to Be Advisors in Process
Maiduguri Airport to commence international flight January 1, 2025
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Describes act as inhumane, unsportsmanlike Welcomes safe return of national team, FG summons Libya's Charge d’affairs CAF refers case to its disciplinary board for investigation, appropriate action
World Bank: Economic policies hurting ordinary Nigerians Projects 3.3% economic growth for Nigeria in 2024, 3.6% next year
Bagudu: FG determined to stay the course, deepen implementation of revised national devt plan Oyedele: New tax regime may take effect January 2025 CBN reaffirms commitment to subduing inflation MAN wants manufacturers’ constraints addressed Aradel Holdings' Listing on NGX Adds N3.4tn to
L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/Managing Director, Brass Fertilizer & Petrochemical Company Limited (BFPCL), Mr. Ben Okoye; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella; Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), Mr. Osagie Okunbor; Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; NNPC Ltd's Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan; Vice Chairman/Managing Director, Eni Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Fabrizio Bolondi; and Executive Director, Strategy and Business, TotalEnergies in Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Afolabi during the signing of the landmark Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for the supply of 270 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (270MMscfd) to the $3.3billion BFPCL Project in Bayelsa State, at the NNPC Towers, Abuja... at the weekend.
Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0807 401 0580
Kayode Tokede
The listing by introduction of Aradel Holdings Plc on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday increased the market capitalisation to N3.4 trillion as its stock price closed for trading at N772.90 per share.
Aradel Holdings was listed at N702.69 per share.
Speaking at the company’s "Facts Behind the Listing", the Chairman, Aradel Holdings, Mr. Ladi Jadesimi, highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability, noting that Aradel was poised to expand its footprint in the renewables space while maintaining its leadership in the oil and gas sector.
“The listing of Aradel Holdings on NGX represents a pivotal moment for us,” Jadesimi said.
“We are committed to driving sustainable growth in Nigeria’s energy industry, particularly in the renewables space, while continuing to excel in petroleum product exploration and refining.
“This listing provides us with the platform to unlock further value for our shareholders,” he added.
Commenting on the listing, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aradel, Mr. Adegbite Falade, said: “This will mark a historic milestone for Aradel as we list on the NGX, underscoring our commitment to creating longterm value for our shareholders and deepening our contributions to Nigeria’s economic landscape.
“This listing is a testament to our resilience, adaptability, and our unwavering dedication to providing
sustainable energy solutions that drive growth across our communities and industries.
“As we embark on this new chapter in Aradel’s transformation journey, we remain focused on operational excellence, strategic expansion, and delivering returns that reflect our track record and vision for an energised future.”
While delivering his speech, the Group Chairman, NGX Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, stated that the company has been a key player in Nigeria's energy sector, particularly in the exploration, production, and refining of petroleum products.
He stated: “The successful listing of Aradel Holdings today underscores the strength and viability of NGX as the preferred platform for companies looking to unlock value and achieve their growth potential.
“Aradel’s commitment to innovation, strategic investment, and sound governance sets a benchmark for the oil and gas industry, showcasing the immense opportunities that our capital market offers to businesses.
“This achievement is not only a win for Aradel, but also a strong signal to both local and global investors that Nigeria’s capital market remains dynamic, resilient, and full of opportunities.
“We are proud to serve as a trusted partner in facilitating capital raising, supporting companies like Aradel that contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Moreover, Aradel’s listing aligns with Nigeria's broader national objective of building a trillion-dollar economy.
“By enhancing its visibility, governance, and access to capital, Aradel is well-positioned to scale its operations and create value for shareholders while contributing to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
“The oil and gas sector remains a critical driver of our economy, and companies like Aradel are expanding the sector’s footprint. Their success demonstrates that local capital and content can propel the industry to new heights, contributing to Nigeria’s
broader economic transformation.
“As Aradel Holdings joins the NGX Main Board, we celebrate a story of resilience, innovation, and ambition. We are confident that Aradel’s growth will further strengthen Nigeria’s capital market and reinforce the critical role of NGX in supporting the aspirations of companies across all sectors.”
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director and CEO of NGX Group, Mr. Temi Popoola,
emphasised the broader significance of the listing.
“The benefits of an equity market listing for the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry is especially crucial in light of its dire capital requirements and chronic underinvestment.
“Aradel has come to the market at a critical time as this and we are confident that our infrastructure here at NGX, both market and technology, can unlock the capital flows needed
to ensure the sector thrives.”
CEO of NGX, Mr. Jude Chiemeka echoed similar sentiments, stressing the role of NGX in supporting corporate growth and innovation.
“Aradel’s listing highlights NGX’s ability to support leading companies in their growth journey. This is not just a milestone for Aradel, but a key moment for the energy sector, demonstrating how the capital market can fuel efficiency and development in critical industries.”
Charter service operators have faulted the insistence of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to collect duties on foreign registered aircraft, saying the federal government already earns over $6, 960, 000 (N11.1billion) annually as registration and charges from about 60 private jets with foreign registration that operate in Nigeria.
The operators stated that pressure from Customs may force these aircraft operators to relocate from Nigeria to nearby countries, where they would register and come to Nigeria to provide their services.
Reports indicate that the NCS was poised to ground the operations of private jets that refuse to pay import duties and may use the
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to deny start-up to those aircraft until their owners or operators pay the duties accruing to them.
However, operators of private jets said the federal government already earns from the foreign registered aircraft revenues that are way more than the import duties the Customs was requesting from them and that some of the aircraft may be taken out of the country if Customs continue to disturb them.
THISDAY spoke to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Quits Aviation Services Limited, Sam Iwuajoku, who operates the biggest business aviation terminal in Nigeria and Quits Aviation Services Free Trade Zone. He said the federal government
was already generating income from the foreign registered aircraft that operate in Nigeria.
According to him, aircraft registered with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under Flight Operators Clearance Certificate (FOCC) and Maintenance Clearance Certificate (MCC) pay $10, 000 to the agency every six months in dollars.
Iwuajoku, said each of these aircraft pays about $96, 000 monthly in charges and other expenses to the federal government.
“The aircraft with foreign registration pays $10,000 to the federal government every six months for operating FOCC and MCC licences. Not only that, when they issue them the FOCC and MCC, all their fees subsequently are in dollars. So, the federal government is making huge income from them,” Iwuajoku said.
aircraft has been operating for about three years here in Nigeria. Now you are coming to ask them to pay duty on a foreign-registered aircraft that doesn't fly Nigerian flag.” Iwuajoku said what the NCS was doing was dis-incentive to investment in Nigeria and called on the federal government to call the Customs to order, noting that it does not matter who brings the money to government coffers, what was important was that government was earning money from these foreign-registered aircraft.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos
Nigeria’s national electricity grid suffered a total collapse around 6:48pm yesterday with generation dropping to zero megawatts, throwing homes and businesses into complete darkness.
THISDAY learnt that stakeholders had swung into action immediately, as limited supply had since been restored, with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) receiving 30MW and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) getting 20MW.
AEDC, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) confirmed the grid failure in separate statements issued last night.
lapse and restoration efforts.
The Head of Corporate Communications at EKEDC, Emeka Ezeh, disclosed that the collapse had resulted in widespread outages across the company’s network, impacting customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. Ezeh further explained that all EEDC’s interface stations with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) were currently without supply, and the company was on standby for updates from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo regarding the cause of the col-
Similarly, EKEDC confirmed the incident, noting that the grid collapse led to a loss of power supply across its network.
The company assured customers that it was actively working with relevant partners to ensure a quick resolution and will provide updates as soon as more information was available.
In the same vein, AEDC said: “Dear valued customer, please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas.
“Rest assured, we are working
with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding.”
As of the time of filing this report, TCN had yet to release an official statement on the cause of the grid collapse. The outage has left millions of Nigerians in darkness, with no electricity distributed to Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola Discos.
However, the grid had partially recovered, with AEDC and BEDC being the first to receive power, totalling about 50mw.
Data from the TCN showed that as of 7 pm yesterday evening, only Ibom Power was online , with just 42.7mw.
He explained further, “With the signatories Nigeria has with some countries on open sky agreement; now, before an aircraft comes to Nigeria, the person bringing the aircraft applies to Ministry of Aviation for import permits.
“When that permit is granted, the aircraft comes here to operate. If it is a foreign-registered aircraft, under the law, when the foreign-registered aircraft comes to Nigeria to operate, they apply to NCAA, which is the authority, not Ministry of Finance or Customs. “The authority will give them a permit and license to operate within certain area of the country. And that permit, if it is granted, states all places where that foreign aircraft can go. There is an aircraft in our fleet, foreign-registered aircraft; that is N-registered aircraft.
“On average, in a month, they pay the federal government $96,000. It depends on the usage. And that
“We are discouraging investors. We are discouraging people. We are going against the convention (Cape Town Convention). Nigerian Customs should be called to order. Now, if you take all the revenues those foreign-registered planes bring to the federal government, it is huge and they pay in dollars.
“It doesn't mean that you must pay duty or that the money must come through Nigerian customs. No, it can come through other government agencies. It is still the same federal government. So they should call Nigerian Customs to order,” Iwuajoku said.
The Chairman and CEO of Quits Aviation Services Limited also said the foreign registered aircraft operators could move their aircraft to Ghana, where they would pay for licence in dollars and also pay other charges and come to Nigeria to render services and after go back to their base in Ghana; so, Nigeria would lose all the revenue to their neigbouring country.
“Operating in Nigeria, yields revenue to the federal government, so they can also move their aircraft to Ghana and be operating and coming here to take services.
L-R: Major General Barry Ndiomu(rtd); Son of the deceased/Director, Daraju lndustries Limited, Mr. Oscar Macaulay; Rtd Comptroller of Custom,
during the celebration of life of Mama Evelyn Abiodun Macaulay in Lagos....recently
Deji Elumoye, Ndubuisi Francis and Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday, inaugurated the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Jubilee Programme (NJFP), as part of measures by the federal government to scale up its employment initiative and enhance the employability of fresh graduates with market-ready skills and competence.
Also, yesterday, Shettima declared that Nigeria has remained proactive in taking steps to address climate change. However, he was quick to note that despite the interventions, none of the efforts will yield optimal outcomes
without collectively tackling threats of climate change which he described as a "manifest threat to our existence."
NJFP, a Nigerian government initiative being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a seed investment from the European Union (EU), is coordinated by the office of the Vice President. It was established to address challenges confronting Nigerian graduates in accessing meaningful jobs as well as develop, test and deploy a scalable model that would effectively assist in tackling the root causes of growing unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria.
Speaking while inaugurating the Steering Committee of the NJFP at the State House, Abuja, Shettima described the programme as a decisive step by the administration of President Bola Tinubu towards equipping Nigerian youth with the required tools to become employees, innovators and leaders in their chosen careers.
According to him, “The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is more than just an employment initiative—it is a catalyst for broader engagement in youth-driven innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship.
“Programmes like this are a decisive step toward equipping our youth with the tools to become not just employees
but also innovators and leaders in their respective fields.
“The NJFP has made commendable progress, and it is now time to build on that foundation to provide a wider coverage through innovative adaptations that ensure that this programme does not just provide job placements but also emphasises the development of key skills through practical, real-world applications.
“This is how we scale impact—by embedding long-lasting, transformative learning experiences into the programme structure.”
Acknowledging that youth unemployment remains a serious challenge in Nigeria, the Vice President
The Managing Director for HP in Southern Africa, Yesh Surjoodeen, has said Nigeria’s burgeoning techsavviness and entrepreneurial spirit uniquely can position it to pioneer an IT-driven economy across various sectors.
In a statement yesterday, Surjoodeen noted that with the right investment in training and technology, Nigeria could emulate and surpass the success seen in other tech hubs like Kenya, often dubbed the Silicon Savannah.
He reckoned that the technology landscape of Nigeria features a plethora of thriving start-ups, tech development and innovation centres that showcase a rapidly growing industry.
"With its huge population of over 230 million and a culture deeply rooted in determination and resilience, the country is well positioned to be the West African tech hub.
“Quite significantly, most of these start-ups and tech hubs are located in Lagos, the only African city ranked in the Global Top 100 Start-up Ecosystems by Startup Link in 2024.
“The city is also home to five of the seven tech unicorns in Africa, evidenced by companies, such as HP, who are committed to advancing digital equity and driving the economy
forward using technology," he said.
He applauded the Nigerian tech industry for making a significant contribution to the country’s economic growth in terms of innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and the overall GDP in the light of ongoing efforts by federal governments and sub-nationals to encourage skills acquisition using digital platforms, that will enhance an economy that is technologically driven.
"It is gratifying to note that despite the inclement economic climate in the country, there is a growing number of tech companies that are regularly innovating to be able to deliver quality services using cutting edge technology in a country that is getting more and more sophisticated in demands.
"We see digital innovations in areas such as commerce, agriculture, education, health, finance, banking, insurance, and payment systems.
Service providers are using digital platforms to deliver services in these sectors in a manner that was previously considered far-fetched," Surjoodeen said.
The HP boss equally lauded the National Digital Economy Bill currently before the National Assembly to thrust the economy towards digital transactions and service delivery, alongside enhancing governance.
He said the bill was going to be the game changer that would positively impact Nigeria’s digital eco-system
by encouraging local innovation and greater participation in all sectors of the Nigerian economy, and lifestyles in general with the potential to foster an environment that enables participation from the public, ultimately shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy, through a plethora of digital opportunities. He also urged Nigerian technology
companies to amplify their innovation by investing more in research to be able to compete in a world that was getting digitally dynamic by the day, stressing the country’s youth are poised to drive the highly anticipated economic growth using technology and are the key to unlocking Nigeria’s digitally driven future.
implored stakeholders and development partners to act cooperatively to combat the menace before it destabilises the nation’s future.
His words: “Unemployment remains a critical challenge for Nigeria, and youth unemployment is an even more pressing concern. As a government, we fully recognise the far-reaching consequences that economic downturns have on young people.
“Prolonged periods of unemployment or underemployment can hinder future income potential and significantly diminish career opportunities. This is precisely why today’s gathering is so important.
“We cannot afford to delay; we must act collectively to tackle this issue before it severely undermines our future. It is therefore with a deep sense of responsibility and urgency that I convene this inauguration of the Steering Committee for the NJFP.”
Shettima explained that his office directly coordinates the NJFP and some other crucial federal government initiatives, including the Human Capital Development (HCD) programme; Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) and the Expanded MSME Clinics programmes, because they are priorities for the Tinubu administration.
The NJFP, he said, was more vital because Nigeria’s future lied in the hands of the youth, adding that
everything must be done within to secure their success.
“It is imperative that we focus on the long-term sustainability and scalability of the NJFP while further aligning the objectives of the programme with the overarching priorities of President Bola Tinubu.
“To guarantee this, we must offer all support to ensure that NJFP is not only sustained but also expanded. We will prioritise the counterpart financing to fulfill the government’s obligation and unlock more funding for the programme", the Vice President further explained.
Earlier in her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, commended the federal government for its “unwavering leadership and commitment to advancing Nigerian human capital development, particularly youth development as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Admitting that “the Vice President’s leadership role on this has been very exemplary,” she recalled that since Shettima inaugurated the steering committee of the Human Capital Development programme a few weeks ago, many young Nigerians have been seen breaking barriers, opening up new frontiers based on their talent - not just locally but also on the global stage.
Nume Ekeghe
Transcorp Power Plc, a subsidiary of Transcorp Group, has announced remarkable third-quarter (Q3) 2024 financial results, with a 153 per year-on-year revenue growth and a 186 per cent increase in profit after tax (PAT).
The company reported revenue of N223.6 billion, a sharp rise from N88.4 billion in Q3 2023, while profit after tax soared to N58.5 billion, up from N20.4 billion the previous year. According to the unaudited results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), profit before tax grew by 198 per cent, reaching N81.1 billion, compared to N27.3 billion in the same period last year.
The company also significantly
reduced its net finance costs by 95 per cent, from N10.4 billion to N538.3 million, reflecting improved financial efficiency.
Transcorp Power's total assets expanded by 62 per cent to N362.5 billion as of September 30, 2024, while shareholders' funds increased by 82 per cent to N105 billion, compared to N57.9 billion at the end of 2023.
Operational metrics remained strong, with a net profit margin of 36.3 per cent, a return on equity of 56 per cent, and a return on assets of 16 per cent.
Commenting on the results, the Chief Financial Officer, Transcorp Power, Evans Okpogoro, expressed strong confidence in the company’s financial trajectory, stating: “We are proud to announce significant growth
across all our metrics. “Our commitment to disciplined cost management and operational efficiency has not only enabled us to sustain robust margins but has also positioned us to outperform industry averages in key areas.
“This achievement reflects our strategic focus and dedication to excellence, and positioning as a leader in Nigeria’s power sector”.
In response to the results, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Power Plc, commented on the company’s performance this quarter, attributing it to a strategic vision, hard work, and relentless pursuit of operational excellence.
“Despite the distribution and transmission infrastructural challenges faced in the power sector, Transcorp
Power has once again demonstrated exceptional financial growth, as reflected in our impressive results.
“We continue to strive to bridge the energy gap in Nigeria, in line with our purpose to improve lives. I am proud to report that we have sustained our remarkable growth trajectory and maintained our position as a leading contributor to the country’s power sector, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of total power generated on the national grid. “As the market transitions into the bilateral contracts, as contained in the Electricity Act, we are optimistic about sustaining the momentum by capitalising on more strategic investment opportunities and providing additional value to our shareholders.”
Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s rise above partisan politics to commend Governor Peter Mbah’s giant strides in Enugu State is a welcome development for the Nigerian polity, writes Gideon Arinze.
The occasions were the inauguration of the Enugu State Garment and Fashion Hub situated and the opening of the 5th Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) Clinics by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Both initiatives were fruits of a collaborative effort by the Federal Government and Enugu State Government to boost MSMEs.
In the Vice President’s entourage were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, who is also an indigene of Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnamani; Leader of the South East Caucus of the National Assembly, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji and Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu. Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; members of the State Assembly and National Assemblies, and members of the State Executive Council joined Governor Peter Mbah to receive the Vice President on arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. They were all decked in Isiagu, the Igbo traditional attire. After the brief airport reception featuring cultural performances and a guard of honour by the Nigerian Army, the Vice President headed to the Garment and Fashion Hub located at the premises of ANAMCO, a stone throw from the airport, where he inaugurated and toured the facility to see for himself the fashion revolution going there.
Lively and free as always, Shettima interacted with minds, obliging a number of them selfies. Thereafter, he proceeded to the Old Government Lodge on Abakaliki Road, GRA, Enugu, venue of the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinics where he took nearly 30 minutes to tour the exhibition stands, admiring locally manufactured goods by the MSMEs and interacting with the entrepreneurs before the actual event in the hall.
In his address, the Vice President emphasised that MSMEs were critical to economic growth, noting that the Enugu Garment and Fashion Hub would serve as “a stepping stone to economic highways, providing an exchange in support of manufacturing in Enugu State, boosting production capacity and in enabling economy of scale.” He explained that the hub was capable of creating about 48,000 jobs and
also announced a N150,000 outright grant to many MSMEs in the state.
On his part, Governor Mbah, a recipient of the 2024 MSMEs Awards by the Office of the Vice President, observed that almost 90 percent of businesses in the country were MSMEs, reiterating his administration’s commitment to boosting MSMEs, which he described as lifeblood of economic growth.
However, Shettima’s plaudits for the Mbah administration, which got many talking, have continued to reecho even nearly two weeks after the event. This is understandable, for it is not every day that a governor gets a presidential approval, especially when the governor is of the opposition party.
Speaking at the opening of the 5th National MSME Clinics, Shettima said, “Let us put politics aside, Governor Peter Mbah means well for the people of Enugu State and he is humble. I am specifically enamored of his security project. I am happy for his investment in supplying water to Enugu. Most importantly, education is the greatest changer. Within a generation, the son of a peasant can become a celebrated icon. The investment of Peter Mbah in Smart School will yield a bountiful harvest in the coming years.
“He is one of the few Chief Executive Officers, who are versatile in the potentiality of the Information Technology industry. I want to join all of us here in thanking Governor Mbah for taking charge of the opportunities that abound and incidentally the Minister for Technology is here and he is a son of Enugu. I want you to join forces to see that Enugu occupies its rightful place.
“Enugu is an equivalent of Kaduna and Ibadan. But till the emergence of Governor Mbah, Enugu was sleeping, a town that doesn’t even have a water supply.
“Your Excellency, we want to commend you. We want to thank you. We want to identify with you. I am happy to be in your midst this afternoon. We have had some very fruitful discussions,” he stated.
The Vice President also took out time to tour some key projects of the Mbah Administration, among them the International Conference Centre (ICC) by Okpara Square. The ICC is a sprawling edifice commenced by the Senator Chimaroke Nnamani administration. It was, however, abandoned and cannibalised since the end of that administration over 17 years ago. But the Mbah administration awarded a contract in October 2023 for the completion of the 5,000-seater complex as part of his government’s effort to make Enugu State the conferencing capital of Africa and the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism, and for living. His ultimate vision is to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn through private sector investment and
If I say I was impressed by what I saw In Enugu, it is an understatement. I was overwhelmed by the giant strides recorded by Governor Mbah and his team. He has embraced modernity. He has embraced digital technology. Most of the things I saw are avant-garde technology, state-of-the-art security infrastructure. He is doing excellently well and he is worthy to be emulated by other governors across the length and breadth of this nation.
he sees assets such as the ICC one of the key enablers of tourism and economic growth. But Mbah did not stop there. In May this year, the government also awarded a contract and flagged-off the construction of a five-star International Conference Centre Hotel to the China Communication and Construction Company (CCCC) with a May 2025 completion date. The hotel, which will be the first fivestar hotel in the South East region comprises 335 rooms made up of 224 single rooms, 64 business suites, 25 diplomatic suites, two presidential suites, and every other facility that would enable the hotel to function as a five-star hotel. The idea, according to the governor, is that a 5,000-capacity conference centre could not be optimised without enough accommodation.
The Vice President also toured the Command and Control Centre and associated infrastructure set up by the governor to fight insecurity. Mbah understands that without security, the envisioned exponential economic growth will end as a pipe dream. Thus, upon his inauguration, he immediately commenced the construction and setting up of a Command and Control Centre adjudged to be among the biggest and most sophisticated in Africa to enable the security agencies to keep the state under full surveillance.
The Command and Control Centre is a technology-enabled platform offering a realtime, round-the-clock surveillance of major streets, neighbourhoods, and local governments via AI-embedded cameras placed at strategic locations and also installed on over 100 security vehicles manned by the Distress Response Squad, a special police unit created by the administration and the Nigeria Police Force. The cameras are capable of facial and number plate recognition; and once shots are taken, it supplies data to the data bank, which will now help the state to track the actual identity and location of the criminal through the help of technology. This, when fully operational, will leave criminals with no hiding place in Enugu and the state will also be able to assist other neigbouring states to prevent and solve crimes.
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
‘A senior member of the Bar who has earned the rank of Silk, it is a privilege; it is not a right. And, that privilege can be withdrawn, if it is abused’Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, Chief Justice of Nigeria
‘The level of deprivation, poverty in the land, has made it such that the people are unable to connect the dots, between their current situation and those who are the cause of their situation’ - Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, 30th President, Nigerian Bar Association; Edo State Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate 2024
What is that famous saying by Nazi villain, Joseph Goebbels, that if a lie is repeated often enough, people come to believe that it’s the truth! Present-day life has proven this assertion to be true, time and time again. And, it is also true that, “A lie can travel half way around the world, while the truth is putting on its shoes” (Mark Twain); but, it is also correct that, eventually, the truth comes out. These days we also refer to lies, as ‘Fake News’. So, many falsehoods have been peddled by both successive Governments and the people alike, that eventually, even though in some cases, decades later, have been unmasked as lies that they are! Be that as it may, even when the truth is revealed, there are some who still foolishly remain brainwashed, stubborn or unconvinced, preferring to bask in the falsehood and spread it, particularly when it suits their purpose to do so.
Electricity and the Refineries
Right from the beginning of the Fourth Republic, when President Obasanjo promised ‘electricity for all’ by the year 2000, Nigerians had subsequently been sold some bizarre narratives about some complicated electricity master plan that required years to be achieved, and we believed the stories as true for decades. 24 years later, electricity for all has remained nothing more than an elusive pipe dream.
Similarly, successive Governments have been doing so-called turn around maintenance on the Government refineries, and Nigerians believed this story. 25 years and billions of Dollars later, none of them are in good working condition. But, the truth has now become obvious to all, that there is no complex plan to get these sectors going - instead, there has been wicked corruption coupled with a chronic lack of will on the part of successive governments, preventing the provision of these facilities for the betterment and development of Nigeria. I wouldn’t be surprised if the reason why the Power portfolio was removed from Babatunde Fashola, SAN, was so that no appreciable progress would be made in that area, because the progress that was made during his tenure as Minister of Power not only disappeared, his successor, Saleh Maman has been charged to court by the EFCC on allegations of committing money laundering to the tune of approximately N34 billion!
Most new administrations, on assumption of office, invite Alhaji Aliko Dangote to be a member of one Committee or the other; yet, they fail to follow his example in these two crucial areas I have mentioned above - electricity and refineries. Dangote Cement, Obajana, built an electricity power plant that can light up the whole of Abuja in roughly one year. Following the Dangote template, if a power plant had been built in six States per year (that is, one State per geographical zone), in six years, all the States of Nigeria and the FCT would have been fully lit up by 2006!
Similarly, Dangote Refinery commenced major construction in 2017 and it has started production - in approximately seven years, one of the largest and most modern petroleum refineries in the world was completed. Yet, Nigeria cannot complete the maintenance of its own refineries, in a quarter of a century or more! Shame, shame, shame! What is then the essence of having people like Alhaji Dangote on so-called Government Nation Building Committees, if there’s absolutely no will on the part of Government to tap into any of their positive and fruitful initiatives, particularly in the much needed areas of their expertise? None.
Nigerians have believed the false stories peddled by successive governments about electricity and the refineries, for too long. And, though this web of lies was not woven by the Tinubu administration, the truth has finally come out now! Unfortunately, so far, Nigerians are not encouraged by what is happening in both sectors under the Tinubu administration. Electricity supply keeps reducing, while those who were in charge during the past administration and failed to deliver on the rehabilitation of the refineries while the fuel subsidy scam thrived under them, are still in office.
Examples of False
the Judiciary that have thrived 1) 2023 Labour Party Presidential Election Petition
Similarly, a narrative spun by the so-called Obidients’, maintained and disseminated to the world that the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who undeniably performed well, won the 2023 election, despite the fact that no evidence was provided to support this claim, and the Labour Party’s Presidential election petition failed at first instance and at the Supreme Court.
onikepo braithwaite
onIkepo BraIThwaITe
onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com
“….Lawyers who are aware of the true position of the law, or know that they have done a poor job in handling their client’s case, or that their client doesn’t have a viable case, are …content to have the Judiciary maligned as having delivered perverse judgements instead, when the court doesn’t find in their favour…tarnish the reputation of the Judiciary globally, knowing that they have done no wrong in a particular case…..”
The Petitioner was unable to provide the necessary evidence that indeed, he won the election, nor did he discharge the burden of proof required by law for the petition to succeed. Both the Intermediate and Apex Courts, found the petition to be unmeritorious. Though, in this particular case, I’m not sure whether the repetition of the unsubstantiated claim that Labour Party won the Presidential election has been accepted as the truth by the majority, though, because of the hardship that Nigerians are presently experiencing, for some it may be comforting to believe this falsehood. The PDP was also unable to prove that it won the election, or succeed with its own Presidential election petition. Yet, supporters went to town, wrongly blaming the courts for not finding in favour of their Candidates instead. See the case of Buhari & Ors v Obasanjo & Ors (2003)
LPELR-813(SC) per Niki Tobi, JSC on the common law principle that the person who asserts, has the legal duty to prove his assertion. Also see Edeoga & Anor v INEC & Ors (2023) LPELR-61806(SC) per Mohammed Lawal Garba, JSC.
2) 2019 Imo Gubernatorial Election and Allegations of Forgery
It is the same thing with the story of the 2019 Imo State Gubernatorial election, and the ensuing petition; it keeps popping up like the proverbial bad penny, with the false narrative that the Supreme Court handed down a perverse decision in this matter; and this narrative has been repeated not only in Nigeria, but globally, so many times that many people have accepted it as the truth, though it is not. Somebody still telephoned me last week, to discuss the issue with me, because she said it had been a hot topic of discussion in the UK. I forwarded the piece I wrote on 13/2/2024 titled “When Trust Is Everything” for them to read for better
clarification, and I hope that my further explanation below finally puts the matter to rest.
The Appellant, Hope Uzodinma (who I’m neither acquainted with, nor do I particularly care for) had contended that his votes from 388 polling units that were his stronghold, were excluded at the Collation Centre. At the time, Section 74 of the Electoral Act 2010 (now Section 71 of the Electoral Act 2022 (EA)) provided that all the relevant election result forms stamped, signed and countersigned by the relevant officers should be made available to Polling Agents and Police Officers. The Forms given to the Police containing the results in the 388 polling units, were subsequently tendered on Uzodinma’s behalf at the Election Petition Tribunal. See Buhari & Ors v Obasanjo & Ors (Supra). INEC then alleged that the Forms presented by the Police were forged; but, they failed to adduce any evidence to support their claim, nor did they tender any results to contradict the results tendered by Uzodinma.
It is trite that, the duty of a court is to consider all admissible evidence placed before it; the court cannot descend into the arena, and hand down decisions based on the fact that it prefers X to Y, or that public opinion is in favour of X. In ACN v Lamido & Ors (2012) LPELR- 7825 (SC) per Mahmud Mohammed, JSC (later CJN), the Supreme Court held that “The allegation of forgery being a criminal offence, must be proved beyond reasonable doubt”. Also, in Umar & Anor v Sokoto & Ors (2024) LPELR-62195(SC) per Tijjani Abubakar, JSC, the Supreme Court held that “….a Petitioner making such allegations should go beyond merely making allegations, but should also present substantial, credible and cogent evidence which will prove the allegation beyond
reasonable doubt”. In Abubukar v INEC & Ors 2020 NWLR Part 1737 Page 37, the Apex Court also held inter alia that: “Allegations bordering on forgery and/or making of false statement to INEC, are not only criminal and grievous, but are not matters or things one party alleges and then folds his arms to see how the other party wriggles out of it”. In Okon v PDP & Ors (2023) LPELR-60099(SC) the Supreme Court held inter alia that where the burden of proof beyond reasonable is not discharged in an allegation that a document is forged, such allegation fails.
I submit that INEC didn’t go beyond merely making the allegation of forgery, and so the allegation was bound to fail; no credible or cogent evidence was presented to prove their forgery allegation beyond reasonable doubt and contradict the Form EC8 Series submitted by the Police in respect of the 388 polling units. INEC simply folded its arms to see how Uzodinma would wriggle out of the forgery allegation - see Abubakar v INEC & Ors (Supra). It is also trite law that uncontroverted evidence is taken as true. However, those who didn’t support Uzodinma ignored these glaring facts, and went around the world with their own narrative that the decision of the Apex Court was perverse. In Eya & Ors v Olopade & Anor (2011) LPELR-1184 per Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC, the Supreme Court held that particulars of forgery must be provided and evidence must be led in proof of forgery. This was not done in Uzodinma’s case, despite the fact that it is more than trite that he who alleges, must prove. Also see the case of Ndoma-Egba v A.C.B. Plc (2005) LPELR-1973(SC) per George Adesola Oguntade, JSC. It is sad and unfortunate that Lawyers who are aware of the true position of the law, or know that they have done a poor job in handling their client’s case, or that their client doesn’t have a viable case, are silent and content to have the Judiciary maligned as having delivered perverse judgements instead, when the court doesn’t find in their favour. And, because invectives are poured on the Judiciary regularly, they are all believed to be true. This is not to say that there are no bad eggs in the Judiciary - there are. But, it is wrong to generalise, tar everyone with the brush of iniquity, and tarnish the reputation of the Judiciary globally knowing that they have done no wrong in a particular case. In Matthew v State (2018) LPELR-43716(SC) per Ejembi Eko, JSC, the Apex Court held that “…facts not disputed, challenged or contradicted are taken as established…”. Was it then for the Supreme Court to manufacture its own evidence to challenge the results that were presented by the Police for the 388 polling units, in order to be able to declare them a forgery? I think not. In Emeka v State (2014) LPELR-23020(SC) per Suleiman Galadima, JSC, the Supreme Court held inter alia that “A decision will be regarded as perverse where it is speculative and not based on any evidence….or the Court shuts its eyes to the obvious”. I submit that, as unfortunate or difficult as it may be, if the Supreme Court had come to any other decision than the one it came to in Uzodinma & Anor v Ihedioha & Ors (2020) LPELR-50260(SC) per Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC (now CJN) (also see Uche Nwosu v Action People’s Party & Ors 2020 16 N.W.L.R. Part 1749 Page 28-42 per Amina Adamu Augie, JSC) and found in favour of the 1st Respondent, Emeka Ihedioha, it would have been tantamount to handing down a perverse decision, not based upon evidence. Also see the case of Iteogu v LPDC (2018) LPELR-43845(SC).
Conclusion
Unfortunately, as the years go on, it appears that our values continue on a downward spiral. We all definitely require a moral rearmament in Nigeria. Fake news, false baseless news that disparages others, that may have lasting, negative consequences on others and their reputation, are disseminated deliberately, with gusto and aplomb, simply because some people somewhere are dissatisfied about a particular state of affairs. As Lawyers who are trained in the law and legal process, we must not be part of spreading bile as the truth, because when we partake in it, we are simply exposing our profession to ridicule for no just reason. Instead, we must examine issues dispassionately, using the correct principles of law that are applicable to arrive at the answer, as opposed to spreading unsubstantiated inaccuracies. Though I do not know Emeka Ihedioha either, and he may have been an attractive choice for many Imolites, the evidence presented to the court appeared to prove otherwise, and we know that law is about evidence, not emotions or the voices in the marketplace. At the end of the day, the story brings us back to INEC, and how well it is playing its constitutional role that certainly mandates the conduct of credible elections.
Facts
The Appellant was arraigned before the High Court of Jigawa State on a one-count charge of rape contrary to Section 283 of the Penal Code Laws of Jigawa State 1998 (as amended). The case of the Respondent was that, the Appellant forcefully had sexual intercourse with one Hauwa Magaji (PW1), an 11-year-old girl at Fargoyawa Village/ Quarters, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area.
During the trial, the Respondent called three witnesses. PW1 who was the victim testified that when she went to the Appellant’s house to recover the container that she used to sell gruel to the Appellant, the Appellant forcefully grabbed her and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her. PW2 - the medical doctor who conducted a medical examination on PW1 after the incident, testified that the medical examination revealed that the hymen was absent, and although there was no evidence of bleeding and smear of the phenomena semen, there were bruises around PW1’s vagina. Under cross-examination, PW2 maintained he could not find any trace of semen in PW1’s vagina, owing to the fact that he examined PW1 9 days after the incident occurred, and even though the absence of a hymen generally may be caused by strenuous exercise and falling from a tree could cause tenderness, his finding in PW1’s case was suggestive of rape.
The Appellant, in his testimony, as the only witness for the defence, denied knowing PW1. He testified that the allegations against him were false. At the end of trial, and after considering the evidence before it, the trial court convicted the Appellant for the offence of rape and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without an option of fine. Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal; however, his appeal was unsuccessful. Consequently, he filed a further appeal at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court adopted the two issues distilled by the Respondent, for the determination of the appeal as follows:
1. Whether the Appellant’s right to fair hearing was breached by the trial court.
2. Whether the Respondent proved the guilt of the Appellant for the offence of rape, beyond reasonable doubt.
On the 1st issue, Counsel for the Appellant argued that the trial court had granted the Appellant’s application for PW2 to be recalled for further cross-examination pursuant to Section 162(1) and (2) of Criminal Procedure Code Law of Jigawa State, having been previously discharged, and that the failure of the PW2 to show up for the further cross- examination should have warranted the trial court expunging his evidence from the trial court’s record. Counsel submitted that the evidence of PW2 should be discountenanced, and if this is done, what would be left was the evidence of PW1 which could not be sustained without corroboration. He argued further that the failure of PW2 to appear for further cross-examination amounted to the violation of Appellant’s right to fair hearing under Section 36(5)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, and convicting the Appellant without the further cross-examination meant that the Appellant had been presumed guilty and not innocent contrary to Section 36(5) of the Constitution. He urged the Apex Court to declare the whole trial a nullity, and discharge and acquit the Appellant on account of miscarriage of justice.
In response, Counsel for the Respondent submitted that the Appellant was afforded ample opportunity to further cross-examine PW2, but having voluntarily closed his case without any compulsion when he concluded the presentation of his defence, he must be bound by such election. He argued that the Appellant cannot rely on the principle of right to fair hearing for the first time just to salvage his appeal, citing NWORA v NWABUEZE (2019) 7 NWLR (pt. 1670) 1@38-39 paras G - C. Counsel for the Respondent argued further that, by the provisions of Sections 46 and 39(d) of the Evidence Act, the Court has a discretion to admit evidence already given by a witness and make use of his statement where his evidence cannot be procured after delay, as long as the proceedings is between the same parties, the adverse party had the right and opportunity to cross-examine
In the Supreme court of Nigeria Holden at abuja On Friday, the 14th day of June, 2024
Before their lordships
Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-ekun Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa chioma egondu Nwosu-Iheme Haruna Simon Tsammani Jamilu yammama Tukur
Justices, Supreme court Sc/1071c/2018 Between
aLI HaFIZu
THe STaTe
aPPeLLaNT And
ReSPONdeNT
(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur, JSC)
in the first instance as in the instant case, and the question of the rape of the PW1 is the same. He cited SALAU v STATE (2019) LPELR-48114(SC).
Counsel submitted that assuming without conceding that Appellant was not granted opportunity to further cross-examine PW2, it is not capable to cause breach of his fair hearing and even if the Apex Court found that the Appellant’s right to fair hearing was breached, the proper order in the circumstance would be an order of re-trial,mrather than a discharge of the Appellant.
On the 2nd issue, Counsel for the Appellant argued that the offence of rape was not proved against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt, to sustain his conviction on the same. He submitted that the prosecution failed to establish that there was penetration, going by the pronouncement of the trial court that PW1’s evidence did not establish rape, but that it was the evidence of PW2 that established rape. He argued that having found in one breath that PW1’s evidence did not establish rape, the trial court cannot in another breath
In proof of rape therefore, the most essential ingredient of the offence is penetration, the extent, no matter how slight will be sufficient proof. It is well accepted that penetration, with or without emission, is sufficient, even where the hymen is not ruptured”
(2013) LPELR – 19887 (SC). The Court also referred to its decision in MOHAMMED v KANO N. A. (1968) ALL NLR 424 at 426 in which it held that a fair hearing must involve a fair trial, and a fair trial of a case consists of the whole hearing; and the true test of a fair hearing is the impression of a reasonable person who was present at the trial, whether from his observation, justice has been done in the case.
The Supreme Court held that in the instant case, PW2 testified and was duly cross-examined by the counsel for the Appellant. The Court held that from the records before it, it was clear that thereafter, when the Appellant’s Counsel applied that PW2 be recalled for further crossexamination, it was not opposed; and when PW2 did not appear for the further cross-examination, Counsel for the Appellant did not insist on his recall, but, instead, applied to close the defence and further informed the trial court that the defence had waived its right to address. His Lordships held that it was thus, evident that the Appellant abandoned his quest to further cross-examine PW2, particularly as the trial court had at every adjournment renewed its order that PW2 be recalled, including ordering that a witness summons be issued on PW2. The Supreme Court found that the trial court afforded the Appellant ample opportunity to be heard, but the Appellant waived his right to recall PW2 when he voluntarily closed his case without saying a word regarding PW2, it was thus, incorrect that his right to fair hearing was breached.
hold that PW2’s evidence corroborated the evidence of PW1. He submitted that the evidence of PW2 cannot rightly corroborate the evidence of PW1, that was weakened by the trial court’s pronouncement. Conversely, Counsel for the Respondent submitted that the standard of proof in criminal cases is proof beyond reasonable doubt, and not proof beyond all shadow of doubt. He argued that the evidence of PW2 corroborated the evidence of PW1 to establish the Appellant’s commission of the offence of rape, and that there was indeed, penetration. Counsel further argued that failure of the Appellant to contradict the evidence of PW1, amounts to admission of the material point.
Court’s Judgement and Rationale Resolving the 1st issue, the Apex Court held that the jurisprudence of the court about fair hearing is on the analysis of what transpired, could it be said that the complainant was denied a reasonable fair trial, and this requires an objective rather than a subjective assessment of the whole situation that led to the complaints in issue.
The Supreme Court held that to determine whether or not there was a breach of fair hearing, the peculiar facts of each case will be considered, because fair hearing is primarily a matter of facts and it is the facts as disclosed on the record of proceedings that the court will consider to determine whether or not such facts constitute a breach of fair hearing.
The Court relied on its earlier decision in CHIEF J. L. E. DUKE v GOVERNOR OF CROSS RIVER STATE & ORS
Resolving the second issue, the Apex Court referred to its decision in MUHAMMADU v THE STATE (2020) 17 NWLR (PT. 1753) 252 AT 267 – 258 in which it construed the provision of Section 285(1) of the Penal Code, Laws of Jigawa State on the offence of rape and held that the essential ingredients of the offence of rape which the prosecution must prove in order to secure a conviction include (i) That the accused had sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix; (ii) That the act of sexual intercourse was done without consent, or that the consent (if any) was obtained by fraud, force, threat, intimidation, deceit or impersonation; (iii) That the prosecutrix was not the wife of the accused; (iv) That the accused has the means via, the intention to have sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix without her consent, or that the accused acted recklessly not caring whether the prosecutrix consented or not; and (iv) That there was penetration, no matter how slight. The Apex Court held that the above ingredients must be proved to the satisfaction of the court with compelling and conclusive evidence, and though the burden of proof is proof beyond reasonable doubt, it does not mean proof beyond all doubt or all shadow of doubt. Relying on its decision in SHUAIBU ISA v KANO STATE (2016) LPELR – 40011 (SC), the Court further held that “in proof of rape therefore, the most essential ingredient is penetration, the extent, no matter how slight will be sufficient proof. It is well accepted that penetration, with or without emission, is sufficient even where the hymen is not ruptured and the slightest penetration is sufficient evidence of the act of sexual intercourse”.
The Apex Court, in agreement with the Court of Appeal, held that PW1 was clear in her description of what transpired when she unequivocally testified that the Appellant “removed her pant and inserted his penis into her vagina”. The Court held that the Appellant failed to cross-examine PW1 on this essential part of her testimony, hence, it is deemed admitted, bearing in mind the settled position of the law that what is admitted needs no further proof. The Court held further that the courts below rightly found corroboration of the evidence of PW1 in the evidence of PW2 who examined PW1, and testified that he saw tenderness and laceration of PW1’s hymen, indicative that PW1 had been sexually violated. The Supreme Court found that PW1’s testimony and the medical evidence on record proved beyond reasonable doubt that the Appellant unlawfully penetrated PW1’s vagina amounting to rape, and established the guilt of the Appellant as charged.
Appeal Dismissed.
Representation
Oluwole Afolabi with Y. Oaikhena and A. O. Daniel for the Appellant. Abdulfatai Oyedele for the Respondent.
Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)
We, Your Brother Silks and our Learned Colleagues, felicitate with and congratulate you, first, on the celebration of your 67th birthday; and, secondly, on the uncommon feat of writing and presenting a whopping 50 books, all at the same time.
Your contributions to the legal world and Nigerian jurisprudence are tremendous, and have impacted substantially on the development of our nation and our constitutional democracy.
You possess boundless and relentless energy, as a man of many parts in the polity of Nigeria and Af rica.
We wish you continued good heal th, as you strive harder in your untiring service to our fatherland, particularly in these dire and challenging moments in the history of our beloved country.
1. Hon. Justice J. I. Acha (Rtd)
2. Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, CFR
3. Chief J. B. Daudu, SAN
4. Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, CON
5. Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN, CON
6. Professor I. E. Sagay, SAN
7. Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON
8. Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN
9. Dr Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, OON
10. Dr Alex Izinyon SAN, OFR
11. Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN
12. Dr D. D. Dodo SAN, OFR
13. Chief Chris Uche SAN
14. Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, OON
15. Mr. Layi Babatunde SAN
16. Mr. Omoruyi Omonuwa SAN, OFR
17. Chief Mobolaji Ayorinde, SAN, OFR
18. Dr Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, CFR
19. Dr. Otaru Roland Itoyah, SAN
20. Chief Ferdinand Orbih , SAN
21. Chief Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, OON
22. Dr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN
23. Dr. Garba Tetengi SAN
24. Chief Abeni Mohammed SAN
25. MrFemi Falana, SAN
26. Chief Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN
27. Sir J. S. Bamigboye, SAN
28. Dr Dapo Olanikpekun, SAN
29. Chief Emeka Okpoko , SAN
30. Chief G. C. Igbokwe, SAN
31. Chief P. H. Ogbole SAN 32. Chief Emeka Ozoani, SAN
33. Abdul Mohammed, SAN
34. Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
35. Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, SAN
36. Mr Tunde Afe Babalola SAN
37. Chief Obafemi Adewale SAN 38. Mr Olusegun Fabunmi SAN
39. Hon. Mohammed Ndayako, SAN
40. Chief Emeka Obegholu, SAN
41. Chief Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN
42. Sir Chijioke Emeka, SAN
43. Mr. Kemasuode Wodu SAN
44. Dr. Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, SAN
45. Chief Chris Oshomegie SAN
46. Mr. Isaiah Bozimo, SAN
47. Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN
48. Mr. Mustapha Abubakar, SAN
49. Mr. Victor Odjemu SAN
50. Mr. Wale Balogun, SAN & Greenbridge Partners
51. Chief Femi Fani Kayode
52. Dr Solomon Arase, IGP (rtd.) CFR
53. Hon. Pascal Ugbome
54. Chief Ifeanyi Iboko, Esq
55. Benson Igbanoi, Esq
56. Mr. Michael Osilama Otu
57. Prince Sadiq Momoh Ilegieuno
58. Chief Obidi Ume, Esq
59. Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq (KSC)
60. Mr Owuna Fenibo
61. Mrs Bridget Edokwe
62. Chief Sylvanus Okpetu
63. Mr. Casly Omon-Irabor
64. Mr. Ige Asemudara, Esq
65. Chief Maxwell Opara
66. Mr. Mohammed Tsav, Esq
67. Mr Nkem Okoro, Esq
68. Mr. Ndif reke Aquaisua, Esq
69. Mr. First Baba Isa, Esq
70. Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq
71. Ibrahim Mohammed, Esq
72. Patrick Oganwu, Esq
73. Mr Akintayo Balogun, Esq
74. Alex Uzebu, Esq,
75. Oladipo Awe, Esq
76. Abang Ekpeha, Esq
77. Mr. Silas Joseph Onu, Esq
78. Ms. Amaka Ezeno Esq
79. Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, Esq
80. Dayo Lucky Aimofumeh, Esq
81. Mr Deji Adeyanju, Esq
Introduction
The annual semi-ritual of awarding the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the legal profession, has seldom been free of controversy. The last one was not an exception; that time, though (like in the past few years) it was more about the perceived explosion in the number of awardees than for any other reason. I intend to buck the trend, by wondering why different rules and criteria apply to prospective awardees from the ranks of Academics than their courtroom counterparts or ‘Advocates’. What are those rules and are those differences legitimate, justifiable or defensible? Is it fair that Academic Lawyers are the ‘poor’ cousins of their courtroom colleagues, where it comes to consideration for the award? We shall presently attempt a few answers, but I warn you to be prepared to be startled, if not outrightly shocked!
Statutory Remit
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a prescription of the Legal Practitioners Act pursuant to which the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) reviews applications for same, and confers it on those it deems to qualify based on criteria which it lays down in Guidelines published from time to time. See Section 5(1) and (2) of the Legal Practitioners Act, the latter of which provides that: “A person shall not be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria unless he has been qualified to practice as a legal practitioner for not less than ten years and has achieved distinction in the legal profession in such manner as the Committee may, from time to time, determine”.
The LPPC has, over the years, tweaked and re-tweaked those Guidelines - the present iteration of which is the 2022 Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and for Related Matters Issued under the hand of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Rtd), they took effect from the 13th day of October, 2022, and were applied to process the last two set of inductees into the rank. Of particular interest for our purposes in this regard, are the provisions of Paragraph 2(e), (f) and 9 of the Guidelines which stipulate as follows, respectively:
“(e) the award shall continue to be made primarily to Legal Practitioners who have distinguished themselves as advocates. The Committee may however, in exceptional cases, approve the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as academics by making significant contributions to the practice of Law, through teaching, research and publications that have become major sources of reference by Judges, Legal Practitioners, Law Teachers and Law Students and
(f) The fulfilment of the stipulated criteria for eligibility and competence as defined and published from time to time by the Committee shall be the primary basis for the award of the rank”
(9) In any given year the Committee may in appropriate circumstances appoint not more than one academic who has distinguished himself and has made significant contribution to legal scholarship and Jurisprudence through teaching, research, published works and academic Leadership.
(2) To be eligible for appointment under this category, an applicant shall provide the Committee with at least 35 (thirty-five) copies of his published works, which shall include a minimum of-
(a) 5 (five) academic works;
(b) 20 (twenty) articles in peer reviewed journals; and
(c) 10 (ten) presentations at notable conferences and seminars.
(3) The applicant’s published works or books shall not be self-published but must have been published by a reputable publisher, whose reputation shall be assessed and determined by the Academic Sub-committee and in the case of articles, such articles must have been published in well respected Journals that are subjected to peer review.
(4) An applicant under this category must present-
(a) Detailed evidence of supervision of students, mentorship and leadership qualities along with his application;
(b) References from at least three Professors of Law (each with not less than 10 (ten) years’ experience as a Professor, who must also be resident in Nigeria) and 1 (one) of whom must be the applicant’s colleague or peer in the same field of law indicated by the applicant;
(c) evidence of full time teaching and research in a faculty of law in a reputable university, duly accredited by both the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education, a recognised legal research institute or the Nigerian Law School for a period of at least 10 (ten) years immediately preceding the application (d) evidence of the applicant supervising postgraduate students; and
(e) evidence of being a full Professor in a faculty of law in a reputable university, duly accredited by both the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education, a recognised legal research institute or the Nigerian Law School and must have
This article by Kayode Makanjuola considers the issue of the award of the rank of Senior advocate of Nigeria (SaN) to Lawyers, pointing out that the current 2022 Guidelines superintending the process is not only invalid, but unjust and discriminatory against academics. He takes a brief look at the updates of the categories of award of King’s Counsel in the system of england and Wales which ours is based upon, and suggests that Nigeria reverts to the 2018 Guidelines for now, while the whole SaN award process is reconsidered holistically
been so for at least 2 (two) years preceding the application, Provided that this requirement will not apply to an applicant holding the position of the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, where he is not a Professor of Law or has not been a Professor of Law for up to 2 (two) years”.
Problems Arising
So, what is the problem? Many, I assure you – as, indeed, ought to be self-evident from the foregoing provisions. While it is granted that the rank is a privilege (not a right), which is awarded at the sole discretion of the Committee, a lot however, can be said about perceived flaws in a process which regulates the affairs of supposed gentlemen of the noble profession of legal practitioners. To put it bluntly, are the criteria for the award of SAN to Academics needlessly more stringent than those for count-room advocates? Has the Privileges Committee set the bar unduly high in their case?
Are the Guidelines themselves even valid at all?
We shall get to this last poser shortly, but before then, there are yet more, as follows. Do the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act which, it can be recalled, empower the Privileges Committee to confer the award on the basis of applicants who have “achieved distinction in the legal profession in such manner as the committee may determine “authorise the Committee to segregate applicants on the basis of specialisation? Is that discrimination contemplated or intended by the National Assembly which conferred that power on the Committee? Is it reasonably necessary, or can it reasonably be inferred from those provisions? Does the mere fact that the award is a privilege justify the Committee in segregating legal practitioners into two apparently water-tight compartments for the purposes of the award?
“The 2022 Guidelines are not only invalid, seeing as they were executed by only Hon. Chief Justice Ariwoola, contrary to the aforementioned provisions, but, inequitable and unjust. In the interest of justice, it may therefore, be necessary for the LPPC to revert to the more equitable 2018 Guidelines for now, while a deeper consideration is given to the Guidelines”
Is it fair to academic applicants that the Guidelines restrict the number that can be awarded to them in any given year to now only One out of the total number, while their court room colleagues go away with the rest? Previously, the number of Academics was in the range of 10% of the total number of awardees, give or take a couple more or less. Was that situation or scenario contemplated by the lawmakers when they enacted that provision in the Legal Practitioners Act? If it wasn’t, did the Committee overreach itself in prescribing that criterion? Did the Committee go too far? To borrow from an equitable maxim (which the Committee members are all too familiar with) is equality not equity? If the Committee has observed this injunction in the breach, would it be too harsh to admonish them thus: ‘Physician, heal thyself‘?! Are they not supposed to lead by example by practicing what they preach in terms of fairness, equity, even-handedness and justice? If Lawyers cannot be fair to each other, can they be fair to the larger society? Can they give what they do not have (nemo dat non habet)? Does charity not begin at home? I believe all these questions are pertinent to the status quo in terms of the discrimination (which I submit is totally unwarranted) in the criteria for the award of ‘Silk’ to so-called academic and non-academic or courtroom Lawyers. I believe that to the extent that it is heavily weighted in favour of the latter, it is inevitably skewed against the former - and, is, to that extent, unfair and unjustifiable and, therefore, needs to be urgently reviewed. The criteria should be more ‘academic’-friendly, balanced and less discriminatory. For a start, pegging a maximum number of such awardees from the academic community, should be completely done away with. No such limit ought to exist, otherwise it might prompt legitimate questions about its extension to more deserving factors such as gender and geographical spread, to cover applicants from parts of the country which have historically been disadvantaged. This might open the floodgates (if not quite a Pandora’s Box) of so-called Affirmative Action and similar considerations whose consequences are unpredictable. It might even revive the old debate about scraping the rank altogether – as in the case in other common law jurisdictions such as Ghana, the United States and India. No one is thinking of going that far. Validity of the 2022 Guidelines Beyond all of that, however, of greater concern, to my mind, is the fundamental question of the validity, vel non, of the Guidelines themselves. By that, I simply mean that the fact that they bear
the imprimatur of only the Chief Justice of Nigeria (who is admittedly the Chairman of the Privileges Committee), is problematic in a way which I shall presently explain. This is because, to the extent that the Committee consists of 15 members (vide Section 5(3) of the LPA), by virtue of Section 27(2) of the interpretation Act, they should have been executed under the hand of (to use the language of the latter statute), at least two members of the Committee. This was not the case, as the Guidelines clearly show on its face that only the Hon. Chief Justice Ariwoola executed it. I submit that, this suffices to invalidate the Guidelines. Will previous unsuccessful academic applicants for Silk be comforted by this reality? Who knows!
Conclusion
The UK, on which Nigeria bases its legal system on, actually opened the status of King’s Counsel to Solicitors in 1995. As of 2020, the UK had 58 Solicitors who had been elevated to the rank. In 2021, 5 more Solicitors were elevated to the rank. Additionally, the rank has been extended “to those who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts”. For example, Sir Robert Neill was nominated in 2024, for “his leadership of the Justice Select Committee, including his contributions in upholding the rule of law and as an advocate for the Judiciary and legal profession” (see the Gov.UK website). If this can be done in the UK, why do we in Nigeria, continue to not only discriminate against Academics, but attempt to make it impossible for them to attain the rank, while Advocates who openly plagiarise the briefs of arguments of others, contributing absolutely nothing to our jurisprudence or the development of the law, are elevated easily?
The 2022 Guidelines are not only invalid, seeing as they were executed by only Hon. Chief Justice Ariwoola, contrary to the aforementioned provisions, but, inequitable and unjust., in the interest of justice, it may therefore, be necessary for the LPPC to revert to the more equitable 2018 Guidelines for now, while a deeper consideration is given to the Guidelines. Now that a new Chief Justice in the person of Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON has assumed office, and also doubles as the Chairman of the LPPC, there is no better time for some positive action to be taken before the 2025 process commences. Even the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners is doubtful, given its flawed execution by only the former Attorney-General of the Federation, instead of at least two members of the General Council of the Bar as required by a community reading of Section 27(2) of the Interpretation Act and Section 1(2) of the Legal Practitioner’s Act. Kayode Makanjuola, Jos
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), the constitutionally designated court established to adjudicate on labour related matters, held its 2024/2025 New Legal year ceremony at its Headquarters in abuja last Tuesday and Wednesday, October 8-9, 2024. The event themed “Labour Justice and the Public Interest” which commenced with a Special court Session, also witnessed a Public Lecture delivered by the Chairman of the Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspapers, Olusegun Adeniyi, and ended with a Bar and Bench Forum. Onikepo Braithwaite, Jude Igbanoi and Alex Enumah who attended the two-day event, report
Introduction
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria was conceptualised as far back as 1941 as an arbitrator, to mediate in disputes between employers and employees. But, the court became comatose for many decades. NICN was established in 1976, and became operational in 1978, as being exclusively empowered to arbitrate over trade and industrial disputes. NICN has had four Presidents, including the President President, Honourable Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, PhD, who took over from Honourable Justice Babatunde Adejumo in 2019. Today the court has 33 Judges and Divisions in 24 States, with its Headquarters in FCT, Abuja.
It was established to take care of trade disputes between employers and employees, workers and workers, trade unions and workers, and trade unions and trade unions. Its initial jurisdiction was to be a court empowered to adjudicate trade disputes, labour practices, matters related to the Factories Act, Trade Disputes Act, Trade Unions Act, Workmen's Compensations Act and appeals from the Industrial Arbitration Panel. But, today, its jurisdiction has expanded to be inclusive of all employer-employee related matters,
including some admiralty cases.
Special Court Session
The 2024/2025 Legal Year ceremony, which was colourful and enthralling, with Judges of the Court, Justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, other Lawyers and the Court’s support staff in full attendance, kicked off with a Special Court Session commenced by an Address by NICN President, Hon. Justice Kanyip.
NICN President, Hon. Justice Kanyip’s Address Justice Kanyip started by thanking God for making it possible for those in attendance to witness the celebration, while appreciating the gesture of the guests for honouring the Court’s invitation. He however, expressed regret the Court’s main building which houses the new ceremonial court, wasn’t quite ready for use.
His Lordship gave an account of NICN’s improvements and activities, since the last 2022/2023 Legal Year celebration. He mentioned the digital solutions deployed to ease the judicial process, like
"He mentioned his directive to encourage virtual hearings, given security and other challenges"
the upgrading of the Court’s website, Judgement Portal, Cause List Portal, and the recent launching of the CTC and Final Written Address Portals.
Justice Kanyip stated that out of 8,608 cases, 1,616 judgements had been delivered while 6,992 cases are currently pending; that as if the 1st quarter of 2924, though the workload ratio per Judge is 186.80, in reality, some Divisions like Owerri and Makurdi have a higher workload than others, with 500 cases in their respective dockets. Some of the Court’s limitations, for instance, in Owerri is that there is only accommodation for one Judge, while Makurdi neither had a second court or or house for a second Judge. He mentioned his directive to encourage virtual hearings, given security and other challenges. Justice Kanyip also mentioned that the ADR Centre established to mediate on individual employment/labour disputes is poorly utilised by litigants and their Counsel.
Justice Kanyip expressed his pleasure about the recently enacted Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances etc) Act 2024, and the substitution of Section 291 of the Constitution with a new version, citing the advantages attached thereto. He however, expressed disappointment that the pension of judicial officers who retired before the new law would not enjoy the benefits of the salary and allowances increase, and urged that Section 291 of the Constitution be further amended to allow retired judicial officers to take as pension the same salary and allowances of their equivalents who are still in service, at any point in time. The NICN President noted the process to alter the 1999 Constitution and urged the National Assembly not to touch the provisions concerning the NICN, such as Sections 254A-F and Item 34 on the Exclusive Legislative List.
Justice Kanyip also informed the audience that between 2022 and now, six Judges had been appointed, two elevated to the Court of Appeal, while Hon. Justice E.N.N. Agbakoba and 16 NICN staff had passed on to greater Glory, leaving four States of the Federation unrepresented on the NICN Bench.
Hon. Justice Kanyip concluded his Address by congratulating the recently sworn in Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON on her appointment, and pledged to all stakeholders, litigants and the Counsel, that the NICN would continue to be at their lawful service.
Addresses by AGF and Chairman of the Body of Benchers
The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN delivered his own address, while the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN also spoke at the Special Court Session.
NBA President’s Address
In his speech, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN said ‘‘This Court, the National Industrial Court, holds a special place in the administration of justice in Nigeria. It has been at the forefront of promoting and safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees, ensuring that justice is served in matters relating to labour disputes and industrial relations. Its work is critical, not only to the individuals and institutions that come before, it but to the broader economy and society as a whole”. “The theme of this year’s event, “Labour Justice and the Public Interest”, speaks to the core role the
stability and economic growth, and the work done by this court is critical to ensuring that fairness, equity, and justice permeate all aspects of labour relations. As the famous Nigerian jurist, Justice Kayode Eso, once said, “A nation cannot thrive where there is no justice”. This quote reminds us of the weighty responsibility the NICN bears, in ensuring that justice is dispensed swiftly and fairly, and in a manner that reflects the larger public interest.”
“The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) holds a unique and crucial position, within the Nigerian judicial system. With its specialised jurisdiction over employment, labour, and industrial relations matters, the NICN plays a vital role in ensuring that disputes in these areas are resolved in a manner that upholds the principles of fairness, equity, and justice.
“The public interest is best served when labour justice is administered swiftly, fairly, and impartially. When workers feel that their rights are protected and that they can seek redress without fear of retaliation, they are more likely to engage productively in the economy. Similarly, when employers feel that they are protected from unjust claims and frivolous disputes, they are more likely to invest in their businesses and contribute to national development.
Admonition:
The NBA President made an important request, one which he had previously made at the opening of the 2024 legal year of the Supreme Court: “That the President of the National Industrial Court take steps to address the current trend of making the swearing-in of judicial officers into elaborate ceremonies filled with pomp and extravagance. The lavish receptions that often follow these ceremonies, have become a matter of concern. These celebrations, which bring together judicial officers, politicians, and other politically exposed persons, do not project the best image of the Judiciary. The public mingling and fraternisation between judicial officers and politicians during these events, give rise to perceptions of undue influence. In an era where politicians are seen to go to any lengths to influence judicial outcomes, these publicised ceremonies are increasingly worrisome. I strongly believe that the overly publicised and widely attended swearing-in ceremonies, as well as the lavish receptions organised by newly sworn-in judicial officers, are detracting from the solemnity and discreet nature of the offices they occupy. Such events should be solemn and private, preserving the dignity and independence of the Judiciary”.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, also suggested that “The swearing-in ceremonies and celebrations should be held in private, with receptions limited to court-sponsored luncheons for the newly sworn-in judicial officers. The Judiciary must lead by example, showing restraint in mimicking the public exhibition of affluence, and the wanton display of wealth that we so often see in other sectors of society. It is imperative that the Judiciary remains a beacon of modesty, integrity, and the rule of law”.
Public Lecture
The following day, the events commenced with a Public Lecture titled “Labour Justice and the Public Interest”, delivered by Olusegun Adeniyi, the Chairman of This Day Editorial Board. The lecture, which examined a plethora of issues, drew the attention of judicial officers and all senior Lawyers.
Mr Adeniyi challenged the Judiciary in general, and specifically the NICN, to ensure that justice is dispensed with a balance between the employer and employee.
Mr Adeniyi said in his lecture that: “There could not have been a better time to interrogate this topic in Nigeria, as both labour and government were recently locked in negotiating an appropriate national minimum wage, the lowest amount of salary that employers of labour, whether in the private or public sector, should earn in the country. After much drama, it is gratifying that the two parties were able to reach a consensus on the issue, despite the fact that the agreed amount cannot even buy a bag of rice in the market.
“The situation of workers in Nigeria is further complicated by the fact that those in the informal sector, are practically excluded from any form of labour justice. Today, the only avenue for redress for most, is to appear on radio programmes. That is how Ahmed Isah, an activist and on-air personality who anchors ‘Brekete Family’ on Human Rights Radio Abuja, has become not only the ‘Ordinary President’ for the vulnerable of our society, but also their ‘Chief Justice’. Such is the flagrant violation of workers’ rights by all levels of government and the private sector, that even foreign owned entities operating in Nigeria have been emboldened to treat our people with disrespect. In a clear breach of extant labour laws, many of these companies resort to unwholesome practices that deny their Nigerian workers job security and appropriate benefits. Even where there are statutory compensation provisions for work-related diseases, injuries, disabilities or death, they are mostly observed in the breach. In several cases, affected workers or their next of kin receive little or no compensation for death or permanent injuries, including when they occurred while carrying
out assigned duties”.
Labour Justice
“The concept of labour justice and public interest are interwoven. Any initiative that engenders fair treatment in the workplace, impacts positively on societal wellbeing. Indeed, the United Nations (UN) has on many occasions highlighted the importance of access to justice, which essentially means the right to have one’s cause heard before an impartial arbiter. The international reference point for the concept of labour justice, as we are all aware, is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which, in several instruments, enshrines the right of workers to access justice without encumbrance. This includes access to courts and other formal dispute resolution mechanisms, in pursuit of effective remedy.
“The parameters in any given jurisdiction to measure labour justice include fair wages, which indicates that workers are to be compensated by their employers in a manner commensurate with their output; safe working conditions that guarantee protection from foreseeable danger and defence of their inalienable right to organise protests and negotiate collectively. There are of course, several others, including not being discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, gender, age etc. If these parameters encompass the principles and practices that ensure fair treatment and protection of workers in their employment context, it goes without saying that the aim of labour justice is to address power imbalances between employers and workers, and to promote the dignity of labour.
“Unfortunately, despite a plethora of legislation and the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to numerous conventions that should guarantee access to justice for workers, the reality is quite different. This can be glimpsed from the way key aspects of labour justice are resolved in our country. Not necessarily to the satisfaction of workers. These include freedom from discrimination, the ability to engage in collective bargaining, modalities for addressing unfair dismissal, among others. This then brings me to the issue of specialised labour court, which the NICN represents in Nigeria.”
Justice Administration in Nigeria
Mr Adeniyi said: “It is important because the extent of justice available to workers in any given society, is a function of the extent of rule of law available in that society. It is doubtful that citizens as workers can expect a higher degree of labour justice, than what is available within the larger society. In her speech at the special session of the Supreme Court commemorating its new Legal Year and the induction of the latest set of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on 30 September, 2024, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun emphasised that obedience to court orders will, under her watch,
“Nothing gives better expression to that, than the statement, “Go to Court” by conscious wrongdoers, often followed by “Go on appeal” by their hand-in-glove Judges!”
be “non-negotiable”. And, that “No individual or institution, irrespective of their standing, will be permitted to treat the judgements of our courts with levity or disregard”.
“This, indeed, is as it should be in a society governed by ‘rule of law’. But, the ‘rule of law’ is not the same as ‘rule of Judges’. According to worldjusticeproject.org, “The rule of law is a durable system of laws, institutions, norms and community commitment that delivers four universal principles: accountability, just law, open government, and accessible and impartial justice”. In contrast, ‘rule of Judges’ denotes impunity towards the law by the very persons who ordinarily are invested with the functions and responsibilities of upholding ‘rule of law’. It is a situation in which a Judge places himself/herself above the law, or makes himself/herself the law rather than a servant of the law or shepherd of the ‘rule of law’. Regrettably, the loud and overpowering noise of the latter is becoming definitive of Nigeria’s Judiciary, in the perception of most people. Nothing gives better expression to that, than the statement, “Go to Court” by conscious wrong-doers, often followed by “Go on appeal” by their hand-in-glove Judges!”
Conflicting Judgements
“Aside the indiscipline of conflicting judgements, there is also the disgraceful issue of courts of coordinate jurisdiction nullifying one another, since forum shopping has been institutionalised in Nigeria. In recent days, we have seen how the Judiciary has been dragged into the power struggle between the godfather and his godson in Rivers State. If there is anything to take from what transpired before last two Saturday’s local government election in the State, it is the willingness on the part of an alarmingly increasing number of judicial personnel to accept and play the role of hitmen for influential political actors, as against serving the interest of the country and the public good. That should also be of serious concern to Justice Kekere-Ekun.”
Mr Adeniyi condemned the Judge who granted an injunction to restrain the Police from performing their duties, in the just concluded Rivers State Local Government election.
“Meanwhile, at the rate some Judges are going; they will soon be granting injunctions to spouses who seek to restrain their partners from performing matrimonial duties in ‘The Other Room’. Now, that prominent politicians are openly describing judgements emanating from our courts as ‘Kangaroo judgements’, it is incumbent on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to step in and deal with blatant deviant behaviour among its members. But, let’s come back to the issue of labour justice and public interest.
According to Mr Adeniyi, “the biggest challenge to labour justice has come from the regular courts. Between 2010 and 2024, the NICN has had a number of its decisions overturned, particularly by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. These reversals often stemmed from jurisdictional challenges, misinterpretation of labour laws, and procedural issues.
“Meanwhile, I find it disturbing that in conversations about labour justice in Nigeria, there is hardly any thought given to the informal sector. Yet, as of the first quarter of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) ‘Nigeria Labour Force Survey’, 92.6% of workers in Nigeria were in informal employment. If you exclude agriculture
from this sector, going by the survey, we still have 89.4% of our people in informal employment. How can we exclude such a huge percentage of workers from access to justice and social protection, and imagine we can develop our society? Take farmers, for example. Because of their vocation, they are both employers and employees who feed the nation. Their incapacitation, by reason of insecurity and natural disaster, has resulted in nationwide shortages of foodstuff, high cost of food crops and hunger in the land, impacting all Nigerians. Yet, they are excluded from any form of labour justice or social protection.
“What the foregoing suggests is that in Nigeria today, labour justice is designed more for the formal sector. We need to redress this anomaly, by the instrumentality of law and policies. Can there be a law mandating that at least 75% of the labour justice standard applicable to the formal sector, also be made applicable to the informal sector? With that, we can address issues like unwritten contract agreements regarding wages, hours of work, and other indices of labour justice enjoyed by the formal sector. At present, there is no such law. These are some of the issues that should concern the National Assembly, whose members seem obsessed with where and how Mr Bobrisky was sleeping when serving his jail term.”
In his conclusion Mr Adeniyi said: “We must understand that public interest is served when workers are not only fairly treated, but also economically empowered. But, in a society where there is weak enforcement of labour laws to protect workers, it is easy for employers to evade legal responsibilities. That’s why and how most of the Banks and oil sector companies now deploy graduates as casuals who are paid peanuts and deprived of the opportunity to become mainstream workers”. Other issues Mr Adeniyi’s lecture addressed were that the present minimum wage of N70,000, is unable to purchase even a bag of rice. He urged NICN to ensure that Divisions are created in the remaining States that don’t presently have. He further suggested that there should be no appeals from the NICN, on certain matters.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero delivered his goodwill message personally, while that of the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo was delivered on his behalf by a representative.
Comrade Ajaero stated that NICN had discharged its statutory duty with candour and that: “It has been bold, courageous and inspiring in its pronouncements”. He however, complained that obedience to the decisions of the NICN by employers, hasn’t been comprehensive enough. He urged the Court to ensure that its decisions are enforceable and enforced.
The NLC also suggested that a special Division in the Court of Appeal dedicated to cases from the NICN, staffed with Justices well versed in labour issue, be established, as “the mileage covered by the NICN often suffers reversals at the Court of Appeal due to the imposition of common law principles on purely contract employment issues with consequential negative effects on the scope and dimensions of compensation”. Comrade Ajaero urged the Court exercise its discretion sparingly in granting ex-parte injunctions, so that it doesn’t lead to miscarriages of justice.
Bar and Bench Forum
The NICN 2024/2025 Legal Year programme ended with a Bar and Bench Forum, where Judges of the Court and the Lawyers in attendance had a robust interactive session, on issues of mutual interest and concerns.
Emma Agu
By the time you read this article, all would have been set for the obsequies of Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the colossus that bestrode the Nigerian space for over half a century. He departed this mortal world on 25th July 2024. He was, among other things, publisher of Champion Newspapers Limited. The paper debuted in 1988, with headquarters in Lagos. I had the privilege of being the pioneer editor of the Daily Champion, the flagship title of the media house.
In 1991, we were conducting a recruitment exercise to fill vacancies in the editorial department of Champion Newspapers Limited at the company headquarters in Lagos. One of the candidates stood out, on all the criteria for recruitment that had been established by the company, under the leadership of the renowned newspaper manager, Prince Henry Olukayode Odukomaiya.
As his curriculum vitae showed, the candidate in question, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, where he studied history, had won the departmental award for each of the four years that he was a student at the university. To crown it all, he won the departmental award as the best graduating student in 1987. It was therefore not a surprise that he had beaten all other candidates both in the written assessment and the oral interview.
You will expect that such a candidate would have been employed automatically. It was not exactly so. The newspaper’s Chairman had established a recruitment template almost akin to the Federal Character principle of the Federal Government. All of Nigeria had to be recruited to work in Champion Newspapers. To his credit, the pioneer managing director/ editor-in-chief, Prince henry Odukomaiya did a terrific job of it. But on this occasion, something snapped which could have sacrificed the best candidate for other criteria to be satisfied.
Keen on not ruffling feathers in the system, but feathers were ruffled anyway, as pioneer editor of the newspaper’s flagship, I had to find a way out of the dilemma, of losing a promising hand. The candidate’s curriculum vitae provided the answer: apart from his several accolades, he was also a beneficiary of the Iwuanyanwu Educational Foundation Scholarship. Armed with that, the rest, according to popular language, is history. That was how Nosike Ogbuenyi, the candidate in question, got employed in Champion Newspapers.
Nosike Ogbuenyi represents the countless Nigerians who benefitted from the educational scholarship of the Iwuanyanwu Foundation. Many of them have had highly successful careers in both the private and public sectors. Without the scholarship, it is possible that their families and the country would have been denied the positive impact that some of them were to make and perhaps, are still making.
Nine years later, when I was appointed MD/E-I-C in February 2000, market dynamics dictated that, for Champion Newspapers to match the competition in the industry, something had to give. And it had to be disruptive.. By then, full colour publication was beginning to redefine the competition particularly the advert market space where a number of newspapers, including Champion, were far behind. We needed a unique proposition that would confer some advantage on us. That proposition was located in what came to be known as “simultaneous printing”. Of course, it is a long established practice that you go for the low hanging fruits. Thus, the entire east became our target. Though it should be added that the highest sales came from Lagos.
However, to achieve our mission entailed procuring a new Press, a web offset press, that would cost an arm and a leg at the time. When the numbers were crunched, many members of the board felt that the idea should be dropped. It is instructive to add that though the newspaper’s management team had endorsed the proposal, it was not without reservation by some members of the team. Thus, at the Board meeting to address the issue, with some of the Board members unimpressed with the proposal, Chief Iwuanyanwu was almost certain to go along with them He did. But that was
momentarily. He asked for the matter to be kept in abeyance.
However, as the meeting progressed, from nowhere in particular, he asked: “MD, beyond employment and improved copy sales in the nine states in the east, can I have any other justifications for pushing us into uncharted waters?”. Without hesitating, I said, “Yes Chairman” to which he retorted, “I am all ears”. If Iwuanyanwu told you I am all ears, it signalled disbelief, but also a demonstration of one of the qualities that endeared him to many of us, a willingness to give someone a second, third and even a fourth chance. “Chairman”, I started, (at this point, he was leaning towards me as if I was about to release a secret which only him should hear) “... given that there is no web offset press in Owerri, the envisioned operation would provide a ready place for practical training for Mass Comm and journalism students ...” Before I could finish, he looked in the direction of Chief Bob Ogbuagu (Dee Bob) of blessed memory who was seated to his left and exclaimed: “Dee Bob, that is it. We will go with the project. Let that be our contribution to education”. Then facing the Group Finance Director, Chief Ben Ikejiaku (also of blessed memory), he intoned: “Ben, it is not all about money. Agreed we need the money, but we have to look at the bigger picture”. Case closed! That was the essential Chief Iwuanyanwu: education, human capital development, constituted to him, the bigger picture! To Iwuanyanwu, education was unrivalled in his scale of priorities. He was prepared to sacrifice anything, indeed everything to support education. His Iwuanyanwu Educational Foundation granted scholarships to students
from every part of the country and supported many educational institutions. I contacted Nosike Ogbuenyi as I wrote this piece, and he confirmed that a beneficiary emerged from each of the nineteen states of which Nigeria was made up in 1985, when he got the scholarship. I got closer to Chief Iwuanyanwu between July 1997 and December 1999 (all of two and half years) when, as part of my twenty year-long service in Champion Newspapers, I was assigned to resuscitate National Post, a sister publication in Owerri. Part of the arrangement was that I would double as unofficial personal assistant (PA) to him. It was to dawn on me, much later, that Owerri was like a sounding board for Chief to appraise the next head of his newspaper.
For my part, the Owerri assignment provided an opportunity to witness first hand, his huge philanthropic disposition. Ever saw Chief Iwuanyanwu physically? You would say big. Perhaps Huge. In Owerri, I found out that his philanthropy, particularly his support of education, was bigger than his physical size.
Friday was Charity Day for Iwuanyanwu. He went to work with two pilot-like (not Ghana Must-Go) bags. But they did the same thing. The two bags were stuffed with naira. The needy would congregate at His Umudagu Crescent Village office (that was before he moved to the “Glass House”) as early as 7 am. Prior to his arrival, his ever-reliable secretary at the time, Patricia True Love Davis, would have taken notes of all requests for assistance, with educational requests definitely receiving special attention. It was a ritual that I loved to watch because it resonated well with my essence. I would like to add without any exaggeration that those two
bags were emptied before Chief would leave the office at 5 pm or thereafter.
If you consider this a tribute to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Aha Ejiagamba of Igboland, who passed away on July 25, 2024, that is okay by me. But that is just one part of the Owerri Home Boy who became an icon in Nigeria and beyond. But how can I do a tribute on Chief without talking about my personal experience, about the man who, with a smile dancing all over his face, would call me E-mma-aaaa-nuel, always dragging the name as if he wanted a road into my soul? Of course, in spite of the many tales that were woven around him, he won my heart as an exceptional humanist, a tireless fighter for equity, fairness and justice, a compassionate and benevolent leader of men and women, a nationalist and statesmen of no mean order, yet an undisputed epitome of the Igbo reputation for fairness, industry, enterprise and boldness. By the grace of God, that tribute will come. For now, I have recalled the above, to call attention to the essential Iwuanyanwu, a legend whose iconic contributions to education and human capital development, continue to define the lives and times of many Nigerians and ultimately, national development and survival. Finally, it is to unequivocally make the case, why the Federal Government should rename the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) after him. Think about Iwuanyanwu Technological University (ITU), Owerri Nigeria!
•Emma Agu, pioneer editor of the Daily Champion between 1988 and 1992 voluntarily disengaged from the newspaper after 20 years of service; the last eight years as managing director-editor-in-chief.
Sanya Onayoade
The just concluded Child Protection Week, in commemoration of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Month, was an eye-opener to a scourge that has bedeviled Nigeria for a long time. SGBV had thrived because of its entrenched culture of silence induced by numerous factors such as fear of further abuse, family dignity, societal ostracisation, shame and weak prosecutorial adjudication.
This culture has been the bane of taking justice to offenders and bringing justice to victims. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a national menace. But only Lagos State is known to have taken the bull by the horns with a slew of legislation, deterrent policies, rehabilitation and counseling.
At the Governor’s Commendation and Award Night which drew the curtains on the SGBV month on September 30, the Lagos First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said over 25,000 cases of domestic and sexual violence have been addressed by the State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Agency (DSVA). This is a laudable feat in the agency’s 10 years of existence. The theme of the campaign, “SGBV, not on my watch” is instructive, calling to action everyone connected to humanity.
“The fight against SGBV requires the participation of everyone: religious leaders, community leaders, families and individuals alike,” Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said. “It is not just the responsibility of the government and the agency alone; it is a collective endeavour. Together we must continue to strengthen our legal frameworks, expand our support systems and most importantly, break the culture of silence that allows abuse to persist.”
It was a Clarion Call echoed by several stakeholders. The state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said his administration had convicted 50 persons for sexual and gender-based violence in the past year. “In the past one year, the state has secured over 50 convictions. We have provided holistic services to over 6000 survivors and reached out to over a million Lagosians through advocacy and sensitisation.”
The Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said “we are gradually breaking the culture of silence, and calling on people to speak up and speak out. So, please pay attention to the people that are speaking up.”
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, said the Force was taking “giant steps to make sure that those violators, abusers of women and girls, are dealt with within the ambit of the law.” Another advocate, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsetunwa, said stakeholders need sustainable measures to tackle the menace in the society.
There is no doubt that eradicating SGBV truly needs sustained collaboration at different levels of the society. In raising the much-needed awareness and enlightenment, the SGBV Month campaign started with the most vulnerable in the society: children and teenagers; beginning with activities at the Eko Boys High School, Mushin and a couple of other schools, Advocacy Walk, Child Protection and Safeguarding Week, and a symposium which assessed the impact of the state’s SGBV response over the past decade.
Ijust came across an interesting Press Statement signed by one Luka Binniyat, the Middle Belt Forum’s Kaduna State Chapter Chairman, dated Sunday, October 6, 2024, in which he tried to raise legitimate questions around the composition of the Board nominees of the newly established North West Development Commission (NWDC). Without prejudice to the whole essence of the inclusivity message that the said intervention sought to push through, one would still like to insist that there are palpable signs of gross misunderstanding and misrepresentation bordering on outright confusion around the definition of the term or concept of the Middle Belt that its Forum’s Kaduna State Chapter Chairman was attempting to project out there via his Press Statement.
Firstly, even from the sound of its name alone, the Middle Belt concept looks to be more of a geographical expression than anything else, and that has been the case since its formal introduction into the public consciousness several decades ago. Indeed, it can rightly be argued that it all started as an agglomeration of the various peoples or communities spread across the middle or centre of the geographical expression we have all come to know and recognise as Nigeria today. And that has remained so for quite a while now since the
Head of Programmes for the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, (RoLAC), Mr. Danladi Plang acknowledged the vital role played by Lagos State government in combating SGBV and rehabilitating victims with enactment of relevant laws. He said more would be done in identified areas.
“Some achievements have been made and what we need to do is build on those achievements, identify why cases are slow and deal with them; identify why convictions are low and deal with them,” he said.
“A central focus of the event was the empowerment of school children through educational resources aimed at raising awareness about the prevalence of SGBV,” according to Lagos State Project Coordinator for RoLAC, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa. “These materials will serve as a constant reminder of the importance of standing up against abuse and will be prominently displayed in school premises. The capacity-building initiative, which aims to strengthen children’s understanding of their rights, also trained them on how to report cases of SGBV to the appropriate authorities.”
RoLAC is a European Union-funded program implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and they are the force behind the SGBV awareness campaign in Lagos.
According to a 2019 survey by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, 30% of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, while a shocking 68% have encountered emotional, economic, or sexual abuse. That data shows large number of the vulnerable people, especially women and children are consigned to a life of trauma.
Domestic violence is a pervasive global pandemic for which majority of victims are believed to be women and children. The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of genderbased violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” In like manner, intimate partner violence refers to behaviour by an intimate Middle Belt concept’s official launch, but I stand to be corrected.
As time went by, however, successive leaders and promoters of the Middle Belt Forum and its ideals actively sought to expand its reach by way of the deliberate extension of its outreach messaging to appeal to other people of the same or similar faith and shared experiences. This is principally on account of their minority status in several of the core Northern States, with a view to fighting for a common cause. And that is all fine and good, to be honest!
But what they should probably have done from that point onwards was to promptly effect an appropriate name change to reflect its renewed focus and expanded status beyond its original geographical circumscription. This is especially so because many of its targeted would-be new entrants are undoubtedly located very far away from the centre or middle of any perceived belt, geographically speaking.
Again, you cannot possibly go on to define the Middle Belt “as all parts of Nigeria that were not ruled or conquered by the Sokoto Caliphate (emphasis mine) and the Kanem Borno Empire in pre-colonial Nigeria”, in one breath, and then go right ahead to immediately attempt to contradict yourself by including such historic towns and villages of the Gwandu Emirate as Kalgo, Koko/Besse, Suru and
partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours. It further states that sexual violence is “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching and other non-contact forms.”
A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. The estimates range from 20% in the Western Pacific, 22% in high-income countries and Europe and 25% in the regions of the Americas to 33% in the African region, 31% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and 33% in the South-East Asia region. Globally as many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners. In addition to intimate partner violence, globally 6% of women report having been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner.
In 2020, the year of the Corona Virus pandemic, the prevalence of physical, sexual or emotional violence by a partner was reported to be at 69%. The Lockdowns during the pandemic and the social and economic impacts increased the exposure of women to abusive partners, while limiting their access to remedial services.
It needs to be emphasised, however, that women are not the only victims of spousal abuse as government agencies, including the police, have many reports in this light. The damage done to the fabric of the society is unimaginable and that is why the clarion call for this SGBV month, “SGBV, not under my watch” is important, with the need for all and sundry to dismantle the damaging culture of silence. The consequences of SGBV are legion.
Violence can negatively affect women’s physical,
mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings. Exposure to traumatic events can lead to stress, fear and isolation, which may lead to depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior and substance abuse. Adults who experienced abuse as a child may be at risk for bullying or have externalized behaviors such as physical and verbal aggression towards others. They may also struggle with impulse control, and their decision-making may engage in risky behaviors such as substance use or sexualized behaviors. Emotional abuse is linked to thinning of certain areas of the brain that help people manage emotions and be self-aware - especially the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe.
A 2013 WHO study found that women who had been physically or sexually abused were 1.5 times more likely to have a sexually transmitted infection and, in some regions, HIV, compared to women who had not experienced partner violence. They are also twice as likely to have an abortion; increases the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and low birth weight babies.
Stemming the tide of SGBV is a collective responsibility, considering the huge damage it poses to families, the society and the nation at large. This was the spirit behind the theme for this year, “SGBV, Not Under My Watch.”
The Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency emphasized the critical importance of collective efforts in the fight against SGBV. She highlighted the agency’s work over the past decade, stressing that while significant progress had been made, there was still more to be done. She said: “Domestic and sexual violence are insidious crimes that violate the fundamental rights of individuals and have far-reaching consequences for their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. These acts of violence often occur behind closed doors, making it difficult for victims to seek help or justice. Lagos State, as a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, faces unique challenges in addressing domestic and sexual violence. Our growing population and rapid urbanization have created pressures that can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. However, we are also a city with a strong tradition of community engagement and a commitment to social justice.”
The agency provides legal, medical, emergency assistance, counselling, psychological and psychosocial support to survivors; as well as maintains a Sex Offenders Register. Its 7-point strategy is enshrined in the acronym RESPECT: Relationship skills strengthening; Empowerment of women; Services ensured; Poverty reduced; Enabling environments (schools, work places, public spaces) created; Child and adolescent abuse prevented; and Transformed attitudes, beliefs and norms.
DSVA’s partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance was a great strength to the fight against this pandemic. And with the EU funding, SGBV Month raised the bar in combating the scourge and breaking down the culture of silence.
•Onayoade is the Media Consultant to RoLAC IDEA.
the like, in your patented pipedream of an expanded or greater Middle Belt, in another breath.
That does not make any logical sense at all, unless you do not have the slightest idea of what you really are talking about. To do so would amount to the closest example of approbation and reprobation one could possibly think of, albeit in the reverse sense!
Indeed, if one can ever get away with ‘annexing’ any other town against its express wishes based on your own strictly defined criteria of not having been ruled or conquered by the Caliphate, that town would certainly not be Kalgo, would it?
Kalgo, by the way, is reputed to be a veritable staging point of sorts for several Gwandu Princes who served as its District Head, better known by its formally recognised title of Sarkin Gobir of Kalgo, en route their onward journey towards their manifest destiny of ascending the Gwandu Emirship stool of their forebears; Gwandu, being the pivotal Western flank of the expansive Sokoto Caliphate, just in case Mr. Binniyat may not have been aware of that fact.
Again, as unlikely as it may ordinarily seem to the untrained eye on account of the legendary modesty of the vast majority of the Emirs in its rich and storied history, the Gwandu Emirship stool has always been, and will forever remain, the second most revered throne in the hierarchy of the Caliphate structure after that of His Eminence,
the Sultan of Sokoto; again, just in case Mr. Binniyat may not have realised that just yet.
In addition, and talking specifically about the Southern Kebbi concept, I struggle to see how a place like far away Kalgo; a town that is both critical and historically relevant to the Gwandu Emirship stool and also proximal to Birnin Kebbi, its longstanding capital located just a stone’s throw away, can ever be considered to be an integral part and parcel of any conceivable expanded Southern Kebbi or Kebbi South configuration of his dream by any stretch of the imagination. At any rate, I am not exactly aware of the existence of any extended Belt of sufficient enough dimension, at the centre or in the Middle of which Kalgo may logically be deemed to have been factored into, and both legally and legitimately embraced.
These are just a few observations around the deliberate provocative narrative spins driven by the extremely wild and way off the mark conjectures informing that strange inclusion of the mentioned areas in the expansive buckle of the utopian Middle Belt concept that Mr. Luka Binniyat may wish to respond to.
In closing, I would still like to humbly restate that nothing I have said or written here is designed to detract from the essence of the primary message he is trying to convey around the recent nominations for the newly established NWDC Board.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The number of Nigerians that died in electricity-related incidents rose to 47.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2024, hitting 34 from the 23 fatalities recorded in Q2 during the period under review.
The latest report from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) stated that during the quarter (2024/Q2), no casualty was recorded among the Generation Companies (Gencos) while NESCO and Yola were the only Distribution Companies (Discos) that did not record casualties.
“Relative to 2024/Q1, the number of accidents increased by 14.55 per cent, that is, 55 to 63, while the number of fatalities increased by 47.83 per cent, that is 23 to 34, but the number of injuries decreased by 45.16 per cent,
Peter Uzoho
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has revealed that it supplied a total of 3 million metric tons of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) commonly known as cooling gas into the domestic market between 2007 when it set up the Domestic LPG Scheme (DLPG) and 2024.
Managing Director of NLNG, Dr Philip Mshelbila disclosed in Lagos at the 2024 annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), with the theme, “Sustainable Energy Growth in Nigeria – LPG and the Future.”
from 31 to 17,” NERC said.
Pursuant to Section 34(1)(e) of the Electricity Act 2023, which mandates the commission to ensure the provision of safe and reliable electricity to consumer, the commission said it had continued to monitor the health and safety performance of the sector.
According to NERC, licensees are mandated to submit monthly Health and Safety reports to the Commission in accordance with the requirements of their licence.
It added that in 2024/Q2, out of the 99 mandatory health and safety reports expected to be received from licensees, only 91 reports were received, assuring that it will continue to enforce 100 per cent reporting compliance by licensees as contained in the terms and conditions of their respective licences,
Represented by the company’s Manager, Marketing and Business Development, Mr. Ahmed Joda, he said the liquefaction company had been committed to ensuring that LPG serves the need of the Nigerian consumers.
He added that the operator of the six-trained Bonny Island-based plant had been fully committed to the domestic market in achieving its supply goal from over 50,000MT in 2007 to about 450,000MT in 2024.
Mshelbila confirmed that the local LPG market has recorded significant growth in consumption from that inception period in 2007 to around 1.5 million MT annually, currently.
and apply sanctions where applicable.
“During the quarter (2024/Q2), no casualty was recorded among the Gencos while NESCO and Yola were the only Discos that did not record casualties. Out of the 51 casualties reported in the quarter,” it stated.
According to NERC, the licensees with the highest number of casualties were Ibadan (13), Eko (eight), Jos (seven) and Enugu (six), which represented 25.49 per cent, 15.69 per cent, 13.73 per cent and 11.76 per cent of the total respectively.
As observed in previous quarters, NERC stated that Discos continue to account for the majority of the safety challenges experienced in the power industry, cumulatively accounting for 100 per cent of casualties recorded during the period. Aside causalities recorded in
He stated, “NLNG is fully committed to ensuring that LPG serves the need of the Nigerian consumers. It is to ensure this that the company set up the DLPG scheme in 2007 aimed at improving the quality of life of the average Nigerian.
“Since then, NLNG has been fully committed to the domestic market in achieving our supply goal from just over 50,000 metric tons in that first year to just a bit under 450,000 metric tons in 2023.
“And we are also pleased to see how the market has grown from that inception to somewhere around 1.5 million metric tons now. Between
2024/Q2, the power distributors also accounted for 98.48 per cent and 96.30 per cent in 2023/Q4 and 2024/Q1 respectively.
In addition, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), (23), Ibadan (two) and Eko (one) recorded damage to property and infrastructure due to explosions, fire outbreaks or acts of vandalism in 2024/Q2.
Number of fatalities from wire snap were eight and injury was one; fatalities from illegal or unauthorised access were 11, injury was one, while four persons died from incidents of vandalism.
Casualties from unsafe acts or conditions were 10 deaths and 14 injuries, while falls from heights recorded zero deaths and two injuries.
The commission stated that it has initiated investigations into all
2007 and 2023, NLNG has supplied cumulatively over 3 million tons of LPG into the domestic market, spiralling a steady rise in annual domestic consumption.”
However, despite the successes witnessed in the local LPG sector, Mshelbila noted some challenges impeding achieving the kind of growth needed including supply liability, infrastructure deficit, and pricing issues.
He said NLNG had generally demonstrated its commitment to working with industry players and all stakeholders to address these challenges.
Meanwhile, the federal
reported accidents and will enforce appropriate actions against licensees where necessary.
Furthermore, the commission noted that it continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategy for the power sector, stressing that it also implements various programmes aimed at improving the health and safety performance.
In June 2024, the biannual Health and Safety Manager’s Meeting, the commission said, was held with compliance and regulatory officers of licensees to discuss the reporting obligations of licensees as well as health and safety matters.
“During the meeting, licensees’ scorecards on compliance with health and safety standards, forum office decisions, and key performance
government has restated its commitment to ramping up Nigeria’s LPG consumption to 5 million MT by 2030 though formulation and implementation of supportive policies for the sector
Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo stated this at the conference.
Represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Abel Nsa, the minister specifically reiterated the government’s commitment to driving investment, infrastructure expansion, and policy support to ensure the affordability, stability, and broad adoption of cooking gas as part of Nigeria’s energy transition.
indicators were discussed while highlighting areas of improvement.
“In addition, the commission oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims in the sector. This is to ensure transparency of the settlement process and to help the victim’s family secure fair compensation for losses suffered.
“In 2024/Q2, the commission oversaw the successful conclusion of three compensation negotiations between licensees and families of victims of accidents,” the report added. Meanwhile, NERC has stated that it could trigger a total disconnection of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited from the national grid.
He emphasised that expanding LPG usage could significantly reduce the country’s reliance on biomass for cooking, improve public health, particularly for rural communities, and contribute to economic growth.
According to him, “Government’s target is to increase LPG consumption to 5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030, a goal that can be achieved through infrastructure development, market stability, and policies that incentivize investment in the LPG value chain.
L-R: Co-founder & Senior Partner, FIMA Africa, Mr. Markus Malerhofer; Head of Financial Reporting, Ecovis, and Council Member CIBN, Mr. Awolesi Opeoluwa; Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Lagos Mr. Weert Börner and Associate Partner (Practice Management), Ecovis OUC, Ms. Victoria Okpako at the Germany-Nigeria Business Forum held in Lagos… recently
Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia
The federal government has lauded the World Bank for its contribution towards Women’s Economic Empowerment in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Vitalis Obi, gave the commendation at the 2024 Joint Planning Board (JPB), and National Council on Development Planning (NCDP) meeting held in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
He maintained that gender
inclusive planning would improve the nation’s economic growth, noting that this would go a long way in smile operating poverty and social well being of women across the nation.
Obi averred that improving women’s access to finance through digital tools, creating genderresponsive policy interventions where both men and women would contribute to decision-making processes would yields more resilient and prosperous societies. While acknowledging Economic
The Chief Financial Officer, Seplat Energy, Mrs. Eleanor Adaralegbe has argued that Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and regulatory frameworks in African countries significantly shape oil and gas investments on the continent.
Adarakegbe, who said this during a panel session at the Africa Oil Week (AOW) Conference & Exhibitions in Cape Town, South Africa, noted that these factors influence costs, compliance requirements, and project risk profiles.
Eleanor, while speaking on the theme ‘ESG Investing: What strategies make African deals attractive in 2024?’, said to ensure compliance and manage ESG-related risks effectively, companies should conduct thorough due diligence, align with international standards, engage with stakeholders, implement robust policies, and maintain transparent reporting.
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“Clearly, ESG standards and regulatory frameworks in African countries significantly shape oil and gas investments. So, we need to take the right actions now. These actions not only mitigate risks but also create opportunities for enhanced stakeholder trust, improved financing options, and long-term project success,” the Seplat Energy CFO stressed.
According to her, investors assess potential projects by screening them against ESG benchmarks; of which projects that fail to meet minimum ESG standards are often excluded.
She said: “Comprehensive due diligence is conducted to identify ESG risks, including environmental impact, community relations, and governance practices. Investors may use frameworks like the Equator Principles or International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards. In this regard, Seplat Energy is ahead, proactively setting up to ensure readiness very much aligned with Strategy.
“Seplat Energy has shown commitment, which is driven from the top- Board, special board committee on ESG matters, and Sustainability management committee chaired by the CEO.”
Eleanor advocated the need for operators in the energy space to building a sustainable business through social development, focusing on environmental care and reporting as well as maximising returns for shareholders.
With a mission to deliver the energy transition in Nigeria through upstream, midstream and new energy pillars, she identified the roles of strong governance and HSE, as is the case with Seplat Energy’s operations in Nigeria.
Investors, she explained, are increasingly pushing for energy transition projects, such as natural gas developments that serve as a bridge to renewable energy; with also a growing interest in carbon offset initiatives linked to oil and gas operations, which could help mitigate climate impacts.
Planning as a catalyst to prosperity for all citizens, he said gender plays a crucial role in shaping economic outcome.
The federal permanent secretary noted that gender innovations in economic planning will integrate gender-responsive approach into the budgeting processes, policy frameworks and development
strategies.
On his part, the Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) Director, Dr Plangsat Dayil, called on policymakers to effectively integrate gender-specific data and evidence into their economic planning processes. According to her, “Collection and analyze gender-specific
data that provides insights into women’s participation in the economy, their needs, challenges, and opportunities.”
Speaking, he Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning for Anambra State, Chiamaka Nnake, identified economic, social, and cultural norms policies as major factors responsible for marginalization of women participation in politics thereby causing disparity in the society. The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Benue state, prof Jerome Andohol, emphasised the need to leverage on some of the interventions that were forwarded by the World Bank and some other supporting agencies.
Agnes Ekebuike
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has emphasised the need for Africans to see global challenges in the areas of inflation, environmental crises and geopolitical tensions as opportunities to grow the African economy.
The minister who said this while presenting his keynote address during the RMB Nigeria Think Summit in Lagos, highlighted the various global challenges, such as inflation, environmental crises, and geopolitical tensions, but framed them as opportunities for Africa
to rise to the top. He stressed the importance of leveraging Africa’s youthful population by prioritising digital skills and up-skilling efforts to make the continent competitive on the global stage.
“We must realise that the future workforce lies in Africa, but it’s essential to ensure that our people have the digital skill set required to thrive. Many countries are aging, and Africa’s youthful population presents a unique opportunity to fill that gap,” Tijani said.
He added that technology and connectivity would be pivotal in ensuring that Africa remains productive and competitive,
emphasising the ongoing investments in fiber optic infrastructure to boost digital access.
Tijani stressed the need for leadership as a critical take-away from the summit, and urged both public and private sectors to assume responsibility in driving change, noting that leadership extends beyond political offices and must be a focus in all sectors of society.
The RMB Nigeria Think Summit 2024, themed: “Future Reimagined,” brought together industry leaders and key stakeholders to explore the future of business, technology, and society. The event, which originated in South Africa in 2011, has now
expanded its reach to Nigeria and West Africa, providing a platform for critical conversations about how the continent can position itself in a rapidly changing world. CEO of RMB Nigeria, Bayo Ajayi, spoke on the significance of the theme, emphasising that the summit goes beyond financial matters to cover broader societal challenges. He noted that ‘thinking’ about the future is crucial as globalization and disruptions in various sectors reshape the world. Ajayi urged attendees to reflect on how they can adapt to these changes and position themselves for success.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
A coalition of oil-producing African countries is seeking $5 billion to launch an “energy bank” that would fund projects on the continent, as frustration grows over the reluctance of western institutions to bankroll fossil fuel initiatives because of environmental concerns, FT has reported.
The 18-member African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation
(APPO) hopes the lender can begin operating in early 2025, according to the Executive Vice President of global trade at the African Export-Import Bank, Haytham El Maayergi, a partner in the project.
Africa’s oil producers have encountered funding restrictions from traditional western backers, including multilateral institutions whose rules increasingly bar them from oil and gas investing.
The World Bank stopped financing upstream oil and gas projects in 2019 while the African Development Bank, which has the US as its number two shareholder, does not put money into fossil fuel projects.
El Maayergi, however, insisted that “Africa’s context is totally different from what you find elsewhere” because its resources had not been fully developed and it had made only a minimal
contribution to climate change. El Maayergi said there were other projects in Africa that were unconnected to fossil fuels, such as electricity infrastructure, that also needed funding.
Standard Chartered last year pulled out of a billion-dollar deal to finance a pipeline to carry crude from landlocked Uganda to the Tanzanian coast after the proposed project became a target for environmental activists.
Emma Okonji
Experts in the fields of technology and medicine have acknowledged the positive impact of technology in driving global digital transformation, but have argued that over dependence on digital tools and social media platforms have significantly increased mental health issues in ways that cannot be quantified.
According to the experts, mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness, as they quoted the World Health Organisation, (WHO), which said approximately 450 million people globally, struggle with mental illness, and an estimated 25 per cent of the global population is expected to face mental health challenges at some points in their lives.
The experts spoke in Lagos at a summit organised by Mindsplace in commemoration of World
Mental Health Day, with the theme: ‘Awakening Minds-Access, Awareness and Action’.
One of the keynote speakers, and Director, Digital Transformation, ARM Holdings, Ina Alogwu, who spoke on the sub theme: ‘Digital Transformation and Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities’, blamed the increasing rate of mental disorder on over-dependence on digital tools and social media platforms, which he said, have reduced the attention span of social media addicts and also separated them from human interaction with others, a development he described as mental disorder.
According to him, the animal with the shortest attention span has been known to be the goldfish, because the average attention span of a goldfish is eight seconds, but the over-dependence on technology
tools like the digital tools and social media platforms by human beings that have become addicted to digital tools and social media platforms, have contributed to the increase in mental health issues globally.
“What over-dependence on digital tools has done is that it has reduced the attention span of the human beings to seven seconds. So our attention span is actually shorter than the attention span of the animal that was known to have the shortest attention span. And when you then look at the implication of that, there have been studies that indicate that the prevalence and the incidences of mental health increases as human interactions reduce. Again, there are arguments for or against, but essentially there have been a lot of correlations drawn between nonhuman interactions and an increase in mental health issues, specifically with
regards to depression and anxiety,” Alogwu said.
Another keynote speaker, who is Director, Perchstone & Graeys Consulting Limited, Dr. Tolu Aderemi, who was represented by a Lawyer, Chigozie Oka, spoke on the sub theme: ‘Mental Health And Human Rights in Nigeria-Past, Present and Future’. Aderemi described mental health as a vital state of well-being that empowers individuals to realise their potential, cope with the stresses of daily life, work productively, and contribute meaningfully to their community particularly in legal society.
“Despite its importance, mental health remains a marginalised issue in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. While many countries have embraced progress, Nigeria continues to lag behind.
The failed legal bid by manufacturers to stop the implementation of
tariff in the face of high cost of credit and deteriorating value of
concerns in the industrial sector, writes dike onwuamaeze
Last week’s defeat of a law suit brought by the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) before a Federal High Court in Lagos, which challenged the implementation of over 300 per cent increase in electricity tariff, is spreading doom and gloom in the country’s industrial sector. In April 2024 the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved the hiking of electricity tariff for Band “A” customers, which included manufacturing firm, from N68 to N225 per kwhr. It later reviewed it downward in May from N225 to N206.8 per kwhr. Following the NERC’s approval of the upward review of the electricity tariff, MAN petitioned the commission against the hike in tariff. MAN also requested that due process should be followed before any increment could be approved by NERC.
While the petition was still pending before the NERC, the Discos started implementing the new tariff order for their Band “A” customers, which included manufacturing companies. This prompted MAN to approach the court to seek for an injunction restraining Discos from going ahead with the implementation of the new tariff order and that the Discos should continue to supply electricity to member companies of MAN at the existing tariff rate of N68 per kwhr pending the outcome of the petition before the NERC.
PreliMiNary objeCtioNs
However, the Discos and NERC raised preliminary objections against the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter on the grounds that the MAN had not totally explored the administrative remedies prescribed by the Electricity Act, vis-à-vis the 30-day period provided in the Act for NERC to respond to a petition, before coming to court. They also raised objection along the line of abuse of court process since a similar action in which MAN was a party, is pending in the Kano Division of the Federal High Court. The suit was consequently struck out on October 7 by the Federal High Court, Lagos, which directed that the proceedings before the NERC should be exhausted before the court could be approached. Notwithstanding that the court did not affirm the legality of the contested tariff review by the NERC, some members of MAN have been notified of their graduation to ‘Band A’ immediately after the judgment. In a particular case, the monthly bill of a medium scale industry was raised from N8 million to N30 million.
Operators in the manufacturing sector are currently apprehensive that current tariff regime would worsen their operational cost. The MAN’s analysis on the implication of the Band “A” electricity tariff in April showed that a medium sized company using 700kw would need to pay about N1.4 billion per annum (700 x 225 x 24 x 365) for electricity.
The MAN claimed that in China, a similar medium sized company utilizing 700kw would pay a little over N24 million (700 x 94.14 x 24 x 365).
It said: “In the United states of America (USA), United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, India, South Africa, Ghana and Benin Republic, prevailing electricity cost per kilowatt hour are $0.1545, $ 0.3063, $0.53,$0.0573,$0.076, $0.068, $0.0999, $0.123 and $0.195 respectively.
“The conversion values of the aforementioned electricity cost in Naira are N191.38, N379.41, N656.50, N70.98, N94.14, N84.23, N64.53, N152.36 and N125.95 respectively.
“Clearly, with the new tariff of N225/ kwh, Nigeria now ranks third after Germany and United Kingdom on the list of countries with high electricity cost.”
MaN’s laMeNtatioN
The manufacturing association lamented that the “increase is coming on the heels of macroeconomic instability, infrastructure deficits, as well as other supply side constraints limiting the performance of the productive sector.
“Over 65 per cent of private businesses, especially manufacturing concerns and SMIs, may be forced to close down due to the high electricity tariff,” MAN said.
Apart from the high cost of electricity supply to industries, the avalanche of market oriented reforms that were unleashed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration since May 29, 2023 is not bringing any respite for the manufacturers.
The core of Tinubu’s reform measure was the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the Naira in the foreign exchange market.
But there unintended consequences are having a telling impact on the fortunes of Nigerian industrialists. For instance, these
Band “A” electricity
naira is spreading
reforms spiked the price of petrol from N200 per litre in May 2023 to N1,150 per litre currently while the exchange rate of the Naira depreciated significantly from N450 per dollar in May 2023 to N1,700, making the cost of imported raw material and servicing foreign exposures extremely difficult for businesses.
MultiNatioNal
MaNufaCturiNG exodus
Commenting on the macroeconomic reality and its impact on the industrial sector, the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria attributed the wave of exodus of multinational manufacturing concerns from Nigeria to the deterioration in the exchange value of the Naira.
These companies that have left Nigerian included household names like Procter & Gamble (P&G) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to manufacturers like Kimberly-Clark, etc.
The CIoD said: “This exodus is driven by a complex interplay of factors that make operations challenging. Obtaining foreign exchange (FX) is a significant hurdle for MNCs. The volatility in the exchange rate creates untold hardship for businesses.
“The lack of an easily accessible liquid FX market, where companies can easily buy and sell foreign currency at market rates, significantly hinders their operations.
“This makes it hard for them to repatriate profits in dollars or euros, impacting their global bottom line.”
It added that companies like P&G struggled to access dollars to import raw materials and repatriate profits, leading to their departure.
Similarly, erratic and unreliable power supply is another chronic problem for Nigerian manufacturers as frequent outages disrupt production, increase reliance on
expensive generators, and raise operational costs for MNCs.
“This lack of stable electricity makes it difficult to maintain efficient production lines and plan for the future. Manufacturers like Kimberly-Clark, which rely heavily on consistent power for production, might have found this energy situation untenable, leading to their exit,” the CIoD said.
Exasperated by the daunting Nigerian business environment, the President Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, declared that Nigeria’s business environment is too tense for businesses to thrive. Idahosa also expressed concerns that businesses are at a crossroads with policy directions of the government and needed a positive national orientation to navigate the stormy waters they have found themselves today.
He, therefore, tasked the federal government to come plain to Nigerians and businesses on the direction of their policies and what near-term achievements are possible in order to build some level of certainty to support business planning and decisions.
Idahosa said: “With the CBN’s monetary policy rate at 27.25 percent (with allowance up to about 34 per cent), inflation elevated at 32.15 percent (August 2024), an exchange rate above N1620 per Dollar, and an unemployment rate at 5.3 per cent, we run a business environment that is too tense for businesses to thrive. Since the inception of this administration, petrol prices have risen by about 430 percent to date.
“These indicators may worsen in the coming months due to a thriving speculative environment, harsh regulatory ecosystem, unguided controversies, persistent insecurity challenges, and weakening purchasing power that restrain demand for goods and services.”
The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com
It is with a heavy heart that we must again address the recurring tragedy on Nigeria’s inland waterways. In the past five years, over 1,500 innocent lives have been cut short by avoidable boat mishaps across the nation. This tragic trend shows no signs of abating, as evidenced by the nearly 300 lives already lost in 2024 alone. From Lagos to Kano, and from Adamawa to Cross River, the grim statistics are a haunting reminder of the unchecked menace threatening the safety and livelihoods of Nigerians dependent on the waterways. On Monday, October 7th, yet another preventable tragedy unfolded in Lagos State as two overcrowded boats collided in the lagoon near Imore town, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, resulting in three confirmed deaths and two missing persons. This latest incident is not an isolated accident but a painful reflection of systemic failures and a gross abdication of responsibility by regulatory authorities and boat operators. These incessant boat mishaps are not merely accidents—they are the direct result of negligence, recklessness, and incompetence. Rickety, poorly maintained boats, blatant overloading, and a shocking disregard for safety regulations are all
too common on our waterways. Worse still, underwater wrecks litter the routes, creating navigational hazards that further endanger passengers. Despite this appalling state of affairs, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the federal agency charged with enforcing safety standards on our inland waters, has consistently demonstrated a disturbing lack of capacity and will to fulfil its mandate. NIWA’s inadequacies are further compounded by similar failures at the state level, where local regulatory and safety agencies have all but abandoned their responsibilities to ensure safe passage for Nigerians. The culpability of NIWA in the ongoing boat mishaps is undeniable. Year after year, we hear ambitious plans and lofty promises from NIWA officials, but their rhetoric has yielded no tangible results. The authority’s failure to act decisively on safety issues can no longer be overlooked. What has NIWA done to ensure that boats operating on our waterways are seaworthy? Where is the enforcement of safety protocols to prevent overloading and compel the use of life jackets? Why are operators allowed to continue using boats that are little more than floating death traps? The agency’s tepid response to these
pressing issues is inexcusable. We need action, not empty words, from NIWA. It is clear that unless there is a comprehensive overhaul in both policy and leadership, the agency will remain ineffective in safeguarding the lives of Nigerians.
The responsibility for these tragic incidents also lies with state safety and regulatory agencies, which, like NIWA, have failed to enforce safety regulations adequately. These agencies were created to oversee and protect local waterways, yet they, too, have consistently fallen short of their obligations. It is unconscionable that in coastal states, where boats serve as a vital means of transportation and livelihood for many, the authorities have allowed safety standards to lapse so egregiously. Instead of being proactive, these agencies respond to each new tragedy with the same tired excuses and ineffectual platitudes. Such a dereliction of duty is beyond unacceptable—it is a betrayal of public trust.
Meanwhile, boat operators have proven to be equally negligent, placing profits over the safety of their passengers. Many operators knowingly overload boats far beyond safe limits, ignoring basic safety regulations in pursuit of extra fares. These operators
gamble with lives every day, exploiting the lack of oversight to cut corners. The tragic cost of their recklessness is now painfully evident. It is high time these operators are held accountable for endangering the lives of those who depend on them for transportation.
The federal and state governments can no longer afford to be reactive, issuing hollow condolences after the fact. It’s time for proactive, lifesaving solutions to ensure safety on our waterways. We must implement immediate reforms and strong penalties to end this endless cycle of death. First, NIWA must be overhauled and empowered to enforce safety standards rigorously. This includes conducting regular inspections of all boats to ensure their seaworthiness and strictly penalising operators who overload vessels or ignore safety regulations. All boats should be required to carry enough life jackets for every passenger, and these must be worn at all times.
• Dr. Bolaji Akinola is a maritime expert and the CEO of Ships & Ports.
Ejiofor Alike
Leading indigenous energy solutions provider, Techno Oil Limited and other reputable companies have been inducted into the Bank of Industry (BoI) Hall of Fame, for demonstrating integrity in their business operations.
Other companies inducted into the Hall of Fame, include: May & Baker, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Poly Products Nigeria Limited, Falcon Corporation, Lucky Fibre Limited, and Dantata Plastics Limited, among others.
The companies were inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony presided over by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BOI, Mr. Olasupo Olusi, in Lagos at the weekend.
Speaking during the induction, Olusi said it was part of activities lined up by the BoI to round off Customer Service Week, which was commemorated nationwide last week.
“We proudly honour our Hall of Fame inductees for
their resilience in managing credit risk. These customers have exemplified outstanding commitment and trust, embodying what it means to be resilient and driving success alongside us,” he explained.
He described the companies as pillars of excellence, saying that the bank and the companies would remain partners in progress.
Techno Oil and the other companies got the recognition for what was described as their high ethical standards and integrity in their business operations in the face of current challenges in the economy.
The companies were lauded for repaying loans granted to them on schedule and showing outstanding character in repaying various credit facilities granted to them over the years.
Speaking after the induction of Techno Oil into the Hall of Fame, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Techno Oil, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, described the recognition as another honour for the Techno
Oil Group.
She said that Techno Oil had maintained an unwavering commitment to ethical operations, integrity, safety and flawless operational standards since it commenced operations.
Obi said that the company would continue to add value to its customers and stakeholders and also sustain its position as Nigeria’s leading player in the downstream.
According to her, the induction into the BoI Hall of Fame will spur the company to do more for the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
``We will sustain our position as Nigeria’s number one energy solutions provider and keep our vision and mission as an ethical company,’’ Obi said.
Techno Oil, founded in 1997, has more than 500 employees with operational offices in different parts of the country.
The company had clinched various awards in the past, including the Lifetime Oil & Gas Achievement Award, awarded at the Nigeria International Energy Summit.
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced that it will once again be sponsoring this year’s edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair. This marks the sixth consecutive year, where UBA will be the official financial partner of this all-important event.
The fair is organised annually by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), and is scheduled to take place in Lagos.
At a press briefing to announce the fair, Vice President, LCCI, Akinbo Akin Olugbade, applauded UBA for its continued support of the fair and SMEs in Africa.
While addressing key stakeholders, press-men and other partners at the event, he said, “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our reputable sponsor, UBA, for their unwavering sup-
port and commitment to the success of this fair. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we are truly appreciative of your partnership.“
He took time to speak on the exceptional opportunities this year’s edition will offer to SMEs, business owners and advertisers, adding that these benefits include improved networking possibilities and promotion of international trade amongst others.
UBA’s Head, SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi, highlighted the bank’s strengthened commitment to supporting African businesses, announcing a substantial $6 billion loan facility dedicated to SME development.
He said, “Our six-year partnership with LCCI has been tremendously successful because our missions align perfectly. We are focused on providing our customers with com -
prehensive market access and seamless transaction capabilities through our extensive retail presence and digital platforms which will be made available at the fair,” said Ajayi.
Ajayi noted that the bank’s support will extend beyond traditional banking services, as they will offer direct customer engagement opportunities, payment collection and repatriation services for African exhibitors and advanced digital banking platforms for efficient transactions.
The collaboration between UBA and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry to host the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair presents a major opportunity for SMEs to expand, connect, and explore new possibilities, which could stimulate economic growth and play a key role in Nigeria achieving its $1 trillion economy.
Omotayo Philip Dada has formally assumed duty as the Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL) a leading outfit in the maritime industry
Dada is coming with a combination of robust top management and vast board room experience rising through the ranks at Prot Consulting as a Field Sales Officer before he made the transition to FedEx - Red Star Express PLC, where he excelled as a Customer Service Supervisor.
The new MD succeeded Ismail Yusuf, that retired recently, has held pivotal roles as Business Development Manager for the Aviation and Oil
& Gas sectors, Regional Manager for Lagos, and Regional Head for the South-South/South-East at FedEx - Red Star Express Plc. He successfully led the team as Head of Business (Nationwide) at Red Star Support Services, a subsidiary of Red Star Express Plc, ensuring the attainment of sales targets through strategic sales plans. With an expansive career spanning about one and half decade, Omotayo is armed with expertise in revenue generation, sales, operations, business expansion, and logistics management across diverse sectors, promising
to generate and manage constructive feedbacks to achieve optimum productivity
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics a Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos. In addition he holds a Certificate of Proficiency in Information Systems Management from Aptech Worldwide Computer Education and has completed executive management training, and leadership programs from Skillsoft Corporation, Rossette Associates, Work Force Group, FedEx Purple Academy, Red Star Academy among others
Kayode Tokede
Transcorp Power Plc, yesterday announced its financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of the year ending September 30, 2024, with profit before tax of N81.1 billion, about 198 per cent increase from N27.3 billion in the previous year.
The company also achieved a profit after tax of N58.5 billion in Q3 2024, about 186 per cent growth from N20.4 billion reported in Q3 2023.
In its Q3 2024 unaudited results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Transcorp Power reported revenue of N223.6 billion, representing a significant 153per cent growth over N88.4 billion in Q3 2023.
In addition, Transcorp Power’s net finance cost reduced to N538.3 million in Q3 2024, down by by 95 per cent from N10.4 billion in Q3 2023.
However, the company’s total assets stood at N362.5 billion as
of September 30, 2024, an increase of 62 per cent from N223.4 billion in 2023. Also, hareholders’ funds closed September 2024 at N105 billion, up by 82 per cent from N57.9 billion reported in 2023 full financial year.
Commenting on the results, MD/CEO, Transcorp Power, Peter Ikenga in a statement attributed the Q3 2024 performance it to a strategic vision, hard work, and relentless pursuit of operational excellence.
He said, “Despite the distribution and transmission infrastructural challenges faced in the Power Sector, Transcorp Power has once again demonstrated exceptional financial growth, as reflected in our impressive results.
“We continue to strive to bridge the energy gap in Nigeria, in line with our purpose to improve lives. I am proud to report that we have sustained our remarkable growth trajectory and maintained our
position as a leading contributor to the country’s power sector, accounting for approximately 10per cent of total power generated on the national grid.
“As the market transitions into the bilateral contracts, as contained in the Electricity Act, we are optimistic about sustaining the momentum by capitalizing on more strategic investment opportunities and providing additional value to our shareholders.”
In response to the results, the Chief Financial Officer, Transcorp Power, Evans Okpogoro, expressed strong confidence in the company’s financial trajectory, stating:
“We are proud to announce significant growth across all our metrics. Our commitment to disciplined cost management and operational efficiency has not only enabled us to sustain robust margins but has also positioned us to outperform industry averages in key areas.
The Nigeria Energy Exhibition returns for its 11th edition, bringing together key stakeholders across the energy and power sector to encourage discussions and partnerships aimed at advancing the sector in Nigeria and across the region. Holding at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, from 15th to 17th October, 2024, the exhibition seeks to address the critical challenges in West Africa’s energy sector given that Nigeria serves as West Africa’s premier platform, bringing together contractors, developers, investors, project owners, and utilities to collaborate and create reliable energy solutions that address the region’s growing energy demands. Organised by Informa Markets, the conference also aims to promote West Africa’s clean energy transition while focusing on sustainable power generation, innovation, investment, and energy access. This year’s event, themed ‘Breaking Barriers in the New Energy Era: Clean, Reliable, and Sustainable,’ will gather over 6,500 participants, including industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. Speaking with Ade Yesufu, Exhibition Director, Energy Portfolio – MEA, Informa Markets, he shares this year’s vision for the conference and the various opportunities available for participants to engage in. Precious Ugwuzor brings excerpts:
How does the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference contribute to addressing West Africa's energy access challenges?
Nigeria Energy has been a catalyst for change within the energy sector. Now, in its 11th edition, the show will delve into the specific technological and infrastructure challenges impeding the clean energy transition in West Africa. These challenges include limited grid capacity, the need for innovative energy storage solutions, and the development of affordable and reliable energy technologies. By bringing together experts in these fields, we aim to identify practical solutions and foster collaboration to overcome these hurdles, accelerating the region’s transition to a clean energy future.
Our exhibition features five product sectors: Renewable Energy, Transmission & Distribution, Critical and Back-up Power, Smart Solutions, and Energy Consumption and Management. We cater to the local market by showcasing innovative solutions that are both affordable and sustainable. Our exhibitors represent different parts of the world, including China, India, Pakistan, UAE, Germany, and the UK.
The theme for this year’s edition focuses on renewables. Can you elaborate on the theme of ‘Breaking barriers in the new energy era: Clean, Reliable, and Sustainable’?
The theme of 'Breaking Barriers in the New Energy Era' aims to address the key obstacles hindering the clean energy transition in West Africa by focusing on two primary areas: policy and investment. First, the event will highlight the need for supportive government policies that incentivise renewable energy development and conventional power systems, streamline regulatory processes, and ensure grid integration.
Second, it will address the critical challenge of attracting sufficient investment to fund large-scale clean energy projects. By fostering dialogue between policymakers, utilities, investors, and industry experts, we hope to create a favourable environment for the growth of energy in the region.
With over 6,500 local and international stakeholders expected, what are the key takeaways expected from the Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit?
The Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among key stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, investors, and technology providers. We aim to create a conducive environment for policy development, investment attraction, and technology adoption in the renewable energy sector.
The conference will address critical challenges such as limited infrastructure capacity and inefficient quality. We will explore solutions like advanced grid modernisation technologies, policy frameworks to incentivise renewable energy investments, and capacity building for local professionals.
Addressing these challenges positions Nigeria and West Africa as leaders in the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources. The conference will drive economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability in the region.
The event will feature two impactful conferences - a high-level Leadership Summit
and a Technical Seminar. What role does the Technical Seminar play in fostering technological innovation in the energy sector?
The Technical Seminar at Nigeria Energy 2024 fosters technological innovation by bringing together experts, innovators, and stakeholders to share insights and advancements. It serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, discussing emerging trends, and addressing challenges. The theme for the technical seminar is ‘Bridging the Gap: Showcasing Innovations for Affordable and Accessible Power in Nigeria.’
The Seminar will feature knowledgedriven workshops and seminars led by industry leaders, deep-diving into topics like energy efficiency and capacity building. This collaborative environment sparks new ideas and accelerates the
The Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among key stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, investors, and technology providers. We aim to create a conducive environment for policy development, investment attraction, and technology adoption in the renewable energy sector
adoption of sustainable energy solutions.
With the launch of the Energy-X Contest, how do you plan to support young African entrepreneurs in the energy industry?
We have launched the Energy-X Contest to identify and empower emerging leaders passionate about driving the energy transition in Nigeria. By nurturing entrepreneurship among university students and young graduates, it catalyses the development of groundbreaking ideas in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.
We have also introduced the Future Incubation Programme, which acts as an extension to the contest, providing mentorship and access to industry networks for participating students.
What are the biggest regulatory and policy challenges hindering Nigeria’s energy transition, and how will they be addressed at the conference?
Nigeria’s energy transition faces regulatory and policy challenges, including insufficient clarity in renewable energy policies, lengthy approval processes, and a lack of incentives for private investment. The grid infrastructure also struggles to integrate renewable sources.
At Nigeria Energy 2024, these issues will be addressed through discussions with policymakers, industry leaders, and regulators to explore reforms. We will highlight the need for clear, actionable policies, investment-friendly frameworks, and grid modernisation to support the country's shift towards sustainable energy.
How will the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference facilitate partnerships between local and international investors?
The Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference’s VIP Hosted Buyer Programme is designed to create a high-level networking platform that fosters partnerships between local and international investors. This year, we are bringing 150+ VIPs and investors, including government representatives, utility companies, major energy developers, and technology providers. Through exclusive meetings, tailored matchmaking sessions, and dedicated networking opportunities, local stakeholders can present investment-ready projects, while international investors gain access to emerging market opportunities in Nigeria’s energy sector. This programme also helps international investors navigate Nigeria’s regulatory landscape by facilitating direct interaction with government officials and regulatory bodies, easing concerns over regulatory risks, and making Nigeria’s energy market more attractive for foreign investment.
Tolagbe Soleye Martins is a seasoned strategy and communications professional. Fresh from the success of her recent conference, "The Language of Retail: The Customer is King," held at the Civic Centre, Lagos, she continues to revolutionise the retail landscape with her innovative approach. Drawing on her multifaceted experience as a Nigerian brand advocate, end-user, student of human behaviour, and self-proclaimed “excellent shopper”, Martins shares her inspiring journey of empowering Nigerian businesses and women, paving the way for a brighter economic future in this interview with Mary Nnah
Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to become a strategy and communications professional?
I think I’ve ended up as a strategy and communications consultant because I’ve worked across so many different industries; healthcare, technology, logistics, hospitality-one develops an understanding that fundamentally, success depends on the clarity of execution (strategy) and the clarity of the narrative and storytelling (communications). Running more than one business requires a ‘big picture' approach with a qualified and experienced team.
How does your educational background in Psychology and Philosophy influence your approach to business and communications?
I studied Social Psychology with philosophy for my first degree and then I obtained a masters degree in Organisational Psychology. Everyone knows that psychology is the study of human behaviour but I think people miss that it’s a battle of opposing theories or ideas about the reasons behind the behaviour.
You learn very quickly to take a position and defend it with data or “receipts” as young people say today. In business, it’s very similar. You want to communicate why your service/ product is the best and get people to buy into that. So you tell brand stories, you advertise, you promote in order for people to choose you.
You've worked on various projects across environment, technology, healthcare, and emergency services. What drives your passion for public-private partnerships?
With nearly a decade of experience in consulting on various partnerships across sectors - healthcare, waste management, emergency response, outsourced manpower, and power - I have witnessed first-hand the transformative potential of well-structured partnerships. PPPs offer a viable solution to the conundrum of limited resources by combining the resources, expertise, and efficiency of the private sector with the public sector's regulatory authority and social mandate.
How do you balance leading a multidisciplinary team and supporting small businesses and government agencies?
As I’ve evolved, I’ve realised that my strength lies in systems design and processes. That has taught me to hire for my weaknesses so that the team supporting our endeavours can function optimally with me providing the vision and the voice.
Can you share a success story from your work with The TM Grammar Ministry or
The Social Place Lagos?
The TM Grammar Ministry is a wonderful confirmation of the importance of leaning into your gifts. My ability to write and speak well is something I decided to share with the world initially as content, later on as free classes during Covid. It has evolved into a learning and development company and we run programmes and workshops to improve communication and address common workplace challenges. To date, we’ve trained across sectors, retail obviously but we have clients in Public Relations, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Marketing and Healthcare.
What motivated you to co-found The Social Place and what lessons did you learn from its success?
My sister trained as a chef after university and my doctor mother has a wonderful green thumb so together, we created a multi-use indoor/outdoor space that served meals and events and functioned as a Lagos hub pre-Instagram. A lot of the lessons I’m sharing with Africurate came from hosting pop-ups, marketplaces and networking events with small business owners.
How did you identify the need for Africurate and its flagship seminar, "The Language of Retail"?
I developed The Language of Retail, drawing on my experience as a Nigerian brand advocate, as an end user, as a student of human behaviour, as a Nigerian and above all, an excellent shopper! I realised that there was a marked difference between the hospitality and retail experience in other countries, even African ones and that the Nigerian mindset towards service needs a shift. The goal remains to support businesses with science backed behavioural insights that will ensure they understand the peculiarities of this market and adapt to thrive and maximise value.
What inspired the concept of "The Language of Nigerian Women" docuseries?
I’m obsessed with our resilience, our excellence and our drive and I felt inspired to shine a light on ten good women. We’re in the final stages of post-production and our 3 part documentary will be out before the end of the year.
How do you think Nigerian businesses can improve their customer service and retail experiences?
Training - our culture doesn’t really lend itself to active listening, clear communication of their services and products and patience. These are all skills that are essential for delivering a top quality experience.
What role do you believe women play in shaping the future of various industries in Nigeria?
Do you remember that famous Whitney Houston song? Let me paraphrase it “I believe Nigerian women are the future, treat them well and let them lead the way”.
I know however that no one will “let us” so it’s up to us to build our tables, create our structures and lift one another up. I honestly strive to do that in every aspect of my life.
How do you prioritise your own professional growth and development?
I’m fortunate to be a good learner. I am able to pick concepts up quickly. The diverse nature of my client base and projects forces me to keep learning about different industries and sectors.
What advice would you give to young professionals seeking to make an impact in their respective industries?
You have to build capacity and hone your skills. The future of work is constantly being debated but I know that having the capacity to learn and unlearn will always be crucial. You have to be curious about how things work, how teams are connected and be prepared to be a solid and reliable player.
What's next for Africurate and "The Language of Retail"?
Digital products. We have identified key training needs and are working on making our knowledge more accessible.
How do you envision your work contributing to Nigeria's economic growth and development?
Workplace readiness skills are essential attributes and behaviours that employers seek in candidates. These skills enable employees to navigate workplace dynamics, enhance professionalism, and maintain productivity. Our work is targeted to this very real gap and it’s our long term strategy to partner with organisations that will partner with us to scale this impact.
What's your favourite aspect of being an excellent shopper?
Discovering new African and Nigerian talent! Last year, I discovered some brands in Kenya and Rwanda and I love that I can combine
them with everything from a high street find to an aso-oke or adire piece.
How do you unwind and relax outside of work?
I started a fitness journey two years ago and I really enjoy barre- a ballet, Pilates and strength training fusion. I take 2/3 classes a week and have even signed up for sessions while on vacation!
What message would you like to share with our audience?
We owe it to ourselves to give of our time, talents and expertise.
How can people connect with you and learn more about your work?
@tmgrammar has an active instagram and tiktok page and also has content on Youtube.
Can you tell us about your family background and upbringing? What values did your parents instil in you?
We were raised by busy doctors with multiple business interests. We were made aware of our relative privilege and the need to excel; I’m the third generation to attend University and my paternal grandfather, also a medical doctor, was one of the first Nigerian permanent secretaries in northern Nigeria. Creating value and community were very much values that were emphasised.
How did your parents support your educational and career goals?
Unequivocally, even when I switched to psychology when they were expecting me to study Law, they took the time to understand potential career paths. Of course, now that I provide healthcare services, my mother is constantly reminding me that it would be so much easier if I had qualified as a doctor like she did!
Are you from a family of entrepreneurs? Did that influence your decision to start your own businesses?
My parents were the first example of multi passionate entrepreneurs that I ever saw. At the height of my father’s career, he ran two hospitals, built several more for clients and distributed major pharmaceutical brands while manufacturing skin care products.
My mother is a granddaughter of JH Dohertythe Lagos “Merchant Prince’ and she supported my very first business selling greeting cards at my remote boarding school. The Spring term with Valentine’s Day was especially hectic! She has given the same unwavering support to every idea and passion that I have pursued.
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
GUIDE TO DATA:
Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 11-October-2024, unless otherwise stated.
Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Ikeja, Lagos, Air Vice Marshal Kolade Ademuwagun; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; and Commander Equipment and Supply Depot, Air Commodore E Akintunde, during a courtesy visit to the governor’s office, Secretariat, Ibadan
Seeks FRSC’s partnership to curb tanker accidents
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, yesterday said that oil pipelines in the country had become obsolete, reason the federal government was seeking investors to revamp the over 5,200 kilometres infrastructure nationwide.
Speaking when the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, visited him yesterday in Abuja, the minister stated that though it wasn’t normal practice to resort to tankers to move petroleum products, Nigeria will have to make do with it for now, until the pipelines are rehabilitated.
He stated that the ministry was deeply concerned by the recurrent cases of accidents as a result of some of the peculiarities that Nigeria faces at this particular time, but agreed that ordinarily products should be transferred through the pipelines.
“Ordinarily, petroleum products ought to be transported through pipelines to nearer locations where people can come and then take to final their destination. But most of the pipelines have already outlived their lifespans, and it's very capital intensive to replace them.
“And so those discussions are still going on. You'll recall that before this administration, for 12 years, there had been majorly no investment in the oil sector, not just upstream but also midstream and downstream. And it was because a lot of people felt
that Nigeria's governance structure wasn't really steady.
“It took too long for the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to be passed. And the PIA was first introduced when I was in the Senate in 2007/2008. That was when it was first introduced.
“It wasn't passed until 2021. And everybody wants to bring dollars to invest in an environment where there is certainty. And so investment didn't come into the country for some of those reasons, together with some fiscal reasons where some people felt that our fiscal conditions were not globally competitive.
“But all those things are changing now. We've been able to bring back the confidence that is needed for investments to flow in. And so those investments will come in. And that is why today you have Dangote Refinery. You also have a couple of other modular refineries that are coming up,” the minister said.
He explained that as a government, the dream was to give support to all local refineries, pointing out that one of the issues faced had to do with distribution of the products to their final destination.
He told the FRSC to ensure that vehicles are certified roadworthy before they are given products and also ensuring the training of drivers before they can carry products around the country.
“So we want to also use this opportunity to also solicit for support that you certify the tanker drivers that drive trucks. It is in the interest
of the drivers. It is also in the interest of the public that when products are conveyed from depots to the market, they are conveyed safely to the destination.
“I also want to use this opportunity to say that at the ministry, we are committed to strengthening our collaboration with the FRSC. If there's anything that we can do on the issues of training, support, the issue of material support in the form of ambulances and vehicles that we can do, I want to assure you that we will take that very seriously,” he
explained.
He assured the commission that he will work very closely together with them and ensure that the right supply is given when needed, urging the FRSC to work toward compliance with extant global road safety standards.
He also admonished them to ensure that truck valves are properly tightened so that products won’t spill when there are clashes.
The minister noted that the aspiration of the federal government was to make sure that the tradition of using pipelines to move products
by operators is re-established, stressing that at the moment, Nigeria is resorting to evacuation of products through trucks.
“Today, you can't put anything. If you put, maybe only 10 per cent will get to the city because the pipes are already gone, and so somebody can just puncture and then tap to in and Nigerians have become so criminally minded that they don't care.
“ They believe that, look, it's public property, so let me just take my own.
But we are working towards ensuring that we get investors that will come
and invest, and bring the pipelines back online”, the minister said. In addition, he stated that the federal government was trying to deploy technology so that if there's any infraction at any point, it will reflect in the command and control centre.
Also speaking , the FRSC Corp Marshal, Mohammed, said that as an organisation that believes in road safety, and with transportation of petroleum products being done by road, it was necessary for the collaboration.
Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the sum of N77,000 as the minimum wage for the lowest worker in the state, and the payment takes immediate effect.
This decision was revealed after a meeting of the State Government led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of the Organized Labour in Ogun State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union
Cartel cuts 2024, 2025 global oil
Latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) yesterday showed that Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production fell to 1.32 million barrels per day (bpd) in September 2024, despite recent efforts to ramp up output.
OPEC, in its monthly oil market report, said the production data was based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities, although quoting secondary sources, it disclosed that oil volume produced during the month was 1.4 million bpd.
OPEC stated that September’s output figure represented a 2.22
percent decrease from the 1.35 million bpd recorded in August.
Although the country retained its position as the biggest oil producer in Africa, followed by Algeria, which produced 908,000 bpd in the month under review, it nevertheless faced severe underproduction compared to the 1.58 million bpd quota handed down by OPEC.
According to the data Congo was the third-largest oil producer with 270,000 bpd in the month under consideration.
Notably, while crude oil output increased mainly in Iran and Kuwait, production in Libya, Iraq, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia decreased, even as total non-OPEC crude oil production
Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Talabi said the meeting was at the instance of Abiodun, who he stated has directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 starting from the month of October.
He stated that Abiodun meant well for the people of the state and has proactively taken steps to further ameliorate the suffering of the people, adding that the Governor has also advised the
September,
organized private sector to take a cue from the policy, as their workers are not exempt from the economic realities in the country, to improve the living standards of people in the state holistically.
The SSG also noted that the Governor has therefore advised that the private sector should dialogue with their relevant stakeholders to arrive at a commensurate minimum wage for the sector while he will set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed.
averaged 14.06 mb/d in September.
The monthly market data also saw OPEC cutting its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024, reflecting data received so far this year and also lowered its projection for next year, marking the producer group's third consecutive downward revision.
The weaker outlook highlights the dilemma faced by OPEC+, which comprises the OPEC countries and allies such as Russia, which is planning to start raising output in December after earlier delaying the hike against a backdrop of falling prices.
The monthly report said world oil demand will rise by 1.93 mil-
lion barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, down from growth of 2.03 million bpd it expected last month. Until August, OPEC had kept the forecast unchanged since it was first made in July 2023, Reuters reported.
China accounted for the bulk of the 2024 downgrade. OPEC trimmed its Chinese growth forecast to 580,000 bpd from 650,000 bpd. While government stimulus measures will support fourth-quarter demand, oil use is facing headwinds from economic challenges and moves towards cleaner fuels, OPEC said.
Oil held an earlier decline of about 2 per cent after the report was issued, with Brent crude trading
below $78 a barrel. There is a wide split between forecasters on the strength of demand growth in 2024, partly due to differences over China and over the pace of the world's switch to cleaner fuels.
OPEC is still at the top of industry estimates and has a long way to go to match the International Energy Agency's far lower view.
But OPEC said this year's demand growth was still above the historical average of 1.4 million bpd seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a plunge in oil use.
For next year, OPEC cut its 2025 global demand growth estimate to 1.64 million bpd from 1.74 million bpd.
On his part, the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco, said the organized labour in the state is very pleased with the Governor having approved the N77,000 in consultation with labour leaders, which today is the highest in the country.
Benco noted that some states that have implemented the new minimum wage are paying N70,000, while some pay N70,250 or less, adding that the other sectorial salaries will be affected accordingly. He also mentioned that the government has graciously approved the submission of labour that the new basic salary should not be taxed.
In the same vein, Comrade Akeem Lasisi of the TUC and his counterpart, Comrade Isa Olude of the JNC, commended the government for being worker-friendly, while they noted that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other matters will be announced after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
In his reaction, Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the approval of the generous minimum wage for workers underscores the responsiveness and sensitivity of the Governor and the government to the plight of the workers and the general populace of the state.
Onasanya expressed optimism that the gestures by the government will further boost the morale of the workers in committing themselves to the implementation of the government's policies.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has given reasons for its inability to meet demands of striking workers of the agency.
This comes as striking workers warned that the ongoing industrial action now in its second week could put public health at risk in the form of substandard products and cause congestion at the ports.
The staff had declared an indefinite strike starting from Monday, to protest management’s failure to uphold an agreement signed in 2022, which addressed the workers’ welfare and promotion issues.
Top on the workers’ grievances was the agency’s failure to promote a significant number of staff members who participated in the 2024 promotion interviews
But NAFDAC said most of the demands of the workers are not within its powers to grant.
In a statement signed by NAFDAC's Resident Media Consultant Sayo Akintola, the Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said as far as the issue of promotion or estacode were concerned, the agency has been following the rules and was committed to promoting the workers’ welfare.
For instance, Adeyeye said issues relating to the promotion of staff fall within the purview of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) which conducts promotion
Deji Elumoye, Emmanuel Addeh, James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe, Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos
President Bola Tinubu yesterday called for increased cooperation among government agencies, the private sector, and international partners to boost economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and maintain stability in the country.
The call by the President comes on the heels of emerging positive economic indicators, suggesting that recent reforms by the administration are beginning to yield results.
Addressing the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja, Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, outlined his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to create an environment that fosters sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
The president’s declaration came on a day the Senior Vice President, World Bank Group, Mr. Indermit Gill, lamented that there is currently much sufferings among poor and vulnerable Nigerians particularly youths, amid high inflation and economic reforms.
TINUBU
examination.
"More so, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the reasons advanced by the striking workers against the agency are not true, adding that, whether it is a matter of promotion or estacode, the agency has been following the rules and is committed to promoting the workers’ welfare,” she explained.
She said: “We are not in charge of the number of people to promote, we are only responsible for conducting exams.
“The office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) is always responsible for allocating available vacancies that the government can pay for.
“It is not that there is vacancy and we are not promoting. It is what the government can pay for that they
approve as vacancy every year. It is not different from any other agency.”
On the issue of estacode, as raised by the striking workers, the NAFDAC boss said there was nothing wrong with the agency’s estacode policy.
“That is just playing to the gallery. Our staff have always been paid their due estacode and so, that is not an issue.
“We are not different from any other agency, the estacode will be paid when the evidence of the trip is presented. We have never owed any staff any travel allowance,” the DG added.
Meanwhile, the striking workers have highlighted risks in the form of substandard products and congestion at the ports due to the industrial action.
These dire consequences were revealed yesterday to THISDAY
exclusively, by one of the union leaders.
He claimed that the strike, which was engendered by management's refusal to address pressing welfare issues, has been met with indifference from the Director-General, who he alleged had jetted out of the country for the second time since the industrial action began.
The core issues in the disputes centred on the workers’ demand for approvals for allowances, review of job-specific allowances, promotion of staff who passed the 2024 examination and payment of outstanding claims dating back to 20114.
Workers also alleged they were forced to use personal resources for official trips, only to face protracted reimbursement delays, adding that this stark reality underscored the
management's self-serving attitude, prioritising personal interests over public health and safety.
"The implications of this strike are far-reaching. Without NAFDAC's regulatory oversight, harmful products may infiltrate the market, posing serious health risks to consumers. The strike will cripple clearance processes at the ports, causing backlog and delays, with devastating consequences for the economy.
He said even though the people desire good schools, decent healthcare, jobs, and safe conditions to reach their potential, the high inflationary conditions and policy choices have limited their ambitions.
Also, speaking at the summit, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the federal government was determined to stay the course and deepen its implementation of the Revised National Development Plan by incorporating the Renewed Hope priorities.
However, yesterday, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Francis Meshioye, declared that Nigeria’s economy would remain on downward trajectory until the binding constraints hindering the competitiveness of its industrial sector are addressed.
Tinubu, while declaring the summit open, said: "As a nation, we must prioritise economic diversification,” reaffirming his administration's commitment to focus on sectors that could offer inclusive and sustainable growth, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the digital economy.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, addressed key economic challenges,
detailing ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, streamline regulations, and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
According to him, "We are currently completing key infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, and power plants that will enhance connectivity and productivity.
"We are harmonising regulatory processes to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles that have long stifled entrepreneurship and innovation".
Tinubu also highlighted recent economic measures, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, as part of a broader strategy to stabilise the macroeconomic environment.
"These are all part of a broader effort to restore balance to the economy and ensure long-term stability," he explained.
Addressing the critical issue of economic inclusivity, the President said: "Our competitiveness is not just about improving our standing on global indices. It is about ensuring that the Nigerian economy is inclusive—where small and medium-sized enterprises can thrive alongside large corporations, and where every citizen, regardless of location or background, can benefit from economic opportunities."
Tinubu assured that, "with the right
KEYAMO: FG SET TO CONCESSION FIVE AIRPORTS, IATA PROMISES TO BE ADVISORS IN PROCESS
aviation industry by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, has been upgraded to international status.
While receiving the regional vice president, Keyamo noted that the five International Airports for concession included Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Port Harcourt International airport, Aminu Kano International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu and thanked the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for indicating interest to offer advisory role to Nigeria and for coming in at a crucial time the concessioning is about to take off.
The minister said the level of infrastructure decay within the aviation industry calls for urgent action, stating: "going by the geographical location, Nigeria is the aviation hub for Africa and the world at large."
He called for investors to avail themselves of the opportunity that Nigeria aviation industry is ready for both local and foreign investors.
He appealed to IATA to speak to other investors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government is paying huge sacrifice to reposition Nigeria aviation industry to a global standard.
He stated that with the coming back of Italian Airline and United Arab Emirate, the Nigeria aviation sector is about to wear a new look and the government is putting a lot in place to open the market for all operators.
Kamil Awdhi, Regional Vice President Africa and Middle
East-International Air Transport Association stated that the essence of the visit was to make their interest known that they are willing to offer advisory role to Nigeria in the concession process.
He said Nigeria is a big market that no investor can afford to look away and promised that IATA as an Advisor has no financial cost to Nigeria.
Explaining the role of IATA as a trade association representing the global air transport industry with the aim of promoting safety, security, and efficient air transport, foster collaboration among airlines, airports, provide professional development, training and facilitate industry standards and best practices, Kamil emphasised the need to organise a workshop to educate the stakeholders on the need for concession and to know that the concession plan is different from privatisation.
He asserted that IATA is ready to support Nigeria develop her aviation sector, because Nigeria is in the eyes of the world as far as aviation industry is concerned. He, however said that IATA was at the verge of signing MoU with NCAA to audit all aircrafts flying in Nigeria.
In a related development, the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri has been upgraded to international status.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated this during a courtesy visit by the Borno state Governor, His Excellency Governor Babagana Umar Zulum in his office in Abuja.
Keyamo described North-East
Nigeria particularly Borno State as a commercial city that connects Nigeria with other countries.
He said the airport will commence full operation as international airport from January 1, 2025, noting: "Establishment of international airport in Maiduguri is strategic to receive international flights coming in from Middle-East into this country.
It has the capacity, it has the size, population and infrastructure to support as international airport."
The Minister said that the level of wealth in Borno State is yet untapped, and with this development, North-Eastern Nigeria is set for economic revival.
Responding, the Governor of Borno State and Chairman, North east Governors Forum, Babagana Umar Zulum expressed satisfaction on the new status the Muhammed Buhari Airport, Maiduguguri has attained.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and the entire Aviation sector for the uncommon transformation in the aviation sector.
He assured the Minister that North East governors will provide the political will needed to ensure the smooth operation of the airport.
"The services in the sector has improved, anyone can attest to that, in terms of safety the sector has experienced development and growth, I have seen efforts the Nigeria Government is making for a better aviation industry”
Zulum requested that Nigeria Government expedite action to ensure Nigeria has her own air-carrier which will serve the interest of Nigerians.
policies, the right partnerships, and the right level of commitment, Nigeria can emerge stronger, more competitive, and more resilient than ever before."
However, the World Bank Vice President noted that oil wealth, which should benefit all Nigerians, had “primarily benefited the elites for too long”, adding that “while the elites are also affected by current reforms, they have built buffers over time”.
However, he expressed concern that ordinary Nigerians, who have been hurt by past policies, lacked such buffers, adding that their welfare should be top priority for the government.
The World Bank Vice President said Nigeria is once again at a crossroads, stressing that current reforms—including exchange rate unification and removal of fuel subsidies—are essential for breaking from the past.
However, he said the government must protect the most vulnerable citizens during the transition and prioritise non-oil growth, as well as maintain a competitive exchange rate.
Gill said supporting vulnerable households are critical steps, pointing out that the country’s elites must unite to support ongoing reforms as they will “ultimately benefit their own children and grandchildren”.
He reaffirmed World Bank’s commitment to support current efforts, adding that “Nigeria can count on our full commitment to help the country through these challenging but transformative times”.
He commended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, whom he said was putting the country on the right course.
Gill further urged the federal government to increase its cash transfer programme to 10 million households from five million presently as well as make economy more businesses ready.
He also stressed the need for the current administration to sustain current reform efforts in the interest of the economy. He said while Nigeria's reforms from 2003 to 2007 were on the right path, they were not sustained.
Gill said, “Today, the government must stay the course for at least another decade to transform the economy and unlock Nigeria’s potential as a regional growth engine. Implementing reforms is difficult, but the rewards are immense.”
Giving a historical perspective to the country’s predicament, he said, “I want to offer some perspectives from afar and remind you that many of the issues Nigeria faces today first emerged over 40 years ago when oil prices began to collapse in the early 1980s after the boom of the 1970s. It’s important to revisit this history, as those who ignore its lessons are bound to repeat them in more painful ways.
“There are three crucial aspects of oil. First, it is an exhaustible asset. Second, it is a volatile commodity, with some of the most unstable prices in the market. Third, it is a national asset, meaning its benefits should be shared across all segments of society and generations.
“Over the last 40 years, oil has come to dominate Nigeria’s economy. Economic growth, exchange rates, and
the stock market have all moved in sync with oil prices. But this wasn’t always the case. Poor fiscal and exchange rate policies during the oil boom of the 1970s made this happen.”
He said, “Despite the massive increase in oil wealth, Nigeria’s fiscal deficit shot up to between 7 per cent and 10 per cent of GDP, and the current account deficit also ballooned, along with external debt. Instead of insulating Nigerians from oil price volatility, the government amplified it. This was the first mistake.
“When oil prices began to fall in the early 1980s, the value of the Naira fell too. But instead of letting the exchange rate adjust, Nigeria decided to prop up the Naira, tightening foreign exchange controls and import licensing requirements.
“This created a large gap between the official and parallel exchange rates, making it harder for ordinary Nigerians to buy dollars compared to the well-connected elites. This was the second mistake, leading to two negative outcomes: businessmen began chasing import licenses at the official exchange rate, and agricultural and manufacturing exports were decimated. Between 1970 and 1982, the production of major cash crops like cocoa, rubber, cotton, and groundnuts fell between 30 per cent and 65 per cent. By the mid-1980s, cocoa was the only significant agricultural export left, and even that had shrunk by 50 per cent.” Gill said, “As a result, Nigeria
MALTREATMENT OF EAGLES IN LIBYA: TINUBU DEMANDS CAF'S INVESTIGATION, JUSTICE
on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he expected the disciplinary board of CAF to conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate action against those who wilfully violated the organisation’s statutes and regulations.
The president, who was moved by the development, however, welcomed the safe return of the national team players to Nigeria.
The harrowing experience of the national football team at the hands of their hosts and the Libyan authorities had prompted the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw the Super Eagles from the scheduled match on Tuesday.
The president commended the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the situation and ensuring the safe return of the players.
Tinubu applauded the players for keeping their spirit alive despite their ordeal in Libya.
He recognised football's unifying power in bringing nations and people together and viewed the treatment of the national team as unsportsmanlike and inhumane, stressing that it is a stark contrast to the spirit of the game he appreciates.
He called on all lovers of football and administrators to work collaboratively to prevent and overcome such incidents in the future.
Similarly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the
Nigerian government was already monitoring the situation in Libya.
Tuggar, in a statement posted on his X account, said, “I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya.
“Through the Head of Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained contact with the NFF, and the Libyan authorities since last night.
“Despite efforts, Libyan authorities have not yet authorised the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located.
“In the meantime, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the location at 6am this morning (Monday) with necessary supplies and internet access. We will continue to follow developments and await a report for further action.”
Tuggar confirmed that the federal government had summoned the North African country’s Charge d’affairs in Nigeria over the inhuman treatment meted out to the Super Eagles players in Libya at the weekend.
Stating that the Nigerian government was on top of the issue, he disclosed that he had opened communication with the Charge d’affairs since Sunday evening and expected answers to some questions on the way the Nigerian players were treated in Libya.
Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM),
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also condemned the poor treatment of the Super Eagles.
In a statement by the NIDCOM spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dahiru-Erewa stated that travelling by road in Libya was most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country. She lamented that the team, which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for its return match, had their flight diverted to an airport far away from the venue of the match.
Dahiru-Erewa said the implication of the diversion would be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country. She said the safety of Nigerian players was paramount to the country, and remained optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and NFF would advise appropriately. She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved, and regretted that already, the players, pilots and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest and means of communication. Dahiru-Erewa said, “The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason."
She recalled that the Super Eagles
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye; Representative of the First Lady, Lagos State, Dr. Laja Odunuga; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; Consultant Psychiatrist, RediMed Consulting, Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri and Head, Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr.
Commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2024 recently
Funmi Ogundare
The University of Abuja is embroiled in a deep crisis over the process of appointing a new vice chancellor, following the exit of Prof. Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah on July 1.
At the heart of the dispute are allegations that the new governing council, in collaboration with certain staff members, is attempting to install Prof. Aisha Maikudi , despite her alleged ineligibility under the advertised criteria.
According to reports, Maikudi, a
professor of International Law, was alleged to have been fast-tracked into her role under controversial circumstances. She allegedly became a professor in 2022 and was immediately appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), due to the influence of her father, a prominent figure from Katsina. He was said to have played a key role in helping Na’Allah secure the vice-chancellorship five years ago, and in return, Maikudi was appointed DVC, eventually rising to Acting VC in 2022.
The controversy intensified when it
was revealed that the university had initially advertised the VC position with strict eligibility criteria.
In a report published in September by THISDAY, the university had earlier advertised the vice-chancellor position, specifying the required standard qualifications, which clearly indicated that unqualified candidates should not apply.
A copy of the advertisement, published in the Daily Trust newspaper on March 15, and cited by THISDAY, outlined that under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1993
(as amended), candidates must be professors with at least five years experience in a recognised university. Candidates were also required to demonstrate academic leadership, administrative capabilities, unbroken service in the academia in the last 10 years and possession of proven track record of academic excellence to command the recognition and respect of national and international academic communities and colleagues. They must also have a high record of high-level academic productivity in reputable journals such as those
defined by Thompson Reuters ISI, Web of Science, and other similar scholarly platforms, among others.
However, after the new governing council was constituted, the university re-advertised the position on August 26 with relaxed requirements. The revised advertisement stipulated that candidates must hold a doctorate in one of the university’s disciplines, have at least 10 years of teaching and research experience, and provide evidence of postgraduate supervision over the past five years.
In a telephone interview, the
The Nigerian Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU)0, has filed fresh charges against four bloggers for allegedly cyber stalking Guaranty Trust Holding Company, it's management and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
The bloggers, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami were arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on a 10-count amended charge.
The defendants were initially arraigned on September 27, 2024, before the court on two counts of cyberstalking and false publications and spreading false information aimed at insulting the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Segun Agbaje.
After they took their pleas, Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered that they be remanded at the Correctional Centre.
However, when the case came up on Monday, the Police prosecutor Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), leading Olaotan Ajose-Adeogun (SAN), told the court that the charges against the defendants have been amended to 10 counts.
He informed the court that he got a fiat from the Inspector General of Police to prosecute the case.
Justice Faji, however, struck out the initial charges against them. Aribisala then urged the court to allow the fresh charges to be read to the defendants.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendants and others still at large conspired to commit the alleged offences. He said that the incident occurred sometime in August 2024, in Lagos AribisalaState.told the court that the defendants conspired amongst
themselves to cyberstalking and attempt to publish false, misleading, and unsubstantiated allegations which they all knew to be false, through various social media outlets against Guaranty Trust holding company, its management, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the entire banking system in Nigeria to cause a breakdown of law and order in the Nigerian banking system.
He said that the defendants published the false publications with the intention to use the allegations to cause harm to the reputation of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), its Management, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the entire Banking system in Nigeria.
The prosecutor further told the court that the defendants attempted to publish false, misleading, and unsubstantiated allegations against GTCO, its management, CBN, and the entire banking system in Nigeria to use the allegations to extort Guaranty Trust Holding Company.
Aribisala said that the defendants with intent to defraud concocted false, misleading, and unsubstantiated allegations through various social media outlets against GTCO, its Management, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the entire banking system in Nigeria to use the allegations to affect the market value of the shares of GTCO, by causing them to lose value considerably.
According to the prosecutor, the offenses committed contravened Sections 27 (1) (a), (b),24 (1)(b), and 24 (2) (c) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended).
The offenses are punishable under Sections 422,507, and 408 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C 38,
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Justice Faji ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre pending the filing and hearing of their bail applications.
Earlier, the defendants's counsel, Olakunle Afolabi, told the court that he was objecting to the charge and that he needed time to go through the fresh amended charges.
He also gave a condition that if the defendants were arraigned on the fresh charges, he would apply for their bail orally, but the judge said he would not allow oral bail application.
Aribisala, in his response, said that he was concerned about the liberty of defendants as a human rights lawyer. Consequently, Afolabi withdrew the objection, and the charge was read to the defendants.
The judge directed the prosecution to file the proof of evidence by the next adjourned date.
The case was adjourned till October 24, 2024, for the defence to file the bail application and serve the prosecution.
Some of the charges are: "That you, Precious Eze 'M', Olawale Rotimi 'M', Rowland Olonishuwa 'M', Seun Odunlami 'M', and others now at large, sometimes in August, 2024, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of the
Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: Cyber Stalking by conspiring and attempting to publish false, misleading and unsubstantiated allegations which you all know to be false, through various social media outlets against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), its Management, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the entire Banking system in Nigeria with the intention to cause a breakdown of law and order in the Nigerian Banking system and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) and (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention,Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended)
Pro-Chancellor of the university, Sadiq Ismaila Kaita dismissed the allegations of foul play, stating’ “Nothing is happening; we are just starting the selection process for the next VC.
“ The university was on strike, and ASUU raised concerns about the initial advertisement. To address these issues, we decided to re-advertise.” Kaita assured that the council would conduct the selection process transparently, saying, “we are going to be very strict.”
The university’s Registrar, Yahya Mohammed, also denied any crisis, explaining that the council recently met to review applications for the VC position.
According to him, "the former advertisement was approved by the Minister of Education under the previous VC, but ASUU’s UniAbuja chapter petitioned the council, expressing their disagreement with the terms. To maintain peace, the council re-advertised the position with some adjustments."Mohammed clarified that no shortlisting has occurred yet, as the university only closed applications the last Friday.
“The council will use the new guidelines to shortlist candidates, but we are still in the early stages. There is no crisis,” he insisted, urging the media to refrain from drawing conclusions prematurely.
ASUU’s UniAbuja chapter Chairman, Sylvanus Ugoh, also stated that he was unaware of any attempt by the council to impose the Acting VC on the university, further downplaying the reported crisis.
Mary Nnah
Renowned medical expert, Dr. Adebola Olatunji, has sounded the alarm on the most silent and deadly health threats ravaging Nigeria. Hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and depression top the list of diseases quietly claiming lives daily.
At Avoda Initiative's annual community health fair, held at Police Hospital Falomo, Lagos, Dr. Olatunji revealed that these diseases are often preventable and manageable with proper awareness, screening, and treatment.
His words: "High blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes are the leading causes of death in
Nigeria. But what's even more alarming is the rising incidence of depression, with a significant percentage of Nigerians struggling silently. We've identified up to 25% of participants screened today showing signs of depression," Dr. Olatunji warned.
He emphasised the critical need for regular health checks and education to combat these silent killers. Avoda Initiative's health fair provided free screening for various diseases, benefiting over 50 participants. "The lack of awareness and access to healthcare is exacerbating these health issues”, Olatunji explained, adding, “Many Nigerians are unaware of their health status, and even fewer know how to manage
these conditions. That's why our organization is committed to providing free screening and education."
Olatunji called on the government and private sector to support initiatives like Avoda Initiative, emphasizing the need for collective action.
He added: "We cannot tackle these health challenges alone. We need a collaborative effort to ensure Nigerians receive the healthcare they deserve."
Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Samuel Keshinro, echoed Dr. Olatunji's concerns, advising Nigerians to make health screening a birthday tradition.
"It's essential to prioritise health,
especially when resources are scarce”, Keshinro said, adding, “You need to be alive to enjoy the good things of life. Seeing a doctor regularly is crucial. Make your birthday a health screening day; it's a great way to stay on top of your health.” Dr. Keshinro commended Avoda Initiative's efforts, highlighting the organisation's impact on the community. He said: "Avoda Initiative's services are invaluable. Their commitment to providing free screening and education has made a significant difference in the lives of many Nigerians." He also emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling Nigeria's health challenges.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has said “together, we can unlock the potential of the girl child and create a better world for all” and also pledged to continue supporting initiatives that promote girls' education and empowerment.
The governor said that was why he and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the states deliberately made all 21 local government areas vicechairmen presently women.
The deputy governor and the Chief Judge of the state are women, the governor said, explaining this was aimed at involving women in the schemes of things in the state and to give girls hope of seeing their gender in leadership position.
"We are committed to creating an environment where girls can thrive, an environment free of discrimination, stereotypes, drug abuse, some unholy cultural norms preventing the girl child from getting educated such as early marriage," he said.
Fintiri who was represented by his Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, said this over the weekend in Yola Adamawa StateHecapital. added that the world came together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, and Adamawa State was no exception.
He said the event, themed "Girls' Vision for the Future," brought together stakeholders, policymakers, and most importantly, the girls themselves, to emphasize the importance of empowering young women. As the world reflected on the
challenges facing adolescent girls, including climate change, conflict, poverty, and inequality, the Adamawa State celebration offered a beacon of hope. Dr. Pella further, reaffirmed the state's commitment to girls' education and empowerment.
"Girls are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers,".
"We must invest in their education, health, and economic empowerment to unlock their full potential." he reiterated.
Pella further explained that in addition to government efforts, local organizations are also making a difference.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project has been working tirelessly to provide girls with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities in the state.
He said in Adamawa State, efforts are underway to address the specific challenges facing girls.
The state government has launched initiatives to combat child marriage, provide scholarships for girls, and promote girls' participation in STEM education. "We recognize the unique needs of our girls and are committed to addressing them," he further explained.
He said as the world continues to navigate the challenges of climate change, conflict, and inequality, the importance of empowering girls cannot be overstated.
By unlocking their potential, we can create a more just, equitable, and prosperous world for all. The International Day of the Girl Child serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of girls' empowerment.
The beehive of events from Friday into Sunday featured inspiring stories from girls who have overcome incredible obstacles to achieve their goals. Their determination and resilience served as a reminder that, with the right support, girls can overcome any challenge.
Community leaders and organizations have continued to amplify the message of girls' empowerment.
"The International Day of the Girl
Child is not just a one-day event," said Engineer Siddiki Liman, AGILE Project Coordinator. "It's a call to action for sustained support and investment in girls' futures."
"As the world moves forward from last week's celebrations, the focus shifts to tangible actions. Policymakers, organizations, and individuals are urged to provide access to quality education and healthcare, promote economic
empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Foster leadership opportunities and amplify girls' voices for the future of the girl child to be brighter than ever, but it's up to us to ensure that promise becomes reality," said Liman
The impact of investing in girls' education and empowerment extends far beyond the individual. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, have healthier children, and contribute to their communities economically.
"Empowering girls is key to breaking the cycle of poverty," said Mrs. Jiddere Musa Kaibo, President of High-Level Women Advocates.
He said as the International Day of the Girl Child passes, the conversa- tion shifts from awareness to action. It's time to translate promises into tangible results, empowering girls to become the leaders, innovators, and change-makers the world needs.
Mary Nnah
Tonye Cole, a renowned Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and twotime Rivers State APC gubernatorial candidate has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak in a symbolic gesture of drawing attention to and overcoming the mountains of mental health challenges facing Nigerian youths.
His latest endeavour which mirrors a selfless mission to tackle Nigeria's alarming mental health crisis involves raising N500 million by the year’s end to provide free therapy and coaching to 1,000 Nigerian youths through the Behavioural Health Institute (BHI), which he co-founded in 2019.
Addressing newsmen at the weekend in Lagos, Cole revealed he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for mental health issues in Nigeria, and has now returned to share his life-changing experience and
the motivations behind his mission.
"This climb isn't about personal achievement; it's about creating real change for Nigerian youths struggling with mental health. It's about shining a light on this matter; together we can break the stigma attached to seeking help and move mountains for our youth,” he said.
This mission is particularly significant, given Nigeria's dire shortage of mental health professionals, with a staggering ratio of just one expert for every 1,000,000 people.
Global financial technology provider, Leatherback, is one of the supporters of this mission, demonstrating the growing recognition of mental health as a critical issue in Nigeria.
Cole's efforts are focused on supporting the BHI, which aims to bridge the gap in mental health services by leveraging technology, training, and capacity-building
to suffer from the effects of climate change and it has become necessary for stakeholders to dialogue towards defining remediation, mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as low-emission pathways.
lasting solutions to climate change on the continent. He made the call at the 2nd Edition of the Africa Climate Forum (ACF) in Abuja on Monday. Represented by the Special Advisor to the President on National Economic Council on Climate Change, Rukayat El-Rufai, the Vice President noted that African countries have continued
While highlighting Nigeria's proactive stance, the vice president referenced the country’s Climate Change Act of 2021, which aims for low greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable growth. He noted the targets for net-zero emissions by 2060 and emphasized ongoing efforts to establish a robust sustainable carbon market projected at $2.5 billion. He however urged stakeholders
to recognize climate change not as a distant concern but as an immediate threat requiring urgent and coordinated responses.
The vice president also lauded the forum's organizers for their commitment to fostering tangible solutions through initiatives like the Deal Room, which aims to facilitate financing for climate projects.
In a welcome address, the convener and Director General, Global Centre for Law, Business and Economy, Professor George Nwangwu, said Africa Climate financing is necessary not only to combat climate change but also for fostering sustainable development.
Speaking on the theme: “Africa’s
Climate Future: Pathways from Dependence to Leadership”, he said it depicted the moment where Africa can transform from being a continent that bears the burden of climate impacts to one that leads in climate solutions and innovation
He added that empowering subnational entities to lead the way would be crucial in achieving meaningful and lasting progress toward climate goals.
Prof. George Nwangwu, who is also the convener of the forum, regretted that only 0.2% of the US$400 billion earmarked for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has been committed, raising concerns about Africa's climate resilience.
initiatives.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, Cole's experience in building successful businesses, such as the Sahara Group, an energy conglomerate with operations spanning 38 countries, will undoubtedly facilitate the success of this mission.
His commitment to philanthropy is evident through his involvement with various charitable organizations, including the Down Syndrome Foun-
dation, Slum-2-School Foundation, and the Compassionate Center. Through this mission, Cole seeks to create a lasting impact on Nigeria's mental health landscape, emphasising the importance of community involvement and support. By sharing his experience and passion, he hopes to inspire others to join the movement and make a difference in the lives of Nigerian youths struggling with mental health issues.
The Niger State Government is soon to unveil a one-year entrepreneurial training for civil servants retiring from the service.
The State Head of Service Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Idris disclosed this in Minna at the weekend at a birthday party Organised in his honour by friends and relations.
Sadiq said the plan is to expose the retiring civil servants to gainful projects they can fall back on after leaving the service.
He explained the entrepreneurship programme "will offer a comprehensive one-year preparatory course in entrepreneurship for civil servants nearing the end of their careers adding that the initiative is also aimed at "smoothening the transition from public service to private enterprise, ensuring financial stability and continued productivity post-retirement".
"Our civil servants have dedicated their lives to the betterment of Niger State. It is our duty to
ensure they are well-prepared for the next chapter of their lives,” Sadiq said.
He declared: "The programme will equip public servants with the skills and confidence to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to both their personal well-being and the state’s economic growth" before also emphasizing that the initiative is in alignment with the state government’s broader goals of fostering economic development and reducing dependence on public sector employment.
Sadiq urged civil servants in the State to exhibit values such as "integrity, dedication to duty and loyalty in the discharge of their responsibilities".
The Permanent Secretaries, Public Service Office and that of Establishment, Dr. Joseph Kolo James and Hajia Aisha T. Usman praised the celebrant for his reliability, simplicity, accommodation as well as selfless service to humanity.
L-R: Group Chief Information Officer, Access Bank, Venkatesh Rathnam; Chief of Staff to the CEO, First Bank, Akinwale Olawoye; Managing Partner Hoaq, Yewande Odumosu; Managing Director Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude; and Chief Digital Officer, Wema Bank, Segun Adeniyi, at the Moonshot by TechCabal held in Lagos.... recently
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Igbo businessmen and entrepreneurs under the South East Business and investment Summit Group (SEBIS) yesterday took stock of the waning economic indices of the region, stressing that it was time to revamp investment opportunities in south-east.
Speaking during a media engagement in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of SEBIS, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, flanked by his lieutenants, recalled that Eastern Nigeria, which comprises the present South East and part of South South Nigeria, was between 1958-1967 said to be the fastest growing economy.
According to him, the region was growing at above 9 per cent , outperforming countries like Singapore, Bangladesh and Taiwan.
But he stressed that today the story is no longer the same, with the economic indices of South-east having since nose-dived comparatively due to many fundamental challenges including the almost three years civil war which ravaged and devastated the eastern landscape.
subnational groups which work independent of one another.
He also listed the increased migration of human and capital resources out of Southeast as after effect of the civil war and the operation of five
Though the region outperforms the rest of the country in the critical human development indicators, including having lowest poverty rate, multidimensional poverty inclusive, lower out-of-school children, higher per capita GDP, South-east’s economic performance, he said remains poor when compared with its endowments
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Despite years of collaboration with security agencies under different codenames and with several billions of Naira gone down the drain, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has said that cross-border smugglers were freely making money under the erstwhile petrol subsidy regime.
In fact, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the national oil company, Mele Kyari, said in Abuja that petrol smugglers were making as much as N17 million per truck in neighbouring countries they smuggled the products to.
Snippets of a meeting with Kyari,
relayed by Channels Television yesterday saw the GCEO reiterating that cross-border smuggling was rampant due to the fuel subsidy before the current administration.
The federal government, having now deregulated the petrol supply market is expected to tell Nigerians the exact litres of petrol consumed daily in the country. Smuggling, which it had also persistently blamed for moving of Nigeria’s fuels to neighbouring countries should also significantly reduce.
On August 9, 2018, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the installation of technology monitoring schemes and structures under the Petroleum Equalisation Fund
Wealth
‘Fantasy League’ to Boost Investment Education
Coronation Wealth, an investment management firm on Monday announced the launch of its innovative Coronation Fantasy League, a groundbreaking platform that combines investment education with gamification, enabling users to practice investment decisions, learn from experts, and grow their wealth.
The company disclosed this in a statement.
"At Coronation Wealth, we're committed to empowering individuals with financial knowledge and investment skills," the Chief Executive Officer, Olufemi Yoloye said.
"Our Fantasy League represents a significant step forward in democratising access to investment education and promoting financial inclusivity," he added.
The key features and benefits of the initiative include interactive investment simulation, to practice investing with virtual funds; expert-
led investment academy, to learn from seasoned financial experts; real-time market data and analytics, which is to enable investors stay informed with up-to-date market insights; and competition and rewards, for investors to compete with peers and win exciting prizes
The target audiences are young professionals seeking financial stability, entrepreneurs interested in investing, and financial enthusiasts passionate about personal finance
Investors who intend to participate are expected to download the Coronation Wealth App, Register for the Coronation Fantasy League, and Start practicing investment decisions
The Coronation Fantasy League's benefits include enhancing investment knowledge and skills; developing risk management strategies; building confidence in investment decisions and connecting with a community of like-minded investors.
(PEF) for N17 billion.
The deployment of the automated fuel system management and censor network, the government said, would ensure 100 per cent tracking and monitoring of petroleum products.
In addition, the government said that the system would enable Nigerians to know how much petrol is consumed in Nigeria; volumes of products moved out illegally and the whole impact on Federation Account
Allocation Committee (FAAC). However, the N17 billion automated fuel system management was never installed and if it was, never worked.
Apart from the acquisition of the software to stop the smuggling of petroleum products from Nigeria, the NNPC also embraced the suggestion to establish mega stations in the neighbouring countries, a policy that was later discarded.
for nearly 20 hours since Sunday afternoon.
and its past performance.
According to Okwenna, the people of South-east have human and material capital, but the capital is no longer fully working for them, as the people find it more attractive to invest in other parts of the country because they feel that the environment is more enabling and that skills are better developed.
“Low business innovations and technology penetrations, low capital inflow and absence of institutions are increasingly contributing to driving businesses, investments and wealth out of South East, Nigeria.
“As it stands today, capital repatriation and remittances from Nigeria diasporas are mainly not invested in the South East States. In addition to this, South East zone is currently not getting appreciable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) because of her position in the ease of doing business index.
“South East and South Easterners own greatest percentage of Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. Large number of the 20 per cent of these MSME’s that manage to sustain their operations
beyond the first five-year period are owned by the South Easterners and that is why they play a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy.
“They drive innovation, job creation and economic growth. However, lack of government support, limited access to finance, high interest rates, and absence of financial education and lack of sustainability structure, remain the major impediments to their sustained growth and expansion,” the organisation stated.
Besides, the group said that the security index in recent time seemed not to be encouraging, though South East insecurity indicators were no where near to situations in the North East, North West and even part of North Central Nigeria. However, Okwenna sagged that it still a decline from what it used to be some few years ago when it was adjudged the safest and most secured part of Nigeria. The current situation, he argued, should not be allowed to continue when the region is endowed with enterprising, deeply knowledgeable and creative people, available to be utilised for the good of the region.
IN LIBYA: TINUBU DEMANDS CAF'S INVESTIGATION, JUSTICE flight was redirected air borne on Sunday and they were required to travel by road to their destination.
lamenting that there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities and all efforts to make alternative provisions by NFF was frustrated.
The NIDCOM chairman appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm while NFF decided the next line of action.
Africa’s football governing body, CAF, later yesterday, issued a statement on the maltreatment of the Nigerian delegation by Libyan authorities, and had since ordered investigation into the matter.
CAF said yesterday, in the statement, “The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (Super Eagles) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
“The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
Nigeria’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles and their officials, were held hostage in an airport in Al Abraq by Libyan authorities
The delegation made up of 22 players, NFF officials and other football stakeholders, flew into Kano straight from Libya after their ordeal before heading to the Federal Capital City.
The Super Eagles, with seven points from three matches, were scheduled to play Libya, who were fourth on just one point from same number of matches, in the coastal city of Benina in a reverse fixture of the AFCON 2025 qualifier today, October 15.
The Nigerian delegation flew from Uyo on Sunday afternoon, 48 hours after they defeated the North Africans 1-0 last Friday.
According to NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, the chartered ValueJet aircraft flying the delegation was already approaching Benghazi for landing, when a counter directive was passed to the pilot to reroute to a different airport.
Olajire stated, “Just as the pilot was about to commence his initial approach into Benghazi airport, he was instructed by the control tower that he could not land in Benghazi (despite having all the required landing papers and having completed all formalities before leaving Uyo and later, Kano, but should proceed to the Al-Abraq International Airport, even though the airport lacked the control navigators for landing at such hours.
“The pilot’s complaint that he was short on fuel fell on deaf ears. The
Libyan aviation officials insisted in stern manner that the directive was from ‘higher authorities.”
After landing at the Al-Abraq International Airport, in the small town of Labraq, a three hours’ road drive to Benina, the venue of the AFCON 2025 qualifier, the Libyan officials locked the exit points of the airport and prevented any player or official from stepping out of the arrival hall, the NFF spokesman explained.
Thus, began the ordeal of the players and officials that lasted almost 20 hours.
Captain of the team, William Troost-Ekong, was to later in the midst of the frustration, post the harrowing experience of the Super Eagles on his X handle.
Troost-Ekong, wrote, “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Libya after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.
“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.
“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby hotel to rest with his crew
only to be denied at every hotel again under government instruction. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked on the tarmac.”
As the Libyans refused to let the players and officials exit the airport, despite the frustration of sleeping on airport seats all night, the Al Kholood central defender in the Saudi Pro League, later informed the NFF leadership of the resolve of the Super Eagles players not to play the match scheduled for today, even if they were freed from the hostage situation at the airport.
The Super Eagles on field captain insisted, “At this point, we have called for our Nigerian government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will NOT play this game.
“CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow us leave now, we are not going to play the match.”
In what appeared to be a face saving measure, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said, in an official statement, that rerouting the Nigerian delegation to Al Abraq Airport was not meant to punish the players and their officials.
LFF posted on its official handle on X yesterday, “We are deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya.
L-R: Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan; Winner, 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Esomnofu Chidiebube
Alli-Balogun, and Managing Director, NB Plc, Hans Essaadi during the presentation of the N10 million grand prize to the
for
Blames external forces for party’s crisis HURIWA accuses APC of subversive tactics to undermine democracy Benue group hails Mohammed’s appointment
The Illya Damagum faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the police and other security agencies to arrest Yayari Mohammed for impersonation and violation of court order restraining his (Damaghum’s) removal as the acting national chairman of the party.
Addressing a press conference yesterday at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, acting National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Manga, blamed those he described as external forces for the crisis in the party.
Manga said before the Mohammed faction suspended Damagum, a court had restrained anyone from removing Damagum.
He stated, "The security agencies should go against Mohammed and others for impersonation and violation of court order "In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are hereby left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law."
When reminded that the court could not stop an event that had taken place, Manga said the order of the court came first.
Manga said, "No, the court order came before the supposed suspension. We were all here when the suspension came. That was far after the court order.
"For emphasis, the NWC decision had arisen following the temporarily suspension of the National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, to allow the four-man NWC investigation committee set up under the chairmanship of Deputy National Chairman (South), H.E. Amb Taofeek Arapaja, to freely investigate the allegations of “abuse of office and insubordination” levelled against the duo.
According to Manga, "It is, therefore, distasteful for a leader, who ought to inform the uninformed but, instead, goes ahead to misinform on a national television and other media channels that our assumption of office in acting capacity is unconstitutional and does not exist. Why?
"Furthermore, we are constrained to express our utter disgust and disappointment in our colleagues’ resort to ‘motor pack’ approach to a mere suspension aimed at providing them with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations against them.
"Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummer, the masquerades should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves
naked on the stage."
HURIWA Accuses APC of Subversive Tactics to Undermine Democracy
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expressed deep concerns over the internal crisis plaguing Nigeria's two major opposition parties: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP). HURIWA accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of subversive tactics
became an oil-dependent, undiversified economy with a rent-seeking society.
Some of you may recall that Nigeria attempted a serious reform in 1987, reducing fiscal deficits and attempting to return to a market-determined exchange rate. But by then, external debt had already strangled the economy, a lesson worth repeating. A short period of poor oil wealth management, benefiting a handful of elites, had painful consequences for the rest of Nigeria’s population for an entire generation.
“Now, let me share a more uplifting story. Between 2003 and 2007, Nigeria managed its oil wealth well. The country introduced fiscal and exchange rate reforms, improved transparency in oil revenue allocation, and renegotiated its Paris Club debt.
“The payoff was immense: Nigeria received its first-ever sovereign credit rating and attracted significant foreign direct investment. People started talking about ‘Africa rising’ with Nigeria leading the charge. But Nigeria didn't stay the course, unlike Norway, which successfully implemented similar policies and has sustained them over time.”
Earlier, Bagudu, reiterated the effectiveness of recent government reforms, stating that, "there are significant pieces of evidence that reforms and investments are working.
"These governance and institutional reforms have helped to improve our macro-economic performance. Our GDP has been enhanced from 2.98 per cent growth in first quarter of 2024 to 3.19 per cent in quarter two of 2024, inflation is trending downwards while external reserves are improving," he stated.
The Minister also appealed for public support, saying, "we seek cooperation and understanding of the broad spectrum of the citizenry as there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel."
He said the aspiration to attain the desired objective for Nigeria’s development necessitated the revision
to undermine democracy.
It said APC was allegedly behind the turmoil as part of a strategic effort to weaken political opposition and gradually implement an authoritarian regime similar to the communist governance structure in China.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA highlighted the destabilisation efforts it believed were orchestrated by APC.
The group suggested that the ruling party was deliberately sowing discord
of the National Development Plan, 2021-2025, addressing the challenging dynamics of the macroeconomy and incorporating the 8-priority areas and the Renewed Hope agenda.
The minister said Revised NDP 2021 – 2025, focuses on strategic sectors that will spur growth in the short to medium term, addressing the current macroeconomic instability, particularly the exchange rate, inflation, and unemployment, and achieving sustainable economic growth and development.
He said the government also identified the need to address overreliance on oil revenue, infrastructure deficit, revenue shortfalls, insecurity, rule of law, education, and human capital development as critical to economic growth and development.
Bagudu, said, "In this context, we mapped out strategies to reposition the economy by introducing reform measures. These reforms come with temporary hardships, but we are confident they are necessary for the growth and development of our dear country.
"Implementing these governance and institutional reforms has helped improve our macroeconomic performance. Our overall GDP has been enhanced from 2.98 per cent in Q1 2024 to 3.19 per cent in Q2 2024, compared to 2.31 per cent in Q1 2023 and 2.51 per cent in Q2 2023.
"Inflation is trending downwards from 33.40 per cent in July 2024 to 32.15 per cent in August 2024, while our external reserves are US 39.07 billion as of September 19, 2024. Our external trade balance improved to N6,945.4 billion in the second quarter of 2024."
He said, "These are testaments to the efficacy of the government reform agenda. The economy is moving in the right direction, and the decline has been arrested. Therefore, we seek cooperation and understanding of the broad spectrum of the citizenry as there
in PDP and LP to consolidate its grip on power.
HURIWA drew a parallel between the biblical story of the "hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob," alleging that APC is working behind the scenes to sabotage internal democracy within the opposition parties, while appearing uninvolved.
Benue Group Hails Mohammed’s Appointment
A group known as Benue Concerned
is indeed light at the end of the tunnel."
The minister pointed out that meet the people's aspirations, the country must grow faster and more inclusively, adding that it was not time for the blame game but for action and boldness.
He said, "Innovation must be given pride of place, as we have undertaken in the last 15 months. While we are on the right trajectory, more is needed.
"I invite you, as partners, to reflect and provide more input because we recognise that our commendable achievements are not only a result of the boldness and resilience of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but also because of our willingness to dialogue and collaborate with all stakeholders."
Bagudu, among other things, said that the summit deliberations was expected to develop practical recommendations in those thematic areas supporting implementing government policies and programmes.
He said the summit, modelled after the World Economic Forum, has remained one of the biggest platforms for dialogue among top policymakers and corporate leaders.
The minister also pointed out that three decades of partnership between the federal government and NESG had provided a veritable platform for interrogating public policy and proffering enduring solutions to the country’s socio-economic problems.
Moreover, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the federal government planned to commence implementation of a new tax regime in the country by January 2025.
Speaking at a panel session on “Fiscal and Monetary policy Reforms: Removing Barriers to Private Sector Investment”, he said new tax laws had been drafted, and now awaiting passage at National Assembly.
He clarified that the proposed implementation timeline of the law
PDP Stakeholders, congratulated Mohammed on his appointment as the acting national chairman of the party. Benue Concerned PDP Stakeholders urged Mohammed to be upright, fair, truthful, and transparent, and respect the provisions of the PDP constitution in the discharge of his duties.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, in Makurdi, a business mogul and former governorship aspirant in Benue State, Dr. Paul Ubwa, said only fairness and truth could guarantee Mohammed’s success.
was dependent upon its passage by the legislature.
Oyedele said the federal government was intentional in reducing tax burden on businesses, adding that there were unnecessary complications where over 200 unofficial taxes and 60 tax agencies existed.
He said the proposed tax regime will introduce transparency over taxes collected and how they are spent, and address compliance gap of about 75 per cent.
He said the new tax regime will also benefit small businesses and manufacturers by reducing their operating costs.
Also, speaking on the panel session, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, said there were lots of innovation in global banking sector adding that Nigeria can't be left out.
Represented by CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Adetona Adedeji, the deputy governor said the central bank is currently doing a lot to target inflation as high inflationary environment will defeat economic gains so far recorded since the commencement of reforms.
He said the apex bank was also trying to avoid a hyper-inflation through monetary measures, including successive hikes in the benchmark lending rates.
Ikeazor said, "Whatever policy we roll out is for good of the economy", and urged the manufacturing sector to "bear with us" at least, in the mean time as the was also mindful of the need to support growth.
He said the Naira was gradually begining to find its true value and reaching equilibrium as a result of Cardoso's policy interventions.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the NESG, Niyi Yusuf, called for continued efforts to strengthen the economy.
Ubwa pledged the commitment of the Benue PDP family to support and work with Mohammed to reposition the party and hand over seamlessly a national chairman of North-central extraction on October 24.
Others in the group included former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Professor Nicholas Ada; Acting Chairmen of the PDP Benue State, Elders Committee; former Speaker Pro Tempore, RT. Hon. Terngu Tsegba; and former Chairman of the PDP in Benue State, Hon. John Ngbede.
He said, "The task before us is to forge decisive reforms that will drive us out of the economic challenges facing us. Since COVID-19, our economy has shown resilience but still fragile. We must take additional steps to make sure that gains in FDI and foreign exchange markets are not reversed.”
Meanwhile, President of MAN, Mr. Francis Meshioye, yesterday, declared that Nigeria’s economy would remain on downward trajectory until the binding constraints hindering the competitiveness of its industrial sector are addressed.
Meshioye, made this assertion when he addressed a press conference on the association’s 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), with the theme “The Imperatives of an Intentional Development of the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector.”
The AGM, which would take place from October 22 to October 24, 2024, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, would feature the President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Mr. Samaila Zubairu, as the distinguished guest speaker at the MAN’s 4th Odutola Annual Lecture.
Meshioye said: “We need to urgently address the binding constraints that make our local industrial products uncompetitive, otherwise, the economy may continue on the downward trend with no certainty on when it will rebound.”
According to him, “it is a very worrisome fact that the (manufacturing) sector that should propel job creation, productivity, and economic growth is enmeshed with series of challenges that constantly limit its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
Meshioye added that the choice of the theme for this year’s AGM was a testament to the MAN’s resolve to birth a thriving manufacturing sector.
L-R: Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar and the Chief Executive Officer, The Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr Manal Taryam Alshamsi during a courtesy visit by the foundation to explore avenues of collaboration on strengthening the humanitarian operations of both organisations at the Headquarters of NEMA in Abuja ... recently
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, has disclosed that the party had successfully filed a petition against the September 21 governorship election in the state, and expressed confidence that the party would reclaim its stolen mandate.
But an Abuja-based pro-democracy forum, the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, has
asked the PDP and its candidate in the Edo election, Asue Ighodalo, to stop casting aspersions on the Independent National Electoral Commission over the outcome of the poll.
Aziegbemi disclosed this while briefing journalists, in Benin City, the Edo State capital. He noted that the PDP was aware of the devious ploy of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to stall the order given by a competent Court for the PDP to inspect election materials at the office of the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) at Aduwawa, and were tactical, thereby beating the APC to its own game.
The PDP chair said, "We have begun the journey to reclaim the people's mandate and a petition has been filed before the Edo State Election Tribunal. Against all odds, the petition has been filed as APC's plan is for us not to successfully file the petition. The mandate given to PDP will be reclaimed.
“We have put our fingers where the problem is and the election tribunal will
surely give us our mandate based on overwhelming evidence before them.”
Aziegbemi said while the PDP was busy gathering evidence to pursue its case at the tribunal, the APC and its chairman, Jarret Tenebe, were lying and spreading falsehood to actualise the evil ploy of the APC.
He stated, “As our party was busy gathering evidence for the petition, APC and its chairman, Jarret Tenebe were busy peddling lies. He lied that the PDP is disrupting activities in the INEC office forgetting that the
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Fidelis David in Akure
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, revealed that a total of 295,603 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
This was as it announced that the collection of PVCs in all the 203 wards would commence on Thursday.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola stated this at the state headquarters of INEC in Akure while briefing Journalists on the level of preparedness towards election.
The REC also revealed that 11,799 Security personnel drawn from the Police, NSCDC, Immigration, Customs and Correctional Service would be administered oath of neutrality before participating in the election.
Her words: "The distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Ondo State will commence from 17th October, 2024. This exercise will begin at the Registration Area (RA) level until October 21st , 2024, including the weekend.
“PVC distribution will take place across all 203 RAs in the state, from
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily after which it will continue at the Local Government Area (LGA) level from 23rd to 29th October, 2024. PVCs will be distributed at designated collection centers across all 203 Registration Areas within the state's 18 LGAs."
She urged registered voters, especially those who recently updated their details or newly registered, to take advantage of the opportunity to collect their PVCs.
Notably, Babalola said in line with statutory requirement to publish and provide copies of the voter register to all political parties, the Commission would present the updated register to political parties on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the INEC office in Akure.
At the same time, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement appealed to registered voters in the state to pick up their PVCs in person on the approved dates.
The Commission reiterated its policy that no cards would be collected by proxy.
Olumekun noted: “The PVCs for all categories of applicants will be available for collection in 221 centres across the State at two levels.
“First, in all the 203 Wards from
Thursday 17th to Monday 21st October 2024. Secondly, in our 18 LGA offices from Wednesday 23rd to Tuesday 29th October 2024 from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily (including the weekends).”
The commission stressed that during the period, the backlog of uncollected PVCs from previous registrations would also be available for collection at the designated centres.
process is in the interest of the PDP. Why should PDP now be the party to disrupt the exercise that is in its favour?
“If APC truly won the September 21st governorship election in Edo State, why are they causing confusion and problems in the INEC office? They lie without thinking it through.
“Tenebe Jarrett and the APC are the ones stealing the people's phones and the money of POS operators. They were disrupting the process because it is not in their favour. If you won, why fight hard to stop the other person from inspecting the process? Are you stopping the people to see how you won?”
He further noted that, “On the 24th of September 2024, I penned a memo to the National Headquarters of INEC in Abuja. I premised that memo on the provision of the Electoral Acts, section 65 (1C), the powers of INEC to review results after one week of declaration. The reply from INEC will shock you.
“They said in their reply that the section of the Electoral Act is for internal purposes only, not for outsiders or candidates, or party’s use on a declaration already made
by returning officers.”
On the release of PDP chieftains arrested before the elections, Aziegbemi said, “Before the election, most of our members were arrested by a special unit of the Nigerian Police from Abuja. It might interest you to note that most of the guys have been released as they paid cumulatively about N64 million and the police said bail is free.”
The Director General of the Edo State PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, said, “Democracy gives us the constitutional right to vote for who will lead us and that constitutional right can't be denied Edo people; that is why we have taken steps to pursue our case to a logical conclusion.”
Meanwhile, the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, in a statement by its Executive Director, Patrick Osaigbovo, advised the PDP and its candidate to accept the outcome of the election to avoid further embarrassment in courts. The group noted that it was unfortunate that the main plank of the PDP and its candidate was on the functionality or otherwise of the results viewing portal of INEC.
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, shared his opinion on multi-level policing, saying governors, who owe works would be unable to fund state police.
Okiro said some governors behaved like dictators and would use state police to their advantage against perceived political opponents.
He canvassed the Canadian police system.
Okoro, who spoke during an exclusive interview with THISDAY, advocated a system where the Inspector-General of Police could be removed from office by a two-third majority of the senate. He said such
would help the police to resist pressure from politicians.
The former police boss stated, "It is absurd for governors who cannot pay civil servants’ salaries in their states to be advocating state police, who they cannot pay. Owing salaries to policemen is a security risk. I am against state police, because it is equivalent to what happened in the southwest, operation wetie.
“What I am trying to advocate is a policing system, where you have regional cooperation. Make it in such a way that the police officers are from that area.
“You can post someone from Enugu to Ebonyi or from Ebonyi to Anambra, that is transfers within the zone. This is
because almost every crime is local. You post policemen where they understand the languages and culture.
“Why I say so is because, once they know the culture of the people, they can better police the area. Secondly, the idea is that they are not far from their states of origin and so it becomes easier to operate, but it is still the federal government that is responsible for their salaries.”
Some security experts had asked Okiro how his in-between solution model could come into operation without constitutional amendment.
In answering the question, he explained that the federal government did not amend the constitution in creating the offices of Deputy Inspector
General of Police (DIG) and Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). He said, the police simply created the offices, arguing that in trying to make police operation efficient, any invention introduced automatically had the backing of law, as it would enhance the security of lives and property.
On the funding of regional policing under the federal police architecture, Okiro advocated that the office of the IGP should make funds available to heads of regional police to run their respective regions. "Each zone in the country will be headed by either DIG or AIG, and they should have financial autonomy to achieve the desired result," he said.
L-R: Conference Sub-Committee Communications and Publicity Chair, Women In Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Mabel Adeteye; Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, and Conference Chair, Opeyemi Oduwole, at the press briefing on WIMBIZ 2024 Conference held in Ikoyi, Lagos... recently
sylvester idowu in Warri
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agbarho Police State in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State and undisclosed number of officers were yesterday killed in an early morning ambush while on a rescue mission. It was gathered that another
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Orerokpe in Okpe Local Government Area was fatally wounded from gunshot injuries in the unfortunate incident.
Sources told THISDAY that the late DPO of Agbarho resumed office two days before he was murdered by suspected kidnappers. It was learnt that the two DPOs
yinka Olatunbosun
A weather-beaten, marooncolour two-storey building on Amusu Street at the Orile Iganmu, Lagos, has collapsed.
The incident, which sent bystanders into panic, occurred at approximately 8:54 a.m. on October 14.
An amateur video circulating on social media captured the terrifying moment of the building collapse as well as
the fearful noise that ensued from eyewitnesses.
The footage showed the structure reduced to rubbles, while a cloud of dust engulfed the scene of the incident. There has been no report on casualties as at the time of filing this report. It is also uncertain that anyone is trapped in the rubble.
However, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) is yet to release a statement on the incident.
Blessing ibunge in Port Harcourt
Leading soft drink company, Coca-Cola, has introduced a new flavour known as Wozzaah Limited Edition flavour to the Nigerian market.
The product, according to the management of the company, is a symphony of flavours inspired by the beating heart of African culture and targets the Gen Z.
had jointly raised a team and embarked on the rescue mission of some abducted persons when they were ambushed by the hoodlums.
Sources disclosed that the tragic
incident occurred at about 1 a.m. around Agbarho Rail Station in the local government area.
“The DPOs and their team went on a rescue mission around Agbarho Railway Station at
about 1 a.m. when they were ambushed. After a heavy gunfire exchange between the police and kidnappers, the DPO of Agbarho was hit by bullets and died while that of Orerokpe was fatally
wounded and now being treated in a hospital,” the source said. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.
Michael Olugbode in abuja
There is uneasy calm at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as officers of the Service wait on President Bola Tinubu’s directive to either extend the tenure of the Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap, who was due to retire
on October 10,2024 or appoint a new head.
Nandap was due to retire on October 10, 2024, having served 35 years in service.
This is according to documents obtained by our correspondent, which contain details of all officers in the service’s Comptroller cadre
based on seniority.
Nandap’s statutory retirement is based on her Date of First Appointment, which falls on October 10, 1989. This marks the completion of her civil service term in line with public service rules, which peg the mandatory retirement age at 60 or 35 years in service, whichever comes first.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Nandap as CG of the Service on February 21, 2024. However, her appointment took effect from March 1, 2024, according to a statement by then Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale.
Chuks Okocha inabuja
Eze said the concerns raised by Amaechi were true and very factual in the face of what Nigerians are passing through on a daily basis and should not be a yardstick for the APC to haul invectives on him.
He particularly said that calling Amaechi “irresponsible and
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has condemned attacks on the former Transportation Minister, Hon Chibuike Amaechi over concerns he raised regarding the serious hardship that has encircled Nigerians since the inception of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
unpatriotic” will never make one to last forever in power, saying that “power is so transient…..”
Eze noted that in their separate responses to Amaechi’s comment concerning hardship in the country occasioned by the escalating increase of petrol pump price, the Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC)
Mr. Omoyele Sowore, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga; Senator Shehu Sani and the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Felix Morka, hounded the ex-governor of Rivers State for speaking truth to power.
sunday Okobi
A pro-democracy movement on the local government autonomy in Lagos State, Civil Society for Total Democracy (CSTD), has alleged that the state government is trying to undermine the autonomy of the local government granted the third tier government by the Supreme Court.
Unveiling the product into the Nigerian market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Senior Director, Frontline Marketing at Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Yusuf Murtala, revealed that Coca-Cola Wozzaah is crafted to embody the pulsating rhythm and dynamic energy of Africa.
Crafted through digital experiences, coupled by the refreshing taste of Coca-Cola Wozzaah, consumers in Nigeria will be transported through the continent of Africa, experiencing the electrifying flavours and expressive culture of each unique country. The company revealed that, Coca-Cola Wozzaah, which is Zero Sugar pays tribute to the energy of the continent, recognising the influence Africa has across all aspects of culture around the world and is available to purchase for a limited time only in select outlets across Nigeria.
Emma Okonji
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, is billed to deliver the 6th annual lecture of Just Friends Club of Nigeria (JFCN), which will hold in Abuja on November 5, 2024.
Amadi, who is the guest speaker, will deliver his paper on the theme: ‘High Cost Of Governance As An Impediment To Development.’
In a statement signed by the club’s President, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa, he stated that
the topic was apt, giving the prevailing circumstances faced by Nigerians under the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Amadi is currently the Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and a Visiting Professor at the Emerald Energy Institute at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He holds a research doctorate degree (SJD) in Law from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2004), a Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The group stated that since the Supreme Court judgement that returned exclusive power to the local government authorities, “the Lagos State Government, especially the state House of Assembly has been restive about the autonomy.”
The group, at a press conference in Lagos yesterday stated that “aside from the fact the LCDAs are now
illegal, the siphoning of the allocations to the LGs are now blocked.
“This has seriously unsettled the state government. And as it is, there are several steps being taken to undermine the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy, as well as keeping the impunity of depriving Nigerians of the democracy of local politics and economy.” At the press conference addressed by its Coordinator, Opeyemi Benjamin Ogunlami, CSTD stated that: “We have been following activities of the Mudashiru Obasa-led House of Assembly, and we have officially condemned and opposed the attempts at stifling the local government autonomy and its practicality.
yinka Kolawole in osogbo
Several diaspora groups have described the mining reforms and other good governance initiatives of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as “impressive and unprecedented” since the creation of the state.
The governor, who was on transit to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after attending a livestock conference in Northern France, hosted several leaders and indigenes of Osun State in London with many listing several sectors for which the governor has placed the state on the global map of good governance.
A group, Osun UK Professionals, led by Bimbo Adekemi expressed surprise at the fast pace at which the governor is pursuing infrastructure upgrade across the state at a time of tight economic situation across Nigeria.
The group noted that pursuing infra upgrade is a smart way of jumpstarting the local economy and ease environment of doing business to attract investment into the state. It particularly commended the courage of Governor Adeleke for demanding Osun’s rights from mining companies operating in the state, citing ongoing faceoff with Thors Explorations Limited as “a courageous move by selfless leader.
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Nine persons including a primary school pupil and her mother yesterday lost their lives while several others were critically injured in an early morning road crash at Oke-Elesin, Amuloko in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
It was learnt that the accident involved two trucks loaded with Soda drinks, tiles and two tricycles popularly known as “Keke Marwa.”
According to an eye witness account, one of the affected trucks lost control while descending the popular Oke Elesin hill and ran over other affected vehicles
including the Keke Marwa.
It was gathered that six of the affected victims died on the spot while the injured ones were receiving medical attention at the neighborhood hospital.
The source said: “The accident occurred in the early hours of today(yesterday). It was caused by brake failure of the trailer that was descending the slope.”
“Having lost control, it crushed a tricycle popularly called Keke NAPEP. Another lorry conveying soft drinks which was coming from behind it and tried to avoid hitting the trailer in front, and in the process hit and crushed another Keke NAPEP.
Hammed shittu in Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has empowered 3,400 rice farmers so as to boost food security for the people of the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural
Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas- Adebayo, stated this in Ilorin yesterday on the sideline of the recent inter-ministerial media briefing organised by the state ministry of communications. She said that the government decided to invest on the affected farmers in order to bring down the increase in the price of rice and other foodstuffs in the state.
She stated that, the affected rice famers under the aegis of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) were given both N:P: K& Urea fertilizers across the State. She added that another intervention for 10,000 various categories of farmers was carried out, where farm inputs such as fertilizers, agro chemicals and seeds were distributed to the beneficiaries.
Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, yesterday described the deplorable condition that the Super Eagles were subjected to by Libyan authorities as uncalled for and inhuman.
The Napoli star on loan at Galatasaray who had earlier called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other football bodies to intervene in the airport hostage situation of the Super Eagles, stressed that he was disappointed by
such conducts.
“I am disappointed by the unfair treatment my brothers and coaches are facing at the Libya airport. Actions like this go against the spirit of sportsmanship. My support is with my team, and I know they’ll stay strong despite these obstacles,” Osimhen wrote on his X handle on the social media on Monday morning while the hostage situation continued.
He called for immediate intervention of CAF and other football bodies on the saga. “I call on CAF and other football bodes to intervene, as my teammates
and officials are still stranded at the airport in Libya. This is uncalled for and inhuman. We stand together, stronger than ever.”
Similarly, two other past African Footballers of the Year, Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equally condemned the maltreatment of the Nigerian delegation by Libyan authorities at the Al Abaq Airport.
Adebayor, a legend of African football and Arsenal who won the CAF Player of the Year award in 2008 wrote on X: “Nigerian Super Eagles were stranded at a Libyan airport, locked in without food, wi-fi, or a place to sleep after their flight was diverted. “This type of behaviour is unacceptable for the progress of African football. No team should face such treatment. We stand with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
“Respect and Fair Play must come first on and off the field,” reasoned the former Arsenal player.
Another former African Player of the Year winner in 2015, Aubameyang, was emphatic that such barbaric behavior by the Libyan authorities should not happen in 2024. He wrote on X: “Anyway, that is not possible in 2024 acting like that.” Local authorities left the Nigerian contingents unattended for more than 15 hours after they arrived on Sunday night. Players were seen sleeping on the bench, and the team’s doctors raised concerns over their health ahead of the match.
shortly before the delegation flew back home from a 20-hour ordeal at the Al Abraq airport in Libya... yesterday
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
Defending champions of Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) and reigning Champions of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Edo Queens Football Club of Benin, have gallantly bowed out of the 4th edition of BOWFT after losing 5-4 on penalty shootouts to Nasarawa Amazons in one of the semifinals matches of the preseason tournament in Benin City.
A new era in the history of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) will start today as the 54-member continental sports body heads to the polls to elect its executives for the next four years. Outgoing President Khaled El-Salhy, after serving three terms (2010-2024), has decided not to seek re-election, paving the way for new leadership. Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi, currently the Deputy President of ATTF and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), is the leading candidate to replace El-Salhy. Cameroon’s Alfred Bagueka is the only nominee for the Deputy President position. The Vice President, Administration post will see a contest between Egypt’s Moataz Ashour and Algeria’s Cherif Derkaoui. For the VP Finance, incumbent South Africa’s Hajera Kajee will compete against Sudan’s
Ali Ayman. Uganda’s Robert Jjagwe and Ghana’s Mawuko Afadzinu will vie for the VP Marketing role.
The two women’s football giants had ended the highly entertaining game 2-2 draw after 90 minutes of regulation period at the University of Benin Sports Complex.
In the highly contested match, the ladies from Lafia got their first goal in 39 seconds shortly after kickoff through a defensive error made by Edo Queens defence line up, while Chioma Moses levelled up for the Benin side in the 16th minute.
Ijamilusi Folashade got the lead goal for Edo Queens in the 50th minute and Janet of Nasarawa Amazons got the equaliser for the Lafia girls in the 63rd minute of intensive action through
a spot kick.
Penalty shootout ensued after the 90 minutes of action as the match ended in the four goals thriller.
Edo Queens took the first kick and lost it just the same way Nasarawa Amazons took theirs and lost it also. The shootouts ended in sudden death with the Amazons carrying the day.
Edo Queens will play a third place match against Heartland Queens FC, while Nasarawa Amazons will take on Bayelsa Queens in the finals.
Bayelsa Queens defeated Heartland Queens 2-0 in the second semifinals game at the same University of Benin Sports Complex.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation has concluded arrangements to host the 2024 National Women’s Championship from October 20th to 27th at the twin Cricket Ovals of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Secretary General of the Federation, Sanni Mohammed, revealed that the event is the culmination of the zonal elimination that had gone on at different cricket clusters across the nation.
He said, “This is the national finals for the women’s focused developmental initiatives that
had gone on from the first quarter of the year. It is just interesting that it is coming at this period that we had just qualified for the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup in Malaysia.”
About 140 players from zonal finals in Lagos, Ekiti, Kogi, Kaduna, Gombe, Edo, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra states will join top cricket officials across the nation for the Women’s Championship.
“We are also using this event to hone the game’s administrative skills, including umpiring, scoring, and growing our coaching and live
broadcasting capacities,” he added.
The NCF scribe said the rate of growth and the success being achieved through developmental efforts have also raised the potential for the game of cricket by providing part-time jobs, and career paths for the youths.
The twin cricket ovals of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which will also play host to ICC Men’s T20 WC Africa Sub-regional Qualifier C later in November, and hence the Women’s Championship will help put the facility to the test.
Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, while receiving the Super Eagles on behalf of President Bola Tinubu described what the contingent went through in the hands of the Libyan authorities as a “near-death experience.”
The minister while speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday thanked the players and officials for exhibiting maturity and not engage in conducts that would have escalate the situation.
“It was almost 20 hours of trauma of the worst kind. You went through a near death experience in the hands of the Libyans inside that airport. To divert a plane almost at the point of landing to another airport without necessary landing aid equipment was a terrible one that took the professionalism and the experience of the pilot to save the situation,” stressed the minister
of sports.
Senator Enoh further revealed that most Nigerians stayed awake praying for the safe return of the team back home.
“What was important to us was their safe return. Nothing else matter to us but for you to return home alive. This was what mattered to President Bola Tinubu and to most Nigerians.”
Earlier, in a press statement issued by the seat of power, President Tinubu commended the proactive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of our players.”
“President Tinubu applauds the players for keeping their spirit alive despite the excruciating ordeal in Libya.
Benin Agog as Friends, Associates Usher in Akpakomiza with a Novelty Match
Friends and associates of the Edo State Governor-elect, Sen. Monday Okpebholo fondly called Akpakomiza and his Deputy, Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa, are putting up a novelty match as part of their inauguration activities fixed for November 12, 2024.
The brain behind the match, Hon Frank Ilaboya, disclosed this in a release he signed yesterday in Benin City.
Hon. Ilaboya, the immediate past Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, and a former Chairman of Edo State Football Association, said the novelty match is planned to usher into office the newly elected Governor & his Deputy in grand style.
The match which comes up on Monday, November 11th, a day before the swearing in, will take place at the prestigious Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
In the words of the State Chairman
of the Party, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, the Incoming Governor is a youthful and sports loving personality "and we feel that there is no better time to show this, hence this novelty match.
"The good news is that the Governor-elect and his Deputy are very enthusiastic about this match and looking forward to it with glee." He added that the Governor-elect wants to use sports to drive youth empowerment and return the state to its status as the Number 1 in the federation.
"Sports is one of the pillars the Administration of Sen Monday Okpebholo wants to use to empower the youths as well as return Edo State to its number one status in the Federation," Emperor Jarret added. So far, numerous friends & associates of the governor-elect and his Deputy have indicated interest to participate and support the successful prosecution of the match.
Defending Champions, MFM, to Battle Customs in Zenith League Final
The defending Champion of the Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Premier Basketball League, MFM Women Basketball team on Monday secured their passage to the final of the 2024 edition of the tournament to set up a big cracker against a former champion, Nigeria Customs Women Basketball team, who eliminated nine-time winner of the league, First Bank Women Basketball team in the semis.
In the first semifinal game played, MFM showed champions stuff against surprise team of the competition, Royal Aces, winning all the quarters for a place in the final, defeating their opponent 72-53 to continue their run to another title.
It was a more difficult game for Customs in the second semifinal as they had to sweat for the win against the First Bank team who everyone tipped for the final.
First Bank started the game winning the first quarter but it was a new Customs that returned for the second quarter, taking the game to their opponent, winning it and also taking the lead in the game. It was the same in the third quarter with First Bank rallying back in the fourth quarter to take the lead at some point in the game while it later move to a draw as First Bank continued to fight.
It however ended 57-51 points in favour of Customs as they clash in the final against MFM who already defeated them during the group stage of the competition.
Last year, MFM needed a win against Customs in the last game of the round robin Super 4 to emerge winner of the season and it was achieved during the extra time as the Lagos-based team secured their first ever title.
TUESDAY
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Asaperson,alltheindicesarepointingtoafailedstateanddemocracy.Allwe needisprayersforourcountrybecausethemassesareintrouble.Theyare suffering.Thehardshipistoomuch.Inthespateofafewweeks,priceoffuelhas beenraisedtothehighestlevelnowwhichisN1,100andinsomeplaces,N1,200. Itisbitingharderandhardereveryotherday” --FormerPDPNationalChairman, UcheSecondus,saysNigeriaisdriftingtowardsafailedstate.
“Bros, na wah for you oh. How person go dey call you, you no go pick call?”
“A beg. My head no straight these days.”
“Are you okay? You sick?”
“I sick. I sick well, well, well.”
What is the matter? And your wife could not call family? These women! What is going on?”
“I sick oh. Because my salary can no longer take me home. Nobody is increasing salaries. They don’t even pay as at when due anymore. When I buy fuel, the thing evaporates in 24 hours. My heart is perpetually pumping up and down. My body aches. And Madam is putting me under pressure that we have not yet paid the children’s school fees. I am sick. I can feel it in my bones. Have you not noticed that the fuel we buy these days simply evaporates?
“My brother. Bros. Na wah.”
“Tell me where are we going in this country?”
“President Tinubu and his wife are certain that we are going somewhere that is good. Mrs. Tinubu made the point the other day that we, Nigerians are not seeing what the Lord is doing and that in two years, we will all see the truth.”
“Like Saul who became Paul on the road to Damascus. I beg. Let nobody deceive me. Na hungry I hungry, I am not blind oh. I can see what is going on in Nigeria. What is the Lord doing in Nigeria that Mrs. Tinubu is talking about? She goes to Ife, visits her alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University and donates one billion Naira. What does she do for a living? Where did she get the money from? And then she says we, Nigerians must learn to work hard. Oh. Oh. These people. So, I don’t have one billion Naira because I am lazy? And then on top of it all, the Ooni of Ife erects a fake gold statue in her honour. Rochas Okorocha Iberiberism in Ife! And I am here, looking for quality fuel. This country is not okay, I swear.”
“E lo fokan bale. I believe that everything will be okay. President Tinubu is working on it. He is on a working vacation. From England to France. As a Christian, I believe that you will soon see what the Lord is doing.”
“I can see what is going on. We must stop blackmailing God in this matter. I can see that the leaders of Nigeria do not care enough about us. They are going about in luxury jets, SUVs, yachts, and Nigerians are told to work harder and be patient. It is the slave master’s logic. And the President says he is on a working vacation. Okay, what working vacation? It is either you are on vacation which is legitimate, perfectly legitimate. But you are working and you are on vacation? What an oxymoron! And Mrs. Tinubu gets a statue in Ile Ife? As what?” Tell me.”
“As our wife. First Lady. Mother of the Nation. Yoruba wife.”
“I have told you. We are not okay in this country.”
“But I disagree with you that the President cannot go on a working vacation? Mr. Bayo Onanuga has made it clear that the President can run this country from anywhere on the planet. If he so wishes he can leave France and go to Australia and stay there till the end of the year.”
“No. No. No. I disagree. Number One. Why must he always go to Britain and France? Number Two. It is not true that he can stay away from Nigeria for as long as he likes. Sections 145 and 146 of the 1999 Constitution are very clear. If he is going to be away due to vacation or incapacitation, he is required by the Constitution to hand over to his Deputy. Did he hand over to the Vice President? Did he inform the National Assembly? He just carried his bags and said he was going on a working vacation? President Tinubu is undermining the Nigerian Constitution.”
“It is his prerogative. He is President. He can delegate as he wishes. The Nigerian President is a monarch. That is the truth.”
“They say he is on a working vacation. I want to know what work he has done. He had to leave Britain just when that country was hosting business leaders from every part of the world to discuss the future of investment and Britain’s economic growth. It would have been a great networking opportunity for Nigeria. But our President left.”
“Again. You miss the point. The International Investment Summit in Central London was strictly by invitation. Elon Musk who wanted to be at the Summit, so desperately,
was not invited. Other leaders in the world were not invited. The Summit is not a gathering of the tribes and former colonies.”
“Okay I get the point. Nigeria was not considered important enough. So what work did President Tinubu do or that you know that he did during this working vacation? Nigerians have the right to know”
“No. You cannot order the President around. He is not your prisoner. He is a monarch. Get that straight. Why do Nigerians think that because this is a democracy, they can order the President and his wife around anyhow? What is wrong with us? In fact, we should count ourselves lucky. The people of Cameroon have just been told that it is a breach of national security to talk about the whereabouts of President Paul Biya.
Biya was last seen in September when he appeared on television at a function in Beijing. He is 91 years old. He has been ruling Cameroon for more than 41 years, the second longest ruling monarch after Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. Tinubu is just two years on the throne, you are looking for him. Come on man, he is still better than Paul Biya. I dare say he is even better than President Buhari who spent a total of more than a year outside the country.”
“And is that good for Nigeria? I ask. Answer. Is that how anybody should run a serious country?”
“Don’t worry yourself, Nigeria will survive. We will always survive. President Tinubu told us, have you forgotten? E lo fokan bale.”
“I have my doubts. I am anxious. Which fokan bale is that? Very soon men will lose their wives because they will no longer be men at home. Wives will give up their husbands and homes will be ruined.”
“Be patient bro. Two years.”
“Two years, with this hardship?”
“Something will come up. Naija no dey carry last. Our God will never forsake us.”
“Will you stop that crap? Let the Pastors say that on Sunday to their congregations. All these Pastors who ride limousines and private jets and they preach hope to their poorly-fed church members.”
“Touch not my anointed. Thou shall not speak ill of the people of God.”.
“Very soon, I will stop going to Church. No more paying of tithes. I will use the money to buy fuel and food. The Pastors are still telling people Nigeria go better because people still go to their churches. When people stop showing up, then they will know that something has gone wrong with Nigeria.”
“People will always go to church. The Pastors preach hope. Hope keeps us alive.”
“Go and mark my words. Nigeria is heading to a crossroads where hope will no longer show the way, hope without purpose and direction means nothing. The road called hope must be paved with clear targets. Please where are we?”
“As we speak, I am on my lunch break at work,
munching on something, thinking aloud with you”
“I am angry”
“I believe. I hope that tomorrow is another day. Nigeria always survives. We can’t go on like this, yes. Something may change the course of our history. Look at Guyana, a country of 800, 000 people. As of 2009, that country was famous for eco-tourism and its rain forests. In 2015, Exxon Mobil found oil in large quantities in its coastal waters. Today, Guyana, a former British colony way back in 1796, is now an oil rich country, so rich the Prime Minister is promising people free money and free opportunities, the country’s colonial architecture is giving way to glass sealed buildings. It is a new day in Guyana. The Lord that did it for them in that country can do it also for us in Nigeria”
“Bad example. Bad comparison. Nigeria already travelled through that road before. We found oil and the country scattered. What has oil brought us? It has brought to a point where we cannot even refine our fuel. Something that flows in some people’s father’s backyards. It has brought us to a point where a man from a state where there is no crude oil is now the one refining fuel for Nigeria making all the people who boast about our oil, na my papa get am, look truly stupid.”
“That is life. You can have something, talk about it and not know what to do with it. God has a hand in it. He will then bring somebody who can do it.”
“You always talk back and forth, here and there. I do not know what your people are doing.”
“Which my people? I don’t know them oh. I am just trying to be a good person?”
“You are a PDP man then?”
“Which PDP? Those ones that will fight from now till 2028. They will wake up after the 2027 elections have been won and lost”
“Are you cursing the PDP? The main opposition party in the country?”
“Let me quote Daniel Bwala jare. Kokoro ti n je efo, inu efo lo wa? The maggot that is spoiling the vegetable is inside the vegetable. Do you get it?”
“I get it. No hope for the APC either. Things are so bad even Libya is now insulting Nigeria, in football.”
Many persons that I know and that are dear to me have been celebrating their birthdays in the last week and one of them, Pastor Kayode Owolabi turns 60 on October 17.
On October 10, Professor Is-haq Oloyede turned 70. He is the current Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Letters. He is also the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, the 8th and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, former Chairman of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Committee of Vice Chancellors, and former President of the Association of African Universities.
Oloyede is one of such Diamonds who have spent a lifetime excelling in whatever they do, from his emergence as a National Merit Scholar (a distinction I proudly share with him) to graduating with a First Class Honour (we are in that boat together too), to becoming a Professor in 1995 (I left university teaching to become a talking head in the media). He later became the Vice Chancellor of his alma mater in 2007. Oloyede’s tenure as Vice Chancellor in Ilorin was regarded as the brightest moments in that University’s history. He is a focused, committed scholar and a man who pays great attention to details. He has proven his measure as Registrar of JAMB, a position to which he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016. In eight years, Oloyede has turned JAMB around and made it a success story. JAMB used to be an unprofitable government agency, a cesspool of corruption, but today, JAMB makes profit for the Nigerian Government and remains one of the success stories of Nigeria. Under Oloyede’s
watch, the institution has been sanitized.
Oloyede is a perfect example of a good Muslim, a good citizen, a good scholar and a platinum-citizen representing Nigeria well. He calls me “the Deputy Governor” but that is a story for another day. I congratulate him on the occasion of his 70th birthday. President Tinubu describes him as “an exceptional scholar, and an uncommon scholar who has shown rare commitment to financial integrity and accountability in public service”.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State where Oloyede hails from, says he “remains a leading light among many of his contemporaries and distinctly stands out for his integrity and thorough approach.” He deserves the accolades.
DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd) marked his 65th birthday over the weekend, Saturday, October 12. This is a good man who supported me in the days of struggle. He is a policeman. I am a journalist. But he is one good example of how a policeman can be your friend and I have no doubts that many who know Lakanu would attest to this fact. He is professional, firm, knowledgeable and dependable. With degrees in History and Law, (BA., LL B, B. L, LLM.) he belongs to the elite class of the Nigerian Police, one of those in that profession who could sustain an argument and an intelligent conversation. He rose, not surprisingly to the rank of a Deputy Inspector General of Police. He joined the police in 1986, and served as Commissioner in Imo and Ekiti. He was CP, Lagos Airport Command, AIG, Zone 7, Abuja. He was also Police Secretary. The only reward for hardwork and distinction is more work. DIG Lakanu has since been recalled for more work by an appreciative government. He served on the Lagos State #EndSARS panel. He is now back in Abuja
as a member of the Police Service Commission. He is the Akogun of Lagos. Congratulations, Akogun of the Universe! Live long. And finally, in two days, one of the persons closest to my heart in this world, Pastor Kayode Owolabi turns 60 on October 17. We grew up together. We shared dreams together. Our paths may be different. We are brothers, going back to the roots. Work demands would not permit me to travel to England, where he lives to celebrate his special occasion with him, but he is a man who deserves to be celebrated and he has earned all the successes that he has recorded. Kay, as I used to call him, he is now Pastor Kay, is one intense personality, he tells you he wants to achieve a goal, he will latch on to it and refuse to waiver until he reaches that goal. He is a very organized, and a deliberate man to the last detail. He used to tell me I am not making enough use of my talents. I think he pushes me too hard. But he means well. He has a generous and kind heart. Growing up together, his family was my family and mine was his too. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in History, he later obtained a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy (MILD). He worked as a banker for years. Then he found God or perhaps God called him to service as a man of His word. He is today the general overseer, Senior Pastor of the Everlasting Arms Ministries, shepherd and author, with headquarters in London. He is constantly travelling all over the world winning souls for Christ.
He found his calling. But this is no surprise. His father, E. V. O. Owolabi was also a priest of the Anglican Church. Happy Birthday, Pastor Oluwakayode Babatunde Adeleke Owolabi. God bless you. Your brother salutes you.