TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2022

Higher Food, Commodity Prices Push Inflation Further to 20.77% Severe in Kogi, Rivers, Benue James Emejo in Abuja The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of change in prices of goods rose to 20.77 per cent in September 2022, compared to the 20.52 per cent recorded in

August 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed yesterday.

Inflation stood at 16.63 per cent in September 2021, when compared on a year-on-year basis.

The NBS noted that the 4.14 percentage rise in the headline

index (when compared on a year-on-year basis), the highest in 17 years, indicated that the general price level was higher relative to the preceding year.

The food inflation rate increased by 3.77 per cent to 23.34 per cent

year-on-year compared to 19.57 per cent in the preceding year.

The statistical agency, in its CPI report for September, which was posted on its website, stated that the rise in food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and

cereals, food products, potatoes, yam, and other tuber, oil, and fat.

However, month-on-month, food inflation dropped by 0.54 per cent to 1.43 per cent in the review month compared to 1.98 per cent.

The NBS attributed the decline

in food inflation in September to a reduction in prices of some food items particularly tubers, palm oil, maize, beans, and vegetables.

The core index, which excludes Continued on page 10

Obi: I Will Rescue Nigeria from Becoming a Failed State... Page 12 Tuesday 18 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10052. Price: N250

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At Kaduna Rally, Atiku Pledges to Restore Peace, Condemns Attack on Supporters Chuks Okocha in Abuja

L-R: Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi; Shiekh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi; Chief Immam Central Mosque, Kaduna, Dr. Suleiman Mohammed Adam, and the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, during a courtesy call on Shiekh Gumi in Kaduna…yesterday

Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, during his Continued on page 10

Tinubu in Kaduna,Vows to Deal With Elements Threatening Nation’s Security Says every inch of Nigeria’s territory will be secured Hints at economic plan, says he’ll pay attention to modern fiscal drivers Declares it’s payback time, Atiku should endorse him Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, vowed to deal decisively with all elements threatening the peace, security, and unity of Nigeria, if elected president

next year. Tinubu stated this in Kaduna at an interactive session with northern leaders of thought.

The forum for presidential candidates was organised by the Joint Northern Committee, comprising Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Continued on page 10

Editors: Shutdown of Four Broadcast Stations Threat to Democracy... Page 36

ONE-MILLION-MAN MARCH FOR HURRICANE JARIGBE...

Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe representing Cross River North at a one-million-man march organised by his constituents of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogoja... recently

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

NEWS

THIRD MINISTERIAL REVIEW AND PERFORMANCE RETREAT...

L-R: Former Kenya President, Uhuru Kenyatta; Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the third Ministerial Review and Performance Retreat held at the Conference Center of the Presidential Villa, Abuja … yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

At Last Ministerial Retreat, Buhari Scores His Administration High Says with projects spread nationwide, his govt has met yearnings of Nigerians Reveals that new national carrier will commence flight operation this year Discloses govt will soon take delivery of 36 new aircraft to boost fight against insecurity To sign executive order to improve implementation of presidential priorities Osinbajo seeks monetary, fiscal policy synergy, better FX management system Kenyatta stresses need to carry opposition along for development Deji Elumoye in Abuja With less than eight months to the end of his eight-year tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday scored his administration high, saying his government has been able to meet the yearnings of Nigerians through the execution of impactful projects across the country.

This was just as the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has called for an effective synergy between the fiscal and monetary policy authorities in Nigeria as well as better management of the country's foreign exchange rate.

Also, former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has stressed the need for African leaders to carry opposition parties along in their quest to develop their countries.

They all spoke at the last Ministe-

rial Performance Review Retreat of the current administration at Abuja.

Declaring the retreat open, the president said high-impact projects have been implemented across the country meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

Addressing the retreat organised to evaluate the level of progress made in the implementation of the ‘Nine Priority Agenda’ of his administration, Buhari highlighted remarkable progress made in the areas of agriculture, economy, infrastructure, security, health, anti-corruption among others.

The president told participants and guests at the retreat including the keynote speaker and immediate past President of Kenya, Kenyatta, that over 3,800 Kilometers of roads have been constructed across the country, while 38 new aircraft were

acquired for the Nigerian Air Force to boost the fight against insurgency.

He also added that 38.7 million Nigerians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, representing 35 per cent of the total eligible population target for vaccination.

On infrastructure, the president said: ''In recognition of the importance of critical infrastructure in economic development and the quest of this administration to leave a lasting legacy, we have implemented high-impact projects across the length and breadth of the country that meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. ''Some of the notable achievements include the completion of 326km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line and railway ancillary facilities; the completion of over 156.5km Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge

railway modernization project with extension to Lagos Port, Apapa. ''On road projects, this Administration has constructed 408Km of roads; 2,499Km of SUKUK roads and maintenance of 15,961Km of roads across the Country. ''Key among these projects are the construction of 1.9km 2nd Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta States with 10.30km approach road; rehabilitation, construction and expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway; the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna – Zaria - Kano Road, among others.''

Stressing that the federal government under his watch has sustained commitment to infrastructural development for the past seven years, Buhari said over 941 kilometres of completed SUKUK road projects

MAN Urges FG to Promote, Patronise Made in Nigeria Goods Dike Onwuamaeze The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the federal government to make real its professed commitment to promote the consumption of Made-in- Nigeria goods and services.

The call was made yesterday by the President of MAN, Mr. Mansur Ahmed, at the opening ceremony of three-day Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition to mark the 50th Annual General Meeting of the association, held in Lagos.

Mansur said: “The Executive Orders 003 and 005 exemplified the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria to grow domestic production through the patronage of locally produced goods.

“It is in this regard, that the Presidential Committee on the

monitoring of the implementation order 005 should be called to action.

“The committee which is chaired by the President and anchored by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology should be mandated to ensure strict compliance with the order. Ministry, Department and Agencies of Government that fail to comply with the Executive Order should be sanctioned accordingly.”

He recalled that MAN had in the past four years organised the exhibition in furtherance of its campaign for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods.

He also noted that President Muhamadu Buhari has consistently maintained that Nigerians should consumed what they produce and produce what they consume, saying therefore that, “this three-day exhibition therefore is a demonstration

of the capacity of the Nigerian manufacturing sector to produce what they consumed. What is left is for Government and Nigerians to consume what we produce.”

Mansur stated that in order to grow the economy, create jobs and increase contribution to government revenue, the manufacturing sector must be supported to scale production through increase capacity utilisation and adequate patronage.

“On our part, I want to assure you that the MAN and the sector as a whole will rise to the occasion and ensure that it builds on the existing capacities and continue to improve on the quality and competitiveness of its product.

“Let me therefore, welcome you and urge you to move around the exhibition ground and see the existence to which the manufactur-

ing sector can meet the desire of Nigerians for a self-reliant economy.

“Indeed, given the size of the Nigerian market, achieving selfreliance will not only strengthen and deepen our economy. It will position us to play a dominant role in continental market.

“I must also urge our members to take advantage of the opportunities created by the policies of this administration and the emerging continental market to expand their investment, improve their manufacturing operations and the standard of their products.

“This will guarantee our competitiveness and market penetration in Africa and beyond,” he said.

The exhibition was declared open by a former President of MAN, Amb. Hassan Adamu, the Wakili Adamawa.

nationwide have been handed over.

He further said the federal government has embarked on the reconstruction of 21 selected federal roads, totaling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development & Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy.

Buhari explained that the roads, which are funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, were in addition to similar existing collaboration with Messrs Dangote Industries Limited and other corporate organisations to improve the stock of the country’s road infrastructure.

On aviation, the president assured that the establishment of a National Carrier for Nigeria was at 91 per cent completion, and was expected to commence flight operations before the end of this year.

He said the feat was being boosted with the certification of Lagos and Abuja International Airports by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, while Kano and Port Harcourt Airports were undergoing similar certification processes.

Commenting on the nation's economy, the president restated that the country had witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth, after negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

According to him: ''The GDP grew by 3.54 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2022. This growth rate represents a sustained positive economic performance, especially for the non-oil GDP which fell by 4.77 per cent in Q2 2022 against Oil GDP that grew by -11.77 per cent. ''Most sectors of the economy recorded positive growth which reflects the effective implementation of the economic sustainability measures introduced by this administration".

On the Communications & Digital Economy Sector, the president noted that giant strides have been made through broadband coverage which he said currently stands at 44.32 per

cent, reinforced by 77.52 per cent 4G coverage with the establishment of 36,751 4G base stations nationwide.

Similarly, Buhari declared that the power sector has remained a critical priority for the administration, adding that the implementation of a ‘Willing Buyer-Willing Seller’ policy introduced by the federal government has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to underserved homes and industries. ''We are also executing a number of critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, which will result in achieving the national goal of improved power supply by 2025. ''It is important to state that the partnership between the federal government of Nigeria and German Siemens AG through the Presidential Power Initiative to increase electricity generation to 25,000 Megawatts (MW) in six years is on course, as the first batch of the transformers has arrived Nigeria already.''

On the oil and gas sector, the president recalled that on August 16, 2021, he signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) into law, providing a legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, as well as the development of host communities and related matters.

He noted that to achieve the objectives of the PIA, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation was unbundled while the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority were established.

Enumerating efforts being made to strengthen national security, the president said his administration has substantially invested in arms, weapons and other critical military hardware as well as continuous training for the Armed Forces.

He said: ''The Nigerian Air Force Continued on page 36

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ON THE SIDELINES OF IMF/WBG MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON...

L-R: Deputy Governor Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Obiora; Princess Maxima of Netherlands; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Governor, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Director, Monetary Policy, Dr. Hassan Mahmud and Special Adviser to the CBN Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Ukeje, at a session on Financial Inclusion Strategy on the sidelines of the 2022 IMF/ WBG meetings in Washington DC ...recently

More Trouble for Nigeria as NLNG Declares Force Majeure on 22MTPA Plant over Flood-related Disruptions Crude oil theft: HURIWA backs Falana Accuses service chiefs, govt officials of collusion Alex Enumah in Abuja and Peter Uzoho Nigeria may be facing additional revenue challenges and gas shortage as the Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has declared force majeure on its 22 million tons per annum (mtpa) processing plant due to widespread flooding that has disrupted gas supply to the company.

The development could worsen Nigeria's cash crunch situation and curtail global gas supply as Europe and other countries struggle to replace Russian exports due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The NLNG in a statement yesterday, by its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh, said all of its upstream gas suppliers had declared force majeure, forcing it to make the declaration as well.

"The notice by the gas suppliers was a result of high floodwater levels in their operational areas, leading to a shut-in of gas production which has caused significant disruption of gas supply to NLNG,"

Odeh said.

He added that NLNG was determining the extent of the disruption and would try to mitigate the impact of the force majeure.

Flooding in Nigeria has killed more than 600 people, displaced 1.4 million and destroyed roads and farmland.

In fact, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed on Sunday that about 2,504, 095 persons have been affected by the worst natural disaster that ravaged the country in several years.

Officials have warned that the flooding, caused by unusually heavy rains and the release of water from a dam in Cameroon, could continue into November.

The NLNG's supply had already been limited due to prolific oil theft that had slashed output from what was typically Africa's largest exporter.

The company had exported roughly 18 cargoes in September, according industry data.

The company had declared recently that it lost almost $7

billion this year as a result of the impact of the alarming oil theft and pipeline vandalism as it was no longer operating at its nameplate capacity of 22mtpa due to gas shortages.

Nigeria relies on fossil fuel exports for 90 per cent of its foreign exchange and roughly half its budget. Crude oil exports fell below one million barrels per day (bpd) on average in August, the lowest level since the 1980s, due to theft that has exceeded 80 per cent on certain pipelines.

Meanwhile, a civil rights

advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday backed human rights lawyer, Femi Falana on allegation that there was a deliberate attempt to cover up the involvement of military personnel in oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, who aligned with the position of the senior lawyer, described, "as sacrilegious, contemptible and scandalous", the justification by the military, of the destruction of

China's President Xi Jinping's government has set up "overseas police stations" in Nigeria to keep track of its citizens abroad, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

The Chinese Communist Party called them, "110 Overseas Police Service Centres" to crack "down on all kinds of illegal and criminal activities involving overseas Chinese."

According to human rights watchdog Safeguard Defenders in its latest report, '110 Overseas Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild', the stations were established across Africa, Europe and America, among others.

"Rather than cooperating with local authorities in the full respect of territorial sovereignty, it prefers...to cooperate with (United Front-linked) overseas 'NGOs' or 'civil society associations' across the five continents, setting up an alternative policing and judicial system within third countries, and directly implicating those organisations in the illegal methods employed to pursue 'fugitives'," said the rights watchdog.

Apart from Nigeria, other African nations China has set up

its international 'police stations' are Lesotho and Tanzania, the report disclosed.

As part of a massive nationwide campaign to combat fraud and telecommunication fraud by Chinese citizens living abroad, Chinese authorities claimed that from April 2021 to July 2022, 230,000 nationals had been, “persuaded to return” to face criminal proceedings in China, explained the report.

China's official statements detailed the use of depriving suspects’ children of the right to education back in China and other actions against relatives and family members in a full-on "guilt by association” campaign.

In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, Jinping said corruption, "is a cancer to the vitality and ability" of the Communist Party and "fighting corruption is the most thorough kind of self-reform there is," adding that as long as "the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption still exist, we must keep sounding the bugle and never rest, not even for a minute, in our fight against corruption."

The rights group revealed that China designated nine countries as having serious fraud, telecom

State.

The group therefore called for investigation of the "massive looting" of Gold and solid minerals from Zamfara State by an independent judicial panel.

The group also called for the constitution of a judicial panel of inquiry on the oil bunkering vessel set ablaze by security agents after the vessel was arrested by a private pipeline surveillance team, Tantita Security Services led by a former militant leader, Government Ekpemepulo, popularly known as Tompolo.

How Rand Merchant Bank Supported MTN’s N115bn Corporate Bond Issuance MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has issued a total of N115 billion senior unsecured fixed rate bonds across two tranches, which represented the telco’s first issuance under its new N200 billion bond programme and third bond issuance

in the Nigeria debt capital markets.

RMB Nigeria disclosed in a statemet that it acted as joint issuing house / bookrunner not only on the landmark bond issuance but on all prior bond issuances from 2021 till date.

Report: China Running 'Overseas Police Stations' in Nigeria, Others, Disrespecting Sovereignty Bayo Akinloye

a vessel loaded with stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta area.

Besides, the group has called for a probe of a viral video in which a private jet purportedly belonging to a British businessman was seen flying out from the Zamfara Gold filled forests with what were believed to be gold haulage stolen from Zamfara State.

HURIWA in a statement wondered why the federal government did not tell Nigerians why it ordered a no fly zone in Zamfara State a year ago, when it was clear that there was no airport in Zamfara

fraud and web crimes, and Chinese nationals were no longer allowed to stay in those countries without "good reason."

Safeguard Defenders further noted that rapidly emerging evidence pointed to extensive online campaigns and the use of, "Overseas Police Service Stations" being used in these operations on five continents, often using local "Chinese Overseas Home Associations" linked to the CCP’s United Front Work. These operations eschew official bilateral police and

judicial cooperation and violate the international rule of law, and may violate the territorial integrity of third countries involved in setting up a parallel policing mechanism using illegal methods,” according to the human rights report.

The Chinese government did not respond to THISDAY's request for comments on the matter seeking to know how many Chinese nationals have been repatriated to China.

Continued online

It explained: “Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, the bond was well received by the market and recorded participation from a wide range of investors including domestic pension funds administrators, asset managers, banks, insurance companies, trustees, and high net-worth investors.”

The Co-Head Banking Division, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited, Chidi Iwuchukwu explained: “The success of the transaction will enable MTN Nigeria further diversify its funding sources and support long-term investments in critical Infrastructure. We remain committed to supporting MTN Nigeria’s continued success.”

Also commenting, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited, Dalu Ajene said: “We are pleased to have advised on this landmark issuance which reflects the depth of the Nigerian debt capital markets in supporting frequent issuers.

“MTN Nigeria is a strategic and important client to RMB

Nigeria, and we are committed to partnering with them to provide the required support in achieving all set objectives. We are grateful to the Board and Management of MTN Nigeria for appointing RMBN as one of the financial advisers and look forward to working with the MTN team on subsequent capital markets issuances.

“RMB Nigeria has over 15 years of transactional experience in Nigeria ranging from advisory on infrastructure projects, execution of key merger and acquisition mandates, to the provision of innovative and bespoke funding solutions to support transactions across a range of sectors.

“As part of the Corporate and Investment Banking Division of the FirstRand Group, the largest listed financial services group (by market capitalization) in Africa, RMB’s business strategy leverages a market leading origination franchise to deliver an integrated value proposition to corporate and institutional clients across Africa.”

Protest Rocks Abuja over Non-payment of COVID-19 PPE Contracts Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Aggrieved contractors yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) secretariat over the non-payment of their money for the supply of COVID-19 machines and personal protective equipment (PPE) three years ago.

The contractors, who brandished different placards, blocked the entry to the FCTA secretariat and caused traffic gridlock on Kapital Street and Ahmadu Bello Way.

The FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello and the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adesola Olusade were not in office at the time of the protest.

One of the contractors, Micheal Ewoma, told reporters that many of them had accumulated debts from the loans to supply the equipment.

He added that their staff had also not been paid salaries for months.

“It has been difficult for all of us. That is why we are appealing to the minister to pay this money so that contractors who came out

to do these jobs will also be happy.

We need to pay back our loans.

“The FCTA management having promised after we consulted with them severally has failed to honour all agreements with COVID-19 contractors. This is almost three years running and nothing has been done,” Ewoma said.

He recalled that a similar peaceful protest last year to demand their settlement resulted in partial settlement although many of the contractors were still being owed.

He accused the Health Secretariat

of fabricating excuses, including claims that some of the contractors did not meet up with their requirements to justify their non-payment.

“We have been told companies’ files were taken to BPE and have not been returned since last year.

And we have also been told that COVID-19 was not captured in the budget and the government is trying its best to see how to get revenue to pay contractors. The truth is none of that bothers us right now. What we are interested is payment- just pay us,” he added.

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ANNUAL NATIONAL DINNER PARTY...

L-R: Member, Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) National Dinner Organising Committee, Mr. Don Ekoko; President UK Branch, Chief Sylvester Efole; Forth Vice President General, Chief Clement Djebah; President-General Worldwide, Charles Majoroh; First Vice President-General, Chief Albert Akpomudje; Secretary-General, Roy Odoko and Chairman, Organising PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA Committee, Dr. Alfred Okoigun, during the ninth Annual National Dinner Party, 2022 for GCUOBA held in Lagos...recently

LP Demands Arrest, Prosecution of Tinubu's Daughter for Allegedly Coercing Traders to Vote APC Calls on Buhari to declare state of emergency in Delta State Demands immediate, unconditional release of its Ebonyi Senatorial candidate arrested by security outfit Police: He was arrested for drug-related offense, others Emameh Gabriel in Abuja The Labour Party (LP) has called for the arrest and prosecution of Iyaloja General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu- Ojo, the daughter of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for allegedly pressuring traders to support the candidature of her father.

The call, the party said, followed a viral video allegedly showing shops of traders who failed to attend the women's rally in support of Tinubu's ambition being shut down, noting that the affected traders complained that they were been forced to pay N5,000 as fine.

This was just as the party called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Delta State over alleged attacks on its members by loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) in the state.

The party has also in a related development, raised the alarm over an alleged abduction of its Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate, Linus Okorie, last night by men suspected to be persons of the south-east vigilante outfit, Ebubeagu.

In a statement signed by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Arabambi Abayomi Oluwafemi, the LP said the developments negated the tenets of democracy, stressing that every Nigerian was entitled to associate with any political party of his or her choice.

Arabambi, who cited the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of association, wondered when it has become an offence for citizens to make personal political decision.

He explained: "Section 40 of the constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria 1999, provides as follows: "Every person shall be entitled to assembly freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any association for the protection of his interests.

"The urgent call become necessary going by the recurring attacks on members of LP and their offices in Lagos.”

He recalled the attack on the LP offices in Ajegunle and other areas in Lagos. This he listed to include but not limited to the assault on members of the party in the Oshodi area of Lagos.

According to him, the State Police Command has refused to act on calls to create an enabling environment for all politicians in Lagos irrespective of their party's affiliation.

In a related development, the party has also called on Buhari

to declare a state of emergency in Delta State over allegations of attacks on its members in the state by those its described as PDP's agent.

He said the party was, "worried that its members were being subjected to daily attacks by the Agents of the PDP in Delta state.”

"If this goes unchecked it is capable of causing the breakdown of law and order and a full recipe for anarchy, capable of truncating the 2023 general elections, Arabambi said.

He, however, appealed to members of the party to remain law abiding, assuring them that the party would do all legally possible to protect their rights.

He however reminded the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Ifeanyi Okowa, to focus his attention on the real enemies within his party and stop pursuing perceived enemies.

FG: How Handwashing Can Cut Diseases, Hospitalisations by 50% Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government at the weekend urged Nigerians to imbibe the practice of frequent washing of hands, stressing that it could reduce diseases and incidences of hospitalisation by 50 per cent.

Speaking at the 2022 edition of the Global Handwashing Day, which was hosted by Mrs Uju Rochas-Awunkah, Country Director, U-Save Foundation, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, explained that attitude to hygiene remains an impediment to achieving the objectives of the global washing day.

October 15 is the Global Handwashing Day, a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Adamu, who was represented by the Deputy Director in the

Department of Water Quality Control in the ministry, Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, said the government was making concerted efforts to ensure that the various campaigns to encourage hygiene nationwide were ramped up.

He noted that due to the efforts, 72 local government areas are currently open defecation free , stressing that basic neatness will reduce the transmission of diseases.

“Washing hands will reduce the transmission of disease by nothing less than 50 per cent , according to United States statistics and this will reduce the transmission of germs and bacteria.

“And it’s not just the washing of hands that will help eradicate diseases but also safe drinking water use and we are doing a lot in that regard,” Adamu added.

While lauding the U-Save foundation for the initiative, he stressed that there was ongoing collaboration with the states which are the implementing bodies, urging

Nigerians to take basic care to prevent diseases.

Rochas-Awunkah, Country Director of the programme stated that adherence to a handwashing culture could decrease the amount of infections and even mortality rates in the country and worldwide. “ And that's why there's SDG goals and the United Nations has taken it seriously. And as such, we in Nigeria should not focus on hospitalisation and treatment and things like that.

“The focus should be on preventative health, preventative medicine, how do we promote health? How do we prevent disease infections? And washing hands is one of the key areas that we can use to prevent diseases and infections,” she explained.

According to her, preventive exercises like handwashing remain the most effective way to reduce aliments.

“The simple act of hand washing actually decreases disease spread

all across the board, and that's very important and it has become more important now as recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO )and the United Nations.

“So it's something that we should all incorporate in our homes, in our offices, everywhere we go and it should be a gospel that must be pushed around the nation because with this, we can help reduce the cost of hospitalisations and treatments,” she added.

According to her, for children, it will also cut the number of days they will be out of school due to ailments, stressing that where soap and water are not immediately available, sanitisers should be used.

Also on hand to support the programme which saw the organisation invite students from primary schools in Dawaki and Gwarimpa in Abuja were the Deputy Chief of Staff Rochas Foundation, Mrs Uloma Nwosu, Public Health Consultant, Moses Okpara, among others.

Meanwhile leadership of the LP has also raised the alarm over the alleged abduction of its Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate, Linus Okorie.

It also called on Governor Dave Umahi, the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the state to ensure his release.

The call was contained in a statement signed and issued by the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, which alleged that known political actors in some south-eastern states, particularly Ebonyi and Enugu had vowed that LP and its candidates would not be allowed to campaign freely in the zone.

Abure said this was evident with incessant attacks on members and supporters of the LP, “and particularly, our presidential candidates.”

He said: "This night attack is viewed by the party as a furtherance of the determination of these political hirelings to frustrate the progressive incursion of the party across the nation and particularly in the south-east.

"I therefore call on the Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi and the hierarchy of the security agencies particularly, the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State to immediately effect the release of our senatorial prospect, Hon Linus Okorie.

"The frequent attack and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians, particularly the political class could have major consequences in the coming general election. This is quite unfortunate and it is not good for democracy. We see it as a threat to our democracy and it should not be allowed to progress or institutionalised.

"I want to recall what happened to our party in Anambra State last year, when our governorship candidate was kidnapped at the heart of campaign and as I speak, nothing has been heard about him.

Sadly, this is happening again.

"We therefore call on Inspector General of Police and other agencies responsible for the protection of life and property to rise to the occasion and ensure that Hon Linus Okorie is released.

"As alleged, the Ebubeagu

Vigilante security in Ebonyi State is under the strict over lordship of the state authority and is known to carry out orders of the state government, deploying brute force on the people and residents of the state.”

He added: "We therefore demand that Governor Dave Umahi must rein in on this Vigilante or any other of the government agents to ensure that intimidation of perceived political opponents ceases, and that political rights of every Nigerian as enshrined in the constitution is respected.

"Finally, we urge the government to give directive for Hon Linus Okorie's unconditional release from these criminal elements.”

However, spokesperson for Ebonyi State Police Command, Chris Anywneu, who confirmed the arrest of Okorie, has debunked allegations of his abduction, saying he was arrested over pending case with the police, which also involved drug related offense.

In a statement by the police spokesman, he said Okorie was arrested by the Ebubeagu security outfit after refusing to honour several invitations.

He said: “Police detectives were briefed on why he was arrested, including his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha community which led to suspected gunmen unleashing mayhem in the area in 2021.

“Secondly, Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the command over a petition dated March 23, authored by the state’s attorney general/commissioner for justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against Governor Dave Umahi.”

He said when the SIB invited Okorie over the false allegations/ petition, “Okorie, in his characteristic pompous manner, refused vehemently to report. Rather he chose to file fallacious suits against the police command.”

“It is also pertinent to mention that Okorie also has a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for hard drug sales and use,” the Command added.

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Gbajabiamila Alleges Breach of Forex Regulations by Foreign Airlines Domestic operators lament unfair treatment Juliet Akoje in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday alleged that foreign airline operators were breaching the extant financial regulations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on foreign exchange.

Gbajabiamila stated this during an interactive session on the blocked $700 million belonging to foreign airline operators and other concerns raised by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over capital flight, breach of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), high cost

of tickets/airfare imposed on Nigerians estimated at about 50 per cent above countries such as Ghana, South Africa, among others.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, United Nigeria Airline who spoke on behalf of the AON, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, demanded for the rate at which foreign airlines charge for airfare/ tickets. He alleged that foreign airlines after receiving payment at the N740/$ parallel market rate were fond of compelling the CBN to offer them forex at N447 official exchange rate.

The airline operators also accused the authorities of

International Air Transport Association (IATA) of favoritism in the implementation of policy and regulations, alleging that foreign airlines had barred Nigerians from using debit cards to pay for tickets.

IATA’s Area manager West & Central Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun, while responding to the allegations on contravention of BASA and IATA regulations with regards to the payment in dollars, alleged that the foreign airlines were demanding for the repatriation of $700 million blocked fund since 2020 to date.

The speaker on his part said: “In the meantime, we have to

look for solutions. I’m also going to plead with foreign airlines to show some good faith. And what’s that good faith or how do you show that good faith?

“To open up your portals or whatever it is for business to continue as usual so that Nigerians can purchase your tickets so that the travel agents can work while this is going on.

“So, while you are doing yours there, we are doing ours here.

It cannot be a one-sided thing.

So, we can give ourselves some time so that once you go back to status quo, we will also at this point look into how you can repatriate or how you can

get your funds. If it’s special intervention or whatever, we will find a way to deal with it."

He added: “So, it has to be for want of a better word, symbiotic and as well do our end and you need to do your end within some good faith assurance from you.

“When Fatokun angrily said ‘it is not written in any BASA that they have to sell in dollar or not sell in dollar. It’s a CBN regulation that airlines are not expected, should not sell in dollars, it’s a CBN regulation.’

The Speaker maintained: “By self-admission, laws are actually being broken right. You did say about an hour ago that yes,

under BASA law, they are not allowed to sell foreign currency.

“Okay, so it’s not a BASA regulation, it’s a Nigerian law, either way, some laws are being broken. So, the question is whether BASA or CBN law, having heard that, let me still maintain my very soft punch to the airlines, please talk to your guys out there that you are breaking the CBN regulations.

“And I will also appeal to you to revert to status-quo while we look at the matter. Once that is done, it gives us more motivation to try and assist.”

the diversification of the economy and wealth creation across the entire country.

“We will pay attention to modern economic drivers, such as the digital economy, creative industries, sports and entertainment sectors, for the benefit of our young people. The APC federal government has taken several measures to build infrastructure and improve the ease of doing business across the country.

This has been complemented by the efforts of some of our states to attract investments in diverse sectors of the economy.

“Under my leadership, the Nigerian government will be business-friendly. We shall support private businesses in our country and attract foreign direct investment to create jobs, re-industrialise our country and accelerate economic development. Nigerian businesses in sectors like banking and cement have successfully ventured out of the country to build thriving subsidiaries.

“We will build a strong domestic economy, expand the capacity of our domestic market to support growth and encourage export capacity in the areas of our competitive advantage.

“We have the endowments to be a prosperous country. I will lead a renewed push to move us from the status of a nation of potential into a country of actual accomplishments as an economic dynamo."

Tinubu also promised to apply his experience in building human capital, which made Lagos one of the largest economies in Africa, to grow the country's economy to an enviable height.

He stated, “Using my experience of building human capital, industries, and institutions, which has led to Lagos being one of the largest economies on the continent, I will reposition our existing industries and make them a competitive source of industrialisation and growth, not just for the north, but the entire country.

“It is time to fetch water from a dry well and I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have done it before and I will do it. We will find a way, where there are no roads! I will ensure that we take advantage of our resources to convert cotton to textile, plants to pharmaceutical products, groundnut

to edible oil, cassava to ethanol and starch, etc., thereby building competitive advantage for our farmers through value addition.

“I will attract investments and create the enabling environment that will ensure the resurgence of our moribund industries and continue the infrastructure revolution of this administration on the railways and highways all over the country and invest in our inland waterways for safer and efficient transportation to complement this industrialisation vision.”

Tinubu stated that the north had a greater advantage in agriculture and under his presidency, the region would emerge as the hub of agribusiness in Africa through huge investment in the sector, in collaboration with the private sector.

He explained, “Agriculture is of special interest to me. It is both an economic and existential issue for every country. Experience in the last seven years has shown the potentials of agriculture in solving the problem of unemployment and boosting our GDP. For example, recent investment in the rice value chain has led to the springing up of rice mills across the country with attendant wealth creation and a reduction in our import bill.

“The north has greater advantage in this regard due to its large and abundant arable land. My vision is for the region to be the hub of agribusiness in sub-Saharan Africa.

We will improve investment in our livestock value chain. Specifically, subsectors, like the dairy industry that has the potential of adding billions of dollars into our economy, will receive significant attention.

“In collaboration with the private sector and governments at sub-national levels, we will make available high yield seeds and inputs, invest heavily in post-harvest storage and processing facilities so that we can significantly increase the value of what we produce. To ensure optimising the full value of their produce, we will utilise commodity exchanges to guarantee return on investments, and enhanced wealth for the farmers."

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TINUBU IN KADUNA, VOWS TO DEAL WITH ELEMENTS THREATENING NATION’S SECURITY Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, Centre for Historical Development Research (Arewa House), and Arewa Research and Documentation Project.

Tinubu also spoke on how he intended to achieve security of life and property in the country, saying under him, every inch of Nigeria’s territory will be defended. He gave his audience some hint as to his economic plans, and stressed that he would pay attention to modern fiscal drivers to realise the change he envisioned for the country.

The former Lagos State governor took sarcastic jabs at the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, saying the ex-vice president should have endorsed him because he had supported him in the past.

“It’s payback time. Let Atiku endorse me…I supported him in 2007,” Tinubu said.

The APC presidential hopeful assured the gathering that he would

personally lead a renewed push to move Nigeria from the status of a nation of potentials to a country of actual accomplishments, as an economic dynamo, if elected as president in 2023.

Aside security, the former governor said economy, power, education, and industrialisation would be given top priority by his administration. The welfare and training needs of security personnel would also be addressed and strengthened, while security institutions would be provided with modern technology and equipment to better position them to respond to contemporary challenges in a fast-changing world, he said.

According to Tinubu, "Under my leadership, the Nigerian military will receive a much-needed injection of trained personnel to strengthen the heroic efforts of the troops that are currently in service. We will deal decisively with all elements threatening our peace, security and unity.

"I guarantee you, we will end

kidnapping and banditry, not only through increasing our policing footprint and capacity, but also through other soft approaches that would promote inclusion and boost the economy of our local communities. I assure you, under my leadership, every inch of our national territory will be secured and defended."

The APC candidate acknowledged that as a result of concerns for the safety of the people, there had been increasing calls for states to be allowed to establish their own police forces. He said, "The issue of state police, just like the larger debate around restructuring, is a constitutional matter that requires consensus-building."

He contended that, though restructuring meant different things to different people, "it should be noted that my aspiration to lead this country is a testimonial for my strong belief in its unity and indivisibility."

These, he stated, were matters that required consultation with

critical stakeholders, including the Council of State, the legislature, the judiciary, state governments, traditional institutions, and groups.

"We will sustain on-going efforts of increasing the boots on ground commensurate to our geography and population,” he said, stating that his blueprint for growing the economy would explore the abundant natural resources to boost development.

He added, "Nigeria is sitting on a goldmine with abundant natural resources. With strategic investment in research and development and effective management, we will explore and exploit these resources to the fullest.

“There is no local government in Nigeria that has no resource or endowment that can be harnessed for greater economic development.”

A statement yesterday in Abuja

by Tinubu’s media office further clarified some of his points. It stressed, “Our economic plan would utilise the vast natural resources we have, through strategic investment in infrastructure, which will lead to

AT KADUNA RALLY, ATIKU PLEDGES TO RESTORE PEACE, CONDEMNS ATTACK ON SUPPORTERS Kaduna campaign rally, pledged to restore peace to all parts of the country and revive manufacturing industries in the commercial city.

However, Atiku condemned the attack on his supporters during the Kaduna rally, which was the second after the flag-off in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. He described the attack as undemocratic.

At the same time, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, denounced the assault on PDP supporters and other Nigerians in Kaduna. Saraki asked the security agencies to probe the incident.

The PDP vice presidential candidate and governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as Director General of the campaigns and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, said a vote for PDP at the presidential election was a vote to revive the dead textile industries in the state and create more employment opportunities in the country.

Atiku, who commended the Kaduna State electorate for massively voting for him in 2019, pleaded with them to do the same again next year. He said, "First of all, let me thank you for your support in 2019. Kaduna State gave me the highest number of votes in Nigeria. I have come here to pledge on behalf of the PDP that if you give us your votes, we will restore peace in Kaduna State.

"The security challenges will be addressed. We promise that we will reactivate the industries in Kaduna State in collaboration with the current private sector in Kaduna State, we will establish those factories.

"We promise you that the road linking Kaduna and Kano, linking Kaduna to Jos, linking Kaduna and Abuja, will be completed, by the grace of God. These are four undertakings that I am making on behalf of the PDP in your vote for PDP." Condemning the attack on PDP supporters during the rally in Kaduna, Atiku stated on his verified Facebook account, "I have

just received emergency reports of attacks on PDP supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the on-going PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State.

"This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago. I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe."

Tambuwal said, "When Atiku is elected, by the Grace of God, we shall bring back all the factories and manufacturing in Nigeria.

Part of the agenda of the Atiku and PDP of retaking Nigeria is growing the economy and you can only grow the economy, when you grow the production sector and manufacturing.

"Atiku Abubakar’s administration will ensure that, by the grace of God, we will reinvigorate and re-establish our industries for economic growth and for jobs to be created for the people to have what to do.”

Equally condemning the attack in Kaduna, Tambuwal said it would not stop the presidential victory of PDP Okowa said, "We are privileged today to have a presidential candidate, who believes in Nigeria. Among all the presidential candidates, he is a pan-Nigerian, who believes that both the north and the south must work together for the good of all of us and we thank God for the life of Atiku Abubakar.

"I am happy and privileged to be his vice presidential candidate, because I know that he has a solution to the problems that we have in Nigeria today.

"With Atiku Abubakar as president, we will not go back to our beds very hungry. We will not be poor, because he knows what to do to make us work and to enable each and every one of us have a place to work to earn money and that is what we need in Nigeria today.

"I bring you greetings from the south of the country. Those of us in the south, in the South-south, in the South-east, and the South-west, we are ready to vote for Atiku and the PDP. By the time the results come out in February, PDP will win in the South-south, win in the South-east and the PDP will win in the South-west.

"When we were going to Osun just three months ago, they were saying that PDP cannot do anything but when the results came out, PDP won Osun State. We won the state of the presidential candidate of the APC. That shows you how strong the PDP is.”

Saraki said the attack on rallying PDP supporters was a sad development mirroring a return to the dark days of politics in the country, which was widely believed to have become a thing of the past. He called on the security agencies to commence investigation to unveil the people, who perpetrated the violent acts, their sponsors, and their motives.

He said the attack on the Kaduna rally by some yet-to-benamed people was not just a threat to the country's democracy but also an indication that some elements were still bent on sabotaging and undermining the success of next year’s general election.

A statement by Saraki’s media adviser, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted him as saying, “This sad development is a big setback for our democracy. It represents a slap on the face of all Nigerians. It made a mess of all the efforts of the eminent men and women, who constitute the National Peace Committee, which just recently got all leading presidential candidates, their party chieftains, and spokesmen to sign an accord to promote peace and unity before, during, and after the elections.

“The security agencies must use this case to reassure the world that Nigeria will not return to the era of jungle politics or Hobbesian state.

Both the sponsors and perpetrators of these criminal acts should be treated as top enemies of the state.

They should be exposed and made

to face the wrath of the law in such a manner that others who harbour this evil intent will take this case as a big deterrence.”

PDP condemned the attack, but said it was undeterred by the alleged plot of certain anti-democratic forces, who were uncomfortable and unhappy with the success of the on-going reconciliation efforts, stability and popularity of the party, to cause tension and disrupt the party’s programmes in Kaduna State.

A statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said, "Our party’s position is predicated on information at our disposal of how these anti-party elements, who are not happy with the campaign successes achieved by the national chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, and other party leaders have concluded plots to orchestrate tension and create an impression of crisis within the PDP by recruiting thugs to protest and disrupt scheduled programmes of the PDP in Kaduna State.”

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HIGHER FOOD, COMMODITY PRICES PUSH INFLATION FURTHER TO 20.77% the prices of volatile agricultural produce, also rose by 3.86 per cent to 17.60 per cent year-on-year in September compared to 13.74 per cent in the corresponding month in 2021.

Core inflation was driven by higher prices of gas, liquid fuel, passenger transport by air, passenger travel by road, and solid fuel.

However, month-on-month, the core inflation rate was 1.59 per cent which was relatively the same rate recorded in August.

Year-on-year, the urban inflation rate increased by 4.06 per cent to 21.25 per cent in September, compared to 17.19 per cent in September 2021.

Month-on-month, the urban index declined by 0,34 per cent to 1.46 per cent compared to 1,79 per cent in August.

Similarly, the rural inflation rate increased by 4.24 per cent to 20.32 per cent year-on-year compared to 16.08 per cent recorded in

September 2021.

Month-on-month, the rural index was down by 0.48 per cent to 1.27 per cent compared to 1.75 per cent in August.

According to the NBS, yearon-year, at states’ level, inflation was highest in Kogi at 23.82 per cent; Rivers - 23.49 per cent, and Benue - 22.78 per cent, while Abuja - 17.87 per cent, Borno - 18.12 per cent, and Adamawa 18.42 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in the headline index.

However, month-on-month, highest price increases were recorded in Jigawa - 2.58 per cent, Yobe - 2.22 per cent, Benue - 2.05 per cent, Abuja -0.72 per cent, Sokoto - 0.19 per cent and Adamawa - 0.25 per cent, recorded the slowest rise.

According to the NBS, year-onyear, food inflation was highest in Kwara 33.09 per cent, Kogi - 28.46 per cent, and Ebonyi - 27.41 per cent, while Kaduna - 18.84 per cent, Jigawa - 19.20 per cent and

Sokoto - 19.44 per cent, recorded the slowest rise on year-on-year food inflation.

Month-on-month, however, food inflation was highest in Enugu at 2.61 per cent, Ogun - 2.50 per cent, and Oyo - 2.43 per cent, while Sokoto - 0.88 per cent, Ondo - 0.38 per cent and Niger - 0.62 per cent, recorded the slowest rise on monthon-month inflation.

Commenting on the latest inflation numbers, analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited stated: “Looking ahead to October, we anticipate a slower acceleration in inflation due to supply disruptions caused by recent flooding in some food-producing regions.

“However, as we approach the year-end festive period, prices may begin to take another surge due to the continued weakening of the Nigerian naira. Thus, we project headline inflation to rise marginally to 21 per cent in October.”

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INTERACTING WITH NORTHERN LEADERS...

L-R: Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna; Director, Arewa House, Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu; All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; Plateau State Governor/Director-General of Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign, Simon Lalong; Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina; APC Governorship Candidate in Kaduna, Senator Uba Sani and Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, when Tinubu held an interactive session with the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna…yesterday

Obi: I Will Rescue Nigeria from Becoming a Failed State Wealth of the nation is here, former Anambra gov tells northerners Assures that farmers will return to their farms in 2023 John Shiklam in Kaduna The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has said he would rescue Nigeria from becoming a failed state.

Speaking yesterday, at an interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee, he said any country no longer in control of the economy and security was nothing but a failed state.

He promised that if elected president in 2023, he would positively change the narrative.

According to him, the problem of Nigeria was not lack of ideas, but institutional weakness and lack of political will to effect genuine change that will better the lives of the citizens.

He said he was committed to unlocking the greatness of the country and lift it from a consumption to a producing country.

He also promised to ensure that the security challenges facing Nigeria was squarely addressed, adding that employment opportunities would be created for youths who are tools used to perpetrate social vices.

According to him, once jobs are created and the youths are gainfully engaged and made productive, insecurity would have been reduced to the barest minimum and would no longer be a lucrative business.

He said security agencies would be adequately equipped to handle all forms of security challenges in the country.

"We want to bring a transformative government. The greatest assets of Nigeria are the in north, the greatest assets of Nigeria is vast uncultivated land in the north but this lands has been taken by bandits.

We are going to unlock Nigeria.

"We will bring Nigeria back to life. All banks will be shareholders in the Bank Of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans," he said.

Obi said, he if elected, he would eradicate poverty in Nigeria, stressing that when you pull people out of poverty, the rate of crime in the country would reduce.

He promised to fight corruption to a standstill, maintaining that fighting corruption would be easy when leaders are not stealing.

"Our past is gone; we are going to face the future. Fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing, our money is being stolen, subsidy is an organised crime.

"I want to give Nigerians hope.

I and my running mate will be in charge, they will not find us wanting, we have the physical strength, I will dialogue with every agitator because it will make us a better and united Nigeria," he said.

He promised to invest more in women, maintaining that women are very industrious and dedicated and committed when given responsibility, urging Nigerians to vote a character and capacity they can trust, and that he is that candidate that can be trusted.

He assured the northern region that his presidency if elected would give the region premium place in his agenda because the wealth of

the nation is in the region.

He said the region was strategic to the development plans of ObiDatti administration if elected President in 2023.

“We shall pay as much attention to the development of the north as to the development of all other parts of the country; but with much greater emphasis on the development of the agricultural resources. The north remains where the biggest and sustainable wealth of this great nation lies,” he added.

The LP candidate said his administration would pursue aggressively policies, programmes and projects to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.

And will in particular do the following in the north, “offer immediate and decisive long-lasting and permanent-effect resolution of all security challenges in the North; ensure that farmers return to all farmlands for the 2023 farming season. We will make Nigeria’s arable land in the North her new oil and gold.”

And as part of our Marshall Plan for Education, “we will foster Federal intervention in education at all levels in the north and partnership with state governments and international organisations in order to improve access to affordable and quality education at all levels; ensure very adequate representation in government, equitable appoint-

ments especially in the security and economic sectors; incentivise the resuscitation of the moribund cotton and textile industries; and full exploration of the cattle economy value chain, notably the $75 billion global hide and skin economy.”

He announced that Nigeria’s share of the global industry was envisaged to generate over $1 billion by 2025; and his administration would ensure very generous deployment and allocation of economic and social projects and infrastructure in the north – with keen attention to roads, energy, power and dams- and solar energy from sunlight.

Obi said that a new New Nigeria was possible and the Nigerian

UBEC: Nigeria Needs 20,000 Additional Schools Within 3km to Halt Rise in Out-of-school Children Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi has revealed that for Nigeria to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children (OOSC), a total of 20,000 junior secondary schools must be established.

In line with the need for development partners to re-strategise and synergise better to be on the same page in tackling the challenge, he added that schools must be within the range of three kilometres from where they live.

Bobboyi, who stated this

yesterday, at the National Conference on Out-of-School Children in Nigeria, said communities must be enlightened to know the truth about lifestyles which encourages child neglect and out of school phenomenon.

"For Nigeria to meet up the needs of children who trek to post-basic schools across the nation, Nigeria needs a total of 20,000 junior secondary schools which must be within three kilometres from their homes.

"There is need to plan together and ensure that resources are judiciously utilised to have collective results.

"We must also take full responsi-

bility for our actions or lack of them and be able to receive enlightenment on education and society and enlighten our communities on the truth about lifestyle which encourages child neglect and out of school phenomenon," he added.

He tasked stakeholders to take responsibility in addressing the issue of enlargement of communities while the government and other partners revamp the basic education sub-sector.

UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Education, Saadhna Panday, acknowledged that the world was facing unprecedented OOSC crisis.

According to her, "Twenty-five

NEMA Launches $300,000 Worth Audio-visual Communication, Monitoring Equipment Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday launched a real-time communication and monitoring equipment worth $300,000 to monitor and report disasters whenever they occur in the country.

The equipment, the agency stated was expected to help field officers send feedback to its emergency coordination centres for quick response and deployment of needed assistance during emergencies.

The equipment was donated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, Saudi Arabia.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed during the launch of the equipment in Abuja, said the equipment would support the operation of the agency.

Ahmed explained that with the audio-visual communication on disaster and humanitarian outlook, NEMA operatives deployed to the field would be able to send real-time feedback to the Agency's Emergency Coordination Centre.

The system, he said would no doubt promote early response and facilitate the efficient management and deployment of life saving human and material resources.

Ahmed further said: "The real-

people wanted solutions to the many problems confronting them.

“But we must return to dreams of our founding fathers to create an egalitarian society. The Nigeria we seek will be a United and Secure Nigeria that symbolizes the spirit, letters, and exhorting ethos of our national anthem – “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” where “peace and justice shall reign.”

The former Anambra state Governor said that Obi-Datti ticket planned to offer Nigerians purposeful leadership with the fear of God and with all good conscience and intent. where the Constitution and the rule of law will always prevail.

time monitoring and communication equipment and proposed relief assistance are timely and cannot come at a better time than now when our country is bearing the brunt of widespread flood disaster with 603 lives lost, 1,302,589 people displaced and critical assets including roads and farmlands washed away as a result of the intensive deluge."

According to him, the equipment donated to NEMA would no doubt enable NEMA carry out effective coordination of its relief and recovery activities across the affected states.

Speaking on the food support, by the centre, Ahmed said: "The KS Relief has proposed to donate 16,000

food baskets of relief materials to Borno State for another two cycles of intervention to be distributed directly in IDP camps in the state in collaboration with SEMA and other partners.

"Each household is expected to have 59.8 kilograms basket of food comprising of items."

Similarly, the Team leader from KS-Relief, Alyousef Abdul-Mohsen said the equipment donated would enable the agency reach affected persons promptly during any disaster.

"The provision of communications equipment will facilitate the communication between NEMA

and the field offices and enable NEMA to coordinate humanitarian responses to affected population in the country,” he added.

On the food support, AbdulMohsen stressed that many projects were efficiently implemented with NEMA in the past and millions of people were reached with food assistance carefully designed to take the local consumption habit into consideration.

"KS Relief approved the third food assistance project to support internally displaced people in Nigeria in collaboration with NEMA and we are gathered to inaugurate the project.

million children are out of school globally with a chunk of them in Africa and South Asia. This was majorly caused by COVID 19.

Schools were closed intermittently, and this affected all schools across the globe."

Panday, identified economic status and location of schools as major challenge hindering enrolment of children in schools.

The UNICEF Chief noted that Nigeria has recorded major progress in enrollment of girls into school.

She further added that poverty was a major force driving the OOSC phenomenon in Nigeria.

The Country Representative of World Bank in Nigeria, Dr. Tunde Adekola, called for timely and reliable management of data.

He tasked the government on adequate coordination of coalition of partners both actors and non-actors.

Earlier, the Director Social Mobilisation of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Ossom Ossom, said findings as well as learning from other partners at the two-day conference would inform the design of a framework for action to reduce out of school children in Nigeria.

"The framework for action will act as a governing document to the government of Nigeria and its development partners in addressing OOSC over the coming three years, including a yearly review of progress, challenges and the way forward," he added.

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POLITICS

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

Endless Wait for APC Campaign List

The endless wait for the campaign list, as well as time-table and schedule of activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues as the party awaits President Muhammadu Buhari to pick a date for the flag-off of the 2023 election campaign. Adedayo Akinwale reports

Buhari

Adamu

Tinubu

Shettima

W

hile the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced its campaign in Akwa Ibom state and the Labour Party is also set to kick start its own, there is no end in sight as to when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) plan to release details about its campaign activities or it’s campaign list.

The meeting between the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the governors of the party, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as well as Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) held last week without particular date chosen for the ruling party to flag-off its campaign.

The Spokesperson of PCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo, told journalists at the end of the meeting that the schedule of President Muhammadu Buhari, being the Chairman of the campaign council, was delaying the flag off of the campaign. He explained that Buhari’s schedule has to be put into consideration before a specific date would be fixed for the commencement of campaign.

He was quick to add that they have accommodated all the interest groups in the campaign list, which he said already laid every disagreement generated by the 422-member list initial released to rest.

His words: “You know that the structure of our campaign involves Presidential diary. I have said that our campaign is not going to be like those that they can kick and start like small vehicles. It is maneuvering a 50-ton tanker on a highway and once we hit the highway, it will be in motion and movement.

“Since Mr President is the chairman of the Campaign Council, we are going to take his diary into consideration in picking and choosing the date. However, we have all virtually agreed to hit the street very soon. We have also agreed on the region we are going to kick-start but I won’t say that now. We have

also agreed on all the basic issues.

We just want to carry along the leader of the party, Mr President and hit the street”.

With the campaign list of the party still being awaited, Keyamo revealed that the presidential candidate of the party presented a draft manifesto to the party.

According to him: “What you have seen here is the meeting of different layers of the party. It was the meeting of the major stakeholders of the party. The Progressive Governors, the NWC, and the PCC with the presidential candidate.

We are a very united party with all the organs of the party working in unison towards one purpose.

All we did today during the meeting was to review the draft of our manifesto.

“Our candidate is not the type that operates on his own. He carries everybody along. He presented the draft of the manifesto to all the stakeholders that looked at it. And

guess what, almost all the stakeholders gave that draft more than 90 per cent passmark. We can’t give you the content because we are not going to take it away from our candidate. He is going to present himself before Nigerians on a particular date and occasion. We have set up a small committee charged with the responsibility of reducing the manifesto documents to major highlights in message form we will sell to even the market women, street traders in the most simple language.

“We don’t want to present to Nigerians a very complicated document that they cannot understand in simple terms.”

THISDAY checks revealed that the ruling party has decided to flag-off its campaign in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. However, no specific date has been fixed as the party awaits President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the chairman of the PCC to pick a date that is convenient for him.

A member of the NWC who craved anonymity revealed that the choice of Ilorin was agreed on for the commencement of the five-month long presidential campaign period. He noted that the Presidential candidate will make public his manifesto as soon as President Buhari is

You will recall that our presidential candidate has unveiled his manifesto to the critical stakeholders of the party. The document is ready, but in line with the party’s tradition, the party leadership and Asiwaju will only make the manifesto public after it must have been presented to President Buhari. Asiwaju will make a public presentation of the document before we commence the campaign.

briefed.

He said, “Just as the council spokesman, Festus Keyamo told the Press on Wednesday, we have agreed on the venue for our campaign kick off. The meeting agreed and approved Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as proposed by the Campaign Council.

“You will recall that our presidential candidate has unveiled his manifesto to the critical stakeholders of the party. The document is ready, but in line with the party’s tradition, the party leadership and Asiwaju will only make the manifesto public after it must have been presented to President Buhari. Asiwaju will make a public presentation of the document before we commence the campaign.

“The PCC is working round the clock to get all organs of the party involved in the campaign.

The final membership list of the council is billed to be released next week. The list is being fine-tuned to take care of all interests.

We are coming out with a formidable council.

“You recalled that all organs of the party agreed to work together for Asiwaju and all our candidates at the election. What we are doing now is to get all organs to align with the campaign programmes as we hit the ground for the campaign.”

Moreso, another source close to the leadership of the Campaign Council said the list of the Campaign was endorsed at last Wednesday’s meeting and would be released soon.

He added that a five-man committee has been set up to review the manifesto submitted by the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

According to the source: “The list for the campaign was endorsed and will be released any moment. Manifesto to be adjusted with five committee members to remove and add few things and simplify it.”

As it stands, until the president picks a date, there will only be motion and no movement as far as the campaign activities of the ruling APC is concerned. The waiting game continues.

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Monday October 17, 2022 Vol 27. No 10051

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

‘DIGNITY FOR ALL IN PRACTICE’ Nigeria needs a robust national action plan to fight poverty, argues VICTOR IKEM

See page 23

VOTE-BUYING: THE ELUSIVE BIN OF OUR ELECTIONS JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN argues that vote buying is embedded in the system

See page 23

EDITORIAL

TIME TO UNMASK OIL THIEVES

See page 24

1

PAUL NWABUIKWU canvasses the appointment of those who are fit for purpose

WANTED: MORE BORING PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT There is a ritual that follows elections in the most developed nations of the world. A few days after the loud and colourful campaigning, the noise and controversies, soon after the swearing in of the winners, and the inauguration of the new government, a change of guards takes place.

In the new choreography, executed with parade ground precision, most of the colourful characters who played prominent roles in the campaigns – not all, of course - start receding into the shadows as they are replaced by new, GLVWLQFWO\ GLͿHUHQW SOD\HUV <RX PD\ call them the boring ones.

In unfashionable monochrome suits, carrying well-used briefcases, they emerge from academia, industry, the professions and other points of the local and international … space to take up cabinet positions and other key roles. Their educational backgrounds, PDMRU LQÁXHQFHV SUHYLRXV SRVLWLRQV ideological preferences and records are tracked and analyzed by the media and SXQGLWV LQ RUGHU WR DVVHVV WKHLU ÀWQHVV for their new roles and predict their likely policy preferences based on their antecedents.

Based on this multifaceted process of investigation and analysis, the media, think tanks, the labor unions and other stakeholder groups proceed to oppose, criticize and, most of all, hold the government and the appointees responsible.

This process also has some deterrent value. Knowing that public interest in the kind of persons appointed into critical government positions is high, that rigorous questions will be asked, incoming governments do their best to hire persons who not only have VRPHWKLQJ WR RͿHU EXW DUH VHHQ DV KDYLQJ VRPHWKLQJ WR RͿHU 7KH\ KDYH to, because the government’s electoral fate – how long it survives in power is tied to its performance on the issues that are priorities to voters.

7KLQJV DUH RI FRXUVH YHU\ GLͿHUHQW here. Before and after elections, there is plenty of feverish speculation about who will end up where as ministers or heads of agencies or top aides to the president, vice president and other powerful new appointees.

But the focus is not on the high points of the educational history or professional careers of such persons (or lack thereof). No. The quality and competence of persons appointed to head key ministries, departments and agencies is hardly on the front burner.

Rather, what dominates the headlines,

political analyses and conversations in high and low places is who will get what position because of how much they “invested” in the polls and how close they are to those who matter.

And this includes wives, friends, business partners, marabouts, prayer warriors and other persons who have their ears. In other words, the focus is on access and proximity to power, not knowledge, capacity, passion or any of the qualities than should improve the chances that a prospective appointee FDQ DGG YDOXH WR WKH R΀FH RU SRVLWLRQ Related to this mindset is the idea of “juicy” ministries and agencies – one of the most destructive concepts in Nigerian politics and governance. This is of course a reference to MDAs which have huge budgets appropriated to them because of their functions. But the focus is not on the great good which the big budgets can help these ministries and agencies achieve, but on WKH SROLWLFDO LQÁXHQFH ZKLFK WKRVH ZKR head them can wield as a result of the budget. This is useful to the political party in power because the “chieftain” in a lucrative ministerial position can XQR΀FLDOO\ FRQWULEXWH D VLJQLÀFDQW portion of the budget to the party’s HOHFWLRQ EXGJHW ,Q HͿHFW WKH PLQLVWHU in charge of a juicy ministry is not primarily a servant of the state or the Nigerian people but a party member whose assignment is to redirect the budget to help his party win elections.

Public interest and welfare is a distant second. Is there any wonder governance is sub-optimal?

If Nigeria’s political system and SUDFWLFHV ZHUH PRUH ÀW IRU SXUSRVH WKH

Nigeria needs the right kind of boring persons in key ministries, agencies and other positions, people who are focused on making things happen for the country, not for themselves, godfathers and the party.

And we need them fast

process of selecting the right persons for critical cabinet and non-cabinet positions would be more focused and rigorous. The right questions would drive the process.

Who would be a nominee for minister of power, for instance? How much would he or she know about the critical electricity sector which has underperformed for virtually the entire duration of the country’s history, and perhaps more than any other factor, is responsible for Nigeria’s serial lack of productivity? What did he or she study and in what institutions and how relevant is that to the role? Perhaps more important, what about his/ her professional and entrepreneurial records? What relevant experience would he or she have? What about his or her views on the best ways WR WDFNOH WKH SROLWLFDO ÀQDQFLDO DQG institutional challenges that hobble the power sector? Would he or she have a reputation for high performance or is the individual one of those creatures ZKR KDYH DFKLHYHG D SURÀWDEOH FDUHHU out of doing favours for politicians while looking good in a babanriga, DJEDGD RU D ZHOO FXW ´VHQDWRUµ RXWÀW" The quality of a political system is not determined by a superior constitution but quality execution of its mandates especially by quality persons in critical elected and appointed positions. As the nation approaches 2023, there is an urgent need to reconsider some of the squalid traditions behind the appointment RI XQTXDOLÀHG XQGHUSHUIRUPHUV LQWR important positions that are critical to achieving progress in the many areas where we are lagging behind.

With all key economic indices down, joblessness and insecurity rampant, we are running out of chances. The country VLPSO\ FDQQRW DͿRUG WR FRQWLQXH WKH kind of uninspiring, nation-destroying recruitment practices that have held us down for so long.

The era of appointing colourful “chieftains” whose loyalty is to base and illegal party diktats, and not the best interests of the nation, needs to come to an end. Nigeria needs the right kind of boring persons in key ministries, agencies and other positions, people who are focused on making things happen for the country, not for themselves, godfathers and the party. And we need them fast.

Nwabuikwu is a member of THISDAY Editorial

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Nigeria needs a robust national action plan to fight poverty, argues VICTOR IKEM

‘DIGNITY FOR ALL IN PRACTICE’ for the eradication of poverty, it needs to be emphasized that Nigeria requires to build resilient measures and strategies to address increasing poverty. Despite having launched several poverty eradication plans since the early to mid-1970s aimed at addressing the problem of poverty, VXFK DV WKH 1DWLRQDO $FFHOHUDWHG )RRG 3URGXFWLRQ SURMHFW 1$)33 $JULFXOWXUDO and Cooperative Bank (NACB), and National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) among several initiatives, including one by the current government launched 2016 and called the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), a portfolio of programs to deliver socioeconomic support to the mostly poor and disadvantaged population. These programs and initiatives aimed at poverty reduction have achieved little or nothing over the years. )RU LQVWDQFH WKH 16,3 XQGHU WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI +XPDQLWDULDQ $ͿDLUV Disaster Management and Social Development were designed and intended to address critical issues relating to poverty and to serve as a framework for tackling unemployment, providing DFFHVV WR PLFUR FUHGLW RͿHULQJ QXWULWLRQDO support through school feeding, cash transfer to most vulnerable households, and other related outcomes which are linked to poverty alleviation. Despite LWV LQWHQWV DQG HͿRUWV 1LJHULD WKURXJK these programs has not yet succeeded in and it showed that countries in Europe, VX΀FLHQWO\ OHVVHQLQJ WKH UDWH RI SRYHUW\ North America, and some parts of Asia Several reasons have been adduced for the have minimal poverty levels because of growing poverty in Nigeria among which resilient economic measures whereas are institutional corruption, a failing most sub-Saharan African countries have educational system, a weak healthcare a high degree of poverty prevalence which system, failure of economic plans, and KDV QHJDWLYHO\ DͿHFWHG WKH ZHOOEHLQJ lack of political will, amongst others.

Beyond rhetoric, Nigeria genuinely of the population in this region. With its growing population rate, the fear is real and urgently needs an institutionalized that poverty will also continue to multiply action plan to address poverty which will if not adequately addressed through involve a stronger and more committed collaboration between the federal and robust and systemic interventions. sub-national governments. With the Several reasons have been 2023 election just less than three months adduced for the growing poverty away and a new government expected to take charge by May 2023, if there is not a in Nigeria among which are GHWHUPLQHG DQG KROLVWLF HͿRUW WR FXUWDLO institutional corruption, a failing poverty, more young Nigerians will be forced to abandon the country for greener educational system, a weak pastures in Europe and America. If this does continue to happen, Nigeria will healthcare system, failure of keep losing needed human capital needed economic plans, and lack of for recovery and growth. political will, amongst others The next government must prioritize education, healthcare, and job creation through productive sector investment $ QXPEHU RI IDFWV KDYH EHHQ LGHQWLÀHG aside from ensuring security, and development and as responsible for growing poverty rates. agricultural These include climate change crisis, the encouraging production and export Russia-Ukraine war which has forced food to stabilize the economy and reduce shortages in most parts of the developing dependency on importation. With the world, and the resultant food crisis which new trend of migration out of the country has exposed more households to tougher attributable to poor living conditions, economic situations constituting a part of frailer economic growth, and increasing the current source of poverty prevalence insecurity, it is undoubtedly that the especially in developing economies. quest to escape poverty is at the root of According to the World Poverty Clock, the migration crisis which has seen many over 610 million people worldwide are young people jet out of the country. said to be living in extreme poverty of which Nigeria accounts for over 69 million Ikem, representing about 10% of the worldwide Ph.D., a public policy commentator writes poverty rate. from Lagos As the world marks this year’s day Every 17th of October is set aside to mark the international day for the eradication of poverty worldwide since 1987. The theme of this year’s event is “Dignity for All in Practice”. The day is set aside to address issues that are linked to poverty as a major development concern. The desire for eradication of extreme poverty is listed as item number one on the United Nations (UN) endorsed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Worldwide poverty has been acknowledged to be an issue of serious concern, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that has been overwhelmed with rising incidences of poverty and deprivation.

The World Social Report in 2020 characterized poverty and inequality across many countries in the world

JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN argues that vote buying is embedded in the system

VOTE-BUYING: THE ELUSIVE BIN OF OUR ELECTIONS Over time, every society develops unique languages around its trades. In Nigeria, the political lexicon has been growing quite rapidly over the years. If Nigerian politicians who left the system before the advent of the 21st Century were to come back today, they would be unable to know the meaning of such terms as “budget–padding”, “poaching”, “vote-buying” and lots more.

These new entries into our lexicon would remain alien to people in other climes, except those who want to learn from us. That’s part of the evolution of our political system.

Today, we are looking at the issue of votebuying, which involves the voter obtaining money from the contestant in an election to vote for him. Here, the voter turns himself into an article of trade or a commodity to be purchased by the contestant.

As we approach the 2023 general elections, the issue of vote-buying has become very topical. More so, the 469 wise men at the National Assembly have gone ahead to include LQ WKH (OHFWRUDO $FW VWLͿ SXQLVKPHQW IRU people who will engage in it.

We are looking at two fundamental questions: Why would the National Assembly be setting expenditure limits that cannot be monitored in an election? Why would they be making laws that cannot be enforced?

It is a curious paradox that our politicians who frown openly at vote-buying are the same ones engaged in it. In the area of contracts, ZH DUH ORRNLQJ DW WKH FRQFHSWV RI RͿHU DQG DFFHSWDQFH LI WKH SROLWLFLDQV DUH RͿHULQJ nothing, the voter will have nothing to accept.

Apparently, the 469 wise men were a bit myopic in their approach to the issue of votebuying. They looked at an election as a oneGD\ DͿDLU We see an election as a set of activities spanning over a long period of at least one \HDU )RU RXU SXUSRVH KHUH OHW·V OLPLW RXUVHOYHV to one year.

The Electoral Act 2022 sets the limit of expenditure at N5 billion for those contesting WKH R΀FH RI 3UHVLGHQW 7KH\ IDLOHG WR UHDOL]H WKDW WKLV KLJKHVW R΀FH LQ WKH ODQG KDV become so attractive that the competition for it has become cut-throat. In this cut-throat competition, the new normal has become that each party becomes factionalized and each faction produces a list of delegates for primary elections.

The national headquarters that has to determine which of the lists that eventually get accepted are not manned by angels. They are Nigerians who have blood running through their veins. Whether you eventually call it “consolidated bribe money of N1 billion” or “some scattered form of housing allowance refund”, it is, nevertheless, an expenditure item; and somebody pays it! But who is

monitoring that? To the extent that these are inducements for people to vote in a certain way, they are certainly the beginning of vote-buying!

Have you ever seen a system at war with itself? What do they think they’re doing when before every major election they move to the marketplaces in our major cities and begin to dish out N5000 handouts in “Trader-money”, “Plumber-money”, “Hairdresser-money”, etc., under the guise of social-intervention? The expenditure here runs into hundreds of billions of Naira of the taxpayer’s money. Who is deceiving whom? And who is legislating against vote-buying?

This is one system that is totally dollarized and monetized. You are setting an expenditure limit of N5bn when it is known that on the eve of the primary election, many of the contestants easily spend 10 times that amount. Who monitors WKDW" :H KHDU WKDW WKH ,1(& R΀FLDOV ()&& operatives, and sundry security agents are always there. But where exactly are they to be found? It is beginning to appear as a process of the more you look, the less you see.

They would be comfortably seated at Eagle Square while the deals are done in the delegate’s hotel rooms. So, they see nothing and repair nothing. It also pays them to see nothing. After all, they, too, might have been settled separately.

Admittedly, legislating on morality - is D GL΀FXOW WKLQJ 9RWH EX\LQJ LV DQ LVVXH between two consenting adults- a willing seller and a willing buyer, and it is not done in the open, rather it is done under candlelight and in the thick of the night.

In one electoral cycle, we have seen the SDUW\ R΀FLDOV RU KHDGTXDUWHUV HOHFWLRQ R΀FLDOV ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW R΀FHUV VHFXULW\ agents, and national delegates, all smiling to the bank - courtesy of the contestants!

It is now Election Day proper. This is where we begin to pursue the shadow and leave the substance. The poor voter has been so ignored and starved that he has come to accept the N2000 purchase price for his vote as a way of life. This is the only IULQJH EHQHÀW KH JHWV IURP WKH SRVLWLRQ LQ four years. He, too, has devised a clever way of getting paid in the night - a day or two before Election Day! So the entire law comes to naught and aspects of the Electoral Act 2022 have since become a dead letter.

My heart bleeds for election observers who, at the polling stations, open their eyes to catch vote buyers and sellers. But alas, the deal had been consummated last night!

Yes, vote-buying goes on very actively in our system. It is certainly a major bane in our elections. But like the weather, which everyone complains about but nobody can do anything about, it remains totally elusive. Evidently, when you make laws prohibiting an act, you look aside and see the act being brazenly carried out, it is undermining of faith in the entire process of law-making and enforcement.

However, all hope is not lost. It is a passing phase. Someday soon, we shall have a system where vote-buying and other associated vices shall not be needed.

The choice we make in 2023 will perhaps be a foreshadowing of things to come.

Omorotionmwan writes from Canada

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

TIME TO UNMASK OIL THIEVES Government should summon the courage to deal with this burgeoning economic crime

B

arely two months after his company was awarded a security contract to check oil theft in the Niger Delta region, Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has reportedly discovered about 58 illegal points in Delta and Bayelsa States where crude oil is so brazenly stolen. Among them is a four-kilometre oil pipeline used by bunkerers on the trans-Forcados pipeline in Delta State. “We are doing the work together with the security agents, NNPCL and others,” said Tompolo, an ex-militant leader, recently. “We are only providing intelligence for the security to assist to do the work. The stealing has been going on for over eight to nine years.”

In the past few years, Nigeria has been unable to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota, mainly because of massive oil theft, with a resultant debilitating impact on government revenue and accretion to reserves. More painfully, at a time many oil producing countries are reaping billions from the Russia-Ukraine windfall, Nigeria is scrounging, severely handicapped.

According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria lost more than 115,000 barrels per day (bpd) to oil theft and vandalism between January 2021 and February 2022.

The NUPRC helmsman, Gbenga Komolafe, stated recently that about $3 billion worth of oil was lost to these criminal cartels within the period.

The volume of oil theft is now not only staggering but also unprecedented. The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) aptly described it as an “existential threat”. An audit on the operations of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector commissioned by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) disclosed that the nation lost over 136 million barrels of crude oil estimated at $10.9 billion through sabotage between 2009 and 2011. But authorities in the sector must go beyond mere lamentations.

As many attest, Nigeria’s crude oil production has always been marred by challenges of transparency and accountability. In a report on the mismanagement of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, The London Economist recently wrote: “…oil is also being stolen at a record UDWH DQG WUDGHUV· ÀJXUHV VKRZ RXWSXW DW ZHOO EHORZ WKH JRYHUQPHQW·V ÀJXUHV ,QIRUPDWLRQ DERXW $IULFD·V biggest oil industry is an opaque myriad of numbers.

No one knows which ones are accurate; no one knows how much oil Nigeria produces. If there were DQ DXWKRULWDWLYH ÀJXUH WKH WUXO\ KRUULI\LQJ VFRSH RI corruption would be exposed.”

While there is no doubt that the incidents of crude oil theft now pose a huge threat to the nation’s economy and indeed, the environment, it is evident that the problem SHUVLVWV EHFDXVH RI R΀FLDO complicity. The menace is growing in the level of skills and sophistication only because many law enforcement agents are compromised. Last week, a former Director of the Department of State Service (DSS) Mike Ejiofor lamented that oil theft in Nigeria is a deliberate act by a syndicate made up of oil companies, the military, and other stakeholders which had been on for over 40 years. For instance, a report of the criminal activities he submitted to the “authorities” years back was thrown out as those in charge were deeply involved in illegal oil bunkering.

This might explain why the trial of some few apprehended suspects are often impeded by the LQWHUIHUHQFH RI VRPH LQÁXHQWLDO LQGLYLGXDOV ZKR PD\ themselves be complicit in the lucrative criminal enterprise. Unfortunately, as these criminal cartels get more and more emboldened in their nefarious activities, they are investing in barges, canoes, speed boats and large wooden boats which they use to steal what belongs to our country. The federal government and its agencies must take measures to contain the industrial scale theft of crude oil that clearly threatens the economic well-being of Nigerians and our national security.

While there is no doubt that the incidents of crude oil theft now pose a huge threat to the nation’s economy and indeed, the environment, it is evident that the problem persists because of official complicity T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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

LETTERS

NIGERIA AND THE NNAMDI KANU CONUNDRUM Nigeria`s mighty struggles to rein in the monstrous challenge of terrorism have seen the country become paranoid on some fronts. As the failures of some of those tasked with containing the very slippery eel that terrorism is mount, a favourite tactic has been to search for and seek out scapegoats, those who would take the fall for what has been a disappointing showing so far.

In recent times, no one person has captured the imagination of Nigeria`s counterterrorism operation like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a group proscribed by the federal government as a terrorist organization.

It was in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari won historic polls but could not fully recover from a comprehensive loss in the Southeast where people always bring their non-comformity even to elections. In comments ascribed to him shortly after his victory, he was to go on the warpath with the Southeast.

This warpath, real or imaginary, was soon seized by those who for years had sought to cook up a conspiracy in the Southeast to get people buy into the movement to realize the

independent republic of Biafra. It was under such favourable circumstances that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, emerged as the seemingly lone voice crying in the wilderness of Biafra.

Attack after attack on key national assets in the Southeast by men supposedly under his command soon brought him at loggerheads with the federal government. There was an apprehension, a proscription of IPOB, an incarceration, bail and then prosecution. ,Q IHDULQJ IRU KLV OLIH 0D]L 1QDPGL .DQX ÁHG WKH FRXQWU\ HͿHFWLYHO\ EHFRPLQJ D IXJLWLYH IURP MXVWLFH ,W WRRN years but in 2021, he was arrested by the Kenyan government and bundled back to Nigeria to continue his trial for terrorism.

No sooner had he returned to the country than the IPOB took up arms against the federal government, foisting in the process debilitating insecurity on the Southeast.

Even if the cost of grounding activities in the Southeast every Monday is removed from the indiscriminate killings the region has witnessed for more than a year now, it would still be found to be incalculable.

So, it was with a sigh of relief that many especially in the

Southeast welcomed the recent judgment of the court of appeal that discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of the charges leveled against him at the Federal High Court.

Many had wearily and warily welcomed the decision as DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU WKH 6RXWKHDVW WR ÀQG VRPH UHVSLWH DIWHU more than a year of random attacks.

But it appears that the Nigerian government is not interested in immediately obeying a judgment of the country`s SHQXOWLPDWH FRXUW ZKLFK VSHFLÀFDOO\ WRRN XPEUDJH DW WKH way and manner Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and bundled back to the country to continue its trial.

It is now beyond doubt that a great deal of high-level politics has gone into the whole saga. The federal government KDG LQLWLDOO\ VFRͿHG DW WKH LGHD RI ÀQGLQJ D SROLWLFDO VROXWLRQ to the entire situation, asking instead that the courts be allowed to decide his fate.

Now that the courts have decided his fate, there is a seeming reluctance in the highest places to release him and douse WKH ÁDPHV LQ WKH 6RXWKHDVW RQFH DQG IRU DOO Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Nigeria Now Fourth Highest Crude Producer in Africa as Oil Rigs Count Declines by 35.5%

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The active oil rigs in Nigeria declined in September, amid a record low production of 938,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the month, about 35,000 bpd lower than the 972,000 bpd in August.

With the country still struggling with crude oil production challenges, a THISDAY analysis of the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) showed

that the total rigs count fell from 10 in August to seven in September, about 35.5 per cent overall reduction.

A review recently carried out indicated that the only time in recent history that Nigeria experienced such abysmally low drilling activities was over 30 years ago.

In recent times, the country’s active rigs have progressively decreased, but was made worse after Nigeria began shutting down many of its offshore platforms as oil prices

took a downward slope and the producers’ group embarked on production curbs to stabilise the market in 2020.

However, despite the remarkable recovery in global crude oil demand, Nigeria has been unable to ramp up production, following massive theft of the resource in the Niger Delta as well as shutdowns due to frequent equipment failure.

In the oil and gas industry, the rig count is a major index for measuring

activities in the upstream sector.

But in contrast, the report showed Saudi Arabia had 72 active rigs during the period under review, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had 50 operational rigs while Iraq had 55 during the month. For nonOPEC countries, the United States led with 763 oilrigs while Canada and Mexico had 93 and 43 active rigs respectively.

For non-OPEC countries, the United States had 763 oilrigs in

September, while Canada and Mexico had 211 and 51 active rigs respectively.

A comparison of the country’s average oil production per day in 1997, as indicated in the last Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)’s yearly statistical bulletin, showed that while Nigeria pumped 2.344 million barrels per day, plus condensates over two and a half decades ago, it can barely produce 45 per cent of that figure today.

Furthermore, while for instance, 26 rigs were in operation, on both onshore and offshore terrains, in 1997, Nigeria as at January this year had just about 12 active oil rigs, with about half of them not even in use. That number has now fallen to seven.

It came as Angola, Algeria and Libya have overtaken Nigeria as Africa’s highest crude oil producers, Continued on page 27

FG Moves to Reactivate $20bn Ogidigben Gas Project, Reconstitutes Committees Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government is set to reactivate the $20 billion Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park, with the inauguration of a steering committee and a technical working group, comprising senior government officials.

In a statement, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said the steering committee and technical working group were

reconstituted by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

The committee comprises Sylva, who heads the team, while the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa will be co-chair.

Other members are the Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Adesoji Adesugba, who is to act as Secretary as well as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gabriel

Aduda , who is a member.

Other members of the committee include the Director (Upstream), Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Kamoru Busari, Group Chief Executive, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko and the Executive General Manager, Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC),

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

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NAME OF COMMODITY

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100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh.

In addition, the Technical Working Group has the Technical Assistant to Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas Policy and Business Implementation), Dr. Justice Derefaka, as the Project Leader and Gregory Fulus Zi, Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Petroleum Resources/ Legal as member.

Others are representatives of Delta State Government and AGMC; technical and legal representatives

SIZE

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N9,000

C O C OA

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

N17,000–N20,000

100KG

ABIA

N23,000

EDO

smelters, methanol plants and many secondary industries that would generate thousands of employments.

The minister added that it was important that Nigeria continues to build investors’ confidence, attract foreign direct investment as well as give the Park the level of executive leadership it requires.

Sylva noted that the project Continued on page 27

T O D AY

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of the NNPC; the Nigerian Export Promotion Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the NPA. Speaking during the inauguration of the committee and technical working group, Sylva disclosed that the project will continue to remain a national priority, especially as it was conceived to be Africa’s largest gas city.

He said that when completed, the park will host fertilizer, petrochemical, aluminium

SIZE

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1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

26

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS L–R: Divisional Head, Treasury and International Banking, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Gerald Ikem; Managing Director of the Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Director General, Nigeria Country Department of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Lamin Barrow and Principal Portfolio Management Officer of the Bank, Olamide Ladipo, during the signing ceremony of a $50 million Line of Credit Agreement provided by AfDB to FCMB to support Small and Medium Scale enterprises (SMEs), as well as WomenEmpowered Businesses (WEBs). The ceremony took place on October 17, 2022 in Lagos

OCP Africa to Ramp Up Fertiliser Production t o 5 00 ,0 00 M e tr i c To n n e s A n n u a l l y Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigerian farmers may soon heave a sigh of relief from the scarcity of fertilisers and other phosphate derivatives, as OCP Africa, a global fertiliser solutions provider, has said it is set to ramp up production to 500,000 metric tonnes of the agricultural input.

With the subsidiary of the OCP

group set to launch its plant worth about $14 million in Kaduna this week, Deputy Managing Director, Programme Incubation, West Africa, Mr Caleb Usoh, stated that achieving the 500,000 metric tonnes has been kick-started by the firm.

In addition, the Sokoto and Abeokuta plants which have been scheduled to follow, Usoh said, will commence operations in January

and May next year respectively.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Usoh stated that the three plants have a net value of $43 million and that the company’s investment would hit $1.5 billion when the Akwa Ibom State industrial complex being built in collaboration with the federal government comes on stream.

Already, Usoh, who was flanked by the Country Manager, Nigeria,

OCP Africa, Mr Oluwatoba Asana, noted that several farmers hubs have been set up all over the country, to serve as a one-stop shop for farmers in terms of buying fertiliser, training, provision of improved seedlings, among others.

The OCP top official noted that the agricultural booster aside the farmers’ hub that provide access to inputs to farmers on loan to be

paid immediately after a productive season has also been floated.

In addition, he explained that whereas several farmers scattered all over the country had to travel long distances to get products, the firm has now moved closer to the rural areas to make available most of the needed farm inputs.

“Our research is to take us to a point where we will not only

focus on macro-nutrients but also micronutrients, which are essential to the better workings of the macronutrients,” Usoh noted.

According to him, while in the past, fertilisers were mass-produced with no crop-specific blends in existence, OCP has funded several researches where farmers can buy the additives for particular crops if need be.

Fashola Urges Land Directors to Eliminate Conflict Areas Between FG, States Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has charged Directors of Lands at the federal and state levels to collaborate and eliminate areas of conflict among operators at the three tiers of government.

Fashola who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 27th Conference of Directors of Lands in the federal and state ministries, said given the erroneous interpretation of the land use act and conflicting roles in administering land by various tiers of government, it was time to achieve a mutual intergovernmental relationship.

“It is pertinent to note that there have been conflicts in the administration and management of these lands between the federal and state governments,” the minister said.

The minister who was represented by the Director Of Lands And Housing Development, Godwin Ityoachimin, stated that conflicts called for more collaborations between the tiers of government on land administration.

Fashola pointed out that the federal government had consistently been faced with challenges relating with the other tiers of government on issues bordering on land

administration, acquisition and compensation.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir

Alkali, represented by Uzo Chukwuwike, said the conference would afford the professionals and experts the opportunity to come up with

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Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The ministry of power has said there is no plan to sell the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), urging the public to disregard any statement regarding a ‘non-existing’ plan to privatise the entity.

Special Adviser to the Minister of

PH

Power, Mallam Isa Sanusi, said the rebuttal was coming in response to media reports claiming that there was a plan to sell the company.

He quoted some of the reports as falsely claiming that the said privatisation was going to take place in the coming months.

“These reports are untrue and are

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the federal government to encourage the deployment of practising engineers to man strategic positions in government requiring considerable technical know-how.

President of the NSE, Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, who spoke during the Biennial Distinguished Lecture

Series of the organisation, tagged “ The 28th October Lecture,” stressed that non-engineers were being appointed to take over engineering-related spots.

“We find out that engineers and engineering practitioners have been neglected in the affairs of this country. You have a Minister of Works and Housing who is a lawyer.

“You have Minister of Communications who is very close

only mere misinformation aimed at spreading panic in the power sector, which is making progress towards ensuring that Nigerians enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

“The federal government has no intent to sell or privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria, and no one in the FGN has made a

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25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

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N19,000–N21,000 N19500- N25000

to engineering but he is not an engineer. Minister of Water Resources is an engineer and so many ministries are engineering base. But why can’t you bring in somebody who is from that field who will be able to deliver,” he queried.

Being a very vast field of learning, he noted that there’s no segment within the profession that the government will not find its

COMMODITIES SIZE

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N15,000

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N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000

25CL ABUJA

Land Use and Allocation Committee in the states and the Land Advisory Allocation Committees at the Local Governments level.

statement of an intent to sell TCN,” the ministry stated.

According to the statement, the TCN remains the ‘centrepiece’ in the federal government’s efforts to rejuvenate the power sector. “ Therefore, the ministry of power working with key stakeholders is continuing to evaluate, assesses

and upgrade TCN to make it more efficient and transparent,” the power ministry said.

As part of the repositioning of TCN, it stated that job opportunities are being created, as with the recently concluded ramp up of employment, contrary to claims that there is a plan for a mass disengagement of staff at TCN.

NSE Seeks Appointment of Engineers to Man Technical Positions in Govt

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

Chairman Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, Gersh Henshaw, suggested that it would be important to establish the

FG: No Plan to Privatise Nigeria’s Transmission Firm

FOOD NAME OF COMMODITY

modalities for efficient, effective land administration and management in the country.

In his goodwill message, the

25KG LAGOS

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potential employees.

“Let there be a round peg in a round hole. Let the government understand that everything about governance and politics centre on infrastructural development.

“You cannot get infrastructural development by neglecting engineers. So, if we want this country to grow in infrastructure, we just have to get the right people. So, the engineers must be involved. Other

technologists must be involved” he explained.

He highlighted the cases of China and the United States which have a large percentage of engineers in government.

Also, the keynote speaker and a fellow of NSE, Dr. Otis Anyaeji, in a presentation titled: ‘’Advocacy and Activism in our Engineering DNA’’ proposed the revamping of the Ajaokuta Steel.

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N25,000

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N10,000

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N12,000

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N21,000

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N25,000

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N15,000

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N29,000

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N9000

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N13500

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Adeyemi-Bero: Nigerian Oil Firms Spend 20% Costs on Providing Security in N’Delta The immediate-past Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and Chief Executive Officer of First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, in this interview with THISDAY in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), shared his thoughts on some topical issues in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Peter Uzoho presents the excerpts: The Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) has been in existence for the past 60 years.

What in your opinion are the achievements of the organisation over the years? he achievements are numerous. Let’s take the most recent one - the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). When you look at the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), from where it started 20 years ago, it was the oil and gas reform initiative that turned into the PIB, with four different segments and finally got signed into law b President Muhammadu Buhari. OPTS played a pivotal role in shaping the industry bill and advocating for what is required to enable continued investment into the country’s petroleum sector. We needed to have a bill that creates an attractive and enabling environment for investment.

OPTS played that facilitating and challenging role with all sectors of government in working with committees, with broader stakeholder engagements and other avenues that brought international benchmarks and their own individual and collective perspectives from the various countries in which they have operations, with the objective of making the Nigeria petroleum industry competitive.

Local Content Development is another area that OPTS has made outstanding contributions to. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is driving the Local Content agenda, but OPTS companies have been instrumental, coming together to support NCDMB. You cannot build Local Content if you don’t build infrastructure as well as invest in people, systems, and capability. OPTS, in its respective companies and collectively, have been investing in these critical areas. There is a report that says the number of scholarships given by OPTS companies over the past years is about 140,000 and counting. Though, execution and delivery are majorly through the respective companies, it is also a peer challenge group where best and successful practices are learnt and shared across companies and built upon for the greater benefit of the industry. You see your OPTS colleague doing great things, it challenges you to do same or even better.

T

How effective has the organisation been in tackling some of the greatest challenges that the member-companies are facing?

OPTS is a 30-member strong organisation that works through the structure of chief executive level monthly meetings, supported by working level committees that work issues and matters of industry importance. The working sub-committees are resourced by nomination from respective member companies.

This approach allows us to bring in the collective knowledge of our respective companies without jeopardising the confidentiality of individual businesses. Our committees and executive level meetings are driven by topical agendas, be it the industry bill or any legislation or regulation that has an impact on the business.

For example, we have looked at topical issues such as the high cost in the Nigeria upstream sector, especially when compared to peer and global benchmarks. We can’t address that as one company on its own. We address that by looking at data across our respective operational activities and seek to find optimisation and reduction solutions.

Adeyemi-Bero The biggest challenge we face today is insecurity and the absence of sustained law and order in the Niger Delta – resulting in major crude oil theft, weak license to operate in our operating environments, kidnapping and all the associated violence that is prevalent across the Niger Delta and the broader country.

So, OPTS gathers data, understands emerging trends and areas of escalation, and this is shared with OPTS members and key government stakeholders.

Tax is another big topic - understanding the new fiscal laws, the growing number of fees, levies and duties, and their worsening impact on the investor attractiveness. The oil and gas industry is the proverbial fat cow. Many government agencies and institutions charge the industry for their revenue generation.

The number of levies, duties and fees charged to oil and gas companies, at the last count exceeds 40. So, OPTS assesses the impact of these charges on the revenue and bottom line of their ventures, and collectively advocates with the government stakeholders in order to address the challenges.

The OPTS operating framework has been very effective over the past decades. The collaborative approach has successfully partnered with Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and other government stakeholders in evolving solutions that are in the interest of the Nigeria petroleum industry.

Significant progress has been made in the past 60 years, and I expect this to be sustained in the years ahead.

High production cost is one of the major challenges facing oil companies in the country. What kind of fiscal framework and incentive would you suggest should be

put in place to enable companies maximise their output and profitability?

The oil and gas portfolio and assets have different requirements. The PIA has given us a good fiscal framework that the industry can work with. Of course, we need a few changes here and there but overall. The PIA is a good document that can enable investment growth.

The PIA is however not the panacea for the ailment of Nigeria’s low production.

Insecurity is a major factor, and it adds a very sizeable percentage to the overall cost of projects and operations in the Niger Delta, certainly exceeding 20 per cent. The insecurity in the Niger Delta has to be tackled.

The PIA has the Host Community Bill which will address the social aspects and hopefully encourage the hearts and minds of people in the Niger Delta towards engendering a sustained enabling environment.

There is no other oil and gas environment across the global petroleum industry with the level of insecurity we have in the Niger Delta, and this impacts its competitiveness.

We have to resolve this challenge and the PIA will not solve it on its own. This is the government’s responsibility and accountability.

The PIA has introduced a number of fees and levies, which on top of the existing list certainly adds more to the cost of operations in the oil and gas Industry. Specifically for gas, there is still some work to be done to fully attract the required investments to develop upstream gas fields and midstream/ downstream infrastructure.

The PIA has already provided some good incentives in the fiscals - low royalties, low taxes etc. For the size of gas development and infrastructure requirement to achieve 10-15BCF of gas per day, NLNG type of incentives and waivers will be required.

Gas should be recognised as an enabler of the economy, it’s an enabler for industries, enabler for manufacturing and an enabler for power.

What is your assessment of the relationship between IPPG and OPTS? IPPG was set up for solely Nigeria upstream E&P companies and several of its members are already part of OPTS. There are specific issues, specific matters that relate purely to indigenous companies that are not in the purview of the international companies.

Two examples that I can point to are marginal fields rounds and operations, and the international oil companies (IOC)’s divestments in the past decade. The IOCs don’t participate in marginal field rounds.

So the specific issues related to indigenous companies and the marginal field terms needed focused engagement with government regulators and other stakeholders.

Several IOCs have divested their participating interest in the onshore/shallow offshore JVs primarily to Nigerian independent E&P companies. IPPG offers its members a collective forum for engaging government as well as for developing collaborative partnerships for these material acquisition opportunities. So, the IPPG provides indigenous companies

with a forum to engage openly and honestly among each other, with the objective of improving and sustaining the development of the Nigeria independents.

The OPTS and IPPG have defined very effective areas of collaboration. Both chairmen of OPTS and IPPG endeavour to meet quarterly to align on issues and agree on a joint working approach that is mutually beneficial and that provides stakeholders a unified engagement body on industry matters. OPTS and IPPG both have focused and identical objectives that have overlapping interests in the main.

To what extent has OPTS helped in promoting Local Content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and how do you see improvement opportunities in this?

Let me speak first as a Nigerian. If this industry spends $10 to $30 billion each budget year, that is the operating and capital expenditure budget on a yearly basis. It is most important that a sizeable portion of this is spent in Nigeria to have the right socio-economic impact.

So, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is implementing the provisions of the Nigerian Content Development Act and it is making significant and successful strides in delivering the objectives. The current executive secretary (as well as the past) and the entire NCDMB organisation must be commended for the progress being delivered.

The OPTS continues to champion the whole Local Content agenda. For instance, the Samsung Heavy Industries facility at LADOL, was infrastructure built on the Total Egina Field Development investments and will serve other similar requirements into the future.

OPTS member companies are enabling infrastructure that allows Local Content to be sustainably grown in Nigeria. One unspoken Local Content achievement of IOCs and hence OPTS members is capability and competence development of the Nigeria people. I am a product of Nigerian Content.

Shell employed me as a young engineer, I spent 20 plus years working in several roles and a number of countries. I also worked for BG at top executive roles and today, I am running an oil and gas company in an entrepreneurial capacity.

I am able to successfully fulfil this role because of the development I had at Shell and BG, with the experiences, the knowledge and leadership capability building I gained over a number of years.

My story is replicated in several other persons across the industry here in Nigeria and across the globe. The array of Nigeria independents oil and gas companies is exemplary, and this is unique when compared to other major oil producing companies in Africa.

The exit of IOCs from the onshore and shallow water terrain represents a major growth opportunity for Nigeria independents as well as the new NNPC Limited. It is very clear - the IOCs would focus on Deepwater assets and large integrated gas.

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

FG MOVES TO REACTIVATE $20BN OGIDIGBEN GAS PROJECT, RECONSTITUTES COMMITTEES would continue to be a strategic national interest that can alleviate the Niger Delta crisis and impact positively on the economy.

He directed the Permanent

Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to take charge of the committee and ensure that it delivers on its Terms of Reference (ToR), especially since the two

leading members may not be available all the time.

In his comments, Director, Upstream, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Kamoru, recalled that

the park project started during the administration of former minister, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, with the constitution of the Steering Committee and the Technical

Working Group of the project.

He added that the project implementation agreement was in the process of being executed, but was stalled due to some

unanticipated developments.

Busari expressed optimism that the reconstituted steering committee will see to the actualisation of the project this time.

NIGERIA NOW FOURTH HIGHEST CRUDE PRODUCER IN AFRICA AS OIL RIGS COUNT DECLINES BY 35.5% according to the cartel’s Oil Market Report (OMR) for October.

According to the report, while Nigeria’s crude oil production in September averaged of 937,000 bpd, Angola’s was 1.09 million bpd, Algeria’s was 1.05 million bpd while Libya which has not been self-reporting its production because of the crisis in the country drilled 1.152 million bpd (secondary sources).

Despite assurances by the various

government agencies, what the OPEC figures imply is that rather than improve, the country’s oil production has actually deteriorated in the past months.

Fingering massive theft as one of the reasons for its inability to meet its quota, the federal government had also months ago, deployed heavy military presence in the Niger Delta to curb the menace and signed a contract of N4 billion with ex-militant Mr Government Ekpemupolo also

known as Tompolo.

But the OPEC data has now confirmed that the action of massive military deployment has not made any difference, as things appear to have gone worse since the rejigging of the security arrangement in the region.

There seems to be no respite in sight with the current waning investment as rich countries and renewables-minded investors continue to pile pressure on

multinational oil companies to stop the funding of new oil activities abroad.

Of the 1,946 rigs existing count globally, according to the OPEC data, 380 belonged to member countries, while non-OPEC had 1,566, underscoring the fact that the international oil cartel has also been struggling with production.

Generally, in the oil industry, higher oil prices as it currently obtains, mean higher rig counts,

which also mean higher production.

In the opposite direction, lower prices mean less rigs and falling production. However, Nigeria currently lacks capacity to ramp up production.

Aside the positive correlation between number of rigs and oil production, there are also many jobs attached to rigs when they are operational, meaning less rigs, less jobs in the oil sector.

The upstream commission has

said that although Nigeria’s rigs could be as many as 53, less than 20 per cent of that number has been near active in the last months.

In terms of terrain, of the 53 rigs, 33 are onshore, 11 are offshore while nine are found in the swamps.

It is believed that with the fixing of the pipeline which hitherto had up to 90 per cent of crude oil pumped into it stolen or spilt, Nigeria’s production will be substantially increased.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Hope on the Way for Flour Millers A research project embarked by Crown Flour Mill Limited in the production of wheat is raising a glimmer of hope that flour millers in Nigeria may one day enjoy steady domestic supply of wheat, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

T

he quest by the Crown Flour Mill (CFM) to improve domestic production of wheat through backward integration with small holder’s farmers and investments in research on wheat production is beginning to yield result.

The CFM announced on September 9 that its N300 million research investment in wheat value chain development project titled “Seed for the Future” has achieved its initial target of producing 10 kilogram of pre-multiplication early maturing wheat seed varieties that are suitable for Nigeria’s unique local topography and climate.

The CFM, which is the wheat milling subsidiary of Olam Agri, a global agribusiness in food, feed, fiber, made the announcement while unveiling the impressive first-year report of its ‘Seeds for the Future’ programme.

The report was unveiled during its third edition of the agribusiness stakeholders’ consultative forum, the Olam Agri Greenland Webinar Series that held virtually on Friday, September 9, 2022.

The report showed that the initiative achieved its first-year milestone of producing 10 kilogram of pre-multiplication wheat seed varieties that suited the country’s unique local topography and climate.

It said that the 10 kilogram pre-multiplication wheat seed varieties would be planted next season in a 1,000 million squared plots at the Azumbu Farm Research Station in Jigawa State to reproduce larger quantities of the seed varieties as backup and for planting during the rainy season in August 2023.

Speaking during the virtual event, the Country Head for Olam Agri Nigeria, Mr. Ashish Pande, said: “We have made quite an impressive stride on the “Seeds for the Future” programme going by the first-year report. It is a journey and we will continue to inject human, financial, and technical resources into the programme to ensure we meet our targets and derive the best results in the years ahead.

“There are challenges currently in the global food value chain. What this means is that we must look inward to ensure a consistent supply of food to feed our population by channeling investment into agriculture. At CFM and Olam Agri, we are committed to investing at the production level of the wheat value chain, in line with the federal government’s food security and agriculture development agenda.”

The “Seed for the Future” is a collaborative effort between the CFM and the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI). The Director of Agricultural Research at LCRI, Dr. Zakari Turaki, stated that strong partnerships and collaborative efforts between public institutions and private firms are essential to raise the current level of the local wheat harvest in Nigeria.

Turaki added that the current partnership

framework adopted for the execution of the “Seeds for the Future” programme is the best he has seen so far in the industry.

Speaking during the unveiling of the report, the Principal Research Officer at the LCRI, Dr. Kachalla Kyari Mala, said that his team conducted a detailed survey into the agronomic practices of local smallholder farmers at the commencement of the project to understand the realities in the Nigerian wheat value chain.

Mala, who is the seed varieties’ project’s lead researcher, stated that the approach of combining data from multiple stations across the West African region helped the team to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the value chain.

He said: “The outcome of the first-year trial and testing of the seed varieties gives some assurance that the investment of Olam Agri will accelerate seed production while pre-release yields actual improvement in productivity in the country’s wheat farming belt.”

The journey to the development of the “Seed of the Future” began on October 27, 2021, when a virtual ceremony of signature was held to celebrate the launch of the project between the CFM and LCRI. This far-reaching initiative sought to use a participative approach to integrate farmers as drivers for change, identifying jointly with researchers the best wheat varieties and agronomic practices to deliver the top harvests.

Moreover, it integrated a “local to global” strategy where the rural communities are put front and center, with a specific target on empowering female associations to become the local enabler for the adoption of technologies, which are then commercialised globally thanks to the interest of the national mills.

In furtherance of this project, on November 24, 2021, the partners called upon several high-level Nigerian stakeholders’ (government) to seek their approval and advice on the goals set by the project. This yielded several valuable suggestions that were gathered and incorporated into the project.

Overall, the project’s set goals and core structure were seen as aligned within the larger investment promoted by the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to make wheat farming a reality.

To further understand the reality on the ground, a detailed survey was conducted across 40 farm households from four villages that ensured the livelihood for some 387 rural people, of which more than half are children.

Major discoveries of the research was that Nigerian farmers identified rice as their main crop, with nearly all of them conducting two rice planting seasons (rainfed and irrigated) in a year.

The research also discovered that these rice farmers have tried wheat cultivation, and many still cultivate it today. Those experienced farmers that started wheat cultivation more than four years ago achieved yields beyond 2.5 tons per hectare, while the novice farmers only 2.0 tons per hectare, as demonstration that experience is a factor of success.

The best varieties of wheat available to the farmers were identified as Norman and Borlaug 100.

However, the main concern that all shared about wheat cultivation was the fact that it is less profitable than rice, and that the varieties that they currently have are too late in maturing. Hence, the wheat cultivation is too long, and it prevents one of the second seasons of rice.

Also, the farmers indicated that at the end of the rainfed rice season it is economically very difficult for them to start a wheat season before having sold their rice harvest.

The survey conducted resulted in two very clear guide point. First, is that the research focused on the production of early fast-growing wheat varieties as its main technological priority. Second, a form of economic support for wheat planting is needed to favor the wide adoption of this crop rather in the form of a small credit or as a “contract farming” strategy.

With these points clear in mind, on November 17, 2021, seeds were planted at the LCRI Wheat Research Farm at Azumbu village, Mallum Madori/Hadejia LGA, Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Even though this farm was used for the first time for wheat research, the field results were of sufficient quality to confirm two ideal lines for further multiplication (Bob and Hoffimilmus), which ensured yields similar to Norman, but completing the full cycle four days ahead of it. In parallel, the testing of 23 new potential elites allowed to identify three new lines that yielded more than Norman, and one that matched its yield, but completed the cycle seven days earlier.

Farmers were invited to visit these trials as part of an open-door day, and some 50 participated, confirming their appreciation for the work carried out.

In conclusion, the first year of the project achieved all set milestones timely and effectively, opening the door for a second year that should gather even more inputs from local communities and identify the next

round of innovations, while at the same time promoting for adoption those already identified.

In season 2020-21 the entries Bob, Tillejihan, and Hoffmilmus were identified as the best varieties for Nigeria when combining data from Nigeria (LCRI), Mauritania, and Senegal.

For these entries, 1 Kg of seed were recovered from the stores and planted at the research farm at Azumbu village, Jigawa State, in 100 m2 plots during season 2021-22 on November 17, 2021.

Despite that, it was possible to confirm that Bob and Hoffmilmus were indeed the best entries, surpassing Norman in terms of yield and doing so in a reduced amount of time. In that sense, the team was able to meet the set goal of producing 10 kilogram of pre-multiplication seed for the best two entries.

This outcome gives some insurance that the investment of OLAM AGRI to accelerate seed production pre-release should lead to an actual improvement on farms productivity.

The CFM noted that “the ability of a variety to deliver top yield and high protein content is dependent on its genetics, but also on the way it is managed.

The research also recommended fertilization strategies to improve protein content should therefore be tested, possibly reducing Urea amounts, and attempting liquid fertilization after flowering.

Also, the farmers were asked to rank the main issues they faced that prevent them to further adopt wheat cultivation. The two most widely mentioned issues were the absence of money to plant and the absence of wheat seeds, however the one that was most frequently ranked first was the fact that wheat would be competing with the already existing crops.

The farmers also ranked lack of early varieties ranked as the main issue they were facing with wheat production while the damages caused by birds came second.

These responses showed clearly that farmers were keen in cultivating rice and “considered wheat only if this does not prevent rice production.”

For that reason, they indicate the competition with existing crops as the main issue, and the fact that early wheat varieties would be best to avoid delaying the planting of irrigated rice.

Hence, wheat could be widely adopted if its cultivation cycle does not prevent rice production, and its profitability remained higher than that of beans.

In addition, it is important that farmers have access to credit to invest in wheat planting in November, before they manage to get liquidity from the sale of their rain fed rice in December/Janaury. Finally, birds are extremely damaging for wheat, so ideal practices to prevent their attacks could further favor wheat adoption.

LAWYER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

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Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON , SAN

‘I See God’s Finger in My CON Award’

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN THIS EDITION

Scope of Application of Limitation Bar in Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act Page IV

QUOTABLES ‘….They and their enablers……must be held accountable, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nigerians no longer want to hear about crude oil theft. The question now has become, what are we doing about it?’- Rt. Honourable Olufemi Gbajabiamila CFR, Lawyer, Speaker, House of Representatives, 9th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria

‘….At 76, I’m still working…. I have people that I’m supporting for election, and I’m still working for them to win election. I’m not contesting anymore, I have left that for the next generation….

The system does not allow opportunity for women.’ - Distinguished Senator Florence Ita Giwa, former Senator Representing Cross River South

Ogun CCA President Implores Staff to be Diligent Page V

COLUMNIST DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIArb, Ph.D, LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Dr. Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

LAWYER

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022

THE ADVOCATE

Secret Societies: Dangers to Governance Congratulations must say hearty congratulations to my Chairman, Publisher, Prince Nduka Obaigbena (the Duke), on the well deserved honour of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) bestowed on him by President Buhari last Tuesday. Keep making us proud, Duke.

I

Secret Societies Last week, I discussed the fact that we pay no mind to our Vice Presidential and Deputy Gubernatorial candidates. Another matter that never comes up, is whether a candidate is a member of a secret society. Secret societies or secret cults or unlawful societies are already a menace in tertiary institutions, and different States have their own laws prohibiting the membership of same in Higher Institutions, and generally. For instance, in Gbenga Stephen v State (2013) LPELR-20178 (SC) per Peter-Odili JSC, the Supreme Court held that Section 11 of the Secret Cult and Secret Societies in Higher Institutions (Prohibition) Law No. 6 of Kwara State 2004 prescribes a ten year term of imprisonment and N50,000 fine upon being found guilty of contravening Sections 6(1), 7 & 9 of the Law. If University Secret Societies are anything to go by, nothing good comes out of them - they may pose more of a danger or threat to society, than anything good emanating from them. So, it is therefore, especially troubling, that many who could be in positions of authority in the land, can be members of secret societies. Activities that are clandestine, are usually activities that right thinking members of society will frown upon.

Definition of a Secret Society Sections 66(1)(g), 107(1)(g), 137(1)(h) & 182(1) (h) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution) disqualify anyone who is a member of a secret society from running for the various elective offices - National Assembly, State House of Assembly, President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor. In fact, Section 38(4) of the Constitution prohibits us all from forming, taking part in the activity or being a member of a secret society.

In Reg. Trustees of AMORC v Awoniyi 1994 7 N.W.L.R. Part 355 Page 154 at 178 per Wali JSC, ‘secret society’ was defined as “a society or association not being solely a cultural or religious body that uses secret signs, oaths, rites or symbols (a) whose meetings or other activities are held in secret; and whose members are under oath, obligation or other threat to promote the interest of its members, or to aid one another under all circumstances without due regard to merit, fair play or justice". Also see PPA v PDP & Ors (2009) LPELR-4865 (CA) per Ariwoola JCA (now CJN). This definition is just one leg of the three-part definition of ‘secret society’ stated in Section 318 of the Constitution, which inter alia has other elements of a secret society including the fact that the names of the members of the society are kept secret, and membership of such society is “incompatible with the function or dignity of any public office under this Constitution…..”. Also see Odon v Barigha-Amange (No.2) 2010 12 N.W.L.R. Part 1207 Page 13 at 54 per Garba JCA (as he then was).

Despite the fact that the Constitution outrightly outlaws membership of secret societies for all in Nigeria, particularly making aspirants for elective positions ineligible for the positions by virtue of such membership, there have always been strong accusations against senior government officials/politicians, mostly in Southern Nigeria, of being members of secret societies like the Ogboni Confraternity, Okija Secret Society, Free Masons, AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis aka Rosicrucian Order) to mention but a few. So many different stories have made the rounds, of allegations of politicians in higher positions going to the extent of taking their appointees to the secret shrines of their cults, to swear oaths of allegiance to them (apart from signing undated resignation

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

The

Advocate “…..a secret society is there to promote the interest of its members under all circumstances…..The selfish essence of secret societies therefore, also goes against the spirit of the Constitution which is meant to promote equity, equality, fairness, inclusivity and unity…..many of the secret society’s activities will be discriminatory, contrary to Section 42 of Constitution…. sometimes even criminal, like aiding and abetting a crime…..” letters). See the case of Reg. Trustees of AMORC v Awoniyi (Supra).

Proof of Membership of a Secret Society However, in order to prove that a person is a member of a secret society, it behoves the Petitioner firstly, to prove with evidence that the society comes within the definition of a secret society as provided in Section 318 of the Constitution to qualify as same.

In Orji v PDP 2009 14 N.W.L.R. Part 1161 Page 310 at 401, the Court of Appeal per Ogunbiyi JCA (as she then was) held that the Petition in that case did not contain facts to the effect that the membership of the Okija Secret Society is incompatible with the dignity and function of public office, that it was not known to the public at large, that the names of its members were kept secret and its activities also held in secret; and as such, as pleaded in the Petition, the facts of the Okija Secret Society were not in tandem with the Section 318 definition of a secret society. This is not to say that Okija is not a secret society; it is simply that the Petitioner failed to discharge the burden of proving that it is, in this instance.

Following proof that a society qualifies as a secret society, in order to have an individual disqualified from running for elective office, the Petitioner must then prove that such a person is a member of the said secret society. This may be difficult to do, and it could be an uphill task to gather evidence in support of the allegation, since by virtue of its designation

spirit of the Constitution which is meant to promote equity, equality, fairness, inclusivity and unity.

What also readily comes to mind is that, in protecting or promoting the interest of its members, many of the secret society’s activities will be discriminatory, contrary to Section 42 of Constitution, giving its members unmerited advantages based on their membership of the society, sometimes even criminal, like aiding and abetting a crime, or accessory before, during or after the fact. For example, if a member kills someone, and his fellow members happen to be placed in high positions in the legal profession, Police and the Judiciary, their common goal would be to get the offending member off the hook at all costs, even if he’s guilty, and even though murder is a heinous crime which is punishable by the death sentence or life imprisonment in Nigeria.

Another drawback of secret societies is that the promotion of their members is akin to partiality, nepotism, ethnicity, tribalism and the like, which has been one of the causes of regression in Nigeria - the sacrifice of merit on the altar of these anti-progressive elements; again since the secret society will promote its members “under all circumstances without due regard to merit, justice and fair play”, square or useless pegs will always end up in round holes, as long as the unlawful society is able to spread its tentacles and insert its members into vantage positions all over the place.

and nature, everything about the society is secret! While however, some secret Conclusion societies do not hide the fact that they At the aforementioned Dialogue, President Obasanjo asked why Nigeria has not got it exist, many others do. right. Aside from identifying lack of leadership as one of the reasons for our failure, he asked Criminal Offence Being a member of a secret cult is an three pertinent questions, one of them being offence, punishable with imprisonment. See what the focal point or core goals of our nation for example, Section 40-43 of the Criminal is, because it is important to have identifiable Law of Lagos State which provide for goals that must be reached, to achieve national offences bordering on unlawful societies development. He asked: “What is our national and cultism generally. Section 138 of the objective, that we can all chorus in a simple Evidence Act places a burden of proof statement?”. My answer to that question is beyond reasonable doubt in criminal that, our national focal point or objectives are matters; it may be tough to discharge this encapsulated in Chapter II of the Constitution, burden of proof, in the case of proof of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive membership of a group whose membership Principles of State Policy, and the role of the and activities are clandestine. See Odon three arms of Government, is to ensure that these goals are achieved. The bottom line is v Barigha-Amange (No.2)(Supra). that, having members of secret societies in top government positions or elective offices is at Dangers of a Secret Society The fact that a secret society is there to variance with these core national values and promote the interest of its members under goals, particularly Sections 16(1)(b) & 17(2)(a) all circumstances, reminds me of a part which emphasise the happiness of every citizen of the Closed Door Dialogue held by and the equality of rights respectively, for the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation last secret society members, if they are elected Tuesday which I attended, where at least into office, Chapter II of the Constitution two of the Speakers, President Obasanjo will take a back seat to the interest of their and Professor Stefan Dercon of Oxford group and members.

University, both asserted that there cannot Above all, secret society members have really be any significant national growth or no regard for the law, as even membership development in a country where individual of same is not just unconstitutional, but a interest, or in the context of this discourse, a criminal offence, let alone some of their secret society, the group’s interest, overrides clandestine activities. Therefore, having them everything else, even if it is detrimental running the affairs of the country, is not the to the nation. The selfish essence of secret best. Unfortunately, proving membership of societies therefore, also goes against the these unlawful societies within the boundaries of the burden of proof in criminal matters, is more than an onerous task.

Chairman of This Day Newspapers & Arise TV, Prince Nduka Obaigbena (left) being congratulated

by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on the Conferment of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on him last Tuesday, October 11, 2022

P.S. Collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards Nigerians, please, collect your Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC). INEC’s statistics show that the South West has the highest number of uncollected PVCs - over three million. South South and North Central come in second, with over one million each; South East about 850,000, North West almost 750,000 while the North East has only 370,000 uncollected PVCs. Exercising our civic duty by voting, is the only chance we have to show our strength and try to effect the changes we desire, by electing those who we believe can do the job, especially now that, with the reform of the Electoral Act and the technology that INEC has introduced, more than ever before, there’s a higher likelihood that our votes will count.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Scope of Application of Limitation Bar in Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act Facts The 1st Respondent was issued a Certificate of Occupancy in respect of land at Plot 6 Cadastral Zone BO5, Utako, Abuja on 7th June,l 1998. The 1st Respondent subsequently sold the said land to the 2nd Respondent in 2004, further to which the 1st Respondent executed a Deed of Assignment and an Irrevocable Power of Attorney over the said land in favour of the 2nd Respondent.

By a letter dated 5th October, 2005, the 3rd Respondent revoked the 1st Respondent’s Certificate of Occupancy.

Subsequent to the revocation of the 1st Respondent’s Certificate of Occupancy over the land, the 3rd and 4th Respondent re-allocated the land to the 1st and 2nd Appellants. Aggrieved, the 1st and 2nd Respondent filed an action against the Appellants and the 3rd and 4th Respondent at the Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja seeking inter alia, an order nullifying the purported revocation of the 1st Respondent’s right of occupancy in the land and an order reinstating the land to the 1st Respondent. According to the 1st and 2nd Respondent, the 4th Respondent had been made aware of the sale of the land by the 1st Respondent to the 2nd Respondent by the submission of relevant documents to it, and the 3rd Respondent had nevertheless proceeded to revoke the 1st Respondent’s Certificate of Occupancy without giving prior notice to the 1st Respondent or affording it fair hearing.

Upon the service of the Originating Processes on the Appellants and the 3rd and 4th Respondent (who were Defendants at the trial court), the Appellants on one hand and the 3rd and 4th Respondent, filed separate Memoranda of Conditional Appearance, as well as Notices of Preliminary Objection. Their objections were basically to the effect that, the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s action was statute barred by virtue of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act. Their objections were premised on the ground that the essence of the action was a challenge to the administrative powers of the 3rd and 4th Respondent, in revoking the 1st Respondent’s Certificate of Occupancy on the said land. The 1st and 2nd Respondent filed a joint reply in which they contended that the Notices of Preliminary Objection were incompetent and amounted to demurrer, and that their action at the trial court was predicated on recovery of land which the Public Officers (Protection) Act does not apply to.

In its ruling on the Notices of Preliminary Objection, the trial court held that the Appellants’ objection challenged the jurisdiction of the court and could therefore, not be considered as demurrer. The trial court also agreed with the Defendants that the action was caught by Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act; hence, it declined jurisdiction and dismissed the suit.

Aggrieved, the 1st and 2nd Respondent lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal, which court upheld the finding of the trial court on the issue of demurrer, but set aside the part of the ruling where the trial court held that the action was statute barred by virtue of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection Act). The Court of Appeal held that the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s action was an action for recovery of land, and the applicable

period for such actions, the Limitation Act relied upon by the lower court is inapplicable. Counsel for the Appellants urged the court to allow the appeal, and hold that the suit is statute barred under the Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act. Conversely, counsel for the 1st and 2nd Respondent argued that, although the basis of the 1st Respondent’s grievances is their displeasure over the revocation of the 1st Respondent’s Right of Occupancy in respect of the disputed land, however, the relief being sought by the 1st and 2nd Respondent is the recovery of the said land which was unlawfully taken away from the 1st Respondent. He urged the court to affirm the finding of the lower court, that the suit before the trial court was a claim for recovery of land and Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act did not apply in the circumstance.

Honourable Adamu Jauro, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 17th day of June, 2022 Before Their Lordships Olukayode Ariwoola Uwani Musa Abba Aji Mohammed Lawal Garba Adamu Jauro Tijjani Abubakar Justices, Supreme Court SC.82/2010 1. OLUREMI OBASANJO 2. OWOEYE NIYI

Between APPELLANTS And

1. WURO BOGGA NIGERIA LIMITED 2. REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF WOMEN RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT PROTECTION ALTERNATIVE (WRAPA) 3. HON. MINISTER OF FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY 4. FEDERAL CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RESPONDENTS (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Adamu Jauro, JSC)

law in this regard is Section 15 of the Limitation Act Cap 522, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria which provides for a limitation period of 12 years in actions for recovery of land.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the appellate court, the Appellants appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The following issue was considered by the Apex Court, in its determination of the appeal.

Whether the Court of Appeal was right not to have invoked the provisions of the Public Officers (Protection) Act, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case.

‘The provisions of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act do not apply, for the purpose of limitations of actions, to actions predicated on contracts or for recovery of land”

Arguments Counsel for the Appellants argued that paragraph 11 of the Statement of Claim formed the basis of the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s grievances, and it showed that they were displeased with the administrative or ministerial actions of the 3rd and 4th Respondent who are public officers. He argued that based on this, Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act, which provided a limitation period of three months, is applicable. Counsel cited IBRAHIM v JSC (1998) 14 NWLR (Pt. 584) 1 and submitted that, where a statute provides for the institution of an action within a prescribed period, proceedings shall not be instituted after the time prescribed by such statute.

He submitted further that it was clear from the Statement of Claim that, the case of the 1st and 2nd Respondent was not for recovery of land, but was challenging the administrative action of the 3rd Respondent, and for this reason, since Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act has fixed a three months limitation

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court held that in order to determine the cause of action, when it accrued and when the action was filed, the court will look at the claim of the Plaintiff and the facts pleaded in the Statement of Claim. The Apex Court held that by facts pleaded in the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s Statement of Claim, it was clear that their cause of action is the revocation of the 1st Respondent’s Certificate of Occupancy by the 3rd Respondent, and the action itself was predicated simpliciter on recovery of the land purportedly revoked, and not connected with the administrative or ministerial actions of the 3rd and 4th Respondent who are public officers.

The Court held that the provision of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) is not absolute and without its limitations. Such limitations are cases predicated on cases of recovery of land, breach of contract or claims for work and labour done - CIL RISK AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD v EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT & ORS (2020) LPELR–49565 (SC). The provisions of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers (Protection) Act do not apply, for the purpose of limitations of actions, to actions predicated on contracts or for recovery of land - OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT v DALAMI (2007) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1038) 66; NPA v LOTUS PLASTICS (2005) 24 NSCQR, 56; CBN v ADEDIJI (2004) 13 NWLR (Pt. 890) 226 and RAHAMANIYA UNITED (NIG) LTD v MINISTER OF FCT & ORS (2021) LPELR-55633 (SC) (PP. 10-11 PARA. B).

Their Lordships held further, that it was clearly demonstrated from the facts in the pleadings of the 1st and 2nd Respondent, that the primary claims and reliefs sought in the case before the trial High Court were based on, and for recovery of land taken away by the 3rd and 4th Respondent, a matter to which the provisions of Section 2(a) of POPA do not clearly apply.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Oluwole Aladewoye Esq. with M. D. Ojo Esq. for the Appellants.

Sylvester O. Imhanobe Esq. with John E. Opaluwa Esq. and Adaobi B. Onuoha Esq. for the 1st and 2nd Respondents.

Chief Kingsley Chukwu with Daniel Ojo Esq. for the 3rd and 4th Respondents.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

L-R: Hon. Justice Olanrewaju Majekodunmi; President, Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Mobolaji Ojo and Hon. Justice Olanrewaju Onafowokan, at the second edition and 2022, Conferment of Merit Awards Ceremony to Outstanding Staff, held at Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Rejoinder: The Peoples Democratic Party v Mai Mala Buni: Implications for the Polity Steven Kola-Balogun I read last week the analysis of Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN on the implications of the above judgement on the political situation in Nigeria. I differ from the learned Senior Advocate in his approach, in the sense that I am of the view

that the judgement exposes inherent weaknesses in our legal and judicial system that have been prevalent for quite some time. There is now so much emphasis on the procedural aspects of law at the expense of substantive aspects, and this has severely weakened our legal system.

I respectfully disagree with the

Ogun CCA President Implores Staff to be Diligent Ademola Orunbon The President, Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Mobolaji Ojo has implored the staff of the court to be diligent, obedient, submissive and be punctual and committed to work, so as to become a role model in their place work.

Justice Ojo made this statement at the 2022 Conferment of Merit Awards Ceremony to the outstanding officers/staff of the court, held at Isabo, Abeokuta, the State capital.

He said that the essence of conferment of awards and recognitions was to motivate them, so as strive towards excellence and attain higher standards of operations within the court, saying that while hard work and good behaviour were rewarded, indiscipline and untoward attitudes were discouraged and punished.

"In fact, to ensure quality and effective service delivery, a unit as "Monitoring and Quality Assurance Unit", has been established in the office of the Chief Registrar I, and is headed by the Deputy Chief Registrar, to monitor the operations of the Customary Courts officers across the State, so as to make a recommendation for awards to some category officers", Justice Ojo said He further reiterated the commitment of the State Judiciary, encapsulated in the Seven-Point agenda, enunciated by the State

Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Arinola Dipeolu, to digitalise the Judiciary, prompt disposal of cases, decongestion of correctional service centres across the State, holistic welfare based administration, zero tolerance for corruption, provision of enabling, conducive work place and environment for Judges and staff of the Judiciary, and transparent administration with an open door policy.

He later congratulated all the awardees for their dedication, tolerance and patience to work, imploring them to keep up the good work and never rest on their oars.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chairman, Merit Award Committee, Hon. Justice Adebisi Femi-Segun, said that it was the second edition in the history of the Customary Court of Appeal, noting that it was imperative to recognise and celebrate officers with outstanding performances.

"Indeed, it is worthy of celebrating those officers for their standout in various work; they have performed excellently well in the discharge of their duties in terms of volume of work, no single petitions against them throughout the year", Femi-Segun said She noted that 17 deserving Officers were recognised from different sections of the Customary Courts, appealing to them to sustain the tempo and the good work.

decision of the Federal High Court in its interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(1), 177 (c) and 183 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, stating that a Governor cannot hold any other “executive” office. Constitutional matters must first be determined, before any other issue. Mai Mala Buni’s position as acting Chairman of the Caretaker & Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee is not, in my humble opinion, contrary to the provisions of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, because same is on a temporary basis which is not akin to executive office or paid employment envisaged by Section 183 of the Constitution.

Besides, if the intention of the Constitution was any different, it ought to have stated clearly that acting in a part-time capacity is equally prohibited. This cannot be implied in constitutional matters. You can only interpret the Constitution with certainty. As far back as the Privy Council case of Adegbenro v Akintola 1963 AC 614, the courts long decided that in deciding constitutional issues, you cannot impute any other but its clear meaning in interpreting the provisions of a written Constitution.

The same, more or less, repeated itself in Awolowo v Shagari when the Supreme Court was called upon to interpret 2/3 of 19 States. In giving judgement, the Supreme Court verdict came with a caveat: The Judgement Should Not Be Cited As APrecedent In Any Court. Many commentators have argued that it was an indication that the Supreme Court knew the Constitution needed to be amended, in order to have certainty in the interpretation of the 1979 Constitution Secondly, even if we are to assume that Section 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended grants the Plaintiff locus standi, that was at the time they filed the action. The action had since been overtaken by events, and, as such, they ought to have amended their originating summons so that the reliefs sought are against the only relevant party today, being INEC. The other parties become necessary but, nominal parties. We cannot turn Common law principles on their head, by allowing political parties to wade into each other’s internal affairs.

Section 285(14) gives locus standi to political parties, to bring an action against INEC. If the PDP are

of the opinion that Governor Mai Mala Buni should not have signed INEC’s form EC9B or forwarded its application to INEC, then it’s suit ought to have been against INEC. It can’t be primarily against Mai Mala Buni as Caretaker Chairman. That’s why these matters ordinarily, should be taken by way of judicial review.

Would a judicial review application have been against Mai Mala Buni?

It’s utterly preposterous.

Finally, the Court can’t assume

by Originating Summons that a democratic process was not followed in appointing an acting Chairman, and therefore, not in compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act. With respect, evidence has to be led to prove such a point, and this is hindered by the Originating Summons procedure which was used to initiate the action at the Federal High Court. The judgement sought to get round the acting Chairman issue, by assuming that an acting Chairman had not been through some sort of democratic process.

That’s flawed in my view. Only the taking of evidence can prove such a point, and as we all know, it can’t be taken by an originating summons.

Conclusion In recent times we have adopted a cluttered procedural and superficial approach to the practice of law, at the expense of its substantive aspects.

Both Lawyers and Judges are at fault, and have attempted to resolve our numerous complex legal issues by relying almost entirely on technicalities dressed up as procedure; and as a result, intellectual standards have dropped and our judgements are rarely cited in the wider Commonwealth, as in years gone by.

In England and Wales, the Mother Common law jurisdiction, a White Book which outlines the relevant cases, forms and procedure to be adopted in filling cases is in use.

There are also Court Masters whose duty it is, to ensure compliance with these outlined procedures. Nigerian Lawyers have long discarded reference to the White Book, but, perhaps, it’s time we created a White Book of our own. This will help create procedural certainty in our approach to law, and allow Judges and Lawyers focus more on substantive and intellectual aspects of law.

Steven Kola-Balogun, Lagos

10 Things to Know About the Victim, Witness Protection and Assistance Bill

Steve Aya

The Lagos State House of Assembly recently passed a Bill to protect and assist victims of crimes and accidents, as well as witnesses who have genuine information which could help effective prosecution of cases.

The Bill titled ‘A Bill for a law to provide for the rights and entitlements of victims and protection of witnesses and for connected purposes’, has been described as one that will protect lives and property, and is geared towards creating a peaceful Lagos society in line with State’s advancement.

With 71 sections, the Bill is the first to be passed by a Nigerian State House of Assembly, and creates for the establishment of

an Agency that will assist to meet its stipulations and goals.

Designed to meet the Megacity, or if you like, Smart City drive of the government, the Bill also states how the Agency is to be run, the establishment of a Trust Fund, and how resources that should make up the fund are to be sourced and utilised. The Bill currently awaits the assent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Below are 10 other things to know about the Bill and the Agency: 1. Provides necessary assistance to victims and witnesses including measures for treatment, reparation, restitution and rehabilitation.

2. Conduct research into ways victims and witnesses can be effectively treated, rehabilitated,

assisted, compensated and protected.

3. Creates a conducive environment for witnesses to make statements before law enforcement agencies, without fear of any repercussions.

4. Pays compensation to victims or witnesses for any physical or mental harm, loss or damages to property.

5. A victim or witness shall be protected as far as practicable, from unnecessary contact with the alleged offender and defence witnesses during trial and proceedings.

6. A victim or witness who suspects that harm may be inflicted on him due to his participation in any investigation, can seek protection.

7. A victim or witness can be provided with security, temporary accommodation, permanent relocation, temporary or permanent employment or change of identity.

8. Victims of accident or crime must be assisted by the public or security agents, and taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.

9. A hospital or facility that fails to treat a victim can face a N1m fine. If the victim dies, the hospital or Doctor faces prosecution.

10. A private hospital that receives an accident victim with severe wound must inform the Agency within 48 hours, for reimbursement of medical expenses where family members are not known or where the victim is indigent.

PHOTO NEWS

UN Deputy Secretary General, Ms Amina J. Mohammed conferred with GCON

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila conferred with CFR

Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun OFR and his wife, Hon. Justice Kudirat KekereEkun JSC conferred with CFR

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IMAGES

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t the 9th Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2022) which held October 11-12 at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Lagos State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN hosted a Plenary Session on “The Civil Litigation Conundrum”, on October 12, in which the Lagos State Administration of Civil Justice Bill 2022 was reviewed.Here are some of the personalities who attended the event….

Lagos State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN

Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya Professor Fidelis Oditah, KC, SAN

Dr Tunde Ajibade, SAN Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr Olatunde Adejuyigbe, SAN Mr Bode Agoro

The Panelists with the HAG Moderating

Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN (left) and HC, Economic Planning & Budget, Mr Sam Egube

A cross-section of Participants

A cross-section of Participants

Editor of This Day Lawyer, Onikepo Braithwaite (left) and Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN

Panelists L-R: Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya; Dr Tunde Ajibade, SAN; Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN (Moderator); Mr Olatunde Adejuyigbe, SAN and Professor Fidelis Oditah, KC, SAN

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Mr President Sir, Please, Release Nnamdi Kanu

Background

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azi Nnamdi Kanu (Kanu ) was arrested on 15th October, 2015. He was first arraigned before the Federal High Court Abuja, in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/ CR/383/2015 on 23rd December, 2015. He was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre. Kanu was subsequently granted bail by the Federal High Court, coram, Hon. Justice B.F.M Nyako on 14th April, 2017. The charge was consequently adjourned for hearing to 17th October, 2017.

Kanu’s Narrow Escape from Death While Nnamdi Kanu was in his ancestral home in Abia State, enjoying his bail, a joint team of Nigerian security agents, led by soldiers (code-named “Operation Python”), brutally invaded his said ancestral home, viet armis on 14th September, 2017. During the murderous invasion, over 28 innocent and unarmed civilians were viciously murdered in cold blood. However, Kanu, who was apparently the principal target of the bloody invasion, managed to escape death by the whiskers, only mostly by an act of providence.

How Kanu Was Arrested and Detained in Kenya Without Warrant In the course of Kanu’s involuntary exile overseas, on 5th May, 2021, he voluntarily entered the Republic of Kenya; and was legally admitted into the country as a British citizen. Kanu took up a temporary residence in a location in Nairobi, Kenya. On 19th June, 2021, Kanu was violently accosted at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya, by about twenty armed agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria, who forcibly abducted, handcuffed, blindfolded, and bundled him into a waiting vehicle and sped away.

Kanu’s abductors took him to a nondescript private house (not a Police station or other official holding facility) somewhere in Nairobi, and chained him to the floor. He was subjected to all forms of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. Kanu was held in the aforesaid torturous conditions, for eight days. All his entreaties to his abductors to avail him the services of a Lawyer and medication for his hypertension and serious heart condition, were inhumanely refused by the said Federal Government agents.

Kanu’s Extra-Ordinary Rendition to Nigeria from Kenya On the 8th day of his abduction, Kanu's abductors brought him out of the private facility, put him blind-folded, in a waiting vehicle; and drove him straight to the tarmac of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. In doing this, they clandestinely evaded and circumvented Kenyan immigration authorities; and forcibly bundled him into a waiting private jet. They consequently smuggled him into Nigeria (recall Umaru Dikko’s savage crating and brutal abduction case of 9th July, 1984).

Throughout Kanu’s illegal and horrific detention in Kenya, he was never subjected to any extradition hearing or proceedings, before he was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria.

Kanu’s Arraignment and Custody at SSS’s Facility On 29th June, 2021, Kanu was brought before the same trial Federal High Court, without any notice to his counsel, or being afforded any legal representation whatsoever. The court ordered that he be remanded in SSS custody. He has remained in the said custody to date; but, under inhuman and degrading conditions – he is not allowed freedom to practice his Jewish religion; not allowed a private doctor’s second opinion regarding his failing health; kept in solitary confinement; not properly fed or treated for his heart condition and high potassium level; not allowed private audience with his Lawyers with any writing materials, files or documents; and only allowed strictly supervised two visitations per week. All court orders to the SSS regarding these poor conditions, have been brazenly ignored and disobeyed with impunity and reckless abandon.

On the same 29th June, 2021, when he was brought

Nnamdi Kanu

President Muhammadu Buhari

before the FHC, the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, addressed a press conference, wherein he stated: “Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been (rearrested) through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian Intelligence and Security Services. He has been brought back to Nigeria, in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding the 11 count charge against him”. He not address if the FG followed any lawful extradition proceedings.

Kenyan Authorities’ Corroboration of Kanu’s Illegal Extraordinary Rendition The Kenyan Government in an affidavit deposed to, in a suit commenced against the Government on behalf of Kanu, flatly denied any involvement in Kanu's abduction, unlawful detention, torture and illegal extra-ordinary expulsion from Kenya to Nigeria. The said affidavit also categorically averred that Kanu had been legally admitted into Kenyan territory; but that, no record showed that he legally exited therefrom.

Domestic and International Conventions & Laws Abhor Kanu’s Ill-Treatment All relevant International legal instruments and Covenants, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights; Extradition Act 2004, African Charter’s Principles and Guidelines on Human and Peoples’ Rights while Countering Terrorism in Africa; and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are uniform in their provisions, which, in their entirety, prohibit the extraordinary rendition of Kanu in the manner in which it was brazenly carried out by the Federal Government. The UNO's Human Rights Working Group also delivered a ruling on 20th July, 2022, condemning Kanu's serial human rights violations; and ordered the Nigerian Government to release him forthwith, unconditionally; and pay him damages. The FG has not obeyed this ruling, forcing me to write a 38 paged letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, pleading that he obeyed the UNO's directives.

Federal Government’s Curious Seven Amendments Following the extraordinary rendition of Kanu, the Prosecution made in all, seven successive amendments to the earlier five count charge pending against Kanu. It eventually amended it to a 15-count charge on 17th January, 2022.

Preliminary Objection Upon being served the 15-count amended charge, myself and team of Lawyers, including

“They therefore, utilised the provisions of Section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act and dismissed the remaining 7 counts.The court discharged Kanu and ordered his IMMEDIATE RELEASE by the Federal Government”

Messrs Benson Igbanoi and ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to try Kanu on the alleged offences. The said objection was predicated on 34 grounds, and was supported by a 39 paragraph affidavit with attached exhibits. The ugly facts concerning Kanu’s extraordinary and tortuous rendition, were copiously and succinctly deposed to.

Pertinent to note is that, the Prosection (i.e, the FG), in its counter-affidavit and throughout the proceedings before the trial court, and Court of Appeal, never denied or controverted the facts of Kanu’s forcible abduction and consequent extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria.

Nor did it proffer any scintilla of evidence or explanations in that regard.

Upon the hearing the Notice of Preliminary Objection, the trial court delivered its ruling on 8th April, 2022; and consequently, struck out 8 of the 15 counts, namely, counts 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. But, it retained 7 counts, namely, counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15. In the said ruling, the court did not make any findings or pronouncements on the serious issue bordering on whether the trial court had the requisite jurisdiction to try Kanu, having regard to his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria.

Being dissatisfied with the decision of the Federal High Court (coram, Honourable Justice Binta Nyako), delivered on 8th April, 2022) retaining the aforesaid counts, we appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

Notice of Appeal In the Notice of Appeal filed on 29th April, 2022, we formulated five grounds of appeal. The first ground of appeal bordered on the failure of the trial court to consider, make finding of facts and accordingly pronounce on the critical issue raised for the trial court’s determination.

The other grounds of appeal bordered on the jurisdiction of the trial court to try Kanu for alleged offences, where the alleged situs of commission were not stated; the jurisdiction of the trial court to try Kanu for alleged offences bordering on the proscription of IPOB, when the said proscription is still the subject-matter of a pending appeal; the jurisdiction of the court to try Kanu for an offence allegedly committed in Ubuluisiuzor, Ihiala L.G.A of Anambra State, outside the territorial jurisdiction of the FHC, Abuja; and the jurisdiction of the court to try Kanu when the proof of evidence did not disclose any prima facie case against him.

In our Appellant’s Brief of Argument, we argued extensively and succinctly on the issue of the extraordinary rendition of Kanu, the failure of the Prosecution to controvert the facts of his forcible abduction and extraordinary rendition, as contained in the affidavit in support of the preliminary objection; and the failure of the trial court to make findings of facts and pronouncements on that germane issue raised before it. We cited several local and foreign authorities, statutes, conventions, etc. Amongst these were Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and

19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Articles 2, 9, 13, 14, 16, 19 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; Article 12(4), 45(1) of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004; Extradition (Commonwealth Countries) Act, Laws of Kenya, CAP 77; Section 3(7) of the Nigerian Extradition Act; Section 12(1) of the 1999 Constitution; ABACHA v FAWEHNMI (2000) LPELR-14(SC); ALIU BELLO & ORS v ATTORNEY- GENERAL OF OYO STATE (1986) LPELR-764(SC); ASHBY v WHITE (1703); UNITED STATES v TOSCANINO, 500 F. 2d 267, 275 (2nd Cir. 1974); REG. v HARTLEY (1978) 2 N.Z.L.R. 199, 216-217; R. v HORSEFERRY ROAD MAGISTRATES COURT, EX PARTE BENNETT [1994] AC 42 [1993] UKHL 10 [1994] 1 AC 42 [1993] 3 WLR 90; S. v EBRAHIM, 1991 (2) S.A. 553 (Ebrahim v Minister of Justice 2000 (2) SACR 173, WLD); EMMANUEL MEKAOWULU v UKWA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL (2018) LPELR-43807(CA); etc.

The Prosecution, in its Respondent’s brief of argument, again, carefully avoided the critical issue of the illegal and extraordinary rendition of Kanu, and did not address it in any way; or contradict the well laid-out facts.

Court of Appeal’s Historic Judgement While delivering their judgement on 13th October, 2022, the Justices of the intermediate court unanimously agreed with our submission. They found and held, in the lead judgement anchored by Hon. Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, and adopted by the Presiding Justice, Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, and Hon Justice Ebiowei Tobi (JJCA), that the extraordinary rendition of Kanu, which was never in any way denied by the Federal Government, constitutes a flagrant and egregious violation of all known international laws and treaties on extradition to which Nigeria is party, and thus, bound by.

The learned Justices further condemned, in very strong words, the executive recklessness and lawlessness exhibited by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in Kanu’s unlawful abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria.

They further strongly deprecated the Prosecution’s cavalier attitude of treating the serious issues of Kanu’s abduction and extraordinary rendition which were promptly raised both before the trial court and the appellate court, with levity and utmost whimsicality. They unanimously resolved this issue in Kanu’s favour; and consequently held that, in view of the illegal and extraordinary rendition of Kanu, which facts were never denied or controverted by the Prosecution; and against all known municipal and international laws, conventions and decided authorities, the trial court has no jurisdiction to try him on the retained seven counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15.

They therefore, utilised the provisions of Section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act and dismissed the remaining 7 counts. The court discharged Kanu and ordered his IMMEDIATE RELEASE by the Federal Government.

The court further held and ordered that pursuant to Section 15 of the Extradition Act, LFN, 2004, since Kanu was not subjected to any lawful extradition proceedings, he cannot even be tried for the alleged offences he was facing before he was forced to flee for his life in September, 2017. This is based on the ‘Doctrine of Specialty’. Indeed, the court unanimously held that Kanu’s extraordinary rendition constitutes an absolute bar to any subsequent criminal prosecution against him before any court in Nigeria, having not been lawfully rendered to Nigeria from Kenya.

The court also resolved the fourth issue in Kanu's favour; and consequently held that the Federal High Court, Abuja judicial division, does not have the jurisdiction to try Kanu, for offences allegedly committed in Ubuluisiuzor, Ihiala L.G.A. of Anambra State.

Even though issues 2, 3 and 5 bordering on situs of alleged commission of the crime, and the pendency of IPOB’s proscription before the Court of Appeal, were resolved in favour of the Prosecution, however, in view of the fact that issue one bordering on the illegality and unlawfulness of Kanu’s extraordinary rendition was resolved in his favour, the court held that the appeal succeeded and allowed it. The ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja (per Hon. Justice B.F.M. Nyako), delivered on 8th April, 2022, retaining seven counts, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15 of the amended 15-count charge, cont'd on page X

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Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN

‘I See God’s Finger in My CON Award’ The story of Nigeria’s march to post-military democracy, cannot be told without an ample mention of the role of human rights defenders like Chief Dr Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN. The fearless Constitutional Lawyer who turned 65 on October 15, 2022, had the privilege of being awarded the coveted office of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, by President Muhammadu Buhari whom he had constructively criticised on a number of occasions, last week. He went down memory lane with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi on his various battles in the trenches, and shared his opinion on several issues including restructuring and ransom payments to kidnappers

C

ongratulations Learned Silk, our most dedicated Columnist, on your 65th birthday and the conferment of the national honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger on you. Despite your several battles with the Federal government over the years, they still considered you worthy and deserving of such a high national honour. How did this happen?

I will ascribe this my CON honour to three major factors. The first is that, I see the finger of God in it; the same finger of God in Exodus 8:19. This means that once God has decreed the happening of an event, no man can disapprove.

Once God has proposed, no man can dispose. And, God usually does it, not because you necessarily deserve it, but because of Romans 9:15. That is what I have tapped into, with this prestigious award of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on me by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. It came to me as a pleasant surprise on my 65th birthday, because the conferment took place on the 11th October, 2022, just four days before my birthday on 15th October, 2022. I therefore dedicate the award to God Almighty, in His full glory and total adoration.

The second major factor is that my CON is a demonstration to the whole world that my modest

contributions from my little window are being appreciated by the entire society, including President Muhammadu Buhari himself, against whom (and his government) I have been a very fierce critic. I have serially criticised Mr President over his style of governance which I insist has been too prebendalistic, nepotic, cronyistic, sectionalistic, tribalistic and too divisive and exclusionary, rather than being aggregative and inclusive. This is why when you check the entire security apparatchik of Nigeria, it is obscenely dominated by people from a particular section of the country, the North, and one faith, Islam. If you also check core areas of the polity – the Police, Army, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, Fire Services, Security Services like DSS, NIA, DIA and some of the first class or A-ministries such as Finance, FCT, Agriculture, Education, Communication, Justice, Information, Power, etc., are all held by these same people. I have always counselled Mr President that it is wrong, wrong and wrong to govern a pluralistic society of different religions, 374 ethnic groups (according to Professor Onigu Otite in his demographic survey of Nigerian ethnic groups); and different languages, in such a manner.

But, once in a while, I had also defended the President trenchantly, even when majority of Nigerians were against him and against

“I am happy to say that aside from being a Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), I am also a Senior Advocate of Nigerian Students (SANS), an award given to me in 2002 by NANS”

my own position, whenever I felt the need to do so, based on available facts. Such was when he passed the lockdown order on March 29, 2020, with which he locked down Lagos and Ogun State and the FCT for 14 days during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many Nigerians kicked against it, but I stood by him in many outings on television and several newspaper write-ups, because he was right as the order was necessary to save a large number of people, rather than looking at their convenience.

When President Buhari fell ill in 2017 and he transferred power to his Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, before going to the UK for medical check-up, I praised him, saying that it was the best step to take.

This was what President Umar Yar'Adua had not done when he travelled to Saudi during his ill health without transferring power to his then Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The ricocheting effect of that faux-pas, put Nigeria on tentacles and the precipice, leading to the invocation of the “doctrine of necessity” by the National Assembly, to save Nigeria from drowning.

When he passed Executive Order 10 with which he prohibited State Governors from touching the funds of Local Government Councils, I supported it against the argument of many Nigerians, including my mentor, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, unarguably the greatest Constitutional Lawyer to have emerged from the face of Africa. I said it was a good step taken to prevent Governors from waylaying at source, the little that belonged to Local Government Areas (LGAs), to further enrich themselves. However, I have had cause to disagree with Mr President more than 90% of the time, on his style of governance. It means that my contributions, favourable or otherwise, resonated with Mr President.

This brings me to the third factor – Mr President’s large heartedness and State-manliness in still giving me such a high award, in spite of my critical activities against him and his government.

I believe he knows that I always mean well for Nigeria and Nigerians. I therefore, want to specially thank Mr President for this large heartedness, because it is not everyone in his position that would have done what he did by giving me that prestigious national honour.

My final take therefore, is that every Nigerian must be consistent, dogged and must be identified with something positive that contributes to deepening and strengthening democracy, defending human rights, the rule of law and nurturing good governance towards effective nation building. All this, with all humility, I have striven hard to do, hands on, at least, in the last 50 years of my life.

Kindly, tell us your story from start to date, so that the young Lawyers can see that it is quite possible to fulfil one’s ambitions without being born with a silver spoon, but with hard work, focus, commitment and determination.

I was born in a then very small rusty village of Iviukwe, near Agenebode, in Etsako East LGA of Edo State on 15th October, 1957, to very hard working, honest and worthy parents of great nobility, character and dignity, who natured and nurtured me, High Chief Abu Ozekhome ( Zaiki Samali, Anawii and Oghienomhoikpeghor of Weppa Wanno); and Chief Alimoh Abu Ozekhome (the Iyageghe and Oghikpotso of Weppa Wanno).

In terms of material wealth, I would say I was born without a silver spoon; indeed, not even a wooden spoon; or any spoon at all. This is because my parents were poor, peasant farmers in the village. I had to go to the farm or streams tucked away under caves, hills and valleys, to fetch spirogyra-infested water, which we would clear with alum, before going to school. And,

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

‘I See God’s Finger in My CON Award’ upon return from school, I would be told that my food had been taken to the farm. This was another way of saying "return to the farm and get back to work” again. I therefore, grew up not knowing how to eat breakfast; which is why to date, breakfast is virtually a taboo on my menu.

I still eat my first meal anytime between 3 and 4pm daily, even when I happen to occupy a luxury hotel with complimentary breakfast.

However, what my parents lacked early is life in material wealth at their initial stage, they had in tons and trailer loads of integrity, character, dignity, honour, endearing values and moral ethos, all of which they impacted into and nurtured me and their other children with. It was a taboo for a person to steal, or to lie, or cheat, or backbite. Life in the village was communal and interesting. And, because we had no toys to play with as children, we would find our way to the forest to go and dig up scorpions, crickets and reptiles as a way of playing like the little kids that we were. In those days, our Secondary School teacher would give us the dictionary definition of television, because we had never seen any.

But, I thank God that before my parents died, they had made it within their poor environment and became wealthy in their own right, with barns of maize and expansive tents of tubers of yam. They even became very respected High Chiefs and leaders, in our community. When I was growing up, we had moral and strong societal values; respect for one another; respect for parents and respect for our teachers and community leaders. Unlike nowadays, when a dead person’s corpse means nothing to the youths who would rather gather round such a corpse to take pictures and make videos with their phones, in my own days when we were growing up, hearing that a person had died would keep us indoors for the next two or three days, with the belief, as innocent children, that the person’s ghost or apparition will be hovering around the village.

I therefore believe that with focus, tenacity of purpose, hard-work, honesty, dedication, commitment and constant prayers to God Almighty, anyone can rise from ‘grass-to-grace’. , like me, and make it big in life. I had promised myself from day one when I grew up that I will break the shackles of poverty and anonymity; which was why and which is still why,till now, I work between 18 – 20 hours every day, often sleeping in the office, as if there is no tomorrow.

I prefer to earn my living honestly, with dignity, integrity and character ; and without cutting corners, or cheating anyone. In this my resolve, God has been very kind and He has imbued my life with ineffable grace, compassion and limitless accommodation. I thank God Almighty for carrying me in His wings. a. How did you get into Human Rights Activism? You risked your life on several occasions as a human rights defender, during the dastardly military regimes. As a human rights activist of national recon, how would you assess the nation’s human rights record under the Buhari Regime? How would you rate Government’s respect for human rights and the rule of law during, and now, post the military era? For instance, your brother Silk, Femi Falana stated that when he was detained under the military, his hair or beard were never forcibly shaved, as was done to Mr Inibehe Effiong recently, when he was committed by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State to prison recently, purportedly for contempt of court. What do you think of Inibehe’s dehumanising treatment?

I must have started human rights activism right from my mother’s womb, because I am told that my immediate elder brother, now late, High Chief Pius Ozekhome, announced my arrival by always touching my mother’s big tummy of pregnancy, and announcing that “Agbedor is on the way coming”. That was how the name Agbedor stuck forever, as my middle name, overshadowing the real name my father had given to me, which is ‘Emoepo’, meaning ‘trouble is over’. ‘Agbedor’ means ‘blacksmith’.

Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN

It is a special name for ‘God-anointed’. So, as I grew up in the village, I was always involved in fights. Whenever I saw two boys fighting, I would immediately engage in the fight on the side of the weaker one.

And, of course, I would leave the fight with either a battered mouth, a bloodied nose, or swollen eyes. And, when the elders would ask me about the cause of the quarrel, I would simply say I was defending the other weaker one, although I did not know what issues he had with the stronger one.

I carried this genetic mantra to Primary School, Secondary School and the University, where I led various clubs and organisations that fought school authorities on the side of pupils and students. We led the “Ali-must-go” national students’ protest in 1978 at Ife, which led to the banning of NUNS. I led the Ife students’ delegation in January, 1980 to Benin City, where we now took the new acronym ‘NANS’, thus, changing it from ‘National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS)’ to the ‘National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)’.

I am happy to say that aside from being a Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), I am also a Senior Advocate of Nigerian Students (SANS), an award given to me in 2002 by NANS. At Ife, after students like Dr Goodwill Ogboghodor and Edoreh Agba, I became the best student debater of my time. I was also Speaker of the Student’s Representative Council (SRC), when the then Speaker was impeached for financial malpractices. Femi Falana was one of those who spear-headed my being voted for. I edited and chaired many high-class students journals, all criticising the ills of the University system, students life styles and ills in the larger society. I forayed into students politics witn Awa Kalu,SAN and O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, sponsoring me.

I subsequently joined Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s Chambers, and handled most of his human rights abuses cases across virtually every State in Nigeria, during the locust days of the military. I became Gani’s Deputy Head of Chambers in 1985, and helped set up the Nigerian Weekly Law Report (NWLR), which we launched on 1st October, 1985. With all humility, and to Gani’s eternal satisfaction, I gave NWLR its name and colours, modifying both slightly after the English Weekly Law Report (WLR).

“I now counsel and beg the Buhari Administration to release Nnamdi Kanu immediately, to bring peace and tranquility to the East. This will heal some sores and bleeding wounds, as he is but a metaphor for the Igbo struggle”

Gani popularly called me “Ozekbaba” or “Mobile Library”, or “Mobile Dictionary”.

I then joined like minds, such as Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Clement Nwakwo, Abdul Oroh, Richard Akinola and Emmanuel Erhakpotobo, to found the first ever human rights body in Nigeria, called the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), which we launched on October 15, 1987. I also later founded the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD) which was launched by late Justice (Dr) Akinola Aguda in April, 1992. Emeka Ihedioha was my Director of Mobilisation. It was this human rights league that I used in getting reprieve for General Zamani Lekwot, who had been sentenced to death by an IBB Special Military Tribunal over the Zang-Kataf crisis, through Honourable Justice Onalaja of the Lagos High Court. By 1998, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, myself and others like Femi Falana, Dr Tunji Abayomi, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, and others, founded JACON (Joint Action Committee of Nigeria), with which we finally pushed out the military, thus, birthing democracy in 1999.

During the military, from Buhari to Babangida to Abdusalami Abubakar, we fought from the trenches, virtually on a daily basis, rallying, singing, pamphleteering, leafleteering, mounting barricades against fully armed Soldiers and Police, with us being tear-gassed on ground on many occasions by military and, occasionally, by hovering helicopters. This extended up to the June 12 crisis.

I can say categorically that I barely escaped death on many occasions, but could not escape many detentions, including one after the Gideon Orka coup of 1990, where a detachment of six loaded vehicles of fully armed military men picked me up from my chambers on Ajao Road, Surulere, Lagos. I was detained along with Olisa Agbakoba, very close to an open smelly toilet, infested with maggots and human excrement at the DMI, Child Avenue, Apapa. We could not sleep at all. So, human rights activism and the struggle have been my life. There is no way I can now suddenly back down now, in a supposedly democratic setting, under a government whose records for respect of human rights, rule of law and democratic precepts are even lower than we had it during the military era. We never had our hair or beard shaved like was recently done to Inibehe Effiong, when he was committed to prison by the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, purportedly for contempt of court.

Even my UDD’s injunctive reliefs on the Kuje 5 comprising of Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Beko Ransom-Kuti, Baba Omojola and students’ activist, Segun Mayegun, was respected by the Military when they were brought physically from the Kuje prison to the Magistrate’s court, Kuje, where they were being tried.

I can say categorically that the human rights record of this government is unfortunately, worse than it was during the Military, because this government does not obey court orders, nor respect the rule of law.

If it does, it would have immediately released Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by the Court of Appeal last week, after I won the case. I now counsel and beg the Buhari Administration to release Nnamdi Kanu immediately, to bring peace and tranquility to the East. This will heal some sores and bleeding wounds, as he is but a metaphor for the Igbo struggle.

As a human rights activist and also having been remanded in a Nigerian prison before, what would you say the conditions therein are like? Beyond the recent change in nomenclature from Prison to Correctional Centre, is there any need for prison reform? What can be done to decongest our overcrowded prisons?

The Prison conditions in Nigeria today, notwithstanding the change of nomenclature from Nigeria Prisons Service to Nigeria Correctional Service, are worse off today than they were during our time. They are more congested, and more dehumanising.

To decongest prisons, I suggest sentence by parole and also suspended sentence, in which case a prisoner does not necessarily need to serve it inside an enclosed prison yard. He could be made to do supervised community hard labour; put into a trade to reform him; or the sentence suspended for some years, while he is under watch to see if there will be recidivism.

Your case against the EFCC and the Federal Government over the issue of a Lawyer’s entitlement to his professional fees, has reverberated again. While Lawyers have continued to commend the judgement, some have raised questions about the appropriateness of the precedent. Share with us some of the highlights of that case, and why it has suddenly come into national limelight in the past few days I am disappointed that any Lawyer would ever argue against the well-reasoned judgement of April, 2017, of Justice Abdulazeez Anka, where he defroze my account containing N75 million which had been paid into my bank account as part-payment of my professional fees by the then Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and which sum had been illegally seized and frozen in the account by the EFCC, on the alleged ground that the source of the money of Fayose was being investigated. This sound judgement was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, led by the Justice Chidi Uwa. The effect of these two judgements, is that a Lawyer’s professional fees should not be subjected to questions as to the origin of the source from which he is paid. How is a Lawyer expected to know the source of money from which he is being paid? Even Lawyers defend kidnappers, Boko Haramists, armed bandits, 419-ers, murderers, etc. Are such Lawyers expected to ask these clients the source of their professional fees? This sound judgement, I believe, will be upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Otherwise, no Lawyer in this country will ever be paid by a client, and go to sleep with his two eyes closed.

I expect all Lawyers to rise up and defend this judgement, as it represents their emancipation. i. What is your opinion about the recent Federal High Court judgement in PDP v cont'd on page X

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER ‘I See God’s Finger in My CON Award’ cont'd from page IX

Mai Mala Buni?

I am not surprised by the recent judgement by the Federal High Court in PDP v Mai Mala Buni, because after the Supreme Court in a historic 4-3 split decision in the Akeredolu case last year, I wrote a piece titled, “The Proverbial Banana Peel under APC’s Ricketty Chair”, wherein I warned APC of the dangers of getting Buni who is the Governor of Yobe State, to act simultaneously as the Care-taker/Chairman of the APC Convention Committee, contrary to the clear provisions of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17(4) Of the APC Constitution. I had warned then that any victory of future candidates based on any primaries organised by Buni or sanctioned documents of candidates, will be declared null and void. So, the Federal High Court judgement has again vindicated me, because like Nostradamus (the man who saw tomorrow), I normally do rigorous research and arrive at an objective analysis of issues of the day; and, I am invariably usually proven right by history and subsequent events.

My non-political partisanship, helps me with a clear head and analytical mind.

There was national outcry over your ordeal in the hands of kidnappers in Edo State in 2013. Ten years down the line, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and ritual killings have assumed outrageous dimensions and become the order of the day. What does this say about the nation’s security architecture today? Has the nation lost the battle against violent crimes? How did you secure your freedom from the kidnappers? Were you rescued by the Police? Given that you have undergone this horrid experience of kidnap personally, what is your candid opinion of the law enacted by the National Assembly criminalising the payment of ransom to secure the freedom of abductees? Do you believe that refusal to pay ransom, will make kidnapping become an unattractive enterprise and reduce its incidence?

My 21-day horrific kidnap experience which started in the hot afternoon of 23rd August, 2013, between Ehor and Ekpoma, and lasted till 12th September, 2013 when I was released by my kidnappers, saw the four Policemen who came to my aid from a nearby Police station brutally hacked down, and their guns seized by my kidnappers.

Upon release on 12th September, 2013, I held a world press conference in my house at Igando, Lagos, where I urged the government to declare a state of emergency on seven key areas, including education, youth unemployment, insecurity, and infrastructural decay, amongst others No government ever listened to my wise counsel. If they had, we would not be in this terrible state where insecurity has ballooned to a national pastime, and to a fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy. Nigeria has been literally captured by non-State actors that wield equal, and even more deadly power than the legitimately constituted government. They plant their flags on Nigerian soil; give passes and identity cards to citizens and indigenes of captured swarths of land, and collect taxes from them. They order parents to pay and buy for them, bags and baskets of rice, beans, millet, maize, tomatoes, atarodo, tata e, salt, tubers of yam, jerrycans of palm oil and vegetable oil, and even maggi cubes, to cook for their children; so as to keep them alive to enable payment of ransom.

In a situation where these non-State elements reign supreme, challenging the sovereignty and suzerainty of Nigeria; added to heightened corruption through the primitive and obscene acquisition of wealth and money, which has made Nigeria become 148 out of 180 most corrupt countries in the world, the second most corrupt country in West Africa (Transparency International Anti-Corruption Perception Index); and the poverty capital of the world, overtaking

Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN

India. When all these are added together, Nigeria qualifies to be put in the league either of failed States or failing States.

So, the alleged fight against corruption, to me, is only directed at political enemies, critics of the government, and those who are not boot-lickers, fawners and obsequious genuflectors at the corridors of power. Corruption now struts about like a proud peacock, with government officials pocketing hundreds of billions of dollars, and with the fight against insecurity unabating, because, like Obasanjo once said, if insecurity persists in a country for one year, then you must know that there are some government actors supporting and nurturing it. Thus, insecurity and corruption, which have led to a parlous economy, with the Naira exchanging for N750 to 1 US Dollar; with herdsmen invading farms and homes of people, raping mothers, wives and daughters with reckless abandon, have since graduated from their crèche level, to post-graduate institutions.

In my humble opinion, the recent Act passed by the National Assembly, criminalising the payment of ransom to secure the freedom of kidnap abductees, is a bad law, because it does not take into account the physical, emotional, psychological, psychical and spiritual trauma that kidnap victims, families and loved ones experience. It will not even stop kidnapping anyway.

Rather, it will only subject victims to more horrific ordeals in the hands of heartless kidnappers. Nor will the death sentence also stop kidnapping, because in spite of the death sentence for murder and armed robbery, these crimes still thrive. What will solve kidnaping and other crimes, is simply good governance and the enthronement of social justice, equity, egalitarianism, mutual respect, religious and linguistic tolerance, and gender fairness, all of which must be reflected in an autochthonous, indigenous, people-driven and owned Constitution, adopted by the people after a popular plebiscite and referendum. This has been successfully done in countries like Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Eritrea, South Africa, Iraq, Iran and several other countries of the world. We can borrow a leaf from them, and then we will become like the Asian tigers of Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and South Korea.

You recently proposed a novel form of democracy, advocating six Vice Presidents from the geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

“My 21-day horrific kidnap experience which started in the hot afternoon of 23rd August, 2013, between Ehor and Ekpoma, and lasted till 12th September, 2013 when I was released by my kidnappers….the recent Act passed by the National Assembly, criminalising the payment of ransom to secure the freedom of kidnap abductees, is a bad law”

Kindly, shed more light on this form of governance as proposed by you. Why did you propose this? Is the Federal system (in name only), but in actuality a Unitary system which we have been practising in Nigeria, not working? What are your views on restructuring?

My proposition is that we either return to the less acronymous and expensive Parliamentary West-Minister system of government that we practised before the Military putsch of January 15, 1966; or if we must retain the very expensive and rather authoritarian Executive Presidential system of government, then our new Constitution must define the terms of the six geo-political zones and ascribe six Vice-Presidents to them, with each geo-political zone developing itself according to its pace, and taking care of its peculiar needs. This will bring about a healthy competition and enthrone a less expensive, less powerful and less corrupt central government, which should only be in charge of critical areas like central banking, national defence and foreign relations.

Matters like policing, marriages, licensing, education should either be shared by the States and the Federal Government, or devolved entirely to these six geo-political regions for better management and results.

This means serious restructuring and devolution of powers, towards lasting fiscal federalism; rather than the unitary system we currently practice, a system where the 36 State Commissioners for Finance conglomerate in Abuja at month end to share national allocations under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution. No one cares how this national cake is baked, or who provides the recipe or what happens to those who bake it.

Restructuring through a brand-new people’s Constitution, is a national desiderata which has become the urgency of now.

What are your expectations from whoever becomes President in 2023? Please, give three major things which you think the new President should do immediately on assumption of office?

My prediction is that whoever becomes the next President, whether through Atikulating, Tinibulising or being Obidient or Kwankwassiya, cannot solve Nigeria’s monumental and systemic problems, unless and until he looks into certain fundamentals. The first is that, he must take a deliberate step to immediately put in place a deliberate project of returning Nigeria to an era of cherished values, ethics and national ethos of honesty, hard-work, integrity and dignity of labour.

Secondly, he must put in place a project that will actualise a people’s Constitution; an agreed Constitution that aggregates the aspirations, expectations and ideals of a new Nigeria through a Constituent Assembly or Sovereign National Conference. This will ignite true nationhood, and achieve a nation where “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”.

Any Presidential candidate who becomes the President in May, 2023, and who undertakes these two onerous tasks, would have dealt a terminal blow to other national ailments such as insecurity, parlous economy, corruption, kidnaping, armed banditry, murders and social injustice and inequity.

Like the Bible admonishes us, we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto thee (Matthew 6:33).

Returning our country to a decent era, great cherished societal values and having a new people’s Constitution will be the very beginning of the end of our national travails. This will usher in a new dawn of mutual respect, prosperity and security. God bless Nigeria.

Thank you Learned Silk.

Mr President Sir, Please, Release Nnamdi Kanu cont'd from page VII

was set aside; and the said remaining seven counts were dismissed.

Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, which had been pending against Kanu since 2015, was consequently terminated and struck out; and Kanu was discharged and set free. For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court has held severally, that such discharge amounts to acquittal.

See the case of ADEYEMI v STATE (1991) LPELR-172(SC), wherein the Apex Court held thus: "...the discharge of the Appellant, in the present case, from the complaint of murder, was a dismissal on the merits and that marked the end of the trial against him for the offence charged. If the Appellant were to be tried, on a later occasion, of manslaughter on the same facts, a plea of autrefois acquit would undoubtedly have availed him by virtue of the provisions of Section 181 of the Criminal Procedure Act and Section 33 (9) of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; which states "(9) No person who shows that he has been tried by any Court of competent jurisdiction for a criminal offence and either convicted or acquitted shall again be tried for that offence or for a criminal offence having the same ingredients as that offence save upon the order of a superior court."

Per PHILIP NNAEMEKA-AGU, JSC (Pp

34 - 34 Paras A - D).

What Government Must Now Do Following the order of the Court of Appeal which discharged Kanu, and also barred his further prosecution or indictment, Kanu should be released immediately without further ado. His continued detention, which was roundly condemned in a most scathing rendition by the Court of Appeal, on the curious ground of appealing against it as stated by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, constitutes a grave contempt of a valid and extant court order.

Let me remind the Attorney-General of the strong words of admonition of grave consequences of such brazen contempt, by the Apex Court in the causa celebre of the MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF LAGOS STATE & ORS v ODEMEGWU OJUKWU & ANOR (1986) 1 All NLR 233; and the intermediate court’s similar warning in OJUKWU v MILITARY GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE (1983) LCN/0015 (CA). Let him read these authorities, and advise Mr President to immediately release Kanu who has since become a reasonating metaphor for the Igbo's struggle against marginalisation. Kanu's release will heal gaping wounds, bind oozing sores, and give the Igbos the much needed sense of belonging. Peace and tranquility will immediately descend on the South East. I so plead with Mr President Sir.

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

NSCDC Arrests Eight for Oil Bunkering in Ondo Fidelis David in Akure The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested eight suspects allegedly involved in illegal dealings in petroleum products, conspiracy and forgery in the state.

The new NSCDC State Commandant, Olatundun Olayinka, while parading the suspects before journalists in Akure, the state capital, yesterday, explained that the Corps in its renewed vigour to eradicate the menace of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the country, made tactical moves by deploying the Commandant General’s Intelligence Squad, which intercepted the suspects

at different locations in the state with products suspected to be adulterated diesel.

He explained that a Mack peddler truck with registration number: Lagos MUS 149 XA, with about 15,000 litres of suspected adulterated diesel was arrested at the bye-pass of the Benin-Lagos expressway in Ondo State with two suspects.

Olayinka said: “One Kelvin Idahosa and Oreyie Osahon were arrested at Ajebamidele, Lagos-Ore expressway, Ondo State, with a Mack truck with registration number: Edo SGD 60XL, with about 50,000 litres of suspected adulterated diesel. Also, Piri Sola, male, aged 50 and three others were arrested at Ofosu, Edo State, with 45,000 litres of

suspected adulterated diesel.”

He said the arrest of the suspects was in response to the directive of the commandantgeneral to rid the country of all economic saboteurs and to protect all national critical assets and infrastructure.

According to him, “These economic saboteurs will be charge to a court of competent jurisdiction after the completion of our investigation. I am using this medium to once again reiterate our commitment as an organisation saddled with the protection of national critical assets and infrastructure to the fight against oil theft and vandalism of our collective assets by a few disgruntled elements.

Lagos Council Boss Sued over Termination of Contracts

Wale Igbintade

A construction firm, Bodmans International Technical Consultants Nigeria Limited has dragged the Chairman of Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Council before the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Division demanding the sum of N150 million over alleged termination of contract agreements validly entered into by the council.

Other Defendants in the suit marked ID/9179/GCMW/2022 are Ifako-Ijaye Local government council and Alhaji Uthman Hamzat.

The claimant, in its statement of claim through its lawyer, Owolabi Dawodu, alleged that officials of the first defendant frustrated the

execution of the contract for the construction of Araromi market.

The claimant is asking for an Order of Court directing the 1st Defendant to specifically perform the terms of the contract as contained the Agreement dated 20th day of October, 2014 and in the Addendum to the Contract Agreement dated 31st day of January, 2020.

The claimant is also seeking for an order restraining the 2nd and 3rd Defendants from further disturbance of the performance of the contract by the Claimant.

The firm is demanding the sum of N50,000,000 as special damage for loss suffered on the land, and additional N100,000,000 as compensation for loss suffered by the Claimant.

Besides, the claimant is seeking for a “Declaration of this Honourable Court that the contract entered into by the Claimant and the 1st Defendant with the terms contained in the contract Agreement dated 20th day of October, 2014 and in the Addendum to the Contract Agreement dated 31st day of January, 2020 is a valid and subsisting contract.

“A Declaration of this Honourable Court that the 1st Defendant’s letter of revocation of contract dated 2nd day of November, 2021 purporting to terminate the contract agreements validly entered into by the 1st Defendant and the Claimant is unconscionable, null and void and of no effect.”

Nigerians Warned to Prepare for Food Crisis Kate Ejisu Nigerians have been warned to brace up for serious food crisis ahead following the menace of banditry and flooding currently ravaging the country.

The warning was given by a renowned industrialist and food processing expert, Mr. Duro Kuteyi at an event organised by Spectra Industries Limited to mark this year’s World Food Day in Lagos.

Kuteyi, who is also the managing director (MD)of Spectra Industries Limited, a leading indigenous food processing and manufacturing company therefore, called on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, save Nigeria of an imminent food crisis by urgently setting a workable

agenda for food security in Nigeria by addressing the current challenge of banditry and flooding that have made it difficult for farmers to access their farms unhindered.

Kuteyi, who particularly lamented over the general insecurity in the country, stated that while the rest of the world is fighting hard to tackle factors such as climatic change that is a big threat to food security, however, expressed regret that apart from climatic change, the major threat of food security in Nigeria is the uncontrollable level of terrorism and banditry which has made it difficult for farmers to go to their farms.

He warned that the current rate of inflation and escalation of food prices will be a child’s play by

next year if urgent measures are not taken to ensure that farmers are allowed to farm without the fear of being kidnapped or the current practice where bandits force farmers to pay royalty and taxes on their farm to bandits.

He said: “It is either the federal government does not know the full import of what is happening in Nigeria today, or they lack the political will to confront banditry and terrorism so as to make the environment safe for farmers to have unhindered access to their farmland. What we have on ground today is already having huge negative impact on manufacturers who can no longer have enough local raw materials that used to come from local farmers.”

Ogoni Indigenes Protest Deplorable Eleme-Onne Road Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Ogoni indigenes under the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) yesterday staged a protest on the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State over the deplorable state of the road that have claimed many lives recently.

The group blocked the road for about an hour, decrying the federal government neglect of the road about year after it was awarded for repair, following a massive protest by natives, commuters, civil society groups, and others.

However, the incident of last Friday, has rekindled the move for protest as many groups have given the government the ultimatum to commence work or have the road shutdown.

Speaking during the protest,

the OLI President, Dr. Douglas Fabeke, said the deplorable state of the Eleme section of the East-West Road has been a major concern for residents of the area and commuters.

Fabeke decried the cases of accidents leading to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of value property on the road, saying the road has been a death trap for commuters as travelers are always scared while plying the road alongside heavy duty trucks from companies.

The president, who is a senatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections in Rivers State, expressed condolences to the families of those that lost their love ones in the fatal accident that occurred between October 7 and 14 2022 on the road.

He stated that the accidents

would have been avoided if the government had made good its promise by reconstructing the road, saying: “The death of these innocent people is one of the too many recent incidents that triggered this action.

“The section of the road measuring 15 kilometres from trailer park to Eleme junction with a connecting bridge is one of the busiest segments of the federal highway resulting from the consistent haulage of goods from the Onne seaport, the Port Harcourt Refinery, the Indorama Petrochemical, the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone among others.

‘The road connects eight local government areas such as Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Okrika and Oyigbo, including Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, to Port Harcourt.

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IMAGES

L-R: The Otun Mayegun of Ota, Aare Ayodele Bankole; Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Ashiwaju Temitope; His Royal Majesty, Olota of Otta, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; Chief Executive Officer, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Adhi Narto; and Director, Human Resources, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Chief Kola Hassan, during the Olota of Otta courtesy call to Dufil Prima Foods Plc in Lagos…recently

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY ͯͶ˜ 2022

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Muhammad Kaku Fadah (third right); Director, NYSC North West Area Office, Mrs. Zainab Isa (left), NYSC Kaduna State Coordinator, Mr. Oche Odoba (second right); corps member, Abdulazeez Risikat (on wheelchair); and others during Fadah’s visit to Risikat, who was receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna due to injuries she sustained in a road accident…recently

L-R: Chief Information Officer, Wema Bank, Mr. Adeoluwa Akomolafe; Head, Marketing and Sales HealthConnect 24/7, Mr. Vincent Ezeora; Chief Medical Officer, HealthConnect 24/7, Dr. Folarin Olasogba; and Chief Digital Officer, Wema Bank, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, during the launch of the Wema Bank and HealthConnect 24/7 X ALAT partnership at the Wema Bank head office in Lagos…recently

L-R: Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi; newly inducted Knight of John Wesley, Aramide Tola Noibi; and guest/Presiding Bishop of Ghana Methodist Church, Most Reverend Paul Kwabena Banfo, during the investiture/induction of 180 Knights of John Wesley at the Thomas Birch Freeman Cathedral Church, Badagry, Lagos…recently

L-R: Senior Manager, Event, Global Communications (Globacom), Sola Mogaji; Director, Gloworld and Customer Experience, Mohamed Rabie; new Globacom Ambassador/athlete, Tobi Amusan; Globacom Brand Specialist, Ifionu Odinaka; and acting Coordinator, Gloworld, Abdulrazaq Ande, during the unveiling of the PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA world champion, Amusan, as Glo Brand ambassador in Lagos...recently

L-R: Regional Commercial Manager (West Africa), British Airways, Mrs. Adetutu Otuyalo; and her siblings, Mr. Adeniyi Adegoke, Adegbenga Adegoke, Adeyemi Adegoke, and Nireti Babalola, at a church service during the burial of their father, Mr. Emmanuel Ajike Adegoke, in Akure, Ekiti State…recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ DAY ͯͶ˜ 2022

FEATURES

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

Empowering Entrepreneurs with Sustainable Grants Beyond empowering over 1000 Entrepreneurs at the recently held Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency Summit, Mary Nnah reports that the state governor, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, also dolled out grants worth N10million

I

n a bid to boost Nigerian businesses amidst economic realities, the Ondo State Governor, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, has empowered over a thousand entrepreneurs with ten million naira worth of grants for business development.

Akeredolu said the grants were given to add value to businesses who outlined a road map of projects and equally created an enabling environment through the entrepreneurship agency at the just completed Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) summit, held at the International Cultural Event Centre, Akure, Ondo State, where thousands of entrepreneurs across Nigeria were in attendance.

Organised by the State Entrepreneurship Agency, the summit brought together young entrepreneurs from different fields with the sole aim of harnessing their potential while it allowed participants to meet, rub minds, and exchange ideas.

Aside from the grant given to over a thousand entrepreneurs, free business registration was done for 1,000 entrepreneurs and was given free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Certificates, plus all expenses paid for 10 entrepreneurs who would be going on business tours outside Africa.

Over 100 equipment grants were given to small and medium-scale enterprise owners while over 5,000 got free entrepreneurship training among other benefits to encourage entrepreneurship.

Akeredolu stressed that his government is committed to entrepreneurship development and would continue to give support, and create an enabling environment for investors in the State to thrive.

Meanwhile, the event also witness the

Governor Akeredolu presenting the cash of a million cheque to a beneficiary

launch of the first Ondo State online classified marketplace meant to display entrepreneur products and services to the world.

The governor said it was a platform where business and entrepreneurs can upload their innovative products and services, buy and sell from one another as well as position their businesses for global brand visibility, adding that interested persons can visit the newly launched site www. ondomarket.com.

“Our world today has gone digital even with marketplaces,

and as a State we deem it fit to encourage business listing for our entrepreneurs. Now it is easy to showcase your businesses to the world. Anyone from around the world can easily locate businesses in Ondo State and I believe this will also help angel investors find you easily,” Akeredolu said.

The governor pointed to his administration’s efforts on security and infrastructural development as some of the basic arrangements put in place to ensure an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and investors to do business with ease.

Furthermore, he said, “security of lives and property, provision of health care, infrastructural development, constant power supply, innovative education, access to

funds and many more, need urgent and constant attention.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Summy Smart-Francis, encouraged the young entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the theme “Creating an enabling environment”, the Chief Executive Officer of Umera Farms Nigeria Limited, Olamide Alao stressed that policies, taxes, infrastructure, processes and licensing, regulations, laws and basic amenities are the systems that work in creating an enabling environment for investors.

According to her, creating solutions out of problems, turning pain points into passion, and driving oneself towards creating solutions are ways an individual can help the government in improving the economy of a state.

She advised entrepreneurs to be solutiondriven entrepreneurs, build resilience, build relationships, build leadership skills, and also build themselves spiritually to be successful entrepreneurs.

Some of the entrepreneurs, expressed gladness as they never expected the kind gesture of the governor, they showed their appreciation and immense gratitude.

Most of them were overwhelmed with the surprise considering the economic crunch when they were called to the stage to receive the grant prices.

The tears of joy were so infectious that the crowd applauded the governor’s efforts, as well as his love and passion for entrepreneurship development for women and young persons in the State.

The event was a pilgrimage of sorts as thousands of participants left impacted, empowered and with many new friendships, partnerships and collaborations that were built at the event.

Between SWIPHA Intervention and Improper Waste Disposal Mechanism Raheem Akingbolu

T

he advantages of living in a healthy environment cannot be underestimated. In health-centred discussions, most people focus on their personal well-being. They talk in relation to not having suffered any illnesses, how they wear clean clothes, and eat good food among others. Of course, those things matter, but keeping a good hygiene regimen in an unhealthy environment is tantamount to living unhealthy.

The benefits of a clean environment were what the staff and management of Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, recently demonstrated with a clean-up and education campaign on the adverse effects of improper waste disposal. It was followed by a full-day activation which involved rewarding all the collectors with food items then allocating 10 DORI® Bins to selected bin posts, this was done in collaboration with the Baale of the Community, High Chief S.A.S Afogunlowo. The hosts will continue to receive monthly allowances for their role as collectors and for providing recyclable materials.

The environmental challenge which led to the clean-up campaign had been lingering for almost three years following a heavy rainfall which occurred on 9th May, 2019 and left the premises of Swipha at Dopemu Road, Lagos, severely flooded.

It was so devastating, they had to shut down operation for hours out of fear of the risk of explosion and electrical hazards because of the unending overflow of water, which extended into the utility building.

Hours later, the cause of the flood was traced to the heaps of refuse which had blocked the mesh inside the drainages. As a corporate organisation with strong ties

Brand promoters during the awareness campaign and activation

to the neighbourhood, a meeting was held with the community leaders on the need to fix the damaged mesh which was because of refuse being dumped in the drainage.

The unfortunate event prompted the organisation to reach out to the Ministry of Environment, and on 19th May 2021, an acknowledgement letter was received stating the govern-

ment’s desire to reconstruct the drainage as well as address the issue of indiscriminate waste disposal. The reconstruction project lasted for six months from January to July 2022. However, in that time, the aspect of indiscriminate waste disposal in the drainage was not addressed. This led to the appointment of Recycle Points Limited, a Waste Recycling and Social Benefit Venture, by Swipha Nigeria Limited, to lead the clean-up and education campaign in April 2022.

According to the Managing Director of Swipha, Frederic Lieutaud, “As a pharmaceutical company which prides itself on the well-being of people and the environment, we took it upon ourselves to encourage a cleaner environment for all by appointing Recycle Points Limited to handle the execution of the project”. He stated further, “This, we have done in our efforts to sustain the good relationship we have built over the years”.

Responding after accepting the appointment, the Managing Director of Recycle Points, Taiwo Adewole, stated that “It is a thing of pride for us that we were appointed to lead the Clean-Up Campaign which allowed us to educate the community on the adverse effects of improper waste disposal which include flooding, stagnant water, illnesses, as well as the benefits of recycling beyond revenue generation”.

The impressive developments have seen positive changes in the community with the drainage now flowing freely and clean as the people have stopped dumping refuse in it and regularly evacuate it during the weekly sanitation days. These wastes have also become a means of income for the members of the community with the monthly collection of recyclable materials from the Bin Hosts. Each item collected is weighed based on the classification and the values presented either as cash or a list of food or household items available.

According to the promoters of the project, its beauty lies in the fact that with the DORI® Bins, all Bin Hosts will continue to receive monthly allowances for their role as hosts and for collecting recyclable materials along with other individuals.

It is hoped that this awareness remains with the community for years to come as we see mothers already involving their children in the exercise.

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Aggressive Sensitisation Needed to Navigate Future Floods Bennett Oghifo

I

n the past few weeks there have been harrowing incidences of avoidable deaths, loss, and untold damage caused by flooding in the 36 states of Nigeria.

Highways are cut off with children, parents and guardians setting up temporary homes on sections of the highways that are on high ground.

This is the worst flooding event since that of 2012 that claimed several lives and property, and dislocated

families across the nation.

This is certainly the adverse impact of climate change as determined by scientists. Worst hit this year are communities on the path of the Rivers Niger and Benue as they course to the Atlantic Ocean. The source of these important rivers is from Cameroon, where excess water is released from the Lagdo Dam during the rainy season to prevent a burst. The released water bloats both rivers and overflows to drown low-lying communities.

The 2022 flood, according to the National Inland Waterways

Authority (NIWA), is more severe than that of 2012. He challenged every state that is calling for the federal government’s intervention to show what they have done, adding that the states ought to be at the fore of the intervention with the federal government assisting them if necessary.

“When flooding occurs and people are trapped, the question to ask is has the state governments evacuated the victims to safe places and are asking for federal support?

They should not expect the federal government to move

to flooded areas in the states to remove people, he said.

“The state governments know these locations and the people trapped and their cultures.

But because we have also carried out our vulnerability assessment we know all these places too.”

According to him, NEMA visited all the communities they considered vulnerable to flooding to advise them to seek higher grounds when the 2022 rain forecast was released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

“NEMA wrote to the state

governments informing them of the danger. And we went a step further by activating all the zonal and territorial offices that they move to the state in their areas of responsibility to remind the people that some of the locations were identified to be at risk. Our team at the zonal offices visited those locations and even talked to the community leaders. I give you an instance of Kogi State, Ganaja area, where we informed the people a week or so before the coming of the flood. Our zonal office went there together with the state

officials to warn them that this place is a low area and is likely to be flooded and advise them to move also,” he said.

Also discussing the impact of the 2022 flooding and possible solutions, Prof.

Chukwumerije Okereke, the Director of Centre for Climate Change and Development in Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebony State, Nigeria, said “The flooding has affected nearly 2.5 million people across Nigeria. It has stopped a lot of people from going to farm. It has displaced a huge number of people.

ATCO Homes’ Innovative Approach to Housing Gains Recognition Fadekemi Ajakaiye ATCO Homes, a top Nigerian real estate company, has earned industry recognition for its in-

novative approach to meeting the housing challenges in the country. The firm received the corporate service award for excellent performance in

the real estate sector during the 26th Construction and Engineering Digest (CED) Forum and Award ceremony tagged Growth & Innovation

L-R, President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Enyi Ben-Eboh: Chief Engineer at the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Tokunbo Ajanaku; Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Homes, Mr Bartholomew Egbochie; and Chief Executive Officer of Amelin Projects Limited, Eloho Amagada, at the 26th Construction and Engineering Digest Forum and Award ceremony... recently

FG Validates Documents Authenticating Environmental Health Practice Bennett Oghifo The federal government, through the Ministry of the Environment, has validated two authentication documents geared towards the promotion and guide toward a sustainable environmental practice in line with global practice.

The Minister supervising the ministry, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, made the disclosure over the weekend in Abuja, at the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Business Forum with Theme: “Development of Sustainable Environmental Health, Business Model in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Drive’.

He acknowledged that the documents: The seal for practitioners operations and the gazette of names of operators and players are verifiable instruments for operators, the general public and operators in the environmental service delivery in the country.

The environment, he added, is increasingly being negatively impacted, which in turn, causes disease and other health conditions.

Environmental health risks and exposures are responsible for nearly half of the global burden of morbidity, he explained.

“We know that environmental health is concerned with preventing disease and disability by reducing exposure to adverse environmental conditions and promoting behavioural change in the age of business added to human endeavors in various sectors, namely infrastructure, energy transportation, mining, and agriculture is complex,” he said.

Abdullahi, expressed concerned about the qualityof-service delivery in the pharmaceutical sector, insisting that operators must imbibe the principles of duty of care, ensure protection and preservation of the environment, even as he added that this must be carried out within the confines of a circular economy, which emphasise a green economy.

The Minister said: “This, therefore, requires every professional to work within stipulated guidelines and standards, especially as regards climate health.

“The environmental health industry went by the policy guidelines and instruments developed by the Ministry has enormous potential to become automated and viable.

“There has to be strict adherence to the provisions in these guidelines is expected to lead

you to not only earn legitimate income as private operators on one hand but also on the other protecting the environment and the health of Nigerians.”

Fielding questions from journalists at the sideline of the event, the Registrar of EHOCON, Dr. Yakubu Baba said that as part of its process of rebranding environmental health practice in Nigeria, the Council in 2021 organised its first national health summit explaining that one of its critical resolutions was to develop an appropriate model for environmental health business and practice.

According to him, stakeholders from the various strategy meetings are optimistic of creating an enabling environment that would create nearly 10,000 new jobs in the sector at the first instance.

The EHOCON boss, said: “This forum avails environmental health professionals, manufacturers, marketers, service providers, financiers, regulators, service takers and other stakeholders the avenue to discuss, explore and key into the business potentials inherent in environmental health services with a view to making environmental health business prominent in the economic development of Nigeria.”

which was held at Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

This is the third award won by the firm in the space of two months. In September 2022, the business emerged as the most promising emerging real estate company and exceptional real estate company of the year at the real estate excellence awards, also held in Lagos.

The latest award recognition therefore underlines the apt investment and marketing approach adopted by ATCO Homes in delivering real estate products that align with the aspiration of investors and the sustainability demand of the time.

While presenting the award to ATCO Homes, Architect Enyi Ben-Eboh, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, who was the Chairman of the

Day at the event, said the business’ recognition for excellent performance in the real estate sector captures its innovative approach to delivering solutions that target the housing challenges in the country. He admonished the business to keep up the good work.

Commending the organizers of the forum for recognizing the business’ innovative operating model, Mr Bartholomew Egbochie, the Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Homes, said “We are a catalyst of standards.

This award recognition justifies all the hard work and investment we continue to channel into delivering affordable and high-yielding real estate products since the inception of the business. We are grateful to the organizers for honouring our efforts.”

Meanwhile, the experts on

the panel of the forum amongst which were Engineer Tokunbo Ajanaku, a Chief Engineer at the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and Engineer Eloho Amagada, the Chief Executive Officer of Amelin Projects Limited, strongly emphasized the role of data in nullifying urban infrastructure and mobility challenges. They harped on a pivot to sustainability and policy alignment in achieving national development.

According to Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, the convener of the forum, the event provides a platform to discuss and dissect issues as well as recognise the efforts of local firms and experts that are delivering innovative solutions that meet the construction engineering challenges of the 21st century.

COP27: FG to Explore Climate Finance, Partnerships for Emissions Reduction Michael Olugbode in Abuja Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi has said Nigeria would explore options for climate finance and build partnerships that would drive the country’s emissions reduction ambitions, adaptation, and climate change mitigation.

The minister stated this while discussing what Nigeria’s priorities are going to be at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27 holding from 6 to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

He warned against the dangers of continued delay of global action on carbon emission, insisting that the world is moving closer to irredeemable damage to the environment and its ability to sustain the human population without proportionate action to change the tide.

He lamented that while Nigeria and indeed Africa as a whole contributes the least, in terms of emission of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, it is unfortunately the worst hit by the impacts of climate change due to limited adaptive capacity to cope with these impacts.

The Minister, who warned that with every small delay to proportionate action,

the world moves closer to irredeemable damage to the climate and its ability to sustain the human population, said: “The focus will be on a sustainable funding mechanism that drives nature-based solutions such as land restoration, reforestation, combating desertification, climate smart-agricultural practices as well as adaptation strategies.”

He added that: “Nigeria will also seek collaboration and support on sustainable waste management, renewable and clean energy provision, and finance for loss and damage. Nigeria will push for developed countries to fulfil financial pledges to aid in tackling the climate crisis.”

He said: “The expected outcomes of Nigeria’s participation will include increased partnership building that helps Nigeria achieve its emission reduction targets, address adaptation and mitigation, establish sustainable financing for climate actions, resilience building, poverty eradication, Energy Transition and sustainable development.

“Nigeria, will not take a position of ‘know it all’ but will align with the West Africa region’s identification of the thematic issues faced by the continent and the group’s interim position on each

which includes doubling adaptation finance by 2025; clarification on the support arrangements to address loss and damage; closing the climate financing gap; scaling up Africa’s mitigation ambition and implementation; strengthening the linkage between technology and financial mechanisms; the global stocktake on progress on the Paris Agreement; transparency; gender and climate change; agriculture; Article 6 and carbon pricing and Africa’s unique needs and particular circumstance.”

The Minister added that the global climate has been changing with devastating effects as a result of human-induced activities causing emissions of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

He said this is evident through increased temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, rise in sea level and flooding, drought and desertification, land degradation, more frequent extreme weather events, declining freshwater resources and loss of biodiversity.

He noted that: “Only recently, increased flooding has been experienced in Kogi, Nasarawa, Abia, Jigawa States and in some other parts of the country. This is largely due to high intensities of rainfall.”

29

TUESDAY, O ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

How Celebrity's Death Exposed Entitlement of Many Nigerians

R

ecently, a young, happy-go-lucky celebrity sadly lost his life in a hospital after a car crash, and predictably, reactions started flowing from Nigerians.

And then a video was leaked, and it set tongues wagging. Minor celebrities in need of a media boost took advantage of this video to come out guns blazing against the healthcare facility in which the video was filmed and basically tore their reputation to shreds.

Others ‘expertly’ analysed the video and called for the prosecution of the proprietor of the facility and the duty staff. And as they are influencers, they contaminated the jury pool, and social media became the judge and the jury, as well as the executioner.

They used all sorts of incendiary languages and buzz words, and in a sense, blew a dog whistle against the healthcare facility. Sadly, they created an online lynch mob.

Alarmed by the level of underserved hate being directed at the medics who initially attended to the young and rising star, I called for caution.

What happened next was unexpectedly absurd.

A number of social media enthusiasts, who happen to be supporters of a particular presidential candidate, alleged that I was being sympathetic to the dramatis personae because the owner of the healthcare facility “was a PDP member.”

Another fellow accused me of having shares in the facility.

I know we have gotten to the silly season of politics, but never knew that vacuousness would be so widespread.

As a people, Nigerians often have heavy expectations from their institutions, but are always unwilling to make the desired inputs into the system that will make their expectations a reality.

For example, we want uninterrupted power supply, but are rabidly angry at electricity bills.

We like smooth roads without potholes, yet, we are thoroughly averse to toll gates. We want a modern metro on our cities, but woe betide that politician that will ask us to pay taxes in order to build it.

In fact, Nigerians want to go to heaven without dying. If God could do it for Enoch and Elijah, then we are entitled to it, even though we are nowhere as pious as those two saints.

Universal healthcare is possible in Nigeria. But it will not just happen. Nigeria does not have universal healthcare. Many hear of the National Health Insurance Scheme and think it covers them.

In fact, the NHIS is a voluntary scheme, in that it only covers a section of the population, and participation is not mandatory for all citizens.

Except all Nigerians pay into a mandatorily contributory health fund, that is shared between private and public healthcare institutions, as is done abroad, we will lack the grounds to demand that private health facilities should use their resources to meet public health needs at their own expense!

A hospital or clinic is a very expensive business to run. They are not charities.

It is not realistic to blame private healthcare facilities, because you rush a friend or a relative there during an emergency and they lack the resources to provide care to that person. Let me be blunt to you. If you treat an average Nigerian in an emergency, he will get well and most likely never pay you. And if you try to use the law to get your money, they will fight you wotowoto and in the end, you will be run out of business.

You may be able to blame a public facility, if you are a taxpayer. But why blame a private healthcare facility. The proprietor of a private clinic or hospital has a particular clientele that he or she caters to. A private hospital or clinic is not a general hospital.

Abroad, Accident and Emergency wards (otherwise known as A&E) and Intensive Care Units (otherwise known as ICU) are domiciled at General Hospitals. And a General Hospital is built in every major town. An ambulance in England or America will never rush an accident victim to a private clinic, because they are not equipped for that purpose. The life-saving machines in A&E and ICU will set you back $1 million. Or more!

When an accident occurs and you take the victim to a private hospital or clinic, they are most likely to refer the patient to a hospital with both an A&E and an ICU. It is not wickedness. It is not sadistic. It is not Nigeria happening to you. It is standard procedure.

Doing business in Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted. We have a shortage of healthcare professionals precisely because our system does not appreciate them, and the citizenry expect them to deliver the type of services they see in Hollywood movies, without being willing to pay into a mandatory contributory healthcare fund.

Former BBN star, Patrick Fakoya, who died after complications from a car accident Where will the money come from?

Going to a private healthcare facility in an emergency and expecting them to give you five-star treatment, without depositing any money, is like going into a restaurant and insisting that they feed you because you are hungry!

Even in Scripture, the Good Samaritan did not pray for the man who needed emergency medical attention. Rather, he paid for him. Nigerians seem not to understand that medical care costs money and private medical facilities are not sustained by prayers, but by payers!

Nigerians expect a private hospital to have a standard medical evacuation transport in place for them when they need it. Paid for by who?

Is a private hospital a charity? If they have such, Nigerians must pay for it. It is not going to be free.

Who is providing them with funds? Government?

In Nigeria? Give me a break!

In America, it is an offence for you not to have medical insurance if you earn above a certain threshold. If you refuse to get it, you will be fined when you file your taxes. If you earn below that threshold, then the state must provide medical

insurance for you. The money is then pooled to different Health Management Operators. That is why they can afford to do what they do.

In England, they have a National Health Service that every working person contributes to, in a scheme called National Insurance, and the money is then pooled to both private and public hospitals.

That is why they can afford to do what they do.

NOTHING like such exists in Nigeria. The NHIS is nowhere that universal. Yet, Nigerians demand that private hospitals must have standard medical evacuation facilities. Who will pay for it? If private hospitals spend their money on emergency patients without being remunerated, they will soon go out of business!

For those who do not know, and based on their ignorance, they de-market Nigeria’s healthcare, Nigeria has one of the best healthcare professionals on Earth. Our problem in Nigeria is not access to healthcare. In fact, it is easier to access a doctor in Nigeria than it is in the UK or the US. The challenge that we have in Nigeria is affordability of healthcare, not access to healthcare. Our doctors and nurses are very accessible in Nigeria,

compared to other nations. It is just that healthcare is very expensive, and just as we want power without paying bills, Nigerians also want healthcare without paying for it.

The stress of doing business in Nigeria is already enough. These doctors build or rent their premises.

Pay for equipment and staff. Pay for diesel to run generators. All from their pockets or from bank loans. And you now expect them to render free medical services?

Let me paint a picture of what will happen to a private hospital in Nigeria that accepts an accident victim and admits him or her without some form of financial security, in the form of a deposit from the person (which is unlikely in the event that the person is unconscious), and without a friend or family to sign an indemnity form.

Either the patient will be treated and live, and flatly refuse to pay, and there will be absolutely nothing the private hospital or clinic can do, except waste their time going to court to secure an unenforceable judgment.

Or the patient may die, and then the family that was nowhere to be found when that patient needed intensive care, will suddenly show up and blame them (meanwhile, the Good Samaritan who brought them to the hospital would have disappeared into thin air). The family will go to the police and social media to cry and Nigerians, who can be very emotional, will accept everything they say without question.

At the end of the day, the private healthcare facility will be blessed if all they spend is N5 million to get out of the police (and possibly court) case that will ensue. Their reputation will be in tatters, and their facility will gradually unravel, and the end result will be that their healthcare professionals will japa!

This is the stark reality of the private medical sector in Nigeria. And it will continue to be our reality until Nigeria has a truly mandatory and contributory universal healthcare system, which everyone is registered to, and linked to via their National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number.

The National Health Insurance Scheme does not do that. The NHIS Act should either be amended, or repealed and replaced with a more functional public healthcare contributory scheme that all Nigerians must contribute to.

You may be wondering why I included the Bank Verification Number. Maybe you do not know Nigerians. If BVN is not linked to it, and the NHIS is not empowered to seize funds from people’s accounts to pay for emergency healthcare, the same way the Internal Revenue Service in America has such powers over all bank accounts in America, what you will get is just a system where Nigerians want to suck from, but do not want to feed into!

On Manuel Obafemi Akanji

I

recently watched an interview Manchester City player, Manuel Obafemi Akanji gave on Super Sport. The young man is a math wiz! He is able to do complex mathematical calculations in his head within milliseconds.

He was asked some very tough questions on multiplication, and gave the right answer each and every time without breaking a sweat.

No surprise. People of Yoruba descent have a natural propensity for arithmetic. It is why they dominate in the banking sector, and other areas where numbers and computation are required.

When I visited Cuba, the Yoruba there (they pronounce Yoruba as Oruba) believe it is an evolutionary trait from millennia of Ifa divination (the traditional religion of the Yoruba), which is very mathematical and precise!

The Yoruba Odu Ifá is very similar to binary equations and modern-day computer programming language. Sadly, Black African intellectuals have not explored this correlation to the fullest. Ifá is simply casting of lots, a practice that was used in both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture-Acts 1:26, Leviticus 16:8.

The simplest way to summarise what Odu Ifá is, is to say that it is just pattern recognition of a series of binary codes. Many people of Yoruba origin, both literate and illiterate, find themselves particularly gifted in mathematics. It is an evolutionary trait inbuilt in them from millennia of Ifá divination by their ancestors.

By the way, Scripture does not say that Moses was married to an Ethiopian, whose father was his mentor. The actual Hebrew word used is Cushite-Numbers 12:1. A Cushite is a Black

person. The King James Version used the word Ethiopian, because in 1611 when the KJV was published, Black Africans were all referred to as Ethiopians, and the people in modern-day Ethiopia were referred to as Abyssinians. It is quite possible that the Cushite who gave Moses sanctuary and taught him, and also gave him his daughter as wife, in Exodus 2:16-22, was a priest of Ifá.

One reason why Yoruba slaves were able to retain their culture everywhere they went to, while other Black African slaves were cut off from their culture is because of their traditional religion of Ifá. It is an ancient form of arithmetic.

If you take a computer programme and you miss out even a coma, the whole website you are trying to build, or app, or system will collapse.

It is exactly the same with Ifá incantations. It has to be precise to work. And what a lot of Black Africans do not know is that these Ifá incantations are not meant to summon up demons.

They are used to create an atmosphere for healing, for instilling courage in fighters during war, to identify culprits when there has been a theft, or any number of reasons which you can also find in Scripture.

A lot of Yoruba names that begin with Fa, are actually a homage to Ifá. For example, Gani Fawehinmi’s surname is actually Ifáwehinmi, meaning Ifá has got my back. The name Fakoyde is actually Ifákayode, meaning Ifá brings joy. Famakinde is actually Ifámakinde Ifá divination even has precise names for almost all the elements and ores in the periodic tables, long before Dmitri Mendeleev invented the Periodic Tables in 1869. Not only does it have these ores

and elements, it also gives precise instructions on how to formulate them.

How do you think the Yoruba were able to fashion the Ife Bronzes a thousand years ago when Europe was in the Dark Ages? Even the word Ife is of Ifá origin.

Not everything in our culture and tradition is evil. It is up to us to clean up our history, which has been distorted by colonialists, who have made out our ancestors as savages, and theirs are civilised people. And that is why today we now see polygamy as uncivilised, and gay marriage as the height of civility.

Yoruba are some of the coolest people on Earth. Colonialism had almost no effect on their culture. They are one of the few people that can go anywhere and make their hosts wish they were Yoruba. You cannot intimidate them. The way they show respect. Their music. Their partyloving nature. Their playfulness. The way they carry themselves in their native fashion (check out Obj’s powerful aso-oke agbada during his White House visit, on October 11, 1977). So warm a people! And their natural diplomacy is top notch.

Their ability to harmoniously disagree with you is almost talismanic! When other people call you werey, you will want to donate two slaps to them.

But the way a Yoruba person says it makes you feel complimented! One thing I will say is that they have the precise balance of strength and warmth.

Not projecting too much strength to make you fear them. And not exuding too much warmth to elicit disrespect. I don’t know how they do it. It might be innate. But we can all learn from them. #TableShaker Reno Omokri

30

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FAO Calls for Increased Investments in Agriculture, Resilient Agrifood Systems Gilbert Ekugbe The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged governments across the globe to prioritise increased investments into the agricultural sector and resilient agrifood systems.

The Director-General, FAO QU Dongyu, said the alarming signs of growing acute food insecurity should make governments rethink the way they tackle hunger crises by addressing the root causes rather than just treating ad hoc symptoms of hunger.

He spoke at a special side event looking at how to change the humanitarian game plan to better meet people’s needs and priorities and reverse the march of hunger across the planet. The event was organised to celebrate the World Food Day celebrated on the 14th of October every year.

“Clearly, a new approach is needed to halt and sustainably reverse these hunger trends. It is time for a rethink and repurpose.

Prioritization, programming,

advocacy and funding allocations should be evidence-based and guided by people’s needs and priorities,” the Director-General added.

He added that in the middle of crisis, agriculture offers solutions, he said, pointing to the need for channelling more resources and funds to strengthen rural people’s resilience and help them preserve and improve their agricultural livelihoods to provide for their families.

An efficient response will require a focused and collective effort from all partners and stakeholders – the UN system, governments and local organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia, Qu underlined.

He warned that acute food insecurity is spreading and intensifying as multiple global and local shocks overlap, jeopardising achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with only 7 planting seasons left to turn the tide.

According to the latest survey, up to 222 million people are experiencing high acute food insecurity this year – one in five of whom have so little to eat that they face an immediate threat of severe malnourishment and death. A further nearly 1 million people will effectively be in famine-like conditions without urgent humanitarian assistance in five countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

The event also saw the participation of Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience; Aryn Baker, Senior International Correspondent of Time Magazine; Mohanna Eljabaly, Associate Executive Director for Compliance and Development of Yemen Family Care Association (YFCA); Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and Danielle Mutone-Smith, Managing Director of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

L - R: Senior Brand Manager, Chivita, Bose Ogunyemi; Assistant Chief Dietitian, Lagos State Health Service Commission,Dr Olusola Malomo, and Marketing Director, CHI Limited, Mrs Toyin Nnodi during this year’s event to mark the 4th annual Chivita World Juice Day in Lagos ...recently

MARKET INDICATORS

FMN Women Network Reshapes Mindset of Nigerian Girls Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN), has revealed how it drives gender equality and transformation through its Women Network and Girls in Action initiative.

In commemoration of the 2022 International Day of Girl Child, the Network, under the Girls in Action program visited girls at the Apapa Senior Secondary School and impactfully activated a growth mindset shift through education, advocacy, empowerment, and other meaningful conversations and activities.

“Girls in Action is an FMN Women Network (FMNWN) initiative geared toward the education, enlightenment, and human capacity development of the girl child. The “Girls in Action project is a strategic and direct response to the ever-widening gap of gender inequality in

Nigeria and across the world.

The program seeks to provide girls with the required education, information, skills, and some pragmatic assistance for their various needs at different phases in their lives, the company said in a statement.

Speaking on the idea behind the Girls in Action Initiative, the Chairperson, of FMN Women Network, Olasubomi Sofowora noted, “Girls around the world continue to face unprecedented challenges to education, physical and mental wellness and the advent of covid-19 has worsened these existing burdens. However, when girls are inspired, given the right opportunities, and supported to realize their human rights, they can reach their potential and create a better world for themselves, their communities,

and the world at large. If we educate a girl, we break trans generational cycle of illiteracy and poverty and this is the key goal “of sustainability – with the future in mind.”

Also commenting on the expected impact of the Girls in Action Initiative, the Lead, Strategic Planning and Implementation, FMN Women Network, Grace Beredugo said, “According to the WFP Gender Policy and Strategy report, Gender inequality is a major cause and effect of hunger and poverty in the world. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls, thus FMN Plc, through the Women Network is directly addressing this gender parity gap to ensure that women are meaningfully contributing to the growth of the economy.”

CHI Celebrates 4th Annual Chivita World Juice Day The first step on the journey of wellness is a balance in our diet which is achievable by evaluating and taking advantage of readily available and affordable nutrient fillers.

To this end, experts have recommended the regular consumption of fruit juice as a key ingredient to providing important nutrients for overall health and wellness.

This served as the backdrop of discussion for this year’s Chivita World Juice Day which was celebrated recently with the theme “Supporting Everyday Wellness”.

This year’s edition which is the

fourth in the series brought the benefits of fruit juice consumption to the centre stage of national discourse by highlighting its importance in complementing and enhancing a wholesome lifestyle.

Speaking in an interview to mark the day, Dr Olusola Malomo, an Assistant Chief Dietitian/ Nutritionist with the Lagos State Health Service Commission stated that as humans we all desire a healthy life, and as such, rely heavily on the nutrients, vitamins and minerals derived from our daily food consumption to stay

healthy.

Malomo noted that regardless of your motive for food consumption, be it for pleasure or remedy, one of the best measures to building and sustaining a healthy lifestyle is to regularly consume antioxidant-rich beverages such as 100% fruit juice.

CHI Limited Marketing Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, noted that there is a need for more Nigerians to embrace fruit juice consumption as daily intake of fruit juices fortifies the immune system and keeps the body hydrated.

Peak Milk Excites Consumers with Breakfast Café Experience Leading dairy brand and flagship product of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Peak Milk has taken its latest campaign promoting healthy habits, quality dairy nutrition and reviving the declining breakfast culture among Nigerians, ‘Peak Breakfast Café’, to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The ‘Peak Breakfast Café’ is a nationwide educational and fun campaign that began in Lagos last week and will hold in several popular markets and supermarkets across cities,

including Abuja, Kano, Jos, Port Harcourt and Onitsha.

Like she did at Mushin Market, Lagos, celebrity actor Fathia Williams Balogun joined the brand team to serve free nutritious breakfasts at the popular Agbeni Market, Ibadan, for two days. Along with other professionals, including nutritionists, and Chef, the actress also enlightened the people on how to get protein-rich breakfasts and test their protein levels while gifting them nutritious dairy products from Peak.

Senior Brand Manager, Peak Milk, Moninnuola Kassim, disclosed that the Peak Breakfast Café which seeks to enlighten ordinary Nigerians about the importance of having nutritious #PeakBreakfast, will be taken to other designated venues.

“Due to busy schedule, the temptation would be to skip breakfast, but this should be avoided because personal well-being, mental alertness and sustained energy levels throughout the day is very important,” Kassim explained.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

June 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

11.10

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

13.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.45

Savings Deposit Rate

1.38

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

4.97

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.30

Prime Lending rate

12.29

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 27 SEPTEMBER 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $89.50 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.67 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

31

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022 2022

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Aepreciates by N655.29bn Amid Hike in Inflation Rate Kayode Tokede With the announcement of a hike in Nigeria’s inflation rate to 20.77 per cent in September by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) opened the week on a negative, dropping by N655.29billion in market capitalisation.

The NGX All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 1,203.09 basis points or 2.53 per cent to

close at 46,365.95 basis points.

Similarly, the market capitalisation lost N656 billion to close at N25.254 trillion.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in Airtel Africa Plc The stock market’s weak performance was driven by selloffs in telco heavyweight, Airtel Africa that depreciated by 10per cent.

However, market breadth closed positive, with 14 gainers

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

versus five losers. PZ Cussons Nigeria recorded the highest price gain of 9.52 per cent to close at N9.20, per share.

University Press followed with a gain 9.33 per cent to close at N1.64, while Courteville Business Solutions appreciated by 4.35 per cent to close at 48 kobo, per share. Cutix went up by 3.50 per cent to close at N2.07, while Wapic Insurance appreciated by 2.86 per cent to close at 36 kobo, per share.

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

On the other hand, Airtel Africa led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N1,620.00, per share. Sovereign Trust Insurance followed with a decline of 7.14 per cent to close at 26 kobo, while AIICO Insurance went down by 7.02 to close at 53 kobo, per share.

Dangote Sugar Refinery lost 2.80 per cent to close at N15.60, while Fidson Healthcare shed 2.51 per cent to close at N8.94, per share.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

The total volume traded rose by 10.89 per cent to 137.983 million shares, worth N4.317 billion, and traded in 3,234 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) topped the activity chart with 33.715 million shares valued at N609.863 million. Courteville Business Solutions followed with 26.138 million shares worth N12.545 million, while Fidelity Bank traded 19.980 million shares

O F

valued at N69.022 million.

Sterling Bank traded 8.930 million shares valued at N13.767 million, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) transacted 6.526 million shares worth N45 million.

This week, analysts at United Capital Plc said it continued bargain hunting as investors look forward to the third quarter ended September, 2022 earnings season, thus cherry-picking stocks with great underlying fundamentals.

1 7 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32

TUESDAY, OCTO ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

ʬ

ʬ

ʬ

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R OX P H

7 R S * D LQ H U V T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

PZ

9.20

9.5%

M B EN EF IT

41.9

0.0%

UP L

1.64

9.3%

GT C O

28.5

-0.6%

C OUR T VILLE

0.48

4.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

11.8

0.3%

C UT IX

2.07

3.5%

C OUR T VILLE

10.2

0.0%

WA P IC

0.36

2.9%

D A N GC EM

8.4

0.0%

UN IT YB N K

0.44

2.3%

LIVEST OC K

6.6

-9.6%

A C C ESSC OR P

8.15

1.9%

J A IZ B A N K

4.6

1.1%

UB N

5.95

1.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

4.6

-2.6%

C A D B UR Y

11.55

1.3%

OA N D O

4.4

2.3%

GT C O

18.10

1.1%

UB N

3.6

0.0%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D OX H

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er

T ic k er

Value

D A N GC EM

2061.6

0.0%

486.8

0.0%

GT C O

480.1

-0.6%

-2.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

228.9

0.3%

-2.5%

M TNN

97.4

0.0%

UB N

22.6

0.0%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

A IR T ELA F R I

1620.00

-10.0%

SOVR EN IN S

0.26

-7.1%

A IR T ELA F R I

A IIC O

0.53

-7.0%

D A N GSUGA R F ID SON

15.60 8.94

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

UB A

20.2

-1.4%

OA N D O

19.3

2.3%

A C C ESSC OR P

18.9

-0.6%

FB NH

17.3

-2.1%

Investment Research

Brokerage

Asset Management

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

TUESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

33

34

TUESDAY, O ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

AFRICAN FORUM ON RESEARCH AND INNOVATION...

L-R: Minister of Higher Education, Gambia, Prof. Gomez Pierre; Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Sen. Uche Ekwunife; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Adeleke Mamora; Chief of PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari and ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, during the opening of African Forum on Research and Innovation FARI 2022 in Abuja... yesterday

INEC, UBEC Should Stop Patronising Foreign Printers, CIPPON Tells FG Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) yesterday urged the federal government to introduce policies that would make it compulsory for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop patronising foreign printing firms.

The National President of CIPPON, Mr. Olugbemi Malomo, made the request in Abuja yesterday, at the Nigerian International Paper and Pulp Summit.

The event had as its theme, 'Bridging the Gap in Local Pulp and Paper Production in Nigeria,' and was declared open by the

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Adeniyi Adebayo.

Malomo told industry players and regulators at the occasion that the heavy reliance of federal government’s major spenders like INEC and UBEC on foreign printers was killing the local printing firms.

He lamented that the country was importing printed material worth over N1 trillion on annual basis, a situation he noted was not good for the nation's economy.

Malomo said, "A few months from now we shall be having our general elections. Hundreds of thousands of tons of paper costing the nation billions of naira will be used in the elections, and I want you to know that all the papers will be imported.

"If we are going to make

meaningful development, and move from a consumer nation to a production one, we need a paradigm shift whereby big government spenders like INEC and UBEC should be using our money to develop local production capacity.

"The federal government should come up with a deliberate policy that would make its big spenders like the INEC and UBEC to be part of the solution to local paper production.

"With 60 per cent of Nigeria's population in one school or the other, over 1. 2 billion books are printed annually in Nigeria. All the paper used are imported into the country.

"Two decades ago over 400, 000 people were employed in the paper

Obey Court Order on Nnamdi Kanu, Clark Tells Buhari Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Niger Delta statesman and leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark has called on President Muhammadu Bubari to release the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently discharged of terrorism charges by an appeal court.

Clark made the call in a statement in Abuja yesterday, expressing disappointment over the stance of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the subsequent concurrence by the National Security Council at its meeting last Friday, that the judgement of the Court of Appeal only discharged Kanu, but did not acquit him of the charges for which he was facing trial.

The former federal commissioner said: "I consider this stance of the federal government as rather imperious and needless. I, therefore, earnestly call on President Muhammadu Buhari to obey the judgement of the Court of Appeal and order the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu in the interest of peace in the country and the south- east in particular.

"Most Nigerians greeted the judgement of the Court of Appeal with elation, mainly in the south east, where there were reports of widespread jubilations across cities in the Zone. It would, therefore, be detrimental for the federal government to still keep Kanu

in detention and provide any pretext for malefactors to continue to take advantage of the situation in perpetrating all sorts of atrocities in the zone.

"Even though certain activities of Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB followers have been a nuisance and very disturbing, the federal government went too far in going all the way to Kenya to abduct him on the ground that he jumped bail.”

Clark recounted how leaders, elders and traditional rulers from the south east pleaded with Buhari during a meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to release Kanu and other pro-Biafra agitators in detention.

He said, "the President responded that Nnamdi Kanu’s fate will be decided by the court and even when they (Igbo leaders) visited him at Aso Rock, the president again said the matter was no longer in his hands and the security agencies, but in the hand of the judiciary and that whatever the court decides would be final.

"Now that the Court of Appeal has given its judgement on the matter, I am imploring the president to obey the judgement of the court and release the young man, and allow peace to reign. At this time, when insecurity is the order of the day, anything that would enhance the peace and stability of the country must be embraced.

"Instructively, President Muhammadu Buhari should, without further ado, honour the order of the court and allow Nnamdi Kanu to

be released, perhaps, with conditions that he would maintain the peace and work to bring to an end the needless Monday sit-at-home order, which has disturbed businesses and civil activities in the south east.

I am certain that Kanu’s release from detention will also expose those perpetrating the kidnappings and horrifying killings of security officers and other innocent citizens in the zone", he added.

supply chain at the inception of the three paper mills established in Nigeria. Today it has shrinked to less than 50,000.

"The current model of paper importation in a fragile and challenged global supply chain system is no longer sustainable and every player in the value chain must as a necessity embrace and begin to prepare for the reality of the need to change to local production of pulp and paper for the competitiveness and survival of our businesses, " the CIPPON boss added.

The minister however told stakeholders at the gathering that his ministry was working on an

industrial revolution to revamp the sector in Nigeria.

He lamented that only one out of the three major paper mills in the country was working at 30 per cent installed capacity while the others were moribund.

Adebayo admitted that the current reliance on foreign printing materials and the recycled ones by the nation's printing firms, was not healthy for the country's economy.

The minister said, "In line with the vision of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, a Backward Integration Policy Programme was Initiated in the paper sector.

"It was with the aim of encour-

aging businesses and farmers to venture into commercial wood pulp farming while at the same time encouraging intermediate paper and paper product manufacturing companies in the country to key into the process of backward integration with a view to sourcing paper pulp materials locally."

He noted that significant efforts had been made by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and other Institutions in the country at developing long range fiber pulp, from various wood species, non-wood agricultural materials, as well as farm wastes.

El-Rufai Narrates How Peter Obi Allegedly Arrested, Detained Him in Anambra in 2013 Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday narrated how the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi allegedly arrested him in Anambra state when Obi was governor in 2013.

The Kaduna governor disclosed this at an interactive session of the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna.

He said the Labour Party candidate arrested and detained him for 48 hours.

According to El-Rufai, Obi was seeking a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the time.

He said, “In 2013, I went to Anambra State as an official of the

APC to witness the bye-election for governorship. Your next guest, Peter Obi, as governor, got me arrested and detained for 48 hours in my hotel room.

“Now I’m the Governor of Kaduna State and he’s coming to Kaduna. In addition to the police and the State Secret Service, I have one Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army here, if I need to arrest and detain anyone. But we are northerners, we are civilised.

We don’t do things like that. I wish you all safe journey back to your destinations.”

However, an old video surfaced on the internet yesterday whereby

El-Rufai had in an interview after the then arrest said, “he was arrested by three state security service (SSS) officials holding AK-47 threatening me that they have directive from Abuja to restrict me to my room.”

“The idea of restricting movements during elections is not constitutional and there is no law that says anyone has the right to restrict movements during elections. We are going to test that in court. We want the court to tell us under which law INEC or any agency of government can restrict the movement of persons around. Freedom of movement is constitutionally guaranteed,” the Kaduna governor had said then.

121 Bag First Class as ABUAD Honours Oni, Shehu of Borno, Ozekhome Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti A total of 121 graduating students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, earned the institution’s first class degree at its 12th convocation ceremony.

The university would also bestow honourary doctorate degrees on former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni; Human Rights Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garba El-kanemi in recognition of their contributions to the society.

The university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, disclosed this yesterday, while addressing newsmen ahead of the convocation ceremonies scheduled for this Friday.

Olarinde said out of the 1, 673 students expected to graduate, 225 students would be awarded post- graduate degrees and 1448 would receive bachelors degree

in various disciplines.

The vice chancellor added that 666 students would be graduating with second class upper; 489 with second class lower and 70 got third class.

Smaranda said the three eminent personalities were selected in compliance with the popular 2012 Keffi Declaration after thorough, rigorous, as well as merit-based selection process.

She explained that Oni was selected for the honorary degrees in appreciation of his famous role in the establishment of the institution 12yrs ago.

He said, "A lover of functional education, Engr. Segun Oni would be decorated in appreciation of the role played in getting ABUAD to be sited in Ekiti. Unknown to many but for this selfless, most patriotic role by the eminently humble Nigeria, the now flourishing ABUAD would probably not

have cited in Ekiti State.

"Following the wide publicity that Baba Afe was going to establish a university in Ibadan, Engr. Oni, who was then governor raced to Ibadan, fervently pleading that Aare Babalola should site the university in Ekiti in order to enhance development of the state. As a major stakeholder in Ekiti project, Baba got persuaded and then decided to locate the university in Ado-Ekiti.

"His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Elkanemi is deserving of the award on account of his unbending commitment for functional education and his incurable pursuit of peace in a theater of war.

"On his part, Mike Ozekhome is being honoured for his contributions to the enthronement of a conducive environment for sustenance of human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law", he added.

Smaranda noted that the institution has continued to be driven and guided by the vision of its founder, Chief Afe Babalola which included moulding of a generation of new Nigerians.

The VC noted that the university had carved a niche for itself by promoting innovation, medical as well as entrepreneurial excellence by raising the bars of functional education in the country.

She said the university's product had found it easy to further pursue their education in various ivy league schools around the world as a result of quality education offered in the institution.

The VC added that the university, which had 10 unbroken convocations was a practical and exemplary demonstration of how the country's tertiary education should be ran.

35

TUESDAY, O ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

TOWN HALL MEETING ON 2023-2025 MEDIUM TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK...

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Lekan Mustapha; Ogun State Commissioner for Finance/Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo and the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya who represented the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona at the Town Hall Meeting on 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, held at Giwa Bisi Rodipe Event Centre in Ijebu-Ode... yesterday

PDP: Atiku’s Popularity Has Sent Opponents into Panic Mode PCC says Nigeria needs healing, declares ex-vp is the balm Wike seeks party’s apology to Nigerians over controversial statement Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday, said the overwhelming acceptance of the party’s presidential candidate, as recorded again at the Kaduna rally, had thrown his opponents into panic mode.

The campaign council, however, claimed Nigeria was bleeding from bad government and governance at the moment and therefore needed Atiku to heal the wounds.

In another development, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has expressed disappointment over statement credited to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and said the PDP leadership must apologise to Nigerians over what he described as controversial statement.

However, one of the spokespersons of the Atiku campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the opponents, who have now resorted to sending armed thugs to disrupt PDP's campaign in Kaduna as well as the closure of media organisations in Zamfara State, had displayed their fears over the acceptance of Atiku and his laid out plans for Nigerians ahead of 2023 elections.

According to Ologbondiyan, "It is on record that Atiku Abubakar remained the only candidate, who has taken his message of hope to five (5) out of six (6) geo- political

zones and, who has received huge turn-out at every port of call so far.

"Some of the presidential candidates like that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are yet to compose their campaign organisation in a manner that will enable them to engage constructively with the Atiku campaign and Nigerians.

"It is important for Nigerians to note that the APC and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have nothing to offer other than their records of failures for the past seven (7) years.

That accounts for their inability to kickstart their campaigns as well as their resort to campaign of calumny, intimidation and violence.

"The APC Presidential Candidate should know that these shenanigans cannot stop the resolve of the people to vote out the APC and elect the pan-Nigerian and unifier, Atiku Abubakar. Certainly, Nigerians will not support a leader, who wants to turn a rotten situation to a bad one," he stated.

‘Our Country Needs Healing, Atiku is the Balm

The PDP Presidential Campaign Council, yesterday, said Nigeria was bleeding from bad government and governance and therefore needed the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to heal the wounds.

In a statement by one PDP presidential campaign spokesman, Senator Dino Melaye, he said, "Our dear country is hemorrhaging on

all sides, ranging from social to political and economic. The level of division and distrust between our political geography, economic climate and the social weather are palpable.

"Our country is, therefore, broken along many fault lines, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, because just as our country needs healing, Atiku is available as the balm.

"There's a rippling expansion of conflicts. The crisis of confidence between the government and the governed manifests as the current APC administration operates an ideology that fails to provide leadership in crisis, hope in despair, assurance in fear and opportunities in scarcity.

"This is why Nigeria must severe any umbilical chord that ties it to the APC under any disguise.

The party and its operators are set in their ways. They claimed to be harbingers of change, but

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday said his administration has paid over N70 billion as gratuity and pension to retirees in the last three and a half years.

The governor who stated this at Ijebu-Ode, during a Town Hall Meeting on the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and 2023 Budget for Ogun East Senatorial District, also said the quarterly payment for pensioners had been increased from N500 million to N600 million.

The governor who took a swipe at the previous government for failing to pay the retirees their entitlements,

said the amount was huge, but his administration was doing the needful to ensure our retirees enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

He assured workers that their entitlements ranging from global deductions, leave bonuses and others, would be paid as the finances of the state improves.

The governor also disclosed that that the state generated over N70 billion from January to September this year as Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), saying the various policies put in place and the influx of investors, have increased the internal revenue of the state.

He said, "Some few days ago, someone sent me a video of an indigene of the State in Diaspora

Wike: PDP Must Apologise to Nigerians over Atiku’s Statement

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, expressed disappointment over statement credited to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and said the

PDP leadership must apologise to Nigerians over what he described as controversial statement.

Atiku was reported to have said at a meeting with northern elders a couple of days ago, that, the north did not need an Igbo or Yoruba person as president but a northerner.

But Wike, while reacting to the development, stressed that such alleged remarks could create disunity among Nigerians at a time, when efforts should be concerted in giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging.

The Rivers governor, who spoke at the international wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, enroute from Spain, expressed his stance against anything that relegates any section of Nigeria and treats them as second fiddle.

Wike, who spoke in company of his team members: Seyi Makinde

(Oyo) State, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Samuel Ortom (Benue), said, "I don't believe that my candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could make such statement.

But assuming he did make that statement, and this is one of the things we have been saying, this country needs to be united and part of the way you unite it is to include everybody."

He expressed the belief that those handling Atiku should also share in the blame for allowing their principal to make such comment in public, which he noted, could heighten tension and deepen the feeling of alienation among Nigerians.

Wike said since the statement was now in the public domain, the PDP leadership should tender an apology to Nigerians while explaining the circumstances in which the statement was made.

Continues online

How Farmers Marry Out Daughters inYobe for Loan Repayment Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Members of the Children's Parliament have lamented that farmers in Yobe State are being forced to marry out under-age daughters to old men to pay back loans.

The members made this known yesterday in Abuja, during Girls’ Media Roundtable organised by

Abiodun: We Have Paid over N70bn Pension, Gratuity James Sowole in Abeokuta

they have become impervious to change. Like the Bourbons, they have learnt nothing, and have forgotten nothing."

Melaye said that observers of the Nigerian Political landscape would appreciate that Atiku has stood out as a focused leader, riding the storm of a creative tension with equanimity, temperance and accommodation.

"This is demonstrable leadership.

This is the benefit of cognate experience and the gains of reflection, which dictate the appropriate application of attitude to prevailing circumstances.”

who claimed that the IGR of the state is on the decline. I can tell you that as of today, Ogun State IGR from January to September is over N70 billion.

"Last year, our IGR was over N100 billion. So how can someone claim that our IGR is declining?

This claim is false."

He said this year's meeting which was a continuation of previous ones, was the most important as it is a transitional budget, adding that global best practices and financial engineering would be used to implement the budget that would continue to open up the State for more investments.

Continues online

Save the Children to commemorate the 10th anniversary of International Day of the Girl.

Speaking, a Girl Champion from Yobe State, Khadija Badamassi, said in the last 10 years, there had been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst government, policymakers and the public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard at the global stage.

She noted that yet, investments in girls' rights remain limited and girls continue to face many challenges to fulfilling their potential.

Badamassi noted that girls in her community face a lot when it comes to child early and forced marriage, saying child marriage has caused more harm than good.

She explained: "Child marriage is the result of the interplay of economic and social forces. In communities where the practice is predominant, marrying a girl as a child is part of a cluster of social norms and attitudes that reflect the low value accorded to the human rights of girls.

"Yobe state, Nigeria, where I am from, due to its poverty has the largest number of child-brides in the north-east Nigeria. In my community, most people are farmers,

and due to poverty; parents borrow money to cultivate their farms.

"During harvest, when the father is unable to back the loan, a father usually takes the decision to give out his daughter in marriage regardless of her age, and most times to an old man, old enough to be her father or grandfather. This girl bride is treated like a slave with no respect of any kind because of how she was taken in as wife."

Badamassi added that a lot of girls that marry as children; end up dying during childbirth due to their bodies not prepared for delivery and pain they cannot bear, while a serious condition, known as obstetric fistula affects some others – a condition whereby the female child cannot control the passage of urine.

Also, a member representing Dikwa Constituency in Children's Parliament and Chairman, Committee on Child's Participation, Madina Abdulkadir said there was no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated girl child, but there have been some limitations imposed on the investment on the rights of the girl child.

She noted that all over the world, their right to education,

mental health, physical wellness and the protection needed for a life free from violence are being threatened.

On her part, the Youth Ambassador, Marian Ahmed commended the government and organiSations like the Save the Children for working tirelessly over the years to ensure that the lives and rights of children, especially girls, are protected.

Ahmed pointed out that they know what the issues are and what was needed to eradicate them, but lamented that the major factors stopping the country from moving forward was lack of accountability and lack of implementation of laws.

She said, "An example is the Child Rights Act. It has been passed in four states so far, but not all those states are properly implementing the act. People do unimaginable things to children and girls and still get away with it.

"The first step that Nigeria should take is to prioritise the passage of the Child Rights Act into a national law. This is because the CRA is a comprehensive document that clearly identifies the rights of children and provides sanctions to anyone who compromises those rights.

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NEWS

LAUNCH OF SKY GIRLS NIGERIA...

L-R: General Manager, Operations, Interactive for SKY Girls, Adenike Odutola; Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo; Market Lead, Ghana and Nigeria, SKY Nigeria, Alice Railton; and Public PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN Relations Strategist , 7even Interactive, Eseoghene Aluko; at the official launch of SKY Girls Nigeria , an empowerment Moment for Teenage in Nigeria, held in Lagos…recently.

Editors: Shutdown of Four Broadcast Stations Threat to Democracy Urge Zamfara State governor to unseal stations

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed concern over the shutdown of four broadcast stations namely NTA, Gamji Television, Alumna Television and Pride FM Station, all located in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, by Governor Bello Matawalle and called on him to immediately unseal the broadcast stations.

The Zamfara State Government had on Saturday shut down the stations, for covering a rally held by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship andidate in the state, Dr Dauda Lawan Dare.

The state government claimed

that the rally was organised despite a ban on campaigns by the state government over alleged security situation in the state.

But in a statement issued yesterday and signed by NGE’s President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the umbrella of all the editors in Nigeria, described the action as illegal and a violation of the Nigeria constitution and other international instruments.

The guild stated that the only government agency charged with the constitutional mandate of regulating the broadcast stations

or determining any infraction in the conduct of broadcasting industry, was the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

“While the NGE doesn't even want to go into the illegality of the ban on political activities in that state, our primary concern here is the unlawful and unconstitutional action of the state governor against the affected stations for carrying out their constitutional and social obligations - of reporting events and keeping the citizens informed of political developments in the state.

“In fact, the shut stations would have been accused of unprofessional

misconduct if they didn't cover that rally. We are also encouraged by the fact that the regulatory agency of broadcasting, the NBC, has also condemned the unlawful action of Governor Bello Matawalle,” the NGE added.

Condemning the action of the governor in its entirety, the editors said the governor’s action was a serious threat to the democratic process and democracy, saying it was a precarious signal to what awaits the media, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

According to the NGE, “The media reserves the right to cover

all events, whether or not they are banned. No state government reserves the right to shut down any media house, in spite of their perceived infractions.

“In this case, the Zamfara State governor should have written a petition to the NBC, if at all the affected stations committed any infraction, instead resorting to self-help.

“The Guild stands for press freedom and freedom of expression and will always speak out against any attempt to muzzle the media.’’

The editors explained further that the human right most closely related

to the media is undoubtedly the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

They noted that freedom of expression, as upheld in the constitution and human rights instruments, covers the right to receive or impart information.

Describing the media as “oxygen of democracy,” the NGE reiterated its earlier position that the media was not an opponent of any government; but a professional institution charged with the constitutional obligation of monitoring the activities of the government and holding it accountable to the citizens.

has not really worked because fixing the price while the parallel market reveals a massive arbitrage merely creates the opportunity for massive rents.

"It will also compound the backlog of remittances for foreign businesses who want to repatriate their earnings. The discussion that we must now have and going forward is how best to manage the situation by finding a mechanism for increasing supply and moderating demand which will be transparent and will boost confidence.

"I think that a more market-driven approach will be best, some price discovery within the context of a managed float is certainly required.

Some efforts at controlled price discovery that had been made in the past include the Foreign Exchange Market (FEM), interbank Foreign Exchange Market (IFEM), various iterations of the Dutch Auction System. (DAS), Wholesale Dutch Auction System (W-DAS), Retail Dutch Auction System (R-DAS).

"While they may not have been perfect it would appear as if the rules were clear and there was relative stability. When people know how they can access foreign exchange competitively, this will boost confidence and inward flows will increase."

The game-changing achievements of the Buhari administration that the vice president enumerated included the development of infrastructure, "with the creativity we have introduced to infrastructure financing."

He also spoke about the success of the Socially Investment Programmes and the improvement in generating capacity in the power sector and the Solar Power Naija which is in the process of providing off-grid power to about 20 million Nigerians.

He also spoke about the progress in digital economy with the sector contributing over 18 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2020, almost three times the oil and gas contribution.

Reflecting on the journey so far, Osinbajo counseled against placing blanket ban in imports, given the negative consequences it can have on the economy including on raw materials.

He said importation was not the challenge of the economy, noting that many manufacturing countries are heavy importers that import much more than Nigeria.

Also delivering a keynote address at the retreat, Kenyatta, stressed the need to carry the opposition along for a peaceful and progressive country.

Drawing from his example in Kenya, he said countries in Africa have the same developmental challenges, which he said must be confronted irrespective of who is in power.

According to him, what was important was continuity of programmes and succession planning.

Kenyatta also noted that with the current global challenges, which he noted has nothing to do with Africa, the continent bears the brunt.

He, however, wondered how the continent would meet the challenges for its population within the limited time frame, saying, "first is the ability to be focused on what the critical issues are. We can't deliver on everything but focus on those areas that affect our people and enhance unity.

"The second is that the challenges we face can't be completed by any single administration. So, the issue of continuing and succession planning is very necessary

AT LAST MINISTERIAL RETREAT, BUHARI SCORES HIS ADMINISTRATION HIGH has acquired 38 brand-new aircraft and is expecting another batch of 36 new ones, while the Nigerian Navy has been equipped with new platforms, sophisticated riverine, Rigid-Hull Inflatable, Seaward Defence, Whaler & Fast Attack Boats as well as Helicopters and Capital Ships. ''To boost the number of our Police personnel, 20,000 policemen have been recruited, trained, fully integrated and deployed in 2020 and 2021. This exercise has strengthened our community policing strategy which is enshrined in the Police Act, 2020.’’

On the fight against corruption, the president promised that the administration would continue to review and prosecute high-profile corruption cases and ensure speedy completion.

Concerning Social Investment Programmes, the president said 9,990,862 pupils were being fed through the School Feeding Programme, which employs 128,531 cooks in local communities. ''Following the passage of the National Health Act in 2014, this Administration began the inclusion of the one per cent minimum portion of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cater for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). ''Consequently, 988,652 poor and indigent Nigerians have been enrolled in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). ''We should also note that a total of 7,373 primary health facilities have been accredited and capitated under the National Health Insurance Scheme pathway, while 7,242 Primary Health Care facilities are receiving Decentralized Facility Financing under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency – Basic Health Care Provision Fund gateway,'' the President

said on milestones recorded in the health sector.

Buhari also lauded Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, noting that the country’s achievement has been commended by the World Health Organisation.

According to him, as at the end of September 2022, 51,713,575 eligible people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, representing 46.3 per cent of the eligible population. ''Out of this number, 38,765,510 people have been fully vaccinated, and this represents 34.7 per cent of the eligible population,” he added.

The president urged all eligible Nigerians to ensure that they are fully vaccinated as Nigeria's vaccine stock balance stands at about 27 million doses.

On agriculture, the president expressed delight that as a direct result of investment, the sector has experienced significant growth.

He said: ''The shortfall in food production and food importation bills have both been reduced significantly. Along with the production of other staple crops, we have reached our goal of self-sufficiency in rice production. ''We are exerting a lot of effort to solve the problem of the rising cost of food that is related to inflation, being a global crisis.''

Buhari directed Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and all Heads of Agencies to reinvigorate their efforts in ramping-up delivery of flagship programmes and projects contained in their Ministerial Mandates.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and his team in sustaining the Annual Performance Review Retreats, adding that this has enabled the cabinet to maintain focus on the nine-point Agenda and more importantly, providing

solid evidence that supports the achievements. ''I am also proud to see that our Administration is staying true to our commitment to the Open Government Partnership initiative which I signed up in 2017. In this regard, the Presidential Delivery Tracker was launched on 30th August 2022, which is a clear testament to this Administration’s commitment to participatory governance. ''As part of efforts to strengthen performance management culture, the Central Delivery Coordination Unit is being institutionalised. ''As an initiative of this Administration, I am delighted to bequeath this legacy to my successor as part of the mechanisms that will assist the next Administration in delivering on its promises to the Nigerian people,'' he said.

Earlier, while setting the context for the two-day meeting, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the retreat has been structured into three main focus areas. ''First is an overview of ministerial performance within the last three years of the administration, presenting key achievements and identifying opportunities for improvement. ''Second will reflect on lessons and good practices from the Kenyan presidential delivery unit while the third is ways to accelerate the delivery of flagship projects and programmes of the Buhari administration before the end of the tenure in May 2023.''

Mustapha announced that President Buhari would sign an Executive Order on Improving Performance Management, Coordination and Implementation of Presidential Priorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria at the end of the third Ministerial Performance

Review Retreat.

Osinbajo Seeks Improved Monetary, Fiscal Policy Coordination, Better FX Mgt System

Meanwhile, Osinbajo has called for an effective synergy between the fiscal and monetary policy authorities in Nigeria as well as better management of the country's foreign exchange rate.

This was just as Kenyatta stressed the need for African leaders to carry opposition parties along in their quest to develop their countries.

In his presentation titled, "The Buhari Administration: Reflections on the Journey So far,” the vice president who outlined some of the game-changing achievements of the federal government, however pointed out that there were some areas of concern in the economy.

According to him, "the first is the synergy between fiscal and monetary policy. The failure of that synergy has led to unnecessary drawbacks in our economic performance and planning. What imports are eligible for foreign exchange must agree with the fiscal ambitions for manufacturing and industry.

"Currently such decisions on import eligibility for foreign exchange for instance is being taken solely by the monetary arm, although the fiscal arm would normally be expected to lead in such matters."

Osinbajo further said "Our exchange rate management continues to be an issue. The exchange rate of the naira to convertible currencies continues to face significant downward pressure because demand substantially outstrips supply.

"That is just the reality. On one hand we have tried demand management and rationing, which

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NEWS

AFRICANDO TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE…

Deputy Assistant, United States (US) Trade Representative, Executive Office of the US President, Dr. Osvaldo Gomez Martinez; Chairman, Trade Mission Committee, Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce(NACC), Dr. Violet Abdulkadir; National President, NACC, Dame Adebola Williams; Director-General, NACC, Mr. Gbenga Adebija;Senior Vice President, International Trade & Development, Enterprise Florida, TJ Villamil, at the 2022 Africando Trade & Investment Conference in Miami, Florida, United States of America…recently

FG Expresses Concern over Killings of Nigerians in South Africa Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The federal government, has expressed concern over violent killings of Nigerians in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, of

South Africa.

The Consulate General of Nigeria in South Africa, in a statement yesterday, said the killings, which happened in the last three weeks, were

Lagos Pays N1.62bn to 288 Retirees Rebecca Ejifoma The Lagos State government said it has paid 288 retirees N1.62 billion for October.

The Director General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Babalola Obilana, said this at the 97th Batch Retirement Bond Certificate Presentation for retirees from the Lagos State public service held on Friday.

He acknowledged that Lagos state had consistently prioritised pension contributions in compliance with the statutory requirements of the CPS and will offset the backlogs monthly.

Obilana hinted that the contributions of both employees

and employers are remitted promptly into employees’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) after salaries are received The DG also noted that the LASPEC constantly reviews its business processes to ensure first-class service delivery to the retirees to accomplish the governor’s goal of the immediate payment of pension entitlements upon retirement from public service.

“The commission also engages its stakeholders to ensure that the retiring officers who had devoted their work lives to the service of the state received the best service possible,” says Obilana.

HoS Parleys JAMB on Public Service Exam with JAMB will ensure the

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Office of Head of Service of the Federation will collaborate with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to conduct the 2022 Annual Public Service confirmation examination nationwide as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).

The Deputy Director, Communications, Mohammed A. Ahmed, said in a statement yesterday that compulsory confirmation examination for senior officers will take place today across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. He said the collaboration

realisation of the transition from the manual method of conducting the examination to electronic and digitize activities and work processes in the Federal Civil Service.

The Combined Confirmation/Promotion Examination (COMPRO) for junior staff and the compulsory confirmation examination for senior staff are the two mandatory confirmation examinations in the public service, including the Police and para-military agencies.

They are not an option but a mandatory requirement.

Imo Provides Relief Materials to Egbema, Oguta Flood Victims AmbyUnezeinOwerri Imo State government has responded positively to families affected by the flood disaster that ravaged parts of Egbema and Oguta in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas of the state.

The victims were provided with some relief materials that will help to cushion the effect of the natural disaster.

Hundreds of the internally displaced persons whose homes

and farms were submerged by flood as a result of the over-flowing of Oguta lake and other rivers in the areas received relief materials, including food items from the State government to ameliorate their hardship. The relief materials were: 400 bags of 50kg rice, mattresses, pillows, blankets, cartons of noodles, water packs, water cans, among others as well as a hot meal of rice, which was served to the victims at the camp where they were temporarily relocated.

unnecessary, condemnable, and utterly callous.

The mission said while it was confident that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would conduct full investigations into the murders, it urged all Nigerians residing in KwaZulu-Natal Province to

remain calm, security conscious and law-abiding.

“The Consulate General of Nigeria, Johannesburg, has received with grave concern, reports of recent violent killings of Nigerians in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

“The killings, which happened

in the last three weeks, are unnecessary, condemnable, and utterly callous. The Consulate General is saddened by these developments and hereby extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

“To this end, it advised that

Nigerians should endeavour to avoid potential flashpoints and immediately report any threat to life and property to the Police.

“Meanwhile, families directly impacted by the latest gruesome killings may wish to contact the Consulate General for consular assistance.”

Southern Senators Urge Oyebanji to Promote Justice, Equity, Fairness Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Federal lawmakers of southern extraction under the auspices of the Southern Senators Forum (SSF), have appealed to the new Governor of Ekiti State, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji, to make justice, fairness and equity the cornerstone of his administration.

The senators advised that promoting these ideals would help the new government to usher in accelerated development and entrench the

ideals of peace, stability and inclusion in Ekiti governance.

The federal lawmakers gave the advice yesterday in their congratulatory message to Oyebanji on his inauguration into office on Sunday to pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years.

The message signed by the forum’s Chairman and Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Opeyemi Bamidele, said Oyebanji had garnered enough experiences as a politician and administrator

and these he must reflect by running a government that would be fair to all citizens.

Bamidele said that every stratum of the Nigerian nation needed unity of purpose to help in combating the multifarious challenges confronting the nation, saying that Oyebanji being a governor and leader at a subnational cadre must run a government that would promote the welfare of all Nigerians regardless of their religious and political beliefs.

The forum applauded the

immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for stabilising the state and brought unquantifiable development touching every facet of governance in Ekiti and for pioneering a smooth transition that ushered in a new government without hindrance.

The lawmakers expressed confidence that Oyebanji would rev the pedal of development and speed up the implementation of his 6-point cardinal agenda to build and consolidate on the accomplishments of the past governments.

A’ Ibom APC Guber:to Court to Hear Ita Enang’s Motion for Joinder October 24 a request for time by Enang According to him, the process submitted that the plaintifffs Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned till October 24 hearing in the motion by Senator Ita Enang to be joined in the suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to list the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a contestant in the 2023 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.

The adjournment was sequel

to respond to the objection to his joining in the suit filed by the APC and one Akanimo Udofia.

The court had slated October 6 for its judgment in the suit challenging INEC’s refusal to list the APC and Udofia in the Akwa Ibom State governorship poll. But Enang had on the said date appeared in court and urged the court to halt its judgment in the interest of justice because he would be prejudiced if not heard by the court.

and outcome of the May 26 governorship primary of the APC in Akwa Ibom State is a thing of litigation before a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He pointed out that the parties in the Uyo court as well as the subject matter are the same as that before the Abuja court.

While disclosing that the Uyo Federal High Court, has reserved judgment in the said suit bordering on the APC governorship primary, Enang

ought not to have filed another suit over the same subject matter with the same parties.

Enang told the court that he made several efforts to see if there was duplicity of the case, including writing personally to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, but only got information on Wednesday’s evening that the court would deliver judgment in a similar matter on October 6 and had to rush to court to protect his interest.

NCC Warns against Fake Certificate for Mass Transmission Antenna Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned the public to guard against falling victim to scammers who are currently circulating fraudulent letter, titled: “Certificate of Site Ownership”, for clearance of “Mast Transmission Antenna”,

purported to be issued by the NCC. The Director Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, who gave the warning, said the fraudulent letter claimed that the commission had conducted an inspection on a certain site which is for “9-Mobile Telecommunications Company G.P.R.S”. According

to Muoka, “The fraudsters also gave conditions that the unsuspecting recipient of the letter would meet to make the certificate valid and effective for use by “10th November 2022”. It is possible that several and variants of the fraudulent letter may have been sent to individuals, and organisations, with the intent to defraud, using

the name of the Commission.

“The NCC therefore, wishes to dissociate itself from the import, and content of this letter, or similar ones, which may have been sent out by the faceless individuals. For the avoidance of doubt, the design and format of the forged letterhead, bears no similarity with those of the Commission,” he said.

Court Unfreezes Petralon’s Accounts The freeze had encompassed was misled to grant an order of Petralon 54’s Affidavit

Following the discovery of material facts suppression

by Eurafric Energy, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has vacated an order it granted freezing the bank accounts belonging to an oil company, Petralon 54 Limited and its parent company, Petralon Energy Limited.

their accounts wherever domiciled in 18 banks across the country.

Delivering a ruling in a motion filed by the company praying the Court to unfreeze the accounts, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Daniel Osiagor held that the court

freezing the company’s accounts, which it subsequently reversed to lift the order.

Consequently, the order has unfrozen the bank accounts and cancelled the Post No Debit order already in effect across all the restrained banks.

Specifically, consideration

in response to Eurafric’s Counter Affidavit deposed to on October12, 2022 and the reply address in support of the motion to set aside the exparte orders, revealed to the court that Eurafric had misinformed it and caused the institution of justice to act in error.

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NEWSXTRA

SYMPATHIZING WITH FLOOD VICTIMS…

Young Progressives Party (YPP) Senatorial candidate, Bayelsa West, Mrs. Tombra Jennifer Mohammed (middle) during a visit to flood victims in Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Councils... recently

Women Farmers Lose N500m Food Crops to Flood in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

Female farmers in Nasarawa State yesterday said that they have lost food crops worth over N500 million to flood that has ravaged their homes and farmlands across the state

recently.

They also said that about 300 of their members’ farmlands across the state have been washed away, even as houses and other belongings of the women were equally wiped out by the devastating flood

Ogun PDP Suspends Guber Aspirant for Conducting ‘Illegal Primary’ James Sowole in Abeokuta For allegedly conducting and participating in illegal primary election, the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday suspended a governorship aspirant of the party, Otunba Jimi Lawal, and four other members of the party.

The four others suspended were Bola Odunmosun, the financial secretary of the party; Fasiu Ajadi, Kola Akinyemi and Tope Asiru, the party chairman of Ijebu Northeast

Local Government Area.

The state Secretary of the party, Sunday Solarin, announced their suspension of the five persons at a press briefing at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to Solarin, Lawal and others were suspended for violating the constitution of the party by conducting and participating in an ‘illegal governorship primary election which was not authorised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Oyetola Swears in 69 Council Chairmen

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Following the successful completion of the Osun State local government election last Saturday, the state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated the elected council chairmen in all the 69 local government areas, Local Council Development Areas, Area Councils and Area Offices in the state.

This is even as the governor tasked them to hit the ground running by providing adequate, quality and equitable services on a consistent basis.

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) had last Saturday conducted the

local government election across the state.

Inaugurating the newlyelected chairmen at the Governor’s Office, at Abere, Osogbo, Oyetola said the journey to the election was a long and worthwhile one.

He said the delay in the conduct of the election was as a result of plethora of socioeconomic and political uncertainties.

Oyetola noted that the local government election could not come earlier considering the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on governance, saying the pandemic was a major setback in the pace of governance for several months.

SPPG to Solve Africa’s Leadership Deficit Mary Nnah The School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) has expressed its readiness to change the course of leadership in Nigeria and Africa as a whole by grooming great leaders. SPPG is an unconventional school of the research-anchored #FixPolitics initiative designed to transform the quality of political and public leadership in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

The innovative leadership

school is invested in developing a massive pipeline of value-based and disruptive thinking politicalclass equipped with the requisite knowledge, skills, and mindset to solve complex leadership problems to reposition Africa in the 21st century.

The SPPG has a strong tradition of evidence-based governance which is rooted in the findings of the #FixPolitics research by Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili as Richard von Weicker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy.

rendering many displaced.

Spokesperson for the Female Farmers, Mrs. Juliet Sarki, disclosed this in Lafia at a press conference to celebrate this year’s Food Day organised by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Oxfam and in partnership with the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON, National Council of YMCAs of Nigeria and the

Association of Small-Scale AgroPAgro-Producersroducers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN).

According to Sarki, “the recent flood disaster witnessed in many parts of the state is a pointer that the women farmers needed assistance from government and well spirited individuals to cushion the devastating effect of the flood.” Their spokesperson continued by demanding that the Nasarawa State Government

to create a special intervention fund accessible to the women farmers in order to cushion the impact of the losses brought by the flood.

“Strategic farm inputs fertilizers, improved seeds and seedlings and agrochemicals should be made available for women farmers and in a timely manner.

“The government should make farm inputs available for

farmers to allow for significant production during the dry season and in the coming farming season to address food shortages.”

Also speaking at the press conference, representative of the ASSAPIN, Mrs. Ruth Joseph, demanded for availability of gender-friendly equipment for women farmers to enable them to improve their production with less labour.

Yoruba Nation Rally: Court Indicts Police for Killing Trader, Jumoke Wale Igbintade The Coroner, Magistrate Mukaila Fadeyi, has indicted the police for killing a 25-year --old Sales Lady, Ms. Jumoke Oyeleke, during the Yoruba Nation agitation rally at Ojota on July 3, 2021.

The police was indicted after findings in the coroner inquest revealed that the lady

who was reportedly killed by a stray bullet that was shot by the police.

The Coroner, Magistrate Mukaila Fadeyi, who sat at the Ogba Magistrate Court, yesterday said that the police shot the deceased and caused her untimely death.

On July 3, 2021, Yoruba Nation agitators converged on the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom

Park in Ojota area of Lagos to demand an independent state for the South-west region.

It was alleged that police shot into the air and used teargas canisters to disperse the crowd and Jumoke, a 25-year-old sales girl, was shot dead.

While revealing his findings, the coroner said: “The only logical conclusion is that the deceased died from a weapon

by the Nigerian Police, and the deceased deserves our sympathy.”

The coroner further made recommendations: “(1) it is strongly recommended that the state government encourages the federal government on the training, retraining and reorientation of police officers on the right to hold protest in a democratic setting.

NDDC Calls for Collaboration to Solve Flooding Problem in Nigeria Funmi Ogundare The Special Adviser to the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Udengs Eradiri, has called on the federal government to engage the commission, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and state governments to solve the problem of perennial

flooding across the country.

Eradiri who was a guest on The Morning Show, AriseTV, disclosed yesterday that the commission has just approved the flood remediation action that would ensure the release of resources and action to help those displaced by floods.

He expressed concern that East-West Road has been taken over by the flood and currently inaccessible, adding

that he is making preparations to move Jet Ski to the area to assist people.

He said: “A lot of people have been swept away because of the current that the flood is coming with.

Some communities are already submerged and people are living on the road sides. This is an opportunity for me to call on the agencies, especially NEMA and Ministry of Humanitarian

Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, to coordinate their activities together. This is not the time to play politics of party. This is the time we must work together to save Nigerians. It would have been far reaching if the states under the NDDC are working together. Before now, I have written to the minister intimating him about how we need to prepare for the flood.”

Vote Out PDP, APC in 2023, Says YPP Guber Candidate Tells Deltans Sylvester Idowu in Warri The governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Delta State, Comrade Sunny Ofehe, has charged Deltans to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the coming 2023 general elections

in the State.

Ofehe, a foreign-based environmental rights activist, particularly bemoaned the state of affairs in his home state of Delta, saying that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, performed poorly as a governor of the oil-rich state.

While taking a swipe at the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the activist

charged the people of Delta State to punish the PDP and the APC with zero votes in the next year’s elections.

Ofehe spoke yesterday at PTI Junction, Effurun and his Iyede country-home in Europe Isoko during a reception organised in his honour upon his return from to Nigeria to officially commence his governorship campaign.

He noted that he represent the new breed of politicians Deltans should cast their votes for in 2023 polls since APC and PDP have failed the people of the state in all ramifications.

He was received by mammoth crowd of supporters and party faithful drawn from across the state, the YPP governorship candidate said.

Suspected Kidnappers Abduct Three Children in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Six suspected kidnappers in army apparels armed with dangerous weapons have reportedly abducted three children in Aseyori community in Alagbado area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State.

THISDAY investigations

revealed that the suspected hoodlums, who shot sporadically into the air, attacked residence of a man in the area, identified as Lukman Aliyu, a scrap metal dealer last Wednesday in the area.

The incident, it was gathered, caused pandemonium among residents, as people were running helter-skelter for

their lives while three young boys of the business man were later discovered to have been kidnapped by the attackers.

The father of the boys, who narrated the happening to journalists in Ilorin yesterday, said he had just put off the electricity generating set and entered the house to sleep when he heard strange noise

by the attackers.

According to him, “They threatened to kill me and members of my family. We locked ourselves inside one room, five of us, including my wife, but the hoodlums broke into the house and took away the children. It was dark as there was no public power supply.”

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Benzema Wins 2022 Ballon d’Or Award Femi Solaja with agency report

Karim Benzema has won the Ballon d'Or for the first time in his career.

The Frenchman becomes only the second player aside from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2008. Benzema's Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric won the prize in 2018.

Sadio Mane, who moved from Liverpool to Bayern Munich last summer, came second while Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne finished in third.

Robert Lewandowski, who was widely tipped to be one of the frontrunners for the prize, came fourth in the vote.

"There was a difficult period

where I wasn't in the French team but I never stopped working hard or gave up," Benzema said on stage last night.

"Really proud of my journey here. It wasn't easy it was difficult.

To be here today for the first time, I am happy, pleased for my work and want to keep going.

"I want to thank all my teammates at Real Madrid and France and my coach and the Real Madrid president who is here this evening and also the support of Jean-Michel Aulas (Lyon president).

"There are a lot of people to thank. It is an individual prize but still a collective one because of everyone who played a role in it."

Aged 34, Benzema is the oldest Ballon d'Or winner since Stanley Matthews in 1956.

Ahmed Musa Builds School, Names it after His Parents

Karim Benzema...wins 2022 Ballon d’Or award

Nigeria’s Flamingos Defeat Chile 2-1, to Play USA in Q’final Nigeria’s Flamingoes who yesterday morning booked their ticket to the quarter final of the Under-17 World Cup with a 2-1 defeat of Chile, will on Friday

UNDER-17 WORLD CUP in Mumbai take on USA and Onyeka Gamero, whose father

is Nigerian, for a place in the semifinal.

Nigeria’s Flamingos defeated Chile yesterday to qualify for. Quarter final of the Under-17 World Cup in India

....Ajakaiye Named POTM in Clash with Chile Nigeria’s Opeyemi Ajakaye was named Player of the Match in Flamingos’ 2-1 win against Chile in Bhubaneswar on Monday afternoon.

Opeyemi set up Blessing Emmanuel for Nigeria’s opening goal in the fourth minute.

The 16-year-old came close

to registering a goal in the 75th minute but her effort hit the crossbar.

It was Ajakaye’s second in consecutive matches in the tournament.

She is however yet to register a goal at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

The Nigerian girls finished second in Group B with six points behind Germany, who sit at the summit with nine points.

The Flamingos will face either Brazil or United States of America in the quarter-final in Mumbai on Friday.

Kick-off time Friday is 12 noon in Nigeria.

The Flamingoes finished second in Group B with six points, while USA won Group A with seven points ahead of Brazil, who placed second on goals difference after they trounced India 5-0.

Onyeka, who has so far scored a goal and provided an assist, was one of seven starters who were rested for yesterday’s match against Morocco.

She was named Player of the Match in the USA record 8-0 thrashing of hosts India on the opening day of the tournament.

Reigning CONCACAF champions USA have yet to win the U17 World Cup. Nigeria have thus far failed to go past the quarterfinal in three previous attempts – 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Blessing Emmanuel’s goal in the 4th minute of the game and Bisola Mosaku’s strike off a free-kick by dead-ball artist Miracle Usani with eight minutes left was enough to see Nigeria through at the Kalinga Stadium, despite a late penalty converted by Roverner Tali.

As was the case against New Zealand on Friday, the Flamingos created a slew of opportunities that were not converted, but Head Coach Bankole Olowookere assured the team will get even better as the tournament progresses.

Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, has taken his philanthropic gesture a notch higher, unveiling a school, and then name it after his parents Mr. Musa and Mrs. Sarch.

The school called M&S (Musa & Sarch) International School is located at Bukuru, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.

The football superstar took to his Twitter handle on social media to reveal the good news yesterday morning.

Musa wrote: “I’m proud to name it after my parents .

Mr Musa & Mrs Sarch! M&S International School .. Now officially opens. Alhamdulillahi!” concludes the Super Eagles captain.

Musa stands out amongst his Nigerian international teammates.

His philanthropic gestures have been well documented. Apart from helping the less privileged in the society, Musa Is known for putting succor on the faces of Nigerians who have been battered by the current economic situation of the country. Countless individuals have given testimonies to how Musa intervened in their cases when all hope was lost.

From empowering widows to creating jobs for youths in his immediate environment, the Super Eagles Captain, has shown the way to others who are in his position to also be generous.

Ahmed Musa’s school in Jos named after his parents

Messi Tips England Among Five Others to Win Qatar 2022 Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi, has tipped England as one of the favourites for this winter's World Cup in Qatar.

The PSG megastar will lead Argentina's bid for World Cup glory next month, with the side currently on a 34-match unbeaten run, in what is likely to be Messi's final international tournament for his country.

Messi believes that Gareth

Southgate's team, along with Brazil, France, Germany and Spain will provide the tournament's biggest threats, although he says there are two nations that standout from the rest.

Talking to RMC Sport the 35-year-old said: 'As for the favourites, there are big teams like Brazil, Germany, France, England and Spain.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Chibok Community to FG “The issue of the abandonment of the Chibok School Girls has come forth again following the release of the remaining abducted train victims largely due to efforts of the Federal Government and especially the military under the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor. The statement has caused the Chibok people pain and despair and a deep feeling of neglect and abandonment by the Federal Government.“ --Chibok Community Leader, Dauda Iliya, lamenting FG’s neglect of the remaining Chibok Girls in captivity.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Liz Truss and the Lessons From Britain W

hat is going on in Great Britain right now is ironic. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the same Britain on account of the glory and grandeur of the life, times, example, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II – the country’s longest reigning monarch in history and one of the most influential figures of the 20th and 21st Centuries. But today, the same Britain is the laughing stock of the world, all because of leadership, politics, and mismanagement of the economy. The Empire may have ended, but Britain remains one of the most powerful countries of the world, a country that others look up to, a member of the G7, with London as a major centre of capital and investment in the Eurozone.

But something has happened to them in that same Great Britain - to try an African manner of speech. The other day, the IMF/World Bank, the Bretton Woods Institutions, before and at their annual meeting in Washington DC were forced to express concern about the UK economy and the trickle-down economic policies of the Liz Truss administration – 49p cut in tax rates for the rich, proposed increase in corporation tax, cutting of benefits and spending, and no clear thoughts about how the cuts would be funded – all of which could spur growth, theoretically, but would result in inflation and poverty. The IMF most unusually broke away from tradition and openly criticized a G7 economy.

It got so bad that even the Greek Prime Minister is offering to help Britain if it needs advice on how to manage the economy. The German Ambassador in London is also, against diplomatic protocols, putting his mouth in the matter. We can add to this insult upon the injury situation, the fact that President Joe Biden of the United States while buying and licking ice cream at a shop in Oregon, US took time out to comment that the turmoil that Britain now faces was predictable because nobody funds growth. “with unfunded tax cuts.” From ice cream shops to the hallowed halls of Washington DC, Britain has become the butt of jokes with implications for diplomacy, business, investments, leadership and the markets.

But it seems to me that rather than laugh at the current British leadership, there are lessons that can be learnt from their experience, precisely the chaos that the country is currently facing. On this same page, we acknowledged the British and praised the fact that Boris Johnson, former British PM and others had to lose their positions and offices because the system out there resolved that those in positions of leadership cannot set one set of rules for themselves and another set for the people that they lead. Bo-Jo and gang had to go because they used official privilege to break the law, and the people objected. This led to a new round of leadership selection within the Conservative Party.

If this were in Nigeria, however, Boris Johnson would still be in office. His kith and kin would have played the ethnic and religious card, in fact, he himself would have hired thugs to break up any attempt to challenge him. But the British held firm and pushed him and all the law breakers out. On this same page and elsewhere, we praised the British when the Tories launched a leadership contest to find a replacement for Boris Johnson as new leader of the party and new Prime Minister. It was a keenly contested race, elimination round by round, which eventually produced four front-runners including Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch- Chief Femi Adegoke’s daughter- but in the end Liz Truss won, with Rishi Sunak a close second. We felt we had seen democracy at work. The party had decided.

The Tories had moved beyond Boris Johnson.

It is in the nature of politics that nothing is ever certain and mistakes can be made. During the Tories campaign, the major issue was what to do with the

Truss British economy. The war in Ukraine with Russia had up-ended everything: Britain was faced with a cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices and rising inflation. Liz Truss who became the frontrunner promised to fix the economy by cutting taxes for the rich, scrap planned increase in corporation tax and cut spending; reverse national insurance rise, cut energy bills, delay payment of COVID debt, curtail the powers of the Bank of England, take on the Northern Ireland Protocol, scrape regulations post-Brexit, reduce UK dependence on China and so on. Sunak, who had been Chancellor of the Exchequer, promised that he would also cut taxes, but only after getting runaway inflation under control. He dismissed Truss’s plans as unworkable, supported lower taxes in the long term, promised VAT cuts on energy bills, 4 per cent cut in income tax by 2024, and increase corporation tax. He condemned Truss’s BoE proposals, the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, Rwanda deportation plan, and promised not to engage Putin, but he would oppose China, and close down Chinese Institutes. He ruled out second Scottish independence referendum. In the last lap of the race, both leading contestants told 175, 000 voting Tories that they could do the job. In the end, the party chose Mary Elizabeth Truss, 47, former Foreign Secretary and Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk since 2010 as leader of the party and Prime Minister. On September 5, 2022, she became the fourth Tory Prime Minister in six years since David Cameron, 2010 -2016, Theresa May, 2016 -2017, and Boris Johnson, 2019 – 2021.

She has spent only six weeks in office and now, the popularity that brought her to power has vanished. Even Prince Andrew is more popular than her in the polls. If a general election were to be called today, the Conservatives would lose by a landslide, the Labour Party being ahead in many constituencies. How did Liz Truss go so quickly in less than 50 days from being the people’s favourite to becoming so unpopular, a Prime Minister whose political future hangs in the balance, and who may end up as the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British History? Her Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng is already the shortest ever serving Chancellor of

the Exchequer. He was sacked on Friday as the scapegoat for the turmoil into which Britain has been thrown. Truss has presided over a chaotic Conservative Party conference. She has lost the support of business, investors, members of her own cabinet, and the people. Over the weekend, members of her party told the public that the game was up for her. Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee of Back Benchers was detailed to tell her the truth. It would be a miracle if she survives the crisis, having lost credibility – an important asset for a Prime Minister.

The death of Trussonomics is a cautionary tale.

Politicians must learn not to over-promise. The British have proven that you cannot come to the people, promise Heaven and Earth and hope you can get away with whatever you throw at them.

Truss promised the people growth. He appointed Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor. But the growth plan in form of an emergency plan, or mini-budget presented by the government simply complicated things: sell-offs in the bond market, uncertainties with the pound sterling, further rise in the cost of living and a gaping black hole in government finance, with a rise in the cost of debts, and mortgage. In a country where accountability is key, no politician can hoodwink the people and play games with the people’s fortunes and future. Liz Truss and Kwarteng could not tell anyone how the huge deficit would be funded. In Nigeria, the story would have been that the critics are jealous or that they are of a certain ethnic extraction. The simple lesson is that politicians must learn not to over-promise. Nigerian politicians promise heaven and earth. They promote manifesto and covenants that even the principal candidate has neither read nor seen. When they are taken up on the issues later, they are ever ready to say they never heard of such a policy. Every major stakeholder in the UK is attentive. Position and power come with responsibility and accountability. Andrew Bailey, BoE Governor whose independence Truss was threatening to curtail is now gloating and blaming Kwasi Kwarteng for “flying blind”. He even had to step in with the Bank’s brief intervention and now he says interest rates would go up higher than expected from 2.3% to 3.5%. He is taking his pound of flesh, as it were. In Nigeria, even in the midst of a similar turmoil, he would have been fired. The system would have found something to hang on his neck and shut him up. Spokespersons loyal to the government of the day would have torn him to pieces with disparaging press releases.

But Bailey and the Bank of England are not being targeted because it is clear to the British that Truss and Kwarteng flunked Economics 101 and brought the people greater misery.

Kwasi Kwarteng, the Ph.D in Economic History wonder kid, and brainy master of University Quiz who served briefly as Chancellor has been fired.

He had to leave the IMF/World Bank meeting in Washington DC earlier than scheduled, and his return flight was one of the most tracked flights in recent history. He had boasted that he was not going anywhere, and that his economic plan was secure. What we have seen is that the job does not belong to him. It belongs to the British people. You may say he has been fired because someone has to take the fall, but the truth is that the British run a system where nobody is rewarded for inefficiency or misconduct. While I understand the position that Truss herself should go, having placed the future of the Conservative party in peril, the point for us as Nigerians is that if this had been in Nigeria, Kwarteng’s position that he was not going anywhere would have prevailed. People in powerful positions in Nigeria behave as if is a hereditary privilege for them to enjoy proximity to power. They get appointed not because of their knowledge or proven competence but because of

who they know. When they fail, they are sustained by the same factors. The British system self-corrects because its institutions are strong. The Nigerian system self-destructs because its institutions are either weak, compromised or non-existent.

In the midst of the. political, economic and social turmoil, PM Liz Truss has now gone to appoint Jeremy Hunt as replacement for Kwarteng. Hunt supported Rishi Sunak in the race for the PM’s office. Last weekend, he granted an interview in which he dismantled and buried Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget. Yesterday at the House of Commons, he did further damage. He ditched the government’s mini-budget that was announced three weeks ago.

When the PM showed up at the Commons, she was quiet. Jeremy Hunt, who has little experience in economic matters was practically pushing different ideas. On October 31, it would be his duty to present the much-talked about fiscal plan.

Hunt’s appointment is the equivalent of running to the friend of your opponent to help you. In Nigeria and other African countries, that would never happen. Our leaders here are so egoistic, they only see the world in a binary scope of friends and enemies. Sacking Kwarteng and bringing in Jeremy Hunt is a last-minute attempt by Truss to save her position. We are reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s Team of Rivals. When you think you are perplexed, look for the best people wherever they may be, including among the ranks of ideological opposites, if possible. In Nigeria, our leaders are only interested in sycophants and rent-seekers. Can you imagine a man who supported a rival being given a Minister of Finance position and then he goes to parliament, as Hunt has done, to throw the same government’s policy under the bus in less than one week of his appointment? I can bet such an appointee’s name will never appear on Nigeria’s national honours list! In fact, his house could be set ablaze. His wife may be abducted!

But would Jeremy Hunt’s recruitment help? Our gut feeling is that so much damage has been done in six weeks, it would take businesses, the market and the sterling quite a while to recover. When a country like Great Britain goes through so much turbulence as we are seeing, then we need to be more careful in these parts. We need to pay better attention to our leadership recruitment process. Our leaders must not only be 21st century compliant, they must be voted for and chosen only because they know what to do. If Nigeria had found itself in Britain’s situation, there would have been too much talk about the fact that Britain is in the hands of young people in their 40s, but the focus there today, is not age, but ideas and the workability of ideas. We need to pay attention to this.

Finally, too many Nigerians have become adherents of “the Japa phenomenon” – the standard euphemism for emigration away from Nigeria in search of greener pastures. The grass they say is greener on the other side, but not always as we can now see. In Britain today, families are worried they won’t be able to pay for gas during winter to heat their homes and keep warm. Many families can no longer afford three square meals. The people are rebelling because they think the government has no clue. Things are so bad that on Sunday, there was power-outage on Elland Road during the match between Arsenal and Leeds. The match had to be delayed for 40 minutes. It could be worse during winter as National Grid and Ofgem have warned. If you want to “Japa” to the UK, you may need to go with your “I-better-pass-my-neighbour generator”. In Paris, France, the people are queuing for fuel, with oil company workers behaving like members of our own NUPENG and PENGASSAN here. So, if you are thinking of relocating to France, it may help to go with your fuel keg and hose.

The world has gone mad but leadership still makes the difference.

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