WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2023

Tinubu Secures Multi-billion Dollar Funding Facility for Infrastructure Development from Islamic Bank

Meets IDB management, says his government inherited serious liabilities Bank to provide $50bn new investments in Africa with Nigeria as major beneficiary

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has advanced negotiations concerning a

multi-billion dollar infrastructure finance facility from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to fund a multi-sectoral portfolio of infra-

structure projects at the federal and sub-national levels in Nigeria.

The development was sequel to substantive investment discussions

held between Tinubu and the Vice President (Country Programmes) of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, after the Nigerian

president's return from evening prayers on Monday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement issued

yesterday by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu, told the Continued on page 11

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NPAN Wants FG to Review Policies on Paper Industry

Urges Tinubu to provide succour for suffering Nigerians Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L-R: Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, President, AFREXIM Bank, Dr. Benedict Orama, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, CEO Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, shortly after the signing of a Framework Agreement on financing opportunities covering about N500b trade and trade enabling infrastructure, at the on- going Inter- African Trade Fair (IATF), holding in Cairo , Egypt.

The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has called on the federal government Continued on page 11

NLC: Strike Not About Ajaero But against Official Impunity Partial compliance recorded across country

By Our Correspondents

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday, rejected the ascription of the nationwide strike the congress embarked upon in conjunction with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as a personal agenda

by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

On the contrary, NLC said, "the arrest and protective custody" of Ajaero by the Nigeria Police, which led to multiple injuries to his body and psychology, was a state-sponsored act of terror not just against an individual but all freedom-loving Nigerians.

The strike recorded partial compliance in many parts of the country.

Relatedly, a pro-democracy group, United Action Front of Civil Society, condemned what it described as the hostile disposition of the President Bola Tinubu administration to constructive opposition and labour activism since assumption of office.

But former President of NLC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, charged the leadership of organised labour to prioritise the welfare and rights of Nigerian workers over personal Continued on page 11

Pro-democracy group accuses FG of stifling opposition, labour

Oando's Landmark signing of $800million loan for acquisition of Agip Oil...

Executive Director and Group Chief Financial Officer, Oando PLC, Adeola Ogunsemi (left; front row); Director of Syndications and Agency, AfreximBank, Constantin von Moltke; (from L-R back row): Executive Director, Oando PLC and Chief Operating Officer, Oando Energy Resources, Dr. Ainojie Irune; Chief Legal Officer, Oando PLC, Efuntomi Akpeneye, and Manager Clients Relations, AfreximBank, Adeniyi Olukoya, at the landmark signing of $800million loan document for Oando’s acquisition of 20% of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, at the Intra-African International Trade Fair in Cairo, Egypt... yesterday ...see story on page 6

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

NEWS

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

Three days prayers for Nigeria at Al Masjid Al Haram Kaaba Holy Mosque...

L-R: Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Abubakar Bagudu; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed praying for the Nation during three days of prayers for the Country at Al Masjid Al Haram Kaaba Holy Mosque in Makkah Saudi Arabia…recently

Edun: Nigeria Can Earn $13.3bn Extra Revenue Yearly from Creation of National Asset Register

Gilbert Ekugbe

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, yesterday, stated that Nigeria could earn over $13.3 billion yearly if it succeeded in creating a national asset register.

Edun spoke at the unveiling of Afrinvest 2023 Nigerian Banking Sector Report in Lagos.

The minister, who was represented by Managing Director, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Takang, explained that the revenue that could come from the success of the national asset register could be equivalent to three per cent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He stated, "For the purpose of this exercise, our GDP is $450 billion, so we are talking about $13.3 billion extra revenues per year that can come from that exercise and it is real. So, if we drive ourselves higher, we should have Assets Under Management (AUM) of not less than $150 billion."

The minister added, "So the message I leave with you today is, yes, we may have headwinds, we may have challenges, but I believe that if we manage our resources, our assets better by joining hands with the government to come up with proposals, we will get out of it."

He said the federal government was reforming MOFI due to the plethora of asset classes that had been lying moribund for years, stressing that many of the country's corporate assets have not been paying dividends.

He stated, "We have significant real estate assets both at home and abroad that are not yielding any revenues for us. That has to change.

We have oil and gas assets that have been performing sub- optimally for decades and licences were given to people 10 to 15 years ago, but they have not invested a single dime in developing those assets. Whereas you have other investors that are looking to invest in those assets.

We need to go back and determine how best to optimise those assets to deliver value for us. It will be cheaper for us to do that than relying on external borrowings."

Speaking earlier, Group Managing Director, Afrinvest Group, Ike Chioke, said the report provided a deep dive into what was really happening in the banking sector, with the objectives to unravel all the important issues, highlight risks and opportunities and then recommend remedial actions as necessary.

Chioke said the 2022 report predicted the removal of the subsidy, deregulation of the naira, and other things that were going to happen, regardless of who won the 2023 presidential election, while recommending that the government could not continue in the way it had been doing for so many years.

Chioke said despite writing the report, Afrinvest was just as shocked as everyone with the pain. He said with the new report, it was expected that the untapped potential that remained in the country's banking, financial services and the overall economy would be optimised.

Chioke further said it was

the belief that some of the early actions already taken by the present government signalled a new perspective of where it wanted to take the economy. He said to get Nigeria to work again would require a lot of comprehensive work and collaborative effort from the

government and the private sector.

According to Chioke, "In trying to push the economy, you are looking at multiple cycles that are running independently of themselves that need to be synchronised, from the monetary policy point of view to the fiscal policy, revenue from the

initiatives developed by Afreximbank to support local companies engaged in infrastructure contract bidding.

Addressing the workshop, Executive Vice President, IntraAfrican Trade Bank at Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani, said the objective of the workshop was to promote African participation in large scale African infrastructure projects and to promote the award of EPC contracts to African entities.

“It is our belief that this specialised capacity building programme will enable African contractors to successfully bid for construction

"This is because we learned the central bank is not printing money for the government. So while we know that the revenue has finished, how are we able to do a supplementary budget without knowing the source of the income?"

First Lady's NGO Doles Out N422.75m to 1,709 Widows, Orphans of Fallen Heroes Lauds their resilience, sacrifices

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

No fewer than 1,709 widows and orphans of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Armed Forces have received financial support of N250,000 each courtesy of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The support, the total sum of which stood at N427. 75 million, was part of the social investment program of the RHI designed to advance the welfare of vulnerable groups in the country.

Presenting the relief package to the beneficiaries drawn from across the country yesterday in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu said the path of the wives of gallant soldiers was an uneasy one, filled with uncertainties.

She emphasised that the sacrifices of their breadwinners who paid the ultimate price in the defence of the

country must be rewarded with the provision of adequate welfare.

While expressing hope that the intervention would offer some measure of relief to the beneficiaries, the First Lady called on other stakeholders to spare a thought for dependants of fallen soldiers.

According to her: “Under the Social Investment Program of the Renewed Hope Initiative, we are here to empower 1,709 widows with the sum of N250,000 each.

This will enable you to recapitalise an existing business or start a business of your choice to enable you care for your families.

We recognise that widows are not victims; they are survivors.

"You have shown extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and we are here to offer a helping hand as you chart a new path forward.

Some of you have been widows for some time while some of you

Afreximbank Promotes African Participation in Engineering, Procurement, Construction Contracts The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) yesterday, in Cairo presented an intra-African Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) platform designed to empower African contractors to successfully bid for contracts by allowing for the seamless posting of key infrastructure projects within the EPC space in Africa for bidding

by EPC companies.

The presentation, which took place during a workshop organised on the sidelines of the third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), also covered various products, programmes and

NNPC and the debt side.

"We look at what the Debt Management Office is coping with and the fact that even with the recently passed N2.17 trillion supplementary budget, nobody has explained to us how the money is coming in.

projects on the continent and beyond,” she said.

The workshop was held to share the results of a survey conducted on challenges faced by African contractors and to also share the critical success factors in winning projects. It also featured presentation of success stories from companies that previously received support from Afreximbank, including Mota Engil, Elsewedy and Hassan Allam.

The company representatives, in their presentations, highlighted the need for African countries to allow for the movement of labour across

borders so that EPC contractors could bring in workers from other African counties where expertise existed. They also said including local content requirement in EPC contracts would help to encourage the use of local contractors and enhance capacity building.

The workshop was capped off with the signing of facility agreements valued at $200 million with Hassan Allam; US$30 million with Grainer Angola; $50 million with DOTT Services; $200 million with Arab Contractors; $200 million with FDI; and $300 million with Elsewedy.

have just been widowed and we hope that the older widows will give emotional support to the younger ones.”

Earlier in a goodwill message, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, appreciated the First Lady and the RHI for the kind and thoughtful gesture, which he said showed that the welfare of widows is a priority for her.

Represented by Major-General Danladi Salisu, the CDS noted that

the financial support brought renewed hope to the families of fallen heroes, and would consequently boost the morale of serving members of the Armed Forces.

On her part, President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association and Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Oghogho Musa, who received the donation on behalf of beneficiaries applauded the intervention, described it as a much-needed relief for the beneficiaries.

Firm to Unveil ‘Art of Life’

Africana is set to unveil a comprehensive art collection named 'The Art of Life' which would debut at the brand's inaugural fashion show.

A statement made available to THISDAY, stated that the show promises to connect participants with their African heritage while immersing them in a contemporary fashion experience.

"Africana's CEO, Charles Oronsaye, and Guest Creative Director, Ifidon Oisamoje, constitute a dynamic pair that has steered the brand's evolution into a timeless entity," the statement added.

Speaking on the upcoming collection, Oronsaye stated: “The Art of Life collection is designed to cut across every facet of living–from the boardroom to the bar to the gym to the house–giving you the essentials for existence. Our brand has continuously sought to create a template for Africans both at home and abroad, that serves as a bridge between our past, present and future.

"It is my prayer that Africans will continue to be prosperous through

collaboration and excellence and this is reflected in the work we have done over the years.

"The brand has become more than a brand but rather a movement of Africans, by Africans, for the world. This is the Art of Life!”

Africana Couture, which now goes by just Africana, started out as a fashion house whose products were centered around kaftans and agbadas.

"It is renowned for seamlessly blending classic African fashion with luxury, where traditional African roots harmonise with modern fashion trends.

"With a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional quality and fostering a community that celebrates African identity, the brand has expanded its fashion range onto the global scene, including urban clothing and accessories for both men and women by creating essential products for people of African heritage worldwide.

"It has consistently pushed boundaries and redefined the concept of Nigerian luxury that spans beyond the fashion industry.

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WOOING FOREIGN INVESTORS...

L- R: Minister of Agric, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun and MD/CE NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abubakar Abba Bello, at the Saudi-Africa summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia... recently

Oando Secures $800m Afreximbank Commitment for Agip’s Assets Acquisition Peter Uzoho Afreximbank and Oando Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider, yesterday, signed an $800 million loan document to facilitate the energy giant's acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

The deal was signed at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair

(IATF) in Cairo, Egypt.

On Monday, September 4, 2023, Oando Plc had announced that it had reached an agreement with Eni, an Italian multinational energy company with operations in 62 countries, including Nigeria, for the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares of the NAOC. The deal was a significant and strategic acquisition of 20 per cent participating interest in the Nigerian

Agip Oil Company Limited across OMLs 60, 61, 62 and 63.

Upon completion of the assets acquisition transaction, subject to Ministerial Consent and other required regulatory approvals, Oando's current participating interests in OMLs 60, 61, 62, and 63 would rise from 20 per cent to 40 per cent.

The transaction would further increase Oando’s ownership stake

in all NEPL/NAOC/OOL Joint Venture assets and infrastructure which include forty discovered oil and gas fields, of which 24 are currently producing, approximately forty identified prospects and leads, twelve production stations, approximately 1,490 km of pipelines, three gas processing plants, the Brass River Oil Terminal, the Kwale-Okpai phases 1 & 2 power plants (with a total nameplate capacity of 960MW),

Shettima: FG Accessed N625bn Islamic Finance Credit for Construction of Roads, Bridges Sanusi urges Shari’ah boards to broaden portfolios to accommodate impact investing

James Emejo in Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday said the federal government accessed over N625 billion during its sixth Sovereign Sukuk issuance to finance the construction of roads and bridges across the country.

He said the amount represented an increase of 435 per cent compared to N150 billion bonds offered.

Speaking at the opening of the 6th Africa International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) 2023 with the theme: “Towards a Just Transition” in Abuja, the vice president said the federal government remained committed to further designing policies targeted at financial deepening and diversification for unlocking private sector financing.

He said with global assets under management exceeding $2 trillion and the growing demand for alternative sources of financing, Islamic finance remained central to both financial deepening and diversification in the country.

Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, the Shettima said, the country’s fast-growing Islamic finance assets remained largely insignificant compared to the over $2 trillion global market, despite Nigeria's demographic composition and increasing demand for alternative sources of finance including as Islamic finance.

He said the government will continue to explore Islamic finance tools such as Sukuk to tap into local and international investments.

He said, “This shows an increase in the level of public trust and awareness about the financial product. Non-interest banking and microfinance could also potentially serve as a tool to

drive industrialisation, SME growth, and micro-credit activities.”

He also said considerations will be made to enhance the visibility of the Islamic finance market in line with global trends within national policy goals for financial literacy, financial inclusion, and the transition to the formal economy of millions of Nigerians in the near future.

These interventions are not just geared towards funding sustainable development projects but also to enable the Islamic financial markets to contribute to our journey to a clean and sustainable future for the country.

He said, “If you have followed our news in the past few days, you may have picked up the visit of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Saudi Arabia with a team of some of our ministers and businessmen.

“Deals were struck and commitments were made, as President Tinubu assured the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of positive tectonic changes and reforms in Nigeria which has positioned us for new opportunities.

“The Saudi government promised support in oil and gas and banking sector, among others. As a nation desirous of diversifying our sources of finance, and bringing on board every perspective, I want to assure you all that we have only just begun, and a glorious future lies ahead of us and our partners in development.”

This is as the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, yesterday urged the Shari'ah boards of financial institutions to ensure the fulfillment of the fundamental objectives of Shari'ah, the Maqasid al Shari'ah, in Islamic finance practice.

Sanusi, who gave the keynote address, tasked them to give due consideration to these objectives, particularly during the screening

and certification of portfolios and funds.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said the negative/exclusionary screening done by Shari'ah boards which exclude certain sectors, companies, or practices from funds or portfolios, could be broadened to include not only the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria, but also positive and impact-creating screening.

According to him, these objectives include protecting and sustaining faith, life, intellect, progeny, and wealth; pursuance of social justice, facilitating social mobility; attainment of benefit with its categorisation into recognised benefits, classified into

necessities, needs and embellishments; and de-recognised benefits, like the benefits accruing from usury and speculative transactions among others.

Sanusi noted that the global economic system had generated unprecedented cumulative wealth and prosperity, and pulled hundreds of millions out of poverty.

However, he said the existential threats of climate change with its attendant increased frequency of natural disasters, rapid depletion of natural resources, rising inequality, and mass migration among others – had created perils of international security, all threatening to undo the remarkable gains recorded in the recent past.

and associated infrastructure.

If one thing has reverberated across the IATF 2023, it’s deal signing. Since the commencement of the IATF, Afreximbank has signed over 10 financing deals with companies across different sectors to facilitate Africa's growth ambitions.

The collaboration signed at IATF2023 was more than financing as it's about fostering growth and strengthening partnerships across borders for Africa's growth ambitions.

The Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, had while commenting on the deal to acquire Agip’s assets, said the agreement underscored the role indigenous actors would play in the future of the Nigerian upstream sector.

“The synergies created by this acquisition will unlock unparalleled

Valuejet Aircraft Overshoots Runway at Port Harcourt Airport Chinedu Eze

Nigerian new carrier, Valuejet Airlines has reported an incident involving its aircraft in Port Harcourt yesterday afternoon.

The airline said that its flight operated by Bombardier, CRJ-900

Report: Nigerian Students' Enrollment in US Rises by 22.2% Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Ugo Aliogo

The newly released 2023 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange has placed the United States as the preferred destination for global students, adding that of particular significance was the remarkable 22.2 percent increase in Nigerian student enrolment totalling 17,640 in the 2022/2023 academic year.

A statement by the US Consulate in Nigeria revealed that Nigeria was the leading source of students' from Africa and seventh largest contributor worldwide.

The statement further revealed that Nigeria jumped from 10th place during the 2021/2022 school year and now sends more students to the US than Japan (8th), Brazil (9th),

and Saudi Arabia (10th).

It noted that the substantial increase in Nigerian students choosing to study in the United States not only underscored the U.S. commitment to providing quality education for Nigerian scholars, but also plays a pivotal role in fostering stronger connections and cultural exchanges between our two nations.

The statement averred that in a historic development, two Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana, were among the top 25 sending nations to the United States, emphasising the region's rapid growth in international student representation.

According to the statement.

“Nearly 55 per cent of Nigerian students pursue graduate-level studies, reflecting the nation's com-

opportunities for us to re-align expectations, enhance efficiency, optimise resource allocation, and significantly increase production. “ Furthermore, it is in alignment with our strategy of acquiring, enhancing, appraising, and efficiently developing reserves.

“Today’s announcement is not just an important milestone for the future of Oando; it brings to bear the important role indigenous actors will play in the future of the Nigerian upstream sector,” he had stated.

According to Tinubu, having achieved the significant milestone, Oando was looking forward to closing the transaction and harnessing the full potential of the enhanced platform to accrue value for local communities, stakeholders and shareholders.

mitment to advanced education.

"This data, unveiled by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the Open Doors 2023 report, underscores the continued competitiveness of U.S. higher education, and marks the beginning of International Education Week. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education aims to foster global awareness and attract future leaders from around the world to experience and learn in the United States. The report is published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.”

aircraft with registration 5N-BXR, skidded off the runway after landing.

The management of the airline confirmed that no passenger was hurt and no damage was done to the aircraft.

A statement from the airline stated: “ValueJet aircraft slipped on taxi turn after landing safely and cleared off the runway at Port Harcourt airport. No damage to the aircraft. The incident happened at 3.30 local time.

“The CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft with registration 5N-BXR landed safely with passengers wondering what could have happened because the airplane landed safely without difficulty. The minor incident happened at about 3.30pm at the Port-Harcourt International Airport.

“Captain Stanley Balami (the pilot in command of the flight) reported that the aircraft encountered a slip due to algea on the taxi-way which made it unable to maintain the centre line. ValueJet remains a safe airline and all the airline’s operations are normal without glitch.” Three days ago, Aero Contractors aircraft was stuck off the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Lagos when the aircraft, a Boeing 737 aircraft lost its steering after landing.

Recently, a private jet, HS25B with core sign, 5NAMM operated by Flint Aero landed before the ‘holden’ point of the Runway at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, and crashed into the bush with severe damage on the aircraft.

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At the Intra-African Trade Fair hosted by Afreximbank in Cairo...

Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Wamkele Mene (left), and Chairman, Board of Directors and Advisory Board, Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, at the AfCFTA /APSS Joint Private Sector Session, during the Intra-African Trade Fair hosted by Afreximbank in Cairo, Egypt…recently

NCDMB, Global Tech Firm, SLB Partner Universities on Software Solutions for Oil, Gas Industry Wabote says initiative will drive research, innovation, conserve FX Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and SLB, a global technology company, yesterday, unveiled the first three products of their joint programme, the NCDMB-SLB Technology Enhancement Programme (N-STEP), a platform whereby students of higher institutions develop software plugins for diverse oil field applications.

The programme was unveiled on the sidelines of the ongoing 41st annual international conference and exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), in Lagos.

The N-STEP programme showcased nine students representing three prestigious universities in Nigeria who had developed software solutions that would address live

oil and gas challenges.

The unveiling ceremony was witnessed by industry stakeholders, academia and representatives of the beneficiary institutions.

The N-STEP programme provides a unified framework for the rapid development and deployment of software solutions to address oil and gas challenges.

Deployed through a phased, multidimensional approach, the program is focused on the development of software plugins by students for diverse oil field applications.

As part of its 2023 cohort, the projects highlighted machine learning, Artificial Intelligence and new innovations that could unlock potentials in the Nigeria oil & gas sector. The universities represented by this cohort were: University of Lagos; Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun; and

Naira Weakens to N1,140/$ on Parallel Market, Now N850/$ on I&E

Nume Ekeghe

The naira depreciated marginally against the dollar on the parallel market where it exchanged at N1,140/$ yesterday, compared with the N1,130/$ it closed the previous day. Also, on the official I&E window the naira depreciated to N850.22/$, from the N795.41/$ it closed on Monday.

However, intra-day trade from

the data obtained from the FMDQ showed that the highest spot rate exchanged on the I&E was N1099/$ while the lowest spot rate recorded was N701/$.

Furthermore, the official I&E window reported a daily volume turnover of $ 143.55 million. This figure indicated a 16.48 per cent increase in turnover, compared to the $123.25 million recorded on Monday.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi.

In his opening remarks, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Me. Simbi Wabote, commented: “The N-STEP program is an industry-education partnership under NCDMB’s Adopt a Faculty Initiative for STEM courses.

It is designed to drive collaboration between industry, universities and government through Research and innovation, curriculum review, infrastructure, and equipment and

learning and knowledge exchange in Nigeria.

“Nigeria spends an estimated $400 million annually on foreign software, which is a huge drain on our Forex. We embraced the NSTEP to demonstrate our commitment to reverse this trend. The program has also targeted undergraduates because we believe Nigerian youths have the innovation drive, to be solution providers and not job seekers.”

Speaking to the impact of the N-

STEP programme, Group Managing Director, West Africa, at SLB, Sops Ideriah, said: “We want to empower software developers to create and deploy plug-ins that extend the utilisation of E&P software platforms.

"This is why we collaborated with both the public sector and the best of academia to deliver a structured training program, where selected students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to apply their expertise to develop innovative

Dangiwa: Tinubu Will Remove All Obstacles to Investment in Housing Sector

FG launches diaspora mortgage scheme, plans land commission

Emmanuel Addeh and Micheal Olugbode in Abuja The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, yesterday assured that President Bola Tinubu was determined to break down all obstacles militating against the expected investments in the housing sector.

Speaking at the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in Abuja, where a mortgage scheme dedicated to catering for the diaspora was launched, the minister acknowledged that there are over 20 million Nigerians in Diaspora remitting an average of over $24 billion per annum.

He spoke on the theme: “New Vistas, Aspirations, New Vision: The Diaspora and National Development”.

“I believe it is important to communicate and assure the Diaspora that Nigeria is open for business in the housing and urban development space. That President Bola Tinubu, has a bold vision for the sector and is committed to backing it up with the necessary political will to break down all barriers that discourage investment in the sector.

“As the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, I have taken Mr. President’s vision and I am determined to actualise it. Our aim at the ministry is to implement

the most historic housing and urban sector reforms the country has ever witnessed,” he said.

Dangiwa, explained that being of interest to the diaspora, the government aimed to streamline land administration that cut through the bureaucracy and systemic inefficiencies to ensure cost effective access to land for both individuals and investors in the country.

“Currently, we have a situation where the Land Use Act, which was enacted in 1978 has no complementary institution set up alongside it to provide the necessary framework, guidelines, and regulations for operationalising it.

“We aim to fix this systemic

FG: 18 Out of Deported Saudi Arabia Passengers Have Criminal Records House investigates cancellation of visas granted 264 Nigerians by Saudi Arabia

Michael Olugbode and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Nigerian government has revealed that 18 of the 177 passengers who were turned back by Saudi authorities on landing in Jeddah were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offences committed in the past.

The revelation came just as the House of Representatives yesterday, launched an investigation into the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the cancellation of already granted visas to 264 Nigerian on arrival at Jeddah aboard Air Peace.

However, the federal government said the reason for withdrawing the

visa from the 159 others was yet unknown.

The revelation by the federal government was contained in a signed statement yesterday, by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francisca Omayuli.

The statement read: “The attention of the federal government has been drawn to media reports on the cancellation of the visas and subsequent deportation of passengers airlifted from Nigeria on Sunday, 12th November, 2023 to Saudi Arabia.

“According to reports received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 airlifted

software solutions that address specific E&P industry challenges.

"The programme also provides mentorship, internship opportunities, and cutting-edge training tailored to industry needs, empowering future generations of innovators and leaders for the energy industry of tomorrow.

“Our joint ambition in this collaboration is to extend the program scope to cover a minimum of one university in each key region in Nigeria.”

264 passengers from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport and landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport - Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday, 13th November, 2023.

“It was on arrival at the Hajj Terminal that the Saudi Immigration authorities informed the passengers that their visas had been cancelled.

Consequently, 177 passengers were made to return on the same flight back to Nigeria. While 87 passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.

“The Saudi authorities are yet to

give reasons for the cancellation of the visas, except for 18 of the passengers who were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offences committed in the past.

“Notwithstanding the fact that it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who is permitted entry into its territory, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners, who are willing to guard against a reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.

“In this regard, investigation is ongoing in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The affected passengers are therefore, implored to keep calm,

while the matter is being resolved.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the matter.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at plenary yesterday, by Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, and four others.

Presenting the motion Nkemkanma recalled that Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace on arrival at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday, 13th November, 2023.

Continues online

anomaly. We are working to establish a National Land Commission. Part of their work will be to outline clear implementation guidelines for the Land Use Act to chart a new path of effective land administration in the country,” he stated.

Aside that, he noted that the government plans a nationwide adoption of the Model Mortgage Foreclosure Law, which provides contemporary provisions on the creation, registration, and enforcement of mortgages, along with remedies like foreclosure and the enforcement of mortgages on real properties and related purposes in Nigeria.

Till date, he explained that the law has been passed in only four states, including Lagos, Kaduna, Ekiti, and Nasarawa states, stressing that he aims to drive its passage in all the states of the federation.

Explaining that the government also aims to boost local manufacturing of building materials, Dangiwa stated that Nigeria’s shortfall in the supply of quality housing stock presents a good opportunity for investors.

“To drive this, we aim to create an enabling environment for private sector players to produce building materials locally to lower cost, create jobs, grow the local economy, and ultimately ensure inclusive growth.

“To do this we are planning to establish six manufacturing hubs – one in each of the six geo-political zones in the country. The hubs will be provided with relevant facilities, including access roads, electricity, fit for purpose housing and relevant linkages for manufacturers to site their firms and operate,” he affirmed.

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CBN: Old N100, N200, N1,000 Banknotes Remain Legal Tender Interminably James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it intends to extend the legal tender status of the old N200, N500, and N1, 000 denominations beyond the December 31, 2023 deadline - and with no definite timeframe for their retirement.

In a statement, the CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, said the decision was in line with global best practices and to, “forestall a repeat of earlier experiences.”

He said, “Thus, all banknotes issued by the CBN in accordance with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, will continue to remain legal tender, ad infinitum, even beyond the initial December 31, 2023 deadline.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria is working with the relevant authorities to vacate the subsisting court ruling on the same subject.”

The apex bank had introduced the redesign of N200, N500, and N1,000 denominations in October 2022 and various deadlines were set for the old design of the banknotes

to be retired.

However, the economic hardship that resulted from the implementation of the currency redesign programme compelled some state governors to sue the central bank.

The apex bank, however, stated that all “CBN branches across the country will continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and redesigned, to and from deposit money banks (DMBS)”.

“The general public is enjoined to continue to accept all Naira

banknotes (old or redesigned) for day-to-day transactions and handle these banknotes with utmost care, to safeguard and protect the lifecycle of the banknotes.

“Also, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, e-channels, for day-to-day transactions,” the statement added.

Following the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023, the apex bank had ordered banks to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court ordering the old naira notes

to remain legal tender and operate simultaneously with the redesigned naira notes till December 31, 2023.

The bank stated that it met with the Bankers’ Committee and directed that the old N200, 500, and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banking notes till December 2023, and consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly.

The clarification by the central bank became necessary in view of the divergent social media misinterpretations and speculations

NLC: Strike Not About Ajaero But against Official Impunity

political interests, even as he opposed the idea of strike.

Nonetheless, the indefinite strike, which started yesterday, appear to have taken off on a shaky note.

Most public schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for instance, as in other parts of the country, observed the strike, as the school authorities turned back students who showed up.

THISDAY gathered that following a directive from its national headquarters on strict observance of the indefinite strike, state branches of NLC and other affiliates mobilised their members as early as 8am to picket offices of institutions that tried to open for business.

A combined team of NLC and TUC officials picketed the offices of some banks and the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, even as organised labour also staged a protest at the entrance gate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) at the early hours of yesterday.

In a statement by its Head of Information and Publicity, Benson Upah, NLC said Nigerians should not succumb to the "private matter" narrative being pushed by the federal government to discredit the ongoing nationwide strike meant to protest acts of impunity and maltreatment of Nigerian workers.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had accused NLC and TUC of punishing a country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the NLC president.

Onanuga said Ajaero's error of judgment had led to the assault on him in Owerri, Imo State, while he was planning to incite the workers in the state into a needless strike.

But the NLC scribe described the government's position as Freudian slip and sadistic.

Upah stated, "It is in light of this we would want the world to know that Onanuga' s sadistic comment is a Freudian slip, as this is the way his principals view the Imo State triple-digit tragedy: the non-payment of workers/pensioners benefits; the choking/stifling environment that leaves workers and citizens gasping for air; the license for impunity that covers murder and attempted murder of dissenting voices, including Comrade Joe Ajaero, which the

Nigerian state now passes off as a ‘personal matter.’

"When we first heard through the grapevine that glasses were clinked and pleasantries earthily exchanged by the powers that be following the arrest and torture of Comrade Joe Ajaero, we thought it was one of those rumours but with this confirmation from Bayo Onanuga, we now know better!"

Upah said Nigerians should not succumb to the "private matter" narrative, recalling the famous poem: "When they came for the Jews, I said I was not a Jew; When they came for the teachers, I said I was not a teacher....By the time they came for me there was no one left to shout.”

Upah said the arrest and "protective custody" of Ajaero by the Nigeria Police, which led to multiple injuries to his person, was a state-sponsored act of terror not just against him but also against all freedom-loving Nigerians.

He said the government was merely testing the waters, adding that no one knows who the next target would be.

"Take heed and open your eyes and note that this systematic assault on the citizenry is being co-ordinated by a tiny clique within the government on all fronts: economic, political and social. It is total violence!”

Upah said.

On the contention by Onanuga that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered an investigation into the Owerri incident, Upah said the federal government had already pre-empted its outcome by accusing Ajaero of inciting workers against the Imo State government.

According to him, "So the police will now be the judge, jury and jailer in their own case? What a country we run! Secondly, what per chance, will the police be investigating, when the government, by the admission of Onanuga, has already found Ajaero guilty, arrested him, convicted him, punished him through torture for ‘planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.’

"We concerned Nigerians are not interested in a charade. We demand an honest and thorough investigation by competent and independent professionals (with free and unfettered access to information, people and materials) from within

and outside the country. Ajaero holds offices on the international circuit."

Similarly, United Action Front of Civil Society, in a statement by its Head of National Coordinating Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, said it was becoming crystal clear by the day that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government "is out to criminalise civil opposition and labour activism in a desperate attempt to cripple vibrant platforms of the Nigerian polity in furtherance of its dubious agenda of neo-colonialist policies fraught with profligacy and corruption with attendant negative consequences manifesting in excruciating multidimensional poverty as well as codified hardship on the masses."

Okuniyi said the federal government had so far remained evasive and appeared not committed to fulfilling the agreement it reached with labour over removal of fuel subsidy.

He stated, "We are concerned that rather than fulfil the agreement with labour and bring succour to the downtrodden working masses of Nigeria, it is unfortunate that government is embarking on smear campaigns, criminalisation and targeted attacks and brutality of labour and opposition leaders.

"The manipulative use of court orders by government to frustrate and truncate the legitimate rights and demand of workers and masses by the present administration is another condemnable and irresponsible trend to be employed by a supposed democratic government."

But Oshiomhole, who spoke to newsmen after meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at State House, Abuja, expressed his reservation about the ill-treatment of workers at any level, citing his affinity with the labour movement, as NLC’s former president.

While expressing his continued commitment to the cause of labour, Oshiomhole, however, disapproved of the ongoing strike, saying it does not adequately address the crucial issues facing workers. He urged NLC and TUC to prioritise engaging state governments not implementing the agreed wages for workers in their respective states.

The former governor of Edo State said, “Labour cannot be apolitical because politics is about the people.

T in u b u S e c u r e s M u lti - b i l l i o n D o l l ar F u nding Fac i l ity f o r I nfrastr u ct u r e D e v e lo pm e nt fr o m I s l ami c Ban k IDB vice president, "Nigeria is the candle of hope that will light the way for Africa. And once Africa is illuminated, the world will be a brighter place for all of humanity.

We are determined to create a future for our gifted youths. "Investments in Nigeria will be among the world's most high-yielding. Investor money will flow easily in and out of our country. Processes will be seamless.

And your bank has always been a faithful partner in progress.

"We have serious deficits in port infrastructure, power infrastructure, and agro-allied facilities that will enable sustainable food security in our country. These deficits present unrivalled opportunity for savvy investors in a market that is by far the largest on the continent. Yes, we had the vision to enable Lekki Deep Seaport before others saw it.

We must be bold again.

"We inherited serious liabilities,

but also assets from our predecessors. We do not make any excuses.

There are several sectors replete with investment opportunity for smart investors.

"Access to finance and guarantees can be a hindrance in some cases.

You can come in there. We see you as a critical enabler. You have partnered with us before. We want to scale it up now and do much more with greater ambition and clear vision".

The president concluded by thanking the IDB management, while pledging the unwavering commitment of his administration to win investors' trust and confidence, just as he did in Lagos State many years ago.

Noting the historic essence of Tinubu's swift and decisive economic reforms, Muhtar said the financial world had been monitoring events in Nigeria and

had concluded that Africa's largest economy meant business this time.

He stated, "Mr. President, we know you inherited a very tough set of circumstances. It is to your credit that you have taken very bold steps without delay. We are ready to work with you. We are ready to support big investments in Nigeria. We agree that if Nigeria succeeds, Africa succeeds. And the world needs Africa to succeed.

"The Islamic Development Bank President announced the provision of $50 billion U.S. Dollars of new investment for the African continent from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). This was announced at the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Summit. As the largest market and the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria will certainly receive a significant share. We look forward to supporting Nigeria's economic transformation."

And I have argued, when I was in NLC, that nobody has a right to be partisan much more than those who turn the wheel of our industrial progress.

“But in saying that, we must recognise that however hard you try, when it comes to politics, people are going to have different reasons for supporting different candidates.

"You have to be careful not to be seen to be doing the bidding of a particular candidate or a particular political party. As President of the NLC, I made no friend with any politician in Edo State.

“So Ogbemudia once asked me, 'we want to be able to say leave the matter to me, he's my boy, I will call him.' I am not anybody's boy. I want to make my decisions. I take responsibility for those decisions.

You can't find me in the house of a politician. Not because I hate them.

Because they represent the value that I represent.

“I represent those guys who can only vote. Even though the law allowed that to be voted for, unfortunately, the system hardly throws them up. So, I have to prioritise what is it that I'm ready to die for? And what is it that I'm ready to accommodate."

Urging NLC to prioritise holding state governments accountable to the N30,000 minimum wage agreement, which also covers local government and state workers, Oshiomhole queried why NLC was not mobilising strikes against states still failing to implement the approved minimum wage instead of targeting the federal government.

Nevertheless, the strike recorded partial compliance in many places.

Below are reports of how the strike was observed across the states.

FCTA The leadership of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), yesterday, chased out workers of the FCT Administration in enforcement of the nationwide strike ordered by NLC and TUC in protest against the brutality inflicted on Ajaero in Imo State.

The union leaders mobilised in large numbers and forced workers, who had barely settled down for the day's work, out of their offices.

Many offices at FCTA were deserted as a result of the enforcement of the industrial action.

Even though workers and visitors streamed through the main entrance to the FCTA secretariat for the day’s activities, the union leaders ensured that the various offices within the secretariat, from the minister's block to other departments, were locked.

Only a few workers in the minister’s office stayed back to carry out skeletal services after the premises was deserted due to forced departure of many members of staff.

Rivers Rivers State also witnessed partial compliance by workers. At the Federal Secretariat on Aba Road, a few workers were seen within the premises. Some of them, who spoke to journalists, claimed they were not informed to stay back at home to observe the strike.

At the state secretariat, workers were in their offices. Businesses were moving freely, but some of the workers said they might fully embark on the strike from today based on directives.

Commercial banks sighted at

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso of the validity of the affected naira denominations as the deadline nears.

the popular Ikwerre Road and parts of Aba Road were closed in compliance with the strike. But some of the banks along Artillery axis, Rumudara, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt Township did not comply with the strike directive.

Public schools, including primary and secondary schools within the Port Harcourt city and Obio/Akpor also did not comply with the strike directive. Some of the teachers said it was only when they got to the school that they knew about the seriousness of the strike.

But Chairman of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Rivers state, Mr Collins Echikpu, said, "We are in compliance with the directive for nationwide strike action in Rivers.

All the schools have been informed to comply because we are an affiliate with the NLC".

Bayelsa Academic activities at the Africa University, Toru Orua, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, were put on hold in compliance with the directive by NLC and TUC to proceed on an indefinite strike. This led to the indefinite postponement of their second semester examinations.

Activities were also paralysed in most state and federal government institutions.

Special Adviser on Media to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Tonye Yemoleigha, who spoke with our correspondent, said all academic activities had been suspended, including the second semester exams, pending when the strike would be called off.

In a joint statement by the Continued on page 37

N PA N Wants F G to R e v i e w P o l i c i e s o n Pap e r I nd u stry to review its policies in the paper industry, which it said are hobbling access to newsprint locally.

In a communiqué issued after its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, NPAN lamented the waning newspaper culture in the country, describing the situation as ‘concerning’.

Following a review of the state of the nation, the economy and the print media industry, the newspaper proprietors argued that the not-so-enviable state of the paper industry in Nigeria, indexes a poor democratic state since there’s a correlation between both.

The communiqué was signed by the newly re-elected President of NPAN, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf and General Secretary, Mrs Angela Emuwa.

“It is concerning that a nation of Nigeria’s size and youthful population lacks a robust paper culture for the education and mobilisation of its citizens,” NPAN lamented.

An analysis carried out by the organisation, it said, revealed the alarming condition of the newspaper business in Nigeria, highlighting the concerning fact that no newsprint is produced locally.

“This underscores the urgent need for the federal government to review its policies on the paper industry, aiming to promote both education and the development of the newspaper sector.

“The poor state of the newspaper industry indexes a poor democratic state as studies have shown a correlation between strong democracies

and strong print media. The 10 best performing economies globally, combine strong political culture with a vibrant print media,” the association stressed.

Now that elections are over and the government has been constituted, the NPAN urged the federal government to move speedily with its economic reform programme and provide the much needed succour to longsuffering Nigerians within the shortest time possible.

Besides, NPAN welcomed the birth of the Media Ombudsman, a collaboration of the NPAN, Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Media Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Daria Media, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, to work on ethics and self-regulation by the media.

It expressed delight that the Ombudsman had started work and was already receiving complaints from the public.

“The NPAN is very optimistic that the success of the Ombudsman will widen the scope of self-regulation and ward off the predatory advocates of a government-controlled press with the concomitant encroachment on free speech,” it added.

The NPAN also announced its intention to launch a Media Trust Fund, which aims to provide support to important aspects of the

media, including the Ombudsman.

The initiative, it said, is intended to strengthen and enhance the media landscape in Nigeria.

The communiqué also highlighted the recent unanimous re-election of Yusuf, the Chairman of MediaTrust, Publishers of Daily Trust and Trust Television as President.

Others elected were: Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Publisher, The Guardian newspaper as Deputy President; Mr. Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay as Vice President and Emuwa, Chairman of The PUNCH as General Secretary.

In addition, Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, Editor-in-Chief, Leadership newspaper was picked as Assistant General Secretary; Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Chief Executive, CHAMPION newspaper was elected as Publicity Secretary while Mr Fidelis Anosike, Chairman, Daily Times of Nigeria was chosen as the treasurer.

Also, Mr. Ray Ekpu, a Trustee of NPAN, Prince Dennis Sami, Publisher PILOT newspaper and Ayo Aminu, Managing Director of Telegraph newspaper were elected as ex-officio members.

The AGM presided over by the NPAN President, Yusuf was attended by two Life Patrons of the Association- Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Prince Nduka Obaigbena as well as Ekpu.

Yusuf acknowledged in his acceptance speech that the inclusion of new officers into the executive council would enhance its effectiveness in accomplishing its goals.

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NEWS

SAVOURING THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON SHOW...

L-R : Mayor of Genoa, Italy, Marco Bucci; Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli; CEO, EnterpriseNGR, Obi Ibekwe; Chairman, Coronation Group and Chairman EnterpriseNGR, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Past Master of the Guild Hoengee Zurich Switzerland, Peter Aisslinger, and his wife, Anna-Marie Assinlinger at the Lord Mayor Show in London...recently.

NEITI Laments Unremitted $559m Gas Royalty, $828m Unpaid Flare Penalty Lists conditions for energy transition dialogue

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has raised concerns over the unremitted gas royalty payments of $559.8 million and another unpaid sum of $828.8 million gas flare penalty to the federal government.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, who also outlined the conditions while speaking as special guest at the 2nd German-Nigeria Symposium

on Green Hydrogen held in Abuja, stated that more gas was flared in the country during the period it reviewed than utilised.

He explained that with United Nations projection of Nigeria’s population to rise to over 260 million in 2030 and over 400 million in the year 2050, there was urgent need for deliberate investments in technology, innovation, exploration, production and commercialisation of gas for Nigeria to meet the net zero target set for the year 2060.

“A breakdown of the unremitted payments in the report, showed outstanding gas royalty payments of $559.8 million and another unremitted sum of $828.8 million from unpaid gas flare penalty, confirming that more gas was flared in the country during the period than utilised,” Orji stated.

According to a statement from the organisation, the situation, he lamented is posing serious dangers to the global zero emissions agenda apart from huge revenues loss to

the country.

“Nigeria has identified natural gas as its transition fuel. At over 200 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria has the largest gas reserves in Africa and 9th largest in the world. And with increasing new gas discoveries on the way from ongoing frontier explorations across the country, NEITI believes that gas will play a very important role in the energy transition discus.

“As you know, gas has the potential to produce blue hydrogen,

which, though not as clean as green hydrogen, would be useful in our journey towards cleaner energy sources,” Orji remarked.

The NEITI executive secretary expressed concern that at a time that gas is fast surpassing crude oil in revenue generation for resource rich countries, the rate of gas flaring with huge negative consequences on the environmental pollution was on the increase in Nigeria.

He explained that the upsurge in gas flaring and its consequent

ASUU Tells FG: 40% IGR Deduction Will Impoverish Varsities The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has told the federal government to remove universities from the list of agencies expected to remit 40 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue.

ASUU, in a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, yesterday after its National Executive Council meeting at the Kaduna State University, Kaduna, explained that universi-

ties were not revenue-generating agencies, saying that the obligatory fees paid by students were to provide the necessary tools for them to be properly educated.

The statement said the NEC meeting took place from Saturday, November 11 to Sunday, November 12, 2023, and deliberated on issues affecting the university system and the country.

Osodeke maintained that

Killer Lightening: School Holds Posttrauma Session for Students, Others David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Tansi International College, Awka, has organised a post trauma session for it's students, to ease their minds off the recent incident of death in the school.

A week ago, students of the college who were involved in football training during rainfall were struck by lightening, leading to the death of three out of the nine students caught in the incident.

Principal of the College, Rev. Father Fidelis Izuakor, who spoke during the session said the essence of the psychosocial intervention was to rehabilitate the students from shock and trauma resulting from the death of their mates.

He said: "We believe, as humans that the shock or the sight of the incident could cause one form of trauma or the other on the students because they were all there when it happened.

"We are not sure and cannot detect any of them with trauma.

So we decided to invite counsellors to help us talk to them, counsel them, take them along that particular place of trauma, bringing them out

of it. That is the essence of this counselling session," Izuakor said.

The session was conducted by three Reverend Sisters from the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, Amawbia Community.

The counsellors included; Sr Bibian Marie Okelue, Sr Raphaela Maria Nnorom, and Sr Maria Dim. Dim, while addressing the students stated that the effect of the incident, if not handled properly now might cause negative impact on the lives of the students in future.

She said: "The lives of Michael, Francis, and Emmanuel (deceased students), have a spot in every one of you as a part of a bigger family here. Today, they have gone. This has created a negative vacuum in you.

"You may not know that if you don’t handle well what happened to you on Saturday, in 30 years, it may cause something you may not know.

"I know all of you know Micheal, Francis, and Emmanuel. So, the major reason we are here is to help you handle the fear and your thoughts about them in the best and positive way."

deducting 40 per cent of IGR from universities would impoverish the university system.

It read, “NEC reviewed the implications of the recent directive to federal universities to remit 40 per cent of their Internally Generated Funds to the coffers of the government. NEC condemns the directive in its entirety because it would further impoverish and emasculate the Nigerian university system.

“For the avoidance of doubt, universities are not revenuegenerating agencies because the obligatory fees paid by students are to provide the necessary tools for them to be properly educated.

NEC calls on the relevant institutions of state to remove universities from this category of government Ministries, Departments and Agen-

cies regarded as revenue generating centres because of its implications for affordability and accessibility of education in the country.”

ASUU, during the meeting, lamented the deliberate attempt by the Accountant General’s office to further impoverish its members by the refusal to pay their promotion arrears since 2018.

It added, “NEC noted with grave concern the deliberate attempt by the Accountant General’s office to further impoverish our members by the refusal to pay their promotion arrears of majority since 2018.

“NEC also reviewed the unsatisfactory reports on payment of the withheld eight months’ salaries by the government on account of the patriotic strike action of our members in 2022. NEC calls on the Federal Government to unconditionally

release all the withheld salaries as a demonstration of the new administration’s desire to permanently resolve all outstanding issues related to the last strike action of our union.”

The statement revealed that NEC was worried about the continued victimisation and onslaught against its members at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Lagos State University, Ojo, and others.

It stated that NEC commended the steadfastness of these victimised colleagues in these and other branches, thereby calling on the concerned authorities to respect the fundamental human rights of ASUU members to dignity and freedom of association and expression.

revenues loss to the country informed NEITI’s interest to support and encourage the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to fast-track the commission’s ongoing gas utilisation and commercialisation project.

On commitments to achieving a net zero emission by 2060, Orji advised that the country’s net zero pledge should include policies that will help control greenhouse gases produced in Nigeria.

He also called for major reforms in energy production and utilisation as well as concerns for energy security, jobs, livelihoods, the economy and robust citizen’s engagement, as well as deliberate investments in the expansion of gas infrastructure.

He reaffirmed NEITI’s commitment to supporting the country’s transition programme with crucial facts, reliable information and data to guide its successful implementation and commended the objectives of the symposium.

The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, in her remarks, explained that the symposium was convened by Germany as a product of discussions with the Nigerian government by the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

She stated that it was a fallout of the Chancellor’s visit to Nigeria recently as part of her country’s commitment to support Nigeria’s carbon emission reduction and diversification of her energy resources.

African Air Transport: Keyamo Calls for Speedy Implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, yesterday, stressed the need to speed up full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), with regard to the liberalisation of access to air transport markets in Africa.

This, Keyamo said cannot be over emphasised as it was crucial to the achievement of the long-term vision of the African Union (AU).

The Minister, while welcoming the various countries Ministers, Chairperson of the AU Commission, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, President, Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), and

the Secretary General of AFCAC, to 24th Anniversary of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Day Event under the theme, "Africa Wants to Fly" noted that: "Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries and Air Transport is an essential component of the global transportation system and a strategic driver of economic growth and development."

According to him, "Africa Wants to Fly" was not just a theme, but a reflection of a profound desire deeply rooted in the hearts of countless Africans.

"It symbolises the relentless pursuit of our dreams and the firm belief that the sky is not the limit; it is the beginning of an exciting journey.

"Throughout history, Africa has been home to diverse cultures and peoples who have looked to the skies with awe and reverence."

Keyamo in a keynote address, explained that presently, intra Africa trade was low at just 14.4 per cent of total African exports. Though African airlines he said, had recorded a 34.7 per cent surge in passenger traffic over the past year, he noted that the continent’s global passenger market share remained modest at 2.1 per cent.

"Therefore, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a no-brainer in giving impetus to not just intra Africa trade, tourism, but SAATM would also reduce the continent's trade deficit by 51 per

cent,” he added.

Statistics from the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), he maintained, showed that 37 member States have so far subscribed to unconditionally implement the YD and SAATM, with 23 States signing the Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for its operationalisation.

"The records also show that these 37 States account for more than 88 per cent of intra-African traffic and more than 800 million people in Africa. It is a common knowledge that the success of the SAATM initiative depends on not just the commitment of individual countries, but also on collaborative efforts at the regional and continental levels.

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politics

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

Internal Wranglings as Main Cause of APC’s Defeat at Bayelsa Guber Poll

Elections in Nigeria are usually fraught with intrigues, crisis and manipulations and the Bayelsa state governorship election held last Saturday was no exception. The disaffection among the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in the state, however, contributed in no small measure towards the defeat of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, by the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party. Segun James and Olusegun Julius report.

T

here is the general saying that life is the best teacher, as we never stop learning; and that every experience we go through teaches us something new. That every lesson learnt should be a life changing exercise. But this saying of the elders did not apply to the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate in the November 11, 2023 poll in Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva, when he surprisingly picked Mr. Joshua Miciver as his running mate. To most Bayelsans, this was the error that costs Sylva the election.

The reason for this was obvious. Maciver’s reputation as former militant who they say was particularly brutal to the people was too recent to be over looked.

Ordinarily, the election was supposed to be a two party race between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Since 1999, the PDP has been the ruling party in the state. Even Sylva was a former PDP Governor of the state. But since joining the APC, he has built the party to become a formidable opposition. Sylva was also able to lead the party to victory in 2019 against the PDP, but the win was upturned by the Supreme Court.

In the Bayelsa political landscape, Diri has been an exception to the rule. As Governor, he has concentrated on infrastructural development and security. In recent years as Nigeria struggles economically, Bayelsa has been happily revving up under him.

This particularly has endeared him to the people. Work on the three roads which link the three senatorial axis of the state to the Atlantic Ocean shore are almost completed. These are projects that Sylva rejected and described as not feasible when he was governor.

For the people, security which was of so much concern has been taken care of. It was the first time the people resident in the deep riverine area are having access to the state capital and mainland. What’s more, the project comes with access to the national power grid.

The people have never had it so good.

Diri, within the period he’s been Governor has created an atmosphere of political inclusion, a situation which has made most politicians in the state to return to PDP fold.

Sylva, who resigned early this year from one of the juiciest portfolios at the federal level, had the requisite war chest and connection to retun to Creek Haven with his party but this was not to be.

While some members have accused him of running the party as his private estate, they blamed the abysmal performance of the party in the state at the 2023 general election on his over bearing attitude.

They accused him of running a one man show during the primaries that threw up the party candidates before the poll, just as they also accused him of imposing himself as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for this year’s gubernatorial poll instead of a more popular candidate in David Lyon.

Perhaps, one of the main reasons Sylva lost the election was the division within the party and among the party executives who were not carried along in the scheme of things. The Chairman of the party, whom he singlehandedly hand picked amid protest, Dennis Otiotio, runs the office just like his principal.

Prior to last Saturday’s election, there was disenchantment among the party faithful and chieftains over logistics for the election.

Many of the party leaders who are founding members had since left the party and since Sylva’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer amidst protest, he had made no efforts to reconcile and bring them back.

Prominent among them is the current Minister for State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobri and the popular party’s candidate

Sylva in the 2019 gubernatorial election, Mr David Lyon, among many others.

The governorship election in Bayelsa state has come and gone, and the winner declared. In politics, there is no winner wins all, as this means, the winner wins all the problems. This was the situation as the APC candidate in the election, Timipre Sylva, lost the election to the incumbent, Senator Douye Diri.

Why did the APC that won comfortably in the 2019 election lose so woefully to the PDP? The road to this began soon after Sylva secured the APC gubernatorial ticket.

A former governor of the state and the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Affairs, Sylva, was the leader of the party in the state. In 2015, he was the APC candidate in the governorship election which he lost to Senator Seriake Dickson.

He did not contest the 2019 as he was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. But his emergence as

the party’s candidate in 2023 created a storm within the APC as most party leaders, instead of supporting his candidacy worked against him.

The odds against him was enormous. All known political leaders in the state abandoned the APC. Prominent among them are his former Deputy, Chief Werininpre Seibarugu. Even the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobri and the party’s 2019 governorship candidate, Mr. David Lyon kept their distance from him.

This was the situation when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accused the APC of kidnapping it’s staff in Sylva’s local government area of Brass.

The commission called on the security agencies to explore avenues to secure the release of its officials held hostage in Brass, saying “this is detrimental to credible elections. We call on the security agencies to immediately facilitate their release”.

The electoral body had earlier reported the abduction of one of its officials in the state.

In a statement issued last Friday, head of INEC voters’ registration in the state, Wilfred

Perhaps, one of the main reasons Sylva lost the election was the division within the party and among the party executives who were not carried along in the scheme of things. The Chairman of the party, whom he singlehandedly hand picked amid protest, Dennis Otiotio, runs the office just like his principal. Prior to last Saturday’s election, there was disenchantment among the party faithful and chieftains over logistics for the election. Many of the party leaders who are founding members had since left the party and since Sylva’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer amidst protest, he had made no efforts to reconcile and bring them back.

Prominent among them is the current Minister for State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobri and the popular party’s candidate in the 2019 gubernatorial election, Mr David Lyon, among many others.

Ifogah, said the electoral official was kidnapped while waiting to board a boat at the jetty.

He also revealed that a boat carrying election personnel and materials to Southern Ijaw local government area capsized and result sheets were lost during the incident.

Ifogah said: “We wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to registration area 17 (Koluama) in southern Ijaw LGA capsized.

“Fortunately no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued. We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.

“The total number of registered voters in the affected registration areas is 5,368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5,311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of elections in the affected area.

“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to registration area 06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board at Amassoma jetty. Fortunately no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued”.

In the midst of all these, there was a massive protest at the office as the result of the election about to be announced over allegedly concocted election results from Nembe Bassambiri.

Bayelsa-based civil society operatives, women groups, youth groups, state and National Assembly members and other concerned citizens gathered at the office of INEC to protest alleged move by the top leadership of INEC to alter the results of the Saturday’s election.

As early as 9am, the angry protesters blocked the busy Swali Road location of INEC to prevail on the commission not to accept the results from Nembe Bassambiri, which they said were concocted.

Bayelsa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dambo Biriyai (SAN), told journalists during the protest that election did not take place in Nembe Bassambiri.

He called on INEC REC in the state, Mr Obo Effanga, and South South Commissioner for INEC, May Agbamuche-Mbu, to do what was right by rejecting the alleged fake results.

The Commissioner stressed that PDP members who visited their country home of Bassambiri were prevented entry by the combined team of SWAT police and APC thugs.

He stated further that the APC only wrote outrageous results that were not products of any voting.

According to him: “If what we are here for is allowed to go on, it would be a massive rape on democracy. We are here because we were disenfranchised in Nembe Bassambiri.

And no voting took place there.

“Precisely on the 10th of November, in order to vote for our candidate, about 60 buses left Yenagoa, to Nembe Bassambiri with escort.

When we got there, the SWAT team was blocking the entrance with other APC youths.

“They said we should come down. When one of our boys, Barrister Dilli, came down, they manhandled him and he escaped by the whiskers. Thereafter, they started blocking them up to the extent that they threw tear gas at us. They said we cannot come in. So most of us were scared so they had to leave.

There were no votes. No election, in Nembe Bassambiri constituency 2 and 3.

“And we now found out that results start coming it on social media. Results that were uploaded in the BVAS. And you see that these results are the kind of results that are so outrageous.

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

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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FEatures

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday NOVEMBER 15, 2023

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

How the NPF Confounded Expectation of Bloodshed, Casualties in Imo Contrary to expectation of body bags, of which private mortuaries, had already prepared space for new intakes in Imo State, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Frank Mba, who was on ground to coordinate and supervise the security architecture of the off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Imo, confounded expectation of bloodshed and casualties

DIG Mba with Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi

W

hen the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun deployed Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Frank Mba, Habu Sani and Daniel Sokari-Pedro to Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States, respectively, to oversee the just concluded off cycle-elections, the overarching objective was to reinforce the commitment of the force to ensure neutrality and enhance effective supervision of personnel, deployed for the election.

In Imo, the coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), representing the SouthEast geo-political Zone, DIG Frank Mba, mni, was on ground to coordinate and supervise the security architecture while implementing the formidable security arrangement for a peaceful and secured elections in the state.

Confounding Expectations Given the security situation in Imo, there were expectations that electoral violence would prevent elections from holding. In fact, non-state actors that have been running riot were expected to fan the embers of violence.

THISDAY gathered that even private mortuaries in the state had anticipated large scale body bags after the election, thus they made room to accommodate the new corpses.

However, after the elections, such expectations were null and confounded. Not only did Imo not record any electoral killings, the much anticipated violence by non-state actors never happened.

Although the opposition had flayed the outcome of the election, stakeholders on ground while commending the police, said it was impressive that no police personnel, soldier, or civilian were killed, neither was there any arson or attack on INEC facilities or kidnap of their staff.

In the isolated case where the off duty policeman breached rules of engagement, THISDAY checks revealed that he has since been recalled and is going through appropriate punishment.

Threat by IPOB, ESN In the build-up to the elections, the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East region, amongst other forms of peculiar crimes and criminality therein, raised concerns on the possibility of the election holding in Imo State.

These groups, amongst other criminal elements bedeviling the region, embarked on deliberate escalation of violence targeted at security personnel and other innocent individuals as well as attacks on critical facilities including INEC offices. The IPOB/ ESN issued threats thereby instilling fear and apprehension in the land.

Police Action-Plan Prior Election Prior to the election, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) promptly mobilised the security

The election monitoring was supported by NPF air wing ahead of the elections in the state.

More importantly, mop-up of illicit firearms/ small arms and light weapons in the region and IMO state was directed.

IGP Olukayode Egbetokun community under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Under this, the police harped on inter-agency collaboration. Under this, the police and other members of the ICCES, including the Nigerian Army, NDLEA, NSCDC, Immigration and Customs Services, FRSC resolved to working closely than ever before to mitigate threats to the peaceful conduct of the elections and beyond.

The positive and superb inter-agency collaboration helped in securing the electoral process.

Also, the NPF carried out an election security threat analysis in Imo State to enable it drive a deliberate front at deescalating and reordering the negative trends. By this, the NPF identified black spots, potential trouble makers, possible mercenaries and the likelihood of proliferation of illegal firearms and weapons, and illicit drugs, all targeted at disrupting the electoral process.

Essentially, there was deliberate rejigging of public safety strategies to adequately contain prevailing and emerging crime trends in Imo State, other South-East states and the country at large.

To achieve this, the improved security arrangement was to protect the sanctity of the electoral process, safeguard both sensitive and non-sensitive materials of INEC, protect INEC staff and adhoc staff including corps members, international and local observers, secure critical infrastructure and generally secure the public space.

Also, a massive pre-election deployment and dry-run of the implementation process of the security arrangement was carried out and the approaches were customized-to-suit to mitigate the peculiarities of challenges arising from the security threat analysis conducted

Non-Kinetic Approaches Adopted But beyond this, the police deployed both kinetic and non-kinetic security approaches to ensure a hitch-free and successful conduct of the elections in Imo State.

The non-kinetic approaches adopted included mapping out and expanding the stakeholders reach, conducting consultative meetings with traditional leaders, political party leaders and aspirants, meeting with road transport unions, student leaders, media bodies, amongst others, clearly establishing the mutual responsibilities towards the success of the elections, and reiterated commitment to be driven by it, and improving our public relations and efforts at regaining the trust of the citizens through improved community engagements, enhancement of ethical policies and fight against corruption.

Others include recognising of CSOs, NGOs, Human Right Groups and other critical stakeholders as key actors for improved policing system, dedicating phone lines opened to the members of the public to reach the police directly on matters that require prompt intervention, as well as assuring commitment to providing a level playing ground, and to be apolitical.

Deliberate Supervision, Monitoring For the coordinating DIG Frank Mba, there was no half measures. Knowing what was at stake, he mustered to Imo even before the election to survey and take stock. Armed with the critical information, he effectively deployed intelligence and operational assets with a deliberate manpower distribution action plan for the success of the elections.

Not only was he on ground in Imo State to coordinate and supervise the security architecture while implementing the formidable security arrangement for a peaceful and secured elections in the state, DIG Mba also personally conducted both land and aerial patrols across the state.

Understanding the power of division of labour, senior police officers were strategically assigned to supervise and coordinate human and other operational assets deployed for the elections in the senatorial districts, local governments, other specific jurisdictions, identified hot spots, etc.

Deployment Over 25,000 police personnel were deployed across the nooks and crannies of Imo State.

This is in addition to personnel of the military and other security agencies deployed. This was because the deployment strategy was intelligence-driven. Thus, there was deployment of adequate security for escort and protection of electoral materials, INEC officials, corps members and ad-hoc staff involved in the elections.

There was also adequate security arrangement for the protection of both local and international observers, CSOs, and the media team covering the elections. This is just as additional operational assets comprising modern anti-riot equipment, Armoured Personnel Carrier, water canon truck, pick-up vehicles, amongst others, deployed by the Inspector General of Police to Imo State to boost operational capability in the elections were effectively utilised to mitigate any untoward situation.

The NPF equally deepened community engagement to weaken recruitment drive by terrorists and other criminal groups in the region, just as it also deployed technological innovations – the new Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre - to combat criminal activities including cyber-terrorism.

Other Measures Meanwhile, there was effective border security management to prevent influx of criminal elements from states contiguous to Imo State, just as they also carried out intelligence-driven raids of criminal hideouts across the state.

The police carried out robust confidence building patrols across the state, thus there was improved intelligence management, utilisation and sharing which assist to arrest and suppress the activities of criminal elements before, during and after the elections.

There were pre-election training and human capacity development programs for our personnel including the tactical teams, just as they equally harnessed the INTERPOL NCB and other global policing network to monitor activities of organised criminal elements capable of terrorising the state.

One other factor that helped out was the restriction of vehicular movement from 12pm, Friday September 10, 2023 till the end of the elections on Saturday, thus rendering would be perpetrators immobile.

Except in the aforementioned case where the culprit is being disciplined, stakeholders had commended the professional conduct of police personnel as under the IGP instruction and DIG Mba's execution, they provided a level playing field for all political actors in the elections by being civil yet firm.

Going beyond policing, the team also engaged in robust citizens’ enlightenment campaign on election security and responsibility, just as they paid close attention to public complaints and observations about police activities in the state.

Summarily, there was sustained vigilance by security agencies while the electoral process lasted, leading to early conclusion of result collation and even declaration of same by INEC. Although the opposition have flayed the result of the election, many are of the opinion that the biggest win in Imo State was the bloodshed that was hitherto anticipated but never happened. Even the opposition would agree to this.

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FOCUS

Nigeria’s First Ivy-league Institution, Wigwe University, Berths in Rivers State N Donatus Eleko

icholas Danjuma lost one-and-a-half years in school to the ASUU strike. He lost half a year to a violent cult clash on campus. When school resumed, he heaved a sigh. Then, ASUU struck again.

Out of a four-year course, Danjuma had only had one academic session that lasted three years. His parents had enough by then and decided to send him abroad to complete his studies. It was a tough decision, but Danjuma’s parents were willing to go the whole hog.

Then, the dollar exchange rate spiked, with the dollar exchanging for several hundreds of naira. Danjuma was recalled from his overseas education.

Nigerian parents who want a similitude of Ivy League education for their students are willing to go the extra mile overlooking public universities in Nigeria, preferring to send their wards to Ghana, Europe and the United States amid erratic academic sessions resembling a push-and-start jalopy battling years of strikes and cult violence. Caught in the web of the prohibitive cost of education abroad due to the free fall of the naira in foreign exchange, parents are looking for the best alternative to overseas education with high-quality education and a world-class ambient environment superintended by globally-renowned faculty.

They need not look further.

A new university has berthed on the shores of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. The new university is based on high-standard teaching quality, established to build a new generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and scientists. The university is like no other because of its financial muscle and staunch backers. When it kicks off in September 2023, it will save Nigeria several billions of naira currently spent on forex for overseas education costs, local union strikes and cult violence. Parents looking at the tertiary education system in Nigeria and wondering how any university can provide their youngsters with the high-quality and world-centric education they crave do not have to look further.

Wigwe University fits the bill.

Focusing on changing the landscape of higher education in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, Wigwe University is providing excellent infrastructure with a readiness to provide an Ivy-League education, spending at least $500 million to set up the institution.

On June 9, 2023, the National Universities Commission approved and issued an operational licence to Wigwe University in Isiokpo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Wigwe University embodies Nigeria’s resilience, fearless culture, values, and entrepreneurial spirit. The university believes that the world and Africa, especially, need problem solvers, torchbearers and game-changers who would form part of its learning community to create sustainable solutions for the world. It would have the most conducive environment to do this and to attain their highest potential.

The Group Managing Director of Access Holdings

Plc, Herbert Wigwe, is channelling a $500 million investment into the new university strategically focused on cultivating skills essential for Nigeria’s finance and technology sectors. The university’s curricula include management, science, engineering, information technology, and creative arts disciplines.

To realise its ambitions, the institution anticipates requiring up to $500 million for scaling within a five-year timeframe.

Wigwe emphasised the university’s hybrid nature, underscoring the role of technology in attaining educational standards on par with prestigious institutions in the US and UK. He dismissed the notion of requiring centuries or vast financial resources, drawing parallels with India’s successful production of developers through a singular facility. To bridge the gap in manpower, Wigwe plans to recruit 30 per cent of the teaching staff from the UK and the US. Wigwe would play an active role in teaching and mentoring, engaging prominent entrepreneurs like billionaire Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man. The university aims to enrol 1,400 students in its inaugural year, with a projected increase to 10,000 within the next five years.

Wigwe emphasised the transformative impact of education, asserting that it goes beyond financial considerations, influencing individuals and nations alike. Wigwe University is the culmination of the foremost banker’s lifelong ambition to build an exceptional, world-class, innovative, yet uniquely African institution to grow the next generation of leaders who will change the face of the African continent.

“It is the African gateway to the world of entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and impact. Herbert Wigwe’s mission, through Wigwe University, is to change the course of Nigeria’s future through committed and world-class faculty and globally relevant and locally impactful curricula taught through novel methods to rival the globe’s most respected universities,” the university states.

To Wigwe, education is expected to make one fearless. It should help students remain focused, unwavering, and fixed firmly on the exhilaration of victory rather than the fear of defeat. He said this was why Wigwe University is focused on delivering education, cultivating Africa’s bold and fearless generation of leaders, innovative thinkers and entrepreneurial sons and daughters. Wigwe University is a beacon of knowledge that would guide the African youth through the realms of academia and profound lessons of existence.

According to Wigwe, the university aims to shape its students into embodiments of fearlessness with mentorship and guidance “so that one day, they shall proudly declare – we are fearless.”

“I cannot change the world overnight. But if I can empower even one youth today, tomorrow,

they could join me in empowering others. With time, we could change the world. The truth is that the end to the good we can achieve is nowhere in sight. There’s so much more to conquer. There are more lives to impact and generations to uplift to achieve their full potential,” says the Wigwe University founder.

He adds, “History will favour the brave, those who knew their limitations only because they had to defy them. History will favour the fearless.

We are the African spirit of strength in numbers, teamwork, and collaboration. We symbolise and express the irrepressible human spirit of design thinking. We strive for sustainability and a shared prosperous future for all.”

The vision of Wigwe University is “to ignite Africa’s potential for prosperity, nurture thoughtful, fearless leaders, and become the leading university in Africa,” with a mission “to set a new standard of educational distinction for our continent, students and educators, and nurture the next generation of African leaders as guiding lights for positive impact in a rapidly changing world.”

The university sets a new standard of educational distinction for African students and educators with its distinctively inventive, pragmatic.

“We believe in a balanced, sustainable lifestyle.

From time outdoors to working as a sports team to fostering strong understanding and relationships between peers – our sports and societies offer something for everyone to get involved in,” Wigwe University notes.

It states, “All our programmes are delivered to an international standard in collaboration with key international partners. Our approach puts us in touch with world-leading curricula, joint research and international exchanges and internship programmes.”

Wigwe University’s undergraduate programmes, from degrees to online courses, offer opportunities for “fearless,” inspired, continual learners. The university will start with at least the colleges of art, management and social sciences, engineering, and science and computing. According to the university, the JAMB portal will be opened to purchase registration forms in December 2023.

Prof. Miles Davis has already been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the soon-to-kick-off ivory tower.

Davis has a PhD in human and organisational sciences from George Washington University, an MA in Human Resource Development from Bowie State University and a BA in Communications from Duquesne University. He was the inaugural chair of the Management Science Department at the Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business at Shenandoah University. He became the founding director of its Institute for Entrepreneurship, and later, Davis became the dean of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business.

Davis is an authority on entrepreneurship whose most recent work focuses on integrity, values and principles in the business world, and faith-based entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Society of Leadership Fellows at St. George’s House (their first non-UK-based member), an organization based out of Windsor Castle in England that brings together world leaders in various fields to analyse contemporary issues.

Davis sits on the board of the Amana Mutual Fund Trust. Davis is an awardee of numerous bodies. Most recently, he was named the ‘Portland Business Journal President of the Year’ (the first university president to be so named).

Another personality to keep the institution running is Prof. Nelson Uzoechi-Uzoma Alino, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration/Dean College of Management and Social Science). Before joining Wigwe University, Alino held the esteemed position of William S. Perlroth, Professor of Accounting and Taxation at Quinnipiac University. During his last eight years at Quinnipiac, he was the interim associate dean, department chair, and director of the MSA programme.

Alino received several awards and nominations for his teaching and research.

His leadership and dedication to innovation were instrumental in achieving a separate AACSB accreditation for the Accounting Program at Quinnipiac University. He is also responsible for initiating the university’s highly acclaimed Volunteer Income Tax (VITA) programme, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the US, a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) in Nigeria, and a Certified Forensic Accountant (CRFAC®️) in the USA. Dal Didia (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics).

Before joining Wigwe University, Didia, a professor of Economics and chair of the Department of Economics, Finance, and General Business at Jackson State University, was also a professor and chair of the Department of Economics, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola. As chair of the AUN Senate Curriculum Committee, Didia led a comprehensive curriculum revision, adding more programmes while streamlining the curricular development process at AUN. Didia has over 30 years of experience in academia.

On the other hand, members of its board of trustees are accomplished individuals from diverse fields.

They include Awosika, Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Ajogwu, Dr. Kenneth Ken-Worgu, Olumide Soyombo and Uche Wigwe.

Considering the background and pedigree of its founder, parents would be comfortable taking their children to Wigwe University for the same quality of education that is obtainable anywhere in the world.

From his rich background as a leading private sector operator, the students would be exposed to the right industrial training opportunities for them to gain practical knowledge of what they are taught in the classroom, mentorship and exposure to technological tools that would make them compete with their peers in any part of the world.

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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

F

CYBERCRIME AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE The route to wealth is hard work, not fraud

ollowing the release of most of the arrested students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, some parents last Friday demanded an apology from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an unlawful clampdown on their wards. Besides, they are asking for the immediate clearance of their children’s names, pictures, and biometrics from the records of the antigraft body. The commission must take these demands seriously, especially so as not to jeopardise the future of innocent students who may have been criminalised for no just cause.

The crisis started on November 1 when some EFCC operatives invaded the OAU Students’ off-campus Hostel at Oduduwa Estate at night.

Sixty nine students were apprehended and ferried to their Ibadan zonal office where they were detained. According to the commission, the students were arrested “following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent Internet-related activities.”

But apparently on finding nothing incriminating on many, 58 of the students were released while the agency held on to eleven. Expectedly, the mass arrest sparked an outrage, raising many disturbing questions. How can all the students residing in a large hostel be suspected fraudsters? Is there no civilised way of arresting suspects? Were the students invited and they refused to turn up before the Gestapo-like operation?

Unfortunately, it has become a standard practice for EFCC operatives to raid hotels, relaxation spots, and indeed homes in different parts of the country in hunt for cybercrime suspects where, in many cases, innocent citizens are molested and embarrassed. As it is, the anti-graft body is yet to imbibe the rigour and the wherewithal to conduct thorough investigations, prosecution, and convictions of many of the nation’s big financial criminals. The commission should be concerned about its image problem as many Nigerians

lose faith in its capacity to tackle corruption among the political class.

However, it is also disturbing that many students in the country’s tertiary institutions are increasingly involved in financial crimes. Across several campuses of universities and polytechnics, there is mounting desperation for wealth amid creeping collapse of law and order. According to the immediate past chairman of the anti-graft body, Abdulraheed Bawa, EFCC secured the conviction of 2,847 persons of cybercrime across the country as of October 2022. Most of them are young people, including students. And only recently, at a cybercrime awareness programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the United States embassy, the current EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the commission has secured 395 convictions in advance fee fraud cases and 1,084 cybercrime convictions this year.

There are no reliable statistics, but it is obvious the number of young people who are getting involved in cybercrimes in Nigeria is growing and that should worry all stakeholders. Driven by the prevailing economic hardship in the country and greed, many of our campuses have become breeding grounds for frauds, including romance scams, identity theft, credit card fraud and ‘419’ - in reference to the section of the Nigerian law that criminalises such scams. A dastardly one--killing for rituals, often called Yahoo plus--has also been introduced, with ‘academies’ where the intricate nature of this sordid ‘business’ is reportedly taught to willing students online. A study at a state-owned university in the Southwest revealed that many of the undergraduate students are exposed to various forms of cybercrime.

Last week, the EFCC met with some vice chancellors and rectors to examine how universities and polytechnics can help combat students’ involvement in cybercrime. But this is a call that should be taken seriously by all critical stakeholders in the country. We cannot build a society in which young people believe that the route to wealth is fraud, and not work.

Many of our campuses have become breeding grounds for frauds, including romance scams, identity theft, credit card fraud and ‘419’ - in reference to the section of the Nigerian law that criminalises such scams 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 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, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

LETTERS HIDDEN PANDEMIC ON OUR CAMPUSES

The fact that Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) exists in our tertiary institutions cannot be overemphasized. It is a hidden pandemic that may gradually be accepted as a norm if not nipped in the bud. The big questions are: who will bell the cat? Are the victims bold enough to speak out? If yes, who do they confide in?

In most cases, the victims report to another perpetrator who would either sweep it under the carpet or threaten the victims further with expulsion or make the victim stay longer than necessary on campus.

As we are aware, education is an integral and normal part of women/girls’ lives and more school children are added to the universities every year. Will it be proper to allow them to be admitted into a corrupt system – where there is sex for grades and be infested too? The answer is a capital NO. This is because upon graduation, they become advocates and the vanguards of the hidden pandemic that is eating deep in our system.

Compromise by the students could be attributed to the inadequate preparations for the young ones before gaining admission into the universities. Without adequate awareness through pieces of literature, videos, and music, it may lead to more hazards in our institutions. Some victims encourage the naive freshman into giving in to sex for grades believing that it is an acceptable practice in the institutions.

The troubling reality is that both young female students and married ones are victims of this disturbing pandemic. With sextortion on our campuses, it becomes unconducive for learning. Research showed that a total survey of 4,500 students from 153 institutions found that almost two-thirds (62%) of respondents have experienced sexual violence at United Kingdom universities. This figure increased to 70% amongst female students, and almost three-quarters (73%) for students with a disability.

Nigeria is not left out. A lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University was found guilty of a sex scandal and sacked. There was also a case of the harassment of a postgraduate student at the University of Lagos. Likewise, the most recent one was at the University of Calabar where a Dean of the University’s Law Faculty was accused of sleeping with the female students with the threat of making sure they would not graduate if they did not succumb to his amorous advances.

Nevertheless, there are more unreported cases of sex for grades in Nigerian universities than the reported cases. The question is: why would a victim not report?

It is also worth noting that sextortion exists in our secondary schools. In 2019, the permanent secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration suspended two teachers of the FCT School for the Blind, Jabi, for allegedly molesting female students of the

school. How would a teacher who has the mandate to teach and protect a child living with disabilities resort to abusing her? That is barbaric and a decay of conscience.

But back to our questions. Why were the victims unwilling to report? As I said earlier, there is no established channel of reporting.

The unsuspecting victims ignorantly report to another perpetrator who would either sweep it under the carpet or threaten the victims further with expulsion or with a threat that the victim would stay longer than necessary on the campus.

Another reason why some students prefer to be silent is when they see the fruitlessness of other students’ reports. Sometimes too, the victims are intimidated into withdrawing the petition and forced to admit that they raised a false alarm. The universities especially the privately-owned ones, would defend the lecturers just to save the name of the school. What is the way forward? I would recommend the establishment of a proper reporting channel. Such channels should be independent of the management of the institutions. If found guilty after investigations, decisive measures should be taken against the perpetrators. Above all, the students should be academically prepared to read and pass their exams. In most cases, the weak students are prone to molestation and victimization.

Glorious Amalu-Jack, Abuja

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T H I S D AY • Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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 er

S & P INDEX

1 4 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

FG Raised N5.54tn Via Bonds in 11 Months, N6.54tn Subscription

Kayode Tokede As investors seek assets classes to maximise their profit and enhance the value of their funds following galloping inflation, subscription to FGN bonds reached N6.54 trillion in 11 months of 2023.

Aside loans from multilateral institutions, the federal government has mostly relied on the bond market to bridge 2023 budget deficit.

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO) FGN Bond auction results, the total amount raised so far in 11 months of 2023 stood at N5.54

trillion, representing an increase of 97.7 per cent from N2.8 trillion in 11 months of 2022.

The DMO on a monthly basis conducted four auctions, with investors’ oversubscription in long term-to-maturity FGN Bond.

THISDAY gathered that since January 2023, DMO has continually re-open some FGN Bonds and steadily hike its interest rate to attract investors.

For instance, DMO 30-year’s 15.70% FGN JUN 2053 November bond auction had a marginal rate of 18 per cent from 16.6 per cent during the October 2023 FGN bond auction.

The debt management in 11 months of 2023 offered to raise N3.96 trillion from investors as against N2.25 trillion in 11 months of 2022.

The DMO in its latest FGN Bond auction result for November 2023 disclosed that the four auctions saw a total of 311 bids worth N445.297 billion total subscription from the N360 billion total offered amount to investors.

The total amount allotted was N434.497 billion, with 301 successful bids allotted at marginal rates of 16.0000 %, 17.000%, 17.5000% and 18.000% as the Inflation rate in Nigeria currently at 26.72per cent as of September 2023, according to

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to DMO, the 14.55% FGN APR 2029 (Re-opening, 10-Year Bond) with N90billion offered amount recorded N34.77billion subscription with a total amount allotted at N31.470billion, while 14.70% FGN JUN 2033 (Re-opening, 10-Year Bond) with N90 billion offered amount recorded N33.193billion as DMO allotted N33.193billion.

The other remaining offers showed that 15.45% FGN JUN 2038 (Reopening, 15-Year Bond) witnessed N47.065billion subscription out of N90billion offered to investors as DMO allotted N47.065billion and 15.70% FGN JUN 2053 (Re-opening,

30-Year Bond) that was allotted N322.769billion during the November FGN bond auction out of which N90billion was the amount offered to investing public.

Experts have attributed the strong demand for FGN bond to attractive yield, which offer investors’ high returns on their investments, stressing that the oversubscription also revealed that investors have confidence in the federal government ability to meet its debt obligations.

The appetite for FGN bonds indicates that Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and Nigerian investors prefer investment instruments with less volatility that

assures them of their capital returns albeit with low yield on investment.

But some analysts attributed the under subscription to some issuances to fear of interest rate risk, “as investors are full well informed that economy is still very much challenged and that inflationary pressure remains unabated.”

“So, investors expect higher yield for this particular issuance, while government does not wish to borrow at higher interest rate,” said CEO, Wyoming Capital and Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Economist Intelligence Unit Predicts 2.6% Real GDP Growth for Nigeria in 2024 Kayode Tokede Analysts at Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) have predicted 2.2 per cent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Nigeria by end of 2023 and 2.6 per cent by 2024.

Nigeria’s third quarter (Q3) 2023 GDP rose by 2.5per cent, below the 3.5per cent growth in 2022, according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In its new country report for Nigeria, EIU said, “We expect real GDP growth to pick up from an estimate of just 2.2per cent in 2023, but to remain sluggish in 2024, at 2.6per cent. Performance will be dragged down by high inflation and monetary tightening, causing

domestic demand to contract for a third year running in 2024.”

The report noted that, “In a country where the population expands at about 2.5per cent a year, this marks an unusual stretch of decline. Net exports will be the sole growth driver early in the forecast period. We expect oil export volumes to increase as security in the Niger Delta allows higher oil output; the balance will be complemented by the displacement of fuel and chemical imports in 2024 as the Dangote refinery ramps up production.

“As inflation falls and monetary policy becomes expansionary from 2025, domestic demand will return to (low) growth. Consequently,

real GDP growth will rise to four per cent in 2025—the highest rate since 2014, owing partly to rebound effects—and average 3.2 per cent in 202628, with the PIA and recent deregulation of the power sector expected to support investment over the medium to long term.”

According to report, inflation rate in Nigeria has continued to rise throughout 2023, and the pace has quickened since June owing to market reforms, which are likely to have powerful second-round pass-through effects.

“Currency losses on the parallel market, where a sizable share of foreign exchange is transacted, will be a major driver of imported

inflation into 2024. From an estimated rate of 30.5per cent at end-2023, inflation will stay high in 2024, at 23.6per cent on average for the year, owing to a delayed and insufficient monetary response coupled with fiscal expansionism.

The decline assumes that petrol prices will be held steady over much of the year.

“In latter years an undercurrent of softer global commodity prices should foster a continued disinflationary trend until 2028, although in no year will inflation fall within the 7-9per cent target range.

“Factors behind this include insecurity, a large devaluation in 2025, the need to deliver cost-

reflective electricity tariffs and the CBN’s dovishness. We expect inflation to average 13.2 per cent in 2025-28,” the EIU report stated.

The research and analysis division of the Economist Group said, “the naira’s “float” in June was followed by heavy losses on the parallel market (of 45per cent against the US dollar since June), in part driven by low liquidity in the NFEM and speculation.

“The CBN has since reverted to guiding the exchange rate by limiting access to foreign-exchange sales for banks and other dealers that quote hard currency outside a preferred rate.”

EIU said that an unsupportive monetary policy implies that the

naira would remain under pressure, and the CBN lacks the firepower to adequately supply the market or clear a backlog of foreign exchange orders, valued at over $6billion, which will keep foreign investors unnerved.

The report added, “Official foreign reserves are reported at $33billion, but up to one-third of the assets are encumbered, tied up in derivative contracts or loans. In the short to medium term the official exchange rate will continue to be propped up by access restrictions, implying long lead times at the NFEM. The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

M a r k e t d ata A s at T u e s d ay, N o v e m b e r 1 4 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS Description Price Yield Change Updated Time (%) ^13.53 23October 100.95 12.77 0,00 31, 2023 MAR-2025 October ^12.50 220,00 31, 98.78 13.11 2023 JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17October 108.14 13.24 0,00 MAR-2027 31, 2023 ^13.98 23October 99.32 14.18 0,00 FEB-2028 31, 2023 ^14.55 26October 98.82 14.87 0,00 31, APR-2029 2023

BILLS Maturity

Discount Yield

Change (%) Updated Time

Maturity

NTB 26-Oct23 NTB 9-Nov23 NTB 7-Dec23 NTB 25-Jan24 NTB 8-Feb24

1.80

1.80

October 0.00 31, 2023

2.57

2.57

October 0.00 31, 2023

3.92

3.94

October 0.00 31, 2023

3.75

3.79

October 0.00 31, 2023

4.45

October 0.00 31, 2023

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

4.39

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPs Discount Yield 16.82

16.88

14.68

14.86

19.23

19.60

11.26

11.39

19.22

19.60

Change (%)

Updated Time

October 105,00 31, 2023 October 79,00 31, 2023 October 74,00 31, 2023 October 72,00 31, 2023 October 72,00 31, 2023

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

Updated Time

October 31, 2023 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2023

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Wednesday, November 15, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

Insurance

Redeeming Insurance Industry’s Image Recent move by the National Insurance Commission to address cases of outstanding claims in the books of insurance companies through invitation to the public for immediate payment has elicited reactions from insurance sector stakeholders, writes Ebere Nwoji

T

he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM ), rising from its quarterly meeting with all insurance chief executive officers in the country tagged, “Insurers Committee Meeting,” recently gave an ultimatum to insurance underwriters to within two weeks notify members of the insuring public who have any outstanding claim to approach their insurers with relevant documents for settlement of such claims.

NAICOM, mandated the insurers to do this through their umbrella body the Nigeria Insurers Association( NIA), adding that after the NIA had placed the public notice on outstanding claims in the newspapers. NAICOM said it would watch the development in terms of public response towards accessing the outstanding claims and insurers’ behaviour towards the claims payment for three months adding that if the response was not satisfactory in terms of number of claims paid after the notice, it would on its own place a follow up notice inviting the claimants to approach their insurance firms for the purpose of receiving the claims.

Stakeholders’ Reactions The development according to the industry stakeholders is first in history in the industry and is a cheering news for both Nigerians and the insurance industry itself if well handled.

Industry observers said it was a cheering news because never in the history of insurance practice in Nigeria has it been heard that insurance firms invited policy holders to come for their claims.

According to them, what is common in Nigeria is situations where insureds file claims and some insurance companies sometimes reject the claims giving one reason or the other why the claims should not be paid .

They noted that in some cases, the insurers point out one clause in the policy document which would enable them wriggle out of the claims obligation while the insured is left stranded and helpless.

Cases of Repudiated Claims Industry observers sited a particular case of an insurance company with head office around Iponri area in Lagos which insured a building for an IT engineer working in a media house in Lagos.The engineer said during the contract arrangement, the insurance firm even asked him to pay for extension which he did. The house was insured against damage by flood but when the risk cristalised, the IT

his assumption of office in 2007 continued to crusade about the place of claims payment in insurance contract.

Daniel had told the insurers that the best advertisement they would do that could pull crowd to insurance firms is seamless claims payment.

The late Emmanuel Chukwulozie was also not left out among NAICOM chief executives that fought for claims payment. Even the immediate past insurance commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, did not mince his words in telling the insurers the mandatory nature of claims payment in insurance contract.

Currently, the incumbent commissioner, Mr Sunday Thomas seems to be a stronger force compared to his predecessors in pushing for seamless claims payment in the industry.

Thomas had before now threatened to employ the ‘name and shame’ strategy in getting insurance firms pay claims.

This, according to him, will involve publishing names of insurance firms that shirk claims for no genuine reason.

engineer filed his claim but the insurance firm said the house was insured against flood damage but that what damaged the house was erosion. When the matter was brought to both NIA and NAICOM, they both questioned the difference between flood and erosion but uptil date the insurance firm refused to pay the claim and when the engineer approached a team of claim officers of the firm for three times, after much argument with them he decided to forego the claims.

Similar cases of this nature abound in the industry in the past.

Effects of claims repudiation The result of this has been indelible dent on the image of the industry and Nigerians’ apathy and alienation towards insurance patronage.

This problem has been there over the years with both the regulatory authority and insurers, especially new generation insurers in recent times working hard to salvage the industry’s image through easy payment of genuine claims to win back the loyalty of Nigerians towards insurance.

Before Now, NAICOM had devised several ways of ensuring that insurance

firms pay claims seamlessly.

Way back in the days of late Chief Oladipo Bailey as the insurance commissioner, the commission did a lot to improve claims payment in the industry.

One of the strategies he used was significant increase in the minimum capital of the industry from N20 million to N70 million for general insurers and N50 million for life insurers. This he said was to ensure that insurers have enough money in their coffers to pay claims.

He also mandated for a re -registration exercise in the industry, a strategy he used to weed out non claims paying and weak insurance firms.

After this, he adopted the strategy of presiding over claims payment in the industry to the extent that he had used his prerogative power to mandate the insurers to pay major claims that ordinarily they would not have agreed to pay.

A case in point was claims from the Ikeja cantonment explosion in 2002 which the late NAICOM Chief executive officer mandated insurers to pay under what he tagged “gentle man’s agreement” After him came Fola Daniel who from

NAICOM’s current efforts With the evolvement of what the commission tagged ten year strategic road map for the industry of which among the seven point strategic thrusts highlighted by the commission, transformation of the regulatory environment to sustain the industry’s growth topped the list.

Industry analysts interpreted the current move by the commission to finally address cases of unsettled claims in the books of insurance firms as major part of this transformation targeted at making Nigerians renew their interest and appetite for insurance.

Stakeholders commend NAICOM This move by the commission has received high commendations by the industry stake holders.

For instance, the former Chairman NIA and currently Principal Consultant Claims Advocacy Group, Mr Gus Wiggle deceribed the move as a welcome development and hopefully a move that would lead to more confidence in insurance and deepen the penetration.

According to him, it will give confidence to the insuring public that insurers are really prepared to pay claims and they can be held to their word.

NOTE: The story continue online on www.thisdaylive.com

OilservTargets Expansion in African Market Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria’s foremost Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) giant, Oilserv Group has confirmed its participation as a key sponsor of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2023) in Cairo, Egypt.

The company, in a statement, said the event offers the opportunity to showcase its competence in EPCIC from an indigenous African operator’s perspective.

The Chairman of Oilserv Group, Dr Emeka Okwuosa, stated that the trade fair provides a venue for taking advantage of the African market, which is sure to provide commercial prospects.

“It is crucial for Oilserv, a Nigerian energy firm with plans to grow its clientele throughout Africa and beyond, to take part in the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).

“By showcasing our capabilities and expertise at the fair, we aim to attract potential partners and investors who can help us tap into the vast unrealized potential of the African market.

“This event will not only allows us to establish new business connections but also strengthen existing relationships with key stakeholders in the industry,” he said.

According to the Oilserv boss, the company’s top management team are on ground at the event to leverage on the prospects the IATF offers to showcase its expertise, extensive experience, and track record with a view to enhancing the company’s credibility in new African markets as well as to attract potential investment and partners.

“Ultimately, participation in the IATF aligns perfectly with Oilserv’s strategic growth plans,” he stated.

L-R; Business Development Executive(Ibadan), Toluwase Ayeni; Executive Director, Product and Strategy, Bolaji Tijani; Customer Service Executive, Oluwafunmilola Deborah Dabup and Business Development Executive (Lagos), Michael Adebayo Adewale all of X-Agon Digital Solutions Limited during the media launch of AnyworkX Mobile App in Lagos... recently Photo: Abiodun Ajala

Surveyor General Wants Development of National Geospatial Data Infrastructure

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF) Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, has harped on the need for the country to develop a National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI).

He stated that this would become a repository of all sets of information about materials, institutions, agencies, among

others, at national and subnational levels throughout the nation.

Speaking during a pre-event interactive session in Abuja ahead of the 2023 Geoscience Information System (GIS) day celebration, Adebomehin said many countries had already developed their own (NGDI).

According to the surveyor general, these countries now largely depend on the

infrastructure for real time accurate information about their environment, rather than depending on Google.

He noted that many times, information from Google is inaccurate as it may lack the correct coordinates.

He explained that the NGDI when operational, would be a locally developed spatial data repository or one-stop shop where

different sets of data about the various components, locations of incidents in the country can easily accessed for decision-making real time at the click of a button.

Adebomehin added that creating more awareness while promoting collaboration and networking among stakeholders through the GIS expo is a step towards achieving the NGDI dream.

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T H I S D AY • Wednesday, November 15, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

FINANCE

Menace of Wonder Banks Nume Ekeghe writes on the negative impact of wonder banks, the factors contributing to their proliferation and the risks associated with patronising them

I

n recent times, there have been trending videos from social media influencers of promising investment platforms offering outrageous returns with attendant mouth-watering promises, which many find irresistible.

The economic hardship in the country made such offering attractive to those desperate to change their economic fortunes, but this poses a growing menace and significant threat to unsuspecting individuals seeking financial stability.

Analysts believe it is the desperation by the people to improve their economic well-being that has provided the fertilizer for the growth of wonder banks.

“These financial entities, often promising unrealistically high returns and swift wealth accumulation that cast a tempting web that draws in desperate individuals grappling with economic hardship, “said a market watcher.

Wonder banks, also known as Ponzi schemes or fraudulent investment platforms, have been a persistent issue in Nigeria’s financial landscape. These entities promise quick and substantial returns on investments, tapping into the aspirations of individuals facing financial difficulties. The appeal is straightforward amidst economic hardship, the prospect of rapid financial elevation becomes irresistibly tempting.

Economic Hardship as Breeding Ground

The economic challenges faced by Nigerians, ranging from high inflation rates to unemployment, create a fertile breeding ground for wonder banks. Individuals, desperate for financial relief, often find themselves susceptible to the promises of extraordinary returns offered by these fraudulent schemes. The sense of urgency and the desire for a way out of financial distress can becloud one’s judgment, making it easier for wonder banks to lure victims into their deceptive schemes.

Allure of Unrealistic Returns

One of the primary tactics employed by wonder banks is the promise of unrealistic returns on investment.

“In an environment where traditional financial institutions offer modest interest rates, the allure of schemes promising double or triple-digit returns within a short period becomes enticing. This promise of quick wealth, coupled with the economic desperation of many, serves as the perfect bait for wonder banks to trap unsuspecting individuals.

“Wonder banks often operate in the shadows, taking advantage of regulatory gaps and exploiting the lack of stringent oversight. This operational opacity makes it challenging for authorities to detect and shut down these fraudulent schemes promptly. As a result, wonder banks can operate for extended periods, defrauding numerous individuals before any intervention occurs, “said Uche James, a personal finance expert.

The Devastating Impact on Victims

The consequences of falling victim to wonder banks can be devastating. Individuals, who invest their hard-earned money, hoping for financial relief, often end up losing everything. The promised

returns remain elusive, and the initial investment is typically unrecoverable. This loss exacerbates the financial hardship that drove individuals to seek alternative investment opportunities in the first place.

Government and Regulatory Responses

Recognizing the severity of the issue, the Nigerian government and regulatory bodies have taken steps to curb the proliferation of wonder banks.

Awareness campaigns, public advisories, and the establishment of task forces aimed at identifying and dismantling fraudulent schemes are some of the measures in place.

However, the persistent nature of this problem highlights the need for continuous efforts to stay ahead of evolving tactics employed by wonder banks. In a recent address at the 2023 Lagos International Trade Fair, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Bello Hassan, emphasised the importance of depositors’ awareness and

education in safeguarding their financial well-being.

He stated, “As the NDIC, we remain committed to protecting the interests of small depositors and ensuring the safety and stability of Nigeria’s banking system.

However, public awareness and education are crucial in mitigating the risks associated with wonder banks.”

Hassan further addressed the ongoing efforts to compensate victims of failed banks, saying, “Following the recent revocation of licenses of some Microfinance Banks and Primary Mortgage Banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the NDIC promptly commenced the liquidation of these banks and began disbursing insured sums to depositors within a record time of 3 days of the banks’ closure.”

He urged the public to exercise caution, stating, “I would like to therefore call on the general public, especially traders and businessmen, to always ensure that their funds are saved in licensed banks and to avoid patronage of wonder banks and Ponzi schemes which always leave their victims with untold stories.”

Amidst the economic challenges and the allure of quick wealth, education emerges as a crucial defense against the menace of wonder banks. Empowering individuals with financial literacy, teaching them to recognize red flags, and promoting awareness about the risks associated with fraudulent investment schemes are essential components of this defense.

Navigating Economic Hardship

As Nigeria navigates through economic hardships, the menace of wonder banks continues to cast its shadow on unsuspecting individuals seeking financial stability. The allure of quick wealth, coupled with operational opacity and regulatory challenges, creates a perfect storm for the proliferation of these fraudulent schemes. It is imperative for individuals to exercise caution, seek financial education, and be wary of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true. Only through collective awareness and informed decision-making can Nigerians protect themselves from the enticing but perilous web of wonder banks.

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business/MOnEYGUIDE

PenCom Showcases Micro Pension Plan Value to Small Businesses Ebere Nwoji

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has stressed the need for small-scale business operators to embrace its Micro Pension plan for their benefit.

PenCom made the call at the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair.

The commission said participation in the yearly trade fair was one of the strategies it used to sustain the momentum of the micro pension.

“The trade fair is a forum that attracts business people and stakeholders that we feel should be part of the micro pension system and this is a forum for us to interact with those stakeholders to explain to them what benefits they stand to get from the micro pension,

”the commission explained Speaking at PenCom’s special day at the fair annually organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Head of the Micro Pensions Department at PenCom, Dauda Ahmed, said the commission made impressive outing at the fair.

He said response gotten by the commission on the Micro pension has been quite encouraging, adding that the commission had been having interactions with participants at the fair and have been enlightening them on what the Micro pension plan was all about and how they could benefit from the initiative.

Also speaking on the progress of the MPP initiative, the Head of South West Zonal Office, PenCom, Sola Adeseun, who

represented the Director General, Aisha Dahir-Umar, affirmed that participating at the trade fair was just one of the commission’s strategies in creating awareness about the Micro pension scheme.

He said PenCom also reached out to market women across the country to have sessions with them so that they could also contribute to the micro pension plan to have something to fall back to in their retirement age.

The President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Michael OlawaleCole, in his welcome address commended the pension industry for its success over the years, with total pension assets of N17.35 trillion as of September 2023 and a contributors’ base of about 10.1 million people.

Nigerian Bottling Company Advocates for Sustainable Plastic Practice In alignment with its longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and a World Without Waste through sustainable plastic management, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited. partnered with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation for its annual ‘Walk-For-Nature’ on Saturday, October 21st in Lagos State.

The event, themed; “Solutions to Plastic Pollution,” aligns with NBC’s proactive efforts to highlight the immense opportunities for environmental stewardship and taking a bold step towards fostering a culture

of environmental responsibility and awareness among Nigerians.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja, extended his heartfelt gratitude to NBC for their unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, which aligns seamlessly with the organisation’s ongoing efforts.

He said, “The Nigerian Conservation Foundation has been at the forefront of nature conservation and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria. We are excited to have partners like

NBC to join us in our quest to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our natural resources and mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution. Together, we aim to make a significant impact on plastic recycling and management, ultimately safeguarding our environment for future generations.’’

Commenting on the initiative, Corporate Affairs and Community Partnership Manager (Lagos & West) 0f Nigerian Bottling Company, (NBC) Limited, Jerome Oyebanji, restated the organisation’s efforts towards an environmentally sustainable society.

Hi-Tech Wins FCMB’s 60-Team Hackathon Challenge The inaugural FCMB Hackathon Challenge saw Team Hi-Tech, led by Afolabi Ayanfe and Sophia Ezeh, win the top prize of N3 million for the creation of the digital financial solution, Padi4Life. A partnership with Ingressive For Good (I4G), the hackathon launched a new cohort of techies and fostered innovation and creative problem-solving.

With over 2,900 entries and 60 competing teams participating in a 72-hour hackathon, Team Hi-Tech’s Padi4Life

made the final shortlist. It stood out for its peer-to-peer lending, asset tokenisation, and blockchain-based investment and engagement features.

Afolabi Ayanfe, the Team Lead of Hi-Tech, expressed gratitude to FCMB, saying, “Padi4Life is designed to build a community of trusted financial partners, meeting the needs of Nigerians.”

Divisional Head of Transaction Banking at FCMB, Rolayo Akhigbe, stressed the bank’s commitment to innovation

through Open Banking. She urged FinTechs, developers, and start-ups to utilise First City Monument Bank’s Application Programming Interface (API) to develop inclusive and sustainable solutions.

Group Head of Corporate Affairs at FCMB, Diran Olojo encouraged winners and participants to collaborate with the bank, saying that Open Banking is the future. “The future is connected, and open banking is key to unlocking this potential.

CSR: KBL Insurance Extends Care to The Elderly Ebere Nwoji KBL Insurance Limited, one of the general insurance underwriters in Nigeria, in discharging its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) recently paid a visit to several homes, that house the elderly and less privileged nationwide.

The visits according to the underwriting firm represent the firm’s annual activities in its numerous corporate social responsibility initiatives.

During this year’s exercise, KBL management sent food, household materials, and dolled -out cash gift to the benefitting Homes, to support their upkeep and general welfare.

Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, of KBL, Mrs. Ukachi Orji said:

“This programme is driven by our passion to reach-out to the very elderly senior- citizens, and the less privileged, some of whom had served the nation in various capacities and in different ways, but now seem to have been abandoned and forgotten, in various homes, across Nigeria. We always want to show them real care and love. To us, the purpose of doing business, should not only be to make profit, without effectively impacting the communities where we operate.

We are very intentional in our plan.

She said KBL used the opportunity to commend corporate bodies, that were already doing well along these lines while calling on others for more support.

“I also call on other organisa-

tions to provide more support for these Homes, particularly for the elderly and the motherless babies.”

Orji also advised that the role should not just be left for a few Non-Governmental Organisations. She therefore called on government at all levels to revisit existing policies to ensure there is regular, efficient, and quality provision for these segments of society, because they deserve everyone’s attention.

The beneficiaries of the year 2023 outing, include the Holy Family Home for the Elderly in Mushin, Lagos, the Amazing Grace Foundation in Kado Estate, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Home for the Elderly on Harbour Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

L-R: Director, Frontier Development Division, Japan External Trade Organisation, Munenori Ishikawa; Managing Director/Trade Commissioner, JETRO, Takashi Oku; Manager, Research and Business Development, JETRO, Nana Kazumi and General Manager, Michael Anusa, during the closing ceremony of the International Trade Fair in Lagos...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) August, 2023

Money Supply (M3)

65,445,154.2

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

552,553.58

Money Supply (M2)

64,892,600.61

-- Quasi Money

40,870,301.28

-- Narrow Money (M1)

24,022,299.33

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,295,309.10

---- Demand Deposits

21,726,990.23

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,144,158.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

87,273,966.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

54,762,633.63

--Other Assets Net

13,347,376.27

Reserve Money (Base Money

19,429,603.25

--Currency in Circulation

2,660,138.92

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

16,769,464.34 428,519.21

• Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

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

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

5.13

Savings Deposit Rate

5.26

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.31

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.30

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.13

Prime Lending rate

13.99

Maximum Lending Rate

27.59

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 29th September , 2023

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

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T H I S D AY •WEDNESday, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

29

mARKET NEWS

Titan Trust Bank Takes Over Union Bank, to Delist from NGX Kayode Tokede Union Bank has announced that it has received an offer from its core s h a r e h o l d e r, Ti t a n Tru s t B a n k L i m i t e d , to acquire the shares of all minority shareholders in the bank after the completion of the

core investors’ sale o f a m a j o r i t y s h a re h o l d i n g t o Ti t a n Tr u s t , a s u b s i d i a r y of TGI Group.

The acquisition of the minority shareholding has led to the application to delist Union Bank of Nigeria Plc from Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX).

This development

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

was implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement between the bank and the bank’s shareholders (the m i n o r i t y s h a re h o l d ers), by Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (as amended).

One of the oldest financial institution

S E C U R I T I E S Market Price

quantity traded

has notified all esteemed stakeholders that the Bank is finalizing the process of obtaining approval to delist the Bank’s shares from NGX, upon which shareholders of the Bank will receive a scheme consideration of N7.70 per share.

Commenting on this development,

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

A S O F

MaiN Board

CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria, Mudassir Amray in a statement said, “This move is an effort to attract larger private investments to reconsolidate our position as one of the top pioneer Banks in Nigeria. “ We r e m a i n c o m mitted to deliver value to our cus-

tomers, employees, and shareholders through superior solutions. “ We appreciate the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Securities Exchange Commission, NGX, and every other agency and parastatal that were instrumental to achieving this.”

N OV E M B E R / 1 4

/ 2 3

DEALS

quantity traded

Market Price

value traded ( N)

30

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • 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 13Nov-2023, 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 285.49 289.28 52.05% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.34% Nigeria International Debt Fund 342.18 342.18 14.06% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.38 109.38 5.69% 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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.02% Anchoria Equity Fund 182.68 185.04 26.03% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 0.13% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.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 29.22 30.10 33.15% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 643.35 662.74 23.43% ARM Ethical Fund 53.24 54.85 18.01% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.17 1.17 3.65% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 3.65% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.20% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.06 1.06 2.06% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 99.66 99.66 9.72% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,121.70 1,121.70 4.74% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.21 2.21 6.71% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.93 3.00 31.25% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 24.72 25.22 42.51% Women's Investment Fund 195.94 198.96 40.88% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.11 101.11 12.12% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.03 1.03 11.08% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.61% Cordros Milestone Fund 160.32 161.37 24.86% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 106.12 106.12 10.41% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 108.38 108.38 11.55% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 113.57 113.57 6.23% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 10.65% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.14 1.15 1.65% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.37 1.37 0.59% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 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 N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1523.62 1523.62 11.55% FBN Balanced Fund 255.52 257.70 38.65% FBN Halal Fund 131.45 131.45 12.90% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.46% FBN Dollar Fund 122.74 122.74 7.42% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 231.67 234.60 53.48% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 110.37 110.37 9.47% 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 8.00% Legacy Debt Fund 3.56 3.56 -0.50% Legacy Equity Fund 2.61 2.66 30.70% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.32 1.32 4.57% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A

GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Guaranty Trust Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund (VEIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A 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 1.76 1.79 14.64% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,197.26 1,197.26 9.44% 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 16.88 17.02 44.59% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.57% 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) 103.10 103.10 11.86% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.58% Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) 102.63 102.63 11.18% 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 2.14 2.18 35.79% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.93 12.12 7.46% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.72% PACAM Equity Fund 2.18 2.21 53.43% PACAM EuroBond Fund 128.56 131.51 15.35% SCM CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT 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 The Frontier Fund 147.47 152.08 17.31% 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 1.10 1.10 10.01% 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 4,702.83 4,740.45 38.73% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 255.24 255.24 8.35% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.94 1.96 54.76% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 349.04 349.17 11.49% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 366.57 370.99 56.94% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.80% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 17,284.99 17,498.04 58.33% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.45 1.45 12.28% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 127.20 127.20 8.80% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 124.47 124.47 17.01% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,944.96 4,944.96 16.24% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 5,048.10 5,110.84 81.56% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,149.22 5,163.43 35.19% 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 1.25 1.27 37.44% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.74 1.75 34.30% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.34 1.35 24.83% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.17 1.17 11.65% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.93 1.93 6.88% United Capital Eurobond Fund 123.46 123.46 5.57% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 8.34% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.58% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 18.10 18.31 30.63% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 21.58 21.82 36.60% Zenith Income Fund 25.20 25.20 6.97% Zenith Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 7.19 7.29 78.29% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 11.44 11.54 94.98% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 25.43 25.63 43.56% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.06% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 28.38 28.58 41.81% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 -6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

127.59 55.79 101.33 9.88

12.12% 5.22% -13.49%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

21.03 436.00 520.00 22.06 30.62

21.13 436.00 520.00 22.16 30.72

35.79% 238.72% 415.62% 51.47% 83.18%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.40

0.00%

Fund Name

SFS REIT Union Homes REIT Nigeria Real Estate Investment Trust UPDC 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

I N F R AST R U CT U R E F U N D

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.

31

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Property & environment

UPDC Launches The Hampshire, Iconic Piece of Real Estate Bennett Oghifo UPDC Plc., a renowned and foremost player in Nigeria’s housing sector, has launched an iconic piece of real estate, known as The Hampshire.

The Hampshire is a 5 hectare Site and Services development, designed as a gated all-inclusive community with infrastructure that will ensure a low carbon footprint, according to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UPDC Plc., Odunayo Ojo, during the launch, last week.

The Hampshire is located along Monastery Road, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos, about a minute’s drive from the

famous Novare Mall, and about 10 minutes’ drive from Lagos Business School and it is close to the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

At the launch of The Hampshire, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UPDC Plc, Odunayo Ojo, stated that The Hampshire is the latest of their projects.

“It’s a five hectare project in the area of Lekki, Lagos. The Hampshire comprises a mixed use development that has such plots as residential, so we have low density residential plots, medium density residential plots and high density residential plots.

“There are sites from 300m² and you can build single family dwelling houses on them for the medium density plots they are sized from 553m², and you can build semi-detached houses on them and for high density plots, there are sites from 900m² and people can build blocks of apartments on them. We also have two commercial plots sized at about 2435 plot square meters, where people can build different complementary commercial uses like schools, like like cafes, like gyms, you know, like lounges and everything that people need in this neighbourhood can be on commercial plots and then we have a 3000 square meter communal green area, which

L-R: Non-Executive Director, UPDC Plc., Kunle Osilaja; Director, Corporate Services/Company Secretary, UPDC, Folake Kalaro; ED, Development & Projects, UPDC, Bidemi Fadayomi; Non Executive Director, UPDC, Niyi Falade; and MD/CEO, UPDC, Odunayo Ojo, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of The Hampshire at Sangotedo, Lagos… recently PHOTO: Etop Ukutt

Pedabo Renovates Falomo High School, Commits to SDGs Goodness Nkechi Sunday A Lagos-based accounting firm, Kreston Pedabo, has

commissioned a block of two classrooms it redeveloped at Falomo Junior High School, as the organisation pledged

L-R: Managing Partner, Kreston Pedabo, Ajibade Fashina; Principal, Falomo Senior High School, Bello Nurudeen Ademola; Mrs Omolola Folorounsho; Managing Consultant, Kreston Pedabo, Albert Folorunsho; Director, School Support Unit of Education District, Comrade Nzekwue Alexander, Principal, Falomo Junior High School, Mrs F.F. Sobande; and Partner, Tax Compliance & Advisory, Olubunmi Kuteyi at the commissioning of the redeveloped Falomo Junior High School classroom block in Lagos by Kreston Pedabo… recently

commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the areas of poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, decent work environment and economic development.

Coming ahead of the company’s 25th anniversary, Pedabo, during the commissioning noted that it was necessary to impact its immediate community with the redevelopment of the block of two classrooms, adjoining toilets, and its surrounding appurtenances.

Speaking at the event, which brought together partners of Kreston Pedabo, representative of Lagos District III Tutor– General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS), the school principals, students and members of

the community, Managing Consultant at Kreston Pedabo, Albert Folorunsho noted that the renovation of the school is part of the firm’s commitment to quality education.

The school, which he said has been in existence before the organisation started operating in the environment, deserves to benefit from the operation of the accounting firm, which majors in auditing, tax and advisory.

Stressing that the renovation was a priority for the company, he pledged that the company would do more and continue its quest across other aspects of the school.

Managing Partner at Pedabo, Ajibade Fashina disclosed that the organisation would be committed to help-

ing nurture the future of the children by constantly sending professionals that would hold classes to educate them and motivate them towards an impactful future.

The organisation, according to him, has embarked on multiple CSR initiatives and has in the past five years honed its yearly CSR strategy around economic growth through MSME empowerment, particularly women-owned businesses; capacity building and holistic education interventions across all levels, including young professionals, and general philanthropy where most needed.

Ajibade said the inspiration behind the project is aimed at providing a conducive learning environment for school

children, who are the future leaders.

“We started our firm around Norman Williams street, so we have been in this environment for like 25 years. We have a very fond memory of this environment and when we wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary, the thought was that we needed to give back to the society and we were looking for where to build on, then the school came in as the first choice.

“We employed over 170 professionals, some have backgrounds in Economics, Engineering, while some are Accountants. Virtually all the subjects that they are taking here, we will be having professionals talking to the students from time to time.

Consumers’ Low Spending Power, Other Factors Negatively Impact Real Estate, Says Abegunde Bennett Oghifo Nigeria’s real estate market is reeling from a combination of factors, including the nation’s struggling economy, but regardless, there are opportunities in the sector.

The Group Managing Director, Meristem Securities Limited, Oluwole Abegunde

stated this, as the guest speaker, at a Business Forum organised

by Ubosi Eleh + Co with the theme, Current Economic Realities and its Impact on the Nigerian Real Estate Market’.

He said tighter financing conditions have worsened financing for new real estate projects and also reduced “returns on highly-levered

on-going projects, noting that, on average, rent review is not adequately compensating for spiraling inflation.”

According to Abegunde, there is persisting vacancy rate in commercial real estate triggered by hybrid work culture and that the mixed impacts of migration, weak consumer spending power,

favourable mortgage policies/ regulation have left residential real estate performance on the sidelines just as the hospitality sector remains depressed due to rising construction cost and increased operating expenses.

He said, “In the midst of all these, however, pockets of opportunities still exist in real estate in the areas of land

banking, trade-related real estate projects, real estate investment trusts (REITS), house flipping among others.”

He said trade GDP and e-commerce growth should trigger increased demand for warehouses, adding that there has been moderate growth in retail (malls, fitness centres, entertainment centres), health

awareness and hedonistic lifestyle which are offset by lower income.

A Principal Partner at Ubosi Eleh + Co, Emeka Eleh, said the forum was designed to inform, educate, provide a platform for sharing ideas, get feedback, interact with shareholders, and also as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

CIAN Urge Practitioners to Strategise French Week 2023: President of Franco-Nigerian Lauds Socio-Cultural Relation Amid Speculation of Govt Asset Sales Chamber agencies are financing various modern dairy farm in Odeda, Fadekemi Ajakaiye Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Amid growing speculation that government intends to sell some assets to support the 2024 budget, the Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria (CIAN) has urged its members to proactively prepare for the anticipated surge in high-value auctions.

This advice was given during the 11th Annual National Conference of CIAN which was held in Lagos on the 8th and 9th of November 2023, and where qualified members were inducted as Fellows of the Institute.

The two-day conference had in attendance the Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem who was represented by the Lagos State Head of Auctioneering, Biodun

Okesanya who delivered the keynote address; where the Commissioner stressed the importance of collaboration between the state and auctioneers towards moving the sector forward, she stressed the need for practitioners to regularize their position with the state the Lagos state Government.

The host, Lagos Chapter Chairman of CIAN; Hillary Nwaukor in his opening remarks, assured all attendees of gaining valuable knowledge… “Welcome to the 11th National Conference of the Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria. This year’s conference is themed: Opportunities for Auctioneers in the Nigeria Economy.” He emphasized that whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting your feet wet in the world of auctions, this event will provide you

with exciting opportunities and insights, strategies, and trends in the auction industry.

He advised members to connect with like-minded professionals in line with the need to promote auction best auction practices in Nigeria.

The Conference also had in attendance the largest private Art Collector in Nigeria, Omooba Dr Yemisi Shyllon of Pan African University, Lagos, Dr Ayodeji Mafikuyomi, Ade Onanuga, delegates from all over the country, observers, members of the press among others present.

The Conference Chairman, Mr. Shola Abeji, in his welcome address, admonished all delegates to take the advantage of this year’s conference by taking note of the thought-impactful lectures to be delivered during the conference.

On the occasion of the 2023 French Week celebrations, scheduled to take place in Lagos from November 17th –24th, Alh. Usman Mohammed, the President of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke to the press about the relationship between France and Nigeria and the significance of the French week celebration.

He stated that “France’s business and economic interest has continued to grow in Nigeria. Nigeria is France’s leading trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the fourth-largest in Africa, behind Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

Today, Nigeria accounts for about 20% of France’s trade with sub-Saharan Africa, amounting to an estimate of €3.53 billion.

The French government through its development

projects across the country in line with Sustainable Goals Agenda (SDG’s). Late last year; The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) signed a €25 million grant agreement for the Northern Corridor project co-financed by the European Union for power generation, also currently working with the Federal government of Nigeria to fund the creative sector with about 100 million Euros.

French companies in Nigeria also remained committed to doing business and impacting the environment. We see brands like TotalEnergies impact projects covering power, healthcare, education, etc. with huge investment in the upstream sector of the Nigerian economy, Fanmilk (Danone) with huge investments in backward integration for the production of dairy milk for their products and the commissioning of its

Ogun State, Schneider Electric Nigeria is empowering local communities by promoting local sustainability initiatives and educational support, SPIE oil and gas training programmes for young Nigerians in various skill areas, and Access Bank Nigeria now with a functioning office in Paris with initiatives to ensure flow of economic activities between both countries.”

Mohammed

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Education E-Verification Portal: NECO’s Long Overdue Milestone

Kuni Tyessi writes that the National Examinations Council has helped identify trends and areas for improvement in the education sector, and one which is arguably the most important in recent times is the introduction of the e-verification portal for accessing results

A

t the beginning of 2023, the National Examinations Council (NECO) established the e-verification portal. This avenue is an express gate to results verification and processing worldwide. It has ended the dark days by which results could only be accessed after its manual collation, all thanks to the technological age.

Years into its establishment, the modus operandi was for results to be placed on notice boards at NECO offices and schools for all to see. This was usually to the dismay of candidates who had written the exams and craved privacy. This practice had little or no respect for individuality, one of the cardinals of respect for fundamental human rights. Above all, it created room for all forms of malpractice and indiscipline. For those outside the country, access to the results became burdensome and almost impossible, with huge sums of money compulsorily parting ways with students who had left the country searching for greener pastures.

This is not forgetting that the establishment of the NECO in April 1999 is a culmination of the reaction of the federal government to widespread escalating agitations for a national examination outfit that would be responsive to the Nigerian needs and demands, as well as cope with the annually increasing number of candidates that register for WAEC. With the mandate to conduct placement of examinations in the form of learning assessments for Nigerian students, NECO, under the present dispensation, has not rested on its oars in consolidating past results.

Worthy of note and mention is that NECO conducts various transiting exams and these include the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), Gifted Examination into Federal Academy, Suleja, and Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE), amongst others.

With its test run and first results in 2000, it is arguably a rival body to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

In announcing its ability to upgrade the checking of results from manual to digital

Prof. Wushishi through its Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, particularly that of its internal and external SSCE examinations, which is compulsorily needed at every point of academic upgrading and to a large extent, the search for jobs, promotion and other human endeavour that surrounds growth; Nigerians within and outside the country can now breathe a sigh of relief in accessing their results through the council’s portal without necessarily travelling to its offices or waiting for schools to paste the results.

By so doing, this giant stride has cushioned the effect of hardship on candidates regarding travelling and

transportation costs, as well as road risks and insecurity, which have been the bane of the nation’s development in recent times.

Also, Prof. Wushishi introduced stanine software in determining grade boundaries for BECE, SSCE internal and SSCE external examinations, which is an innovation in the history of NECO. This brings to rest the use of manual methods in determining grade boundaries.

The registrar said, “It is an irrefutable fact that academic institutions and employers of labour, among other agencies, rely on verification of results to help them select the best prospective student for admission and employment purposes. The NECO e-Verify is an online result verification solution that

guarantees instant authentication of academics and basic information about prospective candidate information and employment into academic institutions and workplaces, respectively.”

With a tenure that has continued to consolidate the progress made so far, NECO, under the leadership of Wushishi, has continued to ensure the integrity and quality of examinations with the help of secured and standardised procedures while maintaining fairness and transparency as well as data collection on students’ performance over the years. Due to the growing need for verification and confirmation of results by institutions at home and abroad, the council decided that now was the best time to introduce the e-verify platform.

According to the register during the unveiling of the portal in Abuja, 64 institutions across 37 countries in two years had made demands of results from the council.

He said, “From available records at our disposal, we have discovered that there were requests for verification and confirmation of results from 64 institutions across 37 countries over a two-year period. Similarly, we have requests from 72 institutions in Nigeria within the same period – this is besides requests from individuals, which are numerous.

“It is an important process that helps to ensure the accuracy of academic credentials.

By verifying the authenticity of candidates’ results, academic institutions and employers will be more confident that they are admitting and hiring persons who have the required qualification for further studies and specific job schedules.”

Other factors that have added to the plus made so far with using the verification portal include increased confidence, reduced risk and improved efficiency.

It is against this backdrop that the National Examinations Council, as part of its efforts to meet global standards, has found it necessary to deploy cutting-edge technology to improve candidates’ experiences as they seek to advance their educational pursuits. This great and enviable feat will no doubt bring much relief to millions of candidates.

TRCN Inducts 748 Graduates of FCE Umunze The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) recently inducted 748 Federal College of Education (Technical) graduates, Umunze, Anambra, into the teaching profession.

The inductees were graduates of the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) and the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes offered in the college.

Addressing the young teachers at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Auditorium, the Registrar, TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, lauded them for completing years of rigorous studies, describing it as true dedication and passion for education.

He said the induction ceremony was proof of hard work, determination and exceptional qualities that make them the future of the nation’s education system.

Ajiboye, represented by the Director of Regulation, Accreditation and Enforcement

of TRCN, Dr. Okunola Abimbola, advised the young teachers to be innovative and creative in teaching, seek out new approaches, walk the talk of their professional creed, provide new technologies and methodologies that will engage their students, foster critical thinking and promote lifelong learning.

He also urged them to embrace the power of digital tools and adapt to enhance quality teaching.

The TRCN registrar said the council was determined to raise the teaching bar like other professions in Nigeria. He said the induction into TRCN would help improve the global rating of the teaching profession.

Okunola said the TRCN now has career progression for teachers, from

beginners to proficient teachers, mentor teachers and distinguished teachers. He encouraged the inductees to change their perception of teaching and encouraged them to be innovative.

Also speaking, the Provost, Prof. Theresa Okoli, described education as the bedrock of societal development, with teachers as the architects.

Meanwhile, in her welcome address, TRCN’s Director PDE/Desk Officer, Dr. Cecilia Ekemezie, emphasised that teaching is the mother of all other professions. She applauded the efforts of the committed staff of the college.

Also speaking, the Dean of the School of Education, Dr. O.G. Onwuzo, said TRCN had worked hard to enhance the quality of teacher education in the country, especially in spelling out essential conditions for the training and

development of professional teachers.

While performing the oath-taking ceremony on the inductees, the TRCN registrar charged the students to be ambassadors of the college and the teaching profession to contribute to the growth and development of education in Nigeria.

The Director of Academic Planning (DAP), Dr. Chike Obienyem, urged the inductees always to be proud of themselves, commending TRCN for the success recorded in the profession and described the induction of new teachers as a turning point in the college.

In his valedictory speech, the best-graduating student of the PDE programme, Eze Amandiogu, on behalf of the 2023 inductees, appreciated the college for the quality of training they received and promised to live up to the desired expectation.

UNILAG, British Council Plan Collaboration on Transnational Education Funmi Ogundare

The management of the University of Lagos recently hosted a delegation of the British Council, including academics from leading tertiary institutions in the UK, for discussions on potential collaborations in the field of Transnational Education, as well as an opportunity for the guests to learn more about UNILAG’s academic programmes, research initiatives and infrastructure.

UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, expressed the institution’s

readiness to foster international collaborations that would enhance its students’ educational experience and opportunities.

She emphasised the importance of providing students with access to global perspectives and experiences through the initiatives.

“The University of Lagos firmly believes that education knows no boundaries and international cooperation is essential for the advancement of knowledge and the development of

societies,” she stated, adding that the British Council has been a longstanding partner in promoting educational exchanges between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

During the courtesy visit, both parties acknowledged the need for robust frameworks and mechanisms to ensure quality assurance and accreditation of TNE programmes, while the representatives of UK-based tertiary institutions in the British Council delegation presented the blueprints of their institution’s TNE policy.

The UK’s Head of Business and Trade, Tamir

Ismail, disclosed that the visit aimed to explore potential collaborations and opportunities for transnational education between the United Kingdom and Nigerian institutions, including UNILAG. He highlighted the benefits of TNE programmes in promoting cultural exchange, knowledge transfer, and capacity building between nations.

One of the representatives, Prof. Kirk Semple of Lancaster University, pointed out the collaboration between his university and Ghana, as the institution currently has a campus in Accra.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

All Nigerian Judges Confederate of the Superior Courts...

L-R: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Mohammed Mahmud; Attorney general and Minister of Justice, Abdullateef Fagbemi; CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Representative of the Senate President, Sen. Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Danjuma Hassan, during the 2023 All Nigerian Judges Confederate of the Superior Courts, held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, ... recently

Atiku Cautions Against Slide to One-party Dictatorship Calls for merger of opposition parties Says INEC conducted worst election in Nigeria’s history Chuks Okocha in Abuja A former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday warned against the likelihood of Nigeria slipping into a one-party state.

The former vice president who spoke when he hosted the national executive committee of the InterParty Advisory Council Nigeria (IPAC), said that the project of protecting democracy in the country

was not about just one man.

A statement by his Media Advisor, Paul Ibeh, stated that Atiku further tasked the leadership of IPAC, led by its national president, Yabagi Sani, on the need for the opposition political parties to come together and create a more formidable front that will salvage Nigeria’s democracy from sliding into a one-party state.

“You have come here today to

Group Condemns Undemocratic Practices in Off-cycle Polls Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Deepening Democracy (A4DD), Faith Waziri, has expressed grave concern over undemocratic actions observed during the off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states.

Waziri, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, highlighted the authoritarian conduct of political parties and candidates, emphasising instances of violence, threats, and intimidation that marred the electoral process.

She pointed out that incumbent governments created an uneven playing field, restricting opposition candidates from campaigning in capital cities.

According to her, “Undemocratic actions by political parties and candidates were glaring, marked by violence, threats, and intimidation, disrupting a fair electoral process.

Incumbent governments contributed

to an uneven playing field, restricting opposition candidates from campaigning in capital cities."

Waziri highlighted findings indicating the violence and reported attacks on candidates in Kogi and Imo states.

"Regrettably, a young woman lost her life in Kogi due to political thuggery. Such incidents foster an environment contrary to democratic ideals, fostering increased voter apathy. Widespread voter apathy was noted, attributed to fears of violence at polling units," She lamented.

The group criticized INEC's handling of recurring issues, questioning the organisation's monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Waziri stated, "The delayed arrival of voting materials and officials, along with a capsized boat incident in Bayelsa, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)."

say that we should cooperate in order to promote democracy.

“But the truth of the matter is that our democracy is fast becoming a one-party system; and, of course, you know that when we have a one party system, we should just forget about democracy.

“We have all seen how the All Progressives Congress (APC) is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we don’t come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences of it will affect the generations yet unborn,” Atiku said.

The former vice president further chided the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting the ‘worst ever’ general election in the country.

“INEC conducted the worst general election in the country.

Recently again in the off-season election in three states, INEC doubled down on its disregard for the tenets of our democracy.

“We all can see how INEC declared a result in Kogi State where the total number of votes cast is higher than the total number of accredited voters in one local government.

“We cannot have a healthy

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) otherwise called ‘Doctors Without Borders’, yesterday said that Nigeria was facing an unprecedented diphtheria outbreak, insisting that the crisis demands urgent attention.

It stated that approximately 17,000 suspected cases had been reported with nearly 600 recorded deaths with no evidence of the situation abating.

MSF, while describing the situation as dire, noted that the severity of the situation had become starkly evident when examining the vaccination coverage.

A statement by the body lamented that in Kano state alone, where nearly 12,000 suspected cases had been reported, around

70 per cent of patients admitted to MSF facilities were either not fully vaccinated or not vaccinated at all.

According to the statement, this highlights the alarmingly low vaccination rates, especially in the North-West, where coverage ranges from 6 per cent in Sokoto to 10 per cent in Zamfara and 18 per cent in Katsina.

In the North-East, the situation, it said, was equally concerning, with only 15 per cent of diphtheria patients treated at the MSF facility in Gwange Paediatric Hospital in Maiduguri being fully vaccinated.

The statement revealed that to combat the outbreak, a vaccination campaign had been launched through a joint effort by the Nigerian authorities, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and United

voting, it will be difficult for INEC to regain its credibility, and our democracy will be the first casualty of such a situation,” Atiku noted.

Sani, while speaking on behalf of other members of IPAC on the delegation said that the group had chosen to come and pay courtesy visit to Atiku because the former vice president remained a true democrat and a political leader who is detribalised and embraced politics without violence.

The IPAC president observed that notwithstanding the glaring shortcomings associated with Nigeria’s elections, democracy remains the best form of government.

Infrastructure: Okwuosa Seeks Cheaper Funding Sources, Wants AfreximBank’s Support Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

To improve infrastructure development and reduce capital flight from Africa, the Chairman Oilserv Group, Dr Emeka Okwuosa, has called for cheap funding for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) jobs, especially with help from organisations like AfreximBank.

Okwuosa stated this while speaking as a panellist at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2023 Trade Conference in Cairo, Egypt, themed:‘’The Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions for African EPCs.” Stressing that having access to cheap funds would enable more African companies to compete for

EPC-related jobs within the continent and beyond, Okwuosa noted that except African EPC firms have such opportunities, the continent cannot compete with the rest of the world.

While referencing the critical role of funds in infrastructure development, he referenced the envisaged success story of the ongoing construction of the AKK pipeline at $2.4 billion, as a good case in point.

"The issue of funding is not about access, but cost of the funds. Most Africa countries are not in a position to access funding in a way to be able to compete in terms of cost of the funds relatively, compared to the Chinese companies.

“This is because if you are bidding

MSF: Nigeria Facing Unprecedented Diphtheria Outbreak

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

democracy in an environment where all INEC does is to deliver the ruling party at all cost.

“That is also why I will urge you all, to appeal to lawmakers of the various opposition parties in the National Assembly to sponsor legislation that will advance the course of the constitutional and electoral reforms agenda that I shared in my recent press conference.

“The issue of electronic voting must be the urgent priority of the National Assembly because countries that are far less advanced as Nigeria are already doing it.

“Until our elections pass the test of transparency through electronic

Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The campaign, it said, will be conducted in three phases across 14 states: Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe, Lagos, Nasarawa, Osun, Plateau and Zamfara.

“MSF has been actively responding to the diphtheria outbreak since early 2023. In Kano, we're supporting two diphtheria treatment centres with a total capacity of 146 beds. “ Our medical teams are implementing a decentralised strategy in collaboration with local authorities, extending support to various hospitals and health facilities across different local government areas.

Simultaneously, we're conducting health promotion activities to raise

awareness among the population,” the statement read.

It stated that the outbreak was not confined to Kano, stating that in Maiduguri, Borno state, it had expanded its efforts by establishing a 20-bed diphtheria treatment clinic at the paediatric hospital in Gwange and had already treated 448 patients.

Similarly, in Bauchi state, it stated that a 20-bed diphtheria treatment centre was established at Ganjuwa hospital, where 173 patients had received treatment.

“It's crucial to emphasise that MSF is working in tandem with the Ministry of Health and other international organisations to push for widespread vaccination campaigns across the affected states.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated,” it stated.

for an EPC contract, the cost, apart from your ability to execute in terms of your technical capacity, enables you to win and executive the project profitably.

“Competing with the European and Chinese companies is quite difficult because at the end of the day, the margin of an African company does not come close to competing with the financial muscles of the Chinese.

When this happens, the engineer explained that more often than not, rather than build indigenous capacity, it gives way to capital flights which are repatriated to develop foreign countries, rather than injecting such in Africa.

He added: “I believe that AfreximBank should step up and create more access to funding for African EPC companies and at a good rate because that is the only avenue that capacity can be built.

Also, we are looking at Afreximbank to solve problems and there are ways to go about it.

“When we talk about financing from placement of guarantee for a project of a billion dollars, the Chinese would present less than the budget because it’s being backed by their government.

“Afreximbank can leverage on its position of strength and be able to work with other financial institutions across African countries like the export-import banks of these countries,” he argued.

According to him, when the Chinese run a project, they come in with finance at a cheap rate, which are met with difficult conditions, including minimum involvement of local content to provide finance for labour, materials and equipment.

“If Afreximbank can take up the challenge, the value system will be improved. Another challenge is the ease of moving labour across Africa as well as building of local content.

“When we tackle these challenges, capacity will be built. The ease of moving labour in Africa is very poor. For instance, Nigeria has, to a great extent grown capacity but the ease of navigating this capacity across Africa is not too welcoming and seems impossible. This should not be so, as we can grow capacity of African for Africa development, ” he stressed.

Another panellist, Ahmed Elsewedy, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Elsewedy Electric, frowned on the current instability in the political system in Africa, as many projects are either delayed or frustrated by the system.

“The political uncertainty in Africa has made it challenging for EPC projects. For instance, in a switch from a government to another after an election, often times, projects are dragged backwards thereby, undergoing renegotiation.

“This process can sometimes take more than two years to be approved.

That alone is a major setback to the EPC projects across Africa and this does not look good. But because we are ready to work, most times we continue with the project despite being unattractive and not being profitable anymore,” he stated.

Also speaking on the challenges faced by EPC’s companies in Africa, another panellist, Hassan Allam, Chief Executive Officer, of Hassan Allam Holding, identified infrastructure deficit as well as lack of funding as critical factors setting back the sector.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

NEWS

Masters Energy Exhibition booth at the Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Week...

L-R: Executive Director, Operations, Masters Energy Oil & Gas Limited, Mr. Felix Eribo; and the company's Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Vincent Ajala, at the Masters Energy Exhibition booth, during the Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Week, held at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos...recently

Shettima: Tinubu Ready to Improve Lives of Vulnerable Nigerians Receives presidential committee's report on flood response harmonisation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated President Bola Tinubu's commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his administration's focus on improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians living in the most vulnerable communities in the country.

Shettima, according to a release issued by his Media Aide, Stanley Nkwocha, spoke yesterday when

the Presidential Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness and Response submitted a comprehensive report to him at the State House, Abuja.

Describing the report as a testament to President Tinubu's commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Vice President stated categorically that the Tinubu administration was focused on improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigeria's most

vulnerable communities.

The report outlined a roadmap for improving the country’s flood response and preparedness.

The report is based on the findings of three previous and ongoing assignments, including the National Economic Council Ad hoc Committee Report on Flood (ongoing), the National Flood Emergency, Preparedness and Response Plan (2022), and the Report of the Presidential

Committee on Development of Comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria (2022).

At the formal presentation of the committee report, Shettima gave a definite position to speculations about the reality or otherwise of the impact of climate change in Nigeria.

He said: “Climate change is real and the existential threat it poses is glaring at us every day, from the

Your Appeal Lacking in Merit, Ambitious, Abiodun, INEC, APC Tell Adebutu, PDP

...Appeal Court reserves judgement Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have described the appeal filed against the ruling of the Ogun State Governorship Election Tribunal by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election, Ladi Adebutu, as lacking in merit and ambitious.

This is just as the Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos on Tuesday reserved ruling in the appeal filed

by Adebutu against the re-election of Governor Abiodun after listening to the argument of the parties.

Adebutu is challenging the 30th September ruling of the election tribunal which upheld Governor Abiodun’s victory at the 18 March governorship election in the state.

At the hearing of the appeal on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal reserved judgement after the adoption of all processes by all the parties. The court said the date for judgement would be communicated to the parties and three days notice would be given.

Earlier, counsel to the appellant, Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to grant his clients’ appeal and set aside the decision of the tribunal.

According to him, the tribunal erred when it failed to consider the case on its merit before proceeding to dismiss the petition before it.

In response, A.J Owonikoko SAN, urged the Court to dismiss the appeal for lacking merit. On the issue of 49,000 disenfranchised voters which appellant raised, he

pointed out that appellants only called 48 witnesses instead of all the alleged disenfranchised voters whose disenfranchisement was to be proven.

He added that the Court cannot amplify 48 witness to 49,000 witnesses, as Appellants want.

Similarly, appearing for the 2nd Respondent, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, also urged the Court to throw out the appeal while identifying and adopting his brief.

He stated that contrary to the position set out by Chief Uche SAN, the decision in Atiku’s case completely encapsulates the issues in this appeal.

He argues that in that appeal, the Supreme Court simply adopted in toto the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered by this court.

He added that incidentally, the same Samuel Oduntan, who was rejected as a witness by the Court of Appeal in Atiku’s case metamorphosed as PW 93 in this appeal. In response to the Court, he undertakes to provide the court with a copy of the judgment.

Olanipekun also identified about eight key findings of the Trial Tribunal that the Appellants did not challenge, adding that Appellants have abandoned about five Grounds of Appeal.

On the margin of lead, he contended that there is nothing for the Court to even consider.

He urged the Court to dismiss the appeal for lacking merit.

In response, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, who identified 3rd Respondent’s Counter-Affidavit and Written

Address filed on 8 November 2023, also prayed the Court to dismiss the application.

He pointed out that the appellants misstated the prayer in the motion because the prayer is to strike out the List of authorities.

Chief Chris Uche SAN and Chief Gordy Uche SAN appeared with Olumuyiwa Obanewa, O Lawal, and Abduljaleel Musa for the Appellants while A J Owonikoko SAN and Dr Remi Peter Olatubora SAN appeared with D O Atti-John and Chiamaka I Nwamanam for

the 1st Respondent.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, Prof Taiwo Osipitan SAN, Mrs Titilola Akinlawon SAN, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, and Bode Olanipekun SAN appearing with Mrs Olayemi Badewole were for the 2nd Respondent while Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu OON, SAN, Tayo Oyetibo SAN, Otunba Kunle Kalejaye SAN, and Kunle Adegoke SAN appeared with Olanrewaju Baruwa, Mrs Ojuri, D D Owoeye, and Adeyinka Adegbite for the 3rd Respondent

extreme events being witnessed across the globe to the devastating climate facing Africa.

“Africa is disproportionately impacted and bringing it home to Nigeria, we have been witnessing drought, flood, etc. The saying on the climate crisis is that it is either too much (floods), too little (drought) or too polluted.

“We are all gathered to find a solution for the ‘too much’ scenario that is flooding. Flood events have, in the past, affected communities with devastating impacts on livelihoods, people and the environment with loss of lives witnessed in some cases such as the last flood witnessed in 2022."

The Vice President noted that in drafting the report, the committee was guided by science and forecasts from agencies such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

The report, according to him, identifies vulnerable communities prone to flooding and presents a roadmap with recommendations to address the issue.

Commending the committee for its hard work and dedication, Shettima said, “I would like to start by thanking this committee for the hard work, commitment and dedication put in to develop

the report.

"I particularly thank everyone for the time put in to deliver this assignment within the 7 days that I directed when we first met at this very chamber, which meant you all had to work through the weekend. The mandate was clear and it was delivered.”

He also directed the committee to present the report to the National Economic Council (NEC) for further deliberations and possible ascension by the council.

Earlier, in his presentation, Director General of the National Water Resources Institute, Prof Emmanuel Adanu and a member of the Presidential Committee and Chairman of the Technical Working Group spoke about the major causes of flooding in Nigeria and the strategies for mitigating its impact.

According to him, the ultimate objective of the work of the committee was “to protect the nation from the devastating impacts of floods, safeguarding human lives and property while promoting the sustainable conservation and enhancement of water-related ecosystems.”

Adanu, however, noted that beyond the efforts of stakeholders in the public and private sectors, individuals and communities were required to pay attention to issues relating to drainage maintenance and healthy environmental practices.

Court Awards N200m Damages against IGP, PSC, Three Others over Alleged Unlawful Arrest of Hoùse-wife in A'Ibom Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has ordered the Inspector General of Police and five others to pay a housewife, Peace Ekom Robert, the sum of N200 million as damages over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of the mother of two.

The presiding judge, Justice Ntong Ntong gave the order yesterday, in a judgment delivered in a case of enforcement of fundamental rights brought by the applicant.

The case had it that sometime in March this year, one Ifenyinwa Anthonia Olua, had approached the applicant, one Peace Ekom Robert to link her up with someone in Europe that could buy euros and

pay her in naira.

A total of £55,000, amounting to N42.9 million was said to have been transferred to a Spanish account and surprised by the transfers which came in quick succession, the account holder reported to the Spanish authorities, who placed restrictions on the account on the suspicion that the money could be illicit funds.

Consequently, the applicant was arrested by the Police. Joined in the suit as respondents were the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Administration, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, Mr. Babazango Ibrahim; DSP Yusuf Dauda of Anti-Homicide Section, Alagbon in Lagos, Inspector Celestina Ugbaja of Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi,

Lagos and Police Service Commission.

In a one-hour judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Ntong Ntong said he has, “read in between lines the record file and has not seen where the Inspector General of Police and other respondents filed any process to challenge the averments of the applicant.”

Justice Ntong said the evidence before the Court showed that, “the Police threw caution to the wind and became law unto themselves thereby bastarding the 1999 constitution, disrespecting the order of the Court and treating the name of God and office of the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with disdain.”

The Court also ordered the

Inspector General of Police and five other, “respondents to return the N15 million collected from the applicant to the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja pending the hearing and final determination of the criminal charge against the applicant before the Federal High Court.”

The trial judge held that the Police was not, “a debt recovery agency and has no power to have extorted N15 million from the applicant in a matter they have not concluded investigation nor the applicant tried and found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

Counsel to the applicant and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Uwemedimo Nwoko described the court as the last hope of the common man.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

2023 Africa Creative Market...

L-R: CEO, 21st Century Technologies Limited, Wale Ajisebutu; Charge D'Affaires US Embassy, Will Steven; Founder, Africa Creative Market, Inya Lawal; Asst. Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Ramin Toloui and Executive Vice Chairman Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori at the 2023 Africa Creative Market held in Lagos ... recently

INEC Has Completely Derailed, PDP Chairman Alleges Party appoints acting national secretary till court order against Anyanwu is vacated Electoral Body: Alleged manipulation of accreditation data on IReV false

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Illya Damqgum, yesterday, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of completely derailing democracy in Nigeria.

The party leadership also appointed the deputy national secretary, Sakonji Koshedo, as the National Secretary pending when the party would vacate the suit against his office Speaking on the outcome of Saturday's off-season elections in Imo and Kogi States, which the party lost, Damqgum said, "This has further confirmed that the electoral body has completely derailed from the road it was supposed to take.

“People have lost confidence. Voters were completely disenfranchised due to the complicity of some of the agencies that were to help to have a very fair election but they completely compromised.

"We want to state in clear terms that the election held on Saturdays has further confirmed the fears that has been laid on the umpire. We have seen all sorts of violence, intimidation and high handedness.

This election is worst than even the one we had earlier.

“I want to use this medium to tell Nigerians that this is not what we bargained for and also express our fear that if we go on in this kind of manner, I am afraid that come other elections that will be off-season which is coming up very soon, maybe there will be

no election in this country. It will be a written result.

"I ask all Nigerians to pray for this country because I don’t know if this is a curse that has happened to us in this country or if this is our way. We should pray that if this is what we are, then God should intervene. However, those that have been be cheated in this election should purse their grievance through the lawful means even though we have doubts that even the lawful means is also a sad story. In a country where justice is not dispensed, then, anarchy is imminent.

On the affairs of the party, he said, ''As you can see, we've been doing everything possible to make sure that this party remain indivisible and we will continue to do that. I want to urge our members to be very cautious especially in the way and manner they state things. They should always state facts because it is only the facts that lasts. I want to assure them that we will continue to do justice to all."

He said that the national working committee (NWC) was ready to take all the blames because after every election, there would be blame but all members should reflect on the roles they played during campaigns, during elections and after.

"We should have a self-reflection so that at the end of the day, we shall know weather we are doing the right thing because we all need this party. Our duty here is to make sure that this party remains indivisible," he said On Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who resumed duty yesterday, he

said, "Since there are conflicting court orders, we urged the two sides to stand down and we have agreed and appointed the Deputy National Secretary to continue to act as Secretary pending the time we will resolve all the issues – the conflicting court orders and resolutions of the south east. So there is no conflict and we are together and thinking together on this issue."

INEC: Alleged Manipulation of Accreditation Data on IReV False

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports that it tampered with the accredited figures of voters in the Kogi governorship election results uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

National Commissioner and Member Information and Voter

Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, described the reports as unfounded, and urged the public to disregard the report he described as misleading and a piece of misinformation.

"The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) attention has been drawn to some media reports alleging that the commission was tampering with the accredited figures of voters in the Kogi Governorship Election results uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. However, these reports are unfounded.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the most accurate and up-todate Voters’ Accreditation Data is available in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is used for the authentication and accreditation of registered voters at various polling units on election

day. It automatically retains the accreditation data of all voters," he said.

The commission further explained that BVAS was designed to primarily work offline without internet connectivity, which facilitates faster and seamless authentication and accreditation experience for voters.

Haruna added that when its application was active or in use, depending on the strength of its connection to the Internet, the BVAS automatically exports the accreditation data to the Accreditation Backend System (ABS).

He noted that this exportation of data did not happen when the device’s application was inactive or when the internet connectivity was poor.

Haruna said: "The same experience applies to a situation where more than one BVAS gadget is

Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi: Stakes Too High for Elections in Nigeria, Says Sonaya Kuni Tyessi in Abuja In a post-election analysis in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, one time presidential aspirant and board member of the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Prof. Remi Sonaya, has pointed out that one of the issues responsible for none credible elections in

the country is the high stakes that have been placed on the process.

She said moving forward, there was the need to have a national conversation in which regrettably, the politicians were not willing to engage in.

Sonaya stated this in Abuja, yesterday, during a press briefing organised by

KDI on "election day processes and procedures, potential for violence and electoral violence reports on November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states."

She said the data gathered indicated that in 77.42% of the polling units in Bayelsa State, election officials and materials arrived between the hours of

Senate Threatens Legislation to Fully Privatise NIPOST Why we're yet to meet N387bn revenue target-NCC

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate yesterday threatened to commence legislative proceedings that would lead to a complete privatisation of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) if the agency failed to change from its current analogue operation and embrace digitalisation for effective service delivery.

Chairman of the Joint Senate Committee scrutinising the 20242026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, Senator Sani Musa, issued the warning at the ongoing public hearing on the MTEF-FSP.

Sani, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance stated this when the Postmaster General of the Federation, Tola Odeyemi appeared before the joint panel to defend her agency's 2024 budget proposal.

Odeyemi had incurred the wrath of the senators when she said her agency projected N18 billion as personnel cost for the NIPOST’s 16, 000 workers across the country.

Musa wondered why the NIPOST whose presence cannot be felt anywhere in the country could increase its personnel cost from N13 billion in 2023 to N18 billion for 2024.

used at a polling unit with more than 1,250 registered voters.

"This could be compared to a situation when poor network services delay the delivery of an SMS sent from one individual to another through a mobile phone."

Haruna stressed that at the close of the poll, Presiding Officers are expected to press the data exportation button on the BVAS to ensure that all the accreditation data are exported to the ABS. "This process, referred to as synchronisation and which is ongoing, could lead to changes in the accreditation figures as more data flow in to update the existing figures.

"This is the basis for the caveat provided on the IReV portal, regarding the accreditation figures.

The accreditation data cannot be changed on the BVAS after the close of the poll," he explained.

The explanation of the Postmaster General that the increment was as a result of the recent hike in personnel cost by federal government to federal workers did not change the minds of the chairman.

A member of the joint panel, Senator Ireti Kingibe attempted to defend the continued existence of NIPOST as a partially funded agency of the federal government, claiming that every nation deserves their own vibrant postal agency.

She said: " NIPOST should not be scrapped but should be turned to a revenue generating agency.

"The only thing is that the agency was stuck in the 19th Century

analogue operation instead of migrating to digital service for efficient services.

"There is nothing stopping NIPOST to digitalise their offices across the country to offer electronic services for Nigerians, deliver government services at all local government areas and even engage in financial services."

Kingibe had hardly ended her submission when Senator Osita Izunaso took to the floor to disagree with her.

Izunaso argued that the NIPOST as it is currently structured, should not be encouraged if the country was interested in generating revenues

to fund its annual budgets.

Ruling on the matter, Musa asked the chief executive of NIPOST to forward to the committee, details of her business plan to reposition the agency to a highly revenue generating agency.

The chairman berated the lack of functionality of NIPOST offices across the country and the abysmal revenue generation, particularly from stamp duties.

The committee therefore directed the Post Master General to provide the names of all staff of the organisation, allocation and salary to the committee for further investigation by the upper chamber

7 am and 8:30 am. In Kogi state, 73.91% of polling units also witnessed the early arrival of election officers and election materials. However, the case differed in Imo, where the early arrival of election officers and materials was 47.89% of the polling units observed.

She added that there were reports of several party agents interfering in the process in some of the polling units observed and they were either seen intimidating and harassing ad-hoc officials or voters they have known, or seen not supporting their party in some polling units.

"It is a collective responsibility to take our country back. We must not be at the mercy of politicians and that's why there must be a national conversation in which the politicians are not ready for such.

"Another fundamental issue is that the stakes are too high for elections in Nigeria. We must begin to think very drastically and out of the box.

"In some cases, these polling agents were also seen disrupting the voting process and aided the snatching of ballot boxes in some locations where violence happened," she said.

37

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

NEWS

NLC/TUC PICKETING OFFICES IN ABUJA...

TUC & NLC picketing the branch office of WEMA bank at Oyo House Central Area and Zenith bank in the same axis in Abuja... yesterday.

NLC: Strike Not About Ajaero But against Official Impunity

state chairman of NLC, Comrade Barnabas Simon, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Laye Julius, in Yenagoa, the unions said the decision to comply with the strike action was a collective one to rein-in the excesses of some public officer holders in the country.

A visit to the State Secretariat, state-owned radio station, Glory FM 97.1, and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), indicated that the workers complied with the NLC directive, as most of the offices were under lock and key. Senior staff members of Radio Bayelsa, Niger Delta Television (NDTV), and New Waves were at the offices.

Cross River Most workers in Cross River State did not participate in the indefinite strike declared by NLC, and TUC, yesterday. Aside from electricity workers, who did not open for business for the most part of yesterday, offices in the Cross River State Government Secretariat remained open throughout the working hours.

Schools in the state, both public and private, operated normally, up to the closing hours, before some of the public schools in Calabar were notified of the indefinite strike called by organised labour.

Though the directive of the national secretariats of NLC and TUC was pasted at the various entrances of the two state government secretariats located at Diamond Hill, the workers were in their offices and went about their normal businesses.

Up until the close of work, the government offices were not picketed by the leadership of organised labour. But some people believed to be officials of NUT were seen in some schools in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality informing their members of the strike.

The strike appeared not to have affected the supply of petroleum products, and vehicular movement in Calabar and its environs because most of the filling stations were still dispensing petroleum products to buyer for between N640 to N650.

Ogun In Ogun State, the strike recorded partial compliance, as commercial banks, private establishments, and some workers defied the directive of organised labour to stay away from work.

But the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) complied with the directive as the Abeokuta office of the company was closed.

Some public secondary schools in the state capital had earlier opened, but closed before mid-day in compliance with the strike action.

Students were sent back home, as their teachers were issued circulars from the state council of NLC to comply with the strike.

Private secondary and primary schools did not participate in the strike. Workers at the banks were also

seen attending to their customers.

At the state-owned General Hospital, Ijaye, a handful of doctors and other health workers were seen carrying out skeletal work, while student nurses attended to patients. Many patients, who came for consultation, were stranded while others were sent back home following refusal by some medical workers to attend to them.

Ekiti Day one of the labour strike in Ekiti State affected government activities, as many government offices, schools and institutions were deserted. Only a few workers, who claimed to have gotten the strike information late, reported for work.

Some top government officials, who spoke with THISDAY in Ado Ekiti under condition of anonymity, said they did not know the strike would hold.

One of them said, "Please, don't mention our names. I want to reveal to you that some of us who came to office right now came only because we don't have option.

"The reason is that we never believed that this strike could hold.

Many of us have lost hope in the leadership of labour. We all believed it would be as usual. The usual, in the sense that once they were settled by the government, and they would cancel it, as usual.

“That was what some of us thought that made us to be available at work. Gone were the days of Adams Oshiomhole, that was when we had genuine and selfless labour leaders."

However, pupils and students of some public primary and secondary schools, who had earlier come to school, had to return home on realising that their teachers were not available.

Kaduna The strike was partially complied with in Kaduna State, as many workers were seen at work on Tuesday. Workers at the state secretariat, located at Independence Way, reported to work and were seen going about their normal activities.

Some of the workers said they were not aware of the strike, as they were not informed about it.

Some commercial banks located along Yakubu Gowon Way, also opened for business.

However, the headquarters of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, located at NEPA roundabout, and its branch offices, were locked by officials of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

Spokesperson of the company, Abdulhazeez Abdullahi, said in a statement, "Offices of the company will be closed today due to NLC industrial action." Abdullahi advised customers to use online payment platforms.

Adamawa In Adamawa State, the federal and

state secretariats, specialist hospital, banks and some major institutions and agencies were shut down in Yola, the state capital, in compliance with the strike directive by NLC and TUC. Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, said the state chapter complied with the strike directive. Fashe said there was total compliance, adding that about 80 per cent compliance was recorded when his men went out to enforce the directive.

Fashe said although there were hitches but the union was able to surmount them, adding that the strike would continue until the demands of NLC were met. He said Labour was on strike because of the brutality meted out to Ajaero, who was brutalised by the police in Imo State.

The NLC chairman revealed that the police had started benefiting from the N35, 000 palliative payment by the federal government as part of the demands of labour.

Ondo Civil servants in Ondo State partially observed the strike. In Akure, the state capital, government offices, banks and business centres were opened for operation.

But at the Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the complex looked deserted, as the car park was virtually empty and a few offices had one or two senior personnel on ground, while the junior workers stayed away.

Some of the workers, who spoke, on condition of anonymity, called on the unions to be focused and settle their disagreement with Imo State government over the attack on Ajaero and other workers.

Ondo State NLC Chairman, Comrade Victor Amoko, said it was the responsibility of NLC affiliated unions to direct their members to observe the strike, saying, "NLC actually went round and saw some level of compliance."

Amoko said schools were not involved for the sake of school children so as not to jeopardise their security.

The state government commended teachers, especially those in public primary schools across the state for being in schools, despite the NLC directive.

Executive Chairman of Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Victor Olabimtan, also hailed the teachers for displaying uncommon dedication to duty and loyalty to the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

He enjoined the teachers to continue to do their jobs to the best of their abilities as the government would always prioritise their welfare.

Kano Commercial activities were brought to a halt in the commercial city of Kano, as a result of the nationwide strike. Due to the strike, the Kano State government,

through the Ministry of Education, announced the suspension of the 2023 Secondary Schools Qualifying Examination (SSQE), scheduled to take place yesterday, till further notice.

A statement by Director of Public Enlightenment of the ministry, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, revealed that the suspension was compelled by the industrial action embarked on by NLC and TUC nationwide.

The statement appealed to the people concerned, especially the students and parents/guardians, to bear any inconvenience that might be caused by the strike action.

Government officers, both at the federal and state secretariats as well as commercial institutions, were halted by the labour unions as early as 7:00 am, and only green leaves hung on the gates, signifying the strike action in the state.

Some federal and state parastatals were open for business, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Kano State Pharmaceutical Supply Agency.

Students, who trooped to public and private schools early in the morning, were forced to return home by the striking teachers.

All markets in the state, however, remained open.

Osun Public schools in Osun State shut down activities in compliance with the strike directive. But some banks were open for business transactions.

THISDAY noted that some of the banks that opened for business were Zenith Bank PLC located at Okefia area; UBA located along Olonkoro, and Ecobank PLC along Ogo-Oluwa, among others.

A visit to the Government Secretariat, Abere, showed total compliance by the civil servants, as most of the offices were deserted.

Although there was free movement of vehicles in and out of the secretariat, offices were not open for business.

Students who had resumed at their various schools around 9am were seen on the streets around Stadium, Ayetoro and West Bye pass, Osogbo, returning home.

But during a visit to some schools within the metropolis, teachers were seen in their offices after the students had been sent home. Some of the schools visited included Fakunle High School, Osogbo, Saint James Grammar School, and Adenle Grammar School, also located in Ayetoro area, Osogbo.

Ebonyi There was total shutdown of facilities in Ebonyi State. Commercial banks, state secretariat, judiciary headquarters, and universities were all shut down.

The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branch of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Abakaliki, set up a seven-man Monitoring Committee to ensure total compliance with the strike ac-

Photo: AYO AJAYI

tion. The branch ASUU chairperson, Comrade Louis Omenyi, announced this at the end of an emergency executive council meeting of the branch held in Abakaliki.

Omenyi reminded members that the strike was total, comprehensive and indefinite, adding that as long as the strike lasted, there would be no teaching, faculty/departmental board meetings or any other statutory meeting involving ASUU FUNAI members.

The state chairman of NLC, Professor Egwu Ogugua, who said the compliance was impressive, added, "So far so good, our compliance with the strike is impressive. The Ochi-Udo secretariat is scanty, the Ebonyi judiciary is under lock and key. The banks are not functioning.

It's only Zenith Bank that is open but they are not open to customers.”

Delta Students in public schools in Warri and environs were yesterday sent home in compliance with the nationwide strike. Students from various public primary and secondary schools were seen on the roads, about 9. 30 am, heading back home.

The main entrance to Warri Ports was barricaded by trade union officials enforcing compliance with the NLC/TUC directive, preventing workers who turned up from resuming for work.

Similarly, most banks refused to open their doors to customers, while others were sceptical about opening, and a few were open for business transactions. Most of the filling stations were open for business and attended to customers, though traffic was scarce with empty roads.

Security operatives were stationed at strategic locations to ward off any unpleasant activities from hoodlums.

A state union official, who pleaded anonymity, said, “We are not doing street protests with the strike. The instruction is for workers to abstain from work, and we are complying. Public schools have sent back their students in compliance with the strike. Many sent their students back this morning because the strike directive came late last night, so that is why students were turned back after getting to school.”

Kwara Workers in both state and federal secretariats in Kwara State, yesterday, obeyed the directive of the national leadership of the labour unions to commence a nationwide strike action.

A visit to the state and federal secretariats in Ilorin revealed that workers were not at their duty posts. Most of the offices at the two secretariats were empty.

Public schools were deserted by the teachers, while private schools opened for academic activities. Some of the students who came to their schools were later ordered to go back home.

Electricity consumers also shared from the pains of the strike, as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution

Company (IBEDC) locked the gates of it offices at Challenge and Baboko business Centres.

The banners of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) were conspicuously displayed at the gates of the business centres, while security men manning the gates informed customers that the workers were on strike.

Edo Members of organised labour in Edo State joined the indefinite strike action, as government secretariats, high courts, schools and government offices were shut down in compliance with the strike directives.

As early as 8am, the entrance and exit gates of the high courts were locked, with lawyers and judicial workers seen in clusters discussing the strike action.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afolabi Olayiwola, who could not access the court premises, said the strike embarked upon by members of organised Labour was the sign of a failed system.

Olayiwola expressed shock that the judiciary, knowing very well that there was a court order to stop it, still embarked on the strike and called for a mutual resolution of the the issues.

Meanwhile, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, branch of ASUU directed all the affiliate members of the union to comply with the directives of organised labour. The compliance directive was signed by the ASUU, AAU Ekpoma Chairperson, Dr Cyril Onogbosele.

Niger Workers in Niger State joined their counterparts in parts of the country to embark on the nationwide strike.

As a result, workers in most public institutions withdrew their services in compliance with the directive The gates to the state secretariat complex, House of Assembly complex, the high court and Sharia court complexes as well as the Federal Secretariat were locked, making it impossible for those who wanted to transact businesses in the institutions to do so.

Similarly, pupils and students of public schools were asked to return home after they met the doors to their schools firmly locked. The gates to the Minna General Hospital were also locked, causing patients to seek medical care at private health institutions, but private schools did not join the strike.

The gates to the state College of Education in Minna and the Federal University of Technology in Minna were, however, open. Some lecturers at the two institutions were seen delivering lectures to students.

State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Idrees Lafene, told THISDAY, "We are happy about the total compliance by our members." Lafene declared that the strike would continue until the government addressed "all our demands".

wednesday November 15, 2023 • T H i s d ay

38

NEWS

TECH MEETS CREATIVITY AT DICE MIXER…

L-R Chief Executive Officer, Outsource Global, Amal Hassan Wada; General Partner, Ventures Platform, Kola Aina; Founder and CEO, MainOne, Funke Ope NEWS WED 15-11-23 ke, and event convener and Founder, Beyond Limits, Juliet Ehimuan, at the inauguration of DICE Mixer for the tech, creative, and business ecosystem in Lagos…recently

House to Investigate NSCDC’s Failure to Comply with Abolition of HND,B.Sc Dichotomy Juliet Akoje in Abuja

abolition of the HND and B.Sc. dichotomy like its counterpart under the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Board The House also urged the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to promote all qualified personnel and pay the arrears

of emoluments they might have lost as a result of the failure of the NSCDC to promote them as at when due.

Consequently, the House

Adeleke Clears Arrears of Retired Judges’ Salaries

The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the Bayelsa State governorship election held last Saturday, Udengs Eradiri had kicked against the emergence of incumbent Governor, Douye

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has again proved his cordial relationship with the judiciary by approving and cash-backing arrears of salaries owed retired Judges in the state.

In a move widely applauded by the legal community, Governor Adeleke posited that Judges serving or retired deserve maximum support and partnership of the executive arm of government, apologising for the neglect by the previous government of such a matter of importance to the well-being of judicial officers.

Police Promise to Arrest Killers of YPP Ward Chairman in Anambra

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Public Service Matters and Interior to investigate the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over his failure to comply with the Board and Ministry’s approval on the

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

“I am not just committed to clearing such inherited salary matters; I am also working to provide requisite logistic support for serving judicial officers. The judiciary must be provided the tools for efficient justice administration and adjudication,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Adeleke, who has bagged several awards as most workers and pensioners’ friendly governor, further reassured judicial officers that their wellbeing remains uppermost in his mind, tasking the Bar and the Bench to remain focused and undistracted by agents of destabilisation.

An 84-year-old man, Dr. Albert Ndulue, has alleged that the subject matter of a case before an Ajah High Court in Lagos has been vandalised by the defendants in the suit.

Ndulue, who is the claimant in a civil suit, spoke in relation to a suit marked LD/6727/GCMW/2018 pending before the court in relation to a title claim over a property at plot 8, Block 24. Alma Estate in Lekki, Eti-Osa, Lagos.

The claimant is Mr. Albert Ndulue while those joined as defendants are NICON Trustees and others.

On July 13 when the matter was called, the trial Judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari, had noted that the processes of the plaintiff were not before the court, and had struck same out The claimant had consequently filed a motion, asking the court to set aside its ruling indicating that their processes were not on record.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the Need to Investigate the Career Stagnation caused by Discrimination between Higher

National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor Degree holders in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps moved by Hon. Ime Bassey Okon at plenary yesterday.

Bayelsa Poll: Diri’s Victory against Cardinal Principles, Procedures, Says LP Candidate Observers differ on poll conduct

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Diri, saying the election was held against the cardinal principles, laid down procedures and ground rules He stated that democratic elections to offices especially that of the governor of a state must be free, fair, credible and

peaceful.

This is as some election observers and political parties differ on their findings during the election that was characterised by vote buying, violence and outright irregularities that almost

threatened to mar the poll.

While the LP and seven other political party totally rejected the results of the poll in many of the polling units and local government areas, a coalition of observers hail the conduct of the election as credible.

Confirm abduction of ex-LG chairperson in Benue

David-Chyddy ElekeinAwkaand George OkohinMakurdi The Anambra State Police command yesterday vowed to arrest the killers of the Nanka Ward Chairman of Young Progressive

Party (YPP), Mr. Joe Mohale.

This is just as the Benue State Police Command confirmed the abduction of the suspended Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Council of Benue State, Hon. Mrs Amina Audu.

Killing of Mohale happened last Saturday after he hosted the party’s House of Representatives candidate, in a yet to be scheduled rerun election, Hon Princess Chinwe Nnabuife.

He was shot dead shortly after

the meeting by men suspected to be political thugs, who addressed him as a saboteur, probably for hosting Nnabuife, when a son of the community, Hon Okwudili Ezenwankwo was also in the same election.

Guber Election: Kogi APC Thanks Electorate, Berates SDP, PDP Candidates Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

All Progressive Congress APC Octogenarian Accuses NICON The , Kogi State chapter has expressed to the people of the Trustee, Others of Contempt appreciation State for massively voting for

Wale Igbintade

urged the Head of Service to comply with all existing circulars abrogating the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc. in the Civil Service.

the candidate of APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo in the November 11, 2023 governorship poll.

Just as it vowed to defend the mandate the people of the state freely gave to the APC contrary to those making noise about after they were rejected by the electorate .

According to the party, the resounding victory has strengthened the social contract

between the All Progressives Congress and the Kogi people.

It has also upscaled the onus of responsibility on us to continue to provide first class schools, health institutions, road infrastructure and many others that the current administration in the state has been doing over the past seven

years and nine months.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Lokoja yesterday ,Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who is the Spokesperson/Director of Media and Publicity, Kogi State APC Governorship Campaign Council lauded the electorate believing in APC candidate .

Oyebanji: War against Illiteracy, School Dropout will be Total GbengaSodeindeinAdoEkiti

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged the readiness of his government to forge strong and invincible partnership with intending private investors to strengthen education, saying the war against Illiteracy and school dropout will be

total in his administration.

To sustain the past glory recorded by the state in the education sector, Oyebanji said no nation where education is being demeaned and despised can overcome its challenges and become prosperous, adding that such mentality propelled the premium priority he places on education of

the youth population of the state.

The governor stated this yesterday while unveiling a block of four classrooms donated by Build a School Initiative in Africa (BASIA) andAjoni Local Council Development Area, at Saint Luke’s Primary School, Esun Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state.

At the event, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, HRM Oba Babs Ogunsakin, conferred the chieftaincy title of Aare Arikawe and Merit Awards on the Chairman of Ajoni LCDA, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, and the President of BASIA, Dr. Victor Ukorebi, for their contributions to scholarship in Ekiti State.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike yesterday flayed government agencies in charge of land administration in the FCT as collaborators in Land Use Act

inaugurated the task force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing and the recovery of land use contravention fees.

He said the heads of the

Control, Director, Department of Land Administration, Director of AGIS and Director, Department of Mass Housing were included in the task force to solve the problem they

are having is that the agencies’ development control is part of the problem; the land registry is part of the problem; Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) is part of the problem.

Rotary Empowers Women, Girls Wike Indicts FCTA Officials in Land Use Act Contravention agencies, including Directors, created. on Skills Acquisition in Rivers Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja contravention.

“Part of the problem we He disclosed this when he Department of Development Blessing IbungeinPortHarcourt Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express, Rivers State, has empowered over 20 women and girls of the Rumuokwurusi Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state on skills acquisition.

The project organised by Rotary in partnership with students of Airforce Military School and Airforce Girls Military School, Jos, was held in Rumuokwurushi community hall, Port Harcourt.

President of the Rotary Club, Shittu Abdulrasheed, who spoke with journalists during the programme, said it was organised to empower women and girls with various skills that will enable them to earn a living and become employers of labour.

Participants were trained on baking, cooking, beadwork, cloth making, liquid soap production segment, and others. They were also given financial assistance to support the knowledge acquired at the training.

Sokoto Gov Urges LG Secretaries to Resign from Civil Service Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has urged civil servants appointed as Local Government Secretaries to resign, stressing that their appointment is political.

The governor gave the directives during a meeting with Local Government Sole Administrators and their Secretaries across the state in the government house.

In a statement issued by his

Chief Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, the governor said the controversy surrounding the position of the Local Government Secretaries was now over as the law categorised them among political office holders.

He said: “It is now clear that you are occupying political offices, therefore, if you are a civil servant make sure you resign.

“We believe in the rule of law and will not accept any situation where by people flout the law.”

39

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

WEDNESdaysports

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Eagles in Buoyant Mood Ahead Clash with Crocodiles of Lesotho Duro Ikhazuagbe

All 23 invited players have arrived at the Super Eagles’ Four Point

By Sheraton Hotel in Uyo ahead of Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Crocodiles of Lesotho and then fly out to Butare in Rwanda to take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a Match-day 2 encounter on Sunday.

The encounter against Lesotho will kick off at 5pm on Thursday.

With the arrival of the final batch of 11 players yesterday, Super Eagles had a light work out yesterday evening at the Godswill

W O R L D C U P Q UA L I F I E R S

Akpabio Stadium and are expected to train behind locked gates today to perfect their game-plan against the visitors.

Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo and Bright Osayi Samuel were some of the last batch of players received at the Victor Attah International Airport by members of the Akwa Ibom State Football Normalization Committee and taken to the

Nigeria, Morocco Dominate Nominees as Oshoala Targets Sixth Title Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football was prominent yesterday as the Confederation of African Football (CAF), unveiled the names of the players for the coming awards ceremony next month in Morocco.

Nigeria and Morocco featured prominently in all categories as CAF unveiled the preliminary nominees for the various women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2023.

Reigning queen, Asisat Oshoala, led a pack of seven Super Falcons in the main category of the awards, ‘African Woman Player of the Year’ and she will go headlong with 29 other nominees and hope for a record-extending best on the continent.

Other Nigerian players shortlisted include; Chiamaka Nnadozie, Christy Ucheibe, Osinachi Ohale, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu Next in the ‘game of numbers’ is Morocco with five nominees.

A distinguished panel made up of CAF Technical Experts, Legends, and selected media representatives decided on the nominees, taking into consideration their performances at all levels from December 2022 to November 2023. P Like in the men’s category, the best women’s goalkeeper will be rewarded for the first time to celebrate the heroic efforts of the shot-stoppers. Ten players have been nominated for the first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Ten nominees each have been pencilled for the Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Young Player of the Year, limited to players not more than 21 years.

The finalists of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Cote d’Ivoire 2023 have each been rewarded with a place in the Club of the Year category.

The winner of each category

team’s camp at Four Point by Sheraton Hotel.

Bendel Insurance goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie who was drafted in last minute to replace Maduka Okoye was amongst the last sets of players in camp.

The longest serving member of the current Super Eagles, Kenneth Omeruo told NFF TV yesterday that the three-time African champions have held a meeting where it was decided to take the long campaign one-match-at-a-time.

“Most of us in the team still remember how painful it was not to be part of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The memory lingers but then, that is gone. This is a fresh opportunity and we all want to be at the next one.

“There is always the temptation to over-think how to process the campaign, but it is a long one and we have opted to think and plan for only the match ahead of us. On Thursday, we will play Lesotho.

We remember them from our 2021 AFCON qualifiers. After the final whistle on Thursday, we can then start thinking about the next opponents,” stressed the Kasimpasa FC of Turkey defender.

He admitted that even in the face of several key players missing from the squad due to injuries, Eagles will step up the ante to win champions convincingly.

“We have a number of players missing due to injury or some other circumstance; we have to deal with that. Those of us who are available must step up to the plate and do the job,” Omeruo added.

Apart from talisman of the team, Victor Osimhen who is

down with injury, Winger Samuel Chukwueze, who got a goal against the Crocodiles in their first clash in Maseru, is also out injured. Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi are the latest to also miss the trip to Uyo for the kick off of Nigeria’s dream to play at the 2026 Mundial.

In the six-team Group C, the

.....Governor Obaseki Hails Obasogie’s Call-up to Super Eagles The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Bendel Insurance Goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie, on his call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

CA F AWA R D S will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches, and captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

The Awards Gala is to be graced by the crème de la crème of African football on 11 December 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Player of the Year (Women) 1. Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon) 2. Evelyn Badu (Ghana) 3. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) 4. Temwa Chawinga (Malawi) 5. Anissa Lahmari (Morocco) 6. Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco) 7. Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco) 8. Ibtissam Jraidi (Morocco) 9. Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco) 10. Zenatha Coleman (Namibia) 11. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) 12. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria) 13. Christy Ucheibe (Nigeria) 14. Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria) 15. Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria) 16. Toni Payne (Nigeria, Sevilla) 17. Uchenna Kanu (Nigeria) 18. Ndeye Awa Diakhaté (Senegal) 19. Andile Dlamini (South Africa) 20. Hilda Magaia (South Africa) 21. Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa) 22. Linda Motlhalo (South Africa) 23. Refiloe Jane (South Africa) 24. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) 25. Afi Sabine Woedikou (Togo) 26. Sabrina Ellouzi (Tunisia) 27. Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda) 28. Barbara Banda (Zambia) 29. Grace Chanda (Zambia) 30. Rachael Kundananji (Zambia)

Eagles will host South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and then play away to Benin Republic in June 2024, before a run of six matches between March and October 2025 that will determine the winner, and the team eligible from the pool to fly Africa’s flag in USA, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026.

Super Eagles players during a light workout at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo ahead of tomorrow’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Crocodiles of Lesotho

The 23-year-old Obasogie was called up by the Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, to replace Maduka Okoye.

He will compete with Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia) and Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba) for a starting shirt in the November internationals.

In a statement, Obaseki said, “I heartily congratulate our own dear Bendel Insurance Goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie, on his call-up to the national team, the Super Eagles ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

“With great agility, resilience, and excellent command in the air, Obasogie is unarguably one of the best shot-stoppers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with an outstanding record of six clean sheets in seven matches this season and an impressive run which saw Bendel Insurance sustain a 26-game unbeaten streak last season.

“He has continued to give an excellent account of himself, showcasing his prowess, exceptional talent, and the indomitable Edo spirit, putting the state on the global map for good.

“This is indeed another win for our sustained investment in the Sports sector in Edo, with a keen focus on returning Bendel Insurance to its rightful place as a home for national team players.

“He is the second Bendel Insurance player to be called up to the national team in a space of one year.

“We are proud of his accomplishments and genius and wish him success in this new and exciting chapter of his football career even as we are confident that he will continue to shine and bring more laurels and glory to the State and Nigeria,”concludes the Edo State governor.

1XBET CUP: It’s Bariga FC, Ighalo FC Final!

The real contenders have finally been separated from the pretenders for the ultimate prize in the ongoing maiden edition of 1XBET Community Football Championship, as Bariga FC and Ighalo FC have both qualified to play in the final of the championship.

In the first semi-final match

played at the LASU Stadium, Bariga FC defeated hard-fighting De Elites FC 4-2 on penalties, after playing out 2-2 in regulations time.

The second semi-final game pitted two determined sides, Ighalo FC and Young Strikers.

It was Kingsley Dennis of Ighalo FC that drew the first blood, as he netted a deflected freekick in the first minute of the game.

Five minutes later, he got his

brace and the second goal for Ighalo FC, as he exploited a defensive blunder by Young Strikers to lob the goalkeeper. Expectedly, Young Strikers didn't give up as they pressured the well-mannered Ighalo boys defence line ceaselessly.

In the 27th minute, Favour Ogudu reduced the scoreline for Young Strikers with a sublime finish. The second stanza began and continued with Young Strikers

asking further questions of the unyielding Ighalo boys defence.

In the 70th minute of the fast and fiesty encounter, substitute Chilaka Nzube scored the third goal for Ighalo FC, and of course, took the winds off the sails of Young Strikers, to set up a mouth-watering final match against Bariga FC in the grand finale slated to hold November 23, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

11 Schools Kick-start Season 5 of Dolphin Swimming League

L-R: Vice Captain, Ikeja Golf Club (IGC), Babatunde Ojo; Captain, (IGC), Mr. Sina Akinyemi; Competition's Secretary (IGC), Jenkins Alumona; Hon. Treasurer (IGC), Mr. Seun Aderibigbe, at the 2023 Ikeja Golf Club Championship press conference in Lagos ...on Tuesday

More schools have continued to identify with the first private school swimming competition as 11 schools led by defending champion Grange are expected to kick-start the season five of the tournament on Saturday November 18 in Lagos.

The tournament is organised by Dynaspro Promotion Limited in collaboration with Advanta Interactive Limited with the technical backing of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation and Lagos State Swim-

ming Association, started with few schools continuing to grow in every season as Atlantic Hall will also be competing this season.

The participating schools for the new season include host – Grange School, Meadow Hall, St Saviour’s Children International School (CIS), Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School (LPS), Lagoon/Whitesands, Greensprings Lagos, Riverbank and Italian Priory. Also, a club, Boken Aquatics, will also be part of the tournament this year.

The tournament which has been sanctioned by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) produced most of the medallists at the last National Sports Festival in Delta State.

According to the coordinator of the tournament, Oluseyi Oyebode, the enthusiasm shown by the schools continued to motivate the organisers to be creative in their approach to the tournament every season.

Wednesday, November 14, 2023

TR

UT H

& RE A SO

Price: N250

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MISSILE Gov Aliyu to LG Secretaries

“It is now clear that you are occupying political offices, therefore, if you are a civil servant make sure you resign. “We believe in the rule of law and will not accept any situation whereby people will flout the law.” - Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State asking Secretaries of Local Governments in the state to resign their appointments because they are political appointees.

KayodeKomolafe The Horizon

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

A Tortoise Story for Labour “Alo ni ti ijapa, abo ni ti ana e” (While the public opinion favoured tortoise’s in-law at dawn; the popular view shifted in favour of tortoise at dusk).

T

he Yoruba have an allegory about the pendulum of public opinion from which the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) should learn some lessons.

Tortoise is, of course, the villain of the piece in many stories. But the story for today is that of tortoise and its in-law.

One night, tortoise raided the farm of its in-law.

Having set a trap for the notorious animal, the in-law caught tortoise in the early hours with some tubers of yams. Tortoise was tied to a tree by the footpath. On the way to their farmlands, early risers spat abuse on tortoise for its shameful act. Tortoise’s act was repugnant to the observers of the scene, who found the reaction of the in-law justified at dawn.

However, on their return from the farm at dusk observers still found tortoise by the wayside being tortured by its in-law. The commentary changed as observers developed sympathy for tortoise because the in-law was perceived to have overacted. Some observers changed the tone and even embarked on the rationalisation of the theft. One observer asked: after all weren’t the stolen tubers of yams meant to feed the in-law’s offspring?

The pendulum of public opinion swung in favour of tortoise. In the morning, tortoise was called a thief while in the evening the in-law was considered wicked.

So tortoise had the last laugh.

Not a few persons rightly condemned the egregious assault on the president of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

This is the least that is expected from all decent persons and institutions. Yet, the strike jointly called by the NLC and the TUC to protest the barbaric act of Ajaero’s attackers began yesterday with all its implications for the socio-economic environment.

Last Wednesday on this page, this reporter called for justice in the matter of the brutal attack on the NLC president as follows: “The assault on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri last week is unacceptable.

“Whatever the dispute might be such a treatment of a fellow human being should not be permitted in any civilised setting.

“The issue here is the dignity of the human person which is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

“So no person with an iota of humanity in him or her

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero would justify this barbaric act on any ground.

“The NLC’s position is that Comrade Ajaero was in Owerri to lead a workers’ protest against the Imo state government over poor working conditions. In a counter-position, the Imo state government has accused Ajaero of partisan involvement in the politics of the state.

The state government says it has fully paid workers their wages.

“To be sure, a lot of questions could be raised with Ajaero’s mission to Owerri. Organising a workers’ protest a few days to a crucial election in a state is not the wisest step to take by a labour leader in the circumstance. Ajaero is from Imo state. Worse still, the reported security problems in Imo state are well known.

The Labour Party, a creature of NLC, is presenting a candidate to contest the election. For clarity, Ajaero’s support for the Labour Party is legitimate. He has not violated any law by supporting the candidate of a party formed by NLC. But that fact alone should make it clear to him that partisan motives would easily be read to any labour action on the eve of a governorship election in the state. This should put him naturally in an awkward position. So a greater tact should have been deployed.

“If Ajaero has probably committed a tactical error by his ill-fated mission to Owerri, those who attacked him have certainly committed a crime. Ajaero’s error could be organisationally corrected by the NLC; but his

SamAmadi

criminal attackers should be arrested and prosecuted and there must be restitution.

“The police failed to protect Ajaero against the aggressors.

The police should not fail to bring the perpetrators of the assault on Ajaero to book.

“The Imo state government should not rationalise, let alone, justify this brutal act. The state government should instead resolve whatever disputes it has with labour using the machinery of industrial relations.

“The federal government should move quickly to engage the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in discussions to avert their threatened nation-wide strike against next Tuesday to protest the assault on Ajaero.

It is a good thing that labour has acknowledged that a highly responsive call from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, prevented the situation from getting worse in Owerri on that day.

“On its part, labour should temper its understandable anger and reconsider its position on the strike and opt for other less disruptive ways of seeking redress on this unfortunate matter.”

Since that comradely advice was offered to labour leaders, Governor Hope Uzodinma has condemned the assault publicly while apologising to the NLC president. The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has redeployed to the Force Headquarters the Commissioner of Police in Imo state at the time of the incident, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Barde. The matter is also reportedly under investigation as ordered by the Inspector-General of Police. Meanwhile, the federal government has moved to secure an order of the National Industrial Court (NIC) forbidding labour from embarking on the strike. Now, it is not advisable that NLC and TUC should present themselves as lawless organisations. Come to think of it, both labour centres formed by workers are registered as organisations according to labour laws.

The swinging of the pendulum of public opinion is exemplified by the commentary on the labour action by accomplished journalist and ace columnist, Ray Ekpu, who aptly described what happened to Ajaero as “brutalisation.” But Ekpu also added the following comments: “…actions by labour must always be proportional and measured. They must never be total and all-embracing as if the aim is to destroy the country and its people, to deliver hell on earth, to bring Armageddon here and to take us to Golgotha. The statements made in recent times by our labour leaders give that wild expression…

“To continue to earn the respect and support of the public, our labour leaders must talk and act responsibly,

not recklessly so that their actions can receive the nod of the watching public. They can only succeed if they do not seek to punish everybody for the sins of a few.”

With those words of wisdom, Ekpu must be speaking the minds of many silent members of the public who would otherwise have sympathy for labour in its legitimate struggle to improve the material condition of workers.

Besides, labour should tread carefully so as not to burn its goodwill. The Imo state government has accused Ajaero of partisanship, a charge that the NLC leadership cannot easily defend in the circumstance. It is a fact that NLC promoted the idea of the Labour Party (LP). But NLC and the LP are two distinct organisations with different objectives as defined by their respective constitutions and the laws under which they are registered. LP is seeking political power while NLC is only economistic, fighting for the improvement in workers’ conditions.

Hence, not all workers support the LP just as not all LP members belong to the trade unions affiliated to the NLC and TUC. In fact, the two governors so far elected on the platform of LP since it was registered – Governor Olusegun Mimiko (for two terms) in Ondo state and now Governor Alex Otti of Abia State - were not members of any of the NLC or TUC affiliates when they won their elections respectively. A number of LP members who won legislative elections on the LP platforms in March were not trade union members. While Ajaero could legitimately be an LP partisan, he should not mix his role as a party member with his non-partisan duty as a labour leader. Members of the public may not fully comprehend the seeming contradictions in the relationship between a workers’ organisation and a political party. But, labour leaders should develop the necessary organisational skills to navigate the landmines that the dual status (party membership and labour leadership) might generate from time to time.

The NLC should not be corporately used to advance any partisan interest at any level. The reason behind this proposition is obvious: NLC or any of its affiliates will have to engage (as a social partner) all tiers of governments on a non-partisan basis. These governments are controlled by different political parties. No government would be comfortable negotiating with a labour organisation it suspects to be a proxy of a rival party. Labour leaders should not nurse any illusion that things could be otherwise.

Above all, the federal government should engage NLC and TUC productively to end the strike today. A solid assurance should be given that those who brutalised Comrade Ajaero would be punished according to the law to serve as a deterrent.

guest columnist

Taking Electoral Reform Seriously T he off-season governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states end the 2023 electoral season. Individual verdicts on the conduct of the elections may vary but the conclusion is that the Nigerian electoral system is still far from credible and does not produce free and fair election. As Professor Wole Soyinka reportedly stated, the highpoint of the flawed nature of Nigeria’s electoral system is that whilst President Tinubu triumphed at the Supreme Court, he carries about the burden of illegitimacy. Although the Supreme Court’s determination of electoral disputes is final, it does not settle the question of incredibility of the elections and the disputation of legitimacy. We may reprimand any appeal to popular

uprising in response to the evident and overwhelming shortcomings of the elections and their adjudication, but we do not disagree that the elections themselves fall short of democratic credentials. We are back to 2007 when President Yaradua triumphed at the Supreme Court but realised that his mandate lacked the verities of democracy and quickly launched a comprehensive electoral reform.

The difference, and that is the problem, is that Tinubu is not Yaradua. He will probably not concede that the election that brought him to power is heavily flawed.

He will probably brandish a credential that he lacks and declare that our electoral system is one of the best in the world. That will be a fatal error. I bet that if the

President strays far away from echoes of his aides and supporters, he will clearly hear the voices of millions of Nigerians who feel that the elections were a sham, the same word that Justice Nsofor used in joining with the minority justices of the Supreme Court to rule against the validity of Yaradua’s election in 2007. As he travels round the world, he will sense that foreign leaders are also into the narrative of disputed legitimacy. After all, didn’t the EU and the US Monitoring Groups slam the elections as highly flawed?

But whether he admits the flaws in the election that brought him to power, or he does not, the truth is that our electoral system is flawed to the extent that it undermines the effectuality of public leadership in

Nigeria. We tried in 2022 to reform our electoral system to respond to past failures at free and fair elections.

The result shows that our efforts came short in terms of incentivizing new behaviours from role players like INEC, the security, and the judiciary. The 2023 general elections have the marks of brigandage, of organized chaos designed to enhance leadership failure rather than transform governance. Pictures and videos of pre-loaded election results on the electronic portals, brutalization of agents of opposition parties at collation centers by the police and the kidnap of electoral officers are imageries that speak of robbery than voting.

Continued online

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