TUESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2022

Soludo: I Won't Succumb to Bullies, Obi Knows He Can't Win Says he’s making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier, toying with Ndigbo's destiny Anambra governor being sponsored to weaken our candidate, LP fumes

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Professor

Chukwuma Soludo, has said he is sure the candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, would lose the 2023 presidential election.

Soludo said he would not submit to the bullying of Obi’s supporters, who recently descended on him for addressing issues in the state.

The governor made the comments in a lengthy write-up personally authored, with the title, “History Beckons, and I Will Not

Be Silent (Part 1).”

Soludo said Obi was inadvertently making the pathway to victory much easier for the

presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Continued on page 12

Akwa Ibom: Court Sacks Udofia, Akpabio as APC's Guber, Senatorial Candidates... Page 34 Tuesday 15 November, 2022 Vol 27. No 10080. Price: N250

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Lalong: History Will Repeat Itself at Jos Presidential Flag Off Seriki Adinoyi in Jos L-R: Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore; Presidential Candidate of the Action Democratic Party; Malam Yabagi Sani; Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance Party, GODWIN OMOIGUI. Professor Peter Umeadi; Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Prince Adewole Adebayo at the 2nd Arise Presidential Town Hall Series held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja... on Sunday

Plateau State Governor and Director General of the All Progressives Continued on page 12

NESG Sets Priorities for Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, Kwankwaso, Others Buhari: Increased domestic production, value addition will address inflation, FX constraints Ahmed: Publication of FAAC allocation meant to help citizens demand accountability FG eyes N12trn in taxes by Dec

Anyone of our candidates who seeks the office of president and vice president who does not subscribe to these consensus issues, does not clearly understand the problems facing us as a country, has not thought about how these problems must be dealt with, cannot have the capacity and understanding to lead this country at this time... –NESG Deji Elumoye, Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has declared that any presidential candidate aspiring to lead the country next year must subscribe to eight consensus issues, saying those yet to attune themselves to such issues lack the capacity to head the country at this critical time.

NESG chairman, Asue Ighodalo, itemised the priorities of the group for the next Nigerian president yesterday in Abuja at the on-going 28th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#28), with the theme, “2023 and Beyond: Priorities for Shared Prosperity.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, at the event, emphasised the urgent need to reduce inflation, saying it is “both a tax on the poor and disrupts long-term growth”.

Buhari stressed the necessity for focusing on boosting local Continued on page 12

40 YEARS OF CROSS-BORDER BANKING...

L-R: Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola; 14th Emir of Kano, Khalifa Sanusi II; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at the 40th Anniversary celebration of First Bank of Nigeria in the United Kingdom...recently

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

NEWS

NPAN MEDIA ROUNDTABLE ON DEEPENING PROFESSIONALISM THROUGH-REGULATION...

L-R: President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mallam Mustapha Issa; Publisher, Guardian Newspapers Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman, THISDAY/ ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; President NPAN Mallam Kabir Yusuf; Chairman of the Occasion, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Chairman, Punch Newspapers, Mrs Angela Emuwa; Life Patron, NPAN/ Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka- Pemu; Life Patron, NPAN, Mr Ray Ekpu; and Publisher, Nigerian Pilots, Mr. Denis Sami, during the Media Roundtable on: Deepening Media Professionalism PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI. Through-Regulation held at Ikeja Select, Alausa, Ikeja…yesterday.

Floods: Lawmakers Urge Buhari to Request N100bn Supplementary Budget from National Assembly Wants N200bn earmarked in 2023 budget proposal Directs release of N5bn for 36 states, FCT Udora Orizu in Abuja Following the devastating effects of flooding nationwide, the House of Representatives has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make an urgent request for N100 billion

supplementary budget or more from the National Assembly as intervention fund for mitigation, recovery and relieve programmes across the country.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Ministry of Finance and

Economic Planning and Office of the Accountant General`s Office of the Federation to release immediately, the sum of N5 billion into the already created Special Ecological Fund Account of each State of the Federation and the

FCT to mitigate the effect of the flooding.

The House mandated its Committee on Appropriation to make provision of N200 billion in the 2023 appropriation bill for the Ecological Project Office in the

Presidency for flood preparedness, mitigation, response and relieve packages.

It also mandated its committee on legislative agenda to coordinate a Technical Working Group between the executive and legislature as

Gbajabiamila: 2023 Budget Ready for Presidential Assent December Lawmakers hold national summit on tertiary education next week Buhari transmits FCT, NDDC budgets, CCT Bill to house Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday said the lawmakers are working to ensure that in line with the reforms of the ninth Assembly, they have the 2023 Appropriation Bill ready for presidential assent before the end of the year.

This was just as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday transmitted the 2023 statutory budget proposals of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the House of Representatives for approval.

Gbajabiamila, disclosed the plan by the lawmakers to ensure that the 2023 Appropriation Bill was ready for presidential assent before the end of the year, while delivering his welcome address at the resumed plenary after three weeks budget defence.

He also said the House would

convene a national summit on tertiary education reform next Tuesday and Wednesday, as part of the efforts to meet its legislative agenda commitments to Nigerians.

The Speaker while noting that it was not an easy task to deliver an implementable budget at a time of significant financial limitations, especially ahead of a general election, he expressed optimism that the budget would be ready and assented to by the president next month.

He said, "The limited time available for budget consideration and the demands of the fast-approaching national elections further complicate the picture. However, I am confident that members of the House are alive to our responsibilities and will deliver our objectives in good time and to the benefit of our country."

On the summit, Gbajabiamila said the meeting would be an opportunity to begin the long overdue national conversation

about the future of public tertiary education in Nigeria.

He assured that the presentations and submissions would inform the policy recommendations of the summit and be published in a journal for policy action and academic reference.

"Scholars, tertiary education administrators and local and international stakeholders have been invited to submit papers on the theme of the summit “Reimagining Tertiary Education in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Solutions,” - and other sub-themes provided in a call for memoranda.

The most consequential decisions we make in government are those that will ensure the vast population of young people in our country are educated and adequately equipped to participate productively in the modern global economy.

"To achieve this, we must ask and answer complex questions about the operating structure of our public tertiary institutions,

sustainable funding, education quality and access.

“I urge all members of the House to participate in this crucial national conversation so that your experience, expertise and concerns inform the policy recommendations that emerge from the summit," he said.

Buhari Transmits FCT, NDDC Budgets, CCT Bill to House

Meanwhile, Buhari has transmitted the 2023 statutory budget proposals of the FCT and the NDDC to the House of Representatives for approval.

Buhari also transmitted to the lawmakers, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCT) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alteration bills 2022 for its consideration.

These were contained in three separate letters from the President read by Gbajabiamila, at the resumption of plenary yesterday.

In the letter for the budget, Buhari explained that the conveyance

of the FCT statutory budget which he said aligned with the federal government's fiscal development policies was pursuant to section 121 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

"Pursuant to section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I forward the Federal Capital Territory 2023 statutory budget proposal for the kind consideration of the House of Representatives.

“In the preparation of the Federal Capital Territory's 2023 budget, the Federal Capital Territory Administration aligns with the federal government's fiscal development policies.

"Accordingly, the FCT 2023 budget proposal prioritises improvement in healthcare services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services, education and increased productivity in agriculture in our determination to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Continues online

well as industrial experts and stakeholders to articulate an Action Plan to forestall a repeat of such flood and erosion disaster in 2023 and beyond.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Henry Nwawuba and Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, at the resumption of plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Nwawuba noted that Nigeria was passing through the devastating effects of floods caused by a combination of factors such as heavy rains, which makes flood control and management a perennial challenge.

He noted that with each passing year, the impact of flooding kept getting worse, with damages to property, dangers to lives of humans and other species, traffic delay, interference with drainage and economic use of lands.

He said the House was aware that in 2022, 33 out of 36 states and the FCT were affected, over 600 people killed and over 1.4 Million people displaced.

Nwawuba added, "Conscious that food inflation, which typically falls during the harvest season, has defied the trend this year, due to the compound effect of flooding and structural bottle necks.

“Informed by the most recent announcement on Monday 7th November, 2022, by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the effect that the heavy downpour will re-occur next year 2023."

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its committee on legislative compliance to ensure compliance and report back within one week.

Air Peace Suspends Dubai Flights over Visa Ban Atiku to Appear at

Chinedu Eze

Air Peace has announced the suspension of its flight service to Dubai following the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) decision to stop issuing visas to Nigerians.

Emirates Airlines recently stopped flight operations to Lagos and Abuja in protest of the inability of the Nigerian government to provide dollars for the airline to repatriate its revenues earned in Nigeria.

Also about a fortnight ago, UAE had through licenced travel agents in that country announced the stoppage of issuance of visa to Nigeria and 19 other countries in Africa.

Owing to this, in a statement signed by Air Peace management, the airline said, “We hereby inform the public, especially our Dubai passengers, that effective from Tuesday, November 22, 2022, we shall be suspending our Dubai operations till further notice.

“This is consequent upon the persisting non-issuance of visas to Nigerian travellers by the government of the United Arab Emirates and the accompanying inconveniences.

“Air Peace has been operating into UAE even with the country's recent travel restrictions, but given the heightening hurdles Nigerian travellers are facing in accessing the country, it has become imperative that we halt our operations to that destination. We shall provide further

updates as the situation progresses,” the airline said.

It also urged passengers whose flights were affected by this development to mail the airline’s call centre team at callcenter@flyairpeace. com- to attend to their concerns.

Reports had indicated that the federal government may have held back about $567 million of the trapped funds, which government through the Minister of Aviation has opened discussion with airlines on how to repatriate

Editors’ Forum Tomorrow

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former vice president of Nigeria, Mr. Atiku Abubakar will tomorrow in Lagos appear at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ (NGEs) Forum.

He would present his plans for Nigerians to over 100 editors who would gather at the Protea

Hotel by Marriot Ikeja Select on Plot 2 Assibifi Road, OffObafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja at 9 am.

The Editors’ Forum is part of the NGEs’ efforts to help deepen democracy by engaging candidates in the electoral process to provide explanations to Nigerians on their manifestoes and programmes.

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NEWS

SHA SHWA CULTURAL INITIATIVE, LOGO UNVEILING AND FUNDRAISING...

L-R: District Head, Tiv People in Lagos, Chief Boi Boniface; President, Tiv Professionals in Lagos, Engr. Emmanuel Uganden; Mrs. Dooyuw Omokaro; Convener, Kyegh Sha Shwa (KSS), Very Rev Fr Solomon Mfa Ukeyima; Chairman, Central Planning Committee (KSS Eko 2022), Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers' Council, Emmanuel Jime and Chairperson, QROGA, Lilian Odeh, during PHOTO: KUNLE OGUNFUYI the cutting of the cake at Kyegh Sha Shwa Cultural Initiative, logo unveiling and Fundraising held in Lagos...recently

Oil Production: Again, OPEC Data Shows Angola, Algeria, Libya Overtook Nigeria in October Africa’s biggest producer retains 4th position Oil cartel cuts global demand forecast by 100,000bpd Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Like in previous months, Angola, Algeria and Libya again pushed Nigeria to the fourth position in October, as Africa’s ‘biggest’ oil producer struggles with sundry issues which have hobbled it’s capacity to meet the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil quota.

While in the month under review, Algeria drilled 1.060 million barrels per day, Angola produced 1.051 million bpd, Libya’s output was 1.163 million while Nigeria’s oil production stood at 1.024 million bpd.

Although Nigeria added 77,000 bpd in October, it wasn’t enough to return the country to the top of the table as Africa’s biggest producer, even though Algeria gained a paltry 2,000 bpd, Angola lost 40,000 bpd and Libya gained 6,000bpd (secondary source).

Production in Angola saw the second-steepest drop in OPEC producers in October, but it wasn’t the result of a conscious reduction since the African producer has been lagging behind its quota for many months.

The OPEC figures released in its latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) yesterday, indicated that

Nigeria’s roughly 1 million bpd is also a far cry from its average of 1.493 million bpd in 2020, a covid year, and 1.323 million in 2021.

On the economic front, OPEC stated that Nigeria's economic outlook has been impacted by the devastating rains and floods that affected 31 of Nigeria's 36 states and has resulted in a significant loss of land, lives and livelihoods.

The latest data, it said, suggested that record-high inflation continues to persist, even after a recent 150 bps rate hike by the central bank.

OPEC noted that September's annual inflation rate accelerated to 20.77 per cent from 20.52 per cent in August, stressing that upward price pressures were mainly caused by supply disruptions amid the widespread flooding and higher import costs.

However, considering the broad money-supply growth of 21 per cent y-o-y in August, the organisation said that there is a significant monetary component behind the inflationary spiral. “ A sustained accumulation of outstanding business suggests that hiring activity could continue in the months ahead. However, the inflationary pressures are suppressing consumption spending, which might weigh on the growth of

household volume consumption,” it added.

Meanwhile, OPEC has made another cut to its global oil demand growth forecast, trimming around 100,000 bpd from its projections for both 2022 and 2023.

This year's growth is now pegged at 2.55 million bpd, compared with a previous forecast for 2.64 million bpd, OPEC said.

OPEC added that the downgrade was underpinned by the extension of China's zero-Covid restrictions and "some economic challenges in OECD Europe that have weighed on oil demand."

The Chinese government last week again reinforced the need

to stick with its zero-Covid policy, although it urged more targeted restrictions, oilprice reported.

The cartel expects global oil demand next year to be supported by the containment of Covid-19 in China and by geopolitical improvements, but it has cut its growth forecast regardless, to 2.24 million bpd from 2.34 million bpd.

It reduced its 2022 forecast for oil supply growth from non-OPEC producers by 30,000 bpd to 1.9 million bpd, with upwards revisions for Russia and Latin America.

"It should be noted, however, that considerable uncertainty remains with regard to Russia's

Following a petition alleging multi-million-naira fraud in the Board of Internal Revenue Service, the Niger State Government has constituted a high-powered committee to investigate the matter.

A petition which revealed the gross malfeasance in the Board was authored by some staff of the organisation through the chambers of a private legal firm, Nuhu Edah &Co. According to the document sent to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello a copy of which was made available to THISDAY, titled, "The brazen and unethical behaviour of Mohammed Madami Etsu, the Executive Chairman of Niger State Internal Revenue Service," monies meant for the development of the state were allegedly diverted to private pockets.

The document stated that to achieve his selfish aims and

ambition, the Executive chairman first undermined the experience of professional officers by "failing and refusing to carry them along and by putting them in the dark."

It was said that one of the corrupt practice perpetrated by the Chairman was the appointment of new staff, "when he has no power to do so," and paying those hired huge amount of money.

"Sir, the above figures are shocking when compared with the fact that a Governors SA receives less than N80,000 per month.

“It should also be noted that the employees are not engaged by the state government and due process has not been followed in their engagement," it stated.

Another allegation leveled against the chairman was that he reportedly employed a driver and pays him N350,000 monthly.

"Mohammed Madami Etsu embarks on many contracts

OPEC+ decided in early September to reverse a 100,000 bpd increase in target oil production, which was only intended for the month of September.

Over the coming months, OPEC’s production is set to decline further after the OPEC+ alliance decided to reduce its collective target by 2 million bpd for November.

Although the actual cut is expected to be around half that number, at 1.1 million bpd, it still is the biggest cut since the record production reduction announced in April 2020 when oil demand plunged at the start of the pandemic.

US Govt Announces $50m Technical Assistance for Nigeria’s 2023 Polls Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The United States government yesterday announced the allocation of $50 million as technical assistance for the 2023 polls in Nigeria.

US Consul General, Will Stevens, was quoted as saying that the sum

will take care of preparations for the polls in terms of training journalists as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for election reporting and technical assistance among others.

Stevens, who spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state, during an open session

Niger Probes Multi-million Naira Fraud in Revenue Board Laleye Dipo in Minna

liquids output in (the fourth quarter of 2022)," OPEC said.

In addition, OPEC’s crude oil production dropped by 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) in October compared to the previous month after the cartel and the wider OPEC+ group reversed the small output increase in September.

The crude oil production of all 13 OPEC members, including those exempt from the OPEC+ pact - Venezuela, Iran, and Libya - averaged 29.49 million bpd in October, according to secondary sources.

Saudi Arabia, saw its production decline by 149,000 bpd to average 10.838 million bpd last month, as

without due regards to due process and continued unabated despite numerous cautions.

‘He paid N29, 285,40100 for air tickets and estacodes for his foreign trips without following the due process," it alleged, adding that Etsu would travel abroad every two weeks to visit his children in a school in Turkey at the expense of state agency.

The document added that the Director of Finance, "who is only a supporting staff purportedly traveled to The Gambia against the consent of the technical staff with expenditure of over N10 million."

Disturbed by the revelations and the bad image the allegations have created for the government, the state government at the weekend set up a committee headed by the Accountant General to investigate the matter.

"The state government has set up a committee to investigate a petition against the Chairman of

the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue, Mohammed Etsu on misappropriation of funds," a statement by the Secretary to the State Government revealed.

The statement noted that the committee was expected to identify the basis for the petition against the Chairman and verify issues raised to establish whether or not there were any financial or administrative infractions within the Board leading to disaffection by the staff.

The statement signed by the Information Officer in the SSG's office Lawal Tanko, pointed out that the committee was to, "make appropriate recommendations to ensure sustainable functions of the Board and report back within two weeks on their findings."

Other members of the committee are the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Annas Salihu, Dr. Yahaya Zakari and a representative of the Nigerian Labour Congress.

of election reporting workshop for journalists organised by West Africa Broadcast & Media Academy (WABMA), explained that the US government is interested in seeing that every vote counts during the forthcoming elections.

Journalists who attended the three-day intensive election reporting workshop for South West, were selected from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States.

He added that the US government had been working closely with partners through the US Agency for International Development(USAID) to ensure that the election is as transparent as possible.

“The US government has allocated over $50 million for technical assistance and support, training, for civil society organisations to support elections, transparency, elections processes, technical assistance, working on the IT systems among others “We’re committed to initiatives here in Nigeria to build needed capacity. We funded training for hundreds of journalists on topics ranging from fact-checking, health reporting, defence and national security reporting, investigative journalism, election reporting, and media ethics,” he disclosed.

The US official noted that the country will continue to emphasise the value of voting and protecting a free press.

The workshop, organised by the West Africa Broadcast and Media

Academy (WABMA), with the support of United States Consulate General and Enugu Literary Society, ongoing at the American Space, Jericho, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Stevens added that the essence of the programme was to enlighten people on their civic responsibilities and the need for them to participate in the elections, stating that the US would continue to emphasise the importance and value of voting.

Also speaking, the Team Lead, Election Reporting Project (ERP), Ken Ike-Okere, stated that the workshop was organised to build the capacity of 150 Nigerian political journalists, photojournalists, videographers, and political editors, who will cover the 2023 election cycle.

He added that the participants at the event of the event, should be able to manage an election coverage reporting website dedicated to political journalism content produced them, noting that similar training would be held in Lagos, Enugu and Port Harcourt in Rivers state.

The Dean, School of Communication and Chair, Department of Radio, Television and Film, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, United States, Prof Chris Ulasi; former Dean, School of Communication, University of Lagos, Prof Lai Oso; and a journalist with the Associated Press (AP), Mrs. Grace Ekpu, were among the resource persons at the workshop.

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NEWS

10TH YEAR REMEMBRANCE PRAYERS FOR OLOYE...

L-R: Otunba Edward Adedamola Ibidapo, Mr. Koye Edu, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, and Mrs. Tope Edu at the 10th year remembrance prayers of Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. (Oloye) Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

More Troubles for Tinubu as Deloitte Denies Having Records of His Employment Chuks Okocha in Abuja A new document by Deloitte, USA, a leading audit and consulting company, has

revealed that the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was never on its employ, because it does not have any record of

his engagement.

Earlier on Sunday, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had sought Tinubu's disqualification on the ground of Section 137 of

the 1999 Constitution, because of the alleged involvement in the forfeiture of $460,000.

PDP claimed there should be no forfeiture in the first place if

Obaseki Launches Digital Museum with World’s Largest Online Repository of Benin Artefacts Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City As part of the Alaghodaro celebrations in Edo State as well as to mark the six years tenure of office as Governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has launched a digital online museum with repository of Benin artefacts.

He described the website as a platform with the largest digital collections of Benin artefact.

Obaseki who launched the online platform at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, said, “We suggested having a catalog of all Benin artwork scattered around the world a while back. Today, I am so glad and fulfilled that five years on, we now have the digital records of 5,246 pieces of Benin and Edo artworks in 131 locations across the globe. This is a feat to be proud of.

“Digital Benin is now the largest Museum in the world for Benin collections. It's a virtual Museum which will tell you anything you need to know about Benin history and future. Go to the website and every piece of Benin artwork located anywhere in the world can be seen. You can see the artworks, the meaning and the locations.

“This is a significant milestone we have achieved. This project is very significant to the people of the kingdom. We thank Prof. Gregory Akenzua and members of the Benin Dialog Group who, over the last two decades, have kept on the pressure and the dialogue on how to restitute and return the artworks taken away after the invasion of 1897.

He explained further, "I met the Benin Dialog Group having this debate and discussion for the last 18 years and later joined them to ensure we achieve the aims of the group.

“We joined the group in 2017, and in 2018, we went outside the country to join the conversation

and address the issues confronting the return of the art work.

“The invasion of the Kingdom destroyed our history which was unbroken for 1,000 years. It suddenly got broken and it's taken us over a century to begin to understand our place in the world.

“For more than 100 years, our artworks have been with strangers who do not understand the import, significance and importance of these works.

“These works serve as our ambassador all over the world and the concern for us is ownership, as these are our properties taken from us, at least let it be returned so that we will have a legal title.”

He added: “This success is all about collaboration and the achievement gladdens our heart. I appreciate our European partners who have been really understanding, particularly the German, French and the Italian governments. The future is about technology and the Digital Benin rests on a technology platform.”

The governor also said the state government was ready to continue to work with partners for continuation and sustainability of the Digital Benin website, noting: “We have designed a new cultural district for Edo State. Edo and Benin City is the natural cultural capital of West Africa. Within this cultural district, we would have a minimum of three museums and we already have one which will be upgraded while two others (The Benin Royal Museum and EMOWAA).

“The cultural district which is going to be sited on over 10,000 hectares of land will have other facilities like hotels, spaces for offices, center for young artists, among others.

“I want to acknowledge a young Edo personality, Tracy Eboigbodin, who won a master-chef competition in Italy, making Edo and Nigeria proud for her achievement in

Europe.”

Delivering his welcome address, Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Bamidele Obaitan, thanked Obaseki, for his visionary leadership style.

He noted that the occasion of the launch of Digital Benin provided an opportunity to share with the people the remarkable progress made by the administration of Governor Obaseki in the arts and culture space.

“This project is a platform for people to know more about the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people and its artifacts scattered around the world,” he added.

In her keynote address, the Director, Museum am Rothenbanm Kulturer and Kunste der Welt-MARKK, Prof. Dr. Barbara Plankensteiner, commended Obaseki and the Oba of Benin for working hard to recover the stolen Benin artifacts scattered around the globe.

there was no criminal conspiracy.

But this new development was contrary to Tinubu’s revelation in an interview he granted.

In the interview with TheNews Magazine, Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, claimed he had a salary deposit of about $1.8 million while working with Deloitte and Touche.

He said, “My bonus was $850,000 before taxes. My salaries were also being paid into the bank and I was not touching them. At the time, my salary deposit in the bank had risen to $1.8million.”

However, digging deeper into the claims by Tinubu, investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, said he subpoenaed Deloitte USA for the employment records of the APC candidate.

His findings were posted on his verified Twitter handle, @

DavidHundeyin, where it was reported that Deloitte could not produce any record with the name sent for inquiry.

Media aide to Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, on his verified tweeter handle, also said of Tinubu's various scandal.

"In 1999 Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT lied under oath in his @inecnigeria form CF001, when he claimed to have attended The University of Chicago @UChicago & Govt College Ibadan. But the attached notarised document proves beyond reasonable doubts that Tinubu lied under oath.

"The certified true copy of his own affidavit is hereby placed side-by-side with the notarised document to show that he did not only lie on oath but forged the documents. Yes, it is 30 years since Bola Tinubu lied under oath, but crime does not rot."

Taraba Senator Hails CourtVoiding APC Governorship Primary Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, has commended Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for nullifying the APC Governorship Primary conducted on May 26, 2022 .

Justice Egwuatu, had in his ruling in Abuja, yesterday, declared that based on submissions made before him by all concerned parties, the purported primary election conducted by APC on 26th of May this year upon, which the party announced Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (APC Taraba South), as its candidate for the 2023 governorship elections, was a nullity.

He ruled that Yusuf remained the valid aspirant of the Taraba State APC governorship nominations, after validly obtaining both his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms from the APC, towards the said botched primary election.

He consequently ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary for authentic gubernatorial candidate within two weeks from this date of judgement, and that INEC

should supervise same according to the provisions of the law.

In his reaction to the judgement, Yusuf said it was a victory for democracy driven by internal party democracy.

He said the primary that produced Bwacha as the party's gubernatorial candidate was a charade, which made him to litigate against it as done by Chief David Sabo Kente in Federal High Court Jalingo, which also ruled against the outcome of the primary election.

"The judgement given today

on the case I filed against the purported winner of APC guber primary in Taraba State on 26th May , 2022, the party itself and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is a welcome development as far as internal party democracy is concerned.

"I am not against my party or any member but strictly for due process in doing things, which was thrown to the winds in the purported May 26th 2022 APC gubernatorial primary in Taraba State.

"I am happy that the required

windows have been provided for all interested parties from the aspirants to the party executives and INEC to do the right thing with the ordered fresh primary election.

"Going by provisions of the law and specifically as stated in section 84(13) of the 2022 Electoral Act , Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, may not participate in the ordered fresh primary since candidates earlier declared by political parties as winners of such faulty primaries are not eligible to contest in fresh ones," he added.

Tinubu, Atiku Meet amidst Brickbats Amid mudslinging between supporters of presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Atiku Abubakar, had a brief chat yesterday when they ran into each other at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The two Presidential candidates of the parties exchanged pleasantries as they sat in the lounge of the Abuja airport.

Atiku was said to be on his way to Lagos to deliver a lecture at the Nigeria Guild of Editors today, November 15. On the other hand, Tinubu was on his way to Jos for the APC’s campaign flag off today. They were said to have bumped into each another for the unexpected meeting at the airport.

Among those who were with the two presidential candidates were National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and a PDP presidential aspirant,

Mohammed Hayatudeen. The video of the encounter between the two men was posted on Instagram by another former presidential aspirant turned adviser to Atiku, Dele Momodu.

The meeting between Atiku and Tinubu, which was said to have taken place in jovial manner is despite the repeated brickbats between some of their most ferocious supporters, notably Senator Dino Melaye and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who have gone personal against each other.

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Amazon Founder, Jeff Bezos, Plans to Give Most of His £110bn Fortune Away The world's second-richest man, Jeff Bezos, yesterday said he was, "building the capacity" to help causes close to his heart, including the battle against climate change.

Bezos said he plans to give away most of his $124 billion (£110bn) fortune during his lifetime.

The Amazon founder, 58, is the world's second-richest man after Elon Musk, the Tesla boss and new owner of Twitter, according to Forbes.

According to Sky News, this was the first time he has revealed plans to give away most of his money.

Bezos had been criticised in the past for not signing the Giving

Pledge, a campaign founded by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to encourage the mega rich to contribute most of their wealth to charity.

Asked directly by CNN whether he planned to give most of his money away, Bezos said: "Yeah, I do."

Bezos told the US broadcaster that he and his girlfriend, the journalist-turned-philanthropist Lauren Sanchez, were "building the capacity to be able to give away this money."

He said the money would go to causes that work to tackle climate change and to support people who

can unify humanity.

It was announced a week ago at the start of the COP27 summit that his Bezos Earth Fund had pledged $1 billion more by 2030 to help protect carbon reserves and biodiversity - building on $9 billion of funds already committed to the climate cause. Also, last week it was revealed that country music star Dolly Parton had received a $100 million (£85m) prize from Bezos.

The courage and civility award gives people the chance to donate cash to causes of their choice.

Bezos was the latest billionaire to give away portions of their fortune.

He has by no means been the most

generous, even being out-donated by his ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott.

According to Forbes, while Bezos had pledged a lot of support, he has only donated $2.4 billion (£2.03 billion) to philanthropic causes in his lifetime.

That's about $10 billion (£8.5 billion) less than Ms Scott, who Forbes said has given away $12.8 billion (£10.9 billion). His donations were dwarfed by many of his tech and business billionaire contemporaries.

Warren Buffett tops the list of billionaire American donors, having given $46.1 billion (£39.2 billion) over his lifetime. He's fol-

lowed by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, who had donated a combined $33.4 billion (£28.4 billion).

George Soros and Michael Bloomberg both had given away more than Bezos, at $18.1 billion (£15.4 billion) and $12.7 billion (£10.8 billion) respectively.

All giving by modern billionaires has been outpaced, however, by an Indian businessman who died in 1904.

Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, who founded the multinational conglomerate Tata Group, is said to have given donations worth $102bn (£86.76bn) today, according to Edelgive Hurun's India

Philanthropist of the Century report.

Parton, a long-time philanthropist herself, has already established a number of charities and put $1m towards the development of a COVID vaccine during the pandemic.

Bezos has more time on his hands to devote to his passions after stepping down as chief executive of Amazon last year.

He continues to own about 10 per cent of the ecommerce-tostreaming giant.

His other business interests include ownership of the Washington Post and space tourism company, Blue Origin.

a maglev train.

"We must recalibrate our visioning and specifically state that we are working towards a specified target growth, by a specified date, benchmarking ourselves with the most prosperous countries in the world.

"I propose that our specified target must be ‘turning Nigeria into the most prosperous black country in the world, with a GDP per capita that is at par with the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, by 2050.”

He stated that the purpose of such specific prescription was to encourage a different way of thinking about economic development – one that defined not by incremental progress, but by objectively measurable goals.

He stated, "If we took that kind of clear approach, it would mean – just based on today’s OECD indices –

that we would need to grow our GDP to somewhere between $4.5 trillion and $9 trillion – depending on whether we are able to remain at a population of around 220 million or continue to grow to the 450 million we have been projected to reach by 2050.

"We would need to build an economy that is 10 to 20 times the $440 billion economy we have today. So, we must set ourselves a task of growing at over 15 per cent every year.

"From where we are today, how do we grow our economy to 20 times today’s size within 25 years?

Successful national turnarounds start first with addressing basic internal problems and fixing them, and then setting the country’s sights on externally driven growth possibilities."

NESG SETS PRIORITIES FOR ATIKU, TINUBU, OBI, KWANKWASO, OTHERS production, value-addition, and supply, while moderating demand for foreign exchange in a transparent manner that could boost confidence.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said one of the reasons for publishing the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to states was to enable the citizens exercise their civic responsibility of following the financial inflows and asking questions concerning their utilisation.

Ahmed spoke at the opening plenary titled, “The Nigeria We Want.”

A panel discussant and founder of Stanbic/IBTC Bank Plc., Mr. Atedo Peterside, bemoaned the high level of poverty in the country, saying for the country to make meaningful progress, the issues of fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rates must be addressed urgently.

Earlier, in his keynote address on the “Nigeria We Need”, pioneer Chairman of NESG, Mr. Pascal Dozie, said a situation where public funds were used to build religious organisations or fund their activities was contrary to the constitution, which regards Nigeria as a secular state.

Ighodalo said the core issues for the incoming Nigerian president must centre on national job creation agenda, accelerated human capital development, social protection and development, and rebuilding and rejigging national institutions.

Others are effective, efficient and coordinated macroeconomic policy management; new national security architecture; heightened infrastructure development agenda; as well as a clear, articulate and effective response to humanitarian issues.

He said candidates seeking the offices of president and vice president without subscribing to those issues, did not understand

the problems facing the country.

He said such candidates lacked the capacity to lead the country, particularly, at this time.

Ighodalo stated, "Anyone of our candidates who seeks the office of president and vice president, who does not subscribe to these consensus issues, does not clearly understand the problems facing us as a country, has not thought about how these problems must be dealt with, and cannot have the capacity and understanding to lead this country at this time.

"We are in extremely difficult times, and we must push and pull ourselves out of these difficulties.

Many of these difficulties are of our own making and we must retrace our steps.

"Some are exogenous, being globally induced, but we must have the cushioned capacity to weather and absorb them.

"So, at this summit, we must work harder than ever before, think differently and then, we must agree on creative and practical recommendations, which, if implemented, will initiate our national revival and pull us out of these difficulties.

"In addition to the difficulty of these times, in just over six months, a new federal government will be in place. The new government will most likely think differently, have a different approach and a different attitude to governance, and will certainly have different personnel.

"We must do everything within our power to ensure that the new government lands running, quickly identifying, determining and implementing economic and social policies that will set us firmly on the path of inclusive, shared and sustainable prosperity.”

Ighodalo noted that the theme for this year’s summit was aptly worded and captured the challenge before the country at this point in its history.

LALONG: HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF AT JOS PRESIDENTIAL FLAG OFF

Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Simon Lalong, said Jos, the state capital, was about to host again a national convention/presidential campaign opening that would produce another Nigerian president. Lalong stated this yesterday while inspecting the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, in Jos, billed to host the kick-off of the APC presidential campaign today.

He said all was set for a colourful and hitch-free event.

Lalong said although the city was already agog with citizens’ activities preparatory to the flag-off, more and more APC faithful had started flooding into Jos from across the country to receive the chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC governors, APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

The governor said Senate President Ahmad Lawan and APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, would also be in Jos for the event.

Lalong said the Local Organising

Committee (LOC), led by Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, and Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Tyoden, had perfected its job to ensure that the flag-off witnessed a memorable event.

He stated, "History is very clear on this, and God is writing this history himself. Anybody, who is declared here in Jos, goes on to win the presidential elections. We know of Abiola, and we know of Obasanjo. Asiwaju is also going the same way, because our land has been blessed. I am very impressed with the show of hospitality and excitement among the citizens, who are now ready to receive the victory of the APC." Wase also told journalists that his committee was leaving nothing to chance, adding that they have been working with relevant committees of the PCC to ensure that all planned activities were executed with utmost excellence.

He added that security had been given a topmost priority to ensure that no untoward incident was recorded before, during and after the flag-off.

He said to share prosperity, the country must be prosperous.

However, he said, "From where we are today, how do we become a prosperous, safe, secure and lawabiding nation forged together as one? As we become prosperous, how do we equitably distribute and share our prosperity amongst our people?"

Ighodalo said a number of issues were being asked at the summit.

These, he said, included the adoption of a roadmap, borne of different thinking that would deliver prosperity, “sufficient to support our vast and steadily growing population; the policy framework to ensure that the equitable circulation and sharing of that prosperity amongst all citizens is assured.”

Others are the identification of a few things the government must do over the next six months in its determination to leave behind a

much better country.

According to him, there must be a broad-based consensus on the basic policies that the presidential candidates must sign up to, "If we, as a people, are to take them seriously as persons with the capacity, understanding, intellect and resources to run our country."

To realise the goal of prosperity, Ighodalo said there must be a move to transform the Nigerian economy into the complete opposite of its current state (from hardship to true prosperity), within a specified time frame.

Ighodalo stated, "The Nigeria Agenda 2050, currently being drafted, proposes a timeframe of about 25 years. It means there can be no further regression, we can no longer accept just marginal improvement, or even what some may deem a decent improvement, we must improve at the speed of

Continued on page 34

SOLUDO: I WON'T SUCCUMB TO BULLIES, OBI KNOWS HE CAN'T WIN Bola Tinubu, and at the same time, toying with the destiny of millions of Ndigbo.

But the chief spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign, Yunusa Tanko, accused Soludo of being sponsored by some unknown persons to weaken the base of the party in the South-east.

The former CBN governor had been under intense attack for close to a week for dismissing Obi’s investment in the state as amounting to nothing, during a television interview.

Soludo said in the write-up, "My attention has been drawn to some of the tirades on social media following my frank response during an interview on Channels TV regarding the ‘investments’ Mr. Peter Obi claimed to have made with Anambra State revenues.

"Sadly, several of the comments left the issue of the interview to probe or suggest motives, inferred from my response on ‘investment’ that I am opposed to Peter Obi’s ambition and, therefore, committed a ‘crime’ for which the punishment is internecine abuse and harassment, even to my family.

"Everyone knows that I don’t follow the winds or one to succumb to bullies, or shy away from a good fight especially, when weighty matters of principles and future of the people are involved."

Soludo said he had urged Obi to return to his former party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to actualise his presidential bid. He added that he had always told the LP candidate to his face that he was not capable of winning the 2023 presidential election, especially, under LP, which had neither a councillor nor a local government chairman.

Soludo said Obi was not just his friend, but also his brother, but despite that, they have their political differences.

He stated, "For full disclosure, let me state that Peter Obi and I are not just friends, we call ourselves ‘brothers’. But we have political differences: he left APGA for PDP after his tenure as governor, while I have remained in APGA since 2013.

"During the last two governor-

ship elections in Anambra in 2017 and 2021, he led the PDP campaigns but APGA won landslide in both elections. By the way, in 2016, he visited and proposed that I defect to PDP and contest the 2017 election against the incumbent Willie Obiano, but I declined.

"After my victory in November 2021, he called to congratulate me, as I did to him in 2010. That is the Anambra way: we fight fiercely during campaigns but share drinks at the next social events. After all, it was the Great Zik of Africa, who taught us that in politics, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies but only permanent interests."

Arguing that Obi’s presidential bid would only work in favour of Tinubu, Soludo said, “Indeed, if I were Asiwaju Tinubu, I would even give Peter Obi money as someone heading one of the departments of his campaign, because Obi is making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier by indirectly pulling down PDP.” Obi, according to Soludo, would only deplete the votes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pave the path for an APC victory.

He stated, “The current fleeting frenzy, if not checked, will cost Ndigbo dearly for years. The Southeast has the lowest number of votes of any region, but it is also the only region where the presidential race might be a four-way race (it is a two-way race in the other five regions) thereby, ensuring that our votes won’t count in the making of the next president of Nigeria.

“Afterwards, we would start complaining that we don’t get ‘what we deserve’ or cry of marginalisation. During the 2019 presidential election, the five South-east states were united for PDP but contributed merely 1.6 million votes to PDP, which was about the votes that Kano state gave to Buhari.

“The emotions might run to heavens but politics-power is about cold calculations, organisation and building alliances for power. In a democracy, it is a game of numbers.

“So far, I don’t see any of these— and 2023 might again be

a wasted opportunity for Ndigbo!

What is our Plan B, when Peter Obi loses in February 2023? Some people prefer that we should play the Ostrich while Peter Obi toys with the collective destiny of over 60 million Igbos.

“Yes, you pray that he wins, but what if he fails, as he is certain to? The Bible says that my people perish for lack of knowledge. As the saying goes, only those who plan can control the future. Ndigbo, wake up and smell the coffee.

“Of course, Peter Obi will get some votes and may probably win in Anambra State— as “home boy”.

But Anambra is not Nigeria. If he likes, I can even campaign for him but that won’t change much.

“From internal state by state polling available to me, he was on course to get 25% in five states as at August this year. The latest polling shows that it is down to four states and declining.

“Not even in Lagos State (supposed headquarters of urban youths), where Labour Party could not find candidates to contest for House of Reps or Senate. The polls also show that he is taking votes away mostly from PDP. I used to think that for decent people, certain conducts are off-limits, and that in Anambra, politics is not warfare.

“Ideally, I should just have laughed off the infantile exuberances, as many friends advised (I am used to this, having been in the ‘Arena’ for a while). I always re-read the quote ‘The Man in the Arena…’ by President Theodore Roosevelt (1910) to remind myself of the burden of public office.

“Several well-meaning Nigerians and Ndigbo called to advise that I should just ignore them. A respected Igbo elder statesman, who called, advised that I should just ignore what he described as ‘Peter Obi and his social media mob’. According to him, ‘everyone knows that he is going nowhere but they are looking for who to blame.

“Everyone knows that I don’t follow the winds nor one to succumb to bullies, nor shy away from a good fight especially when weighty matters of principles and future of the people are involved. One

lesson I learnt from my former boss and mentor, President Obasanjo, is never to be on the fence.

“I learnt that one must always take a stand: for better or for worse.

I do so with every sense of humility, and leave history to judge. Most people have commended me for ‘tactfully avoiding being drawn into the Peter Obi issue’ until now.

“Since I am now being forced into the arena on this matter, I have a duty and a right of reply, if only for the records, and to also give the social media mob something substantive to rant upon and rain their abuses for weeks.

“In this preliminary response, there are some things I will refrain from saying here because, in the end, February/March 2023 will come and go, and life will continue.”

Meanwhile, Tanko, who spoke exclusively to THISDAY, advised Soludo to concentrate on governance and avoid comments that might put himself and the state in danger.

He said, "We want to believe that Soludo is being sponsored in order to attack our base in the South-east, because, in the first instance, we have no any correlation with Soludo. So, why has he decided to attack our principal?

"It seems to us that it's a grand plan to try to see that if they can weaken us from our base. But the truth is that they are making us even popular. The people are the ones even responding to the attacks.

But we want to advise that it's very good that Soludo should look at the future and not the present, because he is just starting as a governor.

"He has not done anything yet. Not even a block has he put on ground and yet, he is putting the people of Anambra State in dilemma and in danger. He should be conscious enough to know the dangers he is putting himself and the people of Anambra into.”

Asked to mention those allegedly sponsoring Soludo, Tanko said, “He could be sponsored from any angle.

We cannot be specific but it's very clear because instead of facing governance, he is attacking Obi.”

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POLITICS

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

As Yabagi, Sowore, Adebayo, Umeadi Unfold Their Presidential Agenda Before Arise TV Panel...

Emameh Gabriel examines the issues raised by four presidential candidates at the second edition of Arise TV Town Hall Meeting

Adebayo

T

he second series of the Arise TV Presidential Town Hall Meeting took place at the weekend where another four presidential candidates sat on the hot seat and took their turn to respond to questions from the panelists, and indeed Nigerians of diverse interests at Transcop Hilton, Abuja.

The candidates, who participated in the second edition after the maiden edition held last week were Omoyele Sowore of African Action Congress, Prince Adewale Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, Yabagi Sani of Action Democratic Party and Prof Peter Umeadi of the All Progressive Grand Alliance The conversation was divided into two discussion segments; there was security segment and questions and answers session, followed by economic questions for the four candidates who were conscious of the fact that the 2023 election campaign would be anchored on nation’s economy and security which is becoming increasingly important to journalists, activists, and citizens who police election processes to give the electorate policy insights.

OMOYELE SOWORE The AAC presidential candidate was on top of his game on Sunday night when he reeled out figures and proposed three major approaches to solving insecurity in the country, which include enforcement, intelligence processing and gathering and addressing the problem of inequality.

He said the country currently run “a rogue system of security in which everybody is doing what they like. And all the elements within government use whichever security agencies they have to carry out their own nefarious activities sabotaging your Nigeria”.

According to him: “One is the use of enforcement. The second aspect of it is a collection of intelligence, analysis of intelligence and execution of intelligence. But you can only collect intelligence if you have intelligent people running intelligence organizations.

“We must state categorically before I analyze what I’ll do about this that Nigeria has to resolve the problem of inequality. Before we can be talking about using guns, it has been known that countries that are doing well economically rarely use guns, because their citizens are happy.

The attacks in the country was not limited to the north alone but widespread, lamented Sowore who promised that his administration would ensure a new constitution is evolved to include state police and address other important issues missing in the present 1999 constitution as amended.

He argued that the current Nigerian constitution is a fraudulently imposed document on the people by the military, adding that Nigerians could only be united if foundational problems in the constitution were addressed.

According to him, “In 1992, we gathered – Mike Ozokheme, Gani Fahwehinmi and others; we wanted to have a sovereign national

Yabagi

Sowore

conference, because we were tired of the Nigerian constitution, the military sent soldiers to come and beat the living daylight out of us. In 2023, we need a new constitution.

We cannot continue like this”.

He said to unite the country, there must be deliberate effort to address the problem from the foundation.

His words: “This is a country put together by outsiders. We never got it right from the beginning.

What’s going to unite Nigeria is a new constitution. People must find identity in that document, they must know, where they belong, they must have a right exit, for example, a bad marriage. You can’t force people together by creating ministries that do orientation; you do it by way of justice.

“On State police, I will let Nigeria create its own constitution that’s not a fraudulent document as we have now. It will address the issue of state police, and local government police. When we do this, we can train all of them in a unified way devoid of governors’ control”.

Commenting over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, the AAC presidential candidate, stressed the need to stop unnecessary waste. He promised to scrap the senate and end security votes and channel the resources to the education sector.

“I want to also inform you that what we call security votes in Nigeria is one of the things I will like to abolish so that N271 billion that goes to governors will stop. I don’t know who they are protecting with it.“We must discuss our revenue, what we waste money on. I will abolish the senate so that we can use that money to take care of the education. I will stop investing in irrelevant things, I won’t a spend a dime on pilgrimage.”

Sowore claimed that if the about

$6.4 billion in taxes unpaid to the federal government are paid, the country has no business going to China to collect loan.

His words: “Our debt to GDP ratio is not out of control, our problem is revenue to GDP. It’s because we don’t capture our revenues appropriately. The oil companies are owing about $6.4 billion in taxes unpaid to the federal government”.

On energy, oil and gas, the activist, advised government to focus on energy, particularly, investing in energy mixes, including solar, hydro, bio Fuel.

He said: “The energy transition we need to make, specifically, in four years, my target is to get us away from this miserable seven thousand megawatts of which we can only supply about 3000. Transmission lines are so broken even when we have production, we can’t transmit. I’m going to use gas money to start this investment.

“Where I will go precisely is the NLNG. Nigeria is an investor in that company and it’s doing well. Out of the 49 per cent we have, they are giving the money to the NNPCL, not to consolidated account of the federal government.

“I want to take that percentage of our dividends and start investing it in energy mixes, including Solar, Hydro, Bio Fuel and so on and use these mixes to create both employments in four months. I also want to break the national grid. There’s no need for someone to be producing electricity in Lagos and to go first to NBET before they can be served.

“I know and I have seen that oil is a product of the past. The rest of the world have moved on, they are creating vehicles, they use solar.

Sunshine, water, excreta will never go away, wastes can be used to generate electricity. So, for you to have a vision for Nigeria without oil. You must understand that oil is going out of business and energy transition has already occurred.

“On Imports reduction, I won’t invest in the past. Building steel industries that don’t produce steel, when you don’t have electricity.

The most important industry we should be thinking about is the human brain – human capital development – that’s where the industry that brings most money is.”

Analysis of the second Town Hall meeting has shown the potentials of the four candidates and their policies to tackle insecurity and revive the nation’s ailing economy. This was attested to by constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who expressed confidence in the ideas of the candidates saying the winner of the presidential election next year will be doing the country a great harm if he fails to recruit any of them into the new government

Umeadi

ADEWALE ADEBAYO He showed a different strength and prowess.

The SDP presidential candidate started by blaming the insecurity challenge in the country on the weak and compromised security architecture.

He however, did not waste time to present his plans to address the menace.

According to him: “We have the wrong architecture to enforce security. When you put politicians in charge of security, they are only interested in sharing money and not security.

“The military, for fear of the police taking over power from them, weakened the police and the military also weakened the air force, which has reduce our capabilities in the air.

Then the civilians, for fear of being overthrown by military, weakened the military.”

Commenting more on insecurity, Adebayo said, “It starts from the villa, insecurity in the country starts from the villa, don’t bring politicians to manage security, because they will fight over who will manage money and not security.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I will stop using security agencies to solve political problems.”

On state police, he said, “It is not in the interest of those in government to create effective policing, because if they do, many of them in government today will be in jail.”

On how he hoped to solve Nigeria’s economic problems, Adebayo said, “What I would do is to attract investment and I will not invite the Russians back to work on Ajaokuta steel company. I will work on agriculture and agro allied industries so that Nigerians can feed themselves and other governments will build the steel industry.”

Speaking on Nigeria’s energy problem without oil and gas, he said, “We can generate 100 megawatts of electricity without collecting any money from the government.”

Adebayo was not only clever but also showed that he was well equiped with the economic history of the country when asked what was his vision for Nigeria without oil.

“There was a Nigeria without oil before and we were progressing, I will use the oil money to develop the economy and plan for the future without oil. We have been mismanaging our resources, we must have a CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) that is in control of monetary policy”, he said.

On the proposed idea for a new constitution

by Mike Ozekhome, Adebayo said, “though the Nigerian constitution is not perfect, we can always make room for improvement just like the constitution of the United States and that of the United Kingdom.”

On the issue of Nigeria’s unity, he said: “Weaponisation of our religion is the cause of our disunity, and leaders must have the ability to manage our diversity. They have refused to manage our diversity, because it benefits them.”

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

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POLITICS

Wike, Four Other PDP Governors Still Blowing Hot George Okoh writes about the recent meeting of the aggrieved five Peoples Democratic Party governors in Makurdi and their resolve to ensure that justice and equity prevail in the opposition party

Wike

Ortom

I

n the series of top level meetings of the five aggrieved Governors of the People Democratic Party(PDP) known as the G-5, the governors namely Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Nyesom Wike of Rivers state recently visited their colleague, Samuel Ortom of Benue state in Makurdi.

Although their coming was announced by the Benue State government as a visit to inaugurate some projects in the state but observers of political happenings believe the visit was for the purpose of the G-5 governors to take a firm and final position on whether or not to support the Presidential flag bearer of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The governors spent two days in an atmosphere that was well charged following disagreement between Ortom and the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. The disagreement has polarized the party in the state with many members of the party are in full support of the Atiku/Ayu position in the party even as the governor clearly stated he

was not going to support Atiku.

Those supporting Atiku are doing so clandestinely for fear of victimization, said a member of the PDP who did not want his name mentioned.

According to him, members of the party have decided to stick to the Atiku ticket and will not change their minds no matter what the governor does.

He said: “Ayu and Atiku represent the PDP family and we will not abandon them at this time that the election is very close by, the governor may feel aggrieved over what happened to his friend, Wike at the primary of the party but he just has to move on and work in the interest of the party”.

While hosting the G-5 governors to a dinner a day before the main event, Ortom gave

Ayu

Atiku

reasons why he would not support Atiku saying he would not support a candidate who saw nothing wrong in the killing of innocent Benue people by armed Fulani herdsmen.

Ortom lamented the recent killing of 18 persons in Guma, his local government area, where a young man in his 20s had his eyes plucked out and another had his hand chopped off by armed herdsmen as subliminal message to him, demanding the abrogation of the Benue grazing law.

According to him: “My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet; you want me to be slave to a Fulani. It’s better I die.

Anybody supporting Atiku in Benue is an enemy of the state.

“Some are threatening, my tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers. I have written my will. When I gave it to my wife, she cried all night. If I die at 62, it will not be new. Many of my mates had gone long time ago and If I die today, I will be fulfilled but let it be on record that I die resisting the

invasion and killing of my people.

“I will never support a Fulani man to become president. If there is another person, who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him”.

On his relationship with Wike, he said, “Many have wondered why I have chosen to swim with Wike. Many have wondered why I have chosen to walk with him in the mid of storms and threats and also fire and brimstone. Many have wondered, but I still remember that this is the man, who stood with us during our trying moments.

“He came out and did not fear the threats about federal might and what have you. I will stand with him and I remain with him, because I am not a betrayer. When I was attacked by the Fulani terrorists. Wike came out and told Nigerians that if you kill Ortom, you have killed Nigeria.

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

Kwankwaso’s Contract with Nigerians Juliet Akoje x-rays the agenda of the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his electioneering campaign heats up

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he Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has made public his manifesto as he begins electioneering campaign across the

country.

Kwankwaso, who is contesting against three frontline candidates namely All Progressives Congress’ Bola Tinubu, Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, had stated that the kind of leadership he would provide the nation, if elected in 2023, would be totally different from what the other political parties had offered.

The 3rd Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso colloquium and unveiling of the Blueprint of the NNPP presidential candidate, was a two-day event organised by the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation in Abuja recently to mark his 66th birthday.

On the first day of the event, Kwankwaso reeled out the humanitarian achievements of the foundation, especially in the area of education, revealing that he had to sell some of his properties to provide both local and overseas scholarships to students in Africa.

On day two of the event which was tagged “unveiling of the Blueprint”, Kwankwaso while speaking on his agenda pledged that he will provide Nigerians with patriotic and competent leadership that is guided by the seven time-tested principles of public life.

The principles according to him, include Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadershipby-Example.

PEACE, SECURITY AND UNITY The presidential candidate while reassuring Nigerians on Peace, Security and Unity (Human Security) said “conscious of the provision of Section 14:2[b] of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides

will be committed to ensuring that “our healthcare system is positively overhauled to ensure humane, effective, efficient, and qualitative service. Saving lives and building a healthy citizenry shall be the priority of all our healthcare institutions because health is wealth”.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL The presidential candidate promised that if elected, more jobs will be created at multiple levels through the Economic Revamping Strategy as well as through the constructive engagement with the youth by honing their skill sets and providing them with necessary support.

Kwankwaso

that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, we will secure the entire country, ensure peace and peaceful coexistence reign, and work deliberately to strengthen the bond of unity amongst Nigerians of all backgrounds”.

REVAMPINGTHE ECONOMY Amid depreciating currency, surging inflation which is pushing millions of Nigerians into poverty, Kwankwaso stated that “we have an economic plan that is centred around you and your family.

“We shall improve the income level and strengthen the purchasing power of every Nigerian citizen.

Our Nigerian Economic Revamping Strategy has a three-deck implementation scheme: Stage 1: Emergency Rescue Plan (ERP) Stage Il: Targeted

Stimulation/Job Creation Stage Ill: Long-term and Sustainable Investment.”

QUALITY EDUCATION On education, the former Kano state governor said it is widely accepted as a leading instrument for promoting economic growth.

According to him: “Education is a public good.

We shall ensure, through the correct reforms and investment, that all our schools provide the appropriate quality education to our citizens.

Access, quality and productivity shall be the cornerstones of our education reform.

“Rather than establishing new public tertiary education institutions (TEls), our administration will first focus on upgrading, rehabilitating and expanding the existing ones to the level of global competitiveness”.

MODERNIZED HEALTHCARE On health care, the NNPP flag bearer said “healthcare service is a public good” while promising Nigerians that his administration

ENERGY AND POWER Kwankwaso while noting that energy and power are the backbone and the central nervous system of the economy, said he is conscious of the fact that growth will be stunted and development will be paralyzed if these two economic pillars are not adequately and sustainably provided.

He promised to deploy his energy and power masterplan that is aimed at ensuring availability, adequacy, sustainability, affordability, and safety.

POVERTY ELIMINATION On poverty alleviation, Kwankwaso promised to lift Nigerians from the poverty ditch through targeted poverty alleviation and poverty elimination strategies that ensure families at the bottom of the social ladder have access to food, clothing, quality education, basic healthcare and basic housing needs.

According to him, “preventing those lifted out of poverty from returning into the poverty bracket will receive special attention from my administration.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT FG is Scaling Up Climate Change Adaptation Efforts, Says Sadiya Farouq Bennett Oghifo

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he federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), is scaling up climate change adaptation efforts in Nigeria so as to build community resilience and adaptation practices to mitigate and reduce the consequence of climate change.

The Minister of FMHADMSD, Sadiya Umar Farouq stated this while setting the context for the side event she held at the ongoing 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The minister called on leaders of the developed world to use COP27 to implement the Paris Agreement, particularly funding of adaptation projects

in developing countries, as determined at COP26 in Glasgow, last year.

Sadiya Umar Farouq said climate change-induced hydrometeorological events are causing devastating humanitarian crises in Nigeria. “For example, in 2022, the rainfall was to be characterised by early onset dates, late cessation dates, the longer length of season, and enhanced precipitation amount.

“These large-scale displacements, damage to infrastructure and destruction of farmlands translates into sharp disruption of livelihoods, increased risk of hunger as farmers are unable to grow crops and there is also a heightened fear of the outbreak of malaria, cholera, diarrhea and other waterborne diseases.”

The minister said, “Our communities are composed of the poor, the elderly, children and persons living with disabilities.

Additionally, the effects of climate change render them more vulnerable than they

already are.”

Sadiya Umar Farouq said the ministry’s response to climate change adaptation has thus far focused on policy reviews and planning. “Notably, the 2019 Disaster Risk Management Policy developed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) calls for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in all areas (including climate change and environmental factors as indicated in policy priority, as well as resilience building of at-risk communities to withstand disasters.”

She said the Policy recognises that reducing vulnerability to hazards requires a focus on root causes through hazards vulnerability assessment to foster prevention, mitigation of existing risks and preparation for possible disasters and adaptation to changing climate risk. Furthermore, the Policy presents the interlinkages between climate change action

Sadiya Umar Farouq

COP27: Rich Countries Seek to Delay, Prolong Discussions on Loss, Damage Bennett Oghifo The 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt that began on November 7, 2022, has gone half way.

While rich countries tried to delay loss and damage talks again, day five of the COP27 climate talks belonged to decarbonisation, according

to reports by Down To Earth magazine.

“At the loss and damage negotiations, developed countries have formally acknowledged the funding gap in “addressing” loss and damage, but are now requesting more information on the needs, gaps and possible funding sources — a possible delaying tactic to prolong the discussions further.

“The United States suggested establishing a work programme

on loss and damage to conclude in 2024.”

The EU stated that the process to be developed can feed back findings on various proposals such as the Global Shield, or the IMF’s fundings sources. The UK suggested establishing a process at COP27 to map out how funding arrangements can be made in the future, and review and report at COP28.

The G77 responded by point-

Fashola: Eko Bridge Fire Stalls Completion of Apongbon Bennett Oghifo The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said that projections the federal government made to complete the rehabilitation of a burnt section of the Apongbon Bridge in Lagos before Christmas has been thwarted by another fire on the Ijora Olopa section of the Eko Bridge.

“There will not be Apongbon for Christmas, as much as we tried,” said Fashola, while briefing

journalists after an inspection of ongoing work at Apongbon and Eko bridges, recently.

According to the minister, “efforts to quickly complete initial emergency rehabilitation on Eko Bridge were slowed down when Apongbon Bridge was affected by fire in March.”

He said construction materials imported for completion of Eko Bridge were deployed to begin urgent repairs on Apongbon Bridge, adding that efforts to complete Apongbon before Christmas had

also been frustrated by another fire that affected the Ijora Olopa section of Eko Bridge on Nov. 4.

He said the delivery date of Apongbon Bridge, earlier fixed for December 2022, had been extended to May 2023 because of the emergency repair of the Ijora Olopa section of Eko Bridge.

The government would not be able to actualise its plan of completing Apongbon Bridge because its materials had been deployed to the burnt section of Eko Bridge.

and disaster risk reduction (DRR). It specifically promotes the need to adopt Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and adaptation projects.

She said, “The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA, are both members of the Ministry of Environment’s, inter-ministerial committee on Climate Change. We align ourselves with the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change in Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) which was developed in 2011, and more recently the National Adaptation Plan Framework which was developed in 2020 by the Ministry of Environment to guide.

“From the humanitarian perspective, we work with the Nigerian National Adaptation Plan which seeks to reduce the vulnerability of communities to the impacts of climate change by building adaptive capacity and resilience. The Plan also advocates for the integration of climate change adaptation into relevant new and existing policies, programs and activities as well as in development planning processes and strategies.

“The reason we are here today is to harness and discuss good practices, programmes and strategies that

other countries are using to reduce vulnerabilities of Climate Change. We want to know how to build adaptive capacities and resilience in line with national and international policies and commitments in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation.

Specifically, we want to know how to identify and map out climate change risks better, we also hope to generate political will to implement and finance national adaptation projects as we harmonize inputs and launch a people-centered climate change adaptation in coordination with key partners like the Ministry of Environment, and other relevant MDAs.” The minister then charged the panel to discuss success stories (country case studies), some of the national, regional and international best practices towards climate change adaptation. They discussed the interlinkages between climate change, livelihoods and sustainable development. There was also “a discussion on why we need to scale up Disaster Risk Reduction as a strategy for climate change action, as well as examine assessment methods.

The panel was charged to

propose short-, medium- and long-term climate change adaptation targets/priorities for Nigeria and to examine how Nigeria can leverage on partnerships to bridge gaps and participatory strategies to ensure no one is left behind.

On the panel were: Mr. Amjad Abbashar, of the United Nations Office For Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Regional Office For Africa, a position he has held since 2016. UNDRR is the UN Agency responsible for reducing existing disaster risk and losses and preventing new ones globally, through the implementation of the targets of the Sendai Framework. Prior to that, he was Chief of the UNISDR Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo, Egypt from 2010 to 2015. Mr Abbashar began his United Nations career in the early 1990’s serving as Programme Officer with the UNDP and has worked in several roles within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs focusing on inter-governmental matters and policy planning and analyses. He has helped establish the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and United Nations Peace-building Support office and the Human Security Trust Fund.

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

FG is Scaling Up Climate Change Adaptation Efforts, Says Sadiya Farouq Sylvie Wabbes is an Agronomist with more than 30 years of professional experience in development, humanitarian, climate and environmental management. She has been working at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for more than 15 years, on emergency and resilience for agriculture and food- based livelihoods systems with most vulnerable and fragile countries. FAO supports strategic programme and positioning on multiple and colliding risks, impacts and emergencies from disaster, climate change, food chain threats and epidemics (including COVID-19) and conflicts, with the aim to

build resilient agrifood systems. Sylvie is a co-leader of the UNFCCC Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action-MPGCA and its Climate Resilience Pathways and is engaged in the UN Food System Summit and its Resilience Alliances: the Climate Resilient Food System Alliance; the Resilient Local Food Supply Chain Alliance; and the Fighting Food Crisis along the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus Coalition. It is also noteworthy that Syvlie has worked on environmental and community development issues in Africa region based in Zambia and in Kenya, and has extensive good practices

to share from the continent.

Dr. Pasang Dolma Sherpa, is the Executive Director of Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Research & Development (CIPRED) She has been working with Indigenous Peoples, Women and Local Communities for the recognition of the indigenous peoples’ knowledge, cultural values and customary institutions that contributed for sustainable management of forest, ecosystem, biodiversity and climate resilience for more than a decade. She is also the Chair of Specialist Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Customary and Environmental Laws and Human Rights (SPICEH) within

CEESP-IUCN, visiting faculty at Kathmandu University, Steering Committee member to the White Papers lead by IPCC, UNESCO and ECOMOS and holds various advisory roles in different forums, networks and institutions both at national and international levels.

Halima Bawa-Bwari, is an Environmental Scientist, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Environment and Head of Vulnerability & Adaptation Division in the Department of Climate Change. She is currently serving the Honourable Minister for Environment as a Special Technical Assistant.

Her work covers being a negotiator for Nigeria on

Climate Change Adaptation issues, Lead Negotiator and National Focal Point for Gender and Climate Change in the UNFCCC negotiations. She also handles Coastal Resilience, Lake Chad Basin Climate Change Resilience and has overseen Climate Finance issues including the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund and the Green Bonds, amongst others. Halima BawaBwari working experiences cover Nature Conservation and Management, Industrial Compliance Monitoring and Biosafety Management.

Dr. Abubakar A. Suleiman is a Deputy Director in charge of Disaster Management

in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. He is an Engineer by training that has become a humanitarian by practice.

Prior to his joining the Ministry, his research interest was on biodegradable insulation for transformers in the power sector. He obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Technologi Malaysia and he has more than 3 IEEE Dielectric Journal Publications and over 20 Conferences Papers. Since joining the Ministry, he has supported efforts of Disaster Risk Reduction and Humanitarian activities in the Ministry.

COP27: Rich Countries Seek to Delay, Prolong Discussions on Loss, Damage The G77 responded by pointing to the lack of urgency in the discussions, and that organising more workshops would replicate conversations that have already been had.

In the mitigation work programme (MWP), efforts continued to agree on and conclude the draft text since the Subsidiary Bodies meetings are due to close on November 12.

Zimbabwe on behalf of the African Group pointed out that the text must not impose new targets and not undermine the nationally determined nature of the NDCs. The US and Alliance of Small Island States stated that the text is

missing the urgency needed to scale up mitigation efforts.

The negotiations on the technical dialogue regarding the Global Stocktake have concluded at COP27. A highlevel event will formally close the talks and would summarise the discussions related to lack of international funding for climate action in the most vulnerable countries, sustainable and localised renewable energy solutions, direct carbon capture, involvement of civil society and international cooperation.

In the technical dialogues that happened over many roundtable sessions the issues of equity, transparency and

language barrier were raised by many countries. Some countries mentioned that the discussions were going around in circles without arriving at an outcome.

The Global Carbon Budget report for 2022 was launched at a UNFCCC side event at COP27 on November 11. The report showed that if global CO2 emissions remain at current levels, the world’s carbon budget would be exhausted in nine years.

It also found that emissions from fossil fuel sources and cement have increased by one per cent in 2022. The report highlighted that the increase in emissions has been

mostly because of increase in oil consumption, especially in aviation, some increase in emissions from coal and gas though they were also highest on record. Worldwide increase in emissions were driven by increase in emissions from India, Rest of the World and the US. The Ministry of Steel of the Government of India organised a side event at the India Pavillion at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Sanjay Singh, secretary, Ministry of Steel gave the opening remarks.

He highlighted the various initiatives being taken by the Indian government to make the Indian steel industry move

towards decarbonisation.

Post the Secretary’s address, various Indian steel companies presented their initiatives towards decarbonisation.

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), carbon circularity, carbon avoidance, need for advanced furnaces, scrap usage, energy efficiency, use of plastics as fuel in the steel industry were some of the initiatives which were highlighted by different steel companies.

This was followed by panel discussions. Centre for Science and Environment also participated in a panel discussion focussing on decarbonisation

of the steel sector.

CSE’s Parth Kumar highlighted the role of steel scrap and CCUS in the way ahead for 2030 and also the enabling environment, policy framework and the financial support required to scale up CCUS in the Indian steel industry.

He also pointed out “the need for an effective implementation of the vehicle scrappage policy to be able to extract the maximum scrap generation potential India has”.

The United Nations Environment Programme announced its Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) at COP27 November 11.

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20 T H I S D AY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Tuesday November 15, 2022 Vol 27. No 10080

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

SAVING THE SUPREME COURT FROM CRISES

CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU makes case for a serious house-cleaning at the apex court in the country

See page 21

DEATH IN NIGERIA, BURIAL IN AMERICA ABIODUN KOMOLAFE reflects on how Gbenga Owolabi met his untimely death in the hands of kidnappers after his family had paid ransom

See page 21 EDITORIAL WIKE’S 200,000 SPECIAL ASSISTANTS

See page 22

1

The current administration in Nigeria has failed to deliver on its promises, argued EZINWANNE ONWUKA

BEFORE BUHARI, NIGERIANS HAD GOOD LUCK In an earlier piece, I noted that Nigeria has been caught in the miry clay of leadership ineptitude because the present administration has demonstrated a lack of vision on how to move Nigeria forward. The last seven years have proven that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot carry the leadership burden foisted upon him by a coalition of political wheeler-dealers.

Before the general elections of March 2015, ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s international reputation was not a strong one. He was initially an accidental president who, despite his relative inexperience, ascended to lead the country when his principal, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, passed away in 2010.

In 2011, Jonathan surprised many observers in and outside Nigeria by securing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) ticket for the presidential election; and eventually emerging victorious. Among the candidates for the election, Jonathan appealed to the masses. His ‘I had no shoes’ speech endeared him to the majority of Nigerians, who saw him as one of them; someone who had experienced their pains and hardship.

With his campaign slogan, ‘A breath of fresh air’, Jonathan promised a break from the old, and mostly retrogressive, way the country had been governed in the past. However, his tenure was characterised by soaring insecurity and instability in northern Nigeria as the Islamic terrorist organisation based in northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram, gained strength and territory. If anything tore the Jonathan government apart, none did as the Boko Haram insurgency. The government struggled for years for a response while the bloodthirsty group ran amok, killing, maiming and displacing Nigerians in, mostly, northern states in its bid to form an Islamic caliphate within Nigeria.

Though his administration fell largely short of expectations, Jonathan performed impressively ZHOO LQ R΀FH %XW DV WKH YRWHV ZHUH counted in March 2015, he conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), famously asserting that ‘nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian’, an unprecedented and courageous act in Nigerian politics which caught many Nigerians and Nigeria-watchers by surprise.

Seven years after Buhari took over power, we are yet to make a scratch in addressing the nation’s teething insecurity challenges; we are yet to make a go at resolving the country’s epileptic power supply, even as we are dealing with unemployment, LQÁDWLRQ DQG SRYHUW\ ,QGHHG WKH poverty rate in the country is alarming and has never been this high. One cannot help but wonder whether the current administration’s policies and interventions are realistically pulling Nigerians out of poverty or pushing us further back into it.

Nigerians needn’t remind the Buhari-led APC administration of what the naira/dollar exchange rate was before their ‘super economic policies’ brought the naira to its knees.

Or, perhaps, the prices of commodities before their arrival on the scene. No doubt, it has dawned on Nigerians that the ‘change’ Buhari and his party, the APC, promised meant ‘chains’.

In 2015, Nigerians were seduced by the deluge of honey-like and unrealistic promises of the APC. Consequently, ZH DEDQGRQHG RXU ÀUVW ORYH RQO\ WR realise that we were chasing shadows; that there are two senses of the word ‘change’, positive and negative, and that the APC government brought the latter. Buhari had hinged his campaign promises on three cardinal SRLQWV ÀJKWLQJ FRUUXSWLRQ WDFNOLQJ insecurity and creating jobs. It is shameful that after almost eight years LQ R΀FH WKH PRUH WKH JRYHUQPHQW says it is addressing these issues, the worse it gets.

The main opposition party, PDP, was not trying to paint the ruling party black when they lamented that ‘the Buhari-led All Progressives

Congress government has turned our nation into a wasteland, devastated her economy, shattered our national dreams, crushed the hope of citizens and set our country backwards.’ The statement was factual. This sentiment was also expressed by ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo who said he was embarrassed about how President Buhari is running the country, stressing that Africa’s most populous black nation is moving towards becoming a failed state. Obasanjo is, apparently, not alone. Wole Soyinka, poet, essayist DQG ÀUVW $IULFDQ 1REHO SUL]H ZLQQHU concurred with the ex-president’s assessment, describing the country DV D FUXPEOLQJ HGLÀFH RQ WKH HGJH RI collapse.

The foregoing scorecards on the current administration prove that things have gone from bad to worse under President Buhari though the government is always quick to reel RͿ LWV TXRWLGLDQ DFKLHYHPHQWV DW every slightest opportunity. This informed prominent Islamic scholar Sheik Murtala Sokoto’s description of President Buhari’s praise singers and sycophantic admirers as liars and hypocrites.

President Buhari, surrounded by an incurable and deceitful bunch of egocentric political charlatans, has done a dishonourable job in steering Nigeria’s economy. Nigerians can only hope that his successor will be able to get Nigeria back to its erstwhile place among the comity of nations: the giant of Africa.

Ezinwanne can be reached at ezinwanne. dominion@gmail.com

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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022

CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU makes case for a serious house-cleaning at the apex court in the country

SAVING THE SUPREME COURT FROM CRISES Over the past fortnight, this column has addressed the multiple dimensions of the crises of attrition, retention, and replacement in Nigeria’s Supreme Court as well as the pathologies that make WKHVH UHVLOLHQW *LYHQ WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH of the Court in the country, it is only proper to dwell a little on how these SUREOHPV FDQ EH À[HG 7KUHH LVVXHV DUH immediately in focus.

One is occupational health and wellbeing for Supreme Court Justices.

The tendency to reduce the triple crises of attrition, retention, and replacement in the Nigeria’s Supreme Court to an issue of appointment of brilliant academics or supposedly proven practitioners avoids the real problem. Indeed, the records suggest that premature mortality on the court has been most unkind to its brightest and best.

For instance, Chukwunweike Idigbe was reputed to be arguably the sharpest and most rigorous mind on the court at his death in 1983. Augustine Nnamani was only the fourth holder of a doctorate degree in law to be appointed to the court, after Taslim Elias, George

Baptist Ayodola Coker, and Egbert Udo Udoma; and Okay Achike was only the second law professor and the third legal academic to sit on the Supreme Court after Taslim Elias. Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte, another academic who preceded him to the Supreme Court and who, like Achike, retired in 2002, was an Associate Professor at the University of Lagos before the onset of his judicial career. Niki Tobi, former Dean of Law at University of Maiduguri, followed later.

The Supreme Court does not appear to have been the kindest of working environments its most brilliant minds and there is nothing to say that it will be kinder to any bright minds who agree to go there now. If anything, the court has been somewhat of a cemetery in a quite literal manner to the brightest legal minds. The complaint of the BOSAN about its members being denied elevation to the Supreme Court deserves to be treated with suspicion.

Regrettably, it is also members of the BOSAN who saddle the court quite often with applications of the most disreputable kind needlessly clogging up the dockets of the court and making the work of the Justices unbearable. The BOSAN can hardly complain when Justices of the same Supreme Court look upon many of these same practitioners of dubious professional ethics with determined suspicion when they look SUH\ ZLWK LQWHQW RQ KLJK MXGLFLDO R΀FH

A major problem with the court is not merely that its dockets are unmanageable, it is also that, secondly, its working methods appear inhumane and unsuited to its primary workers, who are by design senior citizens. In June 2022, it emerged that the Justices of the Supreme Court had written to the then CJN complaining of debilitating failures of health and wellbeing, including non-provision of housing and research assistants. In particular, their letter lamented that there had been no meeting of the Justices over the entire duration of the COVID-19 crisis, pointing out that the standard of healthcare in the court had deteriorated to the point where “there is a general lack of concern for Justices who require immediate or emergency medical intervention.”

These complaints naturally raise the possibility that the rate of mortality as a form of attrition at the Supreme Court is preventable.

This naturally leads to a third issue of leadership of the Court. Historical mortality may be relatively high among appointees to Nigeria’s Supreme Court

EXW LW KDV QHYHU DͿHFWHG DQ\ &-1 7KLV LV surprising because many will think that the CJN, with the multiple portfolios and R΀FHV WKDW V KH KROGV ZRXOG EH YHU\ VWUHVVHG 2YHU WKH \HDUV WKH R΀FH KDV HYROYHG IURP EHLQJ D ÀUVW DPRQJ HTXDOV to a bit of a constitutional potentate, with LQÀQLWH FDSDFLW\ WR GLVSHQVH SDWURQDJH or penury in equal measure at their whim around the legal profession. Any reform of the court that does not address WKH XUJHQW QHHG WR XQ EXQGOH WKH R΀FH of the Chief Justice is fated to failure.

It is no surprise, therefore, that recent RFFXSDQWV RI WKH R΀FH DSSHDU WR KDYH been undone by allegations on the borders of judicial integrity. In three years since 2019, Nigeria has had three Chief -XVWLFHV 2I WKHVH WKUHH WZR OHIW R΀FHV prematurely in circumstances connected with negative imputations on judicial independence and integrity. Indeed, it has been said that the penultimate CJN left the judiciary and the Supreme Court ‘in a mess’. About the sack of his predecessor, The Economist wrote that it was “not merely unusual; it was also unlawful.” In that case, it appeared the judiciary was wilfully complicit in its own defenestration, itself also evidence of deeper integrity problems with that branch of government.

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

ABIODUN KOMOLAFE reflects on how Gbenga Owolabi met his untimely death in the hands of kidnappers after his family had paid ransom

DEATH IN NIGERIA, BURIAL IN AMERICA

One of the greatest shortcomings of Nigeria’s existence is that she has never evolved into a nation. The amalgamation of territories, imposition of the colonial masters, the unfortunate intervention of the military and its attendant maladministration of the civil-society, and the corruption-infested politicians have not actually given the country that opportunity to realize her potentials. To be honest, it is because Nigeria’s handlers KDYH GLͿHUHQW PRWLYHV DQG D GLDPHWULFDOO\ opposed understanding of the concept of development that her journey to nationhood has remained an illusion.

As we know, there is no generally acceptable interpretive understanding of the concept of development. For instance, part of the organic components of a nation is the understanding of the meaning of the concepts of citizenship. It is on this premise that a nation thrives. In other words, since no nation ÁRXULVKHV ZLWKRXW LWV FLWL]HQV DQ\ QDWLRQ that wants to thrive must have its organic components in place and the majority number of the population must share, intimately, the rudimentary knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a citizen, as agreed to, and enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.

Otherwise, it will just be as if one is running against the wind.

On 28th July 2022, Olugbenga David 2ZRODEL ZDV NLGQDSSHG DORQJVLGH KLV VWDͿ Rachael Opadele in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, E\ \HW WR EH LGHQWLÀHG NLGQDSSHUV 2ZRODEL was a Nigerian-American who had come to Nigeria, to invest in the hospitality business in Ogbomoso, his hometown. On 3rdAugust 2022, they were senselessly killed by their abductors, despite the payment of N5m ransom. Owolabi was buried on 1st October 2022 which, as fate would have it, coincided with a very important day in Nigeria’s chequered history. Opadele had earlier been buried in Ogbomoso, on 5th August 2022.

Like the others, Nigeria has again succeeded in making the sun of three of her promising citizens set at dawn.

Olugbenga Owolabi is gone; and there’s nothing anybody can do to bring him back to life. But, if he had known that the country he called his own didn’t understand what it meant to be a citizen, he wouldn’t have come to Nigeria at all, not to speak of investing here.

Let’s face it: the short time he spent in the USA – and he became a citizen - is now the only gift God has given him. From the time mappings for his life, all things being equal, if he had not come here, those unredeemed killers and haters who have turned Nigeria into a pool of blood would not have slaughtered him like a ram.

Typical of the Nigerianness in us, nobody is talking about who killed Owolabi; and neither

Oyo State nor his Local Government has uttered a word; forget about admitting that the State has lost an illustrious son.

Rather, it’s been business as usual, as if nothing happened. No justice! Not even a show of pretence for it! Sad that, even XS WR WKH SRLQW RI WKH FRUSVH EHLQJ ÁRZQ DEURDG QR 1LJHULDQ R΀FLDOV ZHUH VHHQ WR have shown any semblance of sympathy, either by words or actions. Well, that’s to show how horrible our system is. In our clime, the worth of a citizen has gone into a nosedive! Why then should one die for the country?

Owolabi’s unfortunate death is not the ÀUVW FHUWDLQO\ LW ZRQ·W EH WKH ODVW HLWKHU Since his murder, several other unresolved murders have taken place. Yet, the heavens have not fallen! And who cares?

After all, those who died did not belong to the families of members of the ruling class. So, life goes on! But, again, this is Nigeria! America takes care of her living and the dead! Nigeria does neither! Here in Nigeria, life no longer has any meaning!

Ours is a generation of wasters, in a very dangerous country! Against the backdrop of our illimitable woes, the leaders “daily FDOO RQ WKH FLWL]HQV WR PDNH VDFULÀFHV ZKLOH they (the leaders) wallow in privilege.”

Tragically, the leadership doesn’t even understand why and how the country is being led to a moral free fall in all areas.

The general assumption is that Nigeria is a sovereign state, but the current state of heightened insecurity only suggests that she may have already been stripped of her sovereign attributes. Otherwise, how do we describe events in the land which have only shown that our leaders are in a wide sea of uncertainty with regard to how a nation evolves; the inalienable rights of a citizen, and why he or she must be accorded such? Remember the 2013 Boston Marathon domestic terror attack and how the American government rose to the occasion! Remember how US Special Forces rescued Philip Walton, an American citizen held hostage in Nigeria in 2020! Here in Nigeria, the late Hamani Tidjani was only unlucky to have positioned his wind vane wrongly. And he paid dearly for it! On Owolabi’s gruesome murder, even the texture and essence of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) seem to have been seduced into compliance with sickening silence.

Had Oyo State Government been truly there for those it was elected to serve, somebody in government would have noticed the state administrative protocol gap in Owolabi’s unfortunate murder and would have issued a statement on behalf of the government. That his remains were taken back from the land of his birth for internment in a foreign, adopted country was a big shame of unimaginable proportions. But again, how did we get here? For God’s sake, how does one belong to a country where human lives are not valued; where “yesterday’s dreams have become the worst nightmares”; where “very sharp pieces of broken promises” have become the new ideology? And, if we may ask: what is the functional relevance of Nigeria’s sovereignty?

Komolafe wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

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T H I S D AY

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

WIKE’S 200,000 SPECIAL ASSISTANTS The controversial appointments by the Rivers governor raise several questions about accountability in the state

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In which offices are these special assistants supposed to be reporting at the moment? What happens to these appointees after the election in February next year?

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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LAWYER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Justice’s Absence When Decision is Read: Effect on Validity of Court’s Judgement Page IV

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QUOTABLES ‘There is nothing urgent about changing our currency today. The urgency for us, is how to get food for our citizens so that we can remove the starvation in the land. The urgency is how to maintain discipline in our monetary policy, so that we can manage our foreign exchange rate because we are so import dependent.’ Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

The Nigerian Legal System in Context (First Edition) Page Vi

‘It is crystal clear that the 2021/2022 Academic Session, has not been cancelled. In other words, the Lecturers are working. The Lecturers are trying to cover the period that was lost; so the doctrine of ‘no work, no pay’ is totally inapplicable.’ - Femi Falana, SAN, Counsel to ASUU

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

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

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

LAWYER

Kubi Udofia PhD Kubi Udofia holds a Doctorate degree in Law from The University of Nottingham, a Certificate in International Risk Management from the Institute of Risk Management, London, a Masters degree in Corporate Law from University College London and a Bachelors degree from University of Uyo in Nigeria.

He is a leading and an acknowledged expert, in corporate restructuring and insolvency law in Nigeria. As a scholarpractitioner, Kubi Udofia has extensively researched and written on a broad spectrum of topical issues in corporate restructuring and insolvency law. He is a seasoned transactional and dispute resolution specialist, with extensive knowledge and practical experience in corporate and commercial law.

He is a Partner at Babalakin & Co, a leading commercial law firm in Nigeria.

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

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

A People Weighed Down by Mental Anguish

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here are many things that have caused Nigerians mental anguish, including but not limited to the harsh living conditions in the country, incessant rising cost of living, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate healthcare and poor educational facilities. The multiplier effect of the combination of this dissatisfactory state of affairs, has affected the psyche of the majority of Nigerians negatively. Even though in its preamble, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (the Constitution) refers to the promotion of equality and justice, Sections 14(2)(b) & 16(1)(b) provide inter alia for security and welfare, and the maximum welfare and happiness of Nigerians respectively, while Section 42 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination, we live in a society where the opposite of these provisions obtains. Most people are unhappy, enveloped in a feeling of hopelessness (depression), deprivation and insecurity. Truly, it is destabilising. The fact that we are unable recover damages from Government for emotional distress, does not change the fact that people are in pain. And, even occasionally when Government tries to provide succour, for example, with the railway, to make travel quicker, easier and safer for Nigerians, something happens to mar it, because many have channelled their anguish into criminality, taking out their frustrations on innocent citizens - the case of the Kaduna train attack in March 2022 readily comes to mind.

There is a mental anguish that is general to majority of Nigerians, as a result of the hardship we are facing in our lives - with majority of us no longer able to meet our normal everyday financial obligations, though additionally, different groups have their own peculiar anguishes which have sometimes resulted in various negative consequences around the country. Two examples: (1) the average Nigerian worker is poorly paid - the minimum wage of N30,000 per month is measly and grossly inadequate for a family of one person to live on, let alone a couple with two children. The emotional distress caused by being unable to feed properly or send their children to school, is a constant in the lives of the Nigerian worker and a permanent source of mental anguish for over 50% of our population who fall into this cadre - this has also encouraged corruption and crime; (2) many Farmers have boycotted their farms because they have either been attacked and many killed

by Herdsmen thereon, or for fear of attacks and kidnap, and are unable to eke out their subsistence living - theirs is a combination of mental and physical anguish - fear, physical harm and extreme poverty. Hunger, and all the sickness arising from hunger - malnutrition, high blood pressure, increased risk of chronic diseases, increased risk of mental health issues like Depression, Anxiety and PTSD, are their realities.

There is a prediction of food shortages in 2023, because of reasons like flood in several States that destroyed crops and harvest, and insecurity - more mental anguish for Nigerians, with the fear of increase in the already high food prices, that is if we are even able to access food produce. Hopefully, things will not turn out to be so bleak!

Mental Anguish in Law The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Mental Anguish” (aka emotional distress and emotional trauma) as “a high degree of emotional pain, distress, torment, or suffering that may aggravate a crime, or be a subject of an action for damages or wrongful death”.

Black's Law Dictionary 6th Edition defines it as an element of damages including "the mental suffering resulting from the excitation of the more poignant and painful emotions, such as grief, severe disappointment, indignation, wounded pride, shame, public humiliation, despair etc"; that is, anguish that is caused from mental or emotional injury, and not physical injury. This is not to say that mental anguish doesn’t arise from physical injury - it does; and vice-versa, physical injury arises from mental anguish, for instance, untreated stress can bring on sicknesses like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.

Here in Nigeria, we may still be at the stage the Western world was about five decades ago, where the courts were not prone to acknowledging that a person's mental well-being and tranquility could require legal protection. In the past, in the event that mental anguish was acknowledged, it was usually emotional distress that emanated from a physical injury. The reason

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

The

Advocate “Most people are unhappy, enveloped in a feeling of hopelessness (depression), deprivation and insecurity. Truly, it is destabilising. The fact that we are unable recover damages from Government for emotional distress, does not change the fact that people are in pain” is that mental anguish was seen as being intangible, hard to measure and subjective, difficult to quantify in damages and varying from person to person. Subsequently, in the Western World, it is now a different story. For example, in Consolidated Rail Corp v Gottshall, 512 U. S. at 532, 544 (1994) the US Supreme Court inter alia described mental anguish as a mental or emotional injury, distinct from pain and suffering.

Though the bar of proof is placed very high, sometimes people are awarded damages for example, for emotional trauma suffered in bad marriages, if the spouse’s behaviour is outrageous. In Kindred v National College of Bus and Tech Inc No. W2014-00413-COA-R3-CV (Tennessee Ct. App March 19, 2015), in a claim for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED), the Court conceded that though the Plaintiff was understandably unhappy that her enrolment in Term 107 was cancelled, she failed to prove the outrageous conduct standard required to support this tort of IIED. In the UK, it is possible to sue in the work place for emotional distress suffered because of discrimination - this is known as injury to feelings. It is also possible to be compensated for a physical injury like Depression, caused by discrimination in the work place.

In Nigeria, mental anguish does not particularly seem to be recognised as a class of its own, and is still very much tied to the apron strings of physical injury. See the case of Julius Berger (Nig) Plc & Anor v Ugo (2015) LPELR-24408(CA) Page 88-89 per Oho JCA in which though mental anguish was one of the heads of the claim for general damages, it was in

character and outlook of an individual”.

The Apex Court however, instructively held that: “Once a Plaintiff has successfully shown that he suffered personal injury as a result of breach of duty owed him by the Defendant, the claim for pain and suffering must be considered”.

Additionally, in Nigeria, mental anguish may also be tied to anguish suffered by a Plaintiff as a result of losses suffered because of the actions of the Defendant in the case of breach of contract. In Union Bank of Nigeria Plc v Moltok (2019) LPELR-47741(CA) while the Court of Appeal held that mental anguish and untold hardship cannot be quantified or have exact calculation; that the award of general damages is at the discretion of the court which should be applied judiciously and judicially, based on what a reasonable man would presume in the circumstance; but, nevertheless, it upheld the decision of the lower court which awarded general damages to a retiree who depended mostly on his pension, and claimed damages for mental anguish and untold hardship, when the Appellant suddenly and wrongly made an unexplained deduction of a lump sum from the retiree’s account.

Mental Anguish of the People But, for the purposes of this discourse, I am referring to the general mental anguish that majority of Nigerians are going through because of the common denominator of our terrible living conditions; anguish that we cannot recover damages from government for, particularly since Section 6(6)(c) of the Constitution makes our mental anguish occasioned by the failure of consideration of a claim for general damages Government to meet the essence of governance in a case of personal injury.

(Chapter II of the Constitution), non-justiciable.

The assessment of damages for physical Nigerians are suffering from mental anguish, injury are seen to be easier to ascertain, using emanating from their severe disappointment certain parameters. In C & C Construc- in the democratic system of governance since tion Co. Ltd & Anor v Okhai (2003) 1999. Some even maintain that an analysis of LPELR-821(SC) per Uwaifo JSC, the Nigerian lives pre and post 1999, reveal the Supreme Court held that “…..there is fact that the quality of our lives may have been no means of medically assessing the better under the military, as there have not intensity or otherwise of the pain a been many dividends of democracy, possibly person is going through”. The Apex apart from GSM! Court however, opined that, in the case Many of us trace our anguish and suffering to of physical injury, the more serious the bad governance, thieving politicians and corrupt injury is, the more pain the individual government officials. Bandits/kidnappers/ would feel. Such pain could even have herdsmen, when seen in video clips, blame a duration period, as it’s intensity could their criminal activities like kidnapping, killing start to reduce as time went on. The Court and robbery on the mental anguish they have then went on to state that while pain could suffered arising from the fact that government end, suffering may continue; and used a has failed them; that they lack of basics like person who has suffered a stroke as an quality education and healthcare, coupled with example. unemployment. Though it would be unfair to After the initial pain from a stroke, assert that this mental anguish, pain and suffering numbness in the affected area may set that has been unleashed on Nigerians has been in. So, while there would be no more pain, caused solely by this APC administration, because the suffering and discomfort caused by it has been caused by the cumulative efforts the stroke would continue, especially if of successive administrations, institutional the individual loses use of the affected pervasive corruption and other force majeure, body part like a hand or limb permanently, for example, the crash in global oil prices a which could result in mental trauma. The few years ago and the Covid-19 pandemic, emotional distress, loss of income occasioned it has surely been seriously compounded by by the inability of the individual to earn some of the grave mistakes made by this income as a result of the stroke, would present administration. be taken into consideration in awarding damages, as well as the cost of the medical ‘Japa’ bills and care givers for life.

While some have channelled their mental In C & C Construction Co. Ltd & anguish into corruption and crime, it has Anor v Okhai (Supra), the Supreme translated in others to what has metamorCourt surmised that “mental anguish phosed into what is today called “Japa”, aka and distress…..is….generally regarded as “Checking Out” and “Brain Drain”, where much more difficult to assess, depend- droves of people, useful professionals like ing as it does so much on the nature, Medical Doctors, Nurses, Bankers and Lecturers, especially the younger ones, are seeking all avenues to leave Nigeria to search for greener pastures and start new lives in Canada and other countries.

Conclusion This administration has repeatedly shown its insensitivity, to the mental anguish that most Nigerians are experiencing. In the case of the University Lecturers, under the auspices of ASUU, Government has shown its hardheartedness by failing to pay them their full salary, when it is obvious that they must teach the students the complete 2021/2022 syllabus and examine them on it, before they can commence the 2022/2023 Academic Year, that is, lost ground must be covered.

It may be too late for this administration to relieve our emotional distress, by making meaningful improvements to our lives, aside from ensuring that the 2023 general elections are credible across board. It could be that Nigerians should just look to the next administration, and hope that life will be better under them.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Justice’s Absence When Decision is Read: Effect on Validity of Court’s Judgement Facts The Appellant and two others, representing the Ubani-Ukoma family of Umuahia Village of Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State (then Imo State), commenced the action leading to this appeal against the 1st Respondent at the High Court, seeking declaration of title/ownership of a parcel of land known as Bvoro Egbelu. They also claimed damages for trespass, and injunction in respect of the said land. The 2nd Respondent was subsequently joined in the suit.

At the trial, parties led evidence in support of their case, and called witnesses who testified on their behalf. Afterwards, the trial court dismissed the action for lack of substance and merit.

The Appellants, who were dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, appealed to the Court of Appeal. The appellate court also found no merit in the appeal, and dismissed same. The Appellants further appealed to the Supreme Court vide their Notice and Grounds of Appeal, containing ten grounds.

Issues for Determination The Appellants formulated eleven issues from ten Grounds of Appeal filed, and argued twelve issues in their unsigned Brief of Argument. Though the court found the said Brief to be in breach of established principles on diligent practice and procedure for formulation of issues, as the issues were proliferated, nonetheless, the Apex Court decided to consider the appeal on the merit in the interest of justice.

The following issues were considered by the court in its determination of the appeal: 1. Whether the judgement of the Court of Appeal was validly delivered in accordance with constitutional provisions.

2. Whether there was a valid acquisition of the property in question, by the then Governor of Imo State.

Arguments On issue one, the Appellants submitted that though the three learned Justices of the Court of Appeal heard the appeal in court, only two Justices were present when the judgement was delivered on 23rd April, 2009. Counsel relied on the provisions of Section 285(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (which is in pari materia with Section 294(2) of the 1999 Constitution). He also cited the authority of A-G IMO STATE v A-G RIVERS STATE (1983) 14 NSCC 270, in support of his position that the judgement was a nullity. Responding to the submission above, Counsel for the 1st Respondent cited Section 294(4) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 10 of the Court of Appeal Act, as well as the decision of SHITTA-BEY v A-G FEDERATION (1998) 7 SC (Pt. II) 121, in support of his position that the judgement of the lower court was validly delivered.

He argued that even if the opinions of the other two Justices were not pronounced when the judgement was read, having signed their concurrence in writing, the judgement was valid and unimpeachable. Counsel for the 2nd Respondent referred to the proceedings of the court, showing that the opinions of the three Honourable Justices who heard the appeal were read by Honourable S. Galadima, JCA (as he then was). Counsel submitted that in the absence of an effective challenge and impeachment of the record of proceedings, they remain extant and binding on the Appellants – ADEGBUYI v APC (2014) LPELR-24214(SC). He submitted that there is a presumption of regularity in favour of the decision; more so, the Appellants failed to show that a miscarriage of justice was occasioned by the alleged failure to comply with the provisions of Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution.

Arguing issue two, Counsel for the Appellants posited that the land in question was not properly acquired in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and 8 of the Public Land Acquisition Laws of Eastern State of Nigeria, and so, it was void, thereby, leaving the existing customary rights valid and extant. He argued that proper notice of acquisition was not served on the Appellant, and no compensation was paid as provided for under the law. Counsel submitted further that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) subsequently granted to the 1st Respondent by the Government was void, in view of subsistence of the Appellants’ rights over the land, which right was first in time and takes priority over that of the 1st Respondent. In addition, he submitted that the burden of proving revocation of the land was on the 2nd Respondent, even if the allegation was not

Honourable Mohammed Lawal Garba, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 17th day of June, 2022 Before Their Lordships Olukayode Ariwoola Uwani Musa Abba-Aji Mohammed Lawal Garba Adamu Jauro Tijjani Abubakar Justices, Supreme Court SC.84/2010 Between 1. Nwagboso Ubani-Ukoma (For himself and as representing Ubani-Ukoma family of Umuohia Village in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State 2. Enwereji Nwosu

Appellants And

1. Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc 2. Hon. Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice (Abia State)

Respondents

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Mohammed Lawal Garba, JSC)

disputed. On interpretation of Section 8 of the Public Land Acquisition Law, he submitted that by the combined reading of Sections 6, 33 and 236 of the Constitution and the authority of ABIOYE v YAKUBU (1991) 1 NWLR (Pt. 192), the said provision must be strictly construed, since it seeks to abridge the Appellants’ constitutional right to own land. The response of Counsel for the 1st Respondent on this issue was to the effect that the revocation of the Appellant’s right over the land was in line with the provisions of Sections 5(1) and 8 of the Public Lands Acquisition Law; therefore, the C of O granted to the 1st Respondent was valid. Counsel stated that the Government of the then Eastern region entered into an agreement with the landowners for industrial development, but owing to petitions from persons who claimed to be the real owners, the Government compulsorily acquired the land in 1977 by issuing and serving a notice of revocation which was published in the state official Gazette No. 15 of 1st September, 1988, and payment of compensation. The Appellants complained about being excluded in the compensation paid, and applied

“…. a judgement/decision of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court can validly be delivered, pronounced or read by a single Justice, in the absence of Justices who were present at the hearing of the appeal, where the individual opinions of the Justices were expressed in writing.”

for concessional allocation of land in place of monetary compensation which was granted, and plots 1/118 and 1/110 were allocated to the Appellants via a C of O dated 29th May, 1995. Counsel argued that service of notice of revocation is cosmetic as long as the notice has been issued, as there is no obligation/duty on the acquiring authority to serve the notice on the land owners. On his part, Counsel for the 2nd Respondent argued that the Appellants did not raise the issue of validity of the acquisition at the trial court in their pleadings, and cannot raise same now before the Supreme Court. More so, the decision of the trial court, affirmed by the Court of Appeal, is that there was a valid acquisition, notice of which was served and compensation paid to the Appellants.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Resolving the first issue, the court noted that the complaint of the Appellant on this issue arose from a gross misapprehension and misconception of the provisions of Section 294 of the Constitution, on the requirement for delivery of valid decision of an appellate court. Highlighting the relevant sub-sections of the provision, especially sub-section (4) which provides that for the purpose of delivering its decision, the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal shall be deemed to be duly constituted, if at least one member of the court sits for that purpose. Given the foregoing, the court held that it is not necessary, it is not a requirement, and it is not condition precedent that all the Justices who heard the appeal, cause or matter, to be present in the court when the judgement is being delivered. In line with the provision, a judgement/decision

of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court can validly be delivered, pronounced or read by a single Justice, in the absence of Justices who were present at the hearing of the appeal, where the individual opinions of the Justices were expressed in writing. The court relied on the decision of NABHAM v NAHAB (1967) NMLR 130, to state that a proviso provided under or after provisions of a section in a statute is usually intended by the legislature to qualify, limit, exempt and/or restrict the general application of the provisions of the section, in such a way that it does not substantially derogate from or neutralise the provisions.

On issue two, the Apex Court referred to the provisions of both the Public Lands Acquisition Law of South-Eastern State and the Land Use Act, to hold that all lands in a State are vested in the Governor/Government of the State to hold in trust for all the people who may have varied interests, rights and entitlement thereto. By Section 2(1), the Governor is granted the power to control and manage all land in the State subject to the provisions of the Act, and in accordance with the applicable Land Tenure Law enacted for the State. Section 5 authorises and empowers the Governor to grant rights in respect of all lands in the State, and to impose terms and conditions for the grant to be fulfilled and met by the grantee. Having been vested with the right over, the power and authority to control and manage all land in trust for the people as their representative under the provisions of Sections 1, 2 and 5 of the Land Use Act, the Governor is also conferred with the power and authority to withdraw, cancel or revoke any right, interest or grant in respect of the land in the State, granted by him in exercise of the power and authority to make the grant. However, to forestall an arbitrary exercise of the power and authority of the Governor in the cancellation and withdrawal or revocation of the rights, interests or title without due regard to existing ownership or holdings, the courts have, in the interpretation and application of the provisions of Section 28 thereof, insisted that the conditions stipulated thereunder must be strictly complied with for the revocation to be valid and effective in law. The reason is that the provisions are expropriatory and should be applied “fortissimo contra preferences”, strictly against the authority, but sympathetically in favour of the people/citizens whose right are to be taken away.

In this instance, the 2nd Respondent admitted the acquisition by the Imo State Government in accordance with the law, by service of the notice of acquisition and payment of compensation to the Appellants’ family, then represented by Dr R.N.A. Ubani-Ukoma. This Appellants did not respond to the facts/defence presented by the 2nd Respondent.

By law, the Appellants are deemed to have admitted these facts. The law is that neither the court nor parties is permitted to set up cases, outside the facts deposed to and presented by parties in their pleadings. Likewise, a party is not permitted in law to change the case presented at a trial or lower court, at the appellate courts. A party must be consistent in the case presented before the trial court, throughout the appellate processes – I.M.N.L. LTD v PEGOFOR IND. LTD. (2005) ALL FWLR (Pt. 270) 2018. An appellate court lacks the jurisdiction to adjudicate on an issue not raised before and/or pronounced upon by a lower court, without prior leave of court. Since the Appellants did not question or challenge the validity of the revocation/acquisition of the land in dispute in their pleadings before the trial court, both the trial court and the court below are right that they could not be heard to subsequently surreptitiously attempt to introduce or raise it in the case by way of address of counsel, which does not constitute evidence or pleading of facts in the Appellants’ case. Given the above, the Supreme Court affirmed the concurrent decision of the trial court and Court of Appeal, that the land in question was validly acquired. The issue was thereby resolved against the Appellants.

Appeal Dismissed with Costs to the Respondents.

Representation Ubani-Ukoma Lawrence, Esq. with Adetoun O. Aderehinwo, Esq.; Chinedu Ndubuisi Nwankwo, Esq. and Ifeanyichikwu Ikpa, Esq. for the Appellants.

Chimezie Victor C. Ihekweazu, SAN with Victor Abasiakan-Ekin, Esq.; Chikezie C. Obiefule, Esq. and Onwuka Ngozi Rosemary (Miss) for the 1st Respondent.

Udochi Iheanacho, Esq. for the 2nd Respondent.

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

V

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

INSOLVENCY DISCOURSE DR KUBI UDOFIA

INFO@KUBIUDOFIA.COM

Adversarial Proceedings Against a Company in Liquidation (1) Introduction he automatic stay is triggered when a court makes a winding-up order, or appoints a provisional liquidator for a company. It halts the continuation or commencement of actions or proceedings against the company. The objectives of the automatic stay are (i) ensuring the company’s assets are not dissipated on actions, (ii) ensuring some creditors do not gain an advantage over other similarly-situated creditors, and (iv) ensuring the winding-up court is in control of the liquidation process.

Over the years, there have been a number of conflicting and erroneous decisions on (i) the court(s) in which the automatic stay operates, and (ii) the court(s) which may grant permission to proceed against a company in liquidation. This first part of a two-part discourse, seeks to provide clarity on these issues. It also examines the extent to which recent Supreme Court decisions, have clarified the uncertainties.

T

The Automatic Stay Under Section 580 of CAMA The automatic stay in Section 580 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020), is a replication of Section 417 of CAMA 1990. It provides that “If a winding-up order is made or a provisional liquidator is appointed, no action or proceeding shall be proceeded or commenced against the company except by leave of the Court given In such terms as the Court may impose”.

As the name suggests, the automatic stay is self-activating. It suspends all actions or proceedings against the company in liquidation, irrespective of the purpose or justification. To mitigate the arbitrary effect of the automatic stay, leave or permission may be sought and obtained to continue or commence proceedings against a company in liquidation for good reasons. In the past, the leave regime has been plagued with conflicting and erroneous decisions.

Applying for Leave to Proceed Section 868(1) of CAMA 2020 (previously Section 650(1) of CAMA 1990) defines “Court” as: “the Federal High Court, and to the extent to which application may be made to it; court includes the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.” Notwithstanding its clarity, there are several discordant and erroneous decisions on the proper court to grant leave and the court(s) which the automatic stay operates. In F.M.B.N Ltd v N.D.I.C [1999] 2 NWLR (Pt 591) 333 at 365A-B, the Supreme Court stated thus: “What is prohibited by section 417 except with leave of court, is an action or proceeding pending or instituted in the Federal High Court for that is the meaning of the word “Court” as used in the section [650] … I think therefore, that the court below was in error when it held that leave was required before the plaintiff could proceed with its motion against the respondent in the High Court of Lagos State.”

The Court of Appeal in N.D.I.C. v. F.M.B.N [1997] 2 NWLR (Pt 490) 735 at 757-758H-A had held that the Federal High Court (“FHC”) was the proper court to grant leave to proceed with an action at the High Court of Lagos State and had nullified the proceedings for failure to do so. However, the Supreme Court held that the automatic stay was only applicable to actions at the FHC. In other words, leave to proceed was not required in courts outside FHC. Contrary to the decision in F.M.B.N Ltd v N.D.I.C, Sections 417 and 650(1) of CAMA 1990 (now Sections 580 and 868(1) of CAMA 2020) do not limit the application/operation of the automatic stay to the FHC. The Supreme Court’s pronouncement that the automatic stay is only operative in the FHC,

may have been influenced by its decision that only the FHC could grant leave to proceed.

Accordingly, the court’s reasoning must have been that the FHC could only grant leave in relation to matters before the FHC. Assuming the intention of the lawmakers was to limit the operation of the automatic stay to FHC, this would have been easily done by stating that: “…no action or proceeding shall be proceeded or commenced against the company in the Court except by leave of the Court”. However, section 580 says that: “… no action or proceeding shall be proceeded or commenced against the company except by leave of the Court”.

Besides, narrowing the application of the automatic stay to the FHC would substantially whittle down its usefulness, considering FHC’s limited jurisdiction. Instructively, it has been rightly held that even proceedings before arbitral tribunals are within the ambit od the automatic: Atoju v Triumph Bank Plc [2016] 5 NWLR (Pt 1505) 252 at 312G-H. The Supreme Court’s conclusion in F.M.B.N v N.D.I.C that only the FHC could grant leave to proceed, was a misconstruction of “Court” as defined in Section 650(1) of CAMA 1990.

Section 868(1) of CAMA 2020 (previously Section 650(1) CAMA 1990) defines “the Court” as the FHC and “to the extent to which application may be made to it, court includes the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria”.

Unsurprisingly, the Supreme Court’s position in F.M.B.N v N.D.I.C that the automatic stay is not operative in courts outside the FHC has been cited with approval in some cases. In Okonkwo v. C.C.B. Plc (2003) LPELR-2484(SC), Tobi JSC in his dissenting judgement stated that, in line with F.M.B.N v N.D.I.C, leave under Section 417 of CAMA 1990 was limited to the FHC. In A.A.D. Enterprises Ltd v MV Northern Reefer [2009] 12 NWLR (Pt 1155) 255

“….. the appropriateness of the FHC determining whether actions or proceedings should continue or commence in courts/tribunals such as State High Courts, National Industrial Courts, Magistrate Courts, Investments and Securities Tribunals, Tax Appeal Tribunals etc. remains questionable”

at 270C-F, the Supreme Court relied on F.M.B.N v N.D.I.C. to hold that leave was not required to institute an appeal at the Court of Appeal against a company in liquidation.

This was premised on the ground that, the automatic stay did not apply to actions outside the FHC. Similarly, in NITEL v Commercial Trust Bank Ltd [1999] 1 FHCLR 654 at 658, a FHC held that leave to proceed was not required because the action was before the High Court of Lagos State.

There have also been conflicting and erroneous decisions regarding the proper court to grant leave to proceed against companies in liquidation. In Framan Enterprises Ltd v Spring Bank Plc (2016) LPELR-41394(CA), the Court of Appeal relied on MV Northern Reefer to hold that the appellant could not competently prosecute an appeal against a company in liquidation without leave of the FHC. This was a misapplication of MV Northern Reefer, which itself was erroneous. A religious application of MV Northern Reefer would have led to the conclusion that the automatic stay was not operative in the Court of Appeal, an argument which the appellant had made.

In NDIC v Barau [2017] 7 NWLR (Pt 1565) 501 at 514H-515A, the respondent sought to enforce a judgement of a High Court of Adamawa State against a company in liquidation at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (“FCT”). The Court of Appeal held that the respondent required leave of that High Court of FCT to proceed. The court made no reference to the definition of “Court” in Section 650 CAMA 1990 or previous authorities.

This decision is plainly wrong.

In NDIC v Rahman Brothers Ltd (2018) LPELR-46781 (CA), the Court of Appeal nullified the proceedings of a High Court of Lagos State (“trial court”) on the ground that leave of the FHC had not been obtained to proceed with the suit at the trial court after the defendant went into liquidation. This was a correct application of Sections 417 and 650(1) of CAMA 1990 but in disregard of the Supreme Court’s position in FMBN Ltd v NDIC and MV Northern Reefer. An application of these authorities would have led to a conclusion that the automatic stay was inoperative in actions outside the FHC. In Obe v Prosperfunds Ltd (2022) LPELR-57488(CA), the action was before the High Court of Lagos State. The Court of Appeal held that the appellant should have sought for leave at the FHC as the word

“Court” in Section 580 of CAMA 2020 referred to the FHC. First, a proper application of FMBN Ltd v NDIC and MV Northern Reefer would have led to a conclusion that the automatic stay was not applicable considering that the case was not before a FHC. Second, the pronouncement that “Court” in Section 868(1) referred to the FHC is not entirely correct. It includes the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in appropriate instances.

Recent Supreme Court Decisions Commendably, there are at least two recent cases in which the Supreme Court has correctly stated or applied the law in relation to (i) court(s) in which the automatic stay operates, and (ii) court(s) which may grant leave to proceed.

In R.T.M.H. v All States Trust Bank Plc (2021) 17 NWLR (Pt 1805) 275 at 300G-H, Ogunwumiju JSC stated that Section 580 required the appellant to seek leave of the Supreme Court before filing its notice of appeal against a company in liquidation. Although her Lordship did not expatiate on this point, it is a departure from FMBN Ltd v NDIC and MV Northern Reefer where the Supreme Court had held that the automatic stay has no application outside the FHC and only the FHC could grant leave.

In Universal Properties Ltd v Pinnacle Commercial Bank [2022] 12 NWLR (Pt 1845) 523, The Supreme Court rejected the appellant’s contention that only the FHC could grant leave and rightly held that the definition of “Court” in section 650(1) of CAMA 1990 (now section 868(1) CAMA 2020) includes the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in appropriate circumstances.

In consequence, the Supreme Court put to rest the uncertainty caused by its decisions in FMBN Ltd v NDIC and MV Northern Reefer regarding (i) which court may grant leave to proceed, and (ii) which court the automatic stay applies.

However, the appropriateness of the FHC determining whether actions or proceedings should continue or commence in courts/tribunals such as State High Courts, National Industrial Courts, Magistrate Courts, Investments and Securities Tribunals, Tax Appeal Tribunals etc. remains questionable.

This sentiment was shared in Abekhe v N.D.I.C [1995] 7 NWLR (Pt 406) 228 at 243H where Uwaifo JCA (as he then was) stated that “it would be an abuse of exercise of jurisdiction for the FHC to decide that a suit before the Lagos State High Court is frivolous or has no chance of success … in the process of considering whether to grant leave for the action to continue”. Nevertheless, that is the “gatekeeping” poºwer which section 580 of CAMA 2020 has saddled the FHC with.

To be continued.

VI

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BOOK REVIEW

The Nigerian Legal System in Context (First Edition) Book Review Title:

The Nigerian Legal System In Context (First Edition)

Author:

Professor Theodore Okonkwo

Publisher:

AEDE

Hardcover:

ISBN 978-978-790-942-3

Number of Pages:

498

Name of Reviewer:

Abubakar Sani Esq

Introduction ne of the finest recent additions to our legal literature is “The Nigerian Legal System In Context” by Professor Theodore Okonkwo: He needs no introduction: currently the Dean of Law and Provost, College of Law Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, he was, for many years, a Senior Lecturer in Public Law at both the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The two-volume tome reflects all of Professor Okonkwo’s 35 years post-call experience (he was called to the Bar in 1987).

Given that the book’s subject-matter is not exactly an unbeaten track, you might wonder “What is the point?”. I assure you, however, that Prof Okonkwo does not try to re-invent the wheel. Absolutely not. On the contrary, he offers a fresh perspective and insight on the subject. The book’s appeal is its style of presentation, diction and, above all, depth. He manages to achieve - in the book’s 498 pages - that rarest of feats: to be readable, without sacrificing scholarship. However, don’t take my word for it, glean through it. Accordingly, here’s a foretaste of what the book has to offer.

I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

O

Overview In its two parts – spread over sixteen chapters – the book painstakingly deconstructs the superstructure of our law. Starting with Part 1 which sets the background, namely the book’s fundamental theme (indeed, that is it’s title), the six chapters which it covers are copiously and comprehensively rendered as summarised below.

Chapter 1, “The Idea of a Legal System”, examines the raison d’etre of a legal system. It asks the question of “What is a Legal System?” and goes ahead to discuss the various types of legal systems across the world, particularly the common law legal system which Nigeria inherited from the British, it’s features, history and evolution. The Civil Law Legal System is not left out, and it receives a similar treatment as its common law counterpart. The Chapter then, appropriately, examines the main purpose of a legal system, the basic features of the Nigerian Legal System, the Principles which underpin it as well as it’s focus.

Chapter 2 takes us on a historical excursion into the Background of the Nigerian Legal System, starting from the period before 1862, thence up to the year 1899, and, thereafter, up

to the present.

Chapter 3, titled the “Nature and Function of Law”, is a ‘must read’ for new comers to the study of law, both students and the plain curious or casual reader. It contains everything you need to know about law as a discipline, and starts by posing the most basic but fundamental question of all: What is law? It proceeds to explore it through the opinions of various Schools of Thought: Idealists, Positivists, Historians, Sociologists, Realists, Naturalists, and Relativists.

It is a compelling exposé of the jurisprudence of law, and is followed by a discussion of the nature, functions and evolution of law and – in the case of the latter – with an examination of Christianity and law, sovereignty and law and law in contemporary times. It then concludes with the poser: “Whether Laws are necessary”, and a discussion of the role of courts in using law to effect social change.

Chapter 4 is concerned with the Classification of Law, which it recognises in the following order: Imperative Law; Physical/ Scientific Law; Practical/Technical Law; Natural Law (Divine Law; Law of Reason; Unwritten Law; Eternal Law and Moral Law); Convential Law; Customary Law; Civil Law; International Law; Public/Private Law; Substantial/Procedural Law; Written/Unwritten Law; Common Law & Equity; Statutory Law; Primary/Secondary Legislation; English Law, Municipal Law; Military Law; it closes with a discussion of the conflict of laws.

Chapter 5 examines the Sources of Nigerian Law, such as: Legislation (including Ordinances, Acts, Laws, Decrees, Edicts, Principal Legislation, Enabling Laws, Delegated Legislation, Bye-Law); Received/Extended English Law (the Common Law, Equity, Statutes of General Application); Customary Law; Islamic/Sharia Law; Judicial Precedent/Case Law; Military Law & Public International Law. It closes with what it calls ‘Secondary Sources of Law’.

Chapter 6 is a discussion of “Interpretation of Statutes”. Starting with the various theories applicable in unravelling them, judicial presumptions adopted in relation to the meaning of specific words and the various aids to interpretation, such as the Interpretation Act (applicable to Federal laws), and the seven broad rules judicially applied in interpreting statutes, including the Literal Rule; the Golden Rule, the Mischief Rule, the Ejusdem Generis Rule; the Expresso Unius Est Exclusio Alterius Rule, the Noscitur a Sociis Rule and the Purposive Rule. It closes with the attitude of courts to constitutional interpretation.

“…..he offers a fresh perspective and insight on the subject. The book’s appeal is its style of presentation, diction and, above all, depth. He manages to achieve - in the book’s 498 pages - that rarest of feats: to be readable, without sacrificing scholarship…..The book is simply outstanding….it has covered the field of the Nigerian Legal System”

Chapter 7 focuses on the conflict of laws – specifically between Customary Law, the Received English Law and between different systems of Customary Law – the latter with emphasis on land matters and succession or inheritance.

The relatively short Chapter 8 discusses Judicial Institutions with particular emphasis on the history and evolution of Courts, and the obviously important role the Judiciary plays within the system. This neatly dovetails into the subject-matter of Chapter 9, which is the type and jurisdiction of Courts. It outlines the two broad types of courts: superior court and ‘inferior’ courts – everything from the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, High Courts, the National Industrial Court, Customary Courts, Magistrate Courts, District Courts, Sharia Courts, Juvenile Courts, Tribunals, Court Martial, etc. It then examines the relationship between them in terms of control time limits for delivery of verdicts (in case of Superior Courts) under the Constitution, and references of substantial questions of law by one court to another. The Chapter concludes with the all-important issue of judicial independence, which it examines under three broad sub-topics: financial independence (or lack of it), executive interference in the removal of Judges and decisional independence (or lack of it).

While Chapter 10 discusses the relatively new phenomenon of the Multi-Door Court House as an alternative to the shortcomings in our traditional civil justice delivery system, Chapter 11 (which ought to have followed Chapter 9 given the similarity of their subject-matter) focuses on judicial recruitment, tenure and removal. It considers applicable precepts and provisions, such as the Latimer House Principles and the 1999 Constitution.

The grandly titled Chapter 12 (“The Legal Profession”) could not have been otherwise.

It’s remit is obvious, but so is its scope. Indeed, it could be a book all by itself, as it traces the history of the legal profession in Nigeria: including the outlines of legal education (the Law School, applicable legal provisions and organs, the Call to Bar) the Body of Benchers’ Privilege within the Bar, Sanctions for professional negligence, the Attorney-General of the Federation and of the States, Notaries Public, Professional Ethics, etc.

The focus of Chapter 13 is the adjectival law applicable in civil matters, that is, civil procedure. It is as comprehensive as can be, and outlines the sources of Civil Procedure; Parties; Jurisdiction; Form and Commencement of Action in the High Court; Service of Originating Processes; Appearance; Pleadings; Proceedings at the Trial; Joinder of Causes of Action, etc.

Chapter 14 is similar – albeit in relation to Criminal matters. It is also comprehensive, as it takes in everything from Pre-trial Investigation, Classification of Offences; the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and its goals; and the rights of suspects. While many of its provisions are not new, in many respects, however, ACJA is revolutionary and groundbreaking, particularly in its provision for plea bargain, non-custodial sentences and the like.

The subject of Chapter 15 is Legal Aid. This is obviously critical, as it is the law’s response to the challenge of indigent suspects and defendants.

The relevant laws and structures (Legal Aid Council Act and the Legal Aid Council) are reviewed, and their evolution is x-rayed.

The book closes with Chapter 16, which discusses the practitioner’s indispensable tool: Law Reports. This is the record of the decisions of our courts, and they serve as precedents being authoritative guides to subsequent similar cases. They make or mar many a case, and no serious law library is complete without a comprehensive up-to-date set (or sets!).

Conclusion The foregoing is just the tip of the ice-berg of the landscape so, painstakingly and effortlessly painted by Prof Okonkwo in the book. I believe that, this alone ought to commend it, as it far surpasses its predecessors in scope, depth and content. The industry invested in producing it shines through, as it leaves no stone unturned.

Every possible relevant field is touched – even if briefly – while managing to do justice to it. The book is simply outstanding, and it is no exaggeration to say that, it has covered the field of the Nigerian Legal System. To that extent, it is, possibly, the last word on the subject. To think that it is just the first volume, and that there is one more in the works! I can’t wait!

VII

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Ethics and Discipline in Law: Akin to Waiting for Godot (Part 2) Introduction t was Immanuel Kant that said, in law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so. On this note, we shall continue our discourse on the above issue.

I

Definition of Terms Ethics, in a nutshell is, knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. It is a set of moral rules or principles of behaviour, for deciding what is right and what is wrong.

It refers to moral principles that govern a person's behaviour, or the conducting of an activity. A behaviour or set of behaviours are ethical, when it aligns or they align with reasonable moral standards. Therefore, any human conduct or conducts that runs or run afoul of reasonability, proper practices, reasonable moral standards is unethical. Little wonder the Apex Court in Nigeria held in YUSUFU & ANOR v OBASANJO & ORS that: “Corrupt practices" denote or can be said to connote and embrace certain perfidious and debauched activities which are felonious in character being redolent in their depravity and want of ethics”.

According to the Chamber’s Twentieth century Dictionary, Ethics is the Science of morals, that branch of philosophy which is concerned with human character and conduct. Ethics is, therefore, centred on the principles of behaviour conduct, action and utterances at both private and public levels.

As to what ethics ought to be, it is vividly captured in the words of A. A. Gwandu, when he noted the following: “It is observed that if we act from grounds of the intrinsic goodness of an action, the necessity in this case is ethical; in other words, if we do anything not simply because we enjoy doing it, but rather because we believe it ought to be done, then our action is ethical. Ethics then concerns itself with the intrinsic quality of actions. In other words, it concerns itself solely with disposition, it deals with the topic of good and ‘bad’, ‘right and ‘wrong’”.

Looking at ethics from geographical perspectives, it is defined as that aspect of a country’s Constitution, which teaches citizens how they ought to behave in their daily life.

Every political office – elective or appointive, profession whether legal, religious, faith-based, political, economic, socio-cultural, educational, medical, engineering etc. has its set of moral standards expected of those who subscribe to it. This is why we have the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in Nigeria. Others are, Legal Practitioners’ Rule of Professional Conduct (RPC), Medical Practitioners’ Code of Medical Ethics (CME), Code of Engineering Ethics in Nigeria, and so on. All these spell out standards of practices, to regulate and ensure tranquility in the conduct of the affairs of those to whom they relate. More so, to ensure compliance from members, there also exist certain disciplinary bodies to instil compliance and punish deviants. We have, the Court of Law, the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal to mention, but a few.

Some Scholastic Approaches to Ethics

1. Socrates Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, one of the three greatest figures of the ancient period of Western philosophy, who lived in Athens in the 5th century BCE, born in 470BCE and died in 399 BCE, believed that “the unexamined life is not worth living”. One must seek knowledge and wisdom, before private interests. In this manner, knowledge is sought as a means to ethical action. What one truly knows. is the dictates of one's conscience or soul: these ideas form the philosophy of the Socratic Paradox.

2. Aristotle Aristotle first used the term ethics to name a field of study developed by his predecessors, Socrates and Plato. In philosophy, ethics is the attempt to offer a rational response to the question of how humans should best live. According to Aristotle, ethics is simply the study of character. It is built around the premise that people should achieve an excellent character (a virtuous character, “ethik aret ” in Greek) as a pre-condition for attaining happiness or well-being (eudaimonia).

Aristotle emphasised the practical importance of developing excellence (virtue) of character (Greek thik aret ), as the way to achieve what is finally more important, excellent conduct (Greek praxis). As Aristotle argues in Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, the man who possesses character excellence will tend to do the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way. Bravery, and the correct regulation of one's bodily appetites, are examples of character excellence or

“Discipline comes with a price, but most assuredly, the price of discipline is less than the agony of the pain of regrets”

virtue. So acting bravely and acting temperately, are examples of excellent activities. The highest aims are living well, and eudaimonia – a Greek word often translated as well-being, happiness or “human flourishing”. Like many ethicists, Aristotle regards excellent activity as pleasurable for the man of virtue.

For example, Aristotle thinks that the man whose appetites are in the correct order actually takes pleasure in acting moderately.

Aristotle emphasised that virtue is practical, and that the purpose of ethics is to become good, not merely to know.

Aristotle also claims that the right course of action depends upon the details of a particular situation, rather than being generated merely by applying a law. The type of wisdom which is required for this is called “prudence” or “practical wisdom” (Greek phronesis), as opposed to the wisdom of a theoretical philosopher (Greek sophia). But, despite the importance of practical decision making, in the final analysis the original Aristotelian and Socratic answer to the question of how best to live, at least for the best types of human, was, if possible, to live the life of philosophy.

Ethics generally deals with such questions, at all levels. Its subject consists of the fundamental issues of practical decision making, and its major concerns include the nature of ultimate value, and the standards by which human actions can be judged right or wrong.

Ethics and Morality The terms ethics and morality are closely related. It is now common to refer to ethical judgements or to ethical principles, where it once would have been more accurate to speak of moral judgements or moral principles. These applications are an extension of the meaning of ethics.

In earlier usage, the term referred not to morality itself but to the field of study, or branch of inquiry that has morality as its subject-matter. In this sense, ethics

is equivalent to moral philosophy.

Both morality and ethics loosely have to do with, distinguishing the difference between “good and bad” or “right and wrong.” Many people think of morality as something that's personal and normative, whereas ethics is the standards of “good and bad” distinguished by a certain community or social setting.

Generally, the terms ethics and morality are used interchangeably, although a few different communities (academic, legal, or religious, for example) will occasionally make a distinction. For example, your local community may think adultery is immoral, and you personally may agree with that. However, the distinction can be useful if your local community has no strong feelings about adultery, but you consider adultery immoral on a personal level. By these definitions of the terms, your morality would contradict the ethics of your community.

In popular discourse, however, we’ll often use the terms moral and immoral when talking about issues like adultery, regardless of whether it’s being discussed in a personal or in a community-based situation.

Discipline is a way of training one’s mind or learning to control one’s behaviour; the ability to control one’s behaviour so that one does what one is expected to do; a way of training someone, so that they learn to control their behaviour and obey rules. It is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience. Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Roy L. Smith sees discipline as the refining fire, by which talent becomes ability.

The Nigerian Supreme Court in the case of KATAGUM & ORS v ROBERT defining the word discipline had this to say: “….. remarking only that as the meanings given to the word "discipline" in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary include “the order maintained and observed among persons under control or command; a system of rules for conduct” and “correction, chastisement.”

Discipline comes with a price, but most assuredly, the price of discipline is less than the agony of the pain of regrets. The Bible puts it succinctly thus: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it”.

More clearly, the New International Version of the Holy Bible puts it more clearly thus: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”.

Nevertheless, Success isn't measured by money or power or social rank. Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace.

Law has no definitive meaning as it cuts across the entire sphere of life; however, it can be seen as that which is laid down, ordained or established. A rule or method, according to which phenomenon or actions co-exist or follow each other. Law, in its generic sense, is a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority, and having binding legal force. UNITED STATES FIDELITY AND GURANTEE CO. v GUENTHER 281 U.S. 34, 50, S.CT. 165, 74 L.ED. 683. That which must be obeyed and followed by citizens, subject to sanctions or legal consequences.

Law is a solemn expression of the will of the supreme power of the State. Calif. Civil Code & 22. Dwelling on what the law is, will most indisputably assume another major theme. (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Ethics to me, is very important.” (Al-Waleed bin Talal)

VIII COVER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Protem President, Law Society of Nigeria, Kunle Ogunba, SAN

NBA President, Y.C. Maikyau, SAN

LSN? Why Now? For What Purpose?

For over six decades, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has served as the sole umbrella body for Lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar by the Supreme Court, as Barristers and Solicitors. This crucial role of the NBA hasn’t been without its fair share of challenges, including an imperfect electoral system, but the body has managed to surmount its challenges to play its statutory role over the years. The sudden recent emergence of a body christened the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) has been received with mixed feelings and questions, including why now? Has it come to threaten the peace that the NBA has enjoyed, since the 1992 Port Harcourt Debacle which saw it in limbo for six years? Does the emergence of such a body enjoy legal backing? The LSN whose abrupt appearance is raising eyebrows as to its intent and purposes, is the subject-matter of this Discourse by Dr Richard Ahuonaruogho, SAN, Abdulrasheed Ibrahim and Sylvester Udemezue New LSN is Unregistered, Illegal and Unrecognised Richard Ahuonaruogho, SAN

M

y attention has just been drawn to the purported Executive Committee of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), and hereby wish to assure all Legal Practitioners in Nigeria that the purported Executive Committee are unknown to the LSN. LSN was incorporated on 28th December, 1994, by my goodself, Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, as Convener and Secretary with Mr Charles I. Idehen as Chairman. The idea was to save the

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from self-destruction after the 1992 Port Harcourt crisis, and we have over the years, reviewed the need to keep the Nigerian Lawyers under the main umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Recent events in the NBA, have led to an increasing agitation for the full commencement of activities of LSN, for which some representatives of the persons now claiming to be Executives of the LSN held a meeting with me and one of the promoters of LSN on 6th October, 2022, in Lagos, where their appeal for the commencement of full activities was tabled, considered and deferred for further consultations with some of the other key promoters and the sole surviving

“….. its Protem National Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN)…. are with respect to them unknown to LSN, and should be disregarded by all Nigerian Lawyers and the Distinguished Body of Benchers of Nigeria….”

Trustee.

Consultation is ongoing, and the hasty announcement by the said letter with reference number LDN/ BOB/C/2022/Vol. 1/001, on the indicated subject 'LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA: NOTICE OF EXISTENCE AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE' to the Body of Benchers of its Protem National Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), namely : a. Kunle Ogunba, SAN – President b. Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack – Vice President c. Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani – Secretary d. Olasupo Ojo – Welfare Secretary e. Chioma Ferguson – Treasurer f. Douglas Ogbankwa – Publicity Secretary g. Zara Umar Yakub – Financial Secretary h. Alice Ogaku Awonugba – Assistant Secretary i. Hassan Sherif – Assistant Publicity Secretary; are with respect to them unknown to LSN, and should be disregarded by all Nigerian Lawyers and the

Distinguished Body of Benchers of Nigeria to whom the letter dated 24th October, 2022, was written.

The logo and Motto - ‘Justice For All’ on the purported letter claiming to be that of LSN, are alien to LSN and amounts to the tort of passing-off.

Kunle Ogunba, SAN’s team of J. K. Gadzama, SAN and Olasupo Ojo, Esq held a meeting with me and another Promoter, Chief Kunle Uthman on Thursday 6th October, 2022, at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi. We are still consulting the other Promoters of LSN and the Sole surviving Trustee, Richard Ogbeche Esq. No one from Kunle Ogunba, SAN group formed the LSN, not one of them. I, Richard Oma Ahuonaruogho came up with the idea in 1992 after the Port Harcourt crisis, but I did not get the necessary support from the other Promoters until February, 1994, and we submitted our application to the Corporate Affairs Commission in April, 1994 and got incorporated on 28th December, 1994.

Richard Ogbeche Esq did not consult any of the Promoters or myself as the Convener and Founding Secretary.

Not even Mr. Charles I. Idehen, the Chairman of the Law Society of Nigeria. I was just seven years at

IX COVER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

LSN? Why Now? For What Purpose? the Bar in 1994.

The offices known to LSN as provided for in Article 6 of the Constitution of LSN dated 10th February, 1994, and submitted to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are as follows: a. President b. President-Elect c. Chair of the House of Delegates d. Secretary e. Treasurer f. Secretary-Elect g. Treasurer-Elect h. Executive Vice-President.

Conclusion In conclusion on behalf of the Promoters of the LSN, and as the Founding Secretary, I hereby state categorically that no Executive has been appointed for the Law Society of Nigeria as at today.

Dr Richard Oma Ahuonaruogho, SAN, Convener and Founding Secretary, Law Society of Nigeria

LSN : Is NBA’s Monopoly Under Threat?

Abdulrasheed Ibrahim Press Release This is another interesting period for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as recently, a group of Lawyers released a press statement stating that they have founded a new Lawyers’ association to be known as Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), and they rolled out the names of their Protem National Executive. In their own very words in a letter said to have been sent to the Chairman of the Body of Benchers: “The Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) was founded and registered as a national organisation of Lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria.

The LSN, with membership spread all over Nigeria, exists to empower the legal profession with quality member service (high standards of learning, competence, and profession conduct); facilitates access to justice, maintain and advance the cause of justice; and promote the rule of law…”.

What came to mind immediately I saw the press release, was the nature of politics in Nigeria which I once referred to as a “big comedy”. When I said that, not many people, particularly the Lawyers, took me seriously. In stating what was in my mind after reading the LSN’s press release, I said “This reminds me of the nPDP when some PDP politicians fell out with GEJ; they ran to APC, but today, most of them are back in the PDP trying to send APC packing. In the wake of NBA v El-Rufai’s dis- invitation to the NBA Conference, some Lawyers threatened to form NNBA. Is their threat now coming to reality? The other day when Chief Akintola, SAN talked about some Lawyers that don’t know the geography of the court, I saw the handwriting on the wall, that there is every likelihood of a split in the NBA, but I kept quiet because I don’t want to be

Dr Richard Oma Ahuonaruogho, SAN

tagged “a Prophet of Doom”.

Now, who says a writer is not a soothsayer!”

In all honesty, I may not belong to the same school of thought as Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, but I admire him for one thing - he is a very bold and fearless Lawyer that does not hide his feelings. Sometime in 2020, Chief Akintola expressed the view that Nigerian Lawyers were free to break away from the NBA, which generated a lot of controversy among Lawyers”.

LSN has said that :“As a Society of Lawyers in Nigeria, called to the Nigerian Bar under auspices of the Body of Benchers, the Law Society and its members are subject to the authority of the Body of Benchers and other regulatory organs as established by the Legal Practitioners Act. We commit ourselves to work with the Body of Benchers, to ensure quality legal service delivery.”

What is yet to be cleared as at the time of writing this article, is whether the Body of Benchers under the Chairmanship of Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, a former NBA President, has endorsed or approved the emergence of LSN. Already a new twist or crack has appeared on the wall of LSN, as shortly after the press release by LSN said to be presently under the leadership of Mr Kunle Ogunba, SAN as its protem President, another Senior Advocate, Dr Richard Oma Ahuonaruogho, came

“…..if we were to be in a military set up, that Protem National Executive would by now be facing a court martial or military tribunal, for planning a “coup”against the “military regime”of the NBA”

Abdulrasheed Ibrahim

up with a disclaimer that, as the promoter of the LSN and founding Secretary, there was no executive appointed for the LSN. Apart from this, there is also the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)’s angle to it, that it has denied the registration of the LSN on the ground that its objectives are similar to that of the NBA. LSN’s Mission Statement From what looks like the mission statement of LSN, its formation is not intended to be like those other Lawyer associations that go the path of regional affiliation like the Eastern Bar Forum, Arewa Lawyers Forum and the Egbe Amofin Odu’a, whose impact are always felt during the NBA national elections. LSN is also not intended to go the path of religious affiliations like National Association of Catholic Lawyers; Christian Lawyers Fellowship Association of Nigeria and Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria.

LSN neither intends to go the path of feminine affiliations like FIDA Nigeria or AWLA Nigeria, but rather, wants to be on the same pedestal with the NBA. How LSN seeks to achieve this, is going to be very interesting.

There is no doubt that for decades the NBA has been enjoying the great monopoly of the Nigerian Bar with all the goodies that go with it; whether the LSN will be able to pose a threat to the NBA’s existence is the question to be answered by the passage of time.

There is this argument that has been raging for a very long time, and that is whether by the constitutional right to freedom of association donated to all Nigerians, including the Lawyers; whether a Lawyer can decide not to be a member of the NBA, and not to be bound by its rules and regulations?

From the current position of law in Nigeria today, the NBA has been conferred with the title of Monopoly of the Bar by virtue

of some reported cases. For instance, the Court of Appeal has held in the case of NBA v KEHINDE (2017) 11 NWLR 225 (Pt. 1576) that: “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was established for the purpose of regulating the affairs and conduct of all legal practitioners in Nigeria, and upon being called to the Nigerian Bar, there is automatic membership to the NBA on a Lawyer…Hence, as long as one has elected to join and remain within the noble profession, he is a member and ought to comply with the directive of the Association”.

Prior the above decision, the same Court of Appeal held in the case of Chinwo v Owhonda (2008) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1074) at 341 that : “The Appellant was not compelled to take up the profession of law, and its attendant compulsory membership of the Nigerian Bar Association. However, once he made the choice to study and practice law, and thereby, placing his name on the roll of honour of belonging to the profession, he stands bound by the internal rules and regulations of the Association. There would be therefore, be no issue of a breach of the Constitution of the country if the rules demand of him, undivided loyalty”.

One of the brick walls that will be met and contended with by the LSN, is what the Court of Appeal called Undivided Loyalty to the NBA. Honestly, and I want to be proved wrong, if we were to be in a military set up , that Protem National Executive would by now be facing a court martial or military tribunal, for planning a “coup” against the “military regime” of the NBA .

For those who may want to argue basically on the provisions of the fundamental rights under the Constitution, let me go a bit further on the position of the Court of Appeal in the case of Chinwo v Owhonda (Supra) per Dongban-Mensem, JCA (as she then was): cont'd on page X

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER LSN? Why Now? For What Purpose? cont'd from page IX

“I have only a few words of mine to add, in declaring that this appeal is without merit.

In the exercise of their constitutional rights (Sections 39 & 40) of freedom of thought, etc, and of freedom of assembly and association, individuals elect to and do subscribe to membership in associations which sometimes curtail their rights. The Appellant, while exercising his right, joined an honourable profession of formidable societal influence and relevance, which of necessity has rules and regulations to guide his professional conduct, and which along the line, curtails some of his choices…..”.

Within my restricted knowledge of law, I am not aware of any decision of the Supreme Court that has tampered with this position of law.

Therefore, I can say without fear of any contradiction, that the new Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) cannot swim in the same swimming pool as the NBA. What Prompted the Revolt?

But, I must rightly point it out here that, what prompted this kind of revolt by the LSN, is often caused by the arrogance of the NBA leadership.

NBA leadership, very often, behave tyrannically, maybe basically because of its belief that it has the law on its side as seen from the above decisions of the Court of Appeal, that whatever is contained in its bye law cannot be challenged in the court of law, forgetting that there are limits to every act of transgression.

NBA is a replica of what is going on in Nigeria, whose leaders, rather than addressing the problems on the ground would prefer to complicate them, and embark on misplacement of priorities.

The emergence of LSN with its mission statement, is a great indictment on the leadership of NBA, if the LSN is now talking about empowering “the legal profession with quality member service (high standards of learning, competence, and profession conduct) ; facilitates access to justice, maintain and advance the cause of justice; and promote the rule of law…” , does that not mean that the NBA has failed in its primary responsibilities? Many Lawyers are not happy with what is going on in NBA, and that is why many of them are grumbling. Leadership self-centredness, unnecessary disqualification of candidates through some discriminatory provisions in the NBA Constitution during elections, and the winner takes all syndrome are among the factors that are breeding discontent in the NBA. The immediate past Akpata regime may have had its lapses, but, at least, he succeeded in bringing some far-reaching reforms to the NBA. Going Forward Forming a new Bar Association like Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) cannot be the solution to the problems

Sylvester Udemezue

on the ground, rather mutual engagement to a great extent, will do the magic. Since NBA has already set up a Committee calling for memorandum from members on electoral reform and review of its Constitution, I believe this is an opportunity for Lawyers to make suggestions and recommendations on how the right things should be done.

I have suggested somewhere else that, the NBA should again look into the full democratisation of the NEC membership through elections, rather than through co-option. Certain percentage of NEC membership should be subject to elections to afford full participation of members of the NBA, as this will create the high sense of being allowed to be part of the NBA system by many Lawyers. When NBA Committees are being set up, both members of the Inner and the Outer Bar must be considered to serve, rather than pegging everything to the one side of the divide.

In the NBA elections, those that lose must be ready to accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship, while those that win, at the same time, must be accommodating to those that lose, rather than playing the game of arrogance and winner takes all. Winning elections is not the only way members can contribute positively to the development of the NBA, and the legal profession at large. We must continue to see ourselves as learned friends and colleagues, rather than enemies.

God bless the NBA, and guide its leaders to be fair and just!

Anyone is at liberty to disagree with my above submissions, as I will surely appreciate a balanced,

“I think it’s a kind of Professional Misconduct for any Lawyer in Nigeria, to participate in promoting an association that purports to challenge the NBA”

fair and objective rebuttal.

Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, LL. M, Notary Public

Law Society of Nigeria: A Piece of Laughable Illegality Sylvester Udemezue Perhaps, you can see clearly why I had said on 30 October, 2022, that Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), to any extent that it purports to constitute itself as a parallel to our NBA, is Illegal, a ridiculous bunch of fruitless illegality, promoted by lawless Lawyers who are not aware, or rather, pretend to not know that NBA is not just like any other association registered with the CAC, but is an entrenched Statutory Body, that can only be displaced or dislocated by statutory amendment and judiciary imprimatur.

Whoever they are, the brains behind the LSN (as an association purporting to challenge the NBA), are promoters of an illegal absurdity.

There’re people who either: 1. Are not mature enough to manage a simple loss in an election, or 2. Perhaps, think they’re born to control the NBA or to teleguide NBA affairs - so much so, that if they’re not in control, then they plot to pull NBA down by any means whatsoever, including engaging in illegality such as is illustrated by LSN. NBA doesn’t belong to anyone in particular. Only the National Assembly and the Judiciary can pull it down.

I think it’s a kind of Professional Misconduct for any Lawyer in Nigeria, to participate in promoting an association that purports to challenge the NBA. Besides, just as is the the case with all abnormalities and illegalities, you can see how they have started infighting even before they’ve started associating publicly.

Comparison With ICAN? There Is No Reasonable Basis for Comparing NBA to ICAN

From Day One, ICAN had been never been an association of ALL Accountants in Nigeria. Not even up to 20% of all Accountants in Nigeria ever belonged to ICAN. So, from inception, not all Accountants belonged to ICAN, because ICAN is for only Chartered Accountants, it's not unexpected that some other Accountants (who had/have never been ICAN members) may decide to form or join other associations in the field.

In the case of the Law Profession, by law, from day one, All Lawyers in Nigeria are members of the Bar, and the Bar must be one in order to fulfil its essential role in Nigeria, and NBA is the umbrella Body.

Let's stop comparing the Law Profession with accountancy. There's no basis for such comparison. We can't have two bodies in One Bar. Attempt to Destabilise NBA Isn’t the Answer I think I am the most aggrieved person in the Law Profession today, being the most disenchanted about the things that are not going on well with the profession.

I enjoin anyone else who is aggrieved (indeed, all who are aggrieved) to come, let's work together with the leadership, to find workable solutions to our current challenges. Trying to destabilise the current leadership, is not a reasonable solution. A notable Pope, Italian writer and scholar of old, Pope Pius XI (1857 – 1939), captures this in few words, and I agree: “justice requires that to lawfully constituted authority, there must be given that respect and obedience which is its due…”. Disrespecting the NBA leadership by trying to float a parallel association is an exhibition of BAD followership. Lawyers in Nigeria should show example of good followership, because anyone who can't be a good follower cannot make a good leader.

Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) is powered mainly by Lawyers who have the mindset that they must or are destined to rule over the NBA, or that they must control its affairs.

Please, let's face it: the era when one person controlled the NBA has gone; let this reality be our guide going forward.

Sylvester Udemezue, Lagos

18.10.2022

/XI

XII

IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY ͯͳ˜ 2022

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

Former Chief Executive Officer, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Dr. Femi Oyetunji (left), and Non-Executive Director, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Mr. Paul Kokoricha (right), during the sent-forth dinner for Oyetunji at the Continental Reinsurance Plc 7th CEO Summit in Morocco…recently

Chairman, Signal Alliance Technology Holdings, Mr. Collins Onuegbu (left), presenting the ‘Special Recognition Award’ to the Founder of Systemspecs Group, Mr. John Obaro, at the Nigerian Fintech Awards held in Lagos… recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: General Manager, Showmax Nigeria, Opeoluwa Filani; cast members, Enado Odigie and Sharon Ooja; Series Director, Tola Odunsi; Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola; and another cast member, Bisola Aiyeola, at the private screening of Showmax Nigerian original drama series, Flawsome, held in Lagos…recently

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad; and Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, during Tinubu’s visit to the Emir of Lafia palace in Nasarawa State…recently

L-R: Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Gabriel Idahosa; Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Tope Ashiwaju; and Vice President, LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, at the 2022 Dufil Day, as part of the Dufil partnership with the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) at the 36th LITF in Lagos…recently

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General, Brigadier Muhammad Kaku Fadah, addressing the 2022 Batch ‘C’ Stream One NYSC members during his visit to Zamfara State temporary orientation camp at the Government Science Secondary School in Gusau…recently

L-R: Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Lagos, Mr. Yemi Abijo; Body of Benchers, Mr. Olukayode Enitan (SAN); third Vice President, NBA, Mrs. Mandy Asagba; Body of Benchers, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN); NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau; former member of the Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Mojisola Sodiq; Chairman, NBA, Ikeja branch, Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo; and Vice Chairman, NBA, Ikeja branch, Adedoyin Sobiye, during the unveiling of KP Lawyers’ Lounge at the NBA Secretariat in Ikeja...recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

XIII

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, ͰͮͰͰ ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Zelensky Visits Ukrainian Troops in Kherson, Putin’s Russia Retreats Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed troops in the newly liberated Ukrainian city of Kherson Monday and said that Ukraine is “ready for peace, peace for all our country.”

The president’s appearance in Kherson came just days after Russian troops retreated from the southeastern city, one of the war’s biggest losses for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose troops had controlled the regional capital since near the start of the war in February.

US President Joe Biden, speaking at a news conference in Indonesia, called the Ukrainian takeover of Kherson “a significant victory” for the Kyiv government.

“I can do nothing but applaud the courage, determination and capacity of the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian military,” Biden said.

“They have been amazing.”

But he said the Western allies supporting Ukraine would not force a settlement on Ukraine to end the war. He said there would be “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” agreeing to it.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced what authorities touted as a breakthrough.

Soylu said, “A short while ago, the person who carried out the incident, who left the bomb, was detained by the Istanbul police; 21 other people had been detained.”

Arrests are continuing, with more than 50 being held as of early Monday.

Video footage of a woman appearing to leave a bag at the site of the bombing and then running away was released shortly after the attack.

Turkish security forces named the suspect as Syrian national Ahlam Albashir.

They claim she has confessed to being trained by the Kurdistan Workers Party, the PKK. In a statement Monday, the PKK denied involvement in the bombing, saying it doesn’t target civilians.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

US Imposes Sanctions on Military Procurement Network Aiding Russia The United States on Monday targeted the Russian military’s supply chains, imposing sanctions on 14 individuals and 28 entities that it said were part of a transnational network that procures technology to support Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine.

The US Treasury also designated family members of Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov and individuals it said worked as financial facilitators in Suleiman’s network.

“The United States will continue to disrupt Russia’s military supply chains and impose high costs on President Putin’s enablers, as well as all those who support Russia’s brutality against its neighbour,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The US Treasury blacklisted Milandr, a Russian microelectronics company that Washington says is part of Moscow’s military research and development structure. It has also designated three entities tied to the company and several company executives.

The US Treasury has sanctioned major militaryindustrial firms in Russia, and the Commerce Department has cut off exports of American-made components and US technologies that have been used in some of Russia’s military hardware.

Zambia Student Serving Prison Term in Russia Dies at Ukrainian Battlefront Zambia is seeking answers from Russia after a Zambian student serving a prison sentence in Russia ended up dying at the battlefront in Ukraine.

Nathan Lemekhani Nyirenda, 23, was serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia after being convicted of drug possession in 2020.

But at a Monday news conference, Zambia’s Foreign Minister Stanely Kakubo said the government was informed on November 9 that Nyirenda had died at the battlefront in Ukraine.

The Zambian government had requested Russia to provide information on the circumstances under which a Zambian citizen serving a prison sentence in Moscow “could have been recruited to fight in Ukraine and subsequently lose his life.”

Zambia’s Foreign Ministry learned that Nyirenda died on September 22 in Ukraine and that his remains were taken to the Russian border town of Rostov to be sent back to Zambia.

Kakubo, who said he visited Nyirenda’s family, said he would communicate more details once the Russian authorities provide more information on the circumstances of his death.

Nyirenda was studying nuclear engineering at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute before his conviction.

CIA Chief Meets Putin’s Spy Chief, Warns Against Nuclear Weapons US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns is in Turkey to deliver a message to President Vladimir Putin’s foreign spy chief about the consequences of a potential Russian use of nuclear weapons, a White House spokesperson said.

UK, France to Stem Tide of Migrants Across English Channel

In the first known high-level face-to-face US-Russian contact since Putin’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, Burns was in Ankara on Monday to meet Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service.

Burns, a former US ambassador to Russia who was sent to Moscow in late 2021 by US President Joe Biden to caution Putin about the troop buildup around Ukraine, is not discussing a potential settlement to the war in Ukraine, the spokesperson said.

Putin has repeatedly said Russia would defend its territory with all available means, including nuclear weapons, if attacked. Putin says the West has engaged in nuclear blackmail against Russia.

The remarks raised particular concern in the West after Moscow declared in September that it had annexed four Ukrainian regions that its forces control parts of.

Biden Affirms US ‘One China’ Policy over Taiwan US President Joe Biden has said the United States would defend Taiwan militarily if China invaded the self-governed island, but on Monday said he told Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Indonesia that “our one-China policy has not changed,” which presumes Taiwan is part of Beijing’s domain.

Biden, speaking at a news conference after a 3½-hour meeting with Xi at a resort hotel in Bali, said the US would “compete vigorously” with China on the world stage, “but I’m not looking for conflict. I’m looking to manage this competition responsibly.”

The US leader said, “We’re committed to maintaining peace and stability in the straits” surrounding Taiwan, even as Beijing has flown fighter jets near the island airspace in recent months and launched missiles that landed in nearby waters as a protest to a Taiwan visit in August by a top Biden political ally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Despite Beijing’s sabre rattling near Taiwan, Biden said he does not believe “there’s any imminent attempt on the part of China to invade Taiwan.”

Over the years, the US has sent billions of dollars of military aid to Taiwan to defend itself, even as it recognizes Chinese control, in what is known in the US as a policy of “strategic ambiguity.”

US Doubles Reward for Three al-Shabab Leaders to $10m The U.S. government has announced increased rewards of up to $10 million for information that helps find three leaders of the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab. The three include the group’s top two leaders and a US citizen who has been part of the group for the past 14 years.

The US government is asking the citizens of Somalia and the region to help trace

al-Shabab leaders Ahmed Diriye, Mahad Karate and Jehad Mostafa.

The three are accused of playing roles in several deadly terrorist attacks in Somalia and Kenya.

US ambassador to Somalia Larry Andre, speaking in Nairobi Monday, said the new $10 million reward – doubled from the previous offer — will complement the Somali government’s effort to defeat the al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group.

Somali government troops and local militias are involved in a military offensive to drive al-Shabab out of dozens of villages and towns in central Somalia.

US officials said arresting the al-Shabab leaders will disrupt the group’s operations and safeguard the region’s peace and prosperity.

State of Emergency Declared in Sudan After Gunmen Fire on Mediators Sudan’s Central Darfur state has declared a state of emergency after gunmen opened fire on mediators tasked with settling an inter-communal dispute, killing 24 people.

After an emergency meeting of the state security committee on Sunday night, Central Darfur Governor Saad Adam Babiker issued an order declaring a state of emergency in all parts of Central Darfur for a period of one month.

The decision came after gunmen attacked a reconciliation committee sent to mediate a dispute between the rival Wadi Saleh and Bendasi communities.

According to locals, the mediators were accused of favouring one side, sparking anger from the other side. The governor said the attack in Wed al-Mahi locality killed at least 24 people and left 41 others wounded.

In the order, Babiker stressed the need to preserve the security of the state and the safety of citizens. It banned all forms of gatherings in the two localities.

Last week, the governor of Blue Nile state, Ahmed Al Omda Badi, issued an emergency order also banning all public gatherings, events and unlicensed activities.

Badi acted after communal clashes that killed more than 200 people.

Turkey Assails US, Nabs Chief Bombing Suspect Turkey is claiming a breakthrough in Sunday’s fatal bombing with security forces detaining a woman suspected of planting the bomb that killed six people and injured over 50 others. Ankara is accusing Syrian Kurdish militants backed by the United States of ordering the attack.

In the early hours of Monday morning in Istanbul, Turkish security forces arrested the woman suspected of planting the bombing in Sunday’s attack. Turkey’s

Britain and France have joined forces to curb the tide of migrants crossing the English Channel into England.

Under the new agreement, Britain is set to pay France $75 million to strengthen security that would prevent migrants and asylum seekers from navigating small vessels from France across the dangerous waterway.

The deal provides for a 40% increase in patrols and the increased use of drones and other technology to prevent crossing.

The agreement also stipulates that the two countries will share information about smugglers and other concerns obtained from the intercepted migrants.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and British Home Secretary Suella Braverman signed the pact Monday in Paris.

Three Members of University of Virginia Football Team Killed in Shooting Three members of the University of Virginia football team were killed in a shooting on a school bus filled with students returning from a field trip, university President Jim Ryan said on Monday, and a suspect was in custody.

University police said the suspect, student Christopher Darnell Jones, was in custody hours after the shooting that unfolded at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday (0330 GMT on Monday) at the school in Charlottesville, Virginia, attended by 25,000 students.

The shooting prompted school officials to tell students and staff to shelter in place for hours as law enforcement officers conducted a massive manhunt for Jones.

Pakistan ‘Indefinitely’ Halts Afghan Trade at Border Pakistan is pressing Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government to hand over a suspected killer of a Pakistani security guard before it reopens a busy southwestern border crossing between the two countries.

Pakistani authorities blocked all movement across the Chaman terminal in Baluchistan province on Sunday, immediately after a suspected Taliban security guard crossed over to the Pakistani side and opened fire on border forces there. The shooting killed a member of the paramilitary Frontier Corps and injured two others.

The deadly incident triggered clashes between border security forces of the two countries with reported casualties, but neither side has formally commented on the reported losses.

A senior Chaman administration official told VOA by phone that the border crossing was briefly opened late Monday afternoon to allow stranded Afghan and Pakistani pedestrians to return to their native countries, but no trade convoys were permitted to move in either direction.

XIV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022

FEATURES

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

Sustaining Security in Africa through Good Governance At the 17th Security Watch Africa Initiative, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Udom posited that the panacea for insecurity is 'Sustaining Security in Africa through Good Governance'. Elucidating, he shared the Akwa Ibom experience. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

Governor Udom with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (CFR) at the lecture

CEO SWAI, Mr. Patrick Agbambu; Commissioner for information, Awka Ibom, In Ememobong and Governor Udom

"E

5,000 of our youths have benefited directly from interventions and facilities provided by the government to help them improve their businesses and economic circumstances.

"This has certainly contributed in no small measure to the progress we have made in the area of development and security."

conomic security is the best foundation for human security.

The best way to stop crime is to beef up the economy, where people can make a decent living from honest means."

The above statement was made by Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Udom in his lecture at the recently held 17th Security Watch Africa Initiative (SWAI) annual conference and award ceremony at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa.

Held from November 9–11, 2022, the theme of this year's conference was "Post-COVID-19: Sustaining Security in Africa."

Import of Good Governance In his lecture titled "Sustaining Security in Africa Through Good Governance: Panacea Against Insecurity," Governor Edom said: "Societies can only fly to freedom on the twin wings of security and good governance.

"Good governance, according to the Council of Europe, is the responsible conduct of public affairs and management of public resources. The Council holds that twelve principles underpin good governance.

"These are: fair conduct of elections, representation, and participation; responsiveness; efficiency and effectiveness; openness and transparency; rule of law; ethical conduct; competence and capacity; innovation and openness to change; sustainability and long-term orientation; sound financial management; human rights, culture, diversity, and social cohesion; and accountability", the governor said.

In the same vein, quoting the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, the governor stated that governance is the provision of political, social, and economic public goods and services that all citizens rightfully expect from their government and that a government responsibly delivers to its citizens.

Expatiating, he said two things should guide an honest assessment of our political situation- "a consideration of both our inner scorecard and our outer scorecard".

Good Governance Template He added that with respect to our inner scorecard, "the Ibrahim Index of Good Governance provides us with a template.

"The key assessment areas of this template are security and the rule of law; participation, rights, and inclusion; foundations for economic opportunity; and human development.

"When subjected to this test, most African countries perform very poorly. Our outer score card which has to do with how the world sees us is not any better."

Eradicating Poverty, Promoting Development According to Udom, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once rightly said that “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.”

He further posited that "it should be noted that affluent societies do not have security challenges like poor societies do. To eradicate or tame the hydra-headed monster of insecurity, we need to eradicate and tame poverty through good governance.

"Therefore, addressing the issue of poverty is not just a matter of doing the right thing – it is a matter of meeting an obligation to ensure security at home and abroad. " Africa's Importance in Global Security Emphasising Africa’s importance in global security, which he said cannot be overstressed, African countries represent about sixteen percent

Governor Udom delivering his lecture of the world's population.

He said: "African countries currently hold the second-largest number of seats in the United Nations Security Council. Africa has the largest, most unified bloc in the United Nations General Assembly.

"So, the world cannot afford to ignore Africa but we do not have a veto vote at both the Security Council and general council. At the same time, Africa should look inwards.

"We still have some distance to cover.

Many African countries are yet to undertake the kind of reforms that would checkmate abuse of power, stop corruption, and reverse economic decline.

"The Nigerian case is worth a second glance. When the world made the transition from cash transactions to wire transactions through credit cards and wire transfers, Nigeria witnessed an upsurge in insecurity.

"Hoodlums who were involved in armed robbery discovered that people no longer kept money at home, so they resorted to kidnapping for ransom.

"Kidnapping seemed to favor them more as they could negotiate the ransom based on the presumed economic strength of their victim.

Kidnapping also became a tool used by some politicians for political advantages."

Understanding the Nexus Between Security and Governance the Akwa Ibom Example Depsite the insecurity in Nigeria, Governor Udom vowed to do something different. And upon assumption of office, he set out to minimise poverty by ensuring good governance.

"It was in this mix that I assumed office as the governor of Akwa Ibom State. It should be noted that though governors are said to be the chief security officers of their states in Nigeria, they do not control the security architecture in their states.

"But I understood the nexus between security and good governance and that minimizing poverty would also minimize insecurity. With the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies, we designed rapid response strategies to curb insecurity.

"Our plan was actually twofold: one, we had zero tolerance for security breaches and we put top-notch security equipment in place to take care of this; and two, we provided good governance underpinned by poverty-reduction strategies designed particularly for youths.

"We also saw the need to reduce the level of unemployment in the state through the establishment of industries. So far we have established no less than 20 new industries in the state since my assumption of office.

"We have also embarked on reforms and innovations in the area of agriculture and introduced our people to the cultivation of economically viable crops which hitherto, were thought impossible in our clime.

"As a result, a good number of our youths have keyed into this vision and are now making a decent living through agriculture."

Human Capacity Development Not done, the governor also set out to develop human capacity. On this he said: "Our human capacity development efforts are also mainly targeted towards the youthful population, who not only form the bulk of our populace, but are also the ones most susceptible to restiveness and crime that can precipitate a lot of insecurity.

"We have designed and are implementing schemes that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, and we have also invested in helping small and medium scale enterprises to thrive.

"Through these different programmes, over

I understood the nexus between security and good governance and that minimizing poverty would also minimize insecurity. With the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies, we designed rapid response strategies to curb insecurity

Refocusing Strategy to Ensure Security in the State Positing that the situation now is that though the country was enmeshed in this insecurity at the said time, he said: " we were able to refocus our strategies and today our state has emerged as the safest state in Nigeria.

"We succeeded because we entrenched mechanisms to promote constitutionalism, rule of law, accountability, democracy, and good governance in order to achieve our development goals.

"We created strategic engagements with all segments of the state population. We made it clear that injury to one is an injury to all. When any Akwa Ibom man or woman bleeds, we all bleed.

"So we operate with the consciousness that insecurity anywhere is a threat to security everywhere. And why would a youth who stands to be employed in a lucrative job, or who can key into the numerous avenues created by government for him to earn an honest living, undertake the risky venture of embracing or promoting insecurity?

"It is commonly agreed that the components of Security Management are Protection, Detection, Verification and Reaction. On all these, our state, Akwa Ibom is performing far above average and we can share our experience with others.

"African Countries must take protection and detection very seriously because if insecurity is curbed at this level, then most countries in Africa will not be crisis ridden. We must deal squarely with these issues both in Nigeria and Africa.

"Of course it is obvious that any destabilising occurrence in Nigeria leading to a mass movement of their citizens will not only mount pressure on the continent, but on the entire world.

"It is my hope that as stakeholders in the African project, we can continue to preach the gospel of good governance so as to contain our security challenges. After all, the primary duty of any government is the safety and security of its citizens.

"Akwa Ibom State where I come from and which I am opportune to lead at this time has provided a template. Indeed it is not yet uhuru, but I believe we have certainly made enough progress as to be a model for other parts of the continent as it is an undeniable fact that good governance remains the only panacea for insecurity."

Way Forward In conclusion, he posited that Africa cannot achieve the growth we desire through investment until we fix the problem of insecurity, because money is a coward.

Hopelessness is the highest causative factor for crime, he opined, thus followership must take ownership of governance. He also added that African countries need to stop adapting exogenous constitutions.

"We need home grown democratic styles that reflect our environment and culture. Until that is done, democracy cannot sustainably thrive here.

"African leaders must not rely on cash for development, they must learn to create money for development. Without development, insecurity will become the norm.

"I believe that when criminals become tough, leaders must become tougher and smarter. Until leaders outsmart and overpower criminal elements, security will not be achieved," he added.

XV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022

FEATURES

Providing Relief to Flood-ravaged Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State recently distributed relief materials to victims of the flood disaster, which had ravaged about 92 communities across 11 local government areas of the state, reports Igbawase Ukumba

One of the flooded communities

Cross section of the flood victims

I

t was on record that no fewer than 400,000 persons were displaced by flood in Nasarawa State in about 92 communities across 11 local government areas of the state.

Accordingly, the flood affected local government areas in the state include: Awe, Toto, Keana, Doma, Nassarawa, Keffi, Nassarawa Eggon, Obi, Lafia, Wamba and Karu.

In Toto Local Government Area of the state, 17 communities were submerged by flood that wreaked havoc in some parts of the council area following a torrential downpour. The affected communities included Umaisha, Kanaworo, Ehemkpa, Gbagidigbo, Ogbere, among others in Umaisha Development Area of the council area where houses, farmlands, schools, clinics and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Be it as it may, both the federal and the Nasarawa State governments recently donated relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of flood disaster at Tunga community in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Tunga has been experiencing flood in each and every year with the recent incident which had affected the locality recently also ravaged other communities in the Awe Local Government Area of the state. Hence Governor Abdullahi Sule delivered the relief materials on behalf of the federal government to the affected communities.

Nevertheless, it was for that reason that when distributing the relief materials to the communities, Governor Sule said the federal and Nasarawa State governments, as well as the lawmaker representing the area at the the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, saw the need to visit Tunga in order to sympathise and commiserate with the people.

While delivering the relief materials, the Governor called on the people of Tunga to ensure that only those affected by the recent flood benefit from the largesse.

This was even as the governor equally made a personal donation of N4 million to be shared among those displaced by the floods, with additional N500,000 to be shared to women and youths who though were not affected by the floods, but were present at the relief materials donation.

Sule listed items donated to the Tunga victims by the federal government to include 150 mattresses, 380 mosquito nets, 290 blankets, 290 towels, 290 plastic mats, 290 wrappers for women, 290 brocade materials for men and 290 plastic buckets.

Others were 290 plastic plates, 290 cups, 290 spoons, 30 bundles of diapers, 38 bundles of sanitary pads, 22 cartons of bathing soap, 22 cartons of washing soap, 38 cooking utensils, 22 stoves, 220 assorted men's clothing, 290 women's clothing and 290 children's clothing.

On the part of the Nasarawa State government, the governor disclosed that his administration consider the immediate needs of the victims of the flood disasters thereby providing 38 bags each of beans, rice and maize, 16 bags of millet, 22 bags of guinea corn, 11 bags of sugar, as well as 22 bags of garri.

Governor Sule later presented a truckload of the items to victims of the floods in the

Gov Sule addressing the flood victims Tunga community.

While hosting Governor Abdullahi Sule earlier in his palace, the Sarkin Tunga, HRH Alhaji Bala Ibrahim Galadima, expressed appreciation over the governor's visit. The royal father, however, disclosed to Sule during the visit that the recent flood that had devastated the community had affected about 69 households.

He added that over 20 houses in the old Awe area were destroyed by the recent floods.

The Sarkin Tunga said: "I commend the Nasarawa State governor for his loudable development strides across the state, particularly in Awe Local Government Area. Even before he became governor of the state, Engineer Sule attracted the Dangote Group to site its sugar refinery in Tunga and for that, the people will forever remain grateful."

As a show or appreciation, the Sarkin Tunga honoured Governor Sule with the traditional title of the 'Ganuwan Tunga'. The Tunga monarch used the opportunity to call on the state governor to complete the Tunga road project which will serve as a bypass linking to Adamawa and Taraba States.

Similarly, the Nasarawa State governor was also in Umaisha to sympathise with the people of Toto Local Government Area of

One of the trucks with the relief materials the state over the devastating flood that had rendered thousands of people homeless, with crops worth million of naira destroyed.

Sule told the flood displaced persons at Umaisha town that some relief materials have already been sent to them through the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), in conjunction with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to cushion the effect of flooding in the area.

The governor concluded that clothes, household materials and food items, among others worth millions of naira were brought to the area as relief materials.

On his part, Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, commended Governor Sule for always being there for the people of Toto Local Government Area, emphasising that if not for the governor, only God knows what would have happened to Toto people when Darul-Salam and bandits relocated to the council area's forest sometime ago.

The Ohimege Opanda, HRH Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, thanked the Governor Sule for always being there for his subjects, and consequently wished the governor well.

Nevertheless, Sule was also at the headquarters of Loko Development Area in Nasarawa Local Government where he distributed same relief materials to flood victims of the locality.

Presenting the relief materials, the governor disclosed that steps were being taken to address the root causes of the seasonal floods ravaging not only Nasarawa State, but across the country.

Considering the level of destruction of houses and farm lands which were washed away along with farm produce, I wish to call on His Excellency to come to the rescue of the victims. Their loses are much. Supporting them will by no small measure bring them back to life and further strengthen their confidence and support in the administration

According to Sule, "state governors have resolved to meet President Muhammadu Buhari with a view to appealing to him to consider approaching Cameroon in order to tackle the perennial release of waters from dams which lead to floodings in Nigeria. The governors will also talk to the President on the need to dredge local rivers to allow smooth flow of waters."

Earlier in his address, Chairman of the Nasarawa Local Government Area, Mohammed Sani Ottoz, thanked the Governor for coming to the rescue of the people of the area affected by the recent flood. However, Ottoz appealed for more intervention as the impact of the flood was devastating.

"Considering the level of destruction of houses and farm lands which were washed away along with farm produce, I wish to call on His Excellency to come to the rescue of the victims. Their loses are much. Supporting them will by no small measure bring them back to life and further strengthen their confidence and support in the administration," the council chairman appealed.

The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Zachary Alumaga, disclosed that government has already reached out to victims of the flood disasters in Tunga of Awe Local Government Area and Rukubi of Doma Local Government Area. He called on the beneficiaries to utilize the items judiciously.

Items donated by the Federal Government to be distributed to the victims in Loko include: 225 mattresses, 570 mosquito nets, 435 blankets, 435 towels, 435 plastic mats, 435 wrappers for women, 435 buckets, 435 plastic plates, 435 cups, 435 spoons, 57 packs of diapers for nursing mothers, 33 cartons of soap, 33 cartons of detergent, 57 units of cooking utensils, 330 pieces of men's clothing, 435 pieces of children's clothing and 435 pieces of women clothing.

On her part, the Nasarawa State government donated food items including 57 bags each of beans, rice and maize, 25 bags of millet, 33 bags of guinea corn, 17 bags of sugar and 33 bags of garri.

XVI

TUESDAY, ͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

How Nigerians Complaining of Marginalisation Can End It T

his election cycle has helped me better understand Nigeria and why some of us are where we are in the hierarchy of power in our nation. It has little to do with deliberate marginalisation, and more to do with how we allow emotions to play a role in our politics. Our persuasive ability is low. But our ability to antagonise and outrage is high. Very high!

These Nigerians are very indifferent to the sensibilities of others, but wanting others to be over mindful of our own sensibilities, and misconstruing hosts who are tolerant to us as weak, and seeing humility as a vice rather than a virtue. Willingness to forget historical good that has been done to us by others, and reacting to those others as if they had no beneficial history with us. More so, inability to adapt to others, while insisting that those others must adapt to us, even where they are our hosts.

And most importantly, being impervious to counsel and feedback and seeing diplomacy as sycophancy, while seeing other people’s restraint as cowardice, and our own forwardness as courage.

Of course there are exceptions, but as the Lord sees my heart, this is my honest appraisal of the situation in Nigeria over the years.

Being a Southerner who is naturally more dependent on the Southern media over the years will blindside many of us. We must also seek to understand others. Because if others understand us better than we understand ourselves, we will always be beneath them in the pyramid of power.

Western academic education is good for business and professionalism, but self-awareness and awareness of others is better for politics.

For example, I have hated Abacha for years. I saw him as a bloodthirsty usurper who cheated Southern Nigeria and supplanted Abiola. I characterised him as dull and brutish.

And then I ran into a throwback video of him on Facebook, where he was talking about the reasoning behind some of his policies.

He explained why he divided Nigeria into six geopolitical zones. I had seen that video about twenty four years ago, but I was blinded by my hatred for him.

But watching him again in November 2022, without emotion, I just found myself shaking my head in agreement to EVERYTHING he said. It made sense.

He talked about how politicians will say and do anything that destroys the fabric of our unity, as long as it favours their cause. And that if patriotism could not come naturally to our politicians, then the next-best thing is to force it upon them by dividing the country into these present six geopolitical zones and having constitutional safeguards to make sure that no geopolitical zone is cheated in government.

He used the term ‘rotation of power’ and I was stunned at how futuristic and prophetic he sounded.

You see, my emotions had blinded me to the

President Muhammadu Buhari good parts of Abacha. But, if I am to be honest, some of the policies that Nigeria now depends on for her unity, such as increase in the derivation to host communities, to balancing of power amongst the six geopolitical zones, were his brainchild.

Yes, I still posit that he was bloodthirsty. However, with the turmoil in Nigeria at that time, perhaps we needed a strongman. I may be wrong. Perhaps I allowed my Southern roots to poison the way I viewed him.

He stole money (or kept it for Nigeria to evade sanctions depending on who you talk to), yet he was one of the few governments (only him and Obasanjo) to have reduced our national debt and stabilise the Naira.

Now, I am being objective. I fought him during

his time in power and was almost killed. However, if I had had my present mindset between 1993 and 1998, I would have been branded a sycophant, a bootlicker. I would have become anathema within the influential circles of Southern Nigeria. And by that mentality, I would have been closer to power, while being vilified in the media.

Now, fast forward to 2022. Peter Obi is running for President. And certain Southerners expect all other Southerners to support him because it is the turn of the South. And more specifically, the Southeast (an idea Abacha created and which was resisted at the time).

And amongst these Southerners, if you are not for Peter Obi, you have collected money, you are unpatriotic, you are a disappointment, you have

Essay Contest: 15-Year Old Gets N5m UBA Foundation Scholarship Funmi Ogundare Excitement rented the air yesterday as Miss Otong Usungobong Paul, a 15-year old Federal Government Girls College, Ikot Obio-Itong, Akwa-Ibom State, student was announced winner of UBA Foundation national essay competition 2022.

She got a scholarship worth N5,000,000 to study in any African university of her choice.

This year's topic was centred around the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ strike.

The competition now in its 12th year has the objective of ensuring that students in secondary schools are able to convey their ideas and express themselves through writing.

Paul also got a brand new laptop computer, trophy, plaque and school bag.

The competition which was judged by a panel based on expression of ideas, mechanical accuracy, originality and organisation, saw her beating 11 other

participants out of over 5,000 entries received by the foundation from students of senior secondary schools across the country.

Miss Princess Sholabomi, 15-years old, of Value Spring College, Lagos, won a N3,000,000 educational grant and a laptop; while the third prize of N2,500,000 and a brand-new laptop computer, went to Sharon Nwajiaku, 15, of Ota Total Academy, Ogun State.

The other 9 finalists, which included only a boy, also received laptop computers, as well as consolation prizes.

The Chairman of UBA Foundation, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka who spoke virtually, at the grand finale held in Lagos, noted that the competition was established 12 years ago with the objectives of ensuring that students in secondary school are able to convey their ideas and express themselves through writing.

This year's topic, he noted was apt and necessitated by the prolonged strike action embarked on by ASUU, and the need for the students to proffer

solutions to the problem.

He stated that so far, the foundation had given scholarship to 60 students who are doing well in different fields of human endeavor.

He commended the finalists for their feat, saying " you are expected to be good ambassadors of UBA and anywhere you go."

A Prof of Literature -in-English, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Asabe Kabir, who headed the panel of judges in an interview with journalists, expressed concern over the negative influence of social media, saying it had led to plagiarism among the students.

She said the panel was excited about this year's topic and that they expected the students to proffer solutions to the ASUU strike.

According to her, " How do they want to go into the university without interruption? We got very good responses, but there were still some who diverted and did not hit the nail on the head."

The Chief Executive Officer, UBA, Mr. Oliver Alawuba reiterated the bank's commitment to leverage the competition so that the youths could improve on their skills for the benefit of the world.

"As a bank, we are interested in empowering our youths and preparing them for the future. We believe that 65 per cent of our population are youths and they will change the African narrative and ensure that the resources translate to economic development of the people,” he added.

Miss Paul who expressed excitement about her feat, said the experience bolstered her confidence.

“I am so grateful to UBA Foundation for this great opportunity. It has helped me to believe in myself and bolstered my confidence. This scholarship will go a long way towards assisting in my dream to become an ophthalmologist.

This opportunity has changed my life and I really appreciate the foundation for this,” she said.

betrayed your region and religion. And all of these are emotional arguments. It does not occur to those who are blinded by their emotions to make these claims that they are preaching to the choir, and stiffing dissent, not by persuasion, but by mob action, cyber bullying, and by making you a pariah within their immediate community.

But how have these tactics helped us in the past?

As I said earlier, politics of emotions will always lose out to politics of strategy.

Look at this example. The Northern Nigerian military industrial complex was the nucleus of the movement that overthrew the gentle giant named Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.

They replaced him with Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon, a compromise head of state (a Christian Anglican to pacify the South, and a Northern minority to pacify the North) and he led the Federal Government’s effort to crush the Emeka Ojukwu-led Republic of Biafra, and bring the Eastern region of Nigeria back into the union.

After they succeeded, Ojukwu went on exile, and Gowon was eventually overthrown. In the course of time, a Northern civilian President, who was a minister in the Balewa government that was overthrown by Majors Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, was elected, and to secure the votes of the Igbo for his re-election, he suppressed his feelings about the events of January 15, 1966, and brought back the very same Emeka Ojukwu that the Northern Nigerian military industrial complex had fought, pardoned him, invited him to join their party, the National Party of Nigeria, on whose platform Ojukwu even contested.

The Northern Nigerian military industrial complex was able to do that because they play politics of strategy and logic. And that is why they are ahead politically in the grand scheme of things in Nigeria. They understand that there is no permanent friend, or enemy, only permanent interest. They do not take things personally. They take things analytically.

But many in Southern Nigeria are not that politically mature enough to subsume their emotions for their logical side. And we are blinded to it by our exploits in Western education, which have made us puffed up with pride, resulting in hubris. We do not want to understand others, but demand that others understand us.

I may not like Bola Tinubu for the sole purpose of his past as a drug lord. But note that he was exiled by Abacha. At Abacha’s side at the time of his exile was his ally Buhari, who was the de facto deputy to Abacha, while Diya was just a de jure. Today, Tinubu is the ally of Abacha’s ally, Buhari. This is just a reprise of what Shagari did with Ojukwu, previously his mortal enemy.

Although I do not like Tinubu, he has continuously displayed political maturity. Very few Nigerians have the capacity to absorb insults without getting offended like Tinubu.

But there are some of us Southerners who are not so politically mature. We are led by our emotions. If you do not support our narrow political interest, then there is no need to persuade you.

You must be insulted, attacked, slandered, bullied, and threatened.

But to what end? The main purpose of politics is to expand your base. Northerners are very good at that. Yoruba, especially Yoruba Muslims, are equally as good at that game as their Northern compatriots. The rest of us should better learn from them, or we will continue to call them malu, and we will continue to be the grass that the malu eats.

Whoever the cap fits, let him wear it.

Oya, you may now insult me!

Reno’s Nuggets Improve yourself by constant reading. Learn a new word daily. Learn how to pronounce words you already know with better elocution.

Don’t be intimidated by those who are smarter than you. Instead, rub your iron against theirs to sharpen it. Don’t wait for opportunities.

Create them! Master your fears and you will fare well. Understand money and money will never underfund you. Control your thoughts and you will control your life. Don’t just be religious, or spiritual. Be faithful and virtuous. Be humble, but never be proud of your humility! #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

N O V E M B E R

S & P INDEX

1 4 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Nigeria’s October Oil Production Increases Marginally, Hits 1.014m bpd

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria struggled to exceed the 1 million barrels per day oil production mark in October, a ‘feat’ it hadn’t achieved in the last two months.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) data obtained by THISDAY indicated that Nigeria drilled 1.014 million barrels per day for the month under review, exceeding production for August which was 972,394 bpd and September’s pegged at 937,766 bpd.

In all, the country produced 31.449 million barrels of oil in October as opposed to 28.132 million in

September and 30.144 million barrels in August.

The month also saw the production of 6.692 million barrels volume of condensate, raising total production to 38.1 million barrels for last month.

Bonny appeared to have resumed production, rising from 167,582 barrels in September to 1.616 million barrels for the month. Brass also rose from 172,814 barrels to 358,671 barrels in the month of October.

Qua Iboe continued to hold forth with 4.984 million barrels as against 4.97 million in September, while Forcados increased output

massively from 134,437 barrels to 2.519 million barrels for the month.

Excravos produced 4.532 million barrels in contrast to 3.272 million it produced in the previous period.

The total of crude oil, blended condensate as well as unblended condensate was 1.23 million barrels per day during the month under review.

The output was however not enough to give respite to the significantly oil-dependent Nigerian economy as crude production was still a far cry from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) allocation of 1.826 million

bpd for October.

In the last few months, Nigeria has been producing oil at record low quantity, losing as much as 800,000 bpd in the last few months.

The information is coming weeks after THISDAY reported that Nigeria lost as much as $800 million in earnings that could have accrued to the federation to facilities’ shut-ins and equipment failures in August and even more in September.

Nigeria is dealing with unprecedented oil theft under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, hobbling the country’s ability to meet its OPEC quota in the last one year.

At the August Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the last that was publicly made available

by NNPC, the national oil company indicated that as much as 8.14 million barrels of crude oil were lost during the month.

The small rise in production comes despite months of assurances of planned improvement by the Nigerian authorities, with steady deterioration in the country’s production figures for months.

The figures indicated that in June the country’s production was 1.158 million bpd; it was 1.024 million bpd in May; 1.219 million bpd in

April, 1.237 million bpd in March; 1.257 million bpd in February and 1.398 million bpd in January.

The quota allocated to Nigeria

by OPEC for the month of August was 1.826 million barrels per day while in September it increased to 1.830 million per day, meaning that Nigeria under-produced to the tune of about almost 900,000 bpd in September and over 800,000 bpd in October.

This implies that Nigeria was only able to produce roughly half of its entire production quota despite a Continued on page 24

Nigeria, Morocco, Others Commit to FAO’s Agreement to End Illegal, Unregulated Fishing Gilbert Ekugbe Four African countries, namely Nigeria, Angola, Eritrea and Morocco, have committed themselves to collaborating with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in

the continent.

According to the FAO, 100 countries are now committed to the UN FAO’s Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA).

The PSMA is the first binding international agreement specifically designed to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by denying port access and use to foreign

vessels that were either engaged in or supported illegal fishing practices.

In a statement that was posted on its website, the FAO added that 60 per cent of ports states globally are currently committed to the agreement, which is a binding international instrument to combat IUU fishing.

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

The Director General of FAO, Mr. QU Dongyu said, “Rising consumer demand and transforming agrifood systems in fisheries and aquaculture have driven global fish production to its highest levels and there is broad recognition of the need to step up the fight against IUU fishing. It is encouraging to see more states support the PSMA

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

N17,000–N20,000

100KG

ABIA

N23,000

EDO

It lamented that IUU fishing has continued to undermine national, regional and global efforts to achieve sustainable fisheries in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Mr. Continued on page 24

T O D AY

PRICE

100KG

N23,000–N26,500

in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

FAO said one in every five fish caught around the world every year is estimated to originate from IUU fishing, with devastating impacts on the sustainability of fisheries and the livelihoods of those who depend on them, as well as the conservation of marine ecosystems.

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

24

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

N19,500 – 25,000

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000 25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N19,000–N21,000

25CL ABUJA

N19500- N25000

25KG LAGOS 40KG DELTA

N9,500 N17000

PRICE

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

FG Commences Policy Review to Boost Animal Feed Production Gilbert Ekugbe The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has announced that it would be reviewing the existing National Animal Feed Policy Document (NAFPD) to boost animal feed production in the country.

The ministry said that the

review would help to achieve the desired roadmap for animal feed production and address the challenges hindering the growth of the nation’s animal feed sector.

Speaking during an event that took place at Agricultural and Rural Training Institute, (ARMTI), Gudu, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, said that the review would produce a draft document ahead of the forthcoming second animal feed summit.

Umakhihe stated that a draft of a feed policy document was

developed at the end of the first animal feed summit that was held between September 23 and 25, 2021, in Abuja.

He stated that the FMARD successfully conducted the first national animal feed summit with the theme “Developing a Roadmap for Animal Feed Security in Nigeria,” adding that the summit attracted

key stakeholders from policy, research and commerce arms of the feed industry and the broader livestock sub-sector.

Earlier, the Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Mrs. Winnie Lai Solarin, said that “the summit started in 2020 with a zero draft document adding that the first National

Feed Policy brought about the copy that is being reviewed’’.

In her remarks, the Director, Animal Husbandry Services, FCT, Ms. Umma Abubakar, said that the policy guide would provide comprehensive implementation of activities beyond local production and improve the animal feed security in Nigeria.

Flooding: NCDMB Moves Bayelsa Oil Event to Uyo Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The management of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the movement of her flagship annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) conference to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote made the announcement in an email to staff and other stakeholders to confirm that the event would still be held on the scheduled dates later this month and would attract major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry from across Nigeria.

Wabote explained that the change in venue for the conference was due to the ‘unprecedented’ flood situation that has ravaged 31 states in the country and its impact on the scheduled conference.

“We are saddened to come to the realisation that the event is now threatened due to the unprecedented flooding that affected 31 states in the country, including Bayelsa State with most parts of the state seriously affected, including Yenagoa, the state capital and host city for the event.

“While we acknowledge that the flood has begun to recede, it is doubtful that significant recoveries would be made

from now to the date of the event, which is about six weeks away,” a statement from the company said.

The NCDMB boss further noted that the East-west Road, which is one of the major arteries to the state has been badly

impacted making it difficult for human and vehicular movements.

He pointed out that facilities

on the ground in Yenagoa for the hosting of the PNC 2022 have also been heavily impacted.

“These include hotels, eateries,

small businesses/service providers to our partners, logistics support, etc,” Wabote added.

Abdulaziz: TCN Realising Planned Power Grid Reforms Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN), Dr Sule Abdulaziz, has stated that the company was vigorously achieving its five-point agenda for 2022, which cover general reforms and power grid visibility.

Speaking at a three-day management retreat in Uyo, Akwa

Ibom State, Abdulaziz, according to a statement from the General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the TCN’s agenda has been thriving on the ease of operation, credibility, teamwork and focus on excellence in the organisation.

The TCN boss said that recently the company had achieved enhanced grid visibility and stability through integrated system planning using available technologies for

stop-gap solutions; enhancing human resources development and performance improvement through staff skills optimisation and training.

The other three planks of the agenda, he added are: Ensuring efficiency in project execution and management for service delivery, ensuring efficient equipment maintenance for high viability and availability, and to ensure efficient prime visibility and management.

“It is my hope that we will achieve even much more as evidenced by the results recorded so far this year. I believe also that it is a work in progress,” he reiterated.

In his comments, the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel, represented by the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Dr John Etim, said as an organisation with the important mandate to enhance electricity transmission in

the country, there was need for such periodic retreats to review, evaluate and plan for the attainment of the objectives of the TCN. Emmanuel also enjoined the participants to visit the site of the 132/33kV power transmission substation with two 60MVA power transformers in Oron, which he said the state had provided land for TCN to build, as well as a transmission line from Eket to Oron.

NEMSA’s Mandate Separate from SON’s, Agency Maintains Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has reiterated its commitment to the effective discharge of its statutory mandate, stressing that it has distinct responsibilities from those of other government agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating

overlapping functions of government agencies had last week argued that NEMSA had same functions with the standards organisation, lamenting that government was facing a huge challenge in funding them.

But in statement issued by the public affairs department of NEMSA in Abuja, it explained that the management under the leadership of the Managing Director/Chief Executive officer, Aliyu Tahir, was working round the clock to ensure

that Nigerians have efficient, safe and reliable power supply by ensuring that materials and equipment are of high quality.

NEMSA insisted that the agency is charged with the responsibility to carry out the functions of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, technical inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, electricity meters and instruments.

It added that this is to ensure an

efficient production and delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable electricity power supply and guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry (NESI) and other allied industries/workplaces and premises According to the statement, the priority of the agency is that Nigerians should have electricity networks that are stable.

“When we go out on inspection

we make sure that all the requirements are complied with before we can issue a certification for that equipment to be installed for use in the country. We inspect transformers; assemblers and manufacturers as well as cable manufacturers across the country and through that means, we ensure that these equipment and materials are tested and certified before they are deployed for use in the country,” NEMSA stated.

NIGERIA’S OCTOBER OIL PRODUCTION INCREASES MARGINALLY, HITS 1.014M BPD

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

recent rash of measures to curtail the oil theft menace, which so far appears to have defied all solutions.

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

The federal government has

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

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, had recently called for the setting up of a special court to try persons found to have been complicit in the vandalism of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

The GCEO sought the High Court’s support towards the creation of a special court/tribunal to ensure

speedy trial of crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals, the national oil firm stated.

Kyari, who described the actions as a serious threat to Nigeria’s oil production, revenue generation and by extension energy security, observed that a special court to execute such cases will deter wouldbe criminals and assure investors of value for their investments.

However, almost all the agencies involved in protecting Nigeria’s commonwealth have admitted to complicity in oil theft and general sabotage, including the national oil

company, host communities as well as the national oil company.

Months ago, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), threatened that oil workers will withdraw their services should the government fail to take decisive action against oil thieves.

Due to a combination of falling production and the controversial subsidy regime, the NNPC has been unable to contribute a kobo to the federation account since this year, thereby crippling most

dollar-related transactions in the Nigerian economy.

The scarcity of the greenback has also impacted negatively on the value of the naira, with the local currency falling to as low as N900 to a dollar at some point in the parallel market this November.

In the last few weeks, the NNPC in collaboration with government security personnel as well as local outfits have uncovered tens of spots where Nigeria’s oil is tapped illegally and transported to the high sea in the Niger Delta.

NIGERIA, MOROCCO, OTHERS COMMIT TO FAO’S AGREEMENT TO END ILLEGAL, UNREGULATED FISHING Manuel Barange, said: “We have a responsibility to manage and use all aquatic resources sustainably.

We need to work together to step up port controls and an adequate information exchange through the implementation of the PSMA. This will contribute

to transforming aquatic food systems and maximise their role as drivers of employment, economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability.”

The FAO recently launched the PSMA Global Information Exchange System (GIES), which

would collect and share official compliance-related information with a focus on port inspection results, actions taken and port entry or denials.

With the FAO global record of fishing vessels, refrigerated transport vessels and supply

vessels (global record), the platform would also support states in their efforts to implement the PSMA and complementary instruments to combat IUU fishing.

The FAO has so far assisted more than 50 countries to review their legislation, strengthen

their institutional capacity, improve their monitoring, control and surveillance systems and operations to effectively implement port state measures and fulfill their international responsibilities as flag, coastal and market states.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Showcasing ‘Made in Nigeria’ Products Nigeria manufacturers gathered in Lagos last month to showcase their wares and call attention to challenges hindering the manufacturing sector, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

T

he big and small manufacturers in Nigeria gathered in their hundreds from the east, west, north and south of the country to showcase Made in Nigeria products, promote public awareness and patronage for them and also discuss their challenges and future prospects of manufacturing in Nigeria.

The occasion was the three-day Made-inNigeria Exhibition that was part of the activities to mark the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM). The exhibition took place between October 18 and 20, 2022.

Welcoming them at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos was the President of MAN, Mr. Mansur Ahmed, who assured his guests that MAN and the Nigerian industrial sector as a whole would rise to the occasion and ensure that they build on the existing capacities and continue to improve on the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian manufactured products.

Ahmed said: “Let me therefore, welcome you and urge you to move around the exhibition ground and see the extent to which the manufacturing sector can meet the desire of Nigerians for a self-reliant economy.

Indeed, given the size of the Nigerian market, achieving self-reliance will not only strengthen and deepen our economy, it will position us to play a dominant role in continental market.”

Among the numerous exhibitors of Made in Nigeria trade fair and exhibition was the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Strategist of the Crestycrisp Enterprises, Ms. Yange D. Janet, a small scale manufacturer and dealer in coconut products. Janet told THISDAY that she started manufacturing food products made from coconut in 2019 to provide healthier alternative sources of nutrients Nigerians, especially those that are living with diabetics, hypertension, obesity and cancer.

Janet said: “Our products are natural and our major raw material is coconut. We use coconut to provide healthier alternatives for those that eat cake, bread, snacks, etc., which are healthier than eating food with high cholesterol content and unhealthy ingredients.”

INITIAL CHALLENGE She said that her initial challenge was explaining her products to consumers “because people did not know that coconut has other good benefits apart from just chewing it.”

But currently, the market penetration of her products have increased that she is finding it difficult to cope with the market demand.

“We do production from Monday to Friday and yet do not have the capacity to meet the demand for our products,” she said.

Janet’s challenges are primarily finance and access to coconuts. “My challenges, like every other small business, are finance and sourcing of raw materials. The quality of Nigerian coconut is unreliable and more expensive.

This is why we source coconut from Ghana only. You cannot trust the quality of Nigerian coconut,” she said.

Another industrialist at the fair who came all the way from Aba, Abia State, was the Chief Executive Officer of the Libracin Natural Medicine Industry Limited, Dr. Bestman Azubuike N. Anyatonwu, whose mission

“is innovating herbal medicine for good health.” His products could be packaged in capsules, tablet and in tea bags.

He told THISDAY that he is sourcing all his raw materials, which is one major eason he is still in business in spite of the high exchange rate between the Naira and the Dollar.

But his main challenge is low recognisation of indigenous pharmaceutical products by Nigeria’s government that should have been publicising the use of natural medicine the way governments of India and China have recognised theirs and are patronising them.

He said: “These things are supposed to be recognised in the health sector so that a patient will have the right to choose the kind of medication he or she will use, be it alternative or conventional medicine. By that we will create market for this business and generate employment opportunities in our economy.

“The other challenges we are having are power supply and poor access to foreign exchange to import machineries and spare parts. We can consume 50 litres of diesel in just two hours of operation.

It is adding to our cost of production.

But our raw materials are indigenous.”

However, the General Manager, Marketing, Tower Alloys Industries Limited, Mr. Rajneesh Rajan Gupta, said that he was at the exhibition fair to promote a household brand.

Gupta told THISDAY that all the raw materials utilised by Tower Alloys are sourced locally through recycling of used aluminum products. “We produce aluminum products like roofing sheets, coils. Everything that we are producing is from indigenous resources, primarily aluminum scrap that we collect and reprocess to extract pure aluminum out of them. And that is how we are producing high quality aluminum products. It is a purely Nigerian company that is driven

by Nigerian resources only.

“We are the market leaders when it comes to cooking products. In the roofing sector our roofing sheet is already a household name. We hold a dominant position as far as branding and distribution are concerned and we have representatives across Nigeria. We are the number one integrated aluminum producer in Nigeria.”

Yet, Tower Alloys operation in Nigeria is faced with two major challenges: logistics and power supply. “So, if we are able to get consistent power the benefit will be passed to our customers who will enjoy better products at much affordable prices,” Gupta said.

SHOWCASING PRODUCTS For the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Coleman Technical Industries Limited (CTIL), Mr. George Olutope Onafowokan, the exhibition was an opportunity to display Coleman’s wires and cables products.

Onafowokan said that the CTIL, the manufacturer of Coleman Cables and

Wires, is committed to manufacturing quality electrical and telecommunications wires and cables that meet and exceed customers’ expectation and the ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

He said that the CTIL is poised to increase its output from two million to 10 million fibre count with its new $40 million investment in fiber. This investment would provide solution for over 50 per cent market demand for cables and wires in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

He also disclosed that 100 per cent of the cables needed for the Train Seven Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas’ (NLNG) project would be made in Nigeria by Coleman.

“We believe that made in Nigeria is better. Building in Nigeria and believing in Nigeria is the reason for our work,” Onafowokan said, adding that the good news is that the CTIL’s first 8000 ton plant is being built by Coleman. It is the biggest plant in Sub-Saharan Africa.

We expect by Q1 2023 to have 350 tons per day production in Nigeria, at the same time we are building a 3000 tons per month aluminum casting rod plant in Nigeria. So, we are solving backward integration.

“I can actually say that in Nigeria since 2017, we have actually been recycling copper in the country and almost 60 to 70 per cent of our copper rods are produced in Nigeria today and that is where the advantages are. Nigerians are actually not buying made in China copper today but made in Nigeria copper wire.”

The fair also attracted exhibitors from Nigeria’s petrochemical industries that included the Dangote Group and the Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited that exhibited their fertilizer products. But the Dangote Group’s exhibition was not limited to fertilizer.

It also displayed heavy duty trucks that were manufactured in Nigeria and refined sugar products.

The Head of Corporate Communications of Indorama, Mr. Jossy Nkwocha, said that Indoramah was at the fair to exhibit its fertilizer and polymer products.

Nkwocha said: “We produce several grades of polymers that are used for manufacturing different kinds of plastics.

Today, in the world, plastics are the in thing. Almost everything you see is made of plastics. So, Indoramah helps Nigeria’s industrialisation in the area of plastics.

“Indoramah is also producing three million metric tons of urea every year. And they are also helping in the presidential fertilizer initiative and agricultural revolution in Nigeria. We have a new one called Nem Coted Urea, which helps in making harvest very robust.”

SHORTAGE OF GAS SUPPLY However, operators in the petrochemical sector are hampered by acute shortage of gas supply to sustain their production at full capacity. This shortage has persisted despite the claims in the government

circles that Nigeria is more of a gas oriented economy than crude oil, a claim that is made than practalise.

Ironically, Nigeria is supplying gas to other countries without meeting the needs of its local industries. “The gas supply is not as much as we would want it. We are into producing things that would drive the industrial and agro revolution,” an operator in the sector said.

The MAN also used the fair to counter the perception that made in Nigeria products are substandard. Ahmed who was on his last official assignment as the president of MAN, said: “First of all, I think the perception is getting a little behind reality. The reality of Nigerian manufacturing today is that in many areas the quality is increasing and reaching international standard.

“There are some of our manufacturers who are producing their products after fulfilling every international standard in the world. I cannot mention their names but they are many and increasing. We have seen here today as we go around that many of our products’ quality are at the level of international standard. The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is indeed actively pursuing our manufacturers to work to standard.”

He explained that the unfortunate thing is that sub-standard products are being smuggled into the country and in some cases packaged and sold as Made in Nigeria products.

He also persuaded Nigerians to embrace the consumption of made in Nigeria products. “It is important that Nigeria should begin to look at the issue more practically. Do not just reject made in Nigeria because somebody thinks that they are not good enough. Check them out. Go to all our supermarkets you will see that made in Nigeria are displayed on their shelves along with foreign products and in many cases are of higher quality than imported ones.

“What Nigerians should understand is that the more they support the Nigerian manufacturer by buying made in Nigeria the more the Nigerian manufacturer will increase his quality, improve his delivery and also reduces cost and I think that when we do that the prospect of massive improvement in the economic activity will arise.

“We have a huge market and there is no reason we will not capture that market.

We do not need to rely on imports.

“But, it is also important that the government will continue to create the condition that will enable Nigerian manufacturers to improve the quality of their products at reduced costs.

“Our production cost is very high due to infrastructure deficiency. Most of our members do not get up to 50 per cent of their power requirement from the national grid. We are witnessing significant rise in the price of diesel for those using diesel to supplement their power. Our roads are in terrible shape. So, delivering your products also cost a lot more money.”

26

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

OIL & GAS

Fuel Scarcity: Bleak Holidays for Nigerians If the prolonged nationwide petrol scarcity is not reined in soon, Nigerians may face even harder times as the yuletide festivities approach, writes Emmanuel Addeh

B

efore now, if there was anything the Muhammadu Buhari administration prided itself in, especially in the first five years of the administration, it was the fact that it had been able to reduce disruptions in the supply of petrol to an almost negligible level nationwide.

But those bragging rights have now been eroded with the perennial fuel scarcity and skyrocketing prices, particularly in areas where the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the industry police, does not seem to have a footprint. While supply in other states had been relatively stable before now even though retailers sold far above the controlled government prices, in Abuja, the situation has been almost chaotic since around February when the adulterated fuel episode happened.

With just intermittence of reprieve since then, spanning a few weeks or even days, residents of Abuja have had one of the most riotous years in recent times, in terms of the supply of the product.

But recently, fuel scarcity has also become an issue in several other states, spreading across Lagos, Ogun states, Warri, Edo and other parts of the country as some filling stations now sell the commodity for as much as N250 per litre.

In Abuja, although NNPC mega stations have had to work extra hours, selling at N179 per litre, getting fuel from the facilities is almost as difficult as trying to get water out of a rock, with some queues stretching kilometres and causing heavy traffic.

A CHAOTIC IMPACT

As expected, the basic principle remains that when supply of a product, especially an essential one like petrol, is constrained, all kinds of black market activities spring up to fill the vacuum. In Abuja, consumers are now compelled to tip fuel pump attendants before they can be attended to while product racketeers are having a field day selling a 10-litre gallon for as much as N4,000, meaning that a litre now costs as much as N400.

The traffic snarls across the country caused by the long queues have caused untold hardship to Nigerians as transporters have hiked their fares and workers as well as businessmen spend valuable man-hours in the long lines and the traffic jams. It’s the same story in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria where commercial buses have taken advantage of the development to increase their fares, leaving commuters stranded in various parts of the states.

Like in other parts of the country, in the south-east states, prices of the product have soared with its attendant impact on prices of goods and services.

In the north, there has been no reprieve for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and environs, including Nasarawa and Niger as the biting petrol scarcity continues.

While many fuel stations remained shut for lack of the product, the NNPC stations which have been selling the product, have witnessed queues stretching over two kilometres at every point. At

the outskirts, the few filling stations which are open sell at exorbitant amount Scenes at Conoil, Total filling stations as well as even NNPC mega stations located at the Central Business District of Abuja have been hellish as motorists try to gain entrance to the stations without having to stay on the queues. Several filling stations, including the NNPC mega station in zone 1, Conoil and Total, opposite the headquarters of the NNPC, these days form long queues, causing traffic jams in the capital city and in the blazing sun to boot.

The most hit have been those living far from the city centre as for instance, fares from Dutse Alhaji to Area 1 which was hitherto N300, is currently N600 while Dei-Dei to Berger and Wuse 2 which used to be N300 and N400 is now from N500 and above.

WHAT ARE GOVT AUTHORITIES DOING?

Since this year, mostly in Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the NMDPRA have enunciated several reasons for the disruptions to supply. From the adulterated fuel to Muslim holidays to the floods that cut off some roads etc, the excuses have been multifarious as to why there is scarcity.

Surprisingly, after the shortages caused by the bad fuel, and the festivities and the recent floods, which have now receded, the scarcity has continued.

“The Authority (NMDPRA) wishes to state that the fuel queues are caused by unprecedented flooding in Lokoja, Kogi State, which has submerged a greater part of the city and grounded all vehicular movements.

“This unfortunately has affected the distribution of petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and environs,” stated a statement from the agency earlier, in trying to explain the situation.

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

Furthermore, the inclement situation is continuing despite the disclosure by the NNPC weeks ago that 146 tankers (since then, more have arrived) of the product had arrived the FCT and environs.

Executive Director, Downstream of the NNPC, Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, explained that the water which had subsumed the link road between the south and the north in Kogi had started receding.

“We are pleased to inform the general public that more petroleum products trucks have started arriving in Abuja and other destinations as the flood which had earlier restricted the movement of trucks along Lokoja has receded.

“In addition, the federal ministry of works and housing has also intervened with the

rehabilitation of 19 sections of the damaged Bida road in Niger state.

“Trucks have continued to arrive Suleja depot for onward dispatch even as of today. Delivery to other parts of the country is also continuing with vehicular movement northwards,” he stated at the time. But despite assurances, the challenge won’t just go away.

Acting State Coordinator, NMDPRA, in Katsina, Abdullahi Musa-Mohammed, also argued that the fuel scarcity started as a result of flooding that destroyed some roads linking Southern Nigeria, from where the products are transported to other parts of the country.

“Everyone is aware of the situation, and the queues at filling stations all started as a result of flooding. The trucks spend about a week to get to their destinations.

“You know petrol supply chain is something that once there is a delay in the chain of supply, even if it is one, two or three days, it shows. The impact of that will be felt for sometimes, that is why we are still battling with that situation.

“Our duty as federal government is to ensure that the products allocated to filling stations from depots get to the stations in time. We get manifest from the deports on daily basis and we monitor the manifest to ensure that the petroleum products are not diverted.

“We also follow the trucks to ensure that the products are discharged according to the allocated quantity,” he said.

Musa-Mohammed revealed that once a case of diversion is established, they seal the station and ask them to pay a fine of N500 per litre of the petrol diverted.

“Sometimes they complain that the truck developed mechanical fault on the way. In such situations, we first of all give them what we call demand for explanation, they give their explanations, but we know that not all the explanations are true,” he said.

He further revealed that if they query some of the marketers about the disparity in the price, they start telling stories, blaming it on expenses they incurred in the process of transporting the fuel,” he said.

According to him, they have been making efforts to see that these queues disappear completely, and would continue trying their best by monitoring the products up to filling stations.

PRODUCTS SHORTAGE

But spokesman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Mr Chinedu Ukadike blamed it on the delay in the arrival of product vessels, explaining that this has led to a drop in the stock sufficiency level of the NNPC. “We normally buy our products from NNPC, private depots, and private tank farm owners and some of them are located

in Lagos, Warri and Port Harcourt, knowing full well that we import petroleum products in this country and most of these products are vessel driven depots and they collect products from ships.

“I think there is a shortfall in the sufficiency they have in stock because some of the mother vessels they are expecting are just arriving. There was a little delay and some of the logistics in handling charges in the depots, so these are the issues that have truncated the chain of supply,” he said.

According to him, even if the Lokoja flood has subsided, some of the trucks are still in the depots waiting to be loaded.

Ukadike explained that most inland depots were without the product, saying it was taking longer days for trucks to move from the south to the northern parts of the country.

Immediate-past Chairman of the Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Managing Director of 11Plc, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, also told THISDAY days ago that it seemed there was not enough petrol supply in the system.

He said he was only able to get a little supply from NNPC at the time, adding that if that was the case for other marketers, it meant there was insufficient product in the system.

Oyebanji said: “I had little quantity in my tanks and heard others waiting NNPC to deliver.

So I was only able to get some (weeks ago). So if that’s the case with other people, that means the product is not enough in the system.

“There is a certain number of cargoes you need in a week to come into Apapa. If they haven’t achieved that level, maybe that has contributed to it, but I can’t say for sure.

“NNPC will tell you they have sufficient stock, but sometimes, the stock may be on the high seas and not in our tanks. If you say you have enough stock and it’s on the high seas, we need it to be in our tanks for us to be able to distribute it. May be that is what is causing the problem.”

National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mr Mike Osatuyi, also attributed the petrol scarcity in parts of Lagos to the unsteady supply witnessed in the past few days.

He said that as a result of the unsteady supply, depots prices had risen from N165 to N177 and N178 per litre in Apapa and its environs.

“The marketers will only sell what they buy.

If the price of petrol increases, we add our transportation cost and other charges to the selling price,” he said.

The marketers argued that the approved price was not sustainable and was contributory to the scarcity of petrol in many locations nationwide.

As the problem continues to linger, likely stretching into the festive season, many Nigerians fear that in a country where many are already struggling to survive, it may just be double jeopardy if the scarcity persists.

27

TUESDAY, NOV ͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ /ŶĚĞdž ƐŚĞĚ Ϭ͘Ϭй

dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘Ϭϳй ƚŽ ϭ͕ϵϲϬ͘Ϭϳ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

ŝŶĚĞdž ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ DdEE ;Ͳϭ͘ϰйͿ͕ h ;ͲϮ͘ϭйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ h W ;ͲϬ͘ϴйͿ͘ ƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϬ͘ϱй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ KƉĞŶƐ ƚŚĞ tĞĞŬ ŽŶ Ă

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

EĞŐĂƟǀĞ EŽƚĞ͙ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϯй

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ

5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Lafarge Africa PLC

ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚ ĂƐ ƐĞůůŽīƐ ŝŶ DdEE ;ͲϮ͘ϰйͿ͕ h ;Ͳ Ϯ͘ϭйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ͲϮ͘ϲйͿ ǁĞŝŐŚĞĚ ŽŶ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ E'yͲ ^/ ĨĞůů ϯϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϰϯ͕ϴϭϴ͘ϭϮ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌͲ ĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ Ϯ͘ϲй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ Ϯ͘ϵйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƐŚĞĚ േϴϮ͘ϬďŶ ƚŽ േϮϯ͘ϵƚŶ͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǀĂƌŝĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϭϬ͘ϴй ƚŽ ϭϴϳ͘ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϳ͘ϭй ƚŽ

10 SEPLAT Energy PLC 11 Access Holdings PLC

ROA

P/E

P/BV

4.2x

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

5.7%

96.0%

25.6%

4.7%

0.0%

41.4%

33.0%

-26.7%

18.3%

6.4%

187.40

-1.4%

8.1%

-4.9%

-18.5%

162.9%

15.4%

10.9x

15.8x

7.5%

72.00

0.0%

7.4%

7.4%

0.1%

23.3%

12.1%

27.1x

6.1x

4.0%

3.7%

17.70

0.9%

4.5%

-31.9%

-13.7%

20.5%

3.1%

2.9x

0.6x

16.9%

34.9% 41.2%

0.7x

7.7%

19.95

0.0%

4.8%

-20.7%

-8.1%

20.7%

2.6%

2.4x

0.5x

15.5%

238.50

0.0%

4.1%

-7.2%

-13.3%

34.5%

12.8%

13.7x

5.0x

8.5%

7.3%

22.25

0.0%

3.1%

-7.1%

-15.7%

14.0%

10.3%

6.5x

0.9x

9.9%

15.5% 53.0%

10.50

2.4%

3.0%

-7.9%

-9.5%

24.6%

2.2%

1.9x

0.4x

3.3%

11.1%

2.8%

-21.9%

-13.2%

122.7%

13.7%

20.7x

23.3x

4.6%

4.8%

1,088.90

0.0%

2.7%

67.5%

-16.2%

8.6%

4.4%

9.4x

0.8x

4.2%

10.6%

8.15

1.2%

2.4%

-12.4%

-12.4%

17.5%

1.5%

1.6x

0.3x

2.5%

61.5%

7.05

-2.1%

1.9%

-12.4%

-5.4%

16.5%

1.4%

1.9x

0.3x

14.2%

52.8%

37.40

0.0%

1.2%

-25.2%

-36.4%

10.9%

3.8%

15.6x

1.6x

4.3%

6.4%

169.50

0.0%

1.4%

19.4%

-21.9%

52.7%

30.7%

7.9x

4.3x

1.3%

12.7%

9.50

0.0%

1.5%

9.2%

-10.4%

20.0%

1.1%

1.8x

0.4x

6.9%

54.4%

27.50

0.0%

1.3%

-23.6%

-18.0%

19.6%

2.5%

4.5x

1.0x

12.7%

22.2%

4.00

0.0%

0.9%

-19.2%

-36.5%

-5.0%

-1.7%

18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC

27.30

0.0%

1.0%

-3.7%

-16.0%

13.2%

3.2%

4.7x

0.6x

8.6%

21.2%

4.05

0.0%

1.0%

58.8%

18.4%

15.5%

1.3%

2.5x

0.4x

2.5%

39.7%

20 Guinness Nigeria PLC 21 Presco PLC

74.65

0.0%

0.7%

91.4%

-17.5%

16.7%

7.1%

11.4x

7.6x

10.6%

8.8%

120.50

0.0%

0.4%

37.2%

-27.0%

53.7%

20.2%

5.6x

2.8x

1.7%

17.8%

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

27 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 28 Cadbury Nigeria PLC

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ

29 UAC of Nigeria PLC 30 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri

ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ Ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ Ϯ ůŽƐƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐͲ

31 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 32 Custodian and Allied Insurance 33 Wema Bank PLC 34 Unilever Nigeria PLC 35 Jaiz Bank PLC

ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ

36 Oando PLC 37 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ D E^ Z ;нϱ͘ϵйͿ͕ E D ;нϭ͘ϰйͿ͕

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

h E ;нϯ͘ϱйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ^^ KZW ;нϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ

-6.3%

3.39

0.0%

0.5%

13.4%

-2.0%

12.4%

1.2%

2.2x

0.3x

5.9%

44.9%

1.62

5.9%

0.4%

-30.2%

-19.0%

5.7%

1.7%

7.6x

0.5x

37.0%

13.2% 18.1%

12.00

-0.8%

0.5%

21.2%

-5.9%

46.0%

2.6%

5.5x

2.4x

12.5%

16.30

0.0%

0.5%

-6.3%

0.0%

23.8%

7.9%

6.3x

1.4x

6.3%

15.8%

1.10

1.9%

0.4%

14.6%

-10.6%

19.0%

4.3%

2.1x

0.4x

1.8%

48.3%

8.60

0.0%

0.3%

41.0%

-10.4%

20.3%

6.3%

5.0x

1.0x

11.6%

20.1%

10.25

0.0%

0.2%

16.5%

-40.6%

11.6%

3.5%

11.0x

1.2x

4.9%

9.1%

9.00

0.0%

0.2%

-5.3%

-18.9%

197.00

0.0%

0.2%

-11.2%

-16.0%

46.4x 37.1%

6.2%

4.2x

7.3%

2.2%

1.4x

2.1%

23.9%

21.15

0.0%

0.2%

-5.4%

-20.2%

18.6%

2.1%

4.6x

0.7x

11.8%

21.6%

5.35

0.0%

0.1%

-32.3%

-23.6%

18.2%

5.2%

3.2x

0.5x

9.3%

31.0%

4.0x

1.7x

7.6%

24.9%

0.9x

5.0%

-1.3%

7.0x

1.3x

4.4%

14.2%

9.5x

0.6x

2.4x

0.3x

3.15

0.0%

0.2%

337.5%

-1.3%

15.7%

0.9%

10.00

0.0%

0.1%

-31.0%

-32.4%

3.1%

1.8%

0.90

0.0%

0.2%

60.7%

-1.1%

20.0%

1.5%

3.80

-2.6%

0.1%

-14.0%

-33.0%

5.95

3.5%

0.1%

0.8%

-3.3%

1.43

1.4%

0.1%

-5.3%

-5.9%

62.50

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

6.25

0.0%

0.0%

16.2%

0.0%

P ric e

-21.5% 6.4%

-236.6%

0.7%

-17.7%

-4.1%

10.5% 7.0%

1.8x

-1.0%

1.0x

1.1%

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

0.34

9.7%

A C C ESSC OR P

87.9

1.2%

C H IP LC

0.62

6.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

19.3

0.0%

M A N SA R D

1.62

5.9%

T R A N SC OR P

10.7

1.9%

CHA M S

0.25

4.2%

UN IT YB N K

10.2

-5.3%

UB N

5.95

3.5%

N GXGR OUP

5.3

2.3%

FB NH

10.50

2.4%

M TNN

4.1

-2.4%

N GXGR OUP

22.00

2.3%

FB NH

3.9

2.4%

M A YB A KER

3.77

1.9%

GT C O

3.7

0.9%

KƵƚůŽŽŬ

T R A N SC OR P

1.10

1.9%

SOVR EN IN S

3.0

0.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.43

1.4%

GUIN EA IN S

3.0

0.0%

Ϯ͘ϰйͿ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ǁĂŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϬϬdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϭϭdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ &ƌŝĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϯ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϯ ĚĞͲ ĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϴϮ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ tĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ Ă ŵŽĚͲ ĞƐƚ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞdžƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ ǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ŵĂũŽƌ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ͘

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

J OH N H OLT

0.73

-9.9%

M TNN

764.4

-2.4%

SC OA

1.58

-9.7%

A C C ESSC OR P

704.5

1.2%

P R EST IGE

0.36

-7.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

385.8

0.0%

UN IT YB N K

0.54

-5.3%

N GXGR OUP

112.8

2.3%

-4.7%

GT C O

66.1

0.9%

A IR T ELA F R I

65.9

0.0%

A F R IP R UD

0.27

-3.6%

R OYA LEX

0.85

-3.4%

P R ESC O

49.8

0.0%

3.80

-2.6%

OKOM UOIL

48.3

0.0%

1.17

-2.5%

WA P C O

42.9

0.0%

-2.4%

FB NH

40.7

2.4%

A C A D EM Y M TNN

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

5.10

J A P A ULGOLD

OA N D O

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

187.40

42.2%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a in e r s T ic k er

0.8x

F T N C OC OA

K E K ;ͲϮ͘ϳйͿ͕ : W h>'K ;Ͳϯ͘ϲйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ DdEE ;Ͳ

9.1%

16 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 17 International Brew eries PLC

Ϭ͘ϵй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϲй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůŽīƐ ŝŶ

15.1%

1.7%

1,215.00

14 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc

25 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 26 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ &ZͲ/ d ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů

-0.07%

ROE

1,270.00

12 United Bank for Africa PLC 13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

േϮ͘ϱďŶ͘

dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ Ϭ͘ϵй

1960.07

8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Nestle Nigeria PLC

22 FCMB Group Plc 23 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 24 United Capital PLC

ƚƌŝĂů ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

Current Price

Ticker

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

28

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

UBA Reiterates Commitment to SMEs Development Across Africa Oluchi Chibuzor United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has said that it is committed to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa as evidenced in the increased funding it has provided to such businesses in Nigeria and across Africa.

The Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, said this while delivering his keynote address at the flag-off of the 2022 Lagos International Trade Fair. UBA has been the lead sponsorship partner for the annual event since 2019.

Speaking on the theme: “Connecting Businesses,

Creating Value,” Akinyemi explained that armed with the firm belief that SMEs remains the bedrock of any country’s economic development. He added that UBA has pioneered products and services specifically targeted at SMEs and young entrepreneurs towards meeting their financial needs, having access to markets and building capacity.

“We are focused on creating value, connecting and facilitating business across Africa and between Africa with the rest of the world. Already, we have done a trade of about US$7.7bn and Export trade of about $29.4bn as at August

2022.

“It will also interest you all to know that we match our words with action as we have supported hundreds of SMEs in Africa especially in countries where we have presence. UBA does this not only in the manufacturing and services sectors but also in the creative industry and Fintech, ”he said.

He also spoke on the Pan African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS), a centralised payment and settlement system for intra-African trade in goods and services that is poised to transform the payment landscape across Africa.

‘Cutix Outperforms Stock Market Returns to Shareholders’ Kayode Tokede Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/ CEO) of Cutix Plc, Mrs. Ijeoma Oduonye, has said the company has proven to be the best-kept secret stock of the Nigerian stock market and a must have in every investment portfolio because of its remarkable performance and returns to shareholders over the years.

Oduonye declared this while commenting on the company’s performance at the “Facts Behind the Figures” programme at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) as

part of activities to mark the 40th anniversary celebration of the company.

In her speech, she described Cutix as, “A quintessential stock and the best example of a well-managed indigenous company in Nigeria as its performance history showed that it outperformed the overall NGX market in return by over seven times.”

The company made returns on investment of 185,000 per cent compared to the Nigerian All-share index of 22,870 per cent.

She said the company was able to achieve this remarkable performance despite the

turbulent macroeconomic environment, influx of sub-standard cables and wires, unavailability of forex, unfriendly government policies, multiplicity of taxes, port congestion and dearth of qualified technical manpower.

She explained that the company’s annual profit after tax has increased consistently over the years as well as the value of annual dividends received by investors, adding that the company has also declared bonus issues almost every three years in the ratio of one for one, one for two, and one for three and with most of the declarations being one for one.

Prestige Assurance Plc Appoints Funmi Oyetunji as Chairman One of the leading insurance companies in Nigeria, Prestige Assurance Plc has announced the appointment of new board of directors who will steer the affairs of the company from November 1st, 2022.

According to a statement issued by the Company Secretary of the topmost insurance outfit, Mrs. Chidinma Ibe-Louis, in the newly constituted board which comprises of top echelons in the corporate world, Mrs. Funmi Oyetunji will serve as Chairman, Mr. Rajesh Kamble as Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Chandra Prasad, Independent NonExecutive Director, Dr. Nosike Agokei, Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Aderonke Adedeji, Non-Executive Director, Mr. Vivek Kalla, Executive Director

and Mrs. Rekha Gopalkrishnan an Non-Executive Director.

“With about 40 years of corporate experience gathered across several roles, Oyetunji is an accomplished professional in diverse disciplines and industries. Oyetunji, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy with professional qualifications in FCCA and FCA has worked in senior positions in major accountancy practice firms in both Nigeria and the UK before a stint in the banking industry. She is the Managing Director of Abitos Financial Services Limited, a role she has held since 2002.

“Kamble, the newly appointed Managing Director/

CEO is an enriched insurance professional with 32 years of experience having worked in various capacities as Risk Engineer, Branch Manager, Divisional Manager, Senior Divisional Manager and Regional Manager.

“Prasad, who is to serve as Independent Non-Executive Director is an accomplished Insurer and administrator equipped with track record in diverse areas of the company functions with almost 36 years’ experience. His career encompasses the non-life insurance sector, and he has held several key positions in Marketing, Operations, Technical, Reinsurance and Customer Service, as well as Personnel and Training, “the statement reads.

Martell Unveils Audacious Disruptive OOH Installation Martell Cognac has inaugurated The Martell Box, an exceptional never-before-seen boutique experience dedicated to tasting, education and the exploration of its exclusive product offerings.

Renowned for their extraordinary brand experiences, Martell, the premium cognac with a luxurious heritage and legacy, this week, unveiled an audacious and disruptive Out of Home (OOH) experience - the never-before-seen Martell Box; a brand immersion in a billboard, and logo prism at the Lekki/Ikoyi bridge roundabout.

The Martell Box, was a two-day pop-up exclusive immersive experience, hosting notable personali-

ties across entertainment, fashion, lifestyle and entrepreneurship.

With the exterior fabricated wholly from glass, the box’s interior was custom-fitted with bespoke decor, such as the signature Martell bar.

The event was carefully curated to evoke elements of the brand’s essence of luxury and audacity, in addition to incorporating details of the cognac making process in the design of the Martell Box, providing guests with an authentic Martell experience.

Guests were taken on a brand education journey by the brand’s ambassador Jeff Nweke, where they learned about Martell’s heritage and history, as they sampled Martell’s distinctive offer-

ings: Martell VS, Martell Blue Swift, Martell XO, Martell XXO and Martell L’Or de Jean.

Speaking on the idea behind the installation, Brand Manager, Martell, Ms. Elizabeth Anthony noted that the “The Martell Box’’ was deliberately designed to be audacious and disruptive. It was situated in an unusual location for the ultimate, one-of-a-kind experience.

“Audacity is deeply rooted in Martell’s heritage and legacy. The brand prides itself on creating distinctive and extraordinary experiences, so the concept of the Martell Box experience speaks directly to that bold and courageous legacy that Martell represents”.

L-R: Martell Brand Ambassador, Jeff Bankz; Head, Human Resources, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Dolapo Onasanya; Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Sola Oke; Brand Manager, Martell Cognac, Betty Anthony and Commercial Director, Ikechukwu Agu during the Martell Box Pop-Up Experience held in Lagos… recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

29

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Down 0.32% on Sell-off in MTN, 12 Others KayodeTokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) opened the week on a negative note, as sell offs in MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN) and 12 others depreciated the market by 0.32 per cent.

The NGX All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 138.64 basis points or 0.32 per cent to close at 43,818.12 basis points. Similarly,

the market capitalisation lost N75 billion to close at N23.867 trillion.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was flat as an equal number of 13 stocks gained and lost. FTN Cocoa processors recorded the highest price gain of 9.68 per cent to close at 34 kobo, per share. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance followed with a gain 6.90 per cent to close at 62 kobo, while AXA Mansard

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

Insurance rose 5.88 per cent to close at N1.62, per share.

Chams went up by 4.17 per cent to close at 25 kobo, while Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) appreciated by 3.48 per cent to close at N5.95, per share.

On the other hand, John Holt led the losers’ chart by 9.88 per cent to close at 73 kobo, per share, per share. SCOA Nigeria followed with a decline of 9.71 per cent to close at N1.58, while

S E C U R I T I E S QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Prestige Assurance lost 7.69 per cent to close at 36 kobo, per share.

Unity Bank lost 5.26 per cent to close at 54 kobo, while Africa Prudential shed 4.67 per cent to close at N5.10, per share.

The total volume traded declined by 10.8 per cent to 187.094 million units, valued at N2.545 billion, and exchanged in 3,326 deals. Transactions in the shares of Access Holdings topped the activity chart with

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

87.923 million shares valued at N704.474 million.

Zenith Bank followed with 19.324 million shares worth N385.789 million, while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 10.680 million shares valued at N11.613 million.

Unity Bank traded 10.175 million shares valued at N5.340 million, while Nigerian Exchange Group (NGXGroup) transacted 5.256 million shares worth

AS O F

N112.846 million.

This week, analysts at United Capital Plc projected that the local stock market to remain in a lull going forward.

“Positive drivers to catalyse investor interest in the equities market are far and few. Elevated money market rates, pre-election jitters and dwindling corporate performance will likely keep investors’ interest at bay,” it added.

1 4 / 1 1 / 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

30

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 11Nov-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 174.08 175.23 4.32% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.52% Nigeria International Debt Fund 318.37 318.37 13.36% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.57 107.72 7.99% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.37% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.51 3.55 2.93% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.70% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.55 135.00 -4.09% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 -0.15% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 20.30 20.91 0.08% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 477.25 491.64 5.78% ARM Ethical Fund 41.34 42.59 6.11% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 1.08% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 5.10% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.46% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 95.51 95.51 -7.14% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,070.16 1,070.16 0.44% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.09 2.09 2.78% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.20 2.24 0.71% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 7.33% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.62% Paramount Equity Fund 17.43 17.79 4.80% Women's Investment Fund 142.81 144.48 0.59% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.56% Cordros Milestone Fund 128.53 129.36 3.40% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 112.09 112.09 5.03% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 10.47% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.26% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,136.76 1,146.85 1.78% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1448 1448 11.38% FBN Balanced Fund 189.86 191.07 8.33% FBN Halal Fund 125.69 125.69 12.18% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.75% FBN Dollar Fund 127.39 127.39 6.52% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 152.31 154.42 1.34% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.55% Legacy Debt Fund 3.59 3.59 -10.34% Legacy Equity Fund 1.79 1.82 2.77% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

3,962.96 3,667.27 100.00

3,989.13 3,667.27 100.00

1.17% 6.64% 14.29%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.12 1.12 4.11% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.37% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.87 2.92 3.24% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.62% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 144.12 144.12 6.87% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.14 1.18 -4.60% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 6.60% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.63 1.66 14.83% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,166.24 1,166.24 8.11% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.44 11.51 5.42% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.74% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.71 101.71 9.26% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.33% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.60 1.64 1.86% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.61 11.68 4.09% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.25% PACAM Equity Fund 1.31 1.33 -8.00% PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.58 120.71 3.36% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 119.77 122.34 0.05% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.89 0.91 0.26% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 0.76% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.13 1.14 9.24% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.09 1.09 7.21% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.93 1.93 6.29% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.45 124.45 5.81% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.29% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.32 13.44 0.98% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.17 15.31 3.75% Zenith Income Fund 23.34 23.34 6.34% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.29% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.67 3.77 -8.49% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.41 5.51 -7.36% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 16.11 16.31 -8.83% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.07% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.74 19.94 -1.22% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 133.81 135.81 -15.09%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

119.29 52.14

5.27% 2.50%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.26 118.78 89.97 17.10 16.40

14.36 121.78 91.93 17.20 16.50

1.96% -6.56% -9.82% 4.09% -8.08%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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NEWS

MAKING AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Engr Farouk Ahmed, Minister of State Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva and Group Chief Executive Officer Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Mallam Mele Kyari, shortly after a meeting with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, on fuel availability during the Christmas season, at the NNPC Towers, Abuja... yesterday

Lai Mohammed Charges NPAN to Develop Code of Conduct for Journalists Obaigbena harps on need for media organisations to take ombudsman seriously James Segun, Ugo Aliogo and Oluchi Chibuzor The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has welcomed renewed efforts of the Nigerian Press Organisations to revamp the code of conduct and a co-regulatory framework measure to boost integrity and professionalism of the media industry.

This was just as stakeholders in the media space have called for the establishment of Ombudsman in the country despite the challenges that had hindered its operation Mohammed who made the call at one-day media roundtable held in Lagos, yesterday, with the theme ‘Deepening Media Professionalism Through Co-Regulation,' urged the media stakeholders to do “Its best to sustain the goodwill of the Nigerian media and develop a practical code of conduct for the Nigerian journalist."

The event was organised by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

Representing the minister, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Mr. Francis Nwosu, said the “council will continue to work with media space to promote professionalism and encourage every journalist.

“The NPC is not an instrument to gag the Nigerian press, but an instrument to help develop the profession."

However, the Chairman/ Editor-in-Chief of the THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena,

said media organisations must separate paid content from editorial content, adding that the cost of operating Ombudsman must be taken very seriously.

For him, the media organisations must “be very careful in inviting the government to come and partake in sanctioning you, they will abuse it.

On the Ombudsman, he said: “How do you want to include the Press Council - the body we rejected in total, what kind of inclusivity is that? The point is this, name and shame which is the power of this body is more effective than any; the fact that you have sanctions and are published and you are named and shamed.”

However, one thing that was echoed at the event was the need to align the media industry to globally acceptable practices through selfregulatory framework to elevate the profession, gain public trust and stave off strangulating government regulation.

The event which was to ratify the amendment of code of ethics for Nigerian journalist and co-regulation of the Ombudsman saw the group proposing an administrative secretary for the management of Nigeria's Ombudsman.

On his part, the President of NPAN, Kabir Yusuf, noted the need for professionalism among practitioners.

“The media is very important and we must professionalise to do better for ourselves because there is nobody that will do the job for us even when they have tried and

we resisted it. The event is how do you get the Ombudsman in place and this second attempt must not fail," he added.

Delivering his speech, the chairman of the event and former governor of Ogun state, Olusegun Osoba urged the Nigerian journalists not to renege on their fight for truth.

He, however, noted that some online platforms, “are becoming a thorough embarrassment to the profession because so many of them are not trained."

He urged most traditional

newspapers to take their online presence very seriously.

According to him, “anybody who is not internet literate cannot be a reporter anymore. So anybody who is going to be a journalist must be IT inclined, should be able to use his phone to send his stories immediately. He does not need to go to the office and that is one of the positions I want to recommend."

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, noted that the Ombudsman would enable

The Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Mr. Victor Muruako has called on state governments to reduce their borrowing in order to enable them fund projects and budget deficits.

He also urged them to focus more on increasing their internally generated revenue (IGR), just as he called on states to also maintain the transparency and fiscal responsibility that came as a conditionality of the World Bank-funded State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme which is ending next month.

Muruako made the call at a

technical assistant to sub-nationals’ workshop with the theme, ‘Strengthening Fiscal Management at State Level,’ held in Lagos, yesterday.

He said: “I appeal today to state governments to show fatherly love to their citizens by investing energy in improving their revenue base. It is hard love, much like an African father’s love and it is certainly better than using wallpaper to cover fiscal cracks by readily resorting to borrowing despite the existence of untapped potential for internally generated revenue.

“Again, we commend state governments that have taken the business of governance seriously enough to institute systems for

said, “some journalists break the code of conduct without facing consequences and we must let them understand the code."

Making a technical presentation for the operation of Ombudsman, the Editor-in-Chief, Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, who spoke on, ‘Thoughts on Co-regulation through an Independent Ombudsman Framework,' said the session was motivated by the conviction that the media need to do some introspection and reposition itself for accountability and for the public good.

ECOWAS to Commit Massive Resources Towards Combating Terrorism, Political Instability in W’Africa Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has revealed its readiness to dedicate a large chunk of its 2023 budget towards combating the scourge of terrorism and political instability in West Africa.

Speaking at the opening of the 32nd Meeting of the ECOWAS Administrative and Finance Committee (AFC) in Abuja, yesterday, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray revealed that 2023 community budget would focus on action plans against terrorism, political stability among its four strategic objective plans.

Touray, in his speech said the 2023 Community budget of

“Consolidation and Reforms,” was prepared to ensure the consolidation of the gains made in the institutional reform process and support the region’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war.

The ECOWAS henchman also disclosed that the budget was designed to set the agenda for the next four years, which was aimed at putting the region back on track for regional integration.

He said: “It is in view of the foregoing issues that we quickly identified four strategic objectives that would be our focus for the next four years which we called the 4 by 4 (4x).

“These four objectives are: Enhanced peace and security;

FRC Urges States to Reduce Borrowing, Increase IGR Nume Ekeghe

the media and the government to have a workable document, and stressed the need for proper enumeration of journalists.

On his part, the Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Mr. John Ugbe, who was represented by Mr. Yemisi Bamgoye, said the organisation was, “ready to support whatever decision is taken and we cannot allow the government to continue to suffocate the media."

However, in his introduction speech, the Chairman, Nigeria Guild of Editor, Mustapha Isah,

planning, growing, harvesting and accounting for their IGR, all in a manner that is clear to their citizens, transparent to stakeholders and accommodates citizen participation.”

On the SFTAS, he said: “While the Commission acknowledges the many gains recorded in the nation’s fiscal ecosystem through the World Bank SFTAS programme, we are disturbed that as the programme closes out next month, there isn’t yet sufficient institutionalisation of adherence to fiscal rules and the active involvement of citizens that will ensure the sustainability of the gains of SFTAS." He noted that adherence to fiscal rules must be continually

emphasised to banks and financial institutions in Nigeria, saying the banks must obtain proof of compliance with provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, as provided in its Part X, Sections 44 and 45, before lending to any government in the Federation.

“This triangulation of checks between the DMO, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the FRC will ensure better filtration of public loan intentions. Regarding the active involvement of citizens on whose behalf governance is carried out, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission is not satisfied with the extent to which citizens are accepting ownership of fiscal processes.

Deeper Regional Integration; Good Governance; Inclusive and Sustained Development.”

He added that: “In addition to these four strategic objectives, we have identified two enablers namely capable institutions and equitable partnerships, which would facilitate the realisation of our objectives.”

Touray said: “Let me quickly add that our four strategic objectives are already aligned with the Community Strategic Framework (CSF), which has been developed for the realisation of the ECOWAS Vision 2050.

“We intend to focus on strengthening the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and achieving results related to; the Implementation Plan against Terrorism (on this we would like to invite you to support us with the full realisation of the one billion dollars Pool Fund which our members pledged.

“The full operationalisation of the ECOWAS Maritime security Architecture, the full operationalisation of the national early warning and response centers, building the mediation and rapid response capacity of ECOWAS.” He also said the second strategic objective was to deepen regional integration through the promotion and enhancement of intra-community trade, free movement of people, and the monetary union.

He insisted that: “Specific deliverables for the next four years under this pillar will include: reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers (through

the effective deployment of the ETLS Task Force).

“Full operationalisation of the regional payment system, introduction of ECO-Visa, implementation to concrete border projects under the ECOWAS Cross Border Programme, among others.”

Touray said on the third strategic objective of Good Governance, the community budget would focus on building stronger regimes against anti-constitutional change of government and support member states to deepen democracy.

He noted that: “Here, our specific deliverables in the next four years will include; completing the transition to democracy in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Enhancing our election support to Member states including observation mission.

“Strengthening ECOWAS Court and the ECOWAS Parliament to play their democratic roles.

Instituting a broader mandate for intervention as a strong measure against anti-constitutional change of government.”

Touray disclosed that the fourth strategic objective was Inclusive and Sustainable Development which covers gender and social programmes, infrastructure and environment, adding that, “in the next four years, we intend to invest in food security, including further increase in the stock of our regional food security reserve.

“And the implementation of the ECOWAS rice Offensive Action Plan (2022-2025) to reduce our dependence on imports, as exposed by the Ukraine-Russia war.”

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NEWS

UBA FOUNDATION NATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION...

L-R: Company Secretary, UBA Group, Mr. Bili Odum; Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta; 1st Runner-up, 2022 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and Student of Value Spring College, Lagos, Miss Princess Sholabomi; Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba; Winner, 2022 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and student of Federal Government Girls College, Ikot Obio Itong, Akwa Ibom State, Miss Otong Usongobong Paul; 2nd Runner-up and student of Otta Tota Academy, Otta, Ogun State, Miss Sharon Nwajiaku; and Deputy Managing Director, UBA Group, Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, at the grand finale of the12th Edition of UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Senior Schools in Nigeria, held at the bank’s Amphitheater in Lagos...yesterday

Afenifere: Nigeria Heading Towards Afghanistan, Kidnapping on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Worrisome Condemns burning of INEC offices in Ogun, Osun Wants Amotekun deployed to effective security uses in South-west Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Foremost pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, yesterday, said the spate of kidnapping on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway was worrisome, warning that the country may be heading in the direction of Afghanistan. Afenifere gave the warning in a press statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.

Afenifere flayed the federal government for the development in the South-west The group bemoaned the recent attacks on some facilities belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun and Osun states, in another statement.

The Yoruba group called on the South-west governors to start deploying the regional security

outfit, Amotekun, to effective uses, especially, in the face of the increasing threat to national security.

The statement recounted the kidnap incident near Dominion University and the Shagamu Interchange on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the past weeks.

According to Afenifere, "Victims of the kidnaps included the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the

Kanu Shuns Court as Judge Adjourns Trial Indefinitely Alex Enumah in Abuja The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday refused to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is being tried on charges bordering on terrorism.

He has been in custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) since June 19, 2021, when security operatives forcefully renditioned him from Kenya back to the country to continue his trial on alleged treasonable felony amongst others.

Upon his extraordinary rendition, the federal government had arraigned him on an amended 15-count charge.

However, following his challenge of the competence of the charge as well as the court's jurisdiction, Justice Binta Nyako struck out eight of the charge and ordered him to answer to the remaining seven.

Upon his appeal against the decision of Justice Nyako, the Court of Appeal voided his arraignment on the grounds that his extraordinary rendition violated international conventions and protocols and subsequently ordered his release.

But the government begged the court to allow it to continue to keep Kanu while they appealed to the Supreme Court.

The continued detention at the DSS was said to have prompted Kanu's refusal to appear before the Federal High Court on Monday.

When the matter was called, lawyer to the federal government, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, explain-

ing Kanu's absence in court said, "he has declined to come to court."

According to him, he had called the office to find out why and was told that the defendant, "woke up this morning and objected that he was not going to come to court.”

Responding, Kanu's lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, informed the court that Kanu had expressed enthusiasm to be present in court when they last spoke.

“We are therefore surprised that the same person has refused to come to court,” he said.

However, the court stated that it was not necessary for Kanu to be in court since the day's proceedings was for parties to give a report on the status of the case.

After the parties briefed the court on the verdict of the Court of Appeal and pending appeals at the Supreme Court, Justice Nyako announced that the trial was to be adjourned indefinitely pending the determination of the appeals.

While the federal government in one of the appeals is praying the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which had on October 13, 2022, discharged Kanu from the terrorism allegations, Kanu on the other appeal is asking the apex court to nullify a ruling of the appellate court which stayed the execution of the judgment discharging him from the terrorism allegations.

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Hanatu Sankey had discharged Kanu of the terrorism charge on

grounds that his arraignment breached the Terrorism Act and other international laws.

According to the judgment, having illegally and forcefully renditioned the appellant, the trial court was stripped of jurisdiction to continue to try Kanu.

Dissatisfied, the federal government filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and also got an order staying the execution of the judgment freeing Kanu.

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje, and five others. Agbaje was released after payment of a ransom running into millions of naira.

"Reports also had it that suspected Fulani bandits attacked travellers on October 27, 2022, abducting five persons and killing several others. Two days after, on October 29th, seven bandits in Irele Ekiti-Oke Ako Highway in Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Ekiti State abducted four travellers.

"One of the survivors of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway kidnapping, 22-year old Aminat Taiwo, said the ‘kidnappers were more than 30; they covered their faces.

They were putting on army and police uniforms’. She later added that they shot victims, whose relatives could not pay the demanded ransoms.

"On Tuesday, November 8 this year, gunmen dressed in military uniforms again attacked commuters travelling on LagosIbadan Expressway. The gunmen reportedly stormed the road near Sagamu Interchange Lagos, and started shooting at passengers in the 18-passenger inter-state bus.”

In another development,

Afenifere expressed worries over reports of the burning of INEC offices in Abeokuta, Ogun State and Ede, Osun State at the weekend, saying, Afenifere is disturbed because the development may affect the 2023 elections.

The statement said, "Unauthorised burning of any property is condemnable by all standards. The fact that this type of arson reared its head in the South-west is unacceptable. It should be thoroughly investigated and made to be the last of such occurrence. There should be no excuse whatsoever to put the 2023 general election in jeopardy.”

Recalling the invasion of a Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in June this year by gunmen, Afenifere cited various kidnap incidents on a farm near Ipapo and on Okaka-Otu Road both in Oke-Ogun, as well as the ones that took place in Ibarapa area of Oyo State.

It further listed various kidnap and terror attacks in Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Kwara and Lagos States and expressed the hope that efforts would quickly be made to ensure that the situation in South-west did not degenerate into what waas obtainable in some parts

of the north.

Expressing fear that that kidnappers and bandits had become more daring, Afenifere, however, said it was time the "governors of the South West acted more decisively and more co-operatively to ensure that the region does not become a haven for terrorists and bandits,” and called on the federal government to show more seriousness in tackling the problem, “to prevent Nigeria from becoming another Afghanistan.”

Afenifere appealed to the "South-west governments to turn Amotekun into a strong regional outfit to protect the region,” saying, "The governors should collectively approach President Muhammadu Buhari along with the vice president to let them save their people from being enslaved by bandits.

“Drones and relevant security equipment must be purchased and deplored to quickly snuff life out of the monster that is threatening to consume us.

“Everything must be done to ensure that normalcy returns and that Nigeria does not become another region, where terrorists hold sway. South-west governors should do more!”

511 Bag Distinction as 13,667 Graduate from Ado Ekiti Polytechnic Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti An aggregate of 511 out of the 13,677 graduates of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, would bag distinction at its combined 18th convocation ceremonies slated for November 19, 2022.

Similarly, a former Lagos State Governor and Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi are to be decorated with fellowship awards of the institution during the ceremonies.

The Polytechnic Rector, Dr. Hephzibah Oladebeye, gave the revelation yesterday, in Ado Ekiti, during a pre- convocation press conference commemorating the 18th convocation and 45th anniversary of the establishment of the prestigious institution.

Oladebeye added that other dignitaries that would receive honours include: Mrs. Modupe

Babalola, the wife of a legal icon and university founder, Chief Afe Babalola; an alumnus of the institution, S.A. Fakologbon and Dr. Rotimi Ibidapo, who also graduated from the Polytechnic.

He said: "Their recognition is to appreciate them for their contributions to national development and humanity. This will also be a source of encouragement to the graduands and students, for them to know that they too can aspire to whatever height they aim at."

Giving the breakdown of the graduation list, the Rector, said the graduands include those who successfully completed their ordinary national diploma and higher diploma courses in periods spanning 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions.

Oladebeye, whose tenure would expire in four months time, said the institution now has a total of 15,000 OND and HND undergraduates

and 2,000 personnel across academic and non-academic strata that are contributing to the polytechnic's uplift.

The Rector stated that his administration has executed over 20 landmark projects to shore up the polytechnic's physical infrastructures, besides ensuring regular training, retraining and development of staff and timely payment of some of their emoluments.

The Rector was enthralled by the granting of approval to the institution by National Board for Technical Education( NBTE) and professional bodies, for the running of 14 new courses at the Diploma and Higher Diploma cadres, saying this would bolster the institution's ranking nationally and globally.

The Rector added; "With this NBTE's accreditation, our polytechnic now has 36 departments running various courses. This

confirms that we are developing fast and well positioned to offer qualitative education to Nigerians".

He said the university had sealed a deal with the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, for the running of degree courses in 11 academic areas, while also having affiliation with the Federal University of Technology, Minna, for degree programmes in some certain specialties.

He said the institution has established Adopoly FM to transmit news that would add value to the host community and the state, as well as generate employment and revenue for the citizens and the Polytechnic.

Oladebeye described funding as the major challenge constituting clog in the wheel of progress, calling on spirited individuals to partner in building the Polytechnic, bearing in mind that government can't solely fund any tertiary institution.

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NEWS

28TH NIGERIAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT...

L-R: Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Asue Ighodalo at the 28th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja...yesterday

Saraki: G-5 Governors’ Crisis With PDP, Atiku over Soon

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday, said the current political differences between the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and G-5 governors of the party, spearheaded by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, would soon be resolved.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on the sidelines of 10th year remembrance of his late father and former Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, the former governor of the state stated that, "We will surprise Nigerians and we are going to work together to better the lot of Nigerians. We will surprise Nigerians. This is because we all think about what is good for this country.

"Look at the poverty that is on the street. Look at how governance has not gone well. We will put Nigerians first, because Nigerians want PDP back in power. The little differences between Governor Wike and Alhaji Abubakar, we will resolve them and at the end of the day, whether it is Wike or others, all of us in PDP want a better Nigeria."

Recounting the memorable time

with his late father, Saraki said, “It was the time he was convincing me to go into politics. It was not easy.

In fact, it was a battle. I resisted it. But today, I can see that the greatest satisfaction in life is to see people progress.

"The only thing we can do as his children is to sustain his legacy of making sure lives of the people are better as well as stand for the truth. Though it is not easy to stand for the truth, I am out to stand for a better Kwara."

Other dignitaries at the fidau prayers held at Ilorin Central Mosque, included Minister of State, Mine and Steel Development, Senator Gbemisola Saraki; ex-Kwara State governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed; former PDP national chairman,

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has expressed concern over the monetisation of politics in the country.

Jega, a chieftain of the People's Redemption Party (PRP), noted that in civilised clime,elections were won on the basis of integrity, truth, confidence and support of the electorate.

Speaking during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the PRP in Abuja, the ex-INEC boss, revealed that the PRP would make inroads in next year's election.

According to him, "We have to work assiduously towards the success of our great party. It is not money that wins election.

Although in this country, it appears it is now on the front banner in winning election."

He, therefore, charged party members to team up and work together for the party to emerge victorious in the 2023 general election.

Jega expressed confidence in the

sembly, Prof Ali Ahmad, state PDP chairman, Hon Babatunde Mohammed, Senator Saraki's wife, Toyin; 2023 governorship candidate and his deputy, Alhaji Shuaib Yaman Abdullahi and Hon Gbenga Makanjuola, among others.

2023: Peace Committee Worries over Conduct of Politicians Urges presidential candidates to rein in their spokesmen Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Peace Committee, has raised concerns over infractions being committed by candidates of political parties and their spokesmen in the ongoing electioneering activities.

It urged all the candidates to rein in their spokespersons and those, who claimed to represent them and their parties in the public media.

Going forward, the peace committee urged the law enforcement agencies to enforce the law with the understanding that everyone would be held accountable for their actions, no matter their status.

In a statement jointly signed

by Co-conveners of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, (retd) and Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the committee said it had become evident that some of the political actors had not learnt any lessons from the past.

The statement read: "Nigerians are genuinely concerned, troubled and disappointed by the conduct and attitude of some of the political actors in the last few weeks.

Nigerians have been fed a menu of intemperate language, intimidation and outright violence in the field of the campaigns.

"It is evident that some of our actors have not learnt any les-

sons from the past. There is an increasing tone of desperation, if not incitement, among some of the contestants and members of their parties. Intra and inter party wrangling still persist, with occasions of violence. In desperation, some selfish political actors use these strategies to pursue their frivolous ambitions in the courts."

NPC recalled that when all the presidential candidates and the party chairmen signed the Peace Accord, they were committed to infusing a sense of decency, civility and nobility tothe political process, adding that political actors could not pretend to be oblivious of the content of the Peace Accord they

Jega: Monetisation of Nigeria's Politics Worrisome Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; and former youth and sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi.

Others were Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, ex-minister of transportation, Hon Bio Ibrahim, ex-speaker of the Kwara State House of As-

presidential candidate of PRP, Kola Abiola, noting that he would win the contest going by his pedigree and accomplishments.

"This is a very important meeting organised by stakeholders of the party. I feel very happy that I have been invited to be part of this meeting.

"Yes, our chairman has indicated in his opening remarks that unity is strength. Our party is the oldest party presently in this country.

It is also the party with the best

vision and ideology. So, it is a party, whose time has come.

"I am very glad to see that we have chosen a very patriotic and intellectually sound Nigerian as our presidential candidate. We have also chosen the vice presidential candidate. He is also vibrant and a professional.

"This is the time for the party to make significant impact in this country. What is required is the unity of party members. We have to remain united and we have to

give it out.

"What you will need to win an election clearly is to gain the truth, confidence and support of the electorate. And we are capable of winning the trust of the electorate.

"We will meet them. We will convince them. So, we have individual and collective responsibility to give our best and promote our candidates, our party manifesto and to ensure that we gain the trust of our candidates," he said.

signed.

According to the committee, Nigerians expected that as men and women of honour, the candidates and their parties would be committed to keeping their words.

NPC said it had watched with utter sadness and deep concern, the deterioration in the communication of fundamental issues among the politicians since the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, lifted the ban on political campaigns on September 28th, 2022.

"We call on all the candidates to rein in their spokespersons and those, who claim to represent them and their parties in the public media. All candidates will be held responsible for what is said on their behalf or of their party.

"Aggressive and abusive language only diminishes the integrity of the individuals, their candidates and their parties. Nigerians should be ready to punish instigators of violence by isolating them or their candidates.

"We call on the federal and state governments to ensure a level playing field for all parties in the course of the campaigns. Access to federal or state facilities must be open to all candidates as long as they meet their financial and other commitments to using the facilities.

"It is morally wrong to abuse the power of incumbency by

DHQ Declares 19 Terrorists Wanted, Places N5million Bounty Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, declared 19 terrorists wanted and placed a N5 million bounty on each of them.

A poster released in Abuja by the Director, Defence Information, Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, said the notorious terrorists had terrorised Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

The information on the poster said, the N5 million cash reward was for anyone, who could provide information that could lead to arrest

of one wanted terrorist.

The wanted terrorists included Sani Dangote, who hails from Dumbarum Village in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara; Bello Turji Gudda from Fakai in Zamfara; Leko from Mozoj Village in Mutazu LGA of Katsina State; and Dogo Nahali from Yar Tsamiyar Village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State.

Others were Halilu Sububu from Sububu Village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara; Nagona, from Angwan Galadima in Isa LGA

of Sokoto State; Nasanda from Kwashabawa Village in Zurmi LGA of Zamara; Isiya Kwashen Garwa from Kamfanin Daudawa Village of Faskari in Katsina State and Ali Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from Kuyambara Village in Dansadau Maru of Zamfara.

Also on the list were Abu Radde from Varanda Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State; Dan-Da from Varanda Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina; Sani Gurgu also from Varanda Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina; Umaru Dan Nigeria,

from RAFI Village in Mada District of Gusau; Alhaji Ado Aliero from Yankuzo Village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara; Monore from Yantumaki Village in Dan LGA, and Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele Village in Zuri LGA of Zamfara.

The terrorists being wanted further included Baleri, from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara; Mamudu Tainange from Varanda Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State and Nagala from Maru LGA of Zamfara.

subverting the efforts of those who are in opposition to the status quo.

Parties and citizens do not lose their rights, because they are opposed to the party in power. All citizens are above political parties.”

NPC further recalled that the presidential candidates and their running mates had met and participated in the signing of the Peace Accord too at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

"Since its successful outing preceding the 2015 presidential election, the signing of the Peace Accord, has become embedded in our electioneering activities. Over the years, the event has elevated the level of trust and confidence among ordinary Nigerians in the Democratic process. Some have even called for the institutionalisation of the process into our democratic process due to its moral significance," it said.

NPC said it has continued to maintain its partnership with the INEC to deliver peaceful elections in our country, adding also that the international community had taken very keen interest in the development and progress of Nigeria on the path of democracy.

To this end, NPC said it has continued to work with and received high level delegations from Europe and the United States of America interested in the nation’s elections.

It stated: "We appreciate the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari in collaboration with the National Assembly has shown their commitment to ensuring the successful elections. On our part, we, the members of the Peace Committee, are also encouraged by the progress and innovation that INEC, has continued to make under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

"All Nigerians can testify to this development by the successes recorded in the peaceful conduct of the off-cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States. We are not where we want to be, yet, but we are right to assume that we can do more.”

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NEWS

18TH ALL NIGERIA EDITORS CONFERENCE...

L-R: General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Iyobosa Uwugiaren; Dr. Reuben Abati; Oguwike Nwachuku and Victoria Ibanga at the 18th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Owerri, Imo State…recently

Akwa Ibom: Court Sacks Udofia, Akpabio as APC's Guber, Senatorial Candidates Alex Enumah in Abuja and Okon Bassey in Uyo

The hope of two candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) participating in the 2023 general elections was dashed by the courts yesterday.

While a Federal High Court in Uyo, nullified the candidacy of Mr. Akanimo Udofia as APC's governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, similarly sacked former Niger Delta Minister and former Akwa Ibom Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio as candidate of the party for the Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District election.

In the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Agatha Okeke, the court held that Udofia

was unlawfully nominated by the APC and subsequently nullified his emergence as the party's flag bearer in the forthcoming election.

Former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang had dragged the APC to court for declaring Udofia as candidate of the APC for the Akwa Ibom governorship election.

Following the legal tussle, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declined to list the name of Udofia as APC's candidate for the Akwa Ibom governorship election.

Enang amongst others had claimed that Udofia did not take part in all phases of the APC’s gubernatorial primary election, therefore could not be lawfully declared as winner of the guber primary, adding that Udofia was

not a member of the APC, having contested the primary election of the People's Democratic Party, few days before he was announced as APC's candidate.

Enang further told the court that the purported primary that produced Udofia was not monitored

by INEC hence should be voided.

However, delivering judgment, Justice Okeke agreed with the plaintiff that Udofia did not satisfy the provisions of the electoral laws, which stipulates that he ought to have been a member of the APC for at least 30 days before the nomination.

The court further held that the waiver Udofia allegedly got from the APC was not signed by, “any known persons.”

Justice Okeke subsequently

nullified the election and ordered that a fresh primary be conducted within 14 days.

According to the judgment Udofia should be excluded from participating in the fresh primary.

Meanwhile, the appellate court yesterday, citing similar unlawful nomination sacked Akpabio as APC's senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North Senatorial seat The three-man panel in their judgment set aside a Federal High Court decision which had recognised Akpabio as the authentic candidate of the APC. In the lead judgment delivered

by Justice Danlami Senchi the court held that Akpabio failed to file a proof of arguments within the time provided by the rules.

Besides, Justice Senchi stated that

Akpabio did not participate in the May 27, valid primary monitored

by INEC. The said primary election had produced the appellant, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom, while Akpabio claimed to have emerged from a second primary conducted by the APC on June 9.

Due to the legal tussle INEC again declined to list any candidate for the APC in the senatorial election, a development that forced Akpabio to drag the electoral umpire to court.

Amongst others he had contended that INEC cannot refuse to publish his name as submitted by his party as candidate of the APC for the Akwa Ibom North Senatorial seat.

But in the then ruling, the trial

court held that INEC does not have powers to refuse to publish the name submitted to it by any political party for an election and subsequently ordered the commission to publish the name of Akpabio as the party’s candidate.

The lower court had also directed the electoral umpire to accept the former Akwa Ibom governor as the APC flagbearer, adding that the Commission acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish the Akpabio’s name when it was submitted to it by the APC as its candidate.

However, after voiding the candidacy of Akpabio yesterday, the appellate court ordered INEC to recognise Udom Ekpoudom as APC's authentic candidate for Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District.

by the end of December.

Ahmed advocated enhanced tax education to ensure that more Nigerians paid taxes willingly.

The minister said the theme for the summit was carefully chosen to provide direction for stakeholders to examine the progress made so far by the current administration in terms of achievement of the policies, programmes and projects encapsulated in the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025.

On the panel discussion also was Peterside, who said some criminal elements in the government were taking undue advantage of government policies to enrich themselves at the expense of vulnerable Nigerians.

He argued that there was no way the country could achieve true prosperity when a few people in government hijacked the policies meant to better the lives of the citizens.

Peterside said for any meaningful headway in the country, the issues of fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rates must be addressed.

He said the “Nigeria we need must ensure that every citizen has a stake in the now and future of the country as well as make the states, not only the federal government, hubs of innovation.”

He lamented poor funding of agriculture and education, as well as the gaps in social infrastructure.

Peterside stated that the country’s present economic woes were a result of massive distortions, including petrol subsidies, and multiple exchange rates created during the present administration.”

In his keynote address Dozie said

the country was full of illusions and delusions of democratic governance, adding that sovereignty currently resides with the states rather than the people.

He criticised the use of public funds to build religious organisations or fund their activities, saying it contravenes the country’s constitution.

Dozie said trust between the citizens and government was broken, stressing that the current democracy is only better than the military era. He said the government and criminals remained the true enemies of the people, adding that the country should be process-led to minimise frictions.

He stressed the need to prioritise the building of a private sector-led economy and a more conducive regulatory environment for businesses to thrive.

He said presidential aspirants and other top politicians contesting the 2023 elections must make it a priority to amend the Land Use Act, tackle insecurity and all forms of espionage, and ensure that the education curriculum met expectations.

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said the NDP 2021 – 2025 had a unique objective of establishing a strong foundation for concentric economic diversification.

Agba said this implied that the economy had already been diversified but needed to deepen the diversification effort within the sectors such that each sector could substantially increase its contribution to GDP and create more jobs.

NESG SETS PRIORITIES FOR ATIKU, TINUBU, OBI, KWANKWASO, OTHERS Stating that the country must start by achieving macroeconomic stability, Ighodalo said this was the foundation for economic growth.

He explained that Nigeria's economic competitiveness was weak, adding that the country does not produce enough for local needs and cannot produce for the world.

The outgoing NESG chairman called for active steps to multiply the productive output, particularly, in areas that support foreign exchange earnings and enhance livelihoods, oil and gas (gas particularly), agriculture and its manufactured derivatives.

Ighodalo also stressed that the next government, by May 29, 2023, must revisit the issues of fuel subsidy removal, review the exchange rate management policies, reduce the rate of borrowings and focus on revenue enhancement measures without stifling the private sector.

He also said the next administration should identify appropriate mechanisms for tackling inflation, especially food inflation.

To sustain the needed turnaround, he said the new government "must be ready for office, show that it has an understanding of the issues and that it will utilise the most competent people".

"I have assumed that the issues of security will continue to be decisively and effectively tackled," he added.

Buhari, who was represented at the summit by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said with pressing national, and global economic challenges, and emerging local and global trends, the task ahead of the Nigerian nation required partnership, innovative thinking,

and disciplined implementation by both governments and the private sector.

Buhari also stressed the need to focus on increasing local production and moderating demand for foreign exchange.

The president pointed out that in addition to the monetary policy measures being undertaken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to rein in inflation, “We would need to increase domestic production of food and ensure that it gets to the market.”

Buhari further highlighted the need for increased productivity and value addition across different sectors of the economy so as to create more jobs for Nigerians, especially the youth, and increase national revenue for further development.

His address highlighted key issues, including youth development, improving macroeconomic conditions, effect of climate change, need for a just transition to net-zero emissions, debt-for-climate swap deal for African countries, and the launch of the African Carbon Market Initiative at the on-going COP-27 in Egypt.

Buhari emphasised the need for more intentional and focused investment in youths, especially in globally marketable skills, access to credit, protection of intellectual property rights of innovators, and inventors and access to global markets.

He said in spite of economic growth in recent times, revenue challenges had created debt problems for the country.

The president said, “On the

positive side, the economy continues to grow with GDP growth at 3.54 per cent in the second quarter of this year. Non-oil revenues have similarly continued to improve due in part to strategic revenue initiatives, including the annual Finance Act. “But it is still our revenue challenges that heighten the notion that we have a debt problem, which is really not the case, given that our debt to GDP ratio is just 23 per cent.”

Ahmed said a major reason for publishing the monthly FAAC allocations to states was to sensitise citizens to their civic responsibility to follow the funds and ask critical questions where necessary.

She admitted that there had been a weak link in the government’s communication with citizens, especially in tax education. But she said the current administration was exploring ways of improving citizens' engagement.

The minister also said there was need to amend the social contract to ensure that more Nigerians paid their taxes.

Among other things, she said the country must urgently diversify its economy, stating that apart from telecommunications and ICT, no other sector of the economy currently recorded enough growth.

The minister said the government needed to mobilise external resources, especially Nigerians in the diaspora, to boost revenue earnings, adding that the country required an exponential growth rate to realise its development aspirations.

Ahmed said while efforts should

be sustained to reduce poverty and high food prices, driven by high transportation costs, it was important to develop the transport sector and improve non-oil revenue.

She said the government was currently finalising the country’s Perspective Plan- Nigeria Agenda 2050 to replace Nigeria Vision 2020, which lapsed in December 2020.

“We are in the second year of the implementation of the NDP with the private sector taking the lead,” she added.

Ahmed said, “Although challenged by a shortfall in revenues, the government kept its pact by prioritising capital releases in favour of critical on-going infrastructural projects in the power, roads, rail, agriculture, health and education sectors. This is with a view to strengthening the Nigerian economy post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources are being mobilised with less emphasis on oil revenues.

“As we implement the National Development Plan 2021-2025, the financing from the government will rely heavily on domestic resource mobilisation from non-oil revenue sources through the results of the implementation of the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRGI) and the Annual Finance Acts. This will improve and further diversify government revenues and entrench fiscal prudence and value for money.”

She highlighted the improvement in non-oil tax revenue, stating that as of September, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) generated N10 trillion while the collections are expected to increase to N12 trillion

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NEWS

AREPO/JOURNALISTS’ ESTATE ROAD INAUGURATED…

L-R: Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, at the inauguration of the Arepo/Journalists’ Estate Road in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State…yesterday

FG: Perennial Violence, Underdevelopment in Niger Delta Caused by Failure of Govts, IOCs

Peter Uzoho and Ugo Aliogo

The federal government has blamed the perennial violence and underdevelopment in

the oil producing Niger Delta region on the neglect and failure of government at all three levels and the international oil companies

NNPP Guber Candidate Accuses Masari of Bankrupting Katsina FrancisSardaunainKatsina The Katsina State governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Mohammed Nura Khalil, has accused the state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari-led government of bankrupting the state with numerous loans.

Khali, who stated this to journalists at the sideline of his meeting with the 34 local government area officials of the party, said the state was technically bankrupted due to mismanagement of its resources by the Masari’s administration.

He said: “Looking at what is happening in Katsina State, we can state that technically our state is bankrupt due to the mismanagement of its resources by the present administration and also with various debts which they have taken to execute projects, and cannot pay back the money.”

Khalil, however, said he would change the narrative if elected governor in 2023 by bringing in investors that will partake in various field of endeavour to provide new avenues for internally generated revenue in the state.

(IOCs).

The Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, stated this yesterday in Lagos, in his remarks at the unveiling of the book, “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: The Contentious Search for Peace in the Niger Delta.”

The book was written by

three retirees of Chevron Nigeria Limited - Mr. Jide Ajide, Mr. John Ashima and Mr. Oluwole Agunbiade, and published by Jijowo Publishers, a company jointly owned by the authors.

Represented by the Director General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Prof. Anthonia Taiye

Simbine, Agba stated that a fundamental dimension to the protracted Niger Delta crisis was the factor of geography, which had historically posed objective difficulties for the development of the region.

He noted that several policies and programmes had been initiated by the federal government to

address the challenges of the Niger Delta including the establishment of the Niger Delta Development (NDDB), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), but they yielded minimal positive outcomes.

Nigerians Begging PDP to Reclaim Power from APC over Hardship, Says Ex-Katsina SSG

FrancisSardaunainKatsina

The former Secretary to the Katsina State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, has said Nigerians are begging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to return to power over alleged untold hardship inflicted on them by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government

in the country.

The erstwhile state pioneer chairman of the APC explained that the party had failed to provide qualitative and competent leadership that is direly needed to steer the ship of the Nigerian nation to unity and prosperity hence the current security and economic woes.

Speaking during the inauguration of the newly appointed PDP

chairman in state, Alhaji Lawal Magaji, at the party’s secretariat, Inuwa added that most Nigerians could no longer afford food due to economic quagmire orchestrated by the present administration.

Inuwa, who contested governorship primary on the platform of the APC but lost to Dr. Umar Dikko Radda, recently dumped the party alongside his

627 support groups across the 361 political wards of the state for the opposition PDP. He said: “We thanked God for bringing us together under PDP, the party that people, not only those in Katsina state, but Nigeria at large are begging to return back to power or reclaim power from APC because of untold hardship that party brought to Nigerians.

Mass Skills Acquisition ‘ll Promote Job Creation, Self-employment Oyebanji Appoints Eight Special Advisers NASENI: The Executive Vice Chairman Keffi, Nasarawa State at the assessments. self-employment.

Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti

As part of efforts to position his administration for excellent service delivery, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed eight special advisers(SAs), to play some strategic roles in the government.

Among them is the former Ekiti State Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria(CAN) and All Progressives Congress(APC), Chief Jide Awe. Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary(CPS) to Oyebanji, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, was also elevated to the SA status.

The appointments were

contained in a statement signed by Oyebode, in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.

Those appointed and their portfolios, according to the statement are: Mr. Niyi Adebayo (Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management), Mrs Tayo Adeola (Investment, Trade and industry); Mr Ebenezer Boluwade (Agriculture and Food Security).

Others include: Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye (Education, Science and Technology); Chief Awe (Political and Inter Party Affairs); Architect Tope Ogunleye (Bureau of Special Project); Mr. Seun Fakuade (Governance, Reforms and Innovation); and Mr Oyebode (Media and Strategy/ CPS).

Group Seeks Improved Partnership to End Child Abuse

Gideon Arinze inEnugu

A group, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), seeking to protect the rights of women and girls has called for partnership from critical stakeholders in tackling the issue of child abuse in Enugu State.

The Executive Director, WACOL, Joy Ezeilo, stated this yesterday during a stakeholders’ consultative forum to consider and adopt strategies for the full implementation of child’s rights law of Enugu State, organised by the group in partnership with agents for citizens-driven

transformation programme.

Ezeilo, who was represented at the forum by the Programme Manager of WACOL, Mrs. Anuli Ezennia, said stakeholders must come together to ensure the removal of all roadblocks in the effective implementation of the Childs Right Law of Enugu State.

She noted that findings from a research undertaken by the Development Strategy Centre across four local government areas and four villages on the prevalence of child abuse showed that it was still high, hence, the need to sensitise the people.

and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, yesterday said the ongoing mass training of youths and artisans on modern skills will create jobs and promote self-employment in the country.

Haruna, who stated this in

opening of skill acquisition training and youth empowerment on modern methods of casting plaster of paris (POP), noted that the training was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, the training modules for each state and geopolitical zones have been based on feasibilities and needs

He said: “This programme is in the first-phase of North-Central regional skill development

by NASENI as part of the implementation of the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari to the agency on development of capacity of Nigerian youths in various trades, to ensure skills acquisition for job creation and

“The ongoing skill development training and youth empowerment programme of the agency across the country is aimed at introducing modern and technological ways of carrying out already existing occupation and trades, in order to make practitioners more efficient and to enhance growth and sustainability.”

2023: Upcoming Govt Admonished to Brace Up for Economic Challenges Emmanuel Olorunda-Otaru As the 2023 general elections draw near, the upcoming government has been admonished to brace up for the economic crisis they are going to inherit.

This advice was given by former African Director, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Engr.

Alex Neyin , at this year’s 12th annual Chief Executive Officers

(CEOs)’ dinner/awards nite of Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES), with theme: ‘2023: A Preview Into Nigeria’s Political Economy’, held in Lagos.

Apprehensions are high over the nation’s economic situation considering the fact that there are so many loans repayment and loan servicing. To tackle this, there must be a well-laid-out plan and strategy to tackle the economy.

According to Neyin, “this is not the Nigeria we knew growing up, things are terribly in bad shape.

We have been in this economic mess for a long time. Nobody wants to put his money where it is not secure.” ‘’There must be a clear synergy and agreement between the three arms of government to solve the economic problems of the country. If this is done, all the other influencers

of the government will take a cue or get burnt,” he said, adding that for a viable economy, the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary must work in synergy, each doing its duties well to move the country forward.

He also admonished that “Nigeria must only go for her needs and not her wants for her to get out of this economic mess.”

N800m Oil Drilling Pipes: Rivers Court Detains Ex-Anambra Guber Aspirant Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the detention of a former governorship aspirant of Anambra State, Walter Ubaka Okeke, in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

The trial Chief Magistrate, A. O. Amadi-Nna, had during the

last sitting on November 1, 2022, issued a bench warrant as well as a warrant of arrest against Okeke.

The former gubernatorial aspirant is facing a trial in suit number: PMC/884c/2022, which bothers on alleged stealing of oil drilling pipes and many heavy duty equipment worth over N800million.

Part of the suit filed by the

state Commissioner of Police on May 27, 2022, stated that: “You, Walter Ubaka Okeke, and others now at large, did conspire to commit felony to wit: stealing, and therefore committed an offence punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law Cap 37 Vol 2, Laws of Rivers State.”

The suit further mentioned the value of the alleged stolen property to be over N800million-items said

to be property of a Port Harcourt business man, Mr. IfeanyiAmaonye, kept in the open at the accused’s compound at Trans-Amadi.

Okeke was produced in court yesterday following the Magistrate order for arrest.

The police prosecutor, Godday Amadi, had told the Chief Magistrate how the police succeeded in arresting the accused and brought to the court.

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NEWSXTRA

NASENI YOUTH SKILL ACQUISITION TRAINING…

L-R:National Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, Mamman Alakayi; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, the Chairman of the Occasion, Senator Solomon Awuga, and Osu Ajiri of Edege Chiefdom, Halilu Bala Usman, during the opening ceremony of NASENI Skill Acquisition Training and Youth Employment programme at Gora Angwan Karara in Nasarawa State… yesterday

Oil Theft: Court Remands 16 Foreigners in Rivers Blessing Ibunge inPort Harcourt

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has remanded 16 foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in oil theft and other offences.

The suspects facing three counts of conspiracy, stealing, attempt to deal with crude oil, were arraigned in court yesterday, before Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed.

The foreigners from, Poland, India, Sri-Lanka, and Pakistan were arrested along with their vessels Mt. Heroic Idun and remanded in the vessel, pending

the adjournment today (Tuesday) to allow the other 10 accused to take their pleas.

Their offences according to the charge sheet made available to THISDAY included: “conspiracy to commit a maritime offence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019 and punishable under section 12 of the same Act.” The suspects were also accused of August 2022 at Akpo Oil Field Rivers State within the exclusive economic

Insecurity: Kwara Donates 10 Operational Vehicles to Police Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Piqued by the reported cases of insecurity in Kwara State, the state government yesterday donated 10 new patrol vehicles to the “Operation Harmony Tactical Team,” to strengthen security of lives and properties and build confidence within the business community.

The tactical team is a combined security outfit under the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police.

Presenting the patrol vehicles in Ilorin to the Command’s Police Commissioner, Mr. Paul Odama, the Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said that “it is the third time

the administration is giving out operational vehicles to the police to beef up security in the state.

AbdulRazaq said: “It has similarly donated patrol vehicles to other security agencies at various times.

“We are supporting our security agencies by giving them additional equipment to make their jobs easier.

“As you have seen, the security issue in the country is getting better daily. We want to keep it that way.”

AbdulRazaq commended the police and other security agencies in the state for their gallantry in making Kwara one of the safest states in Nigeria.

RSMs Training Strategic for Military Operations, Says COAS Onuminya Innocent InSokoto The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen Farouk Yahaya said Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) training convention is strategic on Army operations as well as enhanced discipline in the Nigerian Army.

Farouk stated this yesterday in Sokoto at the RSMs second convention 2022.

The COAS noted that building the capacity of RSMs is crucial to Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness considering the important roles they play as custodian of discipline and regimentation.

“We held the first convention early this year in Lagos and it was impactful hence the need to approve biannual of this convention again in Sokoto he stated.

He maintained that the theme of

this convention “capacity building for RSMs in the Nigerian Army for enhanced regimentation is apt and timely at the time Army is countering terrorism and insurgency .

He urged the participants to expressed their views for cross fertilisation of ideas “Let me tell you since the Mr President gave us marching order to deal ruthlessly with the enemies of the country there is no hiding place for terrorists and insurgency he added .

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing resources for them to carry out their duty effectively.

He also commended Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state for his good cordial relationship with the Army in the state by providing lands for Army to build barracks and other facilities.

zone within the jurisdiction of the court of committing an offence of, “falsefully pretended to become victims of maritime offence in order to evade lawful interception by Nigeria Navy ship Gongola (NNS Gongola) and suppression of Piracy and other maritime offences Act, 2019 and punishable under section 12 of the same Act.” Also that the suspects

“attempted to deal with crude oil within the Nigeria Exclusive Economic zone without lawful authority and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (17) of the miscellaneous offences Act, 2004.”

The 16 accused persons who were present in the court, including Captain of the ship Mehta Tanuj an Indian, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lead prosecution counsel, Abidemi Adewumi-Aluko, an Assistant Chief State Counsel pleaded for the adjournment of the case to today, to enable the remaining 10 accused persons arraigned and take their own pleas.

Defence counsel, Udoka Ezeobi, while not opposing the application of the prosecution counsel pleaded that they be

remanded in the vessel and be granted “unfettered access to their medical needs”.

In reaction to the arguments by the counsels in the matter, Justice Mohammed granted the applications of the prosecution counsel ordering that the men be remanded in the vessel with security personnel and that access be granted them to their medical needs.

Abiodun Inaugurates 2.35km Arepo/Journalists’ Estate Road Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State yesterday inaugurated the 2.35km Arepo/Journalists’ Estate Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

Prior to the construction of the road, residents of the estate and its environs, were facing untold hardship. However, succour has come their way following the

inauguration of the road.

Speaking at the event, Abiodun noted that the project was another commitment to the realisation of the project to ease the stress of the people. The governor explained that the government would continue to fulfill its promises to the people.

He added that the road was poised to bring about a rebound

in social and economic activities of the area.

He said: “I return today to celebrate that promise made to you in 2018 . This is our way of coming back to say thank you. The road is made of interlocking stones, street lights, side walk and drainage system. We understand the fact that the road leads to over 46

communities in Arepo.”.

Abiodun assured them that there would continue to be construction and rehabilitation of inter-city roads until every roads in the state becomes motorable.

He noted that the state government was determined to raise the bar of road constructions in the 20 local government areas.

‘Drug Allegation against Tinubu Shows Atiku, Obi Manifesting Defeat’ Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti A group named National Unity Movement for Bola Ahmed Tinubu(NUMBAT), has said the allegation of drug dealings against the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an indication that the major opposition parties have foreseen failure ahead of 2023.

NUMBAT regretted how the duo of the Peoples Democratic

Party(PDP)’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart in Labour Party(LP), Peter Obi, had allegedly resorted to character assassination, saying this substantiated the fact that defeat was already staring them in the face.

Director General of NUMBAT and former member, House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, said this at a press conference held in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.

Faparusi lambasted the opposition for exhuming a case that had long been consigned to the dustbin of history, saying this desperation won’t help the duo of Atiku, Obi and other purveyors of lies in 2023.

The former Ekiti Commissioner, described Tinubu as a leader with uncommon touch and demonstrable ability, as exemplified in the radical way he developed Lagos during his eight years reign.

The former National Assembly member charged the opposition to campaign based on records, rather than character assassination that would further dim their hope of upstaging the ruling party in 2023.

Faparusi, who described Tinubu as a well established technocrat and accomplished Nigerian since the 80’s said: “These character assassination and exhumation of fake and dead news won’t help the opposition, it will further create problem for them.

Yahaya Launches New Buses for Gombe Line, Mega Schools, NUJ Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has inaugurated 40 new buses as part of his administration’s commitment to providing affordable, convenient and reliable means of transportation to the citizens of the State.

Thirty of the buses were deployed to the fleet of the State Transport Service, popularly

known as Gombe Line, five buses to the five newly established Mega Schools and two ambulances to hospitals in order to help them address their essential mobility needs while similar gestures were extended to Gombe State Students Association (GOSSA) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in recognition of the constructive role they play in the development of the society.

Governor Inuwa had on

coming to office procured 50 brand new buses for the Gombe Line, bringing to 80 the total of buses bought by the present administration to enhance service delivery at the State transport company.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Yahaya observed that Gombe Line plays a vital role in the physical integration and social cohesion of the people by connecting communities, opening

doors to travelers, facilitating the movement of goods and services, as well as providing job opportunities to teeming youths.

“With these additional buses, this brings to 80 the total number of buses bought since the inception of our administration. This will no doubt enhance service delivery and help Gombe Line to open up new routes so as to better connect our people with other parts of the country.”

Alleged Forgery: Court Remands Epe High Chief, Ikuforiji Wale Igbintade

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday revoked the earlier bail granted to the Balogun of Epe, Chief Olajide Ikuforiji, and granted him new bail conditions.

The trial Judge, Justice Abdulazees Anka, also ordered Ikuforiji to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Ikoyi in Lagos pending

the perfection of the fresh bail conditions.

The defendant, who is currently facing trial for alleged forgery and uttering of documents, has not been attending to his trial consequent upon which the prosecutor, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, from the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, sought a warrant of arrest, which was granted by the court.

However, when the trial

resumed yesterday, the defendant alongside his lawyer, K.S Lawal, appeared in court.

In his submission before the court, the defendant counsel told the court that he had two applications pending before the court. He said one of the motions is asking the court to set aside the earlier warrant of arrest against the defendant while the second motion is asking the

court to set aside the earlier order which foreclosed the defendant’s case due to his prolong absence to open his defence or filed any written defence But the prosecutor, Agwu, in his opposition to the hearing of the two applications, said he was just served with advance copy of the motions at the court premises, and as such, the applications are not ripe for hearing.

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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

WELL DESERVED AWARD…

Chairperson, Bodex Group International, Bodex Hungbo(left) and Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole of Institute of Information Management(IIM) when Bodex Social Media Hangout won the award for Excellence in Data and Information Management in Abuja…recently

I’m Not Oblivious of Your Challenges, CJN Tells Judges Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola yesterday assured judges in the country that he was not oblivious of the challenges confronting them, just as he commended them for remaining as, “the last hope of the common man”.

Justice Ariwoola, who gave the assurance in Abuja, at the opening of the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference of the Lower Courts, noted that notwithstanding the challenges, “some of which affect the effective discharge of your duties, thereby causing delays in the administration of

justice,” the judges have done very well.

Harping on the contributions of the Judiciary to the sustenance of Nigeria’ s democracy, the CJN who was represented by Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court noted that but for the judiciary, the nation would plunge into a state of anarchy.

“Foremost, let me commend each and every one of you for your relentless efforts and commitment towards the preservation of the prestige and relevance of the Nigeria Judiciary.

“It is important for me to acknowledge your invaluable contributions irrespective of the

15 Shops Razed in Kwara Hammed Shittu incomplexIlorin About 15 shops were reportedly burnt to ashes yesterday following the midnight inferno that gutted a shopping complex at AtibaIyalamu Oja-Tuntun area of Ilorin in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Already, the shop owners have started count their losses due to the inferno as they appealed to the state government and wealthy individuals to come to their aid.

During the incident, it was gathered that property worth several millions of naira were affected by the inferno.

Sources close to the area told journalists in Ilorin yesterday that15 out of the 20 shops were burnt beyond recognition during the incident.

Sources added that the inferno was said to have been caused by power surge that occurred in one

of the shops and later spread to other shops in the shopping complex.

THISDAY further learnt that no one noticed the ravaging inferno on time until a Good Samaritan in the area alerted the men of the state fire service.

The development, however, prompted the men of the state fire service to deploy their equipment to the scene of the incident in order to quench the spread of the inferno.

Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity, State Fire Service, Mr. Hakeem Adekunle, confirmed the incident and said that “fire has burnt 15 shops in a shopping complex comprised of 20 shops at Atiba-Iyalamu Oja-Tuntun Area, in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

“The fire outbreak occurred at midnight hours of yesterday and no one was able to notice the ravaging inferno on time.

many challenges that beset the Judiciary, some of which have remained recurrent in past years, you have continued to evolve and rise to the occasion; as such, there is no better forum for me to commend your tenacity other than the All Nigeria Judges’

Conference of the Lower Courts,” he said.

While warning that the judiciary cannot afford to take the back seat or relax efforts in the building of the Nigerian nation, he said the judiciary must at all times present a

united front and ensure that the, “confidence reposed in us does not wane.”

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Luke Onofiok, speaking with journalists shortly after the opening ceremony

noted that the lawmakers were not unmindful of the challenges facing the judiciary.

He said although the increase of the judiciary’s proposed budget for 2023 was not enough, it was far better than nothing.

Ikpeazu Outraged as DSS Operative Butchers Ex-Abia Deputy Speaker EmmanuelUgwu-Nwogoin Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed outrage over the brutal attack and multiple machete cuts inflicted on a former Deputy Speaker of the state House ofAssembly, Hon Chinedum Elechi, who is the director-general of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation.

He alleged that the person behind the attack which happened last Sunday in Umuahia, the state capital, was an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) from Ebonyi State Command. However, it could not be ascertained what brought the operative to Umuahia.

Ikpeazu expressed his anger in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, in which he also

condemned the attack “in strongest terms,” saying the attacker must not go scot-free.

The statement said: “The campaign director-general was attacked by an individual who is alleged to be an operative of the DSS in Ebonyi State Command with a sharp machete, leaving him with multiple machete cuts all over his body.”

The governor demanded “a

thorough investigation into this inexplicable display of murderous barbarism,” and urged the Abia State Commissioner of Police “to ensure that the assailant is made to face the full weight of the law.”

Ikpeazu commended the courage of the members of the public and men of the Nigeria Police who helped to overpower the assailant and recovered the instrument of attack.

Delta Clerics Vow to Campaign for Victory of Labour Party Guber Candidate Sylvester Idowu inWarri A group of pastors in Delta State under the umbrella of Nigeria Ministers in Politics (NMP) has vowed to campaign for the victory of Labour Party’s (LP) Governorship Candidate in Delta State, Deacon Kennedy Pela as the next governor of Delta State.

The NMP expressed its believe in Pela’s dream to remove Deltans from the shackles of poverty, pain and improve the quality of lives

of the people of the state.

The pastors, who gathered at Open Heaven Hall, Ubeji, during the weekend to receive Pela said that they have looked at his antecedents and believed that he is someone that could truly change the state from the present worrisome situation to a better life.

The Convener of the NMP, Rev. Francis Bobor, who spoke on behalf of the ministers said that the sole aim of the association

is to sensitise voters on the importance of voting, and how to guard against vote-buying, encourage them to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) and the need to for the electorates to vote credible candidates into positions in the forthcoming general election.

Bobor urged Deltans to vote with the right conscience during the polls, and advised those who intend to vote for the Presidential Candidate of

LP, Mr. Peter Obi, to also vote for the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state.

He said: “As good as voting for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, it is also necessary to vote the Delta Labour Party gubernatorial candidate who will work side by side with him. We must stand to reject the fake promises of expired politicians that did not do much when they had the opportunity to do so.

Truck Crushes Two Policemen in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Two policemen were yesterday killed on their way to duty by a tipper truck in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The policemen were killed at Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti metropolis while traveling along the Ado-Ifaki dual carriage way.

Speaking with journalists via telephone, yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, DSP. Sunday Abutu,

said that the two policemen were coming to Ado Ekiti on a bike when the tipper’s driver, who was negotiating a diversion due to ongoing construction work on the road had overran them.

Abutu said: “I can confirm to you that this pathetic event happened this morning when the two policemen, who were coming from Iworoko Ekiti to their duty post in Ado Ekiti were crushed by a tipper.

“The policemen were going on

their own lane, it was the tipper’s driver that was negotiating a diversion placed on the road by construction company rehabilitating the Ado-Ifaki by turning to the left side and over ran them.

“We learnt the two of them died on the spot. The driver of the tipper had been arrested while the corpses had been taken to the morgue at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.”

Also speaking on the incident, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ekiti State Command, Mr. Olusola Joseph, warned drivers plying all the roads in Ekiti to measure their speed to curb senseless carnage.

Ojo added: “Our drivers must be safety conscious. Some of these untimely deaths could have been prevented if we are cautious and careful in the way we speed.

Abe Accuses PDP of Disrupting SDP Peaceful Meeting in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has accused supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of allegedly attacking him and his party’s stakeholders while on their way for a peaceful meeting in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

According to the former representative of the Rivers South-east Senatorial District, that a Personal Assistant to Mr. Desmond Akawor, the state PDP chairman allegedly led the thugs that attacked him and party members in Oyigbo.

Speaking with journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, Abe said he and his members, including candidates of the party, narrowly escaped being lynched

in the attack..

He wondered why such attack should happen in the PDP chairman’s community when he has always ensured the safety of all politicians that visited his area in Gokana LGA. Abe narrated his ordeal, saying: “The SDP in Oyigbo Local Governmentnt Area this morning were to hold a stakeholders meeting, not a rally.

I indicated my intention to attend

the meeting in order to encourage our supporters in Oyigbo and also pay a condolence visit to one of the kings and then see the chiefs of Oyigbo as well as visit one or two prominent members of SDP in the area.

“The meeting was to hold in a hall in Ayama. This hall was built, furnished and donated to the community when I was in the Senate as one of my constituency projects.

TUESDAY, ͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

38

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Osimhen Skips Portugal Friendly, Dessers Recalled Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, has skipped Thursday’s international friendly between Portugal and Nigeria in Lisbon. This A-list game is the first of such for the three-time African champions who were stopped from qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar by Ghana last March in Abuja.

Osimhen who led Napoli to a 3-2 defeat of Udinese to stretch their Serie A winning run to 11 matches in their final game before the World Cup break, played all 90 minutes with no injury of any sort.

Unbelievably, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday gleefully announced Osimhen’s substitution in the clash with Portugal on its Twitter handle late yesterday on the account of

a bogus injury.

“Nigeria friendly: Chidozie Awaziem replaces injured Olisa Ndah While Cyriel Dessers replaces injured Victor Osimhen,” was how the NFF informed Nigerian fans of Osimhen’s absence from the match in Lisbon.

This is the second big friendly that Osimhen will be missing since returning to the team after similarly absenting himself from the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon due to his facial injury.

Osimhen is believed to be dancing to the script of Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis who does not want his star player playing and getting injured in international duties for his fatherland.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce star, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has arrived

the Super Eagles camp in Lisbon ahead of the friendly against Portugal.

Osayi-Samuel is set to make his debut for the Super Eagles after he was named in the 23-man squad for the game by head coach, Jose Peseiro.

Nineteen players trained yesterday evening ahead of the friendly. Those on ground for the evening session include; Moses Simon, Adebayo Adeleye, William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Kevin Akpoguma, Oghenekaro Etebo and Chidiebube Duru.

Others include; Emmanuel Dennis, Paul Onuachu, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo, Tyrone Ebuehi, Frank Onyeka, Terem Moffi, Chidozie Awaziem and Bright Osayi- Samuel.

Tobi Amusan in Final Short List for Athlete of the Year Award Duro Ikhazuagbe

Cyriel Dessers...replaces ‘injured’ Osimhen for the Portugal friendly

Nigeria's Tobi Amusan is among the finalists for the Women's World Athlete of Year. Amusan is joined on the list by Jamaican sprinter Shelley-Anne Fraser-Pryce, American 400m hurdles gold medallist Sydney McLaughlin and Venezuelan triple jump world record holder Yulimar Rojas and Peruvian race walk double champion Kimberly Garcia.

Amusan dominated in the women's 100m hurdles this year, setting a world record time of 12.12 secondsin the semi-finals of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon in July, before taking gold in the final.

The 25-year-old is also the current Diamond League, Commonwealthand African 100m hurdles champion.

Fraser-Pryce won a record fifth world 100m titleas she strengthened

Eagles Nemesis, Wollacott, Dropped from Ghana’s Squad Femi Solaja The man who stood between the sticks and denied Super Eagles of Nigeria the opportunity to play at the World Cup in Qatar, Jojo Wollacott, has been dropped from Ghana’s 26-man final World Cup 2022 list .

Wollacott was between the sticks in the two leg encounters in Kumasi and Abuja as both teams played a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at MKO Stadium and gave Ghana the edge on away goal rule.

The keeper, it would be remembered stopped two glaring chances off the boots of Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen in the goalless encounter in Kumasi and was very active between the sticks in the return leg that ended 1-1.

But yesterday when the final list was rolled out, his name was conspicuously missing as the first-choice goalkeeper suffered a finger injury before his final club game before the tournament.

Charlton Athletic's Wollacott, 26, was injured in the warm-up for a League One match at Burton on

QATAR 2022 Saturday, and has been left out of the Black Stars squad for Qatar.

Arsenal midfielder, Thomas

Partey, who silenced the 60,000-capacity crowd in Abuja with a 10th minute free kick that beats Super Eagles’ Francis Uzoho for the opener is among the five Premier League players included by coach Otto

Jojo Wollacott...dropped from Ghana’s World Cup squad

Addo.

Brighton wing-back Tariq Lamptey, Leicester City centre-back Daniel Amartey, Southampton defender Mohamed Salisu and Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew will also travel to the finals.

Former Spain international Inaki Williams, who switched allegiance and made his Ghana debut in a friendly defeat by Brazil in September, is among the 26 while captain Andre Ayew is in line to feature at his third World Cup finals.

Ghana is the lowest-ranked team at the tournament and will face Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in Group H. Ghana Squad.

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen).

Defenders: Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Racing Strasbourg), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Bruges), Baba Rahman (Reading), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Alidu

World Athletics Confirms Date for Okpekpe 10km Road Race World Athletics has confirmed that the ninth edition of the Okpekpe international 10km road race will hold on Saturday May 27, 2023 in Okpekpe town near Auchi in Edo State.

The race, the first road running event to be granted a label status

by World Athletics in West Africa, according to World Athletics will be one of the 40 gold-label road running events to hold in 2023.

It will also be the second gold label 10km road race to hold next year after the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in Bengaluru, India which holds on May 7, 2023.

According to the calendar

released by World Athletics, the gold label Okpekpe international 10km road race will be the only label road race to hold May 27 which means the focus of the entire world will be on Okpekpe, a small, agrarian community in Estako East local government of Edo State for the world-class event.

Race Organiser, Mike Itemuagbor is delighted the race has continued to lead the way in the West African sub-region and has become one of three races in Africa to be granted a gold label rating in 2023.

The first gold label road race in Africa and the continent's first

World full Marathon major is the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa. ''We have done all the documentations required and we are delighted that World Athletics has confirmed the date we set for the race,'' said Itemuagbor.

Itemuagbor thanked the Edo State Government, particularly His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his sportsman deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, for the support and the enabling environment they have provided for the race to attain the enviable height it has reached and the many historic feats it has achieved.

“Our appreciation also goes to the athletes, officiating officials, medical personnels, our sponsors and indeed the good and great people of Okpekpe and the entire Etsako East local government who have all contributed greatly and significantly to the historic height the race have reached since we started in 2013.

“Without you there would have been no Okpekpe race. You made the race the number one road running event in Nigeria and with you we can aspire to become the first platinum race not only in Nigeria but Africa,” said Itemuagbor.

Seidu (Clermont).

Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg), Elisha Owusu (Gent), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens).

Forwards: Daniel Afriyie (Hearts of Oak), Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Sporting Lisbon), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Kamal Sowah (Club Bruges), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao).

her claim to be regarded as the best women's sprinter of all time.

The Jamaican, 35, also ran the fourth-fastest ever women's 100mof 10.62 seconds at the Diamond League in Monaco, in a season which yielded a record seven sub-10.70 times.

Garcia won Peru's first ever World Championship medal when she took gold in the 20km race walk.

The 29-year-old also set a South American record of two hours, 39 minutes and 16 seconds as she won the 35km race to become a double world champion.

America's McLaughlin broke her own world recordas she won world 400m hurdles gold in 50.68 seconds.

The 23-year-old's performance took almost three-quarters of a second off her previous best time at a championship where she also took gold in the 4x400m.

Rojas set a new world record of 15.74m as she took gold in the triple jump at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade in March.

The Venezuelan, 27, then claimed a third straight outdoor world title in the event, winning gold in Eugene, Oregon in July.

RMRDC Sports Club Elects Abdulmalik as First Female Chairman Sunday Okobi

The Raw Materials and Research Development Commission (RMRDC) Sports Club has elected Ms Amina Abdulmalik as its first female chairman to succeed Mr. Lapai Umar Batako, whose tenure just ended.

Abdulmalik is a trained engineer, elected to lead the 13-member council.

Checks revealed that the election by 400 members of the club was widely seen as a true reflection of popular choice, which took place in Maitama, Abuja.

The development has raised fresh hope that the new leaders will improve on the achievements of the Lapai-led team.

The new executive council members are Ms Amina Abdulmalik, (Chairman); Mr. Olufemi Olubunmi (Vice Chairman); Mr. Barde Idris Musa (SecretaryGeneral); Dr. A. Abubakar (Assistant Secretary-General); Mr. Ujah Hassan (Financial Secretary), and Mr. Anyanwu

Ugueze, (Supporters’ Club) among others.

Many members who spoke to journalists said they believed that the former team raised the quality of the RMRDS Sports Club as a ranking flagship sports organisation among leading sports clubs of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government in Abuja.

They particularly commended them for successfully hosting Abuja 2022 of the 17th edition of the Research Institutes Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) at which over 998 contingents drawn from 23 research institutes competed for medals and trophies in indoor and outdoor sporting events. The RMRDC defeated the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin, in the soccer finals to win the coveted gold medal.

At her inauguration, the newly elected chairman thanked the members, promising to be fair to all, as urged them to be more committed and give more support to the management.

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TUESDAY, ͹ͽ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS C O U N T D O W N T O Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . C O U N T D O W N T O Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . .

Senegal’s Teranga Lions arrived Doha, Qatar yesterday ahead of Sunday’s kick off of the World Cup 2022

Senegal Arrive Qatar without Injured Sadio Mane Senegal’s Teranga Lions landed in Doha yesterday for the FIFA World Cup without their ever dependable Sadio Mane who is nursing injuries from a Bundesliga game for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen last Tuesday.

Coach Aliou Cisse could not afford to drop Mane from the party despite his injuries when naming his final 26-man squad on Monday.

The 30-year-old forward was forced off in the first half of Bayern Munich's 6-1 crushing of Bremen.

The German champions said he had an injury "to the head of his right fibula" and missed Saturday's game against Schalke.

Senegal are to begin their Group A campaign against the Netherlands on 21 November.

"We are monitoring the situation and we sent a doctor from the federation," Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said at a press conference in the Senegalese capital Dakar at the weekend.

"On Thursday, Sadio spent the whole day in Munich before travelling to Austria for further tests. The good news is that he does not need an operation.

"It is important to continue to monitor his injury and hope that in two or three weeks there is a change. We will give everything to have Sadio back."

Former Liverpool player Mane is Senegal's star player and talisman, having scored the winning penalty when the Teranga Lions became continental championsfor the first time in February, defeating Egypt in a shoot-out in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Less than two months later, Mane repeated the feat, netting

"Before the last World Cup in Russia, we delivered solid performances against Spain and Portugal, then beat Croatia a year after they finished as runners-up.

"We are able to perform against big teams. It will be a dream fulfilled to reach the second round."

Tunisia made headlines when winning the four-nation Kirin Cupin June, seeing off Chile and hosts Japan, before beating Comoros 1-0 and losing 5-1 to Brazil in September's World Cup warm-ups.

Khazri says the clash with five-time World Cup winners Brazil was beneficial, despite the heavy defeat.

"It was important to measure ourselves against the big teams because at the World Cup you will meet only the best," the Montpellier attacking midfielder said.

"It allowed us to know what we are missing, and pick important lessons about what we can improve."

Khazri (right) is optimistic despite Tunisia’s poor run in to the World Cup starting this weekend the decisive spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt - in a clash that again pitted him against then Liverpool team-mate Mohammed Salah - on penalties in a crunch play-off to qualify for Qatar.

As his country's record goalscorer, with 34 goals in 93 caps, Mane's fitness is key to Senegal's chances and Cisse will be sweating on his availability ahead of their opener against the Dutch, with matches against hosts Qatar (25 November) and Ecuador (29 November) to follow.

Khazri Boasts Tunisia Will Spring Surprises in Qatar Captain Wahbi Khazri believes Tunisia have the quality to make it sixth time lucky at the World Cup in Qatar.

The North Africans have suffered group exits in all five of their previous appearances and boast just two wins from 15 games - the first against Mexico in 1978 and then against Panama in 2018.

Once again aiming to reach

the knockout stages for the first time, Khazri is keen to start well against Denmark and Australia given their final Group D match comes against holders France.

"I believe we can make it out.

We have a well-oiled team that has been together for a long time," Khazri told BBC Sport Africa.

"France are superior to us and are competing for the title, Denmark is a good team and Australia is as well. I think we have a chance to play in the next round and we will have to be efficient in the first two games.

‘Explosive’ Interview May Earn Ronaldo Hefty $1m Fine Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be fined at least £1million for deciding to give a bombshell interview to Piers Morgan, in which he slammed Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s board and the standards of the club.

Ronaldo went all guns blazing during an interview with Morgan, which came just hours after United’s 2-1

win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The 37-year-old missed the victory through illness, having also been absent for the Carabao Cup win against Aston Villa on Thursday.

Asked by Morgan if United's hierarchy were trying to force him out, Ronaldo said: "Yes, not only the coach, but another two or three guys around the

club. I felt betrayed."

Pushed as to whether senior club executives were trying to oust him, he added: "People should listen to the truth. Yes, I felt betrayed and I felt like some people don't want me here, not only this year but last year too."

The Red Devils, who beat Fulham 2-1 on Sunday,are fifth in the Premier League in Ten

Hag's first season as manager.

"The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established," United said in a statement on Monday.

"Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff and fans."

to be changed due to mechanical problems.

The pair arrived in the afternoon as coach Tite was running the first practice with light drills involving the 14 players in the squad who did not play for their clubs over the weekend.

Neymar and Marquinhos joined the other players in the gym at the end of the session.

According to Brazil's technical staff, the plan is to use the first two days in Turin to evaluate the physical condition of the players, managing the activity load.

They intend to hold the first full practice on the field on Wednesday.

Gambian Referee Gassama Going for Hat Trick One of Africa’s top referees, Gambia’s Papa Bakary Gassama, will make history when he officiates his first game in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mr. Gassama will become the first and only African Referee to officiate in three consecutive FIFA World Cups: 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Neymar Arrives Late to Brazil Training Due to Flight Delay Neymar and Marquinhos arrived late for the first day of World Cup training yesterday due to problems with their flight from Paris to Turin where Brazil are holding a five-day camp before flying to Doha.

Brazil will open their World Cup Group G campaign against Serbia on November 24 before facing Switzerland and Cameroon.

All 26 players in the squad were due to report on Monday morning to the Juventus training facility but Neymar and Marquinhos, who play for Paris St Germain, were delayed because the aircraft had

Papa Bakary Gassama

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Tuesday, November 15, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Ezeife to Yoruba, Igbo

“It is the failure of Yoruba and Igbo to agree among themselves that is causing the poverty and insecurity we face today. The Igbo and Yoruba have refused to work together. Let the Yoruba and Igbo jointly pick one of the candidates, Tinubu or Obi as president, which will end the strife between us and the dominance of any group and bring peace and stability to our country” ---President of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, on the way forward for the country.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

The Threat Of Electoral Violence O

ne of the major problems that we have had to contend with since the return to civilian rule in 1999, and even long before then in previous electoral cycles and subsequently – 1959, 1979, 1983, 1993, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 more notably, has been the spectre of electoral violence - in the form of killings, attacks, assault, assassination, affray, before during and after elections. In 1965, following the assembly elections in the South West, Nigeria recorded a blow out of violent attacks, characterized in some of the reports as “We tie” or the “Wild Wild West”. It was standard practice in the First Republic for major political parties and leaders to engage the services of thugs, otherwise known as “able-bodied men”. Their job was to protect political leaders, and help rig the votes on election day. This became an established pattern in Nigeria’s elections, which are regarded more by the stakeholders not as a democratic process but war by another name. In 1983, during the Second Republic, there was post-election violence in Ondo State, involving Adekunle Ajasin and Akin Omoboriowo, the ugliness of which is fully captured in Dare Babarinsa’s book on the matter – House of War (2003). The Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) reports that 100 people were killed in election-related violence in 2003, 300 in 2007., and 800 in 2011.

Both the state and the political establishment participated in the promotion of this ugly phenomenon, so badly that it became a standard feature of Nigerian politics. Many of the thugs would eventually after the elections show up as persons of influence, having been rewarded generously by their paymasters with state largesse including political appointments or the Chairmanship of Road Transport Workers Associations, or the management of motor park garages where they run alternative tax collection systems which are deliberately overlooked by the state. Many of the political thugs who do not get rewarded for their efforts or who fall out with the leaders within their cells end up becoming criminals, or a threat to the established order to the extent that there is a connection between Nigerian politics and the criminal underworld. It is for this reason that every election season, politicians are constantly told to eschew violence, and they are made to pledge commitments to uphold reason, decency and civility.

In 2014, Nigeria witnessed ahead of the 2015 general elections, the emergence of a non-governmental organization, the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, and Bishop of the Catholic Church of Nigeria, Matthew Hassan Kukah. Today, the leadership of the NPC has been further expanded, and is far more representative of the influential class. Some of the leaders include the Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Sa’ad Abubakar III, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, John Momoh, Idayat Hassan, Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd) and Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd). Their core mandate has been the promotion of peace, justice and since 2014, the body has consistently ensured that political gladiators commit themselves to a peace accord, long before the elections. The NPC monitors compliance with the accord. It serves as a strong moral voice in political seasons that are ever so likely to descend into rancour, hatred and bitterness.

In September 2022, ahead of the flag-off of campaigns for Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, the NPC announced that all the 18 political parties on the ballot would sign two peace accords. The first Peace Accord was signed at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Thursday, September 29, at a ceremony attended by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Action Alliance (AA) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). In a communique dated September 22, 2022, the National Peace Committee announced that “2023 is more than an election. It is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress…Nigerians should avoid the spread of fake news and uphold the principles tolerance, respect, civility and decency in all

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu public and private conversations and engagements about election and the progress of Nigeria..All political actors, especially their publicity agents and media advisers, should shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitements; reject the spread of fake news and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies in the upcoming 2023 general elections”.

While the NPC may wield only moral influence, its regular signposting of the importance of non-violent conduct is nonetheless important. Over the years, there have also been concrete efforts to deal with the menace of electoral violence in the relevant laws. In this regard, Part VII of the Electoral Act 2022 deals specifically with “Electoral Offences” which include acts of violence, and the penalties for infractions duly stated therein. It is also on record that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to advocate for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission which would place the proper spotlight on electoral offences, reduce the burden on INEC to prosecute electoral offenders, and ensure that electoral offences are dealt with expeditiously. The advocacy for an Electoral Offences Commission has a long history of its own. It must be noted that INEC is one of the strongest supporters of the current “Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and Related Matters 20222”, which was presented for public hearing by the House of Representatives in August 2022. INEC says it wants more successful prosecution of electoral offenders. The Bill was opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which argued that there are already existing bureaucracies that can deal with electoral offences.

The facts suggest otherwise. Existing institutions and bureaucracies have proved incapable of dealing with electoral offences and particularly, the threat and menace of violence. INEC is right with its proposal that there is a need to provide a special framework for electoral offences and the necessary structures to bring those who violate the democratic process to book, no matter how highly placed they may be.

It must be admitted that there are certain elements among us in high and low places who do not believe in the idea of Nigeria, who lack the milk of human kindness and decency and who will stop at nothing to place their personal interests/ambition above the country. They simply don’t care. The key target of the electoral process should be to stop such people, and rescue the country from their demonic grips. There is more than enough evidence to prove that this is not one of those lamentation odes. The biggest threat to the 2023 general elections is the threat of violence. The political parties may have signed the aforementioned Peace Accord, but the reality is that they have not seen any reason to imbibe the spirit of the accord.

There are laws in place to check electoral violence,

but the political gladiators think that it is business as usual. Our fear is that it could get worse, and things could get out of control. The worst part is that the security agencies appear helpless and confused, and that is why they are beginning to sound like preachers!

As at the time of this writing, less than 102 days to the general elections, starting with the Presidential elections on February 23, 2023, I repeat that the threat of violence is the biggest challenge that we all face. INEC has had to lament that 242 polling units in 10 Local Government Areas of Katsina State are at risk due to insecurity. The electoral body has also proposed that it could relocate the voters elsewhere, but even if that option is convenient for INEC, the question to ask is whether or not that would not lead to voter apathy or constructive, inadvertent disenfranchisement of many voters. It is not Katsina alone. INEC has also been a victim of nature-induced violence in many parts of the country, where as a result of floods, many of its offices have been submerged and many facilities destroyed. But the more critical problem would seem to be the organized attacks on INEC offices. In the past week, there were two major incidents: the attack on the INEC office at Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta South Local Government in Ogun State. The office was set ablaze, reportedly by eight, unidentified persons, and perhaps unidentifiable persons who threw bread soaked in petrol into the INEC premises and lit a bonfire. About the same time in Osun State, a similar group also set the INEC office on fire. The loss is extensive. In Abeokuta, eight generating sets were damaged. Over 65, 600 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), 904 ballot boxes, 57 election bags 29 voting cubicles were either stolen or destroyed! In Osun state, the resident electoral commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke has said that despite the attack on the INEC office in Ede South LGA, the commission’s sensitive materials are still intact. What is clear, however, is that some law-breakers are out there trying to instill fear in INEC as well as voters and sabotage the electoral process. If this trend continues, the entire 2023 elections will be derailed! INEC needs help.

The political parties are also in trouble. Since September 28 when the campaigns began, Nigerian politicians have been behaving as if this is truly a rumble in the jungle, a Darwinian, apocalyptic struggle for survival. The route to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria has become a season for thugs and architects of violence. The Labour Party, for example has had cause to complain about the harassment of its supporters in Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Katsina and

Lagos States. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has protested about attacks on its members and supporters in Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Zamfara and Maiduguri.

Other political parties have had cause to complain about how they are denied the opportunity to paste posters or erect billboards or even gain access to the media especially in those states where incumbent Governors insist that the opposition would not be allowed to campaign. This amounts to a violation of the law, but they get way with it. What is even more disturbing is the rise of hate speech and the politics of intolerance perpetrated electronically by a peculiar group of social media bandits who speak without thinking, attack without any iota of civility, and who damage their candidates without sparing a thought for their own vulnerabilities.

The more saddening part of this narrative is that the security agencies appear to be helpless. At a recent meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES), the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Baba Gana Monguno (rtd) confirmed the seriousness of the situation when he disclosed that with 52 cases of electoral violence in 22 states in one month, it was clear that some hoodlums were ready to derail the election. He should know. He is National Security Adviser. At that event and elsewhere, the security agencies continue to promise that they are “on top of the situation” and that anybody who tries to derail the elections at any stage will be summarily dealt with. But can we trust the security agencies?

In Maiduguri, Borno State, the recent attack on the PDP convoy was recorded by journalists who were present at the scene, but the Borno Police Command came out openly to declare that what had become open evidence was fake news. Did the Borno State Police Commissioner attend the Senior Police Officers Retreat in Owerri where President Muhammadu Buhari, before he jetted out for two weeks, admonished police officers to be neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties in the 2023 elections. Mr Commissioner Abdu Umar was probably there and he dozed off when the President was making that point! Many of these guys sleep on duty anyway. And that is why they tell shameless lies. The Borno State Police Commissioner should be summoned by the Inspector General of Police.

We need all the security agencies to be awake and alive as we move towards the 2023 general elections.

The country’s security chiefs should stop lamenting and preaching. They should do their work, professionally, and stop whining.

The Adetutu Adedokun Suicide

T

his is turning out to be a horrible year, with the latest house of horror news that now defines Nigeria being the report of a young lady who jumped to her death a few days ago on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. Ms Adetutu Adedokun was said to have been a staff of the Department of State Services (DSS). She had only recently been promoted for her sterling performance at work as an unarmed combat operative in her set. In addition to the promotion at work, she got affianced. Beautiful young lady, doing well at work and in her private life. Then everything came to an abrupt stop.

The key story that we have heard is that the Uber driver taking her from the Mainland to the Island said she was quarrelling with her fiancée on the phone, before she asked him to stop the car and she jumped into the lagoon. It is shameful that even the security agencies have been promoting this narrative. One of the problems with the security agencies in this country is that they lack the capacity for intelligence gathering and investigation. They find it too easy to adopt a simple story that is often most suited for pepper soup joints. Suicide is sad. It is an irreversible act of violence against the self. It raises questions about our mortality and why people decide to end it all. More than 72 hours after Ms Adedokun, an

officer of the state, died, there have been no solid leads from the state authorities. Not even from the DSS she worked for.

Her death raises more questions in need of enquiry.

Who is the Uber driver in question? Why was he so quick to offer an explanation and identify a suspect?

Is it standard practice for Uber drivers to eavesdrop on their passengers’ phone conversations? Why did the Uber driver stop the vehicle when he was asked to do so, when there is certainly no bus stop on the Third Mainland Bridge? The Uber driver in this case must not be allowed to go. He must tell the security agencies what he knows. Another question: is it likely that there is a linkage between Ms Adedokun’s work and promotion and her sudden death? What secret state matters was she working on before her death? Where is her fiancee? Has he been called in for questioning?

In recent times, more women have committed suicide in Nigeria. Is there a gender explanation?

Before Adetutu Adedokun, there was Afolake Abiola, the Globacom Chartered Accountant. When these incidents occur, we express sorrow. The security agencies do nothing and we all wait till another person dies. Not good enough. Every case of alleged suicide must be thoroughly investigated to establish the truth.

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