FRIDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2023

In Compliance with PIA, NNPC Agrees to Supply Dangote Refinery Six Million Barrels in December Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report The Nigerian National Petroleum

Company Limited (NNPC) will supply the new 650,000 barrel-perday Dangote oil refinery with up to six million barrels of crude oil in

December, to be used in test runs, three industry sources with knowledge of the matter, have told Reuters.

There have been some concerns

in recent times, about the capacity of the crude oil producers to supply the refinery the needed feedstock.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian

supply obligations to local refineries in line with the Petroleum Industry

Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) summoned the producers to sensitise them on the need to comply with their domestic

Continued on page 8

Court Orders EFCC to Immediately Release Emefiele... Page 8 Friday 3 November, 2023 Vol 28. No 10432. Price: N250

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Wabote Inaugurates Genesis Group's Head Office Complex, Hospitality Academy in Rivers... Page 14

CBN Moves to Restore Investor Confidence, Begins Clearance of FX Forward Backlogs Targets to settle outstanding forward contracts next week Naira appreciates to N1,125/$ on parallel market Allays fears of currency scarcity James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

has started clearing backlogs of foreign exchange (FX) forward

contract through some banks as part of efforts to rebuild confidence

in the Nigerian economy.

Owing to the development, the

naira strengthened on the parallel Continued on page 8

Senate Passes N2.17 Trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget House cancels presidential yacht from fiscal document, raises student loan to N10bn FG: Presidential yacht listed in budget is operational Naval boat Olawale Ajimotokan, Sunday Aborisade and Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The Senate yesterday approved the 2.17 trillion supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year, as proposed

by President Bola Tinubu.

However, the House of Representatives, yesterday, scrapped the budgetary allocation of N5.095 billion for the purchase of a presidential yatch in the 2023 supplementary budget.

But the federal government

yesterday, gave clarity on the public outcry that had trailed the presidential yacht and some other line items in the supplementary appropriation presented to the National Assembly.

At the red chamber, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio announced the approval after majority of the Senators supported it through a voice vote at plenary.

The supplementary budget was earlier considered and approved at the Committee of Supply before Continued on page 8

Olasupo Olusi Assumes Office as THE WOMAN WHO DEFIED THE ODDS...

Senator Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan, collecting a copy of the Senate Standing Rules from President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio after her Bank of Industry MD/CEO... Page 36 L-R: swearing-in by the Clerk of the Senate...yesterday

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Court Orders EFCC to Immediately Release Emefiele Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, yesterday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release with immediate effect the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Adeniyi, who issued the order while delivering ruling in an exparte application, challenging the

continued detention of the former CBN boss, ordered the anti-graft agency to in the alternative produce Emefiele in court on Monday, November 6.

The order was issued by the court after listening to the submissions of the exparte application marked: M/122/2023 in a Motion on Notice with the number, FCT/HC/ CV/040/2023, filed by Emefiele.

Recall that the former CBN boss was first detained for over

four months by the Department of State Service (DSS) over allegations bordering on fraud and abuse of office.

He was arrested in early June shortly after his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu and has been in custody since then, despite a court order.

He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on alleged illegal possession of firearms and again before a High

Court of the FCT, where he and two others, Sa'adatu Ramallan Yaro and a company, April1616 Investment Limited were to be arraigned on a 20-count charge bordering on procurement abuse to the tune of N6.9billion.

The arraignment was stalled due to the absence of Yaro, who was said to be sick and the matter has been adjourned few times.

However, the arraignment has been stalled until his recent transfer

last week from the custody of the DSS to EFCC. The continued detention prompted the instant suit and application for release before Justice Adeniyi.

In his ruling, the judge ordered the anti-graft agency to either release the plaintiff/applicant unconditionally or in the alternative produce him before the court next Monday when the Motion on Notice would be heard for the purpose of being admitted to bail.

Emefiele

Appropriation presented to the National Assembly.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement yesterday, that what was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget was an Operational Naval boat with specialised security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President.

He said the clarification was necessary given that President Bola Tinubu's administration respected the views of Nigerians on all matters of public concern.

Onanuga, said the boat was called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high level security features.

"The Naval boat was ordered by the Navy under the previous administration. President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations.

"The payment request for the

boat was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence. The total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion out which N62 billion was approved by the President," the presidential aide said He added that Tinubu was focused on securing the country and its territorial waters.

He said the federal government under Tinubu's leadership was investing more resources to enhance greater economic output from our oil and gas, marine and blue economy.

"In President Tinubu, we have a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses. His administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges.

Nigerians will soon get the benefits of the ongoing reforms that will certainly lead to a buoyant and improved quality of life for all citizens," he said.

SENATE PASSES N2.17 TRILLION 2023 SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET it was passed at plenary.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola, submitted the report on the appropriation budget for consideration.

Unlike their counterpart at the House of Representatives, the Senate was silent on the controversial N5 billion for the purchase of the Presidential Yacht.

The approval of the supplementary budget was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

In his presentation, Senator Adeola recommended that N18 billion be approved for Statutory Transfers, N1.3 trillion (N1,033,471,162,373) for Recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N1.1 trillion (N1,125,320,123,660) as contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending.

He listed the ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government that would benefit from the supplementary budget as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Ministry of Defence, Police Formations and Command and Office of the National Security Adviser They also include the Department of State Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Housing and Federal Capital Territory Administration. The Senate President subjected the committee's report to a voice vote and majority of the senators supported its approval.

The report of the Senate Appropriation panel was silent on the N5,095,200,000 voted for presidential yacht. The supplementary budget was read at both chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, and it was passed for second reading, on same day.

Tinubu, in his letter specifically sought the National Assembly’s approval for a supplementary appropriation bill of N2,176,791,286,033.

Tinubu, said the supplementary budget was aimed at addressing labour wage adjustments, security, and other matters.

The bill seeks to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N2,176,791,286,033 of which N18 billion was for Statutory Transfers, N992,802,015,985, was for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the sum of N1,165,989,2 70,049 was for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on

31 December 2023. In addition, the sum of N210 billion was for wage award; N400 billion was budgeted for cash transfer to vulnerable households; while N200 billion was for Seed and Agricultural Inputs and equipment.

Also in the bill, the sum of N100 billion was for projects in Abuja; N604 billion for National Security and Defence; N300 billion for the maintenance of Bridges across Nigeria; N8 billion for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and other new Ministries, while N18 billion was for the conduct of elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.

Also, Tinubu in the supplementary budget proposed to spend over N7.3 billion on procurement of vehicles for the State House, among others.

House Removes Presidential Yacht from Supplementary Budget, Raises Student Loan to N10bn The House of Representatives, yesterday scrapped the budgetary allocation of N5.095 billion for the presidential yatch in the 2023 supplementary budget.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, while briefing journalists yesterday, said the budgetary allocation for student loan was however, raised from N5 billion to N10 billion.

While speaking on the presidential yacht, the committee Chairman stated, "Actually, as far we are concerned, we don't have that anymore. We have increased the student loan.

“Initially, student loan was N5 billion in the budget but we have increased it to N5 billion so that our students can access that facility in order for them to go to school.

We don't have the yatch anymore in budget."

He also said the committee increased budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Defence from N476 billion to N546 billion following security concerns.

"We have submitted our reports to the House and after a careful consideration, the House has approved our submissions and the breakdown is as follows.

"As you know, the budget is about N2.1 trillion and the Ministry of Defence has about N456 billion, but currently, Ministry of Defence has the largest share because we know how important our security is.

“As you aware, we have interaction with them yesterday.

Currently, we have increased their budget from N456 billion to N546, 209,099,671 billion.”

According to him "For Police formation and command, we gave them N50 billion while the FCT has about N100 billion. You know the FCT is very important to us, so we want to make sure that the FCT can compete with any state in the world. That is why we gave them N100 billion.

"On the Office of National Security, their initial budget was N27 billion, but currently we have increased their budget to N50 billion. For the State House, their initial budget was N28 billion and we maintained that.

"On Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, you know how important that ministry is, we maintained their initial figure of N200 billion as well.”

He further disclosed that, "For INEC, initially their budget was N18 billion, and yesterday we had an interaction with the INEC Chairman and he convinced

us with his submissions and we maintained their N18 billion.

“So far, we have approved N2,176, 791, 286, 33 trillion. We will continue to support the government so that we can deliver democracy."

He further assured Nigerians that lawmakers would ensure adequate oversight, saying, "our members especially those standing committees oversight those project and ensure the money are used judiciously. “From now to three months we are going to call them and ask them what they have done with the money."

FG Says Presidential Yacht Envisaged in Budget is Operational Naval Boat Meanwhile, the federal government has given clarity on the public outcry that trailed the presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary

CBN MOVES TO RESTORE INVESTOR CONFIDENCE, BEGINS CLEARANCE OF FX FORWARD BACKLOGS market to N1,125/$ yesterday, stronger than the N1,175/$ it closed the previous day. However, on the official I&E window, the nation’s currency closed at N793.28/$, slightly lower than the N786.02/$ it closed on Wednesday. The official I&E window reported a daily volume turnover of $136.11 million, which was a 28.45 per cent increase compared to the $105.98 million, recorded on Tuesday.

Also yesterday, the CBN allayed fears of scarcity of cash at banks, automated teller machines (ATMs), points of sale and among Bureaux de Change (BDCs) in some major cities, saying it has sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country.

A top official of the CBN who confirmed the settlement of the FX forward in a telephone chat with THISDAY yesterday, revealed that the first batch of FX backlogs were settled through 14 banks on Wednesday, just as he assured investors that the outstanding FX forward contracts would be settled next week.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that we have started clearing the FX backlogs through 14 banks on Wednesday.

Whatever is left unsettled would be cleared next week. We thank everyone for the patience.

“We are hopeful that in the coming days the pressure you have seen in the FX market would ease,” the source who pleaded to remain anonymous and also declined to

disclosed the amount of FX forward settled said.

Nevertheless, THISDAY learnt Citibank got $72 million, which was 100 per cent of its outstanding FX backlog, Standard Chartered got about $63 million, Stanbic IBTC got $25 million, among other payments.

THISDAY gathered that some others banks that got part of their FX backlogs settled were Heritage SunTrust, Parallex, Rand Merchant Bank, Signature Bank, Keystone and Unity Bank.

Additionally, the FX backlogs of some of the international correspondent banks responsible for providing credit lines to Nigeria, such as Barclays, HSBC, were cleared.

An FX forward contract is a bilateral agreement where one party (the seller) agrees to sell FX to another party (the buyer) at a predetermined settlement date in the future and at a strike price, which is fixed at the time of entering into the contract. It is also a binding contract in the FX market that locks in the exchange rate for the purchase or sale of a currency on a future date.

THISDAY had exclusively reported the move by the federal government to boost foreign currency liquidity in the economy and settle FX backlogs by securitising about $7 billion of the country’s dividends from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). While the government expected to get $7

billion from a consortium led by Standard Chartered Bank, the federal government also expected inflows from the $3 billion emergency loan from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had secured two months ago, bringing the total inflows expected in the short-term to $10 billion.

The Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, recently disclosed that up to $6.8 billion of overdue forward payments in FX needed to be addressed before the naira could stabilise. Edun had noted that resolving the overdue contracts would allow the naira to strengthen and “pave the way for additional foreign exchange flows. “The issue we have now is that the market is not liquid enough,” Edun had said.

He added: “We are committed to encouraging liquidity based on reforms that have been made at the moment, on the fiscal side and the monetary side. And together with the restoration of trust and confidence we think the FX flows will return.”

Also, CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, had said: “We are aware that there are unsettled obligations by the CBN. Whether it is $4 billion, $5 billion or $7 billion, I don’t know, but definitely the immediate priority is to ascertain the extent.

“We need to find a way to take

care of that. It will be naive for us to be expecting to succeed if we are not able to handle that side of the foreign exchange market,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CBN in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Communications, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, stated that the attention of the apex bank was drawn to reports of alleged scarcity of cash at banks, ATMs, PoS and among BDCs in some major cities across the country.

It added: “Our findings reveal that the seeming cash scarcity in some locations is due largely to high volume withdrawals from the CBN branches by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and panic withdrawals by customers from the ATMs “While we note the concerns of Nigerians on the availability of cash for financial transactions, we wish to assure the public that there is sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country.

“The branches of the CBN across the country are also working to ensure the seamless circulation of cash in their respective states of operation. Members of the public are, therefore, advised to guard against panic withdrawals as there is sufficient stock to facilitate economic activities.

“Nigerians are also advised to embrace alternative modes of payment, which would reduce pressure on using physical cash,” it added.

IN COMPLIANCE WITH PIA, NNPC AGREES TO SUPPLY DANGOTE REFINERY SIX MILLION BARRELS IN DECEMBER Act (PIA).

The refinery, funded by Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, would transform oil trading in the Atlantic Basin and remove a lucrative outlet for fuel produced in Europe and the United States that have for years powered the cars, trucks and generators on the continent, Reuters added.

The refinery is in the Lekki free trade zone near Lagos. Once it is fully up and running, it would turn oil powerhouse Nigeria into a net exporter of fuels, a long-sought goal for the member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that is currently almost totally reliant on imports.

One of the sources, an NNPC official, who declined to be named, specified six cargoes, or 200,000 bpd, would be supplied in December, as part of a one-year deal, adding that volumes in future months would be supplied "based on mutual agreement and availability".

The other sources said about 4-5 cargoes, or at least 130,000 bpd, were planned. A Dangote Group official, who did not wish to be named, said "some of the agreements have confidentiality clauses" without elaborating when asked about the NNPC supply deal. The NNPC has a 20 per cent stake in the refinery.

The refinery began the commissioning process in May

this year after running years behind schedule at a cost of $19 billion, above initial estimates of $12-14 billion.

Commissioning includes testing the different units that make products from petrol to diesel and making sure they respond to the control panels, the Reuters report said.

The integrated refinery and petrochemical project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while its output is expected to be more than enough to meet Nigeria’s fuel demands and turn Africa’s largest crude producer into an exporter of refined crude.

It was learnt that the development is coming as plans are being concluded for the signing of a Sales And Purchase

Agreement (SPA) between the national oil company and the refinery. The formalisation of the agreement is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

The deal will be on a purely commercial basis and without any recourse to discount, or selling at rock-bottom prices, it was learnt.

Section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 stipulates domestic crude oil supply obligation to refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, as well as NNPC refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and the modular refineries scattered all over the country.

The section also provides that the supply of crude oil to the domestic

market shall be on a willing buyer and willing seller basis.

Recall that shortly before the inauguration of the refinery, the NNPC had announced that it would supply 300,000 barrels of crude oil to the facility.

However, in September, the Executive Director of Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin, said the national oil company would not be able to supply the refinery until November.

This raised eyebrows throughout the country.

The petroleum refinery with a capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day is sitting on 2,635 hectares of land located in the Free Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

The Dangote, refinery complex is reputed to have a pipeline infrastructure arguably the largest in the world. It has 1,100 kilometres gas pipeline to handle 3 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day and a 400MW power plant that can meet Ibadan Distribution Company (Disco) total power requirement. It is also said to be more than six times the size of Victoria Island.

During the week, the Gbenga Komolafe-led NUPRC stated that “it is going to be a matter of national shame if we cannot meet our domestic crude obligations to step up our refining capacity. Komolafe added that the Dangote refinery was ready and should be provided with crude.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

NEWS

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

HERE ARE THE FLAGBEARERS ...

L-R: APC Governorship candidate in Imo state, Hope Uzodiimma; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; APC Governorship candidate in Kogi state, Ahmed Ododo and the APC Governorship candidate in Bayelsa state, Timipreye Silver, during the presentation of Party flag to the three APC contestants at the Presidential Villa, Abuja….yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

Uzodimma: I'm Not Owing Imo Workers Any Backlog of Salary Says Ajaero failed to draw line between labour struggle and partisan politics Accuses NLC national body of illegally dissolving state exco NUEE vows to shutdown electricity supply nationwide NLC, TUC to meet over Imo attack Peter Obi, Falana, NUJ condemn attack, brutalisation of NLC president Deji Ealumoye, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State yesterday reacted to the allegation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that he was owing workers unpaid salaries, saying his government was not owing civil servants in the State.

Uzodimma, who spoke to newsmen at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, after collecting the ruling All Progressives Congress flag from President Bola Tinubu to run for a second term during the gubernatorial poll in the state on November 11, 2023, emphasised that since he resumed office over three years ago, the welfare of workers has been his

priority leading to payment of the wages of the civil servants in the state as and when due.

The clarification by the Governor came just as electricity workers under the auspices of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) asked their members to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight yesterday, following the attack and brutalisation of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State.

Also yesterday, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, Femi Falana and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) expressed shock over the brutalisation of Ajaero by “unknown workers” in Owerri, Imo State.

Reacting to allegations that he was

owing 40 months in salary arrears, Uzodimma said “I think it is a very good opportunity for me to clear the air on the so called allegations.

“When I came into Imo State as the governor on January 15th 2020, from 2020 January till date, there’s no month we have not paid salary before 30th. The situation is that before this time, I thought that the trade union is a democratic entity that allows the opinion of people.

“I don’t pay federal civil servants, I only pay Imo State civil servants and I challenged any Imo State civil servant to come out and say that between 2020 January 15th till date, that he has not received salary in any of the months".

He also cleared the air on the crisis rocking the NLC in his state, saying

it boiled down to Ajaero, mixing partisanship with labour affairs.

NLC President, Ajaero, had been brutalized on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State capital where he had gone to lead a peaceful Labour protest.

The circumstances surrounding the attack became hazy as he alleged being abducted and beaten by police personnel, whereas the police came out to claim its operatives went into the melee to protect the NLC boss, who was under attack.

However, responding to questions from reporters on the Labour crisis in his state, Uzodimma accused Ajaero of being unable to distinguish his role as national Labour leader and being partisan Imo State indigene.

He said as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he intervened

Sylva: PDP’s Backdoor Tactics to Win Election Won’t Work Again in Bayelsa Ododo: Akpoti-Uduaghan’s A'Court victory can’t stop my winning Nov. 11 poll Deji Elumoye in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial poll in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, said his legal tussle, which led to his disqualification to contest the election before he was restored by the Appeal Court, would not affect his chances as he never stopped his campaign through the period.

He said this while addressing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, after collecting the ruling APC’s flag from President Bola Tinubu to run for a second term during the gubernatorial poll in the state on November 11, 2023, According to him: “The problem in Bayelsa is like that of a dog that has tasted blood. They’ve come once behind through the back door so it has now become something they want to do all the

time, they want to come through the back door.

“What does that signify? It signifies fear, they are actually afraid of the elections because as a government they have performed poorly and the only way they think they can stay in office is to come through the legal door, through which they came the last time. But I can assure you that time they will not succeed.

“They tried it this past week and you saw it, it was a case of meddlesome interloper, who had gone to court. Somebody we had to part in the contest, whose membership of APC was even questioned, taking me to court.

And of course you can see that was just part of the plan they had.

“But that has not deterred us at all, we did not stop campaigning, we decided to continue with our village to village campaign, house to house campaign. Today, even

the PDP is aware that in a fair contest that they can never win that election. So if they brag on TV that they are going to win, they know they can never win this election”, he said.

On his part, Kogi Sate APC gubernatorial candidate, Usman Ododo, dismissed criticism about his family relationship with the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello, noting that the fact that they are from the same local government area is immaterial in the election.

His words: “On the issue of whether I'm a cousin to His Excellency, well, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello is from Kogi State, I'm from Kogi State, we hail from the same local government, but different districts. We're both from Okene local government. He is from Okene 1, I'm from Okene II district at that.

“Even if I am his direct son, I think the constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria does not in any way prohibit anyone to contest for any position as far as this country is concerned.”

Responding to a question that his chances of victory on November 11, was now slim following the victory of senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Appeal court, he said it would not have any effect on the gubernatorial election.

According to him, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, who said his party would replicate the victory of Akpoti-Uduagan in the November 11 election was speaking out of fear.

He said: “Well, the victory of Natasha does not in any way have effect on Kogi gubernatorial election, come November 11, 2023. I think what he was saying is just the fear of defeat.

to stop the dissolution of the state chapter of the NLC, whose tenure he said had not expired.

Asked to explain why Ajaero was attacked in the state, Uzodimma said, “I wanted you people to be very careful because there is an attempt to mix up partisan politics or an attempt to blackmail my government, but I can tell you that my people are already aware of that.

“That was why the NLC Imo State chapter addressed a World Press Conference that what their national leadership is doing is not correct and that they are not going to do any strike or protests and in the process, they decided to dissolve them to put in a caretaker.

“Of course, I'm the Chief Security Officer and I have a responsibility to intervene. I encouraged the national leadership not to dissolve a management team that their tenure has not expired and that was what they did.

“I don't interfere with Labour matters, but I have convinced my workers in Imo State to believe in me and that trust is what opposition parties are trying to fight. But I can assure you that Imo people already have taken that decision. 11th November is by the corner. Come and observe the election”.

“What has happened in this ugly incident is that the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress is from Imo State and has not been able to demarcate the difference between being a national leader of an organisation and an interested party in local politics. But God will manage the situation.”

Reminded that the workers were accusing him of reneging on January 2021 agreement aside the backlog of salaries and this might impact his re-election, Uzodimma said: “Well, I still repeat, there’s no worker in Imo State…recall I came in January 2020 and by March, I started paying minimum wage of N30,000 that had been lying there, that previous leadership couldn’t pay. By December 2020 I paid 13th month, the first time in the history of Imo State civil service and I have maintained continuously this 13th

month payment as an incentive.

“I automated the payment system. Salaries are now received in an automated manner in Imo State. I brought new innovations, I reformed the civil service. No wonder in the civil service the entire Labour Congress of Imo State chapter endorsed me and I am the only candidate they are supporting in the election. The Nigerian Union of Pensioners endorsed me, from 2007 to 2020, no civil servants in Imo State received gratuity. It is only my government that has now floated bond to pay outstanding gratuities to civil servants.

“So, I understand the sensitivity of this event but I want you people to be very careful because there’s an attempt to mix up partisan politics or an attempt to blackmail my government.”

Ajaero: NUEE Vows to Shutdown Electricity Supply Nationwide Electricity workers under the auspices of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have asked their members to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight yesterday.

NUEE stated that its action was to protest the alleged arrest and brutalisation of Ajaero, by security agents on Wednesday, during a protest rally in Owerri, Imo State capital.

In a letter titled: "Mobilisation for Indefinite Nationwide Strike due to the Abduction of the NLC, President, Joe Ajaero. -Joe Ajaero," NUEE described as callous and inhuman the treatment meted out to Ajaero who doubles as its General Secretary.

The letter addressed to all branches of the union and signed by its Deputy General Secretary, Dominic Igwwbuike stated that: "In response to the attrocious and inhuman behaviours of our fellow comrade and the President of the NLC by the Imo state goveenor and the Policemen of the Imo state Command today, Wednesday November 1, 2023, we will embark on total shutdown of the nation if the president is not released and adequate explanation given by the Nigerian government.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

NEWS

CARDOSO VISITS SANUSI...

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso (left) and former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, during a courtesy visit by Cardoso to the ex-emir...yesterday

Halilu Targets Quarter 1, 2024 to Put NASENI Products in Nigerian Market Agency secures $200m deal with REA on renewable energy

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu, has said his vision for the agency’s products and technologies is to make them available in every household in Nigeria in the next few years.

Specifically, Halilu, who spoke during his maiden media interaction held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, noted that some tangible

products emanating from NASENI’s prototypes will be in the market through technology transfer arrangements by the first quarter of 2024.

“Expect some products from NASENI’s R&D efforts in Nigeria market during the first quarter of 2024,” he said.

The NASENI chief executive said expectations from stakeholders of NASENI are very high as its activities must ensure transparency and focus to assist the agency deliver on its mandate.

Report: Cybercriminals Successfully Encrypted Data in 75% of Ransomware Attacks in Health Sector

Emma Okonji

Sophos, a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, yesterday released its sector survey report titled: “The State of Ransomware in Healthcare 2023,” which revealed that, among those organisations surveyed, cybercriminals successfully encrypted data in nearly 75 per cent of ransomware attacks.

According to the report, this is the highest rate of encryption in the past three years and a significant increase from the 61 per cent of healthcare organizations that reported having their data encrypted last year.

In addition, only 24 per cent of healthcare organizations were able to disrupt a ransomware attack before the attackers encrypted their data - down from 34 per cent in 2022; this is the lowest rate of disruption reported by the sector over the past three years.

Analysing the report, the CTO at Sophos, Chester Wisniewski, said: “To me, the percentage of organisations that successfully stop an attack before encryption is a strong indicator of security maturity.

“For the health sector, however, this number is quite low - only 24 per cent and the number is declining, which suggests the sector is actively losing ground against cyberattackers and is increasingly unable to detect and stop an attack in progress."

Wisniewski added: “Part of the problem is that ransomware attacks

continue to grow in sophistication, and the attackers are speeding up their attack timelines. In the latest Active Adversary Report for Tech Leaders, we found that the median time from the start of a ransomware attack to detection was only five days.

“We also found that 90 per cent of ransomware attacks took place after regular business hours. The ransomware threat has simply become too complex for most companies to go at it alone.

“All organizations, especially those in healthcare, need to modernize their defensive approach to cybercrime, moving from being solely preventative to actively monitoring and investigating alerts 24/7 and securing outside help in the form of services like managed detection and response (MDR).”

Additional key findings from the report show that in 37 per cent of ransomware attacks where data was successfully encrypted, data was also stolen, suggesting a rise in the “double dip” method; Healthcare organisations are now taking longer to recover, with 47 per cent recovering in a week, compared to 54 per cenr last year.

Other key findings show that the overall number of ransomware attacks against healthcare organisations surveyed declined from 66 per cent in 2022 to 60 per cent this year; and compromised credentials were the number one root cause of ransomware attacks against healthcare organisations, followed by exploits.

According to him, part of his preoccupations since assuming office in September has been to give adequate attention to enhance the human capital potential of the agency through improved motivation for staff .

He explained that this is to enable them adjust to the transformations to be introduced in the system, stressing that stakeholders’ engagements and efforts to rebrand the agency around its products and technologies have remained top priorities.

The new NASENI chief executive said that the era of stacking prototypes on shelves had ended in the agency, saying that all its products and technologies must find their ways to the market.

“We are going to do a national rebranding to have footsteps of NASENI products in every household in the country. In the next few years this is what Nigerians should expect. We are no longer going to sit back to watch endless research and prototypes, keeping them on the shelves.

“We will take them to the market so that Nigerians can consume them. In fact, one of our next year plans is to have NASENI showrooms in key cities of the country.

“So that NASENI products are not things you view only on televisions but anyone could walk into our product outlets to experience those technologies that we’ve been talking about. And

that is another way we will be expecting the public to hold us accountable as part of the promises we made,” he added.

Halilu further stated that he met lots of wonderful researches with over 150 products at prototypes level when he came on board.

“However, the commercialisation aspects are very little. Coming from my background of manufacturing and technology innovation, I believe the whole essence of doing research is to transform it into meaningful products that will have impacts on the economy.

“We are going to do this through technology transfer. Ever since we made the announcement to go into technology transfer

particularly, especially the intention to have our products in the market, we have been receiving a lot of interests from private sector organisations looking out for our capacity,” he pointed out.

Halilu recalled that NASENI under him has rigorously been involved in lots of stakeholder engagements with many organisations showing interest in its activities for collaboration and products offtake.

One of such partners, he said was the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), for example, which had committed itself to a whopping $200 million procurement agreement with NASENI as long as the agency can produce the kind of products they consume.

House Moves to Stop Leakage of Classified Information from Security Agencies Urges NSA, IG to caution political parties against inciting statement ahead of Bayelsa poll Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has described the rate at which classified information spread on social media as disturbing.

It also lamented that unauthorised classified information and documents in the public domain was now almost at the discretion of government officials. To this end, the House described the unauthorised classified information in public domain as a national security issue that needed urgent intervention.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at plenary yesterday, by Hon. Adedeji Olajide.

Presenting the motion, the lawmaker observed that the primary aim of the government was to protect lives and property of its citizens, saying the rate at which classified and confidential documents find their way to public domain /social media prevent the curbing of insecurity across the nation.

Olajide, noted that security agents were being attacked by bandits while going for rapid response due to leak of information and national security

is also compromised.

He added: "Disturbed that the flow of unauthorised classified information’s and documents to the public domain is now almost at the discretions of government official, the rate at which classified information’s spread on the social media is disturbing."

The lawmaker said if the Chief of Army Staff could decry the leakage of classified documents appearing on social media, then there was a serious issue at hand, saying it was their duty as legislators to call for forensic investigation of all security agencies.

He also expressed worry that data leakages in the public sectors discredits the government, weakens the action plan and undermines the national security of the country.

The House, therefore, resolved to "Create a Joint Committee on, National Security Intelligence, Information Technology and Defence to; carry out a forensic data storage, data protection and flow of Information of all our security agencies.

"In addition, inspect the level of Data Security operated by Nigerian

Immigration Services, Nigerian Customs Services, Nigeria Identity Management Commission and other the Data collection."

Meanwhile, the House has called on the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to caution political parties and extract undertakings from all candidates, that would guarantee peace in Twon Brass and Bayelsa State ahead of the November 11 elections.

It also urged President Bola Tinubu to call all political parties’ candidates to order.

The Green Chamber further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to invest integrity in the conduct of the November 11 governorship elections in Bayesla, Imo and Kogi states.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to prevent breakdown of law and order in Bayelsa State, moved at the plenary yesterday, by Hon. Marie Ebikake.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker observed that inciting statements made by some party candidates during their campaigns on Saturday,

28th October, 2023, at Twon Brass in Brass local government area of Bayelsa state.

Ebikake, noted that specific instructions (captured on video), for supporters to kill or drown, at sea, anyone who ‘misbehaves’ on the 11th of November 2023.

The lawmaker expressed concern that their utterances were not political campaign statements, but a call to violence and disorderly conduct capable of disrupting law and order in Twon Brass and in Bayelsa State as a whole.

Gravely worried that if precautionary steps are not taken to call political candidates to order, their inciting statements, as in previous instances, will be interpreted as executive orders, by mindless political supporters, to cause pandemonium and mayhem calculated to disrupt the smooth conduct of the elections, endanger lives and property with devastating effects on the socio-political and economic gains already made in the local government area and in the state, in terms of peace, stability and economic development," Ebikake warned.

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SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES NEWLY BUILT OVERPASS OF THE LAGOS RAIL MASS TRANSIT...

L-R: Managing Director, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo; Olu of Iwaya, Oba Suleimon Owolabi; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and others during the unveiling of the plaque to officially commission the newly built Overpass of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project at Yaba…yesterday

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Yaba Flyover, Signifies Completion Phase of Lagos Red Line Project Warns users bridge is not a market place One of the four bridges being concurrently constructed by the Lagos State Government along the Red Line rail corridor - Yaba Flyover - is now open to traffic, birthing a new commuting and connectivity experience in the Lagos Mainland.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday commissioned the T-shaped overpass that will offer alternative route to access Ebute Metta, Oyingbo, Yaba and Surulere.

According to a press statement

issued Thursday by Gboyega Akoshile, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the project, undertaken by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has brought relief to motorists and commuters plying Yaba, as it has solved traffic

gridlock and delays associated with railway level crossing, which hitherto impeded free movement in the area.

The overpass bridge also eliminated pedestrian and vehicular interference on the rail tracks, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and collisions

between trains and vehicles.

An elated crowd of residents thronged the ceremony where the governor and members of the state’s cabinet gathered to formally inaugurate the project.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the

Nigeria May Get High-quality Fuel as Belgium Sets to Ban Dirty Products to Africa Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria is set to import more quality fuels as Belgium is set to shut the door on rising exports of low-quality gasoline and diesel to Nigeria and other West African countries .

Belgium a major exporter of petrol and other fuels to Nigeria, is following the Netherlands in tightening environmental rules, officials told Reuters.

The Amsterdam-RotterdamAntwerp (ARA) hub is the world's leading petrol exporting region and hosts some of Europe's largest oil refineries including plants operated

by TotalEnergies and Exxon Mobil.

In February 2022, a large consignment of imported petrol had to be withdrawn from the market in Nigeria, after it was found to have excessive levels of methanol, which was causing engine damage in vehicles.

A scandal at the time , it raised serious concerns over the regulation of fuel standards in Nigeria. Specifically, the fuel was from imported from Antwerp in Belgium, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

In 2021, Nigeria imported $11.3 billion in refined petroleum, becoming the 18th largest importer of refined petroleum in the world.

At the same year, Refined Petroleum was the 1st most imported product in Nigeria.

Nigeria imports of refined petrol during the year were: Netherlands ($3.62 billion), Belgium ($1.78 billion), Norway ($1.2 billion), India ($992 million), and United Kingdom ($760 million).

However, after the Netherlands introduced legislation in April to tighten the specification for its road fuels exports, Belgium's environment and energy ministries are now planning to introduce their own draft rules to tighten the quality of exported fuels.

That would further reduce northern Europe's role in supplying Africa with dirtier petrol and diesel, which have been proven to cause significant health problems, but may also lead to rising costs for poorer nations.

The office of Minister of Climate, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Green Deal Zakia Khattabi is working with Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten to prepare a royal decree to introduce the law, a spokesperson for Khattabi

told Reuters.

"It is evident that we must join forces and combine our expertise to halt the export of toxic fuels to third-party nations," Van der Straeten said in a statement.

The draft is expected to be ready within two weeks and, barring major political hurdles, could become law by February next year, the environment ministry said.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and a big importer of refined products from Europe, has in recent years cut sulphur content allowances for imported fuels.

However its current specification for gasoline remains at 150 sulphur parts per million (ppm), three times above Belgium's proposed limits.

The maximum allowed sulphur content for gasoline sold in the

European Union is 10ppm.

"There can be no double standards when it comes to products that pose environmental and health risks," Van der Straeten said.

The Belgian government began researching the legislation in part due to concerns that "part of the export of these fuels from the Netherlands would come to Belgium", Khattabi's spokesperson Mathias Bienstman said.

The Netherlands' share of Northwest Europe's exports to West Africa fell from around 47 per cent in the first quarter to just 15 per cent in October, according to tracking data from analytics firm Vortexa, while Belgium's share rose from 34 per cent in the first quarter to 65 per cent last month.

The earliest the decree could be

passed is February, the ministries hope, but the timeline will depend on the extent to which collaboration with the wider Belgian federal government, advisory council, and European Union is required.

While an implementation date has not yet been decided, it usually comes six months after the publication of a royal decree, Bienstman said.

One source at a trading company involved in the trade said that if Belgium follows the Netherlands in passing the legislation, blending activity will have to move elsewhere.

The source said offshore shipto-ship transfers off the Spanish coast or other Mediterranean islands could be used to blend cargoes for export to West Africa.

event marked the beginning of the completion phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line, which spans 37 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo.

He stressed the delivery of the infrastructure bore testament to his administration’s determination to develop and proffer sustainable solutions to transportation challenges facing the State.

The governor said the remaining overpasses at Ikeja, Mushin and Oyingbo were at their completion stages, disclosing that the bridges would be opened to traffic before the end of December 2023.

His words: “Today, we are witnessing another leap in the fulfillment of our promise under the Traffic Management and Transportation pillar of our development agenda.

“Three years ago, we undertook the task to construct four bridges across rail lines between Oyingbo and Ikeja, the objective to bring relief to our teeming residents by reducing congestion and improving travel time as well as the cost of commuting. Over the years, we recorded avoidable fatal accidents on railway crossings, most of the time due to human errors.

“Today, we are formally inaugurating a key component of the infrastructure projects initiated to bring about traffic improvement and solutions to the challenges encountered.

Drama as Senate Confirms Three More Resident Electoral Commissioners Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday, confirmed the appointment of the three remaining electoral commissioner nominees who were absent at the screening on Wednesday.

The new resident electoral Commissioners are, Bunmi Omoseyindemi (Lagos), Anugbum Onuoha (Rivers) and Isma’ila Kaura Moyi (Zamfara).

All the nominees were screened at the Committee of the Whole before their confirmation was announced.

President of the Senate,

Godswill Akpabio, caused a stir when he told his colleagues that the nominee from Lagos, Omoseyindemi, was a tradomedical practitioner, also, known as herbalist.

Omoseyindemi, also confirmed during the proper screening that he was a traditional medical practitioner.

The nominee said he studied traditional medicine at the University of Ibadan.

He also stated that he attended College of Nursing, University of Lagos.

Omoseyindemi, also said he established a medical facility in Lagos State.

He also said he belonged to different medical associations including World Health Organisation’s traditional medicine.

The nominee pledged to introduce innovation and strategic planning in the electoral process.

He said, "I observed that people have low apathy for elections. I will collaborate with the INEC chairman to embark on massive election education.

"Before we can have an election, people must participate. I have conducted two elections that the

opposition won and they were given their certificates."

On his part, Moyi, the nominee from Zamfara State, explained that he married four wives.

He also said he obtained his Bachelors and Master's Degree from Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

Moyi, added that he served as Chairman of a Local Government in Zamfara in 2011, before he was appointed as Special Adviser to former governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari.

He also said he served as Commissioner for Local

Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Zamfara.

Onuoha, the nominee from Rivers State, said he is an associate professor of law.

The nominee said he obtained his Bachelors, Masters and PhD from the Rivers State University.

Following their confirmation, the electoral commissioners are to serve for a term of five years each.

The Senate President announced the confirmation of the three resident electoral commissioners-designate after they were cleared through a voice vote at plenary

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GRAND OPENING OF GENESIS' HEAD OFFICE COMPLEX AND HOSPITALITY ACADEMY...

L-R: Prof Ngozi Orazulike; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Mr Simbi Wabote and Founder/Group Managing Director of Genesis Group, Dr Nnaeto Orazulike, during the grand opening of Genesis Head Office Complex and Hospitality Academy, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ... yesterday.

Wabote Inaugurates Genesis Group's Head Office Complex, Hospitality Academy in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, has inaugurated Genesis Head Office Complex and Hospitality Academy, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Performing the inauguration yesterday, Wabote said the company sets the bar high in every market it serves, with an encouragement to make an indelible impact on the

lives they touch.

He said Genesis Group had demonstrated strict compliance in both local and international best practices in safety, quality, and regulatory requirements by being the first indigenous catering firm to be certified as ISO 90001 and ISO 22000 compliant.

Wabote, noted that the company had successfully built an indigenous excellence leadership brand in the entertainment and hospitality industry

PTAD Boss Alleges Disgruntled Job Hunters against Her Reappointment Disgruntled people who lost out from being appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) are against my reappointment as Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme has said.

Ejikeme, said this while speaking with journalists yesterday.

She also said such persons were also not happy with the verification exercise by PTAD that led to the removal of over 50,000 ghost pensioners from payroll and the adjustment of inflated pension benefits by corrupt persons within pension offices of some government agencies in the past.

She stated that corruption that had been fought to a standstill under the old pension scheme; the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) was fighting back, especially because of her reappointment.

She said the corrupt elements in the pension system were determined to make her office unbearable hence the information making the rounds that pensioners were planning to protest.

She said genuine pensioners were happy with the work of the Directorate as many who were removed from payroll and replaced with ghost pensioners by the unscrupulous people had been brought back on payroll while others short paid are paid appropriately.

She added: “We deployed mobile verification to ensure no qualified pensioners are left uncaptured that has enabled us to eliminate over 50,000 ghost pensioners from the system.

“We carried out two major

removals of ineligible people from the payroll of parastatal pensioners.

The first one was done in 2019, when we did an assignment with the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System to ascertain people who have valid BVN and those who do not.

“When we did the removal, we created a complaint resolution channel for those who have genuine BVN to send their complaints to us. After the complaints came in, those that we have restored thousands back on payroll and we are saving millions daily from not paying pensions to those who do not have valid documentations.

“Through verification, PTAD has created a centralised database, complete with pensioners’ personal information, biometrics, and career documents. The database is the first of its kind in DBS history and as such its integrity is paramount,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reappointing Ejikeme as Executive Secretary of PTAD. The NUP also distanced itself from the talk of protest against her reappointment.

This was contained in a statement signed by the NationaI President, NUP, Godwin Abumisi.

The NUP which is the umbrella body of pensioners in Nigeria noted that the recent reappointment was one borne out of merit as Ejikeme had in the last four years rejuvenated the hopes of pensioners all over the country by her leadership style and professional disposition to the job.

with diverse interest in restaurants, hotels, industrial catering, cinemas, family entertainment centers, facility management and real estate.

He said thousands of Nigerian service companies were taking up the challenge to grow their outfits and contribute to the development of the Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.

According to the NCDMB's boss: "We currently have about 11,000 service companies registered in our NOGIC-JQS offering diverse services including engineering, fabrication, procurement, drilling services, logistics, exploration and seismic services, installation and commissioning, inspection and testing, project management, finance and insurance, catering and hospitality, and many others as listed in the Schedule of NOGICD Act (2010).

"We are here today to celebrate the achievement of one of these oil and gas service companies that have shown resilient for decades, and is steadily making its mark in the provision of top-notch services to diverse clientele not only in the oil and gas industry but also to other sector of the economy," he said.

He added, "Genesis Group is a Nigerian owned conglomerate established in 1991 with its key focus on catering, hospitality, and entertainment. Since its establishment, the Group has provided exceptional customer experience across its strategic business units (SBUs).

“Living on its Vision which is ‘To build a strong indigenous business

organisation that has a wide national coverage; to deliver best in class quality products and services through continuous innovation and exceptional customer experiences, while fulfilling its responsibilities to all stakeholders.”

Wabote stressed that the inauguration of the Genesis Group Corporate Head Office complex in Port Harcourt would further enhance the operational efficiency of the enterprise to provide superior service delivery to all its customers, adding that the training Academy to develop key competencies for junior and management staff and for youth empowerment is also a welcome development.

The Content Board Executive Secretary appreciated the International Oil Companies (IOCs) for their support in the successful implementation of Nigerian Content and encourage them and other oil and gas service providers to remain resolute as they jointly deliver the various aspects of the Nigerian Content journey that they will all be proud of.

Commending the visionary leadership of the Founder and Group Managing Director of Genesis Group, Dr. Nnaeto Orazulike, Wabote said: "The Genesis brand has become renowned throughout the length and breadth of the country and beyond.

“The Group continues to contribute significantly to the growth of the Nigerian oil and gas sector while constantly exceeding her clients’ expectations without

compromising on safety, reliability and integrity in all her operations."

The company's management had disclosed that since its inception in 1991, they have relentlessly pursued the vision of creating a robust indigenous business organisation with a broad national footprint.

"Today, Genesis stand tall with 30 restaurants across eight states,12 cinemas spanning two countries, seven hotels strategically positioned in the nation, and an impressive feat of serving over 10,000 meals daily, all made possible by the engagement of over 2,500 regular employees," he added.

The group disclosed that the testament of their unyielding pursuit of excellence was the recent attainment of both Food Safety Management System (FSMS) ISO 22000:2018 and Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 certifications, saying that the certifications recognise their commitment and validate their adherence to the highest standards of quality, food safety, and customer satisfaction.

In his welcome address, at the event which attracted personalities from IOCs, indigenous investors, government, NCDMB, and others, Orazulike, said their biggest achievement was their investment on human capital development, which according to him had impacted so many lives.

Commending the NCDMB's resilience in ensuring the growth in indigenous investment in the country, Orazulike stressed that the agency's initiatives have not been

mere regulations, but have become catalysts for change, propelling the nation and the industry into new realms of prosperity.

Orazulike, who expressed joy that the company had continued to improve and invest to remain relevant as the world and economy changes, said "Just like the name denotes Genesis is always at the forefront in the hospitality industry, we were the first indigenous company to be ISO 9001 & 22001 certified by the prestigious SGS Swiss certifying authorities."

He said "We employed over 2500 people, developing the Nigerian economy; we are building restaurants, hotels, cinemas. The other main important thing we are doing and we want to showcase, is training the youth.

“We built a training academy here. It will start first by training our own people to do it very well, then it will go further to train others in Niger Delta.

"I started this thing at 21 years old, and I have been able to grow it like this, both as a way of giving back. Almost everywhere, any big hotel I see somebody who worked in Genesis, and they are opening doors for me. It is goodwill, human capital development.

"We are 32 years operational now.

From 1990 when it was conceived, it came operational in 1991. I started in Enugu, but Rivers State has given me a good space to nurture my business.

I am now across the country: Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Warri, Benin, Asaba, others.

Unizik Suspends Staff for Forging Degree, NYSC Certificates David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has suspended a member of staff of the institution, Nwafor Ogbonnaya Nwesuzor, over allegation of certificate forgery.

A press release by the Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor on Public Relations and Special Duties, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, stated that Nwafor allegedly forged his degree and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate in his desperation to secure a job in the university.

Nwafor, ran into trouble when he wrote to the university, requesting to change his degree result.

Ojukwu, said Nwafor had been

suspended from the employment of the university for six months while his case would undergo other processes before final disposal action.

The statement read in part, "The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone has approved the immediate suspension of Nwafor Osborne Ogbonnaya (Nwafor Ogbonnaya Nwesuzor) over allegations of presentation of forged and fake degree result to the university.

"In a bid to secure employment in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nwafor Osborne Ogbonnaya whose real name is Nwafor Ogbonnaya Nwesuzor abandoned his undergraduate programme and

forged the university statement of result and a letter of exclusion from the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).

"He later went ahead to complete his degree programme.

"The whole scenario emanated when Mr. Nwafor Osborne Ogbonnaya wrote to the university requesting to change his degree result.

"The new result he submitted bears different name, Nwafor Ogbonnaya Nwesuzor and different class of degree and this resulted in suspicion.”

It added: "Upon further investigation, it was discovered that this staff forged his degree result and letter of exclusion from the NYSC based on the obvious

disparity between the documents he submitted originally and the new documents he was trying to substitute.

"The class of degree in both results presented varies, the forged statement of result with the name Nwafor Osborne Ogbonnaya bears second class lower division while the original result with the name Nwafor Ogbonnaya Nwesuzor bears third class.

"In following due process, the Vice Chancellor in exercising his powers based on the university rules and regulation approved his immediate suspension from the employment of the University for six months while his case undergoes other processes in the University before final disposal action," Ojukwu stated.

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THE 19TH JUSTICE IDIGBE MEMORIAL LECTURE …

L-R: Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa; Deputy Vice - Chancellor, University of Benin, Ekehuan Campus, Prof. Buniyamin Ayinde; Guest Lecturer & immediate past Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; immediate past Minister of State for Budget & National Planning and representative of the late Justice Idigbe Family, Clem Agba; a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Edo State, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, and current Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Edo State, Mr Oluwole Osaze - Uzzi, shortly after the 19th Justice Idigbe Memorial Lecture held in Benin City, Edo State…recently

Tinubu to APC: Ensure Hitch-free Conduct of Off-season Guber Polls in Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Hands APC flags to Uzodimma, Ododo, Sylva

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has charged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that

the forthcoming off-season gubernatorial polls go smoothly in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

Tinubu, who gave the charge yesterday, while presenting the

APC's flags to candidates of the party in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States, also said he was confident the party would do well in the November 11 elections.

Those that received the party's flags were Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo, who is seeking a re-election; Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa and Usman Ododo for

WHO Urges Radical Push to Improve Primary Healthcare Services in Nigeria Says more Nigerians falling into poverty due to ill health Declares health situation in Nigeria requires uncommon approaches to make remarkable difference Fayemi recommends compulsory medical practice in Nigeria for fresh medical personnel before travelling overseas Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Amidst concerns over the country's poor health indicators, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended making a radical shift towards primary healthcare as a means of attaining universal health coverage and health security.

WHO, said with ongoing increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases, multiple disease outbreaks and the highest out-of-pocket expenditure on health in the region, more Nigerians were falling into poverty due to ill health while many do not have access to the quality essential health services they need.

In a message presented by WHO Representative in Nigeria Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, at the induction ceremony of the newly appointed State Commissioners of Health, the organisation said there was need, "to shift focus from mere concepts to actions with demonstrable results, for

greater resilience in the health sector, even in the face of emergencies."

Mulombo, said the health situation in Nigeria required uncommon approaches to make a remarkable difference.

He said: "Rising from the international conference to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Alma-Ata and fifth anniversary of Astana declarations on primary health care in Astana Kazakhstan, last week, countries have recommitted themselves to making a radical shift towards Primary Healthcare as the foundation of UHC and health security.

"This indeed entails shifting focus from mere concepts to actions with demonstrable results, for greater resilience in the health sector, even in the face of emergencies."

The WHO Representative described the event as critical having been designed to equip the new health leaders with the clear perspectives required for the

effective discharge of their duties in line with the renewed hope agenda of this government.

"As leaders of the health sector very close to the people, it is demanded of you now more than ever, to keep PHC high on the agenda of your governments and ensure priority investment in its development," he added.

He noted that, “with the ongoing increase in the burden of non- communicable diseases on the background of high burden of communicable diseases, multiple outbreaks, and the highest out-ofpocket expenditure on health in the region, more Nigerians are falling into poverty due to ill health while many do not have access to the quality essential health services they need.”

He stressed that rising from the international conference to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Alma-Ata and 5th anniversary of Astana declarations on primary health

care in Astana Kazakhstan, last week, countries have recommitted themselves to making a radical shift towards Primary Healthcare as the foundation of UHC and health security.

Meanwhile, as a way of curbing medical brain drain in Nigeria, former Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has suggested that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) withhold the licences of all medical practitioner for at least three years to enable them practice in Nigeria before travelling out to other country.

He also suggested that the beneficiary countries should pay for the licenced medical practitioners that they would be inheriting.

Fayemi, who delivered a keynote address at the occasion said, "I just talked about health workers. Today this morning I read one newspaper saying 7000 pharmacists have left.

FCTA Approves Funds for Maintenance of National Mosque, National Christian Centre Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday announced the approval of funds for the maintenance of the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre.

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this during a scheduled inspection to the two

national monuments, expressing satisfaction with work done at the two places of worship despite the initial stoppage of work by contractors.

Wike said the Christian Centre had requested funds for Phase 2 of the renovation, adding that he would seek audience with President Bola Tinubu for more funds if the FCT does not have

the funds to complete the project.

"Jobs were awarded for the maintenance of the two national monuments, which is the mosque and the church, and the jobs stopped because there were additional works that ought to be done.

"I'm satisfied with all I have seen today and I have given the approval that the money should

be released to the contractors to complete the additional project," Wike said.

He stressed that the maintenance of both religious centres were part of Tinubu's renewed hope agenda, adding that the president was not against any religion, but was interested in inclusivity for persons of both faiths.

Kogi State.

Addressing the candidates before giving them the flags, the President said, ''I want to thank the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is working hard to ensure the handover to our elected candidate, Usman Ododo.

"We are happy to have Hope Uzodinma, the great hope of our party and the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum.

Thank you for the good job you are doing. ''Timipre Sylva congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister. ''We are all facing the crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope and we have Hope Uzodinma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious. ''I want to thank the active national leadership of our NWC and our hardworking Chairman.

He is doing a good job and I thank him very much", he said.

Shortly before handing the flags out to each candidate, Tinubu

again said, ''all I am pleading is for free and fair elections. I believe we will do well."

The event, which held inside the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, had in attendance the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), and some guests of the candidates.

Speaking earlier, the APC National Chairman commended the President for endorsing the candidates and for taking time out of his busy schedule to present the flags to them.

According to Ganduje: "In order to fulfill all the arrangements and the regulations, INEC has already provided a timetable and the election is holding on 11th November 2023. Therefore, APC as a ruling party, has produced its gubernatorial candidates.

"We visited the three states and inaugurated the campaign councils. Today, Mr. President has given his endorsements and also provided the flags to the three gubernatorial candidates."

Kano/Jigawa Customs Generated N38.8bn in 10 Months, Seized N300m Prohibited Items Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

The Comptroller of the Kano/ Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dauda Ibrahim Chana, has said the Command generated N5.6 billion in September as a result of new strategies it adopted.

This was disclosed by the Comptroller during an interview with journalists in his office yesterday, in Kano.

According to him, the Command seized prohibited items worth about N300 million in the last 10 months.

"We have seized 2,681 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1,421 spaghetti, 419 bales of second-hand clothes, 250 gallons of vegetable oil of 25 litres each, 172 pieces of powered milky, and many others were collected from January to date.

"We have also since reached out to residents of Maigatari, Jeke, and Babura border posts in Jigawa State to compliment the efforts of our personnel manning the border

posts with information that could aid in apprehending all this involved in the illegal businesses," he said.

Chana, vowed to boost and enhance trade facilitation, revenue generation, as well as border security in line with the directives of the management of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He added, "We have also partnered with traditional rulers in border communities to assist our personnel deploy reliable information on the movement of smugglers," he said.

The Area comptroller said officers at the border areas had been briefed on how the partnership would assist them in arresting smugglers.

He said already the Command had put in place various security measures that would ensure goods coming into its areas of jurisdiction paid duties.

He further explained that their officers had been at strategic locations to deal decisively with all those involved in sharp practices and illegal businesses.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2023

16

POLITICS

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

FIDA Nigeria Galvanizes Support for Speedy Trial of Corruption Cases The need for effective collaboration by critical stakeholders, constitutional amendments in giving effect to the nation’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law was the consensus of critical stakeholders in the justice sector, writes Alex Enumah.

I

mmediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, is famous with the statement, “if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us”.

The harm corruption does to any country or society, is best imagined, hence successive government put in place machineries to reduce or completely tackle corruption, besides the country’s laws.

The slow pace of justice delivery in Nigeria, especially occasioned by cases involving the wealthy and politically exposed persons necessitated the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in 2015. Since then all states in the federation have domesticated the law to enhance justice delivery in their respective states.

Among the great innovations introduced by the Act is Section 396(7) which donates power to an elevated Judge to return to the former court in which he presided to continue and deliver judgment on part-heard criminal matters. The intent was to prevent a situation where a matter that has been heard by Judge A, for say three years from starting afresh by Judge B, because Judge A has been elevated to a higher court.

Unfortunately, as laudable as the section was, it was recently struck down by the Supreme Court in the Ude Jones v FRN case for being at variance with the Constitution of the country, hence, was declared unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

The decision of the Supreme Court left many criminal justice actors and stakeholders bewildered and at a loss as to how to achieve the speedy trial objectives of the ACJA/L since the hallmark provision guaranteeing same had just been struck down by the Court.

Burdened by the setback occasioned by the position of the apex court and other factors clogging Nigeria’s wheel of justice, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria with funding from MacArthur Foundation, recently embarked on a Nation-wide campaign to ensure the gains of the ACJA/L are not lost on the nation.

The organisation held series of debate workshops in five states of the Federation which include Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Kano, Rivers snd FCT. In these states, FIDA Nigeria interacted with criminal justice actors and stakeholders such as the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Council, Human Rights, Correctional Service, Nigerian Bar Associatio, CSOs and the media, among others.

Through these workshops, FIDA Nigeria has been able to garner inputs and harness the efforts of criminal justice actors in resolving this impasse by debating on the implications of the unconstitutionality of Section 396(7) will have on litigants in respect of speedy trials especially relating to corruption cases across various courts.

The debate workshops focused on a collection of discussions ranging from the opinion of stakeholders as it relates to the Supreme Court Judgement in the Orji Kalu’s case, the challenges in implementing speedy trial provisions, recommendations that would enhance implementing these provisions and many more.

Some of the challenges identified to impugn on the speedy trial of cases include; a) Congestion of Court Dockets leading to general inefficiency of the Judiciary and the inability of the Judges and Magistrates to conclude any case within a reasonable timeframe. b) Inadequate number of Judges and Magistrates to deal with the high case load and the high volume of emerging cases. c) Unfamiliarity and inexperience with the entire context and gamut of corruption trials by some members of the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, NBA etc; thus making them slightly incapable to handle those trials very effectively. d) Sparse tools for research, training and personal development readily available to the Judges, Magistrates, and Prosecutors, etc. e) Frequent transfer and elevation of Judges and Magistrates rendering them largely unable

to conclude part-heard criminal cases after such transfer or elevation. f) Heavy reliance on manual recording of court proceedings by Judges and Magistrates thus slowing down the pace of trial. g) Frequent court adjournments at the instance

of the Court, Prosecution, Defence and Correctional Service. h) Insufficient welfare packages and general incentives that serve as workplace motivation for the Judges, Magistrates, Prosecutors, Corrections officers and criminal justice stakeholders at large.

i) Infrastructural and technological deficits at the Courts, Correctional Service, Police/LEA’s and other criminal justice institutions. j) Underdeveloped witness support and protection scheme in Nigeria which makes it difficult to secure the attendance of witnesses in court and their protection during and after the trial. k) Inadequate preparation for trials by Prosecutors and Defence Counsel. l) Poor synergy and lack of co-operation by criminal justice stakeholders especially amongst the Police/LEA’s. m) Lack of necessary political and institutional will to drive speedy trial reforms. n) Frequent political and administrative interference that impugn on the smooth investigation and trial of cases. o) Lack of comprehensive criminal justice database that can help the courts and LEA’s to properly track the criminal records of defendants and suspects. p) Inadequate number prosecutors to diligently prosecute the high number of cases. q) Heavy reliance on trial-within-trial by prosecutors and defence counsel which lengthens the overall duration of the trial. r) Poor bail regime which makes it easy for defendants to jump bail thereby stalling the trial in some cases.

Based on the above, the following recommendations were made by the stakeholders on how to best achieve the intent and spirit of section 396(7) and promote speedy trial of cases in Nigeria; a) The heads of court and other relevant institutions should advocate for the appointment of more Judges, Magistrates and recruitment of more Prosecutors to reduce the overall number of cases each handles.

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

Lessons Tinubu Govt Can Learn From Chinese Tax Reforms Oche Egwa writes that Nigeria has a lot to gain from the comprehensive tax reforms currently being carried out in the Provinces of the Peoples Republic of China.

B

y nature, most people would like to dodge payment of taxes if the system allows it. It’s not surprising that some easily agree with the saying that tax collectors rarely have many friends. But, for governments, taxes are a major policy instrument for shaping, and reshaping, the economic destinies of their countries.

In this regard, President Bola Tinubu’s sense of urgency can be understood.

At his inauguration on May 29th, 2023, economic transformation topped the President’s agenda. With the historic precedence in Lagos State as a former Governor (1999-2007), the President knows the dynamics, and centrality of fiscal and tax reforms in dictating the vibrancy, competitiveness and inclusiveness of an economy, especially in tackling debilitating poverty.

Barely a month into office, the President had swung into action, appointing a seasoned and national award-winning career officer,Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, as Acting Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), which was roundly applauded. Adeniyi was confirmed four months later, in October, 2023,for making a clear difference in revenue generation, trade facilitation and staff motivation.

To further improve the reforms, the President changed the gatekeeper of another major revenue earner, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), by appointing his former Special Adviser on Revenue, Zacch Adedeji, a firstclass graduate of Accountancy, as the acting Chairman/CEO of that agency.

Adedeji, at a young age, served as Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State under the late

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, bringing on board a wealth of experience on tax reforms. Adedeji was confirmed by the Senate on October 31.

Walking his vision for economic turnaround, President Tinubu inaugurated an all-inclusive Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by a renowned expert, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.

To avoid a trickling-down, and enhance implementations, the committee captured the critical people in the various sectors of the economy, including farmers, traders and students. The mandate was clear: simplify the tax system for more efficiency and effectiveness.

In less than two months, the committee tendered its report on October 24th, 2023, detailing the “Quick-wins’’ that will ameliorate noticeable burdens within a month.

The President had directed reduction of

tax regimes to a single digit, following the disclosure by the Chairman of the committee that Nigerian economy was struggling with 60 legal taxes, across the federal, state and local councils, and additional illegal taxes that brought the total to about 200, which was clearly a disincentive to starting and growing businesses, particularly to the lifeblood of economies, small and medium enterprises.

While the tax reforms were going on Nigeria, at a study tour, October 10-30, 2023, organized by the Peoples Republic of China, in Beijing, with focus on Public Finance and Government Budgets for Developing Countries, Prof. Young Ho, said regular tax reforms were redemptive measures by governments, citing oft-celebrated lifting of 700 million Chinese citizens out of poverty.

Sharing the Chinese experience with participants from ten countries, including Nigeria and bureaucrats from the African Union (AU), Prof. Ho, who is an Associate Dean, School of Public Finance and Taxation, at the Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, said tax reforms must be regular, and purposeful to reflect the vision and direction of governments.

Other participants at the conference were drawn from Rwanda, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Tajikistan, Oman, Pakistan and Kenya.

-Egwa is Assistant Director of Information in The Presidency NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

17

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

N O V E M B E R

S & P INDEX

2 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Report: Rising Inflation Contracted Economic Productivity in October Dike Onwuamaeze The steep inflationary environment depressed individual and households demand for goods and services in October and caused the Nigerian economy to contract during the month as it constrained firms in the private sector from purchasing inputs, completing existing orders and acted to depress customer demand.

This was disclosed in the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report of the Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, which showed that the

productivity of the private sector deteriorated to 49.1 in the month of October when compared to the 51.1 points it recorded in September.

The PMI report stated that companies in Nigeria recorded a second reduction in business activity in the past three months, with the solid fall in October being the sharpest since the cash crisis earlier in the year.

It added that strong inflationary pressures and an associated reduction in sales were behind the drop in output as business

activity decreased in the wholesale and retail and services categories, but increased in manufacturing and agriculture.

It said: “Lower new orders and high prices for inputs led companies to reduce their purchasing activity for the first time in seven months.

In some cases an inability to secure inputs led to delays in the completion of projects. Elsewhere, customers had missed payments.

As a result, backlogs of work increased for the second month running and to the largest extent since February.”

According to the PMI, readings above 50.0 signaled an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show deterioration.

According to the Head of Equity Research, West Africa Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr.Oni, “The Nigerian private sector dipped into contraction in October as a record increase in input costs impacted customer demand.

“Sharply rising prices also discouraged firms from purchasing inputs and caused delays in the completion of orders. On a more

positive note, employment continued to rise amid company expansion plans.

“The headline PMI dropped below the 50.0 no-change mark for the first time in seven months in October, thereby signaling deterioration in business conditions in the private sector. At 49.1, the index was down from September’s reading of 51.1 and signaled a slight worsening of operating conditions.”

Oni said that the major challenge operators in the private sector faced in October was the sharpest rise in overall input prices since the

survey began almost a decade ago.

According to him, “purchase costs were up rapidly, largely due to currency weakness but also the lingering impacts of the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“Meanwhile, the extent of the rise in living costs, particularly those related to transportation, led companies to increase their staff pays markedly in October.

Moreover, the rate of inflation hit a new survey peak.”

The story continues online on

www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Optiva Capital Partners Executive Management - Jane Kimemia, CEO; Franklin Nechi, Chairman; Amaka Okeke, ED; at an interactive session with select Business Editors in Lagos… recently

Stakeholders: Airlines, Aviation Agencies Lose over N10bn Annually over Flight Delays Chinedu Eze Aviation industry stakeholders have said that airlines and aviation agencies lose over N10 billion annually to flight delays, while calling for caution and possible solution to address the losses.

The stakeholders who spoke to THISDAY said the aviation industry in Nigeria seemed not prepared for efficient flight operations because the factors that lead to delays and cancellations of flights in Nigeria are the same factors that other countries have overcome with specialised

equipment and efficient services.

But in Nigeria, the modern, stateof-the-art equipment has not been maximized, hence the high number of flight delays and cancelation in the country.

The Managing Director of Flight and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, told THISDAY that airlines lose huge revenue anytime there is flight delay that lasted over an hour because the airline would lose one rotation.

A rotation is when an aircraft is scheduled to fly, for example, LagosAbuja-Calabar and it is programmed

to operate six rotations a day, but when the aircraft loses one hour in flight rotation, it is now left to fly five rotations.

The airline loses about N12 million to N14 million revenue if a flight loses one rotation and the frequency of delays in Nigeria’s aviation industry indicates that airlines lose over 10 billion annually along with aviation agencies like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), which earn zero revenue when a flight does not operate.

Akpan also said that flight delays and cancellation also lead to poor aircraft utilization because an aircraft like a Boeing B737 is expected to be “flogged” about 16 hours a day but to keep the aircraft healthy, it ought to operate at least eight hours a day, but flight time in Nigeria is limited, which is largely 6:00 am to 6:00 pm to many airports, especially daylight airports; the aircraft struggles to meet adequate utilization.

“Once there is flight delay beyond one hour the airline loses a lot of money. It will lose money when it refunds the passengers, the airline

suffers image damage, the brand suffers and the airline will lose money because it will not meet its utilization plan for the month. The airline loses money on fixed costs like aircraft insurance; operational costs and the only area it will not lose money is on fuel and food,” Akpan said.

He said that whether the aircraft operates or not the airline will pay aircraft insurance after it has lost huge revenue; so, the airline’s projections will not be met.

“You will still pay for insurance, pay for the crew and this is why

flight delays and flight cancelations are traumatizing to the manager of the airline because most of the causes of the delays are beyond his control. The airline does not want delays to happen but it is happening. Airline is not responsible for sunset airports; they are not responsible for low visibility, poor weather, but I think that airports should have equipment that counter some natural forces like the weather.

The story continues online on

www.thisdaylive.com

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS Change Updated Time DESCRIPTION Price Yield (%) ^13.53 23-36, November 101.40 12.14 MAR-2025 00 2, 2023 ^12.50 22-12, November 99.00 13.00 JAN-2026 00 2, 2023 ^16.2884 November 108.14 13.23 -1,00 17-MAR-27 2, 2023 ^13.98 23November 99.81 14.02 -6,00 FEB-2028 2, 2023 ^14.55 26November 98.98 14.82 -5,00 APR-2029 2, 2023

BILLS

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

MATURITY

Discount Yield

NTB 26-Oct23 NTB 9-Nov23 NTB 7-Dec23 NTB 25-Jan24

1.80

1.80

Change (%) Updated Time November 0.00 2, 2023

MATURITY

2.57

2.57

November 0.00 2, 2023

3.92

3.94

November 0.00 2, 2023

3.50

3.53

November 0.00 2, 2023

JULI CP II 25-OCT-23 ZEDC CP I 17-NOV-23 NSDL CP IIA 22-NOV-23 MTNN CP V 23-NOV-23

NTB 8-Feb24

4.39

4.45

November 0.00 2, 2023

NSDL CP IIB 23-NOV-23

Change Time Discount Yield (%) November 0.00 2, 16.95 17.00 2023 November 14.71 14.89 0.00 2, 2023 November 19.25 19.60 0.00 2, 2023 November 11.27 11.39 0.00 2, 2023 19.24

19.60

November 0.00 2, 2023

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS OCT 1 – 30 2024 NGUS NOV 2 – 27 2024 NGUS DEC 3 – 24 2024 NGUS JAN 4 – 29 2025 NGUS FEB 5 – 26 2025

Date

November 2, 2023 November 2, 2023 November 2, 2023 November 2, 2023 November 2, 2023

18

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

Travelstart, Uber Partner to Ease Cost of Flights, Airport Movement Chinedu Eze Travelstart, a major online travel agency in Nigeria is partnering with Uber, which connects independent drivers with riders, to bring down the cost of flight ticket and the drive to the airport in order to encourage people to travel.

Country Manager, Travelstart, Bukky Akomolafe, explained that the partnership is aimed at bringing down the cost of flight ticket and movement to the airport to encourage people to travel, especially during the holidays.

She acknowledged the difficulty being faced by potential travellers due to high cost of ticket, the high exchange rate and said that Travelstart has made booking easy and cheaper and when you book your flights through the agency it automatically offers you a ride on Uber to the airport at very affordable rate,

“What motivated this partnership was really a core understanding of what everyone in the country is going through. We have been talking about flight prices, we have been talking about the foreign exchange and how it’s going up and how that directly has an impact on flight prices. So, what we at Travelstart wanted to do was to ease the burden. And we thought one of the ways that we can ease the burden is about trying to make the flights as cheap as possible given the landscape that we are in today,” she said.

Also speaking, the Uber Country Manager, Mr. Tope Akinwumi, said the partnership means so much for the drivers and the riders because this is an opportunity to bring down the cost of travel to the airport by taking advantage of this partnership.

Travellerswho book their flights with Travelstart will benefit from the partnership.

“We are going into the holiday

season. What we know is that people want to spend time with their families, they want to go on trips for vacation and we want to make that as cost-effective as possible for these people. We have the different stakeholders in Uber today, we have both the drivers and we have the riders. The first step to doing that is that the trip from your house to the airport, you want to make it cheaper. That is why we are offering that discount in partnership with Travelstart.

“So, as long as you are booking a flight ticket on Travelstart you get a percentage of your trip to the airport and from the airport to wherever you are going to. But then for people that use Uber more frequently, we have a competition going on from today to mid-December. So, the top three riders on the Uber get a free return ticket for domestic travel, whether you are going to Abuja or Lagos, that is paid fully by Travelstart,”

A I R WATCH Why Aviation Security Needs more Personnel, Training

Emir of Kano Lauds Air Peace over Launch of Jeddah Service West and Central Africa’s largest airline, Air Peace, has expanded its Asian footprints with the commencement of direct scheduled commercial flights into Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on October 31, 2023.

This is as the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has lauded the airline’s giant strides.

The inaugural flight, operated with one of the airline’s B777s, was airborne from Kano at 23:22hrs with 231 passengers on Tuesday.

Air Peace, before now, has been operating charter flights to Saudi Arabia, airlifting Muslim pilgrims.

But this inaugural flight officially kicked off its scheduled operations into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, described the entry into Jeddah as ‘another milestone recorded in the annals of Nigeria’s aviation history’, stating that Jeddah

is the airline’s sixth international destination in just nine years of launching commercial flight operations.

He noted that with the entry into Jeddah, Air Peace has increased its presence on the Asian continent.

“This is huge, not just for Air Peace but for Nigeria. We are undoubtedly exemplifying our ambition of connecting Nigeria to the world with world-class flight services. Air Peace is on a mission to easing the air travel burden for Nigerians and plugging the connectivity gaps that have hitherto existed. We are happy to be serving as a means of solidifying socio-economic ties between Nigeria and other countries of the world,” he said.

Onyema said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have co-existed smoothly, with religious tourism being a key

driver of this relationship and stressed that with the launch of scheduled nonstop flights to Jeddah, the airline hopes to further deepen the bilateral ties between both countries, boost both economies and advance mutual development.

The Air Peace Chairman expressed gratitude to the Emir of Kano, who felicitated with the airline during its recent 9th Anniversary. Describing the Emir as a bridge-builder, Onyema applauded him for his contributions to nation-building, adding that the nation needs more of such people.

In his remarks, the Emir congratulated Air Peace for the Jeddah launch and lauded the airline for always blazing the trail in Nigeria’s aviation industry. He further commended Onyema for the impact he is creating in Nigeria through Air Peace.

British Airways Brings Afrobeats to Flyers though Partnership British Airways has announced that it is bringing Nigerian-born musician Cuppy’s Afrobeats to flyers, with an exclusive playlist available onboard from November 1. Londoner Cuppy, whose DJ skills have taken her to over 30 countries across the globe, has curated her top tracks for the airline’s inflight entertainment system.

To celebrate the increase in the number of flights between Africa and London with the launch of British Airways’ new route from Accra to London Gatwick - in addition to its daily services to London Heathrow - Cuppy has created a playlist that transports travellers to a far-away paradise before their flight has even touched down.

Customers across British Airways’ entire long-haul network will be able

to enjoy tracks including “Jollof on The Jet” and “Feel Good”, blending spicy African beats with hip hop and reggae.

DJ Cuppy, said: “Like British Airways, music has the power to transport us to different places around the world so I’m super excited to partner with them on their first ever Afrobeats playlist, bringing feel-good vibes right to flyers’ seats. I’m pleased to add this exclusive mix to their extensive music collection and hope customers sit back, plug in their headphones and turn the volume up.”

British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said: “Enjoying the latest music, films and boxsets is one of the things our customers most look forward

to when they fly with us, so we’re really pleased to partner with Cuppy and bring more exclusive mixes to flyers’ fingertips. This year we’ve doubled the entertainment content available on board and music lovers can settle in and enjoy curated playlists and popular podcasts from every genre.”

This week, the airline launched a new route from Accra to London Gatwick, joining the existing daily service to London Heathrow and giving travellers more choice of flight times and airports. Flights depart Accra at 21.20 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, landing into Gatwick at 04.00. A fourth weekly service will be added to the route timetable from April next year.

Jeni and Keni Kids’ Animation Debuts to Stimulate Digital Learning Emma Okonji A new educational and entertainment animation developed around the Nigerian culture and designed to enhance digital learning among school children within the age bracket of one year to six years, has been launched.

The animation, which was developed with familiar Nigerian and African songs, is currently trending on YouTube and Facebook, and was designed to bridge the gap in African kid’s entertainment cartoon music videos, African stories, mobile games and kid’s karaoke, all made in Africa for children all over the world.

The kid’s animation, which was launched at the Ebony Live VIP

Cinema in Lagos on Wednesday, was developed by House of Ajebo, Africa’s most followed cartoon brand on YouTube.

Speaking at the launch, the CEO, House of Ajebo Ent Ltd, Mr. Emeka Erem, said although the kid’s animation was primarily designed for school children between one to six years, but explained that pupils that have reached up to 10 years could still find the animation instructive for learning because of the games and other educational materials embedded in it.

According to him, the animation was designed to address some specific challenges that have affected the Nigerian and African culture for ages.

“Most educational materials in Nigerian and African schools are tilted towards the western culture, which make African children to believe that the western culture is superior to the African culture.

That narrative has to change and the Jeni and Keni kid’s animation is designed to address all of that,” Erem said.

Other challenges that the animation seeks to address are originality in children’s spoken language and critical thinking; deep understanding of African songs and music; children identity as |Nigerians and Africans; to inculcate the African values in children; to encourage team work and collaboration as well as discipline; among others.

Chinedu Eze Aviation security is one of the critical areas of aviation, which determines the certification and rating of any airport in the world.

Aviation security plays the important role of ensuring the security of passengers and other airport users and the Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials need to be in adequate number, according to the category of the airport, and they also need to be exposed to training and retraining at regular intervals.

Aviation security is Annex 17 in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The world body said the most important legislative function performed by ICAO is the formulation and adoption of Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPS) for international civil aviation.

These are incorporated into the 19 technical annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention.

Recently aviation security stakeholders under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) identified factors, which impede and threaten airport security and called for the recruitment of more AVSEC personnel and reinforced training of personnel in addition to adequate remuneration for the sensitive job they do.

Some of these factors include insider threat, which they noted portends potential internal risk to airlines and airports. They also identified civil unrest and wars, which they noted threaten flights in the airspace of conflict zones. They also identified misinformation about flight schedules as one of the factors that causes insecurity at Nigeria’s airports.

These were brought to the fore during the safety week organised by the FAAN with the theme: ‘Promoting Staff working behind the scenes for Aviation Safety’.

In a presentation, a former General Manager at the Aviation Security department of FAAN, Dr. Hope Bassey, who presented a paper narrated how she suffered multiple miscarriages as a result of the stress she passed through as an AVSEC staff.

She explained that aviation security is about the protection of air navigation and airport facilities, aircraft, passengers, crew, members of the public, cabin and hold baggage, cargo mail, and catering supplies from criminals and their acts of sabotage, hijacking, or terrorism.

Bassey excoriated the system, saying that AVSEC workers are usually overlooked and underappreciated despite the fact that they undergo the most stressful work, which she said led to the demise of some of the staff. She observed that aviation security threats and hazards manifest themselves in different forms but that one of the most important ways to avert it is by ensuring that security officials are given enough incentives to ensure that they carry out their duties effectively.

“Aviation security threats and hazards manifest themselves in different forms such as: Insider threats presenting potential internal risks to airlines and airport authorities, civil unrest and war impacting aircrew in airspace with conflicts zones, misinformation about flight schedules, inadequately documented passengers and cases,” Bassey said.

She further said shortage of manpower makes existing personnel to over work themselves and this leads to stress, ill-health and sometimes untimely death.

She also identified actions by both passengers and airport staff, aircraft noise, undulating weather, sensitive materials (touch, smell), frequent bending

to load bags into the X-ray machine, and frisking of numerous passengers (pat-down), and other forms of screening constitute implicit hazard to the health of AVSEC personnel.

She suggested counter measures the industry needs to take, noting, “Access control, screening, protection of aircraft. Most proactive hazards identification methods are: Surveys, audits, inspections, tests workplace inspection checklist with relevant industry hazards.”

During brainstorming section, there were different suggestions posed by industry observers who attended the safety week. Some of the suggestions indicated that FAAN could undertake life insurance for the AVSEC personnel to ensure that if they are permanently injured on duty or in the case of death there would be adequate compensation to the family of those personnel.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of FAAN, Kabir Yusuf, said: “This event is a great opportunity for colleagues and friends to come together and learn about a pertinent aspect of the aviation industry. Safety is the key component of this industry, and those who work backstage to ensure that there is zero harm, and zero casualties must be lauded. I sincerely appreciate your time and effort and value even more your future support in taking safety in the aviation sphere to the next level. The forum was an interactive one, enabling us to evaluate our past activities, give analysis to services rendered, especially considering the unseen staff, draw up modalities and celebrate our wins.

“We as FAAN will continue to support the activities of the safety services team as part of our commitment to ensuring a customer-centric experience. As this year has shown, things will not always be rosy, and it is only in unity of purpose that success can be achieved. We will constantly be tested in our management and handling of situations that will arise involving those who are within the aviation industry, and those who are without.”

The Managing Director also said that it is now that the workers of the agency, especially AVSEC, should rise to the occasion in handling these issues, while upholding “our values and ideals that sets us apart. I thank you all for gracing this occasion, and I realise your being here is a show of faith in our collective commitment to promoting a Safety Culture, and a Safe working environment in our airports.

I thank you for your commitment in ensuring an improvement of stable Safety Quality in the aviation sphere. On a final note, I wish to emphasize that with all of us working together and in tandem, great things can be achieved.”

Some of those who attended the event gave testimony about the efficient work AVSEC personnel do at various airports in the country. Some of the attendees of the event gave account of how they forgot their valuables during security screening but were able to get them back when they informed AVSEC officials.

A particular incident involved a passenger who forgot his wallet containing cash in foreign and local currencies in addition to other documents and travelled to London. He notified FAAN authorities and the wallet was located and every content intact.

The passenger was overwhelmed with excitement.

“I never know that these people (AVSEC) are so efficient. I had given up hope. These are the good things we should be talking about. Who would have believed that I forgot my wallet and after many days I was able to get it back. This can only happen in few airports because this wallet contains dollars,” he said.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

19

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Onukwue: Forex Speculators are Hurting the Economy In this interview, the Chairman, Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) and a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Sam Onukwue, spoke on a range of issues that need to be addressed to boost activities in the Nigerian capital market, including how the government can strengthen the value of the Naira. Excerpts , the stock market, is the barometer for that gauges the economy. Its array of statistics show the direction of an economy. This is why it is often said that there is a linear relationship between the development of a capital market and the economy. The capital market provides a platform for government to mobilize long term funds to finance infrastructure. Companies utilize the market to raise funds for series of projects while retail and institutional investors need the market for capital formation and other benefits.

Studies have shown that there is correlation between the development of an economy and its capital market.

Why do you think the issue of leveraging the capital market to fund infrastructure by the government has continued to be a focal point of discussion in the financial market? he capital market remains one of the best sources of medium and long term finance for government to bridge infrastructure gap in Nigeria.. We at ASHON have always canvased that government at all tiers should take advantage of the market to float fixed income securities to fund infrastructure projects. The continuous over-subscription of SUKKUK Bonds signifies investors’ appetite for safety of their capital in a recessionary period. The capital market has absorptive capacity to fund most of the infrastructure and this will reduce the government’s dependent on borrowing.

T

ASHON has just held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), can you provide an insight?

It was a very successful Annual General Meeting. The Governing Council, through my Statement, informed our Members, the series of ASHON’s engagements with some critical stakeholders as part of our market development functions. The Council and Management, were commended on the prudent management of resources , especially , the downward trend in the budget for transportation, despite the hike in the pump price of petroleum and allied products. We shall continue to collaborate with other stakeholders to build investor confidence in the market .

What should be the pre-occupation of ASHON in the rapidly changing dynamics in the market ?

ASHON has always been at the forefront of ensuring that its members operate professionally while the Association collaborates with the capital market regulators, operators and other stakeholders in the ecosystem. Our members played pivotal roles during banks’ recapitalisation and demutualsation of The Exchange among others.

Onukwue purposes. Government can reverse the ugly trend by addressing the supply side. If there is stability in the exchange rate, it will have multiplier effects on other economic activities and boost the value of the Naira. ASHON has at several times urged the federal government to tap into an array of investment in the commodities space to generate employment opportunities, boost export trade and grow the Gross Domestic Products (GDP). Solid mineral is a cash cow.

Government should direct its searchlight to the sector to take control of the revenue and protect the revenue from going into private pockets.

What is the nexus between the Capital Market and the economy ?

At the basic level, the capital market, especially

What is uppermost in your mind with the current state of economy in Nigeria ?

The Federal Government should address the macroeconomic vagaries such as exchange rate volatility and rising inflation rate. These amongst others have continued to affect business decisions.

We have limited sources of foreign exchange. The Federal Government has announced its plan to boost the supply side. The implementation should be accorded utmost urgency. The concern is the source of the demand pressure for forex. Is it from genuine business people and organisations or speculators ? Speculators are hurting the economy by buying Dollar to keep as a store of value for speculative

How would you respond to the new short term measures that the Committee on Tax Reform has announced to make Nigeria a tax-friendly environment ?

The Tax Reform Committee, chaired by Mr Taiwo Oyedele has come up with some laudable quick wins to address the nagging issues of taxation, militating against investments in Nigeria. The fact is that while official taxes in Nigeria are 60, people contend with over 200. different types of taxes. The Committee’s recommendations will go a long way in restoring some level of sanity into taxation in Nigeria and that will enhance the government’s revenue drive from the sector without inflicting pains on majority of Nigerians. We are all awaiting the implementation . ASHON had at different fora canvassed the need to take a second look

at Capital gain Tax (CGT) to reduce transaction cost and attract all cadres of investors into the capital market. This is consistent with the need for the government to implement market-friendly policies to encourage more companies to seek quotation on the securities markets. A conducive tax environment will make our market more competitive .

Would you encourage investors to take position in the market at the moment ?

Regardless of the state of uncertainties in the global financial markets, investors that take sound investment advice have opportunities for superior return on investment on consistent basis. Many investors often lose huge amount of money by relying on their own intuition or consulting unqualified investment advisers. Investment in any asset class requires a lot of variables, including an investor’s investment objective, risk tolerance, sources of funds and time horizon, amongst others. Investment is a trade-off of risk and return, whereby an investor aspires to post highest return at the lowest risk. This is achievable if proper analysis is done by certified investment advisers. Our members shall continue to engage investors on the need to work closely with stockbrokers for timely investment advice.

What is your advice to investors on risk management ?

There is no asset without risk element. The government bond is classified as risk-free, yet, it cannot be insulated from inflation risk, exchange rate risk and a host of others. What we are saying is that risk can be mitigated to ensure superior returns. In every risky situation, there are opportunities. The same applies to investment. It is all about understanding and deploying appropriate investment strategy. It’s not a game of one-size-fits all. Contacting a professional investment adviser is in itself a risk- aversion measure.

Investment professionals profile their clients as a precondition for advice on the appropriate investment opportunities.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Tasew: Alternative Air Transport Services Will Boost Nigeria’s Aviation Industry The Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, spoke to some Nigerian journalists recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and expressed hope about Africa’s air transport industry growth should political leaders show greater commitment to Single Africa Air Transport Market. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts: How has Ethiopian Airlines contributed to the Nigerian aviation industry? very rational question, I must say. The first one is we have been providing an alternate air transport service to Nigerians, connecting Nigeria to the rest of the world.

We started flying to Nigeria in 1960. 63 years of uninterrupted continuous service. Connecting Lagos with the rest of the world, using wide-body airplanes, like the Boeing 777 aircraft.

Nigerians use our service to go to Europe; even to Europe, while they can fly directly using other airlines.

Several Nigerians prefer to fly to Ethiopia to come to Addis, and go to Europe. But the significant Nigerian traffic is between Nigeria and Dubai, Nigeria and China, Nigeria and India, the biggest traffic is there. Last year alone, we carried over 511,000 Nigerians more than half a million Nigerians.

In 1962, we started flying to Kano. That’s about 61 years ago. But the Kano operation didn’t continue. It was sometimes suspended and so on for different reasons. But few years ago, we went back. Now it is a continuous operation with six flights weekly. The Lagos flight is daily, the Kano flight is six flights per week.

And then that was followed by Abuja. We fly to Abuja daily using the Airbus A350 or the Boeing 787 aircraft, which are modern airplanes. And we expanded our reach into Nigeria based on the request of the people.

The last addition was in Enugu, Ethiopian Airlines didn’t ask the Nigerian authorities to fly to Enugu. The question came from the Nigerian government to start flying to Enugu because there were no international airlines connecting Enugu. Enugu passengers used to come to Lagos or other cities to connect to the rest of the world. So, at the time, I remember some ministers in Nigeria came to Ethiopian Airlines and said, can you please start flying to Enugu? We thought about it; are we going to get enough traffic from Enugu? Will the operation be profitable? But the Nigerian authorities insisted, they urged us that you have to fly. So, then we started flying there with small size airplanes because there was no traffic. And we used to operate that route at loss. But over time, the Nigerians get used to that flight. And now we are operating with wide body aircraft. It has a good traffic.

my airline, bring a new one. Because they are used to it, they believe that Ethiopian Airline is a pride for Africans. That is how they look at it.

So, for passenger operation already we fly 24 flights per week.

A

Tasew We are providing a convenient air transport service to the people around Enugu. If we stop flying there, what will happen? These people will have to take another flight to go to another city to take international flight. Bad service to the Nigerian public. So, one of the major contributions the Ethiopian Airlines has to Nigeria is to provide a convenient air transport service to the Nigerian public. And the Nigerian people are very happy.

You may have heard about our services. Sometimes Nigerians say, no, this is my airline. Ethiopian Airlines is my airline. So much so that when they come here and they see an aircraft is not new, they demand, no, we don’t fly with this old aircraft, bring a new one. I tell you, it’s true. And when we tell them, no, we cannot do it, no, it’s

How do you rate your cargo freighting to Nigeria?

Cargo, we carry a lot of cargo between Lagos and the rest of the world. We bring cargo from Asia to Nigeria. Sometimes nine flights per week, wide-body, the triple-seven freight aircraft (Boeing 777). During COVID-19, when all airlines grounded their aircraft, it was Ethiopian Airlines that carried masks, COVID test kits, vaccines from China to Africa, including Nigeria. We believe with that operation, we saved the lives of maybe millions of people in Africa, because it was not only Nigeria, but we were carrying all these medical supplies to the whole of Africa.

Looking at what we have done for Nigeria; when at one point Abuja airport was closed for repair, if you remember, and all airlines couldn’t fly to Abuja. The Nigerian government asked the (international) airlines, can you fly to Kaduna?

The security was not so great in Kaduna. All airlines said, no, we don’t fly to Kaduna. They waited until the Abuja airport was repaired. The Ethiopian Airlines sent a team of few people, three people. They inspected the runway and found that the runway was safe. They also found out that the airport was fenced and so on. They said, we will fly. We continued flying to Kaduna in place of Abuja until the Abuja airport became operational. People used our flight to Kaduna and they took transport by road to go to Abuja.

Let me give you another example. Today, during the last one and a half years, airlines have difficulties in getting hard currency in repatriating money from Nigeria. Every airline is suffering from that.

And some airlines stopped flying because they say, we have a lot of money, we couldn’t take it out, so why do we fly? They suspended their flights. Ethiopian Airlines say, no. We are African airline. We cannot deny Nigerians from this service.

We believe that it’s a problem but it’s a temporary problem. One day this problem will be solved; we cannot stop flying. So, we continued and still we are flying, but we couldn’t take out our money. Anyway, in the future when the economy becomes strong, we believe we can get our money.

So, Ethiopian Airlines has been serving the Nigerian public both at good and bad times. This is from the feeling that Ethiopian Airlines is an African airline.

It has responsibility to serve Africans even at the most difficult times. So, in summary, Ethiopian Airlines is today a leading airline. In recognition of our services, we have received several awards from different institutions that give awards. Today, we are a four-star airline. We are a member of Star Alliance.

We are fully owned by the Ethiopian government, but even if we are owned by the Ethiopian government, we are still operating profitably. Our vision 2035 sees that Ethiopian Airlines will operate over 270 aircraft, nearly double what we have by 2035. We have a plan to expand our network to over 200 cities by 2035. So, we have a plan to grow every year, grow fast, but by establishing a strong foundation in terms of human resource, infrastructure, fleet modernization, and other activities.

You talked about your growth over the years and things you have been able to achieve but you didn’t really talk about the challenges that you faced during that period. So what are the challenges so far?

Throughout the last 77 years, Ethiopian Airlines passed through different challenges at different times.

I can enumerate several of them. The first challenge, by the way, I forgot to mention that I started working for Ethiopian Airlines in 1984. It means I worked for the airline for 39 years. So, the first challenge came before I was employed in the airline. And that was, there was change of government in Ethiopia.

Earlier, Ethiopia was ruled by the kings, but there was a communist military government who came, took over power.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY

3 20

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2023

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA argues for a national vision to know where the country is headed

‘PRESIDENTIAL YACHT’ AND A NATIONAL VISION One of the most consequential events that has helped to shape the state of the world within the last half-century largely went unnoticed. Apart from the country where this event took place, at the time it happened, it never got the sort of global attention that the fall of the Berlin Wall had for instance, even though it has just as much impact on the world today, some would argue even more.

Its effects are unprecedented and the numbers speak for themselves. It ended decades-long multi-dimensional suffering and deaths. It heralded what has since been described as a period of unprecedented economic and social advancement in human history. This event led to a 25-fold increase in per capita income of the people

— imagine the average Nigerian earning 25 times more than they do now — and helped to lift about one billion people out of poverty. It accounted for some 70 percent of the world’s total poverty reduction at some point. If the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) had a trophy for a single winner a la the World Cup, China would have been the undisputed champion.

On the 18th of December, 1978 on the back of the death of Chairman Mao Zedong, China’s new leader, Deng Xiaoping oversaw the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. This meeting started the Chinese revolution from a closed, poor country into a pragmatic and practical one.

“Reform and opening” became the overriding mantra of its economic development and advancement. The vehicle for the China you see today started on land that day. It has since gone beyond stratospheric. Think of that however you will, because it applies connotatively and denotatively.

China under President Xi Jinping has since deviated from some of the principles espoused

by Deng Xiaoping, but certain elements remain from that meeting 47 years ago. Deng’s legacy helped to remake the world in ways one cannot begin to appreciate over a single article. To have an appreciation for his vision, it might be easier to imagine a world without the China he helped to create.

It is often easy to compare countries, what is harder is the humility to understand that no two countries, no matter how geographically, historically, culturally or politically close are ever the same. It is why people who compare the consequences of oil in Qatar versus its effects in Nigeria miss the point. You can start with two samples, the population of each country versus the volume of production per day. That said, countries can learn from one another.

Nigeria can afford to make its own mistakes as a country, however, it cannot afford to make the

ones some other countries have already proven to be mistakes. it becomes a form of premeditated failure when you know a course of action cannot advance progress yet choose to embark on it.

Irrespective of the spending choices of its leaders, Nigeria is indeed a poor country. Whilst its economic poverty is apparent to anyone who understands the essence of per capita distribution of wealth, its ultimate poverty lies in the absence of a national vision. One of the major contradictions of Nigeria’s democracy is that, 24 years into its latest democratic journey, the country’s most popular and most debated national vision agenda remains the one crafted by the military, ‘Vision 2010’. Note that this is not to say whether it is the best national development plan or not, it is to say it is the one development plan that attracted the attention of most Nigerians much more than the efforts made for the succeeding plans.

This could be because it was a plan with a year in mind, 2010. The point is, there was a year in mind by which certain things were intended to be achieved. Yar’ Adua’s ‘Vision 2020’ barely lasted on the shelf. Obasanjo’s NEEDS and the subnational SEEDS appeared to be more an administrative framework for development than a long-term national vision. There is currently no time-bound national plan that Nigerians are generally aware of at this time. What do we have today for what ‘Vision 2010’ was?

This is where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu comes in. He has a ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda which is intended to guide his policies and plans for Nigeria and its people between 2023 and 2027. It is not and cannot replace a national vision. Nigeria must now advance a national development agenda built on robust planning that’d show its people the destination the country expects to be in say 2040? 2050? Whatever it is, it cannot be so far into the future to appear like we simply decided to kick our development into the long grass.

Just this week, Saudi Arabia landed one of the biggest rewards of its Vision 2030, what could turn out to be the pièce de résistance of its soft power agenda — the hosting rights to the 2034 FIFA World Cup. It is a culmination of one of the major aspects of its development agenda that has seen the PIF —Public Investment Fund — expend about $1.5b on major sporting events and brands.

We must now begin to put the foundational elements of our own vision together. That must also include a world where government intuitively knows that you cannot advance austerity measures for the poor whilst the Navy intends to purchase a “Presidential Yacht”, just short of N5.1b. I have seen some arguments suggesting that it is ‘presidential’ doesn’t mean it belongs to the President. That could be true. However, with government, what you do or intend to do is just as important as its perception. Perception, especially in politics and governance, is reality.

We cannot craft a national vision without a commitment to this overriding principle; the people must always come first. I believe that President Tinubu believes this too. He just now has to advance a government whose ethos reflects it at all times. A lot of that will take keeping his word on easing out those who do not fit into his administration’s vision for Nigeria.

Omojuwa is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/author, Digital Wealth Book

Integrity of elections in the developed world is increasingly being questioned, contends DAYO SOBOWALE

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EDITORIAL

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

BEN NWABUEZE: 1931 - 2023 Ben Nwabueze, foremost constitutional lawyer and former Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, dies at 92

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of Nigeria remained his primary interest. Till the end, he recent passing of Professor Benjamin Nwabueze believed that the failure to realise the Obi Nwabueze, foremost constitutional promise of independence and deliver a better life for lawyer, and former Secretary-General of the people was a challenge that needed to be tackled Ohanaeze Ndigbo marks the end of an with forthright courage, rather than nationalistic exceptional life that was robustly active platitudes. And he did his best to do so in his personal both inside the mind and outside it. On capacity or through the various groups to which he his 82nd birthday in 2013, Nwabueze was reported belonged.

WR KDYH LPSORUHG *RG WR JLYH KLP ÀYH PRUH \HDUV Born 17 years after the amalgamation of the to enable him to make further contributions to the northern and southern protectorates in 1931, transformation of Nigeria. It is to the nation’s gain 1ZDEXH]H ZDV GHVWLQHG WR EH D VLJQLÀFDQW SDUWLFLSDQW that Nwabueze was obliged an extra decade. On the in confronting the challenges that continue to plague issues close to his heart, Nwabueze demonstrated a post-independence Nigeria. Starting at the local rigorous passion till the end, even as he battled the primary school in his hometown Atani in present IUDLOWLHV DQG LQÀUPLWLHV RI ROG DJH day Anambra State, Nwabueze made quick progress With his prodigious intellect, which he deployed in scaling the academic in the service of his heights.

He attended nation for several the London School of Nwabueze believed that the failure to realise the promise of decades, Nwabueze Economics and Political played critical roles independence and deliver a better life for the people was a challenge Science, University of LQ 1LJHULD DW GLͿHUHQW London from 1956 to 1961 epochs both during the that needed to be tackled with forthright courage, rather than before proceeding to the military era and under School of Oriental and nationalistic platitudes civil rule. Fondly referred African Studies, University to as a ‘professor of of London. He was Senior professors’, Nwabueze T H I S D AY Lecturer at Holborn College of Law, London, before EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU ZDV D WRZHULQJ ÀJXUH LQ ERWK WKH ODZ SURIHVVLRQ DQG returning to the country to take up the same position DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA academic community in Nigeria. As a lawyer, law MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka during the civil teacher, and a foremost political advocate for a more DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU war years.

In 1971, Nwabueze was Dean, Faculty of equitable federation, Nwabueze spent the latter part CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI Law, University of Zambia and Director, Law practice of his life to champion the campaign to ‘restructure’ EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN Institute, Zambia, between 1973 and 1975.

On the THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE 1LJHULD ,Q D PRVW ÀWWLQJ WULEXWH 3UHVLGHQW %ROD strength of three insightful and original constitutional Tinubu referenced Nwabueze’s notable contribution works, Nwabueze was awarded Doctor of Laws (LL. to the precedents and principles of constitutionalism D) by the University of London in 1978. Nwabueze also in Nigeria as a “legacy that stands him out as well as KDG WKH GLVWLQFWLRQ RI EHLQJ WKH ÀUVW ODZ\HU HOHYDWHG T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D his outstanding contributions to the legal profession into the ranks of Senior Advocates on account of his EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA at large.”

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, books and other academic accomplishments. Among While he may have been more concerned about ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI other academic laurels, he wrote over 30 books and developments in his country, Nwabueze’s footsteps DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, published over 200 academic papers. are also deeply imprinted in a host of African ANTHONY OGEDENGBE Nwabueze’s abiding commitment to the rule of DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI countries where he played a leading role in building law and social justice drove most of his interventions SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH a stronger foundation for their judicial systems. He ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI LQ WKH SXEOLF VSDFH $W WKH HQG KLV OLIH H[HPSOLÀHV was also a member of the Senate in several leading CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI commitment and principle in the service of the nation universities across the continent. But the development DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO and higher ideals. May his soul rest in peace.

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 A VOTE FOR ALKALI’S NEDC LEADERSHIP For many people in the entire North-east, the re-appointment of Alhaji Muhammed Alkali as Managing Director/CEO of North East Development Commission (NEDC) was a welcome development, considering the level of achievements that the NEDC has recorded under KLV OHDGHUVKLS VLQFH KH DVVXPHG R΀FH LQ The Alkali administration witnessed the outbreak of Covid-19 soon after inauguration by the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, posing severe challenge to the commission. However, it was credit to Alkali that he rose to the challenge by providing credible interventions in the North-east in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Resources and Social Welfare.

With the devastating outcome of the insurgency that ravaged the North-east for over a decade, the NEDC under Alkali has proved equal to the task of providing succour to the vast population of the region, particularly LQ WKH UXUDO FRPPXQLWLHV WKDW ZHUH VHULRXVO\ DͿHFWHG LQ Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. In addition, the commission has been actively involved in peace-building,

social cohesion, infrastructural rehabilitation, livelihoods and the restoration of service delivery where civil authority was gradually being restored. His NEDC team visited the IDP camps at Muna Garage, Muna Farm and Stadium that hosted displaced people from Marte, Abadam, Kukawa, Guzamala, Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, Mafa, Kala Balge, Gamboru Ngala, Gubio, Mobbar and other remote areas ZLWK D YLHZ WR DVFHUWDLQLQJ ÀUVWKDQG WKH FRQGLWLRQV DW WKH camps.

In the area of infrastructure, the NEDC has initiated sevHUDO HͿRUWV DW ZRUNLQJ ZLWK JRYHUQPHQWV RI WKH VL[ 1RUWK east states to ascertain the needs of the various people in the region to bring about the desired development.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima hosted the NEDC board members on October 5 at the State House, Abuja where Alkali led his team to present the North-east 6WDELOLVDWLRQ DQG 'HYHORSPHQW 0DVWHU 3ODQ LQ IXOÀOOPHQW of Section 8 (1) (c) of the NEDC Act which stipulates that the commission shall develop a 10-year plan covering 2020 to 2030 based on the needs assessment of the North-east.

$W WKH RFFDVLRQ WKH YLFH SUHVLGHQW H[SUHVVHG FRQÀGHQFH on the Alkali administration to steer the cause of the North East to greater height, while urging the Paul Tarfa-chaired board to focus on investments in legacy projects that include agriculture, education and smart transportation, otherwise known as electric transport vehicles and tricycles. The message from Shettima to the NEDC board was unmistakable: “Unite as a team and do what is right for the people.”

Despite that a shadowy group named North East Pressure Group (NEPG) recently launched an attack on Alkali DIWHU KH ZDV UH DSSRLQWHG LQWR R΀FH KH KDV UHIXVHG WR EH daunted in his resolve to leave an indelible mark in administering the region to sustainable growth and development.

At best, the pressure group can be described as a disrupWLYH LQÁXHQFH WKDW WKH 1('& FDQQRW DͿRUG DW WKLV WLPH Afolabi Gambari, Abuja

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Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

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WEEKLY MAGAZINE

ISIOMA ONYEGIKEI’S AEGIS: Exploring Various Gendered Experiences of Nigerian Women

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COVER

Isioma Onyegikei’s Aegis: Exploring Various Gendered Experiences of Nigerian Women Isioma Onyegikei, a Nigerian author, in her debut novel “Aegis”, mirrors the lives of five women who face different challenges in contemporary Nigerian society. Aegis, which is available in both Paperback and Kindle on Amazon, explores the various gendered experiences of Nigerian women. Onyegikei, a graduate of Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Benin, Nigeria, holds a Master’s degree in Social Research from the University of Hull, England. An inquisitive person who never shies away from exploring things that she has an interest in, she currently works as a Customer Experience Professional in her 9-5 job, while working towards completing her second and third books. In this interview with MARY NNAH, she talks about the inspiration behind Aegis and more My book is for adults but yes, anyone old enough can read my book. The average woman should read my book because it resonates and also, the women in my book conquered their challenges, so someone in a similar position can learn from these women. Aegis is not just entertaining, it is very educational and I did a lot of research writing this book.

The book ‘Aegis’, mirrors various gendered experiences of Nigerian women. Was there any personal experience or experiences of people close to you that spurred you to write the book? see my art as an avenue to bring awareness to social causes and Nigeria is a depot for a lot of social causes, especially ones that affect women be it women’s health, inheritance rights, marital abuse, sexual violence or just casual misogyny seeping through everyday interactions with people.

Some of these are personal experiences, some are what I have seen others experience and I chose to write about them in a way that if 10 women pick up my book, 10 of them can relate to a character or a scene in the book. To me, that is how you bring the consciousness of these issues to people.

So, the inspiration to write about ‘Aegis’ came from the need to tell original Nigerian stories and one that focuses on social causes. Since I was eight years old, I wanted to write a book and I used to write a lot of stories back in primary school and secondary school that related to societal happenings, I remember writing an essay on the “African child” when I was nine years old and that impressed my proprietress a lot, so I knew my art eventually had to be one in line with society and since I grew up to become an advocate for a lot of social causes, I saw my book as an avenue to tell these stories of everyday Nigerians and bring awareness to them.

I

Your book seems to be focused on sisterhood, can you speak more on that?

I am a big believer in having your tribe of women who support you and that you support too. I am a big beneficiary of having a community and as a woman, my biggest support has come from fellow women. I do think that this is something that every woman should be intentional about, all those narratives of women hating each other and female friendships being fake are so high-school, trust me you need women as your friends as a woman. The women in my book consistently supported each other, helped each other through their challenges and helped other women in their larger communities.

What informed the title, ‘Aegis’?

Aegis means to support or protect. The funny thing is Aegis was not the original title, but that is the life of a writer. Your final book form is not usually the first draft or even the fifth draft. I consulted an editor who saw my first draft and critiqued the writing, story coordination and the title. By the time we were done, I had to go back to the drawing board and find a befitting title. Seeing as the women in my story were able to conquer their challenges through the support of sisterhood, I settled on Aegis as the right title.

In the book, Eloho’s mother-daughter’s enmity affected her marriage, which her husband used as a weapon over her. In today’s society, how do you think a parent-daughter relationship can affect the child’s outlook on life?

I am a big believer of family being the most important foundation anyone can have and the experience we have growing up can affect and influence the type of adults we become. A lot of times, people think money is the reason a woman would stay back in an abusive relationship but in the case of Eloho, she was the wealthier partner yet she kept going back because of the void created by her turbulent relationship with her mother.

A lot of people, do not know better and oftentimes, they bear the shame and keep up appearances for societal validation because that validation is not at home, which is why Eloho’s character was very important for me to add because just maybe someone who needs that encouragement will read my book and see that while it is perfectly okay to feel the way they feel, self-preservation is always going to be better and you cannot have the life you truly desire staying in a place that no longer serves you, a place that destroys your soul and kills your body.

Also, society will always be fine because nobody cares at the end of the day. And for parents, it is important to constantly pour love into their children, and let your home be the safest place for them to return to regardless of what the world throws at them.

That is the only way you can raise confident and independent children who grow up into confident and independent adults.

The rate of divorce in Nigeria keeps increasing.

What in your judgement are the major reasons for this?

Well, I am not married so I may not be the best to talk about divorce but from my understanding, I think a divorce happens like a breakup; essentially two people who are no longer compatible especially when there has been growing resentment from one party. I do not think that a divorce is a bad thing, it will always be better to walk away and give a shot at life again than stay while you keep losing yourself.

Onyegikei the utmost respect and protecting them from things that could potentially cause resentment and destroy your union. Things like being selfish, unkind, deceitful and lacking values.

In the book, Amaka desperately needed to have a child of her own and so would go to any length just to carry her child. Would you also say Amaka’s case is the same with many Nigerian women today and several others struggling to keep their marriages?

Yes, and this is due to the pressure put on women by society. Take Oyin for example, she is a very successful woman who creates a huge impact in her society but the concern of the people around her is the fact that she is unmarried. Eloho is married with children but

the pressure on her is to make her marriage work against all odds, for Amaka, she is successful and married but not having children puts her under pressure because according to societal standards, she is not woman enough.

The life of the Nigerian woman is one of pressure - you need to be married at a certain age; you need to have given birth nine months after marriage; you need to give birth to sons and on it goes. Society needs to be kinder to women, society is you and I, we need to allow women to live without having a pot of coal over their heads at every point.

Why should an average woman read the book ‘Aegis’ and who is your target audience?

“Every one of us is important, we do not even have to like each other all the time or at all but SISTEM teaches that to fight against the system called patriarchy, we all have to take the rights of another woman as if it were our right put on the line. Because what you turn your That said, love is a very beautiful thing and something that everyone who desires it should eye from today when it’s on your neighbour’s door may experience, if it is important to you, you will make it work and that entails treating your partner with appear on your doorstep tomorrow.”

Do you have a favourite character or scene in the book?

Not exactly, I like all my characters, they served different purposes in the story but for this question, I will mention my top three characters if I were just a reader and not the writer. I like Oyin a lot because she is my protagonist and through her, I introduced every other character in my book. She is also an independent-thinking person, has her naughty side, successful, kind and firm. Oyin is the woman you want to be as you grow older. I like Eloho too, her character gave me the avenue to incorporate my “Warri side” and it was so much fun writing in pidgin and using places I grew up in to tell a story. I like Jessica, she is carefree and lives life on her terms.

My favourite scene in the book has to be the part where Mrs. Osawaru comes to Oyin’s office for help and asks Oyin why she started SISTEM (her NGO) and she gives her reasons for that with the quote - “Yes. So I thought of our relationship in the broader sense of other women. There are radical women and there are calmer women, there are quirky women and there are conventional women. There are sagacious women and there are women we think are not so clever, there are liberal women and there are conservative women.

There are tomboys and girly girls and all types of women you can think of who make up this puzzle.

“Every one of us is important, we do not even have to like each other all the time or at all but SISTEM teaches that to fight against the system called patriarchy, we all have to take the rights of another woman as if it were our right put on the line. Because what you turn your eye from today when it’s on your neighbour’s door may appear on your doorstep tomorrow.”

I remember when I was done typing this I screamed “Yes! Go Oyin!” because truly this is exactly how I see being a woman and why it is important for us as women to not look away from injustice simply because it does not affect us…yet.

Being a self-published author, what were some of the challenges you encountered writing this book and how did you overcome them?

I started writing my book in 2017 and I only published it in 2020. The major issue I had was not having the money to publish the book or a traditional publisher to publish it for me but I was determined to finish my work and publish it, even if it meant it being an ebook.

By the time I was done writing, I received some money from friends, personal money that came from work and then because I already got people on Twitter involved in the process of choosing my book cover, three months to my desired publish date which coincidentally was my birthday, I set up a paystack store for pre-order of the book, with this I had enough money to pay my editor, the printing company and designer.

I remember crying so much the day my first batch was sent to me, it was truly a dream come through for me and that single act of publishing Aegis at the time I did changed a lot of things in my life that I am forever grateful for. It is three years since I published Aegis but it is still relevant.

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Sahara Group Foundation Empowers Young African Social Innovators with Seed Funding Sahara Group Foundation, the corporate social sustainability vehicle for Sahara Group, continues its unwavering commitment to support young African social innovators and entrepreneurs.

This commitment was underscored by the provision of seed funding to ten outstanding Fellows from its Sahara Impact Fund (SIF) Fellowship programme.

The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme, a social initiative in partnership with LEAPAfrica and Impact Amplifier, was established to empower young African social innovators whose enterprises are dedicated to improving access to clean energy and sustainable environments across the continent.

In its third year, the Sahara ImpactFundFellowshipprogramme welcomed a total of twenty Fellows from various African countries who participated in a rigorous six-month fellowship.

The top ten Fellows have each been awarded $5,000 in seed funding to support the expansion of their socially impactful businesses.

During the programme’s closing ceremony, the Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Ejiro Gray, commended the Fellows for their remarkable dedication and resilience throughout the program.

She emphasised that “the Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship Programme was established to bolster Africa’s development by identifying and empowering young, creative social innovators working to create sustainable environments and bridge the energy gap in Africa.”

Ejiro Gray congratulated all twenty Fellows for their program

L-R: Moremi Ojudu, SSA to the President on Community Engagement, South West; Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director, LEAP Africa; Ejiro Gray, Director, Sahara Group Foundation; Claire Omatseye, Board Chair, LEAP Africa and Amabelle Nwakanma, Director of Programmes, LEAP Africa, at the Recognition of the Sahara Impact Fund 2023 Fellows at the Social Innovators Programme and Awards, Abuja completion and urged them to apply the knowledge and experiences gained to deliver lasting impact acrossAfrica through their businesses.

The top ten recipients of this year’s seed funding from West Africa include: Paul Nnaluo, Founder, Gas Monkey (Nigeria); Kehinde Fashola, Founder, Fizzle Power Tech Limited (Nigeria); Muideen Adegoke, Founder, DigitAgric Integrated Limited (Nigeria).

Other regions beneficiaries include: Andrew Mpashi, CoFounder, Twalima Agro Solutions Limited (Zambia); Philipo Kitungano, Founder, Kigoma Eco-cultural Tourism Enterprise (Tanzania); Ainomugisha Shifra,

Founding Director, SOLAFAM Uganda (Uganda); Joyce Rugano, Founder, EcoRich Solutions (Kenya); Muofhe Ratshikombo, CEO, Oumie’s Grandè (South Africa); Timothy Munthali, Founder, Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing Enterprise (Malawi); Jolis Nduwimana, Executive Director, WEGE Company (Burundi).

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, LEAPAfrica, Kehinde Ayeni, congratulated the Fellows for their successful programme completion and encouraged them to persevere in their commitment to innovation and social progress.

She emphasised that the investment in their growth by Sahara Group Foundation and

LEAP Africa reflects confidence in their potential and the power of their ideas to advance Africa’s development.

In his remarks on behalf of the graduating Fellows, Paul Nnaluo thanked Sahara Group Foundation and LEAPAfrica for this inspiring learning experience.

He expressed gratitude for the invaluable knowledge and skills acquired during the fellowship and pledged to utilize them for meaningful change.

The Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship programme has since its launch in 2020, directly invested in over 50African social innovators.

Through strategic initiatives like this, Sahara Group Foundation is dedicated to sustainably improving lives and livelihoods across Africa.

Sahara Group Foundation is Sahara Group’s vehicle for social sustainability with a focus on promoting access to energy and sustainable environments, ultimately helping to build sustainable societies.

The Sahara Group Foundation anchors its volunteering work through its Personal and Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) initiatives that give employees platforms to make a difference through various projects.

Sahara Group is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over 42 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Sahara Group is a dynamic and transformative leader in various energy subsectors via its power (generation and distribution), downstream, midstream, upstream and infrastructure.

UTA Leads Libyan Ministerial Delegation TO Strengthen Bilateral Economic Cooperation Precious Ugwuzor TheUnitedTownsAgency(UTA), an International Humanitarian organisation affiliated to United Nations has taken a decisive step to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals between Nigeria and Libya.

The UTAHeadquarters in Geneva, SwitzerlandanditsCountry Office in Nigeria are leading the Libyan Minister ofAfricanAffairs, Ambassador Issa Majid Mansour and his Ministerial Delegation on an economic-diplomatic visit to strengthen existing bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the visiting UTA Secretary General, Ambassador Eya Essif said several meetings between Nigerian ForeignAffairs Officials, Nigerian Traditional Rulers, Nigerian Women Football League and Libyan Delegation have been scheduled in this regard.

L-R: United Towns Agency ( UTA-UN), Country President, Amb Abigail Amalaha; UTA Secretary General in Geneva, Amb Eya Essif; Chairman of UTA Board of Trustees/ Emir of Abuja, Dr Usman Nga Kupi; and UTA Board Member, Dr Abubakar Jimoh at the press conference in Abuja She announced that the UTA, Libyan Government and Italian Government are involved in a tripartite arrangement to put an end to the horrendous suffering

and deaths of Nigerian illegal migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.

TheSecretaryGeneralexplained that part of the arrangements is

introduction of SkillAcquisitions Programme for the training of young Nigerian Artisans who will ultimately and legitimately be hired in Europe.

The UTA Country President in Nigeria, Ambassador Abigail Amalahaenumeratedthevarious humanitarian Programmes and achievements of the UTA in the last one year and assured that the visit of Ambassador Essif will further spur her and team to achieve more.

Ambassador Amalaha said the UTA will collaborate with various Ministries and Agencies to achieve SDGs and tackle the humanitarian crisis and poverty in some parts of the country.

The press release signed by Mr Austen Anene, Director of Media Relations, also stated that the UTAOffice inAbuja, Nigeria was officially inaugurated by Ambassador Essif, Chairman of UTA Board of Trustees, Dr Usman Nga Kupi ( Emir of Abuja) , Ambassador Amalaha, Dr Abubakar Jimoh and other UTA Board Members.

Pukka Logistics Celebrates 15 Years of Service Excellence Stories by Mary Nnah Over the past 15 years, Founder, Pukka Logistics and Support Services, Mrs Beulah AkingbeluBanjo, has seen to it that the firm excels over and above industry peers.

Popularly known as “the fix-itall all company” within the business space, the decision to form Pukka, according to AkingbeluBanjo, a Barrister and Chartered Secretary, stemmed from the need to bridge the service gap between foreign investors, Nigerians living

Pukka Logistics Founder, Beulah Akingbelu-Banjo in the diaspora and the professional support they require to start and run their businesses smoothly in Nigeria.

“This singular step has been a big win for the company and clients so far and for the nation as a whole.

Akingbelu-Banjo’s emergence in the service industry occurred naturally due to her altruistic nature and passion for service to others. Dating back to her childhood, her satisfaction from owning and solving business worries is immeasurable.

For her, “The importance of finding an experienced and reliable hand for new investors and entities to navigate the intricacies of the regulatory framework and

solve all incidental bottlenecks they may encounter in their ventureintoNigeria’suniquebusiness terrain cannot be undermined as it sets them up for success right from the very start”.

Pukka’s main objective is to provide one-stop support to ease the business start-up and smooth operations of new and existing business entities in Nigeria with a high level of integrity, efficiency, committed approach and strict adherence to international service standards which have been responsible for the success level of the company today.

MY SONGS ARE BASED ON REALITIES - BAD BOY TIMZ Nigerian singer, Olorunyomi Oloruntimilehin, popularly known as Bad Boy Timz has revealed that his song is inspired by the realities of life, especially those that have to do with his personal life.

Speaking during a media parley recently in Lagos, the afro beats singer who revealed that though he was inspired by ace-musician Olamide’s selflessness at some point, noted, “There is no box to my inspirations. I get inspiration from my life and other people’s lives and their stories. There are even songs that are inspired by abstract stories. Sometimes my songs are freestyles, sometimes I write the songs without having any instrumentals for them.

“There is no formula for the way I make my music. It’s based on my reality, other people’s reality, and social awareness. I also sing Bad Boy Timz about youthful stuff because I’m a youth and that’s what my people want to hear. My aim is always to be able to write music and make it work”, he added.

Hinting on his yet-to-be-released, album, which he said aims to remind people of old Afrobeats songs, he noted, “I’m working on a new album but I have not picked a title for it yet. I am just working with the mindset that I am producing an album soon. The goal of that album is to remind people of old Afrobeats songs.

“I have seen that many people are sampling international songs but barely sample the old Afrobeats songs. That’s one of the things that I’m working on for my new album, sampling songs by veterans that includes Lagbaja, Obey amongst others”, Oloruntimilehin said.

So, for this album, he stressed that he is sampling a lot of old Afrobeat music and some popular abroad music, adding, “I’m trying to sort of represent abroad music in an African way. So, it is a mixture of Afrobeats and popular music. I am collaborating with both local and international artists in this work.”

POLARIS BANK PARTNERS EVOLVE CHARITY TO DONATE SCHOOL ESSENTIALS IN LAGOS In another display of its commitment to supporting the GirlChild Education Project, a critical pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework, Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Charity, a non-profit organisation, has presented educational materials to more than 400 students in Ikeja and Surulere areas of Lagos State.

The donated materials which include; school uniforms, school bags, pens, sandals, and various books, were presented to the students of Opebi Junior Secondary School, Opebi, Ikeja Lagos, Gbaja Junior Girls High School and Gbaja Senior Girls High School recently.

The donations were part of activities marking the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) International Day of the Girl (IDG), observed annually on 11 October.

Polaris Banks’ support for the Girl-Child Education Project, seeks to promote the empowerment of the girl-child through education.

Speaking during the presentation the Managing Director/ CEO of Polaris Bank, Adekunle Sonola, reiterated the bank’s commitment to quality education of the girl-child.

“At Polaris Bank, we are of the firm belief that every investment in education, especially in the empowerment of the girl-child, leaves a lasting impact, not only on the child but on the society.

This is why we partnered with Evolve Charity to launch the Support for the Girl Child Education Project”.

The intervention, according to the CEO, is aimed at keeping the girl child in school and educated, thereby reducing the growing cases of early marriages in society. The objective is to empower these underprivileged girls through education by providing them with school supplies and personal development tools they need. The Managing Director, Pacegate Limited, owners of

HUMOUR AWARDS UNVEIL THEME, NOMINEES TheRevolution,organisersoftheHumourAwards,hasunveiledthe theme and nominees of the 2023 edition of the awards.

TheHumourAwardsiscurrentlyoneofthebiggestcomedyawards showsinAfricaasthemaidenandsecondeditionwaswellattendedby popular comedians and entertainment bigwigs in Nigeria.

Thoughthedateofthe2023editionisyettobeannounced,organisers revealedthisyear’sedition’sthemeas’NothingisImpossible”,atamedia parley titled: “A discourse of the Nigerian Comedy Industry”, which also witnessed the Launch of the 3rd edition.

With the unveiling of the theme for the 2023 edition, the organisers of the awards ceremony have maintained their resolve and commitment to developing the comedy industry and putting Nigerian comedy on the global map.

Thefirst edition hada thousandaudienceandin 2022, two thousand audience to grow the number and increase the category to 24.

TheConveneroftheevent,UcheDominionsaidNigeriahaswitnessed acomedyrevolutionthathastakentheentertainmentindustrybystorm.

“I have been part of comedy from the days of sitcoms, stand up and content creation. This can be attributed to skitmakers - individuals who createandshareshortcomedyvideosonvarioussocialmediaplatforms.

These skit makers have not only captured the attention of millions of Nigeriansbuthavegainedinternationalrecognitionfortheiruniquestyle of humour and storytelling.

“One of the key factors contributing to the growing influence of skit makersistheaccessibilityandwidespreaduseofsocialmediaplatformsin Nigeria.PlatformssuchasInstagram,YouTube,andTikTokhaveprovided a space for these talented individuals to showcase their comic skills and reachavastaudience.Throughtheseplatforms,skitmakershavebeenable toconnectwithfans,gainfollowers,andevencollaboratewithestablished celebrities and brands. These new genres of comedians have to create engagingandfunnycontenttocaptureanaveragesocialmediauser.They alsohighlighttrendingtopicsandcreateskitswithlifelessons”,henoted.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023 T H I S D AY

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

BII,AFEX Seal $26.5m Deal toTackle Food Shortages in Nigeria, Others Kayode Tokede British International Investment (BII) has disclosed that it is committing $26.5 million to AFEX as a means of tackling food shortages in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda.

AFEX, Africa’s leading commodities platform currently operates over 200 warehouses in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda and serves over 450,000 farmers.

The investment will support structural improvements in Africa’s agricultural industry, which will significantly benefit smallholder farmers and lead to improvements in food security.

The signing of BII and AFEX’s new partnership in Lagos was attended by British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos Jonny Baxter, BII Chief Executive Officer Nick O’Donohoe, and AFEX Group CEO Ayodeji Balogun.

Commenting on the transaction, BII Chief Executive Officer,

Nick O’Donohoe said, “The World Bank estimates that Africa’s food import bill has reached c.US$30 billion in recent decades. This is why we need to back technology-driven companies like AFEX because they help reduce that import cost by supporting smallholder farmers to increase local food production, while also boosting their incomes.”

Speaking about the raise, AFEX Group CEO, Ayodeji Balogun said, “This investment from British International Investment is a landmark moment in our mission to revolutionise agriculture and elevate food security across Africa. By directing fresh capital towards the development of technologically advanced warehouses and critical facilities, we are significantly enhancing market access and income potential for smallholder farmers. In alignment with UN SDGs,

our mission is to enable Africa to feed itself efficiently and sustainably. Today’s investment doesn’t just propel AFEX’s growth, it forges a more secure and prosperous future for an entire continent.”

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter said: “I am proud of British International Investment’s support which will enhance agricultural productivity and bolster food security in Nigeria. The agricultural sector stands as a vital pillar to Nigeria’s economy, playing a significant role in job creation and investment potential.

The UK provided early-stage funding to AFEX, and I am delighted to see the company grow with such success. We look forward to continuing to support Nigeria’s agriculture sector and the opportunities this provides for its economic growth.”

L-R: Head Marketing, Berger Paints Nigeria PLC (BPN), Peculiar Okafor; Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, Lara Bello; Head, Primary Market, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Tony Ibeziako; Independent Non-Executive Director, BPN, Erejuwa Gbadebo; Executive Director, Capital Markets, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Jude Chiemeka; Chairman, BPN, Abi Ayida; Managing Director/CEO, BPN, Alaba Fagun and Chief Digital Officer, NGX, Olufemi Oyenuga, during the Closing Gong Ceremony of BPN on NGX and introduction of BPN’s Managing Director/CEO, Alaba Fagun to the Capital Market Community in Lagos yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS

Charcoal Exporters Reaffirm CommitmenttoFG’sAfforestationProgramme Gilbert Ekugbe The Charcoal Legality Export Group has restated their commitment to key into the federal government’s afforestation plan.

Speaking during a Charcoal stakeholders meeting, Chairman, Charcoal Legality Export Group, Idowu Adesola, said his association has fulfilled their pledge to plant over one hectare of trees per member in 2023.

In his words: “We have planted over 28,000 trees in our forest and we are pleading to more exporters to come on board because if we keep falling trees, we have to constantly plant them back annually. So,

there is a policy of the federal government, which is to cut one tree and replant five.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Federal Department of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, Olukanni Bosede, however, commended the Group for complying with the regulations guiding wood and charcoal export “So far this group has been complying with our afforestation program and this program is one of the requirements for export of wood and charcoal.

We have always sensitised them on the need to replant every tree they cut down in the nation’s bid to conform to sustainability,” she said.

“The Minister of Environment, lifted the administrative ban placed on charcoal and wood export early in the year, so there is a need for a different group of exporters to comply with our reviewed guidelines on export of processed wood and charcoal,” she added.

On her part, the Legal Representative, Charcoal Export Legality and Compliance Group, Mrs. Florence Omolola Jones-Idowu said the stakeholders meeting was to sensitise the general public and environmentalists to be aware of its great strides. The Group has recorded working with the Federal Department of Forestry

Banking Subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Becomes Private Company Kayode Tokede After securing shareholders and regulatory approvals, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, yesterday said its Banking subsidiary, Stanbic IBTC Bank has ceased to be a public company.

The Group’s Company Secretary, Mr. Chidi Okezie in a statement on the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) stated that the development follows the re-registration of the banking subsidiary as a Private Limited Liability Company (PLLC).

According to him, “Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc hereby noti-

fies the NGX and the Investing Public that following the receipt of all required regulatory and shareholders’ approvals, the re-registration of our Banking subsidiary – Stanbic IBTC Bank (the Bank) from a public company limited by shares to a private company limited by shares has been concluded.

“Accordingly, with effect from 31 October 2023, the Bank ceases to be a public company and shall going forward be referred to by its new name “Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited”.

The Group noted that the re-registration would, however,

ensure the proper alignment of the Bank’s entity status and eliminate the existing brand confusion as many investors and members of the public hitherto referred to the Bank as the listed entity and not Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. Okezie in its signed statement said that it is important to note that the Bank remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and no change of ownership, shareholding structure, or business objects of the Company will occur by virtue of its re-registration to a private company.

Euromoney Recognise Union Bank as Nigeria’s Leading Bank in Diversity, Inclusion Foremost Nigerian financial institution, Union Bank, has again clinched another major award after being named Nigeria’s most diversified and inclusive bank by Euromoney, a leading authority on banking and financial markets, in its 2023 Euromoney Awards for Excellence in Leadership.

This remarkable recognition underscores Union Bank’s unwavering commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and empowerment, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups. The Bank’s initiatives, like lpher,

designed to help women become the best versions of themselves through mentorship and sponsorship, and the UnionKorrect DaiDai savings product for marginalised groups in Northern Nigeria, highlight the Bank’s dedicated mission to empower all its customers.

Commenting on this fantastic achievement, Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer at Union Bank of Nigeria, said: “We are deeply honoured to receive this award. At Union Bank, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our success

and the essential values we uphold. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and offered the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Our dedication to equal access to financial services is unwavering, as reflected in our wide range of inclusive financial solutions.

This is why we take immense pride in being a bank that is truly for everyone.”

Union Bank remains resolute in its commitment to providing financial inclusion for all Nigerians.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) August, 2023

Money Supply (M3)

65,445,154.2

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

552,553.58

Money Supply (M2)

64,892,600.61

-- Quasi Money

40,870,301.28

-- Narrow Money (M1)

24,022,299.33

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,295,309.10

---- Demand Deposits

21,726,990.23

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,144,158.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

87,273,966.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

54,762,633.63

--Other Assets Net

13,347,376.27

Reserve Money (Base Money

19,429,603.25

--Currency in Circulation

2,660,138.92

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

16,769,464.34 428,519.21

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

5.13

Savings Deposit Rate

5.26

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.31

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.30

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.13

Prime Lending rate

13.99

Maximum Lending Rate

27.59

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 29TH SEPTEMBER , 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $97.48 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $97.08 the previous day, 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).

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

33

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Ends Positive Trend, Drops by N297bn KayodeTokede The stock market yesterday, ended its four-day positive trend as the overall market capitalization depreciated by N297 billion over investors profit-taking in MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), BUA Cement, and 26 others.

Specifically, the stock price of MTN Nigeria was down by 2.44 per cent to N240 per

share, while BUA Cement depreciated by 1.87 per cent to N105 per share.

Zenith bank Plc also declined by 1.16 per cent to N34 per share as GTCO tumbled by 1.13 per cent to N35 per share.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (ASI) shed 539.48 basis points, representing a decline of 0.76 per cent to close at 70,042.28

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

basis points from 70,581.76 basis points it opened for trading.

Also, market capitalisation dipped by N297 billion to close at N38.481 trillion from N38.778trillion it opened for trading. Sectoral performance was bearish as the NGX Banking depreciated by 0.86per cent, NGX Industrial down by 0.64 per cent and NGX Consumer Goods dropped by

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

0.19 per cent while the NGX Oil & Gas sector closed flat.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was negative, as 26 stocks gained relative to 28 losers.

Omatek Ventures emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent to close at 55 kobo, while Academy Press followed with a gain of 9.83 per cent to close at N1.90, per share. Prestige Assurance

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S O F

and Tantalizers rose by 9.76 per cent each to close at 45 kobo each, while DAAR Communications appreciated by 8.70 per cent to close at 25 kobo, per share. On the other side, Chams Holding Company led others on the losers’ chart with 9.84 per cent to close at N2.20, per share. International Breweries followed with a decline of 8.79 per cent to close at N4.15,

while R.T. Briscoe Nigeria declined by 8.51 per cent to close at 43 kobo, per share.

Thomas Wyatt Nigeria lost 8.42 per cent to close at N3.70, while FBNH depreciated by 8.14 per cent to close at N18.05, per share.

The total volume traded decreased by 12.68 per cent to 525.457 million units, valued at N6.089 billion, and exchanged in 8,396 deals.

N OV E M B E R / 2 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEM ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͱ

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (right) and Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke (left), at the Police Council Meeting held in Abuja…recently

L-R: Managing Director, TotalEnergies Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer (left), presenting N1 million cheque to Vice President of The Care People Foundation, Favour Tioluwani (right), at the TotalEnergies Charity Golf Tournament at the Ikoyi Club, Lagos…recently

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake; Group Chief Executive Officer, Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda; Co-founder and Managing Partner, QED Investors, Nigel Morris; and Co-founder/Chief Investment Officer, QED Investors, Frank Rotman, during an evening with QED, Moniepoint and Ventures Platform, held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Deputy Secretary-General, Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Oladeji Olaoti; Second Vice President, NGA, Olufisayo Duduyemi; President, NGA, Akachukwu Nwokedi; NGA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Chairperson, Chichi Emenike; and Financial Secretary, NGA, Emeka Iheme, during the 2023 Nigerian Gas Association media parley and training session in Victoria Island, Lagos…recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Representative of the Senate President, Senator Williams Eteng; Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS)/Chairman, Chevron Nigeria, Richard Kennedy; Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG)/Chairman, Waltersmith Group, Abdulrazaq Isa; and representative of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, during the Oil and Gas Industry Policy Roundtable organised by the IPPG and Oil Producers Trade Section for members of the National Assembly in Abuja…recently

L-R: Bishop of Ideato Diocese, Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Imo State, Rt. Rev Henry Okeke; his wife, Mrs. Julia Okeke (JP); and the newly inducted Knight of the Order of St. Christopher (KSC), Dr. Prince Okpara Obinna, at the St. John’s Anglican Church, Osina in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State… recently

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Outreach Children’s Hospitals, Dr. Efunbo Dosekun; Managing Director, Pealon Memorial Hospital, Dr. Ngozi Onyia; Chief Executive Officer, Lily Hospitals, Warri, Delta State, Dr. Austin Okogun; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission/representative of the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Atinuke Onaiga; Director, Bridge Clinics, Dr. Richardson Ajayi; Managing Director/CEO, Clina Lancet Laboratories, Dr. Olayemi Dawodu; Quality Assurance Manager, Clina Lancet Laboratories, Dr. Jean Njab; and Director, Premier Specialist Hospital, Dr. Abiodun Aluko, during the seventh Continuous Medical Education (CME) organised by Clina Lancet Laboratories in Lagos…recently

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

NEWS

LISTING FOR COMMODITIES… L-R: Deputy Director, SEC Lagos Zonal office, John Briggs; President/CEO AFEX Nigeria, Akinyinka Akintunde; MD Marble Capital, Akeem Oyewale; Vice President Financial Market, AFEX, Oluwafunto Olasemo,,at the listing ceremony of Halal Commodities Fund by Marble Capital on AFEX Exchange

PDP Governors: Why Tinubu, Others Intervened in Rivers Crisis

Say it’s not PDP crisis, has national security implications Rivers National Assembly caucus declares support for Wike

Chuks Okocha and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors Forum, (PDP-GF), yesterday said that President Bola Tinubu and Nigerian governors intervened in the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital

Territory, (FCT) Nyesom Wike, because the crisis was not solely a party matter.

It said that if not for the quick intervention, the crisis had the capacity to affect the security situation in the South-south geopolitical zone as well as its oil production and the economy in general.

In a statement in Abuja,

FG Seeks Operational Support of Interpol to Tackle Terrorism Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, yesterday, sought the operational support of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to address the challenges of terrorism and strengthen counter-terrorism efforts that will contribute to the overall security of our nation.

He made the request during the visit of the Interpol delegation led by its President, Major General Ahmed Naser Raisi, to the ministry in Abuja.

The minister stated that the extension of the Interpol Global Secure Communication Network, I-24/7, to the major international airports and borders will enhance the country's security infrastructure and serve as a valuable tool in combating cross-border crimes.

According to him, “The extension of the Interpol Global Secure Communication Network, I-24/7, to Nigerian law enforcement agencies, including organisations such as the NDLEA, EFCC, Nigerian Navy, NFIU, and Nigeria Immigration Service had significantly bolstered our security infrastructure.

"This expansion has empowered our agencies to address the growing threat of cross-border crimes more efficiently.”

He said the support in terms of capacity building and equipment donations from Interpol to Nigerian law enforcement agencies had remained invaluable and positively impacted the ability of security agencies to tackle crime more effectively.

Gaidam pointed out that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nigeria and Interpol on the Privileges and Immunities of Interpol in Nigeria in 2022 solidified its commitment to facilitating Interpol's operations within our borders.

"The signing of the MOU between Nigeria and Interpol on the West

African Police Information System (WAPIS) in 2019 has strengthened regional cooperation among West African countries in sharing criminal intelligence,” he said.

The minister noted that the construction of the Interpol National Central Bureau permanent headquarters in Abuja was well underway and the 7-storey building will serve as a hub for officers seconded to Nigeria from Interpol, Afripol, and WAPIS, to enhance collaborative efforts.

He added that Nigeria has consistently supported Interpol's programs by actively participating in operations targeting global criminal networks noting that the collaboration with Interpol has also led to significant achievements in terms of criminal record management and the commitment to maintaining international security.

Speaking earlier, the President of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Maj. Gen. Ahmed Al Raisi, appreciated the support of the Nigerian government and its agencies for their cooperation in the running of Interpol.

He said the organisation was open to all member countries to participate and contribute to the achievement of the mandate of the organisation.

Maj. Gen. Ahmed Al Raisi further clarified that "Nobody owns this organisation. It is for every participating member.

Nigeria has been contributing to the organisation for the past 63 years and this contribution goes to salaries, training facilities, building, and others that make the organisation sustainable.

"Without Nigeria and other African contributions, it would be difficult to run it. We do not have a hidden agenda. Our agenda is to have a sustainable budget, move to the digital era and diversity in the organisation's operations.”

the Director General of the PDP governors, Cyril Maduabum, explained that it was disingenuous for certain persons to lampoon the courtesies extended to the president for his intervention.

"It should be noted that the events that played out in Rivers State had national security implications; it had the potential to lead to a breakdown of law and order.

Indeed, the Rivers State Police Command acknowledged as much in its statement.

"Mr. President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and effectively the chief security officer of the nation, had to intervene to nip the crises in the bud. Indeed, Nigeria’s history is replete with instances where a development in one state could snowball and affect the whole country.

"Rivers state is one of the major oil-producing states in Nigeria. A breach of peace in Rivers state, considering its strategic value and importance, no doubt, could affect other states of the federation," Maduabum stated He added that it was a sign of good leadership and a high sense of duty that

Governor Bala Mohammed, also summoned and held an emergency meeting of the forum immediately the Rivers state matter came up. '’Those castigating the chairman and other members of the PDP governors' forum seem to have forgotten that the unity, peace and tranquillity of the country transcend politics and political leanings.

"The chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum has not in any way done anything wrong by thanking the efforts of the president to resolve the crisis in Rivers State," the statement stressed.

The statement added that Mohammed was not about handing over the PDP, which it described as a leading and formidable opposition party, to the president, who was elected on the platform of another party.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State caucus of the National Assembly yesterday declared its support for Wike in the raging political battle in the state.

The House of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who led other persons in a solidarity visit to the

former governor, also said that in barely three months, Wike was changing the face of the FCT. The members of the Rivers State National Assembly caucus comprised all the three senators from Rivers State and 11 House of Representatives members.

They included: Senators Barinada Mpigi, Ipalibo Banigo, who coincidentally was deputy governor to Wike when he was governor as well as Allwell Onyeso.

Members of the House of Representatives in attendance were: Felix Nwike, Boniface Emerungwa, Blessing Emezureke, Victor Onozor, Fun Deakor, Solomon Bob, Kelechi Nworgu, Kingsley Chinda, Hart Cyril Goodwill and Allison Anderson.

Addressing the caucus, Wike expressed firm opposition to overt moves to dismantle the political structures, which he said he had been building since 2015.

He made it clear that he was not interested in the governance of Rivers State as his hands were full with his new job as FCT minister.

“I am not interested in the governance of Rivers State.

I am here as governor in FCT, but I am interested in the political structure we have built over the years in Rivers state.

“Anybody who tries it will get the resistance of his life, anybody who puts his hands in Rivers State political structures, what you see, you see,” Wike warned.

He also cautioned and tagged those accusing him of demanding 25 per cent as ‘ignorant people’. "l was governor for eight years. I am now FCT minister, not just minister and some will say that I am asking for 25 per cent; that is madness,” Wike said.

He also charged the federal legislators to learn to appreciate those who in one way or the other contributed to their lives and not to disappoint the state and the country.

“Those of you that God has given the opportunity, don’t disappoint your state, don’t disappoint Nigerians.

When you make a mistake, we will call you to order, take it in good faith, don’t say we are coming for kickbacks,” he added.

Nigerian Universities Face Potential Decline in Students’ Enrolment, Uniosun, VC Warns Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Vice Chancellor of the Osun State University, Prof.

Clement Adebooye, has expressed concerns that universities in Nigeria may soon experience a decline in students’ enrolment due to mounting pressure from employers.

He also cautioned that if universities neglect professionalism in their administration, students might choose not to attend such institutions due to employers' concerns about diminishing standards in higher education.

Speaking at the 2nd Annual Registry lecture held at the Olagusoye Oyinlola auditorium in Osogbo, Adebooye emphasised that a global

trend was emerging where employers exert pressure on recruiting organisations to exclude graduates from certain universities in their selection process.

He stated, "In this 21st century and the era of the 4th industrial revolution, professionalism will play a significant role in shaping the future of universities and their ability to attract students.

“It's possible that, at some point, certain universities will struggle to attract students.

This will occur because employers will introduce criteria that restrict graduates from universities not meeting a specific rank from applying for job positions within their organisations.

"This trend is already

underway in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Graduates from universities falling below a certain rank might not be shortlisted for interviews, even if they graduate with top honors. “Employers will rely on university rankings to determine applicant eligibility.

In the future, professionalism will likely lead to a transparent and clear selection process for appointing principal officers in universities, including Vice Chancellors.

“Applicants will need to meet predefined criteria, and if their qualifications do not meet the standards, they won't proceed with their applications. This transformation may take place over the next 20 to 30 years," Adebooye added.

In his lecture titled,

"Promoting Professionalism and Skill-Based Administration of Universities in Nigeria: Which Way, Whose Place?"

Ayorinde Ogunruku, the former Registrar of Obafemi Awolowo University, stressed the importance of university administrators in upholding the quality and integrity of the education system.

"We must ensure that the entire system operates effectively, from student recruitment to graduation, with a focus on quality assurance.

“University leaders should also prioritise inclusivity and comprehensive training for all staff members, ensuring that everyone contributes to the development and growth of the university system," he emphasised.

36

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

NEWS

GLAD TO MEET YOU...

Founder/Chairman, BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (left), receiving CEO, British International Investment,Nick O’Donohoe, during a courtesy visit to discuss potential opportunities to support BUA Group’s effort in ensuring food security in Nigeria in Lagos...yesterday

Defence Chief, IG Warn against Electoral Violence in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa Musa says standby court martial in place for erring personnel Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Ahead of Saturday's off-cycle gubernatorial polls in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, yesterday, warned against electoral violence in Kogi.

He said security forces were prepared to carry out to the letter President Bola Tinubu's directive to deal decisively with those who are plotting to truncate the election.

He spoke as the InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun at a meeting with election stakeholders in Owerri, Imo State capital, also issued a

stern warning to individuals and groups, who may contemplate disrupting the elections.

He stated that officers deployed for the election were charged to take decisive action against anyone found engaging in unlawful activities that undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

He also reiterated warnings against the use of VIP escorts, sirens, and illegal movements on election day.

The defence chief affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) were prepared to enforce the presidential directive to deal decisively with perpetrators of

electoral violence. He spoke yesterday during his operational visit to troops in Kogi State.

The CDS assured Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Edward Onoja, that the AFN in conjunction with other security agencies were prepared to ensure enabling environment where Kogi indigenes will vote for candidates of their choice.

He further warned Kogi people to desist from electoral violence, embrace peace and tolerance.

"The Armed Forces have zero tolerance for electoral violence and will ensure total compliance

with the presidential directives to deal decisively with violators", he said.

The CDS also condoled with the people of Kogi state over the recent demise of the Ohionoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim.

Musa while addressing the troops of Operation Safe Conduct in Kogi State, called for absolute professionalism by the military during the forthcoming election.

He warned personnel not to involve in any act that will be inimical to the smooth conduct of the election and appealed for an enabling environment to allow for free and fair election.

The CDS assured the entire people of Kogi state of the resolve of security forces to safe guard lives and property at all times.

He seized the opportunity of the visit to call on citizens to report any wrong doings by the military to the appropriate authority and ensure cooperation with troops to enable them perform their duties as dictated by the constitution.

Similarly, in his meeting with military commanders and heads of security agencies in the state, the CDS charged them to create enabling environment to allow Kogi State indigenes to exercise their civic responsibilities and elect

the candidates of their choice.

He further warned against any compromise to subvert the forth coming Kogi election, adding that security personnel will be monitored to ensure they perform their duties as expected.

The defence chief emphasised that there was an already standing court marshal to prosecute any military personnel found wanting in the discharge of his duties during the election.

He called on military personnel to remain apolitical and ensure maximum security of lives and property before, during and after the elections.

THISDAY Reporter, Eleke Named Olasupo Olusi Assumes Office as Bank of Industry MD/CEO First Runner-up in Okunna Award The new MD/CEO of the economic growth, fiscal policy oldest, largest and most successful Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo and debt management, as well development finance institution. for Ethical Journalism Olusi has resumed office. His as private and financial sector “I am excited to advance the David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Anambra State correspondent of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr David-Chyddy Eleke was yesterday named first runner-up in the 2023 edition of Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism.

Eleke, an investigative journalist, was announced the first runner-up, while Mr Obinna Odogwu of Sun Newspaper was announced the winner.

Another journalist, Mr Izunna Okafor of 247ureport.com was also announced the second runner-up.

The result of the contest was announced during the grand finale of this year’s Press Week of the State Council of the NUJ held at Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka.

Eleke's entry, ‘Agony of Unizik staff employed two years ago without pay,' was adjudged the second best by the award committee headed by the former Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief of National Light newspapers, Chief Chuka Nnabuife.

The award was endowed in 2020 by Prof Chinyere Okunna, the first female Mass Communication professor in

Sub-Saharan Africa.

The maiden award was also won by Eleke through his winning entry: ‘Travails of awaiting trial inmates.’

Meanwhile, the Anambra State council of NUJ yesterday announced the traditional ruler of Ogidi kingdom, Igwe Alex Onyido as the 2023 NUJ Man of the Year.

Onyido, a pharmacist, defeated other nominees to emerge the winner of the award after a very rigorous selection process.

The epoch-making event was attended by several personalities including: National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Sly Ezeokenwa, National President of the NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, represented by the Vice President (South East), Emmanuel Ifesinachi; Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachebelu; and the state chairman of APGA, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye and the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, represented by the member representing Dunukofia Constituency, Chuks Azotani, among others.

appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu followed the voluntary resignation of Mr. Olukayode Pitan after six years as the bank’s MD/CEO. Prior to his appointment, Olusi was a renowned Senior Economist and development financial expert with over 20 years of experience mainly at the World Bank.

According to a statement yesterday, he had worked across several countries advising national governments on

development.

He has led multi-milliondollar development policy and investment lending projects for the World Bank and the IFC in several countries.

He also led the team of experts that delivered the World Bank Group’s first-ever comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s private sector in 2020.

Commenting on his appointment, Olusi said, “I am sincerely thankful to President Tinubu for giving me the privilege of leading Nigeria’s

Bank’s mandate and deliver innovative sustainable economic growth.”

Olusi served as the economic adviser to the then coordinating Minister of the economy and Minister of finance. He also managed several highly impactful federal government projects in this capacity.

He has a Masters degree in International Money, Finance, and Investment, and a PhD in Finance & Economics from Durham University UK.

Olasupo Olusi resumes

Ogun Government to Use ICT To Address Unemployment, 'Japa' Syndrome The Ogun government has reiterated its determination to deploy information communication technology to empower its citizens further and make them become employers of labour, as well as discourage brain drain ('Japa' syndrome).

Special Adviser to the governor on ICT, Dayo Abiodun, dropped this hint while receiving an award bestowed on the Ogun government by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

as the second runner-up for the 'Most Digitally Compliant State' at the 2023 Digital Nigeria Award Dinner held at the International Conference Center, Abuja.

Abiodun said the present administration was determined to upgrade the knowledge of individuals on cyber security, data analysis, and web designing towards making them relevant in the emerging technology world.

The governor's aide encouraged interested members of the public to register for the

ongoing 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT) training program organised by the NITDA via https:/3mtt.nitda.gov.ng/ While attributing the award to the digital initiatives of Governor Dapo Abiodun for his unrelenting effort in the digitalisation drive, the Special Adviser stated that the state government was sparing no cost at putting across various training programs to the residents, especially the youth.

He said: "This recognition is

a testament to the remarkable strides we have made in embracing digital transformation and ensuring compliance with the ever-evolving digital landscape under the guidance of the governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.’’

The special adviser noted that the present government would continue to leverage trending digital skills that would make people self-dependent and make them earn foreign salaries while in Nigeria.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

BODEX SOCIAL MEDIA HANGOUT…

L-R: Convener, Omniverse, Obi Asika; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; Convener, Bodex Social Media Hangout(BSMH), Bodex Hungbo, and Content Creator, Mariam Bakre, at the fourth edition of BSMH in Lagos…recently

Nigerian Navy Prevents Huge Petrol Product Siphoning in Lagos Rebecca Ejifoma

In safeguarding the national interest and protecting critical infrastructure, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT patrol team has prevented a huge siphoning of petroleum products.

This outcome was in collaboration with the Maritime Component of

Operation AWATSE led by the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga.

The NNS BEECROFT patrol team discovered two punctured points on the NNPCL pipeline between Atlas Cove and Ijegun, Lagos, on November 1.

As noted in a statement issued yesterday, the patrol team’s swift

Appeal Court Upholds Labour Party Onuakalusi’s Election in OshodiIsolo Federal Constituency

Wale Igbintade

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, has upheld the election of Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi of the Labour Party (LP) as the duly elected House of Representatives’ member for Constituency ll, OshodiIsolo, Lagos.

The Appellate Court in its unanimous decision dismissed the appeal lodged by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ganiyu Johnson.

The three-member panel held that all the issues raised by APC

candidate were pre-election matters, which the court lacked Jurisdiction to entertain.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the LP candidate as the winner of the election after he polled 29,386 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Ganiyu Johnson, who garnered 16,650 votes in the exercise.

Johnson, a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, represented the constituency in the last four years after winning the APC ticket in 2019.

Niger to Move All Boarding Schools to Minna Laleye DipoinMinna The Niger State Government has decided to relocate all boarding secondary schools in bandit-prone local government areas of the state to Minna, the state capital, as one of the steps to ensure an uninterrupted education of the students.

Most boarding secondary schools in Munya, Shiroro, Rafi Wushishi, and Mashegu Local Government Areas of the state have remained closed for more than three academic sessions as a result of bandits and terrorist

those points to siphon huge quantities of petrol conveyed by the pipeline.

“This innovative approach has proven to be a game-changer,

resulting in a remarkable increase in the team’s ability to detect and deter criminal activities along the NNPCL pipeline,” the statement read in part.

The Nigerian Navy’s effort is in its commitment to eradicate pipeline vandalism by harnessing technology and HUMINT for operational efficiency.

Alleged N3.2bn Fraud: Court Remands KASCO Ex-MD, Others Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arraigned a former Managing Director of Kano Agricultural Supply Company, (KASCO), Mr. Bala Muhammad Inuwa; his son, Bala Muhammad Inuwa Junior

and an incorporated trustees of Association of Compassionate Friends over N4. 2 billion alleged fraud.

The State High Court, which was presided over by Justice Hafsat Yahaya Sani, yesterday remanded Muhammed, and his son Muhammed (Jnr) in custody.

The charges against them

include misappropriation of public funds amounting to N3.2 billion, as well as multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and public corruption.

One of the charges alleged that between August 2020 and April 2023, Bala Inuwa Muhammed, along with his son and the Incorporated Trustees of Associate

of Compassionate Friend, unlawfully misappropriated the sum of N3,275,685,742.00.

The money was alleged to have been disbursed to the Kano State Government as a grant from the Federal Government’s Allocation Account and belonged to KASCO, where Bala Inuwa Muhammed served as managing director.

FG Warns Water Contractors, Commences 72 Boreholes in Five States Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The federal government has issued a stern warning to water contractors to emphasise its uncompromising stance on substandard contracts in the execution of the Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene

(PEWASH) projects.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, delivered this warning yesterday during the launch of the 2022/2023 PEWASH project implementation in Abuja.

The project involved the construction of 72 water boreholes, incorporating solarpowered technology, across five states, with the primary objective of eliminating the persistent issues associated with inadequate water supply.

Utsev, who was represented

by the Director of Water Supply, Mr. Nicholas Madu, stressed that the federal government had initiated “Counterpart Projects Matching” based on the PEWASH Protocol, which was signed in collaboration with the five state governments.

Ondo LG Chairmenformer Stillcouncil Collecting Salaries after Tenure Expiration, PDP Alleges bosses have refused Peretei, PDP claimed that the ugly “The multidimensional conFidelis David inAkure

The Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alleged that local government chairmen, whose three-year tenure ended in August trumped-up charges.

2023, are still collecting salaries from According to him, Ijaw youths the state treasury. would not allow political actors who The party also alleged that the do not mean well for Rivers State and its people to truncate the peace existing in the state which Governor Fubara has sustained for the past Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti five months.

Fekorigha, therefore, called on the For allegedly displayed acts of Minister of Federal Capital Territory insubordination, rebellion and (FCT) and former state Governor, unruly behaviour to Alamo Nyesom Wike, to pull out from the of Ilamo Ekiti, Oba Adebayo plot to remove Governor Fubara, Awoseila, a kingmaker in the as such action would trigger dire town, Chief Ezekiel Olanipekun, consequences for Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.

A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Mr. attacks resulting in the students Uche Obiozor has thrown either abandoning their education his weight behind the reor going to schools from their election of Governor Hope homes.

Uzodimma in next week’s To provide land for the gubernatorial election, stating construction of classrooms and hostels for the students to be moved, the government has also decided to reclaim all school lands that have James SowoleinAbeokuta been encroached upon by individuals in Minna and other parts of the state. Ogun State Governor, Prince The state Commissioner for Lands, Dapo Abiodun, has stated that Mr. Maurice Magaji, told journalists the phenomenal strides being in Minna yesterday that the State experienced in the state in the Executive Council at its last meeting last four years under his watch took the decisions, saying the policy are in fulfillment of his ‘Building “is a temporary one.”

Our Future Together Agenda’

Ijaw Youth Leader Warns against Fubara’s Removal OlusegunSamuelinYenagoa The National Director of Mobilisation of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ari Fekorigha, has issued a warning against moves by some ‘disgruntled’ politicians to unjustifiably commence the removal process of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Fekorigha in a statement titled: ‘Ijaw Youths Are Behind Governor Sim Fubara’, stated that the Ijaw youths are worried that some lawmakers want to plunge Rivers State into chaos by forcefully removing Governor Fubara over

response followed Human Intelligence (HUMINT).

The NNS added that saboteurs connected hoses and pumping machines from

to hand over their official vehicles in spite of the dissolution of the councils by the state Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the acting governor of the state.

In a statement made available to journalists by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Kennedy

development is simply because “new political helmsmen have not been appointed by the governor who has been battling with his health, and there is no agreement between warring factions of the government as to how to fill these sensitive vacancies.

sequences of the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from his duty post, due to ill health, once again have come to the fore. The impunity orchestrated

by Akeredolu and his collaborators on the people of Ondo State is unprecedented.

EkitiOrdersKingmakertoStepAsideoverAllegedRebellion against Monarch has been directed to step aside for allegedly subverting and resisting the authority of the monarch.

Subsequently, the monarch has been mandated to write officially to the Ekiti State government to seek authority for the commencement of a process for the installation of

a new Eleese of Ilamo to replace the estranged kingmaker.

The government said the action became expedient, following a confessional statement made

by Chief Olanipekun that his Ilara chieftaincy clan was under Ikole Ekiti and not Ilamo, despite

that he was installed in 2015

by Alamo.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the directive yesterday while presiding over a case brought by Oba Awoseila against the kingmaker.

‘Give UzodimmathatSecond Term to Midwife Imo Charter of Equity’ the Imo State charter of during electoral period that people’s ability to kick-start equity guarantees fairness and equity for the three zones of the state.

Obiozor in an interview in Owerri, the Imo State capital, noted that the usual wrangling among politicians in the zones

had brought bad blood and discomfort would be a thing of the past when the charter is implemented.

He observed that easy power shift to another zone is dependent on the

the principles of the charter starting from 2023 which would mark the actual beginning of the charter from Orlu zone to Owerri zone and thereafter to Okigwe zone with seamless handover.

Abiodun Promises to Increase Tempo of Development in Ogun and the ISEYA mantra of his government, adding that the pace of development will continue to increase.

Abiodun made this known during the Egba Division Town hall meeting, in preparation for the 2024–2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the

2024 Appropriation Bill held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto in Abeokuta.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the policies and programmes of his administration are in the best interests of the majority of the citizenry, irrespective of ethnic,

religious, or political affiliation, or social status.

Abiodun said: “What you see in our system is a strategic approach towards the formulation and implementation of our policies and programmes, which are geared towards the welfare, wellness, and well-being of our people.”

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

38

WORLD OF ISLAM Obasanjo: Bayelsa Stable, Making

NEWS XTRA

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Good Progress Under Diri Islam’s Call for Control: Navigating Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has showered encomium on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for what he described as sterling performance, saying the state is making significant strides in all areas of development.

He particularly commended the governor for consolidating the legacies of his predecessor, Senator

Seriake Dickson, which he said has contributed to the peace, security, and political stability in Diri’s leadership.

Obasanjo stated this yesterday during the 12th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in IgbogeneYenagoa. The 86-year-old former president said: “What I saw is more than what I expected.

What you have here in Bayelsa State that you have to cherish is

peace. Comparatively, you have greater peace than other parts of the country.

“You have security. Peace without security is no peace.

Security without peace is no security. Here you have security, you have peace and you have stability.

“If what is happening here is replicated in all other states in Nigeria, then we will have a good country.”

Alaafin Stool: Court Strikes Out Case against Makinde, Others Kemi OlaitaninIbadan

An Oyo State High Court in Oyo Town yesterday struck out a suit filed by the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, and four other claimants against the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, and two others over the vacant Alaafin stool.

High Chief Ayoola and other defendants were absent as the court

delivered its judgment.

Other claimants in suit No: HOY/38/2023 include the Akinniku of Oyo, Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Areago Basorun, High Chief Amuda Yusuf; Chief Waheed Oyetunjii; and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, Baale Alapo.

The lead counsel to the claimants, Mr. Sobaloju, who was represented in the court, had earlier sought the withdrawal of suit HOY/38/2023,

replacing it with a fresh suit.

He argued that a fresh suit was filed in place of the old ones.

Sobaloju last Monday requested the maintenance of the status quo on the two motions filed pending before the court.

But his prayers could not be granted as the defence counsel argued that they were yet to file a counter affidavit on the ex parte motion.

Senator Adeola to Unveil Scholarship Scheme Today

James Sowole inAbeokuta

The Senator representing Ogun West, Senator Solomon Adeola, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, would unveil his scholarship programme for indigent students in his constituency tomorrow.

The Media Adviser to the

Senator, Mr. Kayode Odunaro, disclosed this in a statement, which said that the event would hold at Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.

The senator had recently inaugurated a Scholarship Award Board for students of Ogun West origin in higher institutions of learning across the nation.

The board, which would be

chaired by Professor Tope Popoola, has other prominent scholars, heads of institutions and notable professionals as its members.

The board has since set standards for applications and selection for the scholarship award programme and would tomorrow publicly unveil the scholarship award programme to signal the official commencement of the award scheme.

Firm Advocates Standardisation in Healthcare Ayodeji Ake

The Managing Director, ClinaLancet Laboratories Nigeria, Ms. Olayemi Dawodu, has called for standardisation across the Nigerian healthcare value chain.

Dawodu made the

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submission at the 7th Continuous Medical Education (CME) organised by ClinaLancet Laboratories Nigeria, which held in Lagos.

Speaking in line with the theme: “Health Promotion: An Effective Tool For Global Health”, Dawodu noted that as healthcare transcends boundaries and communities, the onus lies on healthcare practitioners to incorporate best practices in keeping with current global standard.

The MD of the first ISO certified laboratory added that

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while quality of health may be impacted by social and economic factors, healthcare practitioners must keep abreast with current innovations within the health sector to remain relevant in meeting the diverse healthcare needs of the public.

NUJ to Honour Olamiti, Ekpu, Odukomaya, Others The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to honour some distinguished media professionals at the second edition of its Milestone Recognition of Media Icons in Nigeria.

In a statement in Lagos, the Chairman, Organising Committee of the event, Gbenga Onayiga, said the recipients are personalities that have carved a niche for themselves in the nation’s media Industry, and have contributed immensely to the media space beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“These personalities have shaped the practice of journalism in Nigeria, having spent decades in the media Industry. There is no where their names are mentioned that people won’t be proud of their tall achievements,” he added. The names shortlisted for this year’s edition of Milestone Recognition of Media Icons are: Sir Folu Olamiti, Mallam Baba Dantiye, Dr Danladi Bako, Mrs.Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, and Mr.Lade Bonuola.

Others include: Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Prof. Femi Adefela, Chief Emeka Izeze, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna and Mr.Tony Akiotu.

Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, is the Father of the Day while High Chief (Sir) Gabriel Igbinedion will be celebrated for his giant strides and huge investments in the Nigerian media Industry.

Humanity’s History of Violence (I) By: Spahic Omer/Islamicity Summary: This article argues that fighting is “natural” and “human”, and that Islam, being a pragmatic religion and a complete way of life, only came to regulate it. All chapters of human existence - commencing with the conversation between the Almighty God and His angels with regard to the character and role of man on earth, and the murdering of one son of Adam at the hands of another, till the modern times when people proudly speak about the “ultimate” civilizational excellence and cultural refinement brought about by the civilizational trajectory of modernity and post-modernity - are peppered with wars and violence. Historiography as a scientific discipline is dominated by references to conflicts, as if there was nothing else. Warfare was a framework within which other human activities and achievements were cast and against which they were measured.

Sure enough, the modern West-dominated civilization - which is regarded as the climax of humankind’s evolution, hence the cliché to the effect that this evolutionary phase signifies “the end of history” and this modern man “the last man” – is an embodiment of the dark sides of the humanness of man and also the irrepressible realization of his primordial aspirations. Despite the claims to the contrary, modern civilization is both antagonistic and befuddling. It connotes a destructive force aimed as much at earth as at heaven, as much against matter as the spirit, and as much against creation as the Creator. Having hitherto mastered principally the skills of domination, exploitation and destruction (killing), credence is thus given to an assertion that this modern civilization is an experiment that went horribly wrong. The experiment is proving a complex exterminating mechanism that is increasingly turning against its very self.

In the middle of all this Islam with its final message – and hope – for mankind was thrust. It was meant to bring the dark sides of man under control and to direct him towards more constructive pursuits. As one might expect, no sooner had Islam emerged on the world stage, than the confrontational propensity of man became further agitated. As a threat to the established world order, anchored in the systems of despotism and injustice, Islam was targeted from the start, first locally then internationally. The issue was not about the prospect of finding and ascertaining the truth, but about preserving the status quo and with it the hidden motives and plans. Whosoever genuinely wanted, it was painless to find out that Islam was the truth and Prophet Muhammad the world’s saviour, however, for the proponents of establishing the bulwarks of tyrannies against the free spread of Islam, the truth was the last thing wanted. Freedom and justice were anomalies, the lack of which was crucial for such people’s socio-political and ideological sustainability patterns.

The response of Islam and Muslims went through three phases: pacifism, self-defence and opening (fath) of the doors of tyrannical regimes to the rays of the Islamic faith. The aim was nothing but the conveyance of the last Testament (the message of the Qur’an as the Word of God) to the world. The shedding of blood was inevitable because the obstacles of despotism and injustice had to be attended to, nevertheless the Islamic types of conflict and killing were honourable. They denoted a virtue. Their worth was twofold. They signified a defensive measure against the destructive power of mischief-mongers and evil-doers, and also a preventive measure against the potentially proliferating acts of theirs.

Muslims did not fight anybody for fighting’s sake. Nor did they threaten anybody with the sheer invasion and subjugation intents. Exclusive of some exceptions, Muslims fought in the way of Allah only, not for any personal, tribal, national, political, economic, expansionist, or imperialist interests. All the secondary concerns had to be aligned with the concern of “rendering the Word of Allah supreme on earth.” Creating Islamic states and empires against the backdrop of this ethics and worldview was a by-product. By no means was it a definitive objective.

As soon as Muslims started becoming obsessed with the building of dynasties and empires, the same bent mutated into a contagious sign of weakness.

It did not bode well for the future. ________________________________________ In essence, Islam abhors fighting and everything that is associable with it. However, in as much as confrontations between good and evil, and between the truth and falsehood(s), are inevitable and perpetual, Islam, being a pragmatic religion and a way of life, had to deal with the inevitability and mark it with its excellence criteria. Islam did so by conditioning and constraining fighting, and by regulating it with a set of highest terrestrial and heavenly canons.

The restless nature of man as a species and his inborn propensity for hostilities were alluded to when Almighty Allah the Creator announced to the angels that He was going to create man as the

vicegerent on earth. On hearing this, and having hitherto acquired a basic notion of the character of this new being, the angels responded: “Will You place upon it (earth) one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood?” (al-Baqarah, 30). The angels wanted to know the appropriateness of the vicegerency office for a being prone to mischief and violent behaviour.

Upon that, the angels were informed that theirs was only one way of looking at the divine decision. There was another way, though, implied by the words of Allah that He knew that which the angels did not know, that He had taught Adam (man) “the names of all things” (al-Baqarah, 31).

Parenthetically, this on no account means that man is naturally evil. On the contrary, man is innocent and pure, even possessing a limited inborn moral compass stemming from his fitrah (innate human nature) and intellect. What is envisioned in the above narrative is the state that in the end will become of man, as the Qur’an informs the Prophet: “And most of the people, although you (Prophet Muhammad) strive (for it), are not believers” (Yusuf, 103).

One of the focal messages of the dialogue between Allah and His angels is that while the majority of people will be inclined to corruption on earth and will shed blood, there will correspondingly be the righteous ones, the exemplars of uprightness and truth, who will counterbalance the conduct of the former group. The latter will be industrious in promoting and living virtues, and at the same time will be assiduous in preventing mischief and uprooting the culture of shedding blood for whatever illegitimate purposes, such as sheer expansionism, colonialism, subjugation, lust for power (megalomania) and avarice.

Acting this way will necessitate the shedding of blood, too, but that type of conflict and killing will be an honourable and praiseworthy one. It will be a virtue in itself. Its worth will be twofold. It will signify a defensive measure against the destructive force of mischief-mongers and evil-doers, and a preventive measure against the potentially proliferating acts of theirs. Because the malevolence of those targeted in the conversation between Allah and the angels cannot be eliminated altogether, the same ought to be curbed and kept in check. The consequences of those undertakings, including unavoidable warfare and shedding blood, will be a bitter pill to swallow, derived from the principle of choosing the lesser of two evils. By and large, an overriding rule of life is that an evil is permitted so as to preclude a greater evil or produce a greater good. It follows that Islam’s objective was to normalize and spiritualize the fighting inclination of people, that is to say, to truly humanize and civilize it.

Islam and the sword When Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was sent as the last messenger, and the last hope, to the world – as mercy to all dimensions of existence, rahmatan lil-‘alamin – the whole world was suffocating in falsehood, injustice and oppression, bereft of heavenly guidance and compassion. In other words, the world was dominated and controlled by the dark side of man. The human race stood on the edge of an existential abyss. As could be expected, no sooner had the Prophet’s mission been unveiled, than the status quo and the accompanying world-order became challenged. Consistent with the ontological order of things, the two were on a collision course with one another. They had a rendezvous with destiny.

The Prophet and his followers were on an irreversible course to tensions and confrontations, locally and internationally. They had to convey the revealed truth, while much of the world resolved to resist and fight back. As the devotees of the truth of Islam, the rightly-guided and enlightened Muslims wanted nothing but peace, goodwill and harmony, however, they were quickly thrust into the thick of the confrontational penchant of man where total, together with lasting, peace, benevolence and accord were at a premium - like gold dust.

To some, the aftermath of embracing Islam must have been a rude awakening in respect of who man and what life, in actual fact, are. What they realized was that their ideals had to be fought for, defended and preserved, every so often with might and main.

If there is any relationship between Islam and the Prophet, on the one hand, and fighting (the sword), on the other, it is against this backdrop. The arrival of Islam and the Prophet spelled troubles for the ruling socio-political and religious classes. The structures of polytheism, corruption and tyranny were shaken to their foundations by the power of the Islamic monotheistic and progressive-qua-reformist message. This way, Islam and its Prophet caused rifts, broke relationships and challenged narratives. They caused havoc and the consequences were predictable. They became despised, prejudiced against, harassed, abused and harmed. The prospect of a total annihilation of the believing communities was often on the cards.

39

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2023

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Napoli Begin Counting Cost of Osimhen’s Unavailability

There appears a growing concern in Napoli about the currently sidelined top striker, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, over the spate of injuries that have seen him miss 55 games since joining the club.

Osimhen who got injured in nigeria’s International friendly with Saudi Arabia in Portugal, is believed to still be holding up somewhere in Lagos, Nigeria is ce returning from the FIFA window with Super Eagles.

It has also been projected that the forecast will rise to 58 considering the fact that Osimhen still has at least three more matches to miss against Salernitana, Union Berlin and Empoli before returning to full fitness.

According to an Italian news outlet in Naples, Tuttonapoli, Osimhen also missed three matches due to suspension bringing the total to 61 missed matches in three seasons.

According to the publication, it was considered that “61 games is a lot for a player with a net salary of five million euros a year.”

It reasoned that Napoli, in fact, paid more than a year of salary to Osimhen without being able to count on him, remembering that an average season has about 50 games a year between league and cups.

Osimhen is a repeat offender: according to Transfermarkt’s which

gave a breakdown of Osimhen’s missed matches. The first in November with the problem behind him in the national team.

He was out of action for 15 games. Then he missed six with Covid and three more with a head injury in February 2021 and two more with a calf strain in October of the same year.

Shortly after, due to a fractured cheekbone against Inter Milan for

the clash with Skriniar, he was out of action for 12 games and missed two more, again in the 2021/22 season, due to Covid.

Last year he was knocked out

by Liverpool: out seven games. He was also out in the spring for four games due to an adductor injury.

The last knockout in the national team: so far three games missed due to the hamstring injury.

For a total of 58 matches including

the next three. In addition to the injuries, he also missed three matches due to disqualification. The grand total? 61 games.

Many, too many. Waiting to see if he will really return immediately after the break and remembering that in January, he will go to the Africa Cup of Nations and therefore will certainly miss other games. Evaluations are also underway for clubs that want to bet on him in the future.

South Africans Flood Streets to Celebrate Springboks Victory Thousands have flooded the streets of South Africa's capital as the nation's rugby team begin a World Cup victory tour.

The Springboks won the tournament for a record fourth time last weekend - and the nation is still in celebration mode.

Fans decked in the team colours packed Pretoria's roads on Thursday to get a glimpse of their champions.

The team will spend four days travelling across the country.

“Saturday night, you strode off the pitch of victory and passed into legend," said Mr Ramaphosa, who has declared a public holiday on December 15 to celebrate the win.

"In doing so you have lifted the spirits of an entire nation and filled us with pride. You have united the South African people."

The president is among many who have hailed the Springbok's feat as a sign of hope amid a testing period for South Africa.

The country is currently suffering rolling blackouts, economic strife and the world's highest unemployment rate.

Ntombizodwa Barry, one of many who turned out to see the squad, said: "After seeing the Springboks, I was very, very much happy.

"They brought unity to our country,

especially (winger) Cheslin Kolbe, (captain) Siyamthanda Kolisi... all of them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much."

Kolisi, the Springboks' first black

Test captain, dedicated the trophy to "the people of South Africa" on Thursday.

"We are very diverse, just like you are outside there and we just

wanted to show that diversity is our strength," he said.

For 90 years Springbok selectors chose only white players and consequently the team was reviled

as a symbol of apartheid.

Thursday's jubilant scenes demonstrate that this more inclusive team have captured hearts across South Africa.

Later on Thursday, the Springboks will visit Johannesburg and its township of Soweto. They will go to Cape Town on Friday, Durban on Saturday and East London on Sunday.

South Africa’s Springboks on board an open roof bus on parade of Johannesburg...yesterday

Dozy Mmobuosi to Launch Yusuf Alli Congratulates Edo First Lady, Edo Queens Football Club Lagos Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Football fans in Surulere and adjourning areas of Lagos mainland would in the coming season enjoy club football as Club 1472 berths in the Sportscity.

Founded by United Kingdombased Fintech entrepreneur, Mr Dozy Mmobuosi, the club will be officially unveiled to Lagosians in style on Saturday, November 4.

Chief Executive Officer of Club 1472, Dr. Segun Sanni, said the format adopted to unveil the club to fans was carefully planned to take the team to the people.

"We would be starting a procession from the area that has traditionally hosted sports grounds in Lagos, which is Teslim Balogun

Stadium, the former UAC Ground.

"The parade with bands, motorcade and our players would terminate at the Union Bank Sports Ground on Bode Thomas Street in Surulere with a cocktail for media personalities and invited guests", revealed Sanni.

Club 1472 will be competing in the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the incoming season and Sanni says, "our target is to join the elite Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) next season.

Already, a number of celebrities with roots in Surulere have already identified with the club and would be joining the unveiling ceremony.

1XBET Cup: Glory Boys Win Ikorodu Conference

The Ikorodu Conference of the 1XBET Community Football Championship came to a successful conclusion on Thursday with Glory Boys FC winning the zonal finals.

Glory Boys got the ticket to the Final 8 after defeating hard-fighting Edunz International FC 2-1 in the final game. Expectedly, it was a very exciting and entertaining encounter that had the impressive crowd baying for blood and in the 19th minute of the game, Omisore Daniel opened scoring for Edunz FC. They increased the tempo and missed three glitz edge chances to increase the scoring.

However, Glory Boys refused to

let their dream fizzle out and came into the game stronger and equalised through Damilare Samuel in the 26th minute. Iremide Ayomide netted the winning goal in the 32nd minute to earn Glory Boys FC the ticket.

Highlights of the final day was the presentation of Garri Ijebu specially produced by Vino Gano Wine Company to the winning team.

Afterwards, hosts Landmark, while expressing appreciation to 1XBET and the organisers for bringing top quality grassroots football to their community also took time to entertain members of the 1XBET Cup crew and Match International Limited to choice drinks and food.

The Chairman of ,Edo State Sports Commission Olympian Yusuf Alli , has congratulated the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki and Edo Queens Football Club for the successes recorded in the just-concluded 2023 Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament.

The Edo Sports Commission boss said that the annual Nigeria Women Premier Football League preseason tournament which came to an end on Wednesday evening at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City was a huge success.

Alli who expressed his joy over Edo Queens’ victory said that he was also impressed with the performance of the girls throughout the tournament adding that the coaches and the entire team have shown how ready they are for the new football season. " I congratulate our mother, Mrs Betsy Obaseki on the htchfree 2023

Betsy Obaseki Football tournament.

I am particularly happy that sports is alive again in our state to the

extent that the wife of our governor is supporting her husband in the renaissance process.

Edo State First Lady, Mrs Betsy Obaseki (right), presenting the winners trophy of the third edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women’s Football Tournament preseason trophy to Edo Queens Captain, Suliat Abideen, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City...on Wednesday night

“She is contributing immensely to football development in the country. The tournament is not only adding glamour to women football in the country but it is also an advocacy platform for the girl-child protection.

“I am happy it is happening in Edo State and Her Excellency is the initiator, which means it is sustainable,” observed the former Team Nigeria Captain whose long jump national record has endured three decades.

Ali also congratulates Edo Queens for the sterling performance that earned them the hard-fought victory over experienced Bayelsa Queens.

“Thank God we have a good story to tell this year. Last year, we came close but surrendered the Gold Cup to FC Robo of Lagos.

I therefore urge them to replicate the feat when the Nigeria Women Premier Football League resumes.

They have really made us proud."

Ali concluded.

NPFL Unveils StarTimes as Premier League Broadcast Partners Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Nigeria Premier Football League Limited has announced StarTimes as the exclusive broadcast partners of the NPFL matches.

The announcement was made yesterday at a ceremony in Abuja, attended by President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye and dignitaries from the Chinese Embassy, Abuja.

Under the agreement, StarTimes secured exclusive rights to broadcast four matches of NPFL per round in 2023/24 season and 2024/25 season; and eight matches of NPFL per round in 2025/26 season, 2026/27 season and 2027/28 season.

The CEO StarTimes Nigeria, Joshua Wang, described the five- year deal as a win-win situation for his company and NPFL, saying the deal implies that the organisation can offer its subscribers more value and variety in its sports content

Wang said that by the deal, StarTimes will be the only platform where fans can watch the best of Nigerian football every week, adding it will also have the first pick of the matches it wants to showcase, ensuring that it brings to Nigerians the most exciting and competitive games in the league.

“For StarTimes, it means that we can offer our subscribers more value and variety in our sports content.

For the NPFL, it means that they can benefit from our expertise

and experience in producing and broadcasting high-quality football matches. Promoting and developing the league is not only a business goal for us but also a social responsibility.

We are committed to growing the sports industry in Nigeria by collaborating with our local partners and sharing positive Nigerian stories.

“We believe that this deal will enhance the visibility and popularity of the NPFL, both locally and internationally. We hope that it will also inspire and motivate the

75

Friday, November 3, 2023

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Ali Ndume to Akpabio

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“Don’t forget I campaigned for Akpabio. I can’t build a house and destroy it, but I think the main problem is that I am more experienced than him. However, when I try to correct him, sometimes like that incident, he overruled me! You can’t overrule your Chief Whip!! No. I am supposed to be the one to call him to order, not him” –Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, telling Akpabio to listen to correction during plenary, because some lawmakers have more legislative experience than him.

4*/$&

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akinosuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Between the National Assembly and the Judiciary

T

he most painful aspect of the behaviour of contemporary Nigerian political and bureaucratic elite (as represented by the national assembly and the judiciary) is its confirmation of the worst biases and prejudice of imperialist and colonialist writers on African politics and governance. The one such article, I find particularly galling is “Democracy and Prebendal politics in Nigeria” authored

by Richard Joseph. ‘Prebendalism refers to political systems in which elected officials and government workers feel they have a right to a share of government revenues, and they use them to benefit supporters, co-religionists and members of their ethnic group’.

Before the rave of the ‘Prebendal Politics’ nomenclature, there was similar excitement over its older relative called Neopatrimonialism- defined as a “system of social hierarchy where patrons use state resources to secure the loyalty of clients in the general population. It is an informal patron–client relationship that can reach from very high up in state structures down to individuals in small villages”.

I have recalled these two definitions in order to make one or two points. First, other than playing around with words, how do these two concepts essentially differ from one another? Are both not repetitive descriptions of public service corruption in Nigeria? Why do they need to keep on restating the same problem over and over again as if in an endless competition on the use of the English language. In response to the problems they pose, how is the policy prescription (contingent on the prognosis) of one, different from that of the other? Above all, in what ways were the stewardship (premiership) of Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe typical of neopatrimonial and prebendal politics?.

I readily assert that the dominant trademark of the politics and governance of these three outstanding personalities is neither Prebendalism nor Neopatrimonialism. On the contrary, they were an advertisement of development oriented and utilitarian leadership. To put it in the horse’s mouth, this was an attestation by Awolowo himself.

In an instructive encounter between him and John Gunther of the Inside Africa magazine in 1955, here was Awolowo at his frank and assertive best “the British did not have the true interests of the country at heart.

In fourteen months, under the present government, we have done more for Nigeria than the British did in 120 years.”

In the defunct Eastern region,”after the implementation of Arthur D Little’s recommended growth plan, the East’s economy grew at more than 9.2%, starting from 1958 till 1967 when the war tragically interrupted the sterling momentum…At over 9%, the Eastern Region in this period, had the fastest growing economy on earth consistently for 9 years and was estimated

Senate President, Akpabio

to equal Western Nigeria by 1978 (in terms of total gross capital formation)” My agony is that their prodigal descendants, (the children of perdition) progressively from the Second Republic, largely conform to the degrading stereotypes of the racist western scholars. Matters have only gotten worse in quantum proportions, retroactively lending credence to the lunacy of the Hamitic hypothesis (in which Africans were the sons of Ham cursed by Noah to serve forever the children of Shem and Japhet, particularly Japhet”). In varying degrees and shades, this hypothesis has survived down to the present age thriving on the oxygen provided by the real time culprits.

Representative of the racist genre of writers were the likes of Jean Jacques Rousseau who concluded that “The black people are unable to think in any reflective manner.

Their engagement in arts is, therefore, a thoughtless activity which is the ant-thesis of the intellect.”. They even contemplated the genocidal option of ridding the world of blacks altogether. ‘In order to preclude a weakening miscegenation of the superior race by the inferior race, John Hobson advocated the establishment of an international organisation to supervise the “gradual elimination” of inferior races. He was of the opinion that ‘a rational stirpiculture require a repression of the spread of degenerate or unprogressive races”.

Nigeria had the dubious distinction of playing host to Henry Townsend who believed white superiority was part of the ordained natural order. He applauded the complementarity between the ‘white man and the Negro who feels a great respect for the white man whom God gives a great talent to the end that it may be used for the Negro’s good’. He rhetorically pondered “Shall we shirk this responsibility without offending God? And logically concluded ‘it would amount to unpardonable sin to contravene at any stage or level in the missionary work the principle of African subordination to the European”

And as recent as 2010, former President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy remarked “The tragedy of Africa is that the African has not fully entered into history.... They have never really launched themselves into the future. . .The African peasant only knew the eternal renewal of time, marked by the endless repetition of the same gestures and the same words. ... In this realm of fancy .. . there is neither room for human endeavour nor the idea of progress”.The tragic irony is that, compelled by the gross and remorseless perversion of the ruling elite amongst us in Africa and Nigeria, we are nearly coming to terms with the possibility that there is something fundamentally wrong with Africans.

In the estimation of World bank economic experts “fuel subsidy removal is estimated to increase the national poverty rate by 3–4% on average..the complete removal disproportionately affects low-income citizens.

The low-income citizens face greater financial strain to meet their basic food needs’. Now, recall that before this stark reality, Nigeria was all along rated the overty capital of the world with multidimensional poverty rate at 63% and unemployment at 33.3%.

According to the same institution, 96% of Nigeria’s revenue is spent on debt servicing.

Is it not then inhuman for a set of Nigerian public officials to prioritize the acquisition of 160 million naira vehicle per national legislator? It gets worse. Recall that they are committing Nigeria to the double jeopardy of funding this greed with borrowed money whose repayment will last well beyond this generation. If they do this openly, it is left to anyone’s imagination what they do when no one is watching.

Justifying the depraved profligacy, the Senate spokesman, Sunday Karimi stated that ‘Nigerians were picking on lawmakers but ignoring ministers.. afterall, some ministers have more than three Land Cruisers, Prado and other vehicles and questions are not asked’. No better ambassador for the rogue behaviour can be found better than the Senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio, easily, one of the most disreputable public officials in the annals of Nigeria’s history, no Senate president can personify this brigandage more than Akpabio.

Expectedly, as the judgement on the petitions of Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar goes, the appeal court panel has reproduced itself in the Supreme Court prompting this remarks from one of the presidential election petitioners, Vice President Atiku Abubakar. “If the Supreme Court decides that the Electoral umpire, INEC, can tell the public one thing and then do something else in order to reach a corruptly predetermined outcome, then there is really no hope for the country’s democracy and electoral politics’’.

While Supreme Court Judge Okoro (who presided over the Supreme court panel on the appeal from petitioners Obi and Atiku) was raining plaudits on the Court of Appeal, for a job well done, he took out time to threaten those who engage in “media trials”. In the event he underestimated

the backlash. The rejoinder to the threat, came, not from the media but from a senior colleague at the Supreme Court itself. And it was appropriately devastated.

Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa had played John the baptist to Justice Dattijo Mohammed.

Earlier in the year, the unguarded Senator, had ratted on his wife who was the President of the Federal Court of Appeal. At an open session of the Senate, he had revealed, in a kiss and tell fashion, of how he regularly suborn his wife to pervert the course of justice. He dropped the hint so casually that it was impossible not to get the drift that this was regular and routine misconduct of the Nigerian judiciary. Any shred of doubt on the culture of judicial corruption and impunity was blown away by no less the number two man in the Supreme Court, Justice Dattijo Mohammed, at the occasion of his retirement from the highest court.

It was one for the archives. Here he goes “At the Court of Appeal, it is asserted, presiding Justices are now being appointed out of turn. And there is the further issue of the unpredictable nature of recent decisions of the courts as well. A number of respected senior members of the bar (inter alia, citing the Ahmed Lawan, the former President of the Senate and the Imo Governorship appeals), claim that decisions of even the apex court have become unpredictable, they contend. In some quarters the view is strongly held that filth and intrigues characterise the institution these days!

Public perceptions of the judiciary have over the years become witheringly scornful and monstrously critical”.

“It has been in the public space that court officials and judges are easily bribed by litigants to obviate delays and or obtain favourable judgments.

It is asserted that the process of appointment to judicial positions are deliberately conducted to give undue advantage to the “children,spouses, and mistresses” of serving and retired judges and managers of judicial offices.”“To ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geo-political zones are required to participate in the hearing. It is therefore dangerous for democracy and equity for two entire regions to be left out in the decisions that will affect the generality of Nigerians”.

“Although it can be posited that no one expected the sudden passing of Nweze JSC, yet, it has been two years and seven months since previous Justice from the South East died and no appointment was made. Ditto for the replacement of Eko JSC of North central who exited nearly two years ago.

Sidi Bage JSC, now his Royal Highness the Emir of Lafia, from the North Central, had earlier voluntarily retired. He equally is yet to be replaced. Also,it was clear ab-initio that I would be leaving the court this day on attaining the statutory age of 70. It is then not in doubt that there has been sufficient time for suitable replacements to have been appointed. This is yet to occur.”

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