the biggest hubs for the future of finance and a bridge to Africans.

During his keynote, Ray will share why he still believes Africa is leading the way to a financial revolution through Bitcoin.

According to the head of the Africa Bitcoin Conference, Farida Nabourema, she said, “the conference will be the first of its kind, bringing together Bitcoin stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. Numerous networking opportunities will be offered during the conference,

and we are honoured to partner with Paxful with the intention of being a point of entry for organizations throughout the Africans to embrace this innovative technology.”

As a major sponsor, Paxful will be prominently featured in event education and branding to the event’s 1,000+ attendees.

“Our society runs on money yet access is not equitable. Africans know this better than anyone.

Bitcoin changes that—it allows anyone with the Internet to join the global market,” said Paxful CEO Ray Youssef. “I’ve seen first-hand how Bitcoin grows local economies and entrepreneurship in Africa.

L-R: Mr. Chuka Eseka, GMD/CEO, Vetiva Capital Management Ltd; Mr. Modupe Kadri, Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria and Mr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria at the complete issuance of MTN Nigeria’s N115 billion Series 1 Dual-Tranche Fixed Rate Bonds in Lagos

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

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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).

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 2022

MARKET NEWS

NGX Group Announces Kwairanga as New Chairman Kayode Tokede The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) yesterday announced that its Board has appointed Umaru Kwairanga as the new Chairman at a meeting held in Lagos.

Prior to Kwairanga’s appointment as the substantive chairman, Mr Ikpobe Apollos, a Non-Executive Director of NGX Group was on Friday, September 30, 2022 elected as the Acting

Chairman.

The Group in a statement noted that the appointment of an acting chairman was done to ensure governance continues and allows for wider consultations before the appointment of a substantive successor to the erstwhile Chairman, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who announced his retirement at the 61st Annual General Meeting of the Group.

In keeping with good gov-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

ernance ethos, and to ensure continuity as well as institute an orderly succession plan for The Group, the Board also created the position of Vice Chairman and appointed Mr. Oluwole Adeosun, a Non-Executive Director of NGX Group and current President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) to fill this position.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kwairanga resolved to work assiduously with his colleagues

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on the Board to immediately stabilise relationships with all key stakeholders and set the Group on the path to a brighter future.

According to him, “I am very excited to lead the execution of our corporate strategy and deliver world-class governance to the Group. I appreciate the Board for the confidence in my abilities to deliver on our mandate for the shareholders of NGX Group.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

“I would like to thank our erstwhile Chairman, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo and our outgoing Acting Chairman, Mr Apollos Ikpobe for their outstanding and diligent service to the Company, and I promise to continue to deliver in line with their set standard of execution and delivery.”

Dr Kwairanga, a thoroughbred capital market professional with excellent corporate governance

O F

pedigree, has 30 years of cognate experience in banking, pensions, manufacturing and commercial sectors. He served previously as a Council Member of the then Nigerian Stock Exchange and as member of the Board of Directors of NGX Group. He is currently a Council member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria, and an active director of multiple listed and unlisted companies.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

2022 ELECTIONS YOUTH CANDIDACY REPORT...

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, Simon Karu; Chairman, Young Parliamentarians Forum of the National Assembly, Kabir Tukura; Executive Secretary, Yiaga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo and Program Officer, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Bamalu, during the official launch of Youth Candidacy Report in the 2923 elections in Abuja...yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

NLC Demands Wage Increase, Seeks Special Allowance for Workers to Cushion Inflation Kicks against registration of CONUA, NAMDA Vote out APC, Aborishade tells labour

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal and state government to urgently look into the plight of Nigerian workers due to the current spiraling inflation in the country and grant them allowance to cushion the effect of high cost of living.

The congress also argued that the registration of two new university-based unions - Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) - was a violation of the Labour Act. The call by the organised labour came just as a civil rights lawyer, Femi Aborishade has advised workers not to reward the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

with their votes at the forthcoming presidential elections in 2023.

Speaking yesterday, at a roundtable meeting in Abuja, on ‘Decent Work Situation in Nigeria,’ NLC President Mr. Ayuba Wabba said the workers were going through enormous challenges presently due the harsh economic situation which he said was compounded by poor and irregular wages.

Wabba said it was regrettable that despite all the strikes and protests undertaken by the workers to improve the condition of things in the country, not much had been achieved.

He said that time has come for a change in strategy as strikes and protests alone have failed to He said though most countries in the world were going through

similar economic challenges, the situation was better in those countries because their governments responded to the challenges by providing some allowances to the workers.

Wabba said: "Though the economic challenges are almost the same around the world but each country is responding specifically to address the challenges. Take for instance, the issue of wage.

We demand for wage justice even in Nigeria because with inflation rate of two to three digits, that is now hovering around 20 percent and above, you can be sure that the workers on fixed wages will be at the recieving end."

The NLC president said with the level of inflation and the attendant high cost of food items in the market today, the official

inflation rate had become doubtful.

While lamenting the hardship the workers were passing through, Wabba said the level of indifference by government had become alarming.

According to Wabba, the difference between Nigerian workers and their counterparts in other parts of the world was that in some of the countries, the government had been providing what is called "Cost of living allowance" meant to cushion the impact of the economic difficulties.

Wabba also gave the position of NLC on the registration of two academic unions in the universities, describing it as a violation of the Labour Act. "I can confirm that the registration of the two order unions

is a violation of our Labour Act. Particularly, Section 5, Sub-section 4, provides clearly that where already there is an existing union representing the interests of the union that is about to be registered, that union should not be registered.

"So I can tell you that if you put it through the middle of our Labour Act, it has failed clearly. The law also provides clearly that before you register a union, it will be published in the National Gazette.

And you will take objection for three months, that have not been done. And when you don't do that is a violation of the law.

"So we are writing to the Minister to call his attention because part of the issue is to respect our laws notwithstanding what the issues are, notwithstanding personal interest. The law should be above

everybody's interest and we should be able to respect the law," he said.

On his part, the guest speaker at event, Aborishade, chronicled the struggles for minimum wage and better work conditions which the organised labour had spearheaded over the years.

He lamented the workers had suffered a lot of deprivation due to poor wages, adding that inflation has rendered such wages meaningless.

He also took a swipe at the current government for allowing university students to be out of school for over seven months.

Aborishade said workers should be united and show their readiness to do away with their oppressors.

He said: "Workers must ensure that APC is not returned to power in the 2023 general election"

BUHARI MEETS 23 FREED KADUNA TRAIN VICTIMS, CHARGES SERVICE CHIEFS TO REPLICATE SUCCESS for you were all admitted into the academy from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to co-exist and master the arts and science of building and defending your fatherland.

“You are required to replicate the social cohesion you experienced during your time at the academy and be the unifying and incorruptible models of those you were trained to protect and bound by esprit de corps and love for your fatherland.”

Buhari also lauded the commandant, staff, instructors, and gentlemen officer cadets for an outstanding parade, declaring that the country would continue to count on their valour and celebrate their willingness to serve their beloved country.

He said, “What sets this academy apart is not just the primacy of discipline, but its first-class training curricula designed to transform young cadets into professionals with extraordinary skill-set and knowledge to prevent, confront and neutralise the contemporary and emerging threats facing our country and West African sub-region.

“I am aware that you are, perhaps, the most highly-trained course since the establishment of this academy in 1964, having completed our most methodical corporeal and academic training in line with the new capacity-building philosophy of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You emerge in an era of expanding global security threats,

and in the past seven years, we have set aside high-tech platforms and prioritised your needs to facilitate your training and commissioning.”

Gbajabiamila expressed joy at the news of the release of the 23 hostages. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the speaker urged Nigerians to relentlessly pursue peace in their daily undertakings.

He said, "Yesterday, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the release of fellow citizens kidnapped by terrorists in the unfortunate attack on the AbujaKaduna train seven months ago.

“This is comforting news for the kidnapped victims and all Nigerians who carried them in our hearts, praying and hoping for a resolution to this unfortunate saga.

“Now begins the process of healing and recovery for the victims and their families. This will not be easy. These victims and their families deserve and will receive the support of this House of Representatives and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they work to rebuild their bodies and spirits and restore normalcy to their lives.

“This morning I remember the ones we lost in this attack. I pray for the repose of their souls. And for the families who still mourn and miss them, I know that words will never be enough to convey your loss or reduce your grief.

“I pray that you will find peace and healing through the grace of God. Like all the other terrorist attacks of the past two decades, this

attack on the Kaduna-bound train has devastated lives and caused untold suffering.”

The speaker said the prevailing security challenges should not dampen the spirit or discourage Nigerians from being attentive to their personal and collective security, adding that the incident should renew commitment to end the scourge of terrorism in Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila stated, “Too many people have suffered for too long.

It’s past time to end this pain and suffering. We owe the victims, their families and all Nigerians a debt.

That debt will only be fully paid when the perpetrators of this attack are identified and punished for their grievous sins against the nation.

“I join all of you, all our fellow citizens and people of conscience, in welcoming home the released victims. May God bless the memory of the dead. May His love heal the wounded, and His grace comfort the bereaved."

The leadership of CAN expressed satisfaction at the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers.

A statement by the CAN president commended Buhari for the feat.

The statement said, "The successful release of the remaining hostages in line with the president's earlier directive not only indicates that the authorities mean serious business, but are ready to muster the required political will to end the reign of terror in parts of the country.

"CAN also lauds the military and all other security and intelligence agencies for the successful conduct of the operation, which led to the release of the hostages. They have shown outstanding capabilities in recent times and the whole world will not fail to take note of their good efforts.

"We believe that with the necessary support and adequate motivation, our security forces are capable of deploying world class kinetic and non-kinetic processes towards accomplishing difficult military operations that will ensure safety of lives and properties in the land.”

Military Vows to Track Down Kaduna Train Bombers The military high command declared yesterday that the terrorists, who bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train would not go unpunished. It gave further insight into Wednesday’s release of the 23 hostages after seven months in the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists, who masterminded the train bombing.

This came as troops of Operation Delta Safe deactivated 88 illegal crude oil refining sites and apprehended 39 oil bunkerers in the Niger Delta in the last two weeks.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, said the insurgents would not escape justice.

Akpor said elements of national power were deployed in securing the release of the hostages.

"There were elements of national power deployed and that was why they were released," he said.

Reacting to a question on the likely action to be taken against the terrorists, he said they would not go unpunished.

Akpor stated, "But anybody, who commits any offence against the nation will definitely be brought to book."

Speaking in the same vein, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Musa Damadami, said the military adopted kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to secure the release of the kidnap victims.

"These people were held captive for six months. Both kinetic and nonkinetic operations were conducted.

The release was the non-kinetic part of it," he said.

In the meantime, troops of Operation Delta Safe deactivated 88 illegal crude oil refining sites and apprehended 39 oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

Danmadami said troops sustained pressure on economic saboteurs and denied criminal elements freedom of action in the past two weeks to ensure a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive.

He said the operation was designed to ensure the protection of oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

He said troops of Operation Octopus Grip discovered and destroyed 60 illegal refining sites, 58

wooden boats, six speed boats, 384 storage tanks, 223 cooking ovens and 60 dugout pits.

Danmadami affirmed that troops also recovered 20 pumping machines, three motorcycles, one tricycle, 18 vehicles and arrested 34 pipeline vandals.

He said a total of 3.7 million litres of crude oil, 458,000 litres of diesel, 1,000 litres of petrol and 13,000 litres of kerosene were recovered.

Danmadami stated, “In a related development, troops of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo in the sustained fight against crude oil theft and maritime illegalities discovered and destroyed 14 illegal refineries.

“They also destroyed 72 metal storage tanks, nine wooden boats, 29 dugout pits, 51 ovens and 25 reservoirs.

“Cumulatively, within the weeks under review oil thieves were denied a total of N2.1 billion in the South-South region."

He added, “Also, between September 23 and September 28, the air component of `Operation Delta Safe’ conducted air interdiction operations at locations observed to be carrying out illegal refining activities at Ahoada in Rivers.

“The airstrike destroyed the illegal refining sites with several criminals fleeing during the engagement.

“A similar air interdiction operation was carried out on an illegal refining site with boathouse accommodation. Facilities there were destroyed while the criminals fled in disarray.”

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022

NEWSXTRA

INAUGURATION OF HARDING COLLEGE...

L-R: Chairman, Ekiti State SUBEB, Prof Femi Akinwunmi; Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye; and Secretary to the State Government, Mr Foluso Daramola; during the inauguration of Harding College in Ado-Ekiti…recently

Ortom: All of Us, Parties Aside, Must Come Together to Salvage Nigeria Says nation is sick, currently on oxygen, warns tomorrow is uncertain Jonathan advocates politics of inclusion, unity Chuks Okocha in Abuja Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said all leaders, irrespective of political affiliations, must join hands now and work together to salvage Nigeria.

Ortom, who stated this, yesterday, in a brief remark at the launch of the Solomon Lar Leadership Institute and presentation of an autobiography of the late nationalist titled: "Chronicles of the Rainbow" held at the Nigerian Air Force, NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, however, said coming together of everyone was imperative because the nation was sick and on oxygen, warning that tomorrow was uncertain.

Relatedly, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who expressed concern at the level of division and bigotry going on in the country, advocated unity and politics of inclusion as the nation journeys towards the 2023 elections.

He reiterated his earlier position that all was not well with Nigeria and advocated the need for leaders and citizens to complement each other in efforts toward salvaging the country.

"As a country, let us know that the Bible says that we shall know the truth and the truth will set us free. It is only when we say the truth, when we walk the truth, when we act the truth, that we will be free.

"Let nobody deceive anyone that it is well with Nigeria. Nigeria is sick. All is not well with our country.

Nigeria is on oxygen and all hands must be on deck for us to salvage this country," he insisted.

Emphasising the need for synergy from all leaders to redeem the country, he insisted that, "We need to work together. President Buhari cannot do it alone. We must join hands with him by telling him

the truth. The Speaker, House of Representatives or the Senate President cannot do it alone.

“The governors cannot do it alone. We must work together to ensure that we complement each other to make things work, otherwise, only God knows where we will be tomorrow."

He, however, acknowledged that, "Solomon Lar was a patriot, an emancipator and a nationalist, who stood for humanity and fought for the rights of all irrespective of their tribe or background" and urged leaders to emulate the ideals he stood for.

While calling on leaders and citizens to emulate the examples of Lar, he said, "Let us take the

examples of this man that we are celebrating today. Let us look at his life, he stood for justice, equity and fairness.

"Let us ask ourselves today, are we standing for justice? Are we standing for fairness? Are we standing for equity? Are we standing for the rule of law?"

Ortom queried.

The Benue governor, who also represented his governor colleagues, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, donated to support the launching of the Solomon Lar Leadership Institute and the book.

Chairman of the occasion and former president, Dr Goodluck

Jonathan, in his remarks, pointed out that Lar played politics of inclusion, honesty, courage and patriotism, emphasising that, "As we move towards the 2023 elections, I urge that we all as critical stakeholders should embrace Lar's politics of inclusion and unity."

The former President expressed worry that the political climate in the country was deteriorating, pointing out that issues of ethnicity, bigotry, hate speech, intolerance and divisiveness were dominating the polity.

"I urge Nigerians to learn from the life of Chief Lar, who played the politics of sacrifice and selflessness for the unity of the country," he stated.

Earlier, wife of the late nationalist, Professor Mary Lar, said her husband was a man of peace, who believed in the rule of law and had the ability to apply the principle of inclusiveness so that people could not complain of marginalisation.

She expressed appreciation to all guests cutting across different political backgrounds, who graced the event, saying the family was overwhelmed by the show of love and solidarity.

Prof Lar promised that the family would continue to sustain the legacy of inclusiveness the late nationalist stood for.

Those at the occasion included President Muhammadu Buhari, who

was represented by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Presidents of the Senate, David Mark and Bukola Saraki; former Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

Others present were the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate, Dr Baba-Ahmed Datti; Emir of Keffi, Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed (rtd); PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu; and the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, among others.

APC PCC List Ready Weekend as Tinubu Arrives Abuja Sanwo-Olu: Our presidential candidate’s antecedent verifiable Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, last night, returned to the country after a 12-day rest in London, during which period he had his campaign photoshoot and also held series of meeting.

However, with his return to the country, in Abuja, party sources have hinted of the high possibility that the new Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) list might be ready this weekend.

This is as the Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, has boasted that Tinubu’s antecedents were not only verifiable but marketable for the 2023 election.

Tinubu had left the country immediately after the controversial 422-member campaign list was released. The PCC list met resistance from party stakeholders, including the National Working Committee (NWC) and APC governors, who claimed they were not carried along.

However, in spite of the inability of the NWC and the governors elected on the platform of the party, as well as members of PCC to agree on the kick-off date for the campaign at their meeting on Wednesday, the campaign list would be ready by weekend, THISDAY has learnt.

Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu, had after Wednesday described the release of the campaign list by PCC as

unfortunate.

But sources informed THISDAY yesterday that the final campaign list would be ready by the weekend after governors and party leadership made their inputs.

"We will release the final list this weekend. Asiwaju is back in the country, the governors will make their inputs and we move on," the source said.

Another source told THISDAY that while no specific date has been picked for the release of the campaign list, he assured the people that the list would be released this weekend.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, who endorsed a grassroots movement targeting two million votes in the state for the victory of the APC in the 2023 elections, campaigned vigorously for Tinubu as the

nation’s best bet.

Sanwo-Olu personally led members of his cabinet, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to a conference organised

by Asiwaju Grassroots Talk (AGT), where he drummed support for group’s political advocacy and its voter mobilisation strategy across local communities in Lagos.

The event with the theme: “Political Evangelism: Raising Active Voters Above 50 Percent”, was held at 10 Degrees Event Centre in Oregun, Ikeja, and had 5,000 mobilisers working with the group in attendance.

“We are ready to take the gospel out to the electorate and canvass for their support for the Tinubu presidency. Asiwaju has verifiable track records in good governance and service delivery,

which canvassers can use to engage and win the support of potential voters. We must talk about the transformative leadership, progressive ideals and vision possessed by Asiwaju to take this country to another level of meaningful development.

“Tinubu is coming to bring hope, bring about change that will translate to real prosperity.

He is coming to address the challenges facing the youth, women and the vulnerable in our country. His programmes will touch the lives of traders, artisans and those in search of legitimate means of livelihood. It is because of our strong belief in Asiwaju’s leadership that we are all coming together to endorse this grassroots movement to ensure Lagos is delivered for APC.

In the meantime, Rivers State Government has withdrawn the criminal suit filed against Amaechi, Cole and five others.

The state government had filed the suit accusing the defendants of selling government assets running into several billions of naira during Amaechi’s tenures as the state governor.

The matter which resumed for ruling could not continue as counsel for the State Government and Commissioner for Justice, Prof.

Zaccheus Adangor informed the court that he was withdrawing the suit.

Reacting, lawyer for APC, Amaechi and Cole argued that

withdrawing the suit was an abuse of court process and prayed the court to dismiss the criminal charges if the suit must be withdrawn.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Okogbule Gbasam after hearing the arguments of the parties in the matter, struck out the suit and the charges against the APC and others.

One of the defence lawyers, Achinike Wobodo who spoke with journalists on the development, said they were ready to face the state government whenever there was a fresh charge against their clients.

Wobodo said, "As it stands today, there is no charge against anybody in any court. We do not intend to prevent whether they want to file any other charge or not.

WIKE SET TO ASSENT MOTION STRIPING OMEHIA OF ‘FORMER GOVERNOR’ TITLE to him (Omehia) was not in tandem with the highlighted pronouncement of the apex court and the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

Amaewhule called on Wike to stop recognising Omehia as former governor of Rivers State and also terminate all privileges, benefits and entitlements accruing to all former governors which were also extended to him (Omehia).

He also urged the House to direct Omehia to stop using the title, "His Excellency" and suffix "Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS)," which pertains to only governors and former governors of the state.

The leader also urged the House to direct Omehia to refund all

the monies paid to him by the state government as benefits and entitlements, to the treasury of the state government within seven days from the date of the resolution of the House.

In an instant debate, all the lawmakers who made contributions, including the representative of Celestine Omehia’s constituency in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Anselm Oguguo agreed to the prayers.

Some of the lawmakers, however, requested that a specific decision be made on what action to be taken if Omehia fails to refund the monitory benefits.

After the debate, all 21 members present at the plenary voted in

support of the four prayers by the leader of the House.

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the house was right in taking the decision, because no law was absolute.

Meanwhile, Wike has agreed to sign the approved motion by the Assembly cancelling the recognition of Omehia as a former governor.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike announced that he would assent to the letter on Friday (today) at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

According to Ebiri: "His Excellency Nyesom Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers

State, is to sign the instrument on cancellation of the recognition of Sir Celestine Omehia as a former governor of Rivers State.

"The cancellation of the recognition is sequence to the resolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly adopted on Thursday, 6th October, 2022 to derecognise Sir Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state.

"The signing will take place in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, 7th October, 2022 by 12 noon', he added.

Rivers Withdraws Criminal Suit against Amaechi, Cole, others

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

PACT TO BOOST SAUDI/NIGERIA BILATERAL TRADE …

L-R: Director-General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Ms Victoria Akai; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) official, Usman Abass; NACCIMA first National Deputy President, Dele Oye; Kingdom of Saudi Deputy Minister, His Excellency Ahmad Bin Sakeh Al-khamshi, and NACCIMA second National Deputy President, Jani Ibrahim, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the second Joint Commission Meeting between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in Abuja…recently

Christian Association Expresses Concern over Poverty, Hunger among Nigerians John Shiklam inKaduna The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, has expressed concern over hunger poverty among millions of Nigerians.

In a communique issued at the end of its meeting held on Wednesday in Kaduna, the

Christian body, said the rising prices of food stuffs and other essential commodities has made life difficult for ordinary Nigerians.

The communiqué, which was jointly signed by Rev. Yakubu Pam and Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman and Secretary General of the association respectively, said prices of essential commodities are on the increase almost on a daily

Imo to Train 100,000 Youths in Software Devt activities, improved digital Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government in Imo State, Dr Chimezie Amadi, has said over 100,000 youths, women and people with disabilities would receive core 21st century skills in software development with the take off of the new Ministry.

Amadi stated this in a chat with journalists in Abuja yesterday.

He said the ministry would train the youths, on blockchain, game development and other technical vocational skills, taking the advantage of the Broadband Penetration in all the local government areas of Imo State.

The ministry, he added, was expected to improve broadband penetration and coverage, Increased e-Government

inclusion and literacy levels.

He said: “The Ministry will pull 100,000 young people from across the local government areas of the state and instil digital skills and competencies into them.

“The Ministry will be an enabler and a one-stop-shop for digital knowledge acquisition for the entire state operation.”

Amadi added that Governor Hope Uzodinma is on the verge of making a giant stride in Imo State with the establishment of the Ministry, describing it as the first in Nigeria and perhaps in West Africa.

He said: “This Ministry will be saddled with the responsibility of making Imo State the digital capital of Nigeria. The Ministry will work as part of Governor’s overall transformation agenda for the state.

FG Declares Monday Public Holiday

KuniTyessiinAbuja

The federal government has declared Monday, October 10, 2022 as Public Holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid Celebration in commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuiab Belgore, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, cautioned that during the celebration, Nigerians, particularly Muslims must shun all act of violence, lawlessness and other criminalities.

Aregbesola congratulated all Muslims both at home and in the Diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

He admonished all to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues and which the Holy Prophet Muhammad exemplified,

adding that doing so would guarantee peace, security and harmony in the country.

Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness and other acts of criminality.

“As the indisputable leader of our race, we must demonstrate responsible leadership in Africa”, the Minister stated.

While calling for a stop to all divisive tendencies across the country, the Minister urges all Nigerians, and the youth in particular, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity and join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari led-Administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that all citizens would be proud of.

basis and urged governments at all levels to address the situation.

The communique said: “There is hunger and poverty in the land: Our weak economy has thrown millions of Nigerians

into abject poverty and hunger.

Life is becoming a living hell to many Nigerians as they struggle to make ends meet.

“Almost on a daily basis, prices of food and essential items are on

the increase. Many families can barely get one square meal in a day. “There is no denying the fact that there is poverty and hunger in the land. The reality on the ground is evident for all to see.

“Poverty and hunger affects all spheres of life. It fuels criminality and crime; it affects education; it affects quality healthcare.

Hunger affects citizens political choices.

House Begins Probe of Abandoned FG Properties in FCT Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives has launched a probe into abandoned Federal Government properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking during the investigative hearing by the sub-committee on the FCT of the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate abandoned property across the

Federation, the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, said the country possesses a large stock of abandoned properties that could become viable assets for the benefit of the Nigerian people if managed properly.

Gbajabiamila, who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Agenda, Hon

Henry Nwawuba, decried a situation where several properties belonging to the Federal Government have been abandoned, and others severely under utilised for many years. Nwawuba said the House of Representatives has since resolved to help identify these assets and take legislative action to help ensure

they are either put to good use or transferred to provide income for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The Ad-Hoc Committee to Investigate Abandoned Federal Government Properties Across the Federation has convened today’s investigative hearing to focus on such abandoned property in the FCT.

Group Calls On Nigerian Youths to Reclaim Country EmamehGabrielinAbuja Ahead of 2023 presidential election, Nigerians youths have been urged to rise up and retrieve their country from corrupt and incompetent leaders seeking to seize power next year.

The call was made yesterday in Abuja by professionals under the aegis of Nigerian Professionals for

Peter Obi (NPPO), who charged youths in the country to seize the opportunity presented by the 2023 polls to achieve a paradigm shift in leadership by ensuring that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party(LP) is elected.

Speaking at a press conference, the National Convener of the group,Dr. Ikechukwu Stanley, described Obi as the most qualified candidate of

all the candidates jostling for the Presidency of Nigeria who “offers hope of unity, shared prosperity and economic recovery, collective progress, security and renewed nationalism, as his records in both private business and public sector have shown. The NPPO stated: “At no time in the history of this nation is the quest for good leadership more exigent than now. With youth unemployment

and underemployment at a staggering 63.5 per cent, 82.9 million people living in abject poverty making Nigeria the world’s poverty capital, 20 million out of school children according to UNESCO report, inflation rate at 20.52 per cent, second most corrupt country in West Africa, an endless ASUU strike and insecurity at its worst since independence.”

Blame Etiebet if Akpabio Loses Senatorial Election, Group Tells APC Okon Bassey in Uyo

A group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum(ADF), has urged the party to hold the former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, responsible if the former Minister of Niger

Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio fails the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial election in 2023.

Etiebet, a member, Board of Trustees(BoT) of the APC had few days ago threatened to ensure that Akpabio loses the 2023 senatorial election if he refuses to step down.

He said it is wrong for the elder statesman to argue that it was the turn of Abak federal constituency not Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, where Akpabio hails from, to occupy the red chambers for the district.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the group, Mr Joe

Iniodu, who spoke on its behalf, said Etiebet was instigating a revolt against the APC and Akpabio’s senatorial aspiration.

In a statement titled “Etiebet’s Gloomy Prognosis”, Iniodu said it is regrettable of the action of Don Etiebet, which is against the interest of the party he is a BoT member.

NESG: $26b Can be Recovered if Nigeria Closes Gender Inequality Gap

KuniTyessiinAbuja

As the fight for gender inequality and inclusivity is on the rise, the Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) has revealed that the country stands to recover $26 billion of estimated loss if the existing gap can be closed.

The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of NESG, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, who made the disclosure, at a pre- summit in collaboration with the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), said available data showed that on a per capita basis, gender inequality in terms of earnings could lead to a loss of $23,620 per person globally,

and with an estimated global loss of about $160.2 trillion in human capital wealth.

He said the summit, which is aimed at creating more awareness on gender parity, will cut across all facets of all to include sociopolitical and economic and with the intention to create awareness on

modalities that will lead to financial gain per person.

He added that according to the World Economic Forum of 2021, Nigeria ranks 139 of 149 countries on the global gender index ranking, which he reiterated, has put the nation in bad light amongst the comity of nations.

CSO Launches COVID-19 Response Mechanism in 19 States

Stephanie Igbenand John Omo-Izirein

In a bid to facilitate access to essential commodities and routine healthcare services during a health emergency period, Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has launched

a COVID-19 Response Mechanism that would help reduce gaps and challenges in the country’s response to COVID-19 and preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics.

The COVID 19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) Grant seeks to address gaps in the systems and infrastructures for efficient and

effective outcomes in the health systems as well as the communities and CSOs. The states for the implementation of the C19RM grant are:Delta;Ekiti;Lagos; Cross River; Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Edo; Anambra; Kaduna; Kano; Jigawa; Nasarawa; Plateau; Jigawa; Kwara;

Ondo, and Oyo. Speaking at a media briefing on the modalities of the project, the ACOMIN State Co-ordinator, Mrs Bunmi Tejumola, disclosed that the impact of COVID 19 can be witnessed across all disease areas leading to a 70 to 80 per cent decline in service uptake.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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WORLD OF ISLAM

NEWS XTRA

‘FG’s Plan to Substitute Amnesty Programme for Pipeline Surveillance Contract Vexatious’ Manifestations of Extremism (2)

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

OlusegunSamuelinYenagoa

Niger Delta Stakeholders have described as “unreasonable and vexatious” plan by the federal government to substitute the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) with the crude oil pipeline Contract recently awarded to former militant leaders from the region, warning that the plan could trigger another rounds of agitation and

frustrate the campaign against oil theft in the region.

The stakeholders, made up of traditional rulers, elders, women groups, youth groups, former militant leaders and other stakeholders from across the Niger Delta region, said the plan to swap the programme for crude oil pipeline Surveillance contract was revealed by the Interim Administrator of PAP, Maj. Gen. Tariye Ndiomu (rtd.)

Minor Sues Unilever over Alleged Copyright Infringement Wale Igbintade A Minor, Miss Faria Mikayla Aouad, has filed a N200 million privacy and copyright infringement suit against Unilever Nigeria Plc and two others for alleged unauthorised use of her photo and the alteration of her name in the company’s promotional competition.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as OLUWOLE WASIU SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWOLE OLUSHOLA MARK. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ESAN OLUJOKE NIHINLOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWOLE OLUJOKE NIHINLOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as MISS EKENE IFEYINWA NWALIOBA now Wish to be Known and addressed as MRS EKENE IFEYINWA OBIOKALA. All Former Documents remains Valid. Greenwich Registrars,Data Solutions and general public take note

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLOWU CHRISTIANA IYABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBRAHIM CHRISTIANA IYABO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OMOTOSHO AFOLAKE COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as OJUWONI AFOLAKE COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AKUJOHNSON DEBORAH FORTUNE, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ADEDOKUN DEBORAH OLUWAPELUMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDUNMOLA ADEOLA OLOBAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEDUNMOLA ADEOLA EZICHI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MUSARI GANIYU OKANLAWON, now wish to be known and addressed as MUSA OKANLAWON GANIYU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MRS. NWAOFOR NDIDI FELICITY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWAOFOR OMEOGU NDIDI FELICITY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Aouad filed the suit marked FHC/L/CS/990/2018 at the Federal High Court in Lagos through her parents, Mr. Fouad Anthony Aouad, and Mrs. Chinwendu Aouad, who are the second and third plaintiffs.

The Unilever Nigeria Plc, Wild Fusion Limited, and one Mrs. Anjorin (A.K.A Mummy Pelumi) are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit.

Miss Aouad averred that the defendants, for advertising and commercial purposes, took and made unauthorised use of her photo which her mother the 2nd plaintiff posted on her Instagram account on September 29, 2017.

The said photo was entered in Unilever’s Independence Day Promotional competition known as the “Pears Best Dressed” or “#PearsBestDressed” on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter between September 30, 2017 and October 2, 2017.

The Plaintiffs closed their case on February 10, 2022.

At the last adjourned date of the suit, the defendants opened their case before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

Justice Aneke then adjourned proceedings till January 17 and 18, 2023, to enable the plaintiffs’ counsel to cross-examine the 1st Defendant’s witness.

The plaintiffs were represented

by Kelechukwu K. Okwujiako, while Charles Bassey represented the 1st Defendant.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as UBAZI CHIOMA GOODLUCK, now wish to be known and addressed as OGAMBA CHIOMA GOODLUCK. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OHALETE CHIAMAKA JULIET, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIBUEZE CHIAMAKA JULIET. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNBIYI SESI SEDOTEN, now wish to be known and addressed as OWOYELE SESI SEDOTEN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ESTHER EDET BASSEY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ESTHER EMMANUEL FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MR DESIRE OBANEFE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR OBANEFE DESIRE EGBAOGHENE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

during a “Presidential Mandate Briefing” with employees of the programme on 5th October 2022 at the Sheraton Resort, FCT. Abuja.

According to the stakeholders, Ndiomu was quoted as saying his mandate was to urgently terminate the PAP in exchange for the pipeline surveillance contract, and directed staff of PAP to immediately commence the process of winding down, prior to the expiration of his tenure on March 1, 2023, approximately 90 days before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure on May 29, 2023.

In a statement by Chief Maxwell Ayamabele, the stakeholders condemned the actions and steps taken so far by the interim administrator, and termed his action as “inexperienced, naïve, and disrespectful to all traditional rulers, women, youth leaders and former militant leaders that participated in the Amnesty process, as well as those, who convinced the former militant leaders that are now the founding fathers of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and thousands of their foot-soldiers to accept the amnesty offer, and signed the accord with the federal government under the leadership of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

‘It’s Unjust to Make Abia Teachers Cry, Beg for Salaries’ Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mr. Ikechi Emenike, has decried the prevailing situation in the state where teachers shed tears and beg to be paid salaries.

Emenike promised to put an end to sufferings and deprivation that have become the lot of teachers in public schools in Abia.

He gave the assurance of better days ahead in a message of goodwill and solidarity he sent to Abia teachers on the occasion of the 2022 World Teachers Day (WTD), which teachers celebrated in Umuahia with lamentations.

While congratulating Abia teachers on their special day, Emenike also commended them for “stoically performing their duties despite the prevailing harsh environment and poor condition of service.

“I feel the avoidable pains inflicted on you by the perpetrators of bad governance in our own dear state,” he said, adding that it is immoral to owe teachers or any category of workers their wages.

He vowed that he would not only clear all salary arrears of teachers but ensure a sustainable system of paying their salaries, allowances and other entitlements “without making them cry and beg government to get what they duly deserve.”

Referencing the theme of this year’s WTD, which is “Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers,” Emenike, who is a renowned development economist, noted that teachers are indeed the bedrock of the education system.

Sheikh (Dr.) Yusuf al-Qaradawi from last week)

I

(continued

was shocked and dismayed during a tour of North America to find that devout young Muslims – who belong to some Muslim groups – have initiated a great controversy because Muslims sit on chairs during the Saturday and Sunday lectures in mosques instead of sitting on mats on the ground, and do not face the Ka’bah as Muslims do and also because those who attend wear shirts and trousers rather than loose outer coverings, and sit at dining tables to eat rather than on the ground. I was angered by this kind of thinking and bahaviour in the heart of North America. I therefore, addressed these people: It would be more worthwhile in this materialistic society to make your paramount concern the call to monotheism and the ibadah of Allah (SWT), to remind people of the hereafter, of the noble Islamic values, and to warn them of the heinous acts in which the materially- developed countries have been totally immersed. The norms of behavior and the ameliorations in religious practice are governed by time as well as place, and should be introduced only after the most necessary and fundamental tenets have been firmly established.

In another Islamic centre, people were creating a considerable fuss over the showing of a historical or educational film in a mosque, claiming that “mosques have been turned into movie theatres,” but forgetting that the purpose of the mosque is to serve the worldly as well as spiritual interests of Muslims. During the time of Prophet Mohammad (SAAS) the masjid or the mosque – was the centre of da’wah and of the state, as well as of social activities. We are all aware of the Prophet’s granting permission to a group of people from Abyssinia to sport with their spears in the middle of his masjid, and that he allowed ‘A’ishah (RAA) to watch them.

The fourth characteristic of extremism manifests itself in harshness in the treatment of people, roughness in the manner of approach, and crudeness in calling people to Islam, all of which are contrary to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Allah (SWT) commands us to call to Islam and to His teachings with wisdom, not with foolishness, with amicability, not with harsh words: “Invite [all] to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious” (16:125).

It also describes the Prophet (SAAS), thus: “Now has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should perish, ardently anxious is he over you. To the believers he is kind and merciful” (9:128).

The Qur’an also addressed the Prophet (SAAS), defining his relationship with his companions: “It is part of the mercy of Allah that you [Muhammad] deal justly with them. If you were severe and harshhearted they would have broken away from about you” (3:159).

Firmness and harsh-heartedness are mentioned only in connection with two issues in the Qur’an. First, in connection with war, when a successful military strategy necessitates fortitude and the shelving of leniency until the war comes to an end. “Fight the unbelievers who gird you about and let them find firmness in you” (9:124).

Second, in connection with the execution of punishment on the guilty in accordance with Shari’ah, there is no room for compassion in applying Allah’s injunctions: “The man and woman guilty of adultery or fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a manner prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day” (24:2).

But in the field of da’wah, there is no place for violence and harshness. This is evidenced in the following ahadith: “Allah loves kindness in all matters” and, “kindness makes things beautiful; violence makes them defective,” as well as in the following wisdom of our forebears: “Whoever desires to command the common good, let him do it gently.”

Violence can do nothing more than distort da’wah to the path of Allah (SWT). Da’wah seeks to penetrate the innermost recesses of man to transform him into a godly person in his conceptions, emotions, and behavior by altering his thoughts, feelings, and will as well as the whole of his being, thereby shaping him into a different person. It also shakes up the structure of the society and alters its inherited beliefs, well-established traditions, moral conventions, and prevailing systems.

All these cannot be achieved without wisdom and amicability, and without taking into consideration human nature – man’s obstinacy, resistance to change, and argumentativeness. These characteristics necessitate the exercise of kindness and gentleness when attempting to reach man’s heart and mind so that his hardness can be softened, his rigidity abated and his pride checked. This approach was described for us in the Qur’an as having been followed by earlier prophets and sincere believers who called people to the ibadah of Allah (SWT).

Examples can be found in Ibrahim’s call to his father and people, in Shu’aib’s call to his people, in Musa’s call to Pharaoh, in the Believer’s call to

Pharaoh’s people, in the Believer’s call – in Surat Yasin (36:20) – as well as in the calls of others who directed people to the truth and righteousness.

Let us listen to and contemplate the spirit in which the Believer – a man who possesses iman from among Pharaoh’s people – addresses Pharaoh and the people expressing his sense of belonging to them and his concern for their destiny and for the permanence of their dominion and glory: “O my People! Yours is the dominion this day: You have the upper hand in the land: but who will help us from punishment of Allah should if fall upon us?” (40:29).

Then He reminds them of earlier nations who refused to listen to the message of Allah (SWT): “O my People! Truly I do fear for you something like the Day [of disaster] of the Confederates [in sin] – Something like the fate of the people of Nuh, and ‘Ad and Thamud, and those who came after them: but Allah never wishes injustice upon His servants”. (40:30-31).

Then he describes the disaster which might befall them on the Day of Judgment, a day which they believe in, one way or another: “And O my People! I fear for you a Day when there will be mutual calling [and wailing], a Day when you will turn your backs and flee: no defender shall you have from Allah. Any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is not to guide” (40:32-33).

He continues his earnest beseeching in a manner dominated by gentleness and compassion; he warns, but he also inspires with hope: “O my People! Follow me! I will lead you to the Right Path. O my People!

This life of the present is nothing but [temporary] convenience. It is the hereafter that is the home that will last… And O my People! How [strange] it is for me to call you to salvation while you call me to the Fire. You do call upon me to blaspheme against Allah and to join with Him partners of whom I have no knowledge, and I call you to the Exalted in Power, Who forgives again and again!” (40:38-42).

Then he ends his advice with the following: “Soon will you remember what I say to you [now]. My [own] affair I commit to Allah, for Allah [ever] watches over His servants” (40:44).

This is the approach and manner which contemporary Muslim du’ah should emulate and adopt with the stubborn, and with people of other religions.

This is also embodied in Allah’s advice to His two messengers, Musa (‘AS) and his brother Harun (‘AS), who were sent to preach to Pharaoh: “Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds. But speak to him mildly, perchance he may take warning of fear [Allah]”. (20:43-44).

Accordingly, Musa (‘AS) addressed Pharaoh very gently: “Would you that thou should be purified [from sin]. And that I guide you to your Lord, so that you should fear Him?” (79:18-19).

No wonder then that experienced people in da’wah reject and disapprove of the young people’s manner in arguing with those who hold different opinions!

Rather than calling people to the Way of Allah (SWT) with wisdom, they are quite often harsh, rough, and crude. No distinction is made between the old and the young; no special consideration is given to those whose age or status deserves special respect, that is parents, teachers, the learned, or those who have precedence in da’wah and jihad. Nor do the young people differentiate between those sectors in the community – such as the laity, the illiterate, and the misled – who are ceaselessly battling to earn a living, and those who actively resist Islam out of malice or treason, not ignorance.

Such lack of insight is still dominant in Muslim society, despite the fact that the early scholars of ahadith literature distinguished very clearly between the common innovators who did not call others to their innovation and those who deliberately publicized and defended their bid’ah (condemned innovations).

The reports of the former were accepted, while those of the latter were rejected.

Suspicion and distrust are also manifestations of extremism. An extremist readily accuses people and quickly passes judgment contrary to the generally accepted norm: “innocent until proven guilty.” He considers a person guilty the moment he suspects him of something. He jumps to conclusions rather than looking for explanations. The slightest mistake is blown out of all proportions; a mistake becomes a sin, and a sin kufr. Such a reaction is a stark violation of the spirit and teachings of Islam which encourage Muslims to think well of other Muslims, to try to find an excuse for their misbehaviors, and to help them improve their words and deeds.

The religious sincerity and integrity of those who disagree with such an extremist are always called into question. An extremist would depict people as being guilty of transgression, innovation, or disrespect for the Prophet’s Sunnah even if their views are solidly based upon authentic Islamic texts.

(Being excerpt from the book of Sheikh (Dr.) Yusuf Qaradawi “Islamic Awakening between Rejection and Extremism”, prominent voice of Islam, who passed on Monday, September 26, aged 96.)

LConcluded

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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BACKPAGE CONTINUATION NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE ROLE OF NIGERIANS IN THE DIASPORA federal system of government which pre-supposes that the federal government is allocated some powers that are separate from those allocated to the states.

The main power allocated to the federal, being the sole ownership of all the mineral wealth of Nigeria. The allocation of all the mineral wealth of Nigeria to the federal government has made Nigerian politics a do or die affair. All ethnic groups in Nigeria have the sole desire to control the federal government. Nigerians in Diaspora will need to operate above this mentality so as to avoid the stagnation in economic reforms caused by current political parties. The political parties have focused all their energies on the struggle for control of the mineral wealth and neglected the needed focus on reform policies and laws from a reasonably independent legislature.

No matter which political party controls the federal government or who is appointed the President, without dismantling the tools of ‘oppressive statism’, Nigeria will not develop any further than its present state. It is not the individual who is appointed or elected to any office in Nigeria that can make a change. Nigerians have witnessed different characters of persons appointed to positions of power – professors, doctors, Nigerians in Diaspora, activists, even the clergy, and nothing has changed. As long as the structure of oppressive statism is in place, as long as the tools of an oppressive statism are not dismantled, there will be no economic development in Nigeria. Whatever that will be discussed on the federal level, readily applies to the States and local governments of Nigeria.

Nigerians in Diaspora can assist the international community dismantle the tools of oppressive statism by forming NGOs, working as consultants, volunteers, political action groups focusing on the following reform programmes: (i) Single Treasury Account The military and past civilian regimes not only operated multiple accounts but also had secret accounts that were known by only the president and the minister in charge of the revenue source or the Central Bank Governor. The present Federal Government of Nigeria has taken the “bull by the horn” in the implementation of the single treasury account since its inception. Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora with experience of Public Financial Management and Accountability can show support for this programme and insist on its continuity, administered according to proper business procedures. Nigerians in Diaspora can submit proposals to U.S. agencies such as USAID or the World Bank to provide assistance, support to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Budget Office and the Debt Management Office. (ii) Public Procurement Commission Through promoting transparent and business-like tendering and procurement business processes, this is an essential institution in the war on corruption and in achieving efficiency in government spending. Assistance would focus on establishing detailed best-practices procurement operations, communicating procedures to spending agencies and responding to their questions and auditing actual procurements.

Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora with experience in commercial law development, drafting of public procurement commission law and procedures manual can submit proposals to USAID or the World Bank to provide assistance, support to key business processes of the government, rather than relying on outstanding professional strategic capacity. The installation of computerbased business information and transactional systems, which must be used in order to award contracts, order supplies, obtain funds, register permits, licences, collateral, and so on, is highly effective in reducing the opportunity for corruption even as it improves the quality and efficiency of government services. The World Bank, European Community, USAID and IMF are already involved using U.S. and European consultants to provide initial assistance to the Federal Government Debt Management Office (DMO), Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Federal Budget Office (FBO) (iii) Public Enterprises Financial Management Major public enterprises, in particular NNPC, need to be provided assistance in developing internationally acceptable financial reports and proper managerial accounting principles. Such assistance would enable the restructuring and privatisation of these companies, and bring desperately needed transparency to their cash flows. The importance of turning these organisations around can never be over-emphasized because these companies (including the already privatised power sector) above all are the base of many of Nigeria’s economic problems.

Nigerians in Diaspora need to engage the National Assembly to pass all the enabling laws to assist in the privatisation of public companies as part of a package of economic reform. Any political action group can submit proposals for funding assistance to the World Bank, USIS, USAID or the EEC. The donor community has funds to support the growth of democracy in

Buhari Nigeria. Professional Nigerians in the Diaspora can also submit proposals to provide consultancy in Public Financial Management and Accountability.

Candidates must be experienced in strengthening institutions for budget formulation, execution, revenue management, and experience of guiding, monitoring and assessing national budgets. (iv) Trade Policy Reform Radical revision of Nigeria’s trade policy is too critical to Nigeria’s development to be ignored.

USAID once undertook a study and identified major obstacles impeding the growth of trade in Nigeria. The study produced a blueprint for institutional improvement. Nigerians in Diaspora can assist by providing consultants to work with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to support the setting-up of the institutional structure and the adoption of liberal trade policy. This programme would also include advancing the ECOWAS’s goal of an integrated economic region in West Africa. (v) Public Constituency – Building for Reform Any challenge to oppressive statism is powerfully resisted by vested interests. Do not be deceived by thinking that civil servants who benefit from the status quo are the only vested interest group.

Any Nigerian who has acquired wealth by doing business with the Nigerian government which is, almost all the rich Nigerians, represent the vested interest group. They are represented at the National Assembly, the banking sector, the petroleum sector, the construction sector, the shipping sector, and so on. The only force really strong enough to counter such resistance is popular demand. The average Nigerian has been psychologically defeated and believes that only divine intervention can push through economic reform.

Nigerians in Diaspora are the only set of Nigerians that can make the sacrifice to challenge oppressive statism. Every Nigerian in Diaspora must look beyond the Head of State, Buhari, beyond the political parties and support the economic reform programmes. The donor community, the international community, and the multilateral financial institutions are working seriously to push through many economic reform programmes in Nigeria. Nigerians in Diaspora can keep talking about the problems in Nigeria and play the blame game, which will not achieve any positive result, or stand up and join hands to support economic reform. These activities can be done through all the village associations that meet every Sunday, deciding to develop high quality TV-focused media campaigns. The television channels in Nigeria give wide coverage and can reach 90 percent of the villages in Nigeria.

This investment will yield a higher return than all the community sponsored projects that Nigerians in Diaspora have embarked on in the past twenty years.

This movement will be the “Jerry Rawling” phenomena of Nigeria, the “Orange revolution” of Nigeria, the “Solidarity revolution” of Nigeria. (vi) Private Sector Development The key to a more active private sector expansion and involvement in the Nigerian economy is the privatisation programme. Several donor agencies are assisting the Bureau for Public Enterprises through funding and training of the principal officers at the bureau. Since the federal government was forced to allow private companies to participate in the telecommunication sector, the number of telephones in Nigeria quadrupled in little more than a year.

This was by far the most dramatic improvement in public utility services in Nigeria – due entirely to private sector investment. To understand the beast called oppressive statism, one would have thought that the government would readily create the same “magic” in other sectors. The ownership of these national assets by the privileged few allows them to amass enormous wealth at the expense of the masses. When NITEL was the only company in Nigeria, funds were voted to purchase new equipment and maintain existing

ones. Contracts were awarded to companies owned by the privileged few at ridiculous prices. Not only were the goods and services ridiculously priced, most times they were not delivered and the companies were paid. Revenue for telephone services was not collected and when they were collected, they were not properly accounted for.

With the private companies, what we hear today is the high profit being declared every year in the same country that NITEL operated in and squandered over twenty billion dollars in one decade!!

Nigerians in Diaspora must form pressure groups to intervene at the National Assembly to ensure that pending legislatures for the privatisation of all government companies are pushed through before the end of this current assembly. Consultants are also required to submit proposals to USAID and the World Bank on privatisation, commercial law development and government economists training.

There are scouting for seasoned professionals with experience in understanding political change and governance structures and of designing and implementing reform programmes to strengthen government accountability, institute citizens’ rights and overcome corruption. (vii) Agricultural Exports Competitiveness The Kwara State Government invited displaced white Zimbabwean farmers some years ago to invest in her state with offers of free land and a one-stop fast registration process. A press interview with some of the farmers that accepted the offer and have started operations gave an insight as to the promise by the farmers to boost the agricultural outputs in that state. If white Zimbabweans can invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, what are Nigerians in Diaspora waiting for?

Nigeria was once a large agricultural product exporter and even today 70 percent of the country’s labour force is employed in agriculture. But today, agriculture accounts for less than 25 percent of the country’s GDP. Prior to the emergence of the petroleum industry, Nigeria’s leading exports were cocoa beans, groundnuts, palm kernels and oil, rubber, cotton and timber. As crude oil began to represent an increasing share of exports, agricultural exports declined and as such, only cocoa, rubber and palm were the primary crops exported. The agricultural sector is considered a key economic driver that must be reactivated. Current constraints inhibiting expansion of agricultural exports include high financing costs, poor infrastructure corruption and uncertain operating climate stemming from changing government regulations and policies.

Nigerians in Diaspora already know these facts and therefore have a comparative advantage in promoting agri-business in Nigeria. Agricultural products exports that could be further developed with increased investment include cocoa, cashews (particularly downstream products such as cashew kernel, cashew nut shell liquid), sesame, shrimp and prawns, hides and skin. Potential markets for increased agricultural exports include the United States and India, as well as regional markets. Nigeria currently exports an average of 12,000 metric tonnes of cashew nuts annually, primarily to India, Brazil and Vietnam, all major processing countries. Processing facilities are in short supply despite the ready availability of the crop. Nigerians in Diaspora are needed to bring in machinery, processing and packaging technology, training and technical assistance to help build a major market-oriented agricultural sector growth project.

Nigerians in Diaspora can also assist the local farmers re-create an effective joint marketing and extension service institutions – owned and managed by them, not by the government. These institutions can be developed with strong linkages to western markets, backed by their selling power through marketing cooperation. There are such government owned institutions in Ibadan, Umuahia, Owerri, Kano, Jos, etc. - moribund and waiting for you to turn them around. Serious professionals, companies or NGOs can submit proposals to USAID, USITC, EEC, JETRO and the World Bank for funding, including grants.

Cassava is a major food crop and offers a variety of industrial uses. Nationwide production is estimated at 34 million tonnes annually, which is 53 percent of Africa’s production and 37 percent of the world total.

The World Bank provides counterpart funding for the establishment and running of Agricultural Development Programmes (ADP) in all the states of Nigeria. It has assisted in the establishment and running of integrated rice projects in many states and sponsored FADAMA (dry season farming) development projects.

USAID is sponsoring the breeding and dissemination of cassava mosaic (virus) disease resistant varieties of cassava through IITA. USAID is also funding the cassava enterprise development project (cassava cluster project).

USAID has funded the delivery of training projects for multiplication of disease resistant hybrid plantain/banana varieties. The agency is playing a leading role in the development of the needed critical mass of expertise, knowledge and

facilities for bio-technology growth in agriculture and has sponsored innovative programmes such as the Rural Sector Enhancement Programme (RUSEP). UNDP provides funding for agriculture development in Nigeria. It has funded a project, Women in Agriculture (WIA) and has organised training in partnership with Shell for the restive youth in the Niger Delta area.

FAO provides funds and technical experts to work on irrigation development, post-honest technologies and processing activities in Nigeria.

FAO provided a $1.3 million trust fund for the Ministry of Water Resources to undertake an assessment of dams and river basin resources for possible rehabilitation.

DFID (UK) has funds for projects in agricultural export promotion and agricultural commodity and service marketing programmes.

UNICEF has funding for the establishment of community based Natural Resource Management projects and tuber expansion programmes.

UNICEF has funding for water projects in many states.

Conclusion: Democracy has a major deficiency. Corruption can flourish without improved transparency and accountability. But accountability requires leadership and leadership is not a monopoly of the Head of State. Leadership could be exercised by the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the Press or Citizen Groups. Nigerians in Diaspora cannot excuse themselves from this responsibility and must show leadership by participating in the economic reform initiatives by getting actively involved, they are indirectly working towards creating a system in which public waste, irresponsibility and neglect of duty at all government levels are exposed and dealt with in ways that reduce the prospects to repeat these practices.

The way to start is to be informed of all the economic reform efforts by the international community and donor agencies in Nigeria by visiting their various websites. There are tonnes of data, information, and guidelines on how you can get involved as a volunteer, consultant, NGO or a professional.

A United States based Nigerian village association can transform into a non-governmental organisation duly registered and set up with appropriate management structure. If all the Nigerian village associations in the Diaspora can adapt the economic reform programmes at their respective local government levels in Nigeria, the changes will trickle up to the state level. When the reforms are enhanced and consolidated at the state level, Nigerians will start seeing the benefits of democracy and the country will be on the path to economic growth and development. Over half of consolidated government spending in Nigeria is at the State and Local Government levels.

Nigerians in Diaspora will be most effective in pushing through economic reform programmes at the State and Local Government level and need to focus all initiatives at these levels. Nigerians in Diaspora should be considered and accepted as a catalyst for growth in Nigeria and it remains to see how this group will take up this challenge.

•Kanu C. Obioha is currently the Executive Vice President, Bluefield Associates, Inc. and President, Clear Essence Cosmetics (USA), Inc., both of Ontario, California. He has a very successful career in several strategic corporate institutions worldwide. These include stints with the former Anambra State University, Enugu, Nigeria as a senior faculty member in the Earth Sciences department; Chairmanship of the old Imo State Utilities Board, Owerri, Nigeria, CEO of Summa Engineering Company, a civil engineering company in Lagos, Nigeria; Committee member of the Nigerian Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialization (TCPC) now Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Group Board Member of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Special Adviser to Navy Commodore James Aneke, one-time Military Governor of Imo State. He has participated actively as a member of several private-sector U.S. trade delegations to sub-Saharan African countries and has developed parallel expertise in export development and promotion in a good number of U. S. industries that have invested in Africa.

As a result, Bluefield Associates, Inc. won the U.S. Export-Import Bank award as the small business exporter of the year. Kanu C. Obioha has also been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce as a member of the Inland Empire Chapter of the District Export Council. He has recently been appointed to the Advisory Board of the United States Export-Import Bank. Obioha is an alumnus of Government College, Ibadan, Nigeria. He obtained a first degree in Physics from Bowdoin College, Maine and a Masters degree in Engineering from Columbia University in the City of New York, an Ivy League institution. He is married to Lillian Amaka Obioha, née Chukwuani, and together, they have three children – Ogbonna, Nnenna and Fuchi. He can be reached at kcobioha@yahoo. com and kcobioha@bluefieldinc.com.

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FRIDAY, OC Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Super Eagles to Face Costa Rica in San Jose Drop one spot in October FIFA Ranking

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will play Costa Rica in a prestigious international friendly in the country’s capital, San Jose on November 9.

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport said yesterday that the three-time African champions have been

invited to the central American nation as part of major activities to send forth the Los Ticos to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.

According to NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, the match scheduled for the National Stadium in San

Super Falcons Crash in Friendly with Japan Two second half goals by Mina Tanaka condemned Nigeria’s Super Falcons to a 0-2 defeat by Japan in their international friendly match inside the Noevir Stadium in Kobe yesterday.

A string of brilliant saves by first choice goal-tender Chiamaka Nnadozie kept Nigeria in the game in the first half, and the Falcons almost took a surprise lead when defender Ashleigh Plumptre struck the woodwork from a free-kick.

Jose, will kick off at 8pm Costa Rica time (3am, November 10 in Nigeria).

Costa Rica hosted this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals where Nigeria’s Falconets reached the quarter-finals, defeating France, Korea Republic and Canada in the group phase.

The Super Eagles have another prestige friendly lined

up against Portugal in Lisbon on November 17.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles have slipped one spot to be ranked 32nd in the world in the October world ranking released by global football governing body FIFA yesterday.

On the continental level, they are still placed fourth behind Senegal (world 18th), Morocco

Africa’s Top 10 (23rd) and Tunisia (30th).

Brazil are placed first as leaders followed by Belgium with Argentina in third place.

World champions France are fourth followed by England in fifth place.

The only change in the global Top 10 saw Italy in sixth place leapfrogging Spain who are now seventh.

1.

2 3 4 5.

6 7 8.

9 10

Senegal (18) Morocco (22) Tunisia (30) Nigeria (32) Algeria (37) Egypt (39) Cameroon (43) Mali (48) Ivory Coast (48) Burkina Faso (54)

Tanaka scored her first in the 65th minute, when she chestcontrolled the ball from a free-kick and slammed past Nnadozie.

The second came three minutes later, from the penalty spot, after a harsh challenge from Osinachi Ohale on an advancing Japanese forward in the Nigeria area.

Both teams used the game as part of their preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

Tiger, Ayoola, Amstel Lead Lagos Tennis Cup Support Brands from the stables of brewing giants Nigerian Breweries Plc have led the sponsorship support for the ongoing 2022 Lagos Tennis Cup taking place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Tiger Lager and Amstel Malta Ultra joined leading Nigerian food company Ayoola Foods to make the second edition of the newlyintroduced national tennis event possible.

The tournament scheduled to end on Sunday October 9, is featuring the top 8 ranked men and women’s players in Nigeria, based on the official rankings of the Nigerian Tennis Federation.

Other sponsors and partners include respected audio-visual company IBST Media - whose sponsorship will ensure this year's finals are filmed with state of the art technology, and below-theline marketing agency Iso Black Concepts.

Speaking about sponsorship for the event, CEO of the Tennis Management Company Limited

(TMCL) who are the creators and managers of the event, Kenneth Ezaga, stated that sponsorship this year is significantly better than last year.

"While we still need more support to deliver the high standards we have set for ourselves, sponsorship this year has been a significant climb from last year’s as our credibility has grown after two tournaments in Lagos and Abuja in 2021,” Ezaga stressed yesterday.

Meanwhile, defending women's champion Marylove Edwards has cruised into the semi-finals of the 2022 Lagos Tennis Cup with a game to spare after brushing aside 8th seed Blessing Omotayo 6-4, 6-2 on Centre Court at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club yesterday afternoon.

The win ensures the 17-year-old sensation will face 16-year-old Oiza Yakubu in a top-of-the-table clash today, after the latter also qualified for the last-four after coming from behind to beat 6th seed Rachael Adunoye in three sets of 6-7, 6-1, 6-2.

Omo-Agege Elected Vice president of Africa Boxing Confederation Barely two months in office as the Director of Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC), the Vice president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Hon. Azania Omo-Agege Siena, has added another feather to his cap as he has been elected Vice president of the continental body.

In a keenly contested election held in Maputo, Mozambique last week, Hon. Omo-Agege Siena polled 11 votes out of 13 to emerge vice president of the AFBC. Gen. Ilunga Muyoyo from Congo Democratic Republic scored seven votes to be elected as 2nd vice while Botswana and Morocco polled five and three votes respectively.

President of the International Boxing Association (IBA), Umar Kremlev and the AFBC President, Bertrand Mendouga, in their congratulatory messages at last week's IBA extraordinary Congress

held Armenia, said they were not surprised at Omo-Agege's victory having paid his dues in boxing and wished him the best .

Reacting to his victory, OmoAgege Siena, thanked the President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, LT. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (rtd) for all his encouragements and support as he dedicated the victory to entire Nigeria boxing family.

Omo-Agege promised to use his new position to develop boxing in the country by ensuring that Nigerian boxing Referees, Judges and Coaches attend International courses as well as strive for them to be appointed into AFBC committees.

He however pleaded for patience, stating that a journey of 10 thousand miles starts with a step. Omo Agege hinted that the equipment donated by IBA President to Nigeria will arrive the country in December this year.

Super Eagles...to face Costa Rica in international friendly

Europa: Uzoho Benched as Man Utd Steal Win at Omonia Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, was an unused sub as Marcus Rashford inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 victory in a nervy Europa League clash at Omonia Nicosia last night.

Instead of Uzoho, Coach Neil Francis Lennon settled for Fabiano who did great job until United manager Erik Ten Hag introduced Rashford at the interval and he scored eight minutes later before setting up fellow sub Antony Martial to finish.

Interestingly, it was the Cypriot side that took a shock lead into half time through Karim Ansarifard.

Rashford made it 3-1 late on, before Nikolas Panayiotou pulled one back on an unexpectedly edgy night for United.

Elsewhere on the night, Arsenal put in another strong display to comfortably see off Bodo/Glimt 3-0 in the Europa League at the Emirates.

Striker Eddie Nketiah reacted

to poke in the opener after Kieran Tierney's powerful effort came back off the post.

Fabio Vieira crossed it in for Rob Holding to head in a second before the Portuguese made it 3-0 late on.

Mikel Arteta's side have won four successive matches in all

competitions and top their Europa League group, as well as leading the Premier League.

They looked like a team playing full of confidence despite Arteta making eight changes from the side that beat rivals Tottenham in the weekend's north London derby

RESULTS Zurich 1-5 PSV Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/G Fenerbahce 2-0 Larnaca Rennes 2-1 D’Kyiv Helsinki 1-1 Ludogorets Roma 1-2 Real Betis Malmo 0-1 U’Berlin Braga 1-2 U’st Gilloise Sheriff 0-2 Sociedad Omonia 2-3 Man Utd S’Graz 0-0 Lazio Midtjylland 2-2 Feyenoord Freiburg 2-0 Nantes Olympiacos 0-3 Qarabag

Marcus Rashford (right) unleashing the thunderbolt for United’s first goal in the 3-2 defeat of Omonia Nicosia...last night

Zvezda 4-1 Ferencvaros Monaco 3-1 Trabzonspor

Adebayo Leads at National Chess Championship in Lagos Femi Solaja Former National Champion, Fide Master (FM) Adebayo Adegboyega, is in comfortable lead at the on-going National Chess Championship in Lekki, Lagos.

The veteran of several World Chess Olympiad, so far has overcome the trio of International Master (IM) Olape Bunmi, FM Akinseye Abiola, and Olanrewaju Ajibola within the first four rounds.

He was only forced to a draw by

the current National Champion, IM Balogun Oluwafemi, during their matchup in the second round.

Adebayo is closely followed by both IM Balogun Oluwafemi and FM Akintoye and Abdulraheem Abdulrahman, who trail by just half a point. Both players (Oluwafemi and Akintoye) are yet to lose a game in the rounds played thus far in the championship.

The duo of Candidate Master Atabor Job (Wildcard) and Fide Master Kigigha Bomo are yet to

register victories at the championship.

Although, Bomo was able to secure a draw in his 4th round battle against Abdulrahman, who confessed (after the game) that Bomo was seemingly winning in the position.

In the female section, the Current National Champion, Ogbiyoyo Perpetual, lost her 4th round battle against Sampson Peace (Wildcard), who shares the lead (3/4 points) within the section.

While the quartet of Enomah

Emmanuella, Suleiman Azumi, Woman Candidate Master Aramude Sandra and Ofowino Toritsemuwa, are only behind by half a point, Agbazue Miracle is yet to score a point in the female section of the championship.

In the Under-20 section, which was already in round six of classical Swiss-Round matches, it was Emmanuel Joy Idara who stood out from the pack to win the category of the juniors’ tournament (with 5.5/6 points).

Friday October 7, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE Mike Igini to Electoral Officers “The era of fraudulent electoral officers, changing election results may have gone, because the results harvested in the polling units must be declared right there and results transmitted to the INEC elections viewing portal. Woe betide anyone who will alter the results already transmitted to the INEC election results viewing portal “ –Former INEC REC, Mike Igini, warning election riggers in 2023 general polls..

MUHAMMADUBUHARI GUEST COLUMNIST

The West Must Return Africa’s Stolen Assets, as Well as Its Artefacts

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igerians were delighted by the news this summer that 72 artefacts, known as the Benin Bronzes, held by the Horniman Museum in London were returning home, 125 years after being plundered by British troops. The clamour for repatriation of looted treasures is becoming irresistible.

There was once a similar clamour for the return of Africa’s stolen assets, and I see both as part of the same struggle to bring back to Nigeria what is rightfully ours. Siphoned from the continent by corrupt former leaders, countless billions remain stashed in western bank accounts. Although Nigeria has arguably been the most successful among African nations in securing the return of stolen money, it has recovered only a fraction of what remains in the west.

Earlier this year, Nigeria was forced to take legal action against the UK National Crime Agency, after repeated delays to the return of money taken out of the country in the 1990s by former dictator General Sani Abacha. However, the court case reveals the scale of challenge before us. Abacha is thought to have siphoned off up to $5bn to the west. This case concerned just £150mn.

Given levels of corruption across Africa, there will be concern as to whether funds

Looted Benin Bronze statue returned to Nigeria returned will be used appropriately. But we should not forget that it was through western jurisdictions that the money was laundered in the first place. Not trusting Africans to spend their own money properly echoes the

argument that we can’t be trusted to look after our own cultural heritage.

In the case of both looted cultural heritage and stolen assets, western museums and authorities largely seem to agree that the loot should, in principle, be handed back.

However, the technicalities of repatriation leave plenty of room for maintaining the status quo.

Museums say that treasures should be returned if it can be proved that they were looted. Of course, they argue, it is a different matter if artefacts were acquired through purchases and other legitimate means. But it is the same museums that are responsible for assessing the provenance of artefacts.

They have a vested interest in keeping them, encouraging a lackadaisical approach and murky criteria.

In 2025, a new museum will open to showcase the treasures of the Kingdom of Benin. Designed by Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye, the Edo Museum of West African Art will sit in Benin City, the former capital of the Edo kingdom. But without the return of more bronzes held in the west, we may struggle to fill the museum.

Nigeria also has an infrastructure gap to fill — as the World Bank and other international development institutions have highlighted.

Though my administration has undertaken

the largest infrastructure programme since our country gained independence, the hold-up in repatriating stolen assets held in the west will make it difficult to finance new projects that help to alleviate poverty.

In 2017, Switzerland returned $321mn to Nigeria’s Social Investment Programme to fund the national social safety net. Monitored by the World Bank, the money has now been disbursed through conditional cash transfers to 1.9mn of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

Three years later, the US and the British Channel Island dependency of Jersey returned $311mn to the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. The first projects financed by the fund, expressways and bridges, are due to be completed later this year.

With stolen assets, the precise means by which institutions return such funds — whether they deliver them to the state, a government, an ad hoc fund or some other body — elicit endless discussion rather than action. We know corruption persists across Africa, as it does across the world. But we cannot afford to wait for unspecified “progress” to be achieved before this money is released.

•Muhammadu Buhari is President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

KANU C.OBIOHA GUEST COLUMNIST

Nigeria’s Economic Growth: The Role of Nigerians in the Diaspora

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t is an understatement to say that Nigeria’s road to progress, whether viewed through economic or socio-political development statistics, has been disappointing. Nigeria’s GDP per capita is barely above its level at emergence from colonialism over fifty years ago, and the poverty rate has actually doubled over the same period, now afflicting seven out of ten Nigerians. This deplorable record is not because Nigeria lacks ready income – its governments have taken in over $400 billion during the past twenty years in revenues from oil.

Every Nigerian is aware of the situation in the country and for Nigerians in the Diaspora, this is the discussion topic of every telephone call, social gatherings, and business meetings or when they run into each other. There are several reasons and contributing factors to the current state of Nigeria but if we are to state only one reason or contributing factor, it will be the role of governance. British colonialism had predisposed Nigerians to regard government service as the occupation of choice for educated youth. So, at independence, successive Nigerian governments have practised what is called “oppressive statism” – a decision by the political elite, whether civilian or military, that the government was most capable of controlling the economy of Nigeria.

In this environment, the wealth of the country is “captured” by favoured groups, classes, and

individuals. In this environment, “rent-seeking” and “corruption” flourished and grew more and more resistant to attack. It also exposed Nigeria to perhaps the world’s most long-lasting case of “Dutch disease”, because the inflow of oil money to the government only entrenched its bureaucracy further and drastically expanded opportunities for enrichment from corruption.

‘Oppressive Statism’ and ‘Corruption’ feed each other. Statism creates opportunities for bribery, so rent-seekers in government naturally want to preserve Statism.

Oppressive Statism pervades all levels of Nigerian government, - Federal, State and Local governments. This is by far Nigeria’s greatest and most difficult economic problem.

Nigeria’s second great obstacle to development is an unsupportive business enabling environment.

A business enabling environment can be considered supportive when it has three attributes: (i) an efficient system of protecting property rights, including loan collateral, (ii) a financial sector that provides sufficient and reasonably-priced funding for valid business working capital and equipment investment requirements and (iii) reasonably priced and continuous access to the basic utility inputs to production – electricity, water, communications, and transportation infrastructure.

Nigeria is very seriously deficient in all three of these fundamental categories:

•The ‘Commercial Law’ and enforcement environment is poor. Bankruptcy, secured transactions, land titling, and related law is not sufficiently supportive of the bank credit system or even of trade credit. Government administration and registration services to business are inefficient, and judicial and administrative enforcement are ineffective.

•Business Finance is limited and expensive.

Most of the limited supply of domestic savings in banks ends up devoted to trade inventory finance, much of it for consumer imports. There is virtually no long-term equipment lending from banks. Government-supported development finance institutions have an extremely poor track record, with the majority of their assets non-performing, having limited resources, and prone to corruption, or favouritism in loan granting. The Nigerian Stock Exchange has some institutional strength but is very shallow and not widely accessible to businesses.

•Poor Utility Services. Combined with the high cost of business finance, the expense forced on businesses because of the inability of the government, despite billions of dollars invested, to supply basic utility services, makes it impossible for these utilities to be price competitive despite low labour costs. Every business of any size in Nigeria, every building, must invest in a diesel-powered electricity generator, because

of daily power interruptions from electricity distribution companies. Beyond this universal essential, businesses often drill their own water wells and build their own access roads. Also, freight forwarding or transportation of goods is very problematic as there are no good roads.

Other alternative modes of transportation, such as railroad, waterways, are not in existence.

The Role of Nigerians in the Diaspora The international community and especially the United States, through its several agencies, has looked into the core problem of ‘oppressive statism’ and other economic problems in Nigeria.

There are a lot of donor funds to support studies or initiatives that proffer solutions.

Nigerians in the Diaspora need to be active participants either through consultancy jobs, involvement in NGOs, public constituency building for reform, investment projects, etc.

Nigeria cannot change without the complete dismantling of the tools of ‘oppressive statism’.

Nigerians in the Diaspora cannot continue sitting on the fence and pray for a messiah to solve the country’s problems. The time is right and ripe for them to become active participants and assist the international community in pushing through reform programmes in the economy.

Nigeria as presently constituted, operates a Continued on page 38

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