THURSDAY 23TH NOVEMBER 2023

Mere Errors Blight Appeal Court Judgment in Kano, Create Crisis of Judicial Confidence

Tension rises as controversial CTC circulates in Kano metropolis NNPP protests, urges NJC to review ruling, says document doctored to favour opposition Court will clarify errors, declares APC Story on page 14 More Oil, Gas Assets for Sale as Tinubu Approves Conduct of Fresh Marginal Field Bid Round... Page 6 Thursday 23 November, 2023 Vol 28. No 10452. Price: N250

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KANO STANDS STILL FOR GOVERNOR ABBA KABIR YUSUF ON ARRIVAL FROM ABUJA

 Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf acknowledging cheers from mammoth crowd that came out to greet him on arrival from Appeal Court Abuja.

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

NEWS

MARKET MONI LAUNCHED...

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu ( L ) with First Lady, Sen Oluremi Tinubu during the launching of targeted expansion of the Market-Moni held at the Conference PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI. Center of the Presidential Villa , Abuja.....yesterday .

Senate Seeks Probe of $500 Million Failed Abuja CCT Contract as Insecurity Worsens

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate at plenary yesterday, unanimously agreed to probe the $500 million contract for the installation of the close circuit television (CCT) camera awarded in 2015, but allegedly poorly implemented.

The resolution of the Senate was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved as a point of order by Senator Ned Nwoko on the Galadimawa Kidnapping Tragedy.

The upper chamber called on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, to investigate the implementation of the contract.

Nwoko, in his lead debate expressed concern over recent kidnapping incident in the Galadimawa area of the FCT involving multiple individuals, including his Senior Legislative Aide, Mr. Chris Agidy.

He said two weeks ago, a distressing incident unfolded, where 19 individuals were forcefully taken from their homes in the Galadimawa area of Abuja.

Nwoko said upon receiving the distressing news, immediate measures were taken, adding that he contacted the Commissioner of Police who swiftly activated the OC Anti-Kidnapping team to secure the release of those abducted.

He, however, expressed regret

that distressing updates from reliable police sources confirmed that out of the 19 individuals abducted, 12 have been killed, while seven remained in the custody of the kidnappers.

He said efforts to ascertain the well-being and status of his staff, among the seven individuals still held, was ongoing.

Nwoko, said there was a close coordination with the security operatives who have been diligently working on the matter.

He, however, said challenges persist as contacting the kidnappers for negotiation had proven immensely difficult.

He said, “Their lines remain inactive, hindering direct communication and negotiation efforts.

“According to security operatives, efforts are still focused on securing the remaining individuals held captive from the forested area approximately 100 km away, despite the daunting challenges faced in reaching the kidnappers.

“As we await further updates from the authorities, we remain resolute in our pursuit of a swift and safe resolution to this distressing situation.”

In his contribution, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA- Abia ) said kidnapping was not just in Galadimawa alone, but also in Lugbe, Kubwa Kuje and other

parts of the FCT. He said many residents in these areas no longer sleep in their homes for fear of being kidnapped.

He said there was an urgent need for the Senate to take the issue seriously as FCT its environs was under siege of kidnapping.

To Senator Adamu Alero (PDPKebbi), insecurity was everywhere in the FCT, saying urgent steps needed to be taken to put a halt to it.

He called for a revisiting of the

$500 million contract awarded for the installation of CCTV cameras in the FCT in the past.

Alero, said it was a shame, national embarrassment for kidnapping activities to be happening in the FCT, saying the National Assembly had approved over N1 trillion for security agencies to fight insecurity in Nigeria.

The Senate in its further resolutions called for a Joint operation involving the Army, Police and

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), yesterday in Asaba, Delta State, shared a total sum of N906.955 billion to the three tiers of government for the month of October, 2023 from a gross total of N1,346.519 trillion.

The total distributable revenue was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N305.070 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N323.446 billion, N15.552 billion from Electronic Money

Transfer Levy (EMTL), N202.887 billion from Exchange Difference and N60.000 billion Augmentation.

Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Import Duty, VAT, Customs External Tarrif (CET) and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) reportedly increased significantly in the month of Octobee while Excise Duties and Companies Income Tax (CIT) recorded considerable decreases.

Oil and gas royalties also decreased marginally.

NNPC pledges to win war against crude theft

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, yesterday inaugurated a Special Ad Hoc Committee on oil theft to investigate the growing spate of pipeline vandalism as well as illegal oil bunkering and theft.

The Speaker in his address at the inauguration ceremony, stated the resolve of the 10th House to tackle the problem headlong, noting that oil theft and other oil-related criminalities remain the greatest economic sabotage, leaving the country with dwindling revenue.

Abbas lamented that Nigeria loses over 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day due to theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities.

“Some of the severe consequences of this include revenue loss, environ-

mental disaster, threats to regional peace and security, proliferation of arms, and a poor investment climate.

“The nation is reported to have incurred losses of oil revenues estimated at N1.29 trillion annually due to industrial-scale theft," he stated.

He stated that the committee’s primary objective was to determine the proximate and remote causes of oil theft and recommend remedial measures to the House.

“Nigeria is facing significant financial challenges due to a combination of rising expenditures and falling revenues. You may recall that the proposed revenue and expenditure for 2023 stand at N9.73 trillion and N20.51 trillion, respectively.

“This means a fiscal deficit of N10.78 trillion, which is about 4.78 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This deficit is the largest in Nigeria’s history, and

to conduct thorough investigation into the kidnapping in Abuja.

It also mandated its committees on securities to enforce a robust security measures within Abuja and prevail on security agencies to consider installation of the CCTV cameras within specific areas in Abuja and other parts of the country.

It also urged its committees on FCT to laise with the FCT Minster on ways to resolve insecurity in Abuja.

FAAC Disburses N906.955bn from N1.346tn Gross Revenue for Oct

Abbas: Stealing of Oil GreatestThreat to Nigeria’s Economy Emmanuel Addeh and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

DSS to intensify search efforts for the kidnapped victims.

It also urged the Minister of FCT to revisit the installation of CCTV contract award within Abuja where over 500 million dollars has been spent and make the contractor accountable.

It also called on the Inspector General of Police to increase the surveillance patrols in Abuja to prevent kidnapping.

The Senate also called on the IGP

with a budget more than double the proposed revenue, we are faced with the challenge of borrowing to cover the gap," he added.

“Abass stated that it is for this reason that the House will significantly raise the targets for all government revenue-generating agencies.

“I am convinced these agencies can generate much more than they currently do. In our recent engagement with MDAs on the 2024-2026 MTEF, we have made it clear that a lot more will be required of our key revenue-generating agencies in 2024.

“We expect them to double their total annual revenue profile. However, to achieve this, these agencies must reduce wastage and improve efficiency, especially in collection," he added.

The speaker further said revenuegenerating agencies must ensure transparency in the management

of generated revenues.

“Let me state clearly that the House will not tolerate low performance by agencies or failure to show evidence of required remittances to the Federation Account. We shall also closely monitor and undertake strict oversight of the activities of all revenue-generating agencies to ensure compliance.

“I charge you, therefore, to investigate all dimensions of oil theft, focusing on the actions of all actors, including criminal gangs, militia groups, the local populace, company employees and security agencies.

“I urge the members of this committee to approach your mandate with diligence, objectivity, a sense of urgency and patriotism. The findings and recommendations from your work will serve as a foundation for sustainable solutions rather than ad-hoc measures.

The FAAC meeting where the disbursement took place was at the ongoing retreat in Asaba, which was presided over by Okokon Udo, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, who represented the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

A statement from the Director (Press & Public Relations), Stephen Kilebi, cited a communique issued at the end of the FAAC meeting.

It stated that the shared amount was inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, VAT, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Exchange Difference, and Augmentation of N60.000 billion.

At the end of the disbursement, the federal government received N323.355 billion, states got N307.717 billion, local government councils received N225.209 billion, while the oil producing states received N50.674 billion as 13 per cent derivation of mineral revenue.

The sum of N50.674 billion was for cost of collection and N386.081 billion allocated for 'Transfers, Intervention and Refunds' The gross revenue available from the VAT for October was N347.343 billion, which indicated an increase from the N303.550 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in an increase of N43.793 billion.

The sum of N10.894 billion was allocated for cost of collection and N10.003 billion given for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.

The remaining sum of N323.446 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government with the federal government receiving N48.517 billion, states received N161.723

billion, and local governments got N113.206 billion.

According to the statement, the gross Statutory Revenue of N660.090 billion received in the month was lower than the sum of N1,014.953 trillion received in the previous month of September

by N354.863 billion.

From that amount, the sum of N38.942 billion was allocated as cost of collection and N316.078 billion for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.

The remaining balance of N305.070 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government.

The federal government was allocated the sum of N147.574 billion, states got N74.852 billion, local governments got N57.707 billion, and 13 per cent oil derivation accounted for N24.937 billion.

Also, the sum of N16.199 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was distributed to the three the federal government, states and local governments in the ratio of N2.333 billion, N7.776 billion and N5.443 billion respectively while N0.647 billion was allocated for cost of collection.

The sum of N262.887 billion which came from Exchange Difference was shared as follows: federal government -N93.323 billion; states - N47.334 billion, and local governments -N36.493 billion.

The sum of N25.737 billion was given to oil producing states as 13 per cent derivation while the sum of N60.000 billion was for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.

The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at November 22, 2023 stood at $473,754.57.

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NEWS

Wema Bank's signing of $50,000,000 Credit Facility with ECOWAS Bank...

L-R: Executive Director, Lagos Directorate, Wema Bank, Mr.Oluwole Ajimisinmi; President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Agyemkum Donkor; Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni;Vice President, Operations, EBID, Dr. Olagunju M.O Ashimolowo, at the Wema Bank official signing of $50,000,000 Credit Facility with ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development in Lome, Togo ... recently.

More Oil, Gas Assets for Sale as Tinubu Approves Conduct of Fresh Marginal Field Bid Round Exercise to commence soon Minister commends Waltersmith Refinery, NCDMB for improving domestic refining capacity NEITI, oil producers step up measures to strengthen transparency, accountability in petroleum, mining sectors

Peter Uzoho

President Bola Tinubu has approved the conduct of fresh marginal field bid round to offer for sale more oil and gas fields abandoned by the international oil companies (IOCs) which have been lying fallow for over a decade.

The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, revealed this during a facility tour of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited's modular refinery in Ibigwe, Ohaji-

Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, saying the bid exercise would commence "soon".

This emerged just as the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) yesterday met with oil firms and miners at the NEITI-Companies Forum, where they brainstormed on strengthening companies' participation towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the nation's oil and gas and solid minerals sectors.

The new bid round is coming barely three years after about 57 marginal oilfields were put up for sale in 2020 and the process effectively concluded last year, amid many of the awardees still struggling to move to site for development of their assets due largely to funding and regulatory challenges.

The minister was quoted in a statement issued yesterday, by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), disclosed that he had obtained

presidential approval to conduct a fresh round of bidding, which would take place soon.

He promised that, “marginal fields would (henceforth) be prioritised in terms of their location to those who have modular refineries, so that they will be able to produce.”

The marginal field exercise is exclusively reserved for Nigerian companies as the federal government through the policy offers opportunity to local firms to participate more actively in the country's oil and gas

exploration and production space.

It is essentially to help increase Nigeria's oil and gas production and reserves, boost federation's revenue, create jobs for the teeming population and contribute to the development of the host communities.

Lokpobiri, however, commended Waltersmith Group and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for supporting the federal government agenda of improving domestic refining capacity.

The Minister expressed satisfaction

90% of Nigeria's Workforce Engaged in Informal Sector, Says German Agency NBS: 90% of workers work in insecure environment

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The German International Development Agency - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has noted that there are more workers employed by organisations in the informal sector and in potentially unprotected work environment in Nigeria.

It cautioned that high underemployment rates were hindering the country's progress.

Quoting the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), GIZ- GmbH which is a German federal enterprise engaged in the implementation of Skills Development for Youth Employment - SKYE” in Nigeria stated that, "there is a high rate of people working in the informal sector in Nigeria and in a potentially unprotected work environment estimated to be at above 90 percent of the total workforce."

Speaking at a 2-day conference organised by GIZ GmbH, a German federal enterprise with worldwide operations and held Monday and Tuesday in Abuja, Team Leader of GIZ SKYE, Dr. Detlef Barth, said there was a corresponding high rate of underemployment that results in frustration among youths in the country.

While speaking on the topic: "Addressing Labour Market Challenges through Delivery of Innovative Employment Services,” Barth said the conference aimed at adopting

sustainable models drawn from best practices observed in other regions and establishing structured and sustainable working groups between ministries, private sector and international organisations on specific topics.

"I stand before you today with a sense of purpose and urgency, recognising the important role that innovative employment services play in addressing the challenges of Nigeria's labor market.

"In Nigeria nearly two-thirds of the 220 million people are under the age of 25. According to a former Minister of Education the future of Nigeria, both as a nation and a key player on the African continent, depends on its youth.

“But high unemployment and underemployment rates hinder their progress. The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics reported a youth unemployment rate of almost 54 percent in 2022.

"Also, the high rate of people working in the informal sector and therefore in a potentially unprotected work environment is estimated by the NBS to be at above 90 percent of the total workforce.

"This goes along with a high rate of underemployment. These are not mere numbers but human and social tragedies. Human capital is not utilised and a generation of frustrated young people might be the consequence," he said.

The conference which sought

to find innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges within Nigeria's labour market was put together in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The GIZ SKYE programme aimed to use the conference as a starting point for a more youth and practice-oriented PES in Nigeria.

Barth, said the first objective of the conference was the exploration of best practices within Public Employment Services (PES), adding

that there was need to investigate and identify optimal practices that can be adapted and implemented to the context in Nigeria.

In addition, he said second objective was to facilitate multistakeholder engagement and commitment at this conference and beyond.

"Our third objective centers on the presentation and discussion of strategic direction plans and overarching topics. We will delve into the National Employment Policy,

the Youth Employment Action Plan, job matching in other countries and PES in relation to migration.

This is crucial to understand PES from different angles to strengthen it," he said.

Panelists at the conference stated that since search for employment opportunities was one key motivation for migration, it was necessary for appropriate information to be provided for those leaving the country and wanting to make hay way abroad.

towards the company and NCDMB for taking the bull by the horn to commence local refining of crude and partially meeting the demand of the local.

According to him, “The quickest way to fix our energy challenge in the country should be through modular refineries, while we await the total rehabilitation of the big refineries.”

He said the 5,000-barrel per stream day Waltersmith Petroman, which has been a stable source of diesel, kerosene, naphta, and high fuel oil to the domestic market since its inauguration in 2020, was for him a proof of how beneficial such smaller processing plants could be.

Lokpobiri, expressed commendation to the NCDMB Board for taking up equity in Waltersmith Refinery which quickly facilitated the completion of the modular refinery.

While commending Waltersmith Group, the minister charged companies who had been given licences for modular refineries and marginal field licences to take cues from Waltersmith and make deliberate investments.

He stated, “If you have a marginal field, an allocation, it is a paper given to you, it doesn’t add value to you or to Nigeria, unless you take it to the next level by making the requisite investment and then adding the value that is expected.”

“What I am saying is that out of the numerous marginal fields that were allocated, only Waltersmith and Continued on page 14

FG Launches Mini-grids System Control Centre in Abuja Set to conduct ground-breaking for 900kWp

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) yesterday inaugurated an Energy Management System (EMS) control centre capable of hosting all mini-grids in the country.

Carrying out the official launch of the project at its corporate headquarters in Abuja, the REA disclosed that it will also today (Thursday) conduct the ground-breaking of a 900kWp solar mini-grid in Rubochi, Kuje council, as well as a 100kWp at Ikwa Ward, Gwagwalada as part of the phase I of the Korean Energy Project (KEP).

Describing it as a significant

milestone, the agency stated that it was a testament to its efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation with foreign development partners such as the Korean Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and its Korean implementing consortium partners.

It listed the partners as Iljin Electric, S&D Powernics, Korea Smart Grid Association and Technology University of Korea, which are all under the Korean energy project.

The project, it said, seeks to establish an integrated energy management system capable of hosting all mini-grids in the country and four standalone mini-grids with total capacities of 1.6 MWp and 3.0

MWh in four “unelectrified” areas around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, stated that such collaborations will help bridge the gap between the served and the unserved in Nigeria and expressed the hope that the upcoming projects will be delivered on time and with the best standard.

Stressing that energy poverty remains a problem that permeates different nations across the continent, Adelabu noted that different stakeholders continue to address the effect of energy poverty in different ways.

“In Nigeria, we have a unique history that has taken us through

varying phases of this journey toward the desirable change we strive to see in the energy sector,” he stated.

The minister who was represented by the Director of Renewable Energy and Rural Power Access, Mr Abubakar Ali-Dapshima, explained that the new Electricity Act designed to decentralise the power sector and expand investment opportunities through the state governments, gives the opportunity to further explore renewable energy solutions across the nation. “The EMS we unveil today is not merely a technological innovation; it is a testament to our collective dedication to progress, efficiency, and the empowerment of our people,” he added.

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NEWS

Gavi The Vaccine Alliance Executives at Presidential Villa...

L-R: Managing Director, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Thabani Maphosa; Chief Executive Officer (interim), Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, David Marlow; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, during a courtesy visit by Executives of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI yesterday

Senators Talk Tough Over N12tn Refineries’ Turnaround Maintenance Demand relevant documents to justify expenditure

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries to submit relevant documents relating to the turnaround maintenance projects of the petroleum refineries.

The Senate noted that from 2010 to date, over N12 trillion had been

spent on maintaining the refineries.

The Senate also said that it had records of over $592 million, €4.8 million and £3.4 million spent between 2010 to date on turnaround, without results.

The Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the various turnaround projects of Nigerian refineries, gave the directive during an interactive session with NNPC management

Road Construction: FG Plans to Reduce Steel Import, Banks on Ajaokuta Plant Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government plans to source a substantial part of its steel requirements for the construction of concrete roads from the Ajaokuta steel company, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Orji Uchenna, Umahi who spoke during a meeting with the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaib Audu, in his Abuja office, explained that having inherited a large chunk of debt from the previous administration, it was time ‘to think outside the box’.

The minister said that the ministry of steel development would play a major role in the road infrastructure ‘revolution’ plan envisioned by President Bola Tinubu, by providing more than 16 per cent of the materials needed for the construction of Nigerian roads with concrete pavement.

He said that tapping into the opportunities in the steel industry would not only create jobs and wealth for Nigeria's population, but would also establish a global market as well as encourage industrialisation.

"How do we reactivate Ajaokuta

steel? We are going into concrete roads and on these concrete roads, about 16 per cent of it is from steel while 30 per cent is cement . We need a lot of money to start, but we decided to face it and God has given us an idea,” he stated.

Umahi noted that if the funding from government was being awaited, the proposed work would be slow, explaining that there was need to collaborate with the commercial banks.

He described the steel industry as the bedrock of Nigeria's industrialisation and the backbone of development of any country.

Umahi assured his counterpart that he would work with him to fully reap the benefits of the Ajaokuta steel plant, which he said is the largest in Nigeria.

“One of the renewed hope agenda of the president is to think outside the box. The president inherited a large chunk of debt from the past administration. The beauty of it is that he is not complaining.

“He knew how the country was before he took the job and how it is. The good thing is that if you have passion for something God will give you an idea,” he said.

and other executives in the oil sector.

Some of the heads of the affected agencies invited could not attend but sent representatives to the Senate investigative hearing.

They included the NNPC, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and their subsidiaries.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee, Senator Isa Jibrin (Kogi East), noted that so much had been heard on the turnaround, and so much had been spent on operational materials on the refineries that are not working.

He said that they wanted to know the solutions to all the leakages, as there were a lot of them.

The lawmaker said: "We will ask for refund and dismissal of all the chief executives involved in the turnaround maintenance."

Jibrin said that for weeks, they had been asking for documents,

which have not been given by the oil companies, a development that created suspicion.

"We sent them invitation more than two weeks ago requesting for documents and the documents have not been released after two weeks.

So, we want the chief executives to be present.

"More worrisome is that between 2010 and 2020, the sum of N4.8 trillion was said to have been spent as operational expenses. How do you incur operational expenses that have to do with purchase of raw materials and similar expenses on factories that are moribund? How did we come about operational expenses? We need to know.

"These are issues that Nigerians want to know; they want solutions to all these leakages. We know they are leakages. Whether you accept it they are leakages and they are all forms of compromise within your various establishments.

"We know and we will not

hesitate to escalate it to the highest possible level, including possibility of refund and outright dismissal of some of the heads of some of these agencies and possibly go to jail," he said.

Also speaking, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi said that NNPC and management of other agencies, who came to represent their bosses, should be sent back to tell their chief executives that they are looking for them and not to send other people.

Angered by the whole development, Senator Sumaila Kawu said that they know the modus operandi of the civil service, adding: "We are not in the Senate for personal functions. We are representing the entire legislators. You in the civil service, we know how you are operating.

"We are in a very serious business. At the end, you will be at the receiving end. Nigerians are not satisfied with what you are doing and you will be at the receiving end.

Ex-N’Delta Agitators Urge FG to Probe Upfront Sale of Crude Oil Under Buhari Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A group, First Phase ex-Niger Delta Agitators, has urged President Bola Tinubu to probe the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on the alleged upfront sale of crude oil and recover the proceeds.

In a statement signed yesterday by its National Secretary, Nature Dumale, the group insisted that Tinubu should investigate the allegation that crude oil was sold three years in advance shortly

before he took over the mantle of leadership.

Dumale said the development was part of the reason for the foreign exchange crisis and the worsening inflation in the country.

He said if Tinubu failed to probe the allegation, the group would send a petition to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to come to the rescue of the people.

Dumale said: "We want Tinubu to investigate the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the oil and gas sector. Why did

the last administration sell petroleum products upfront and took the money away? Why did they leave Nigeria indebted? It is affecting our foreign exchange and that is why we are having dollar crisis.

"We are calling on Tinubu to do the needful because Nigerians are behind him. He needs to set a track record and he needs to do something that Nigerians will remember him. He needs to call these people to order.

"The allegation is everywhere that former President Buhari sold

Osun Assembly Vows to Sustain Efforts to Cleanse Judiciary of Alleged Corruption

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Osun State House of Assembly yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional roles, including ridding the judiciary in the state of corruption.

It noted that its resolution on the Chief Judge of the state, Adepele Ojo, to step aside was in line with the natural rule of fairness and transparency.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Kanmi Ajibola, said this when the House

received members of the Judicial Service Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) at the Assembly complex in continuation of its protest against the embattled CJ's management of the state's judiciary.

While addressing the protesting judicial workers on behalf of the House, he said the legislature’s actions were geared towards cleansing the judiciary of corruption in order to restore the confidence of the people.

Ajibola dismissed as unfounded insinuations in some quarters that the steps taken on the CJ was

"We are independent. We can go to any length to defend our people. It is the constitution that entrusted you. So, we must agree on how to operate.

"We will suspend this interaction until when you are ready. We have 100 ways which we can achieve our legislative work. We just wanted to give you fair hearing and you must respect the constitution."

Senator Danjuma Goje, who asked them whether they are the heads of the agencies, added that they deal with heads or chief executive and not people who had been sent.

"We will have to agree on new dates for the submission of the documents both hard copies and soft copies and a date for meeting where the Chief Executive must appear," he said.

They were, however, given till Tuesday to submit the documents before the meeting with the chief executives.

motivated by interests outside a better judiciary, pointing out that the law-making arm of government has a duty imposed on it by the constitution to exercise oversight function on the two other arms of government.

"But let me state clearly, we received some petitions against the CJ, and there are reports accompanying those petitions that if the CJ is allowed into her office, that there are some documents that will be tampered with, that will distort the investigation.

"And on this note, the people that brought petitions, they are entitled to fair hearing. The CJ, whom petition was brought against is also entitled to fair hearing,” he said.

Speaking earlier, JUSUN led by its Chairman, Oluwagbemiga Eludire, said they were at the Osun Assembly to enlist the support of the legislative branch of government in saving them from the unfair treatment they were getting from the embattled CJ. He detailed several cases of alleged abuse of office and disregard for their rights as workers by Ojo.

He narrated how the CJ allegedly forced herself into the High Court Complex with the support of police, against his colleagues who had picketed her office since on Monday demanding for the reinstatement of their colleagues that were unjustly suspended since 2021 and immediate payment of their allowances.

JUSUN called on the Assembly to look to issues bedevilling the judiciary in the state, saying the group stands firmly with the House on steps that will clean the judiciary and make it more effective.

crude oil three years ahead of time.

Was Buhari aware of this? Or was it done by the cabal around him? “ People are dying everyday because of the rising inflation. If nothing is done, we will write to the international court of justice because this is the height of injustice against our people".

He said that despite the crude oil Nigeria is selling, o not much revenue was coming into the country.

Dumale also appealed to Tinubu to unveil the identities of all politicians, corporate organisations and contractors indicted in the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He said such report developed with billions of Niger Delta money should not be swept under the carpet, adding that not prosecuting indicted persons would be tantamount to aiding and abetting corruption in the country.

He said: "There is a forensic audit report carried out by NDDC. Billions of naira was spent to develop the report. Politicians and businessmen were indicted in that report.

“Up till now, they have not brought anybody to book. How will people be afraid and why will people not continue to loot the treasure of the country?”

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023 •T H I S D AY

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NNPC Says It Expects to Announce Profit Increase of N2tn for 2022 Financial Year Insists company has enough fuel stock

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday said it expects about N2 trillion increase in corporate profits when it releases its Annual Financial Statement (AFS) for 2022.

According to a statement from the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the organisation, Femi Soneye, Kyari disclosed this when he led an NNPC delegation on a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Speaking further, Kyari stated that with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, NNPC’s profitability margins had significantly risen, growing from a

loss position of N803 billion in 2018 to a profit position of N674billion in 2021.

“Kyari noted that NNPC Ltd. is targeting a profit increase of N2 trillion when the 2022 Audited Financial Statements (AFS) are released, adding that since July this year, the company had started paying dividends to its shareholders,” the statement added.

The GCEO also said the company had already made a robust plan for the supply of petroleum products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, sufficient to last beyond the ember months and the new year festivities.

“By the creation of the National Assembly, NNPC Ltd. is saddled with the responsibility of guarantee-

ing Nigeria's energy security which is critical to national security. We have made a robust plan for the forthcoming end of the year festivities and beyond. We do not see any shortages in the petroleum products supply for the period,” the GCEO added.

While lauding the National Assembly for the critical role it played in the enactment of the PIA 2021, Kyari said that the legislative endeavour had given birth to a new commercially oriented National Oil Company (NOC) that is governed by the Company & Allied Matters Act (CAMA) principles.

He also said that the NNPC Ltd was involved in the entire value chain of the oil and gas business and controls about 30 per cent of

the nation's petroleum downstream retail market.

While identifying crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism as major challenges to the company's business, Kyari said the recent collaboration with the nation's security services as well as thirdparty security contractors had been yielding results, mostly in the area of increased crude oil production.

The GCEO said NNPC Ltd. was investing in several gas and power projects across the country, aimed at supporting the federal government’s power generation and industrialisation aspirations.

He further assured that NNPC was working to revamp local refining of petroleum products and collaborating with indigenous

refiners to ensure that Nigeria becomes a net exporter of petroleum products.

In his response, the Senate President, Akpabio assured the GCEO of the 10th Senate's support, saying that the Nigerian Parliament appreciates the Kyari-led management for its commitment to ensuring robust petroleum products supply during the yuletide period.

“Nigerians always want to hear good news. We are glad that you have made robust plans to provide sufficient products supply this coming festive period and beyond,” Akpabio stated.

The Senate president also lauded the rehabilitation of the nation's three refineries, saying that their on-streaming will cause a multiplier

Mele Kyari effect on Nigeria's economy, in line with what he described as the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mere Errors Blight Appeal Court Judgment in Kano, Create Crisis of Judicial Confidence

Adedayo Akinwale, Alex Enumah, Juliet Akoje in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The crisis of confidence rocking the Nigerian judiciary has exacerbated further following inconsistencies discovered in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s majority judgement in the Kano State governorship election, which the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Mr Mohammed Umar Bangari, has described as mere clerical errors.

But the circulation of the controversial CTC of the Court of Appeal judgement, affirming the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the substantive winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state, contrary to the earlier judgement sacking him, heightened political tensions in in the ancient city of Kano.

News of the contentious document sparked tension in the city,

with the security forces moving in quickly to disperse youths, who wanted to stage a protest against the appeal court judgement.

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Yusuf’s party, which also contested the rulings of the Kano Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to review the verdicts. It alleged that the appeal court judgement was doctored in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, APC said it expected the Appeal Court to provide explanations on the errors contained in the CTC of the Kano State governorship election judgement.

The three-member panel of the appellate court had in their majority judgement delivered last Friday, dismissed the governor’s appeal against the ruling of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for lacking merit.

But in the CTC released to law-

yers, some contradictions appeared, which seemed to give verdict in favour of both the appellant and the first respondent, APC. Many supporters of the appellant and some lawyers alleged that the judgement was in favour of Yusuf before it was manipulated to favour the APC candidate. They alleged that what the justices read in court was different from what was contained in the CTC, and insisted that the CTC, being a written document, was the original judgement.

However, speaking with some journalists in Abuja, Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal dismissed the contradictions as nothing serious.

He stated that even the lawyers and politicians knew the truth, but were merely playing to the gallery.

Bangari stressed that what happened in the judgement was a clerical error, which happened from time to time. He said the courts had a way of addressing such errors through the instrumentality

of the law.

The chief registrar argued that the contradictions did not in any way invalidate the findings and conclusion of the court.

"What happened in the judgement is just a mere clerical error and the attention of the court has been drawn to it and appropriate steps within the ambit of the law will be taken," Bangari said.

He assured that the error would be rectified once parties in the matter filed formal application to that effect.

Bangari drew the attention of the newsmen to Order 23 Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal Book, which empowered the court to correct any clerical error once detected by the court or any of the parties in the matter.

In the CTC dated November 21, 2023 and signed by one of the court's registrars, Ibrahim Umar, the majority judgement delivered by Justice Moore Abraham Adumein read, in part, on page 67, “I will conclude

by stating that the live issues in this appeal are hereby resolved in favour of the 1st respondent and against the appellant.

"In the circumstances, I resolve all the issues in favour of the appellant and against the 1st respondent.

Thereby I find no merit in this appeal, which is liable to be and is hereby dismissed.

"The judgement of the tribunal in Petition No: EPT/ KN/GOV/01/2023 between All Progressives Congress (APC) versus Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 2 others delivered on September 20, 2023 is hereby set aside.

"The sum of N1 million is hereby awarded as cost in favour of the appellant and against 1st respondent."

Kano residents, especially supporters of NNPP, had celebrated the emergence of the CTC. Kano State Police Command deployed its personnel to strategic locations to forestall any attempt

More Oil, Gas Assets for Sale as Tinubu Approves Conduct of Fresh Marginal Field Bid Round

a few of them have been successfully driven,” he stated, recalling that he had sounded a warning at the recent Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) event in Abuja, that marginal field allocations without the requisite investments stood the risk of being cancelled.

Explaining the imperative of such a line of action, he said, “It is important that we make this point so that we can retrieve some of those fields to the basket,” so as to reallocate such assets to those able and prepared to develop and exploit them to the benefit of the industry and the nation.

Commending the remarkable success story of Waltersmith, whose management has announced plans for further expansion, Lokpobiri said, “I can assure you that this Government will do whatever we can to support you so that you can continue to grow.”

He further praised the NCDMB whose direct involvement through equity participation, greatly facilitated the take-off and operations of the refinery.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, said the decision of the Board to participate as equity holder in Waltersmith was informed by its sense of mission and the impressive organisational arrangement within the company.

According to him, the NCDMB had no hesitation to partner with Waltersmith, “given the very clear corporate governance that is required and exists within the company,” adding that “part of our mandate is to enhance development and we see ourselves as catalysts for the industrialisation of Nigeria.

“At NCDMB, we are proud of what we have achieved here at Waltersmith."

Also, the Managing Director, Bank of Industry Limited, Nigeria, BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, pledged to partner modular refineries as a viable means

of solving economic challenges in the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the development financial institution to continually support effort that would add value to the Nigeria economy.

Olusi, who was in the company of Heineken Lokpobiri and Wabote during the facility visit to Waltersmith Refinary, in Imo State, dislosed that the BoI had established partnership with NCDMB and Waltersmith aimed at promoting the production local contents and managing inflation and other economic issues in the country.

According to him, "one of the strategic vision for the localisation of production is to take control of our own energy sources and there is nothing else important right now for Nigeria to do more than that.

"So it is for this reason that we are already in partnership with NCDMB and Waltersmith. We have talks that are in very advanced stage of financing agreement to support the growth and development of modular refineries in general and Waltersmith in particular.

"We are very open and committed to supporting modular refineries.

Because if we are able to support modular refineries more, we will be able to manage inflation better and of course, the physical pressure in terms of all the noise around the minimum wage may reduce.

"And so for us, our engagement is strategic in this very critical sector of the economy." the BoI CEO added.

In an interview at the conclusion of the tour, the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mr. Abdulrasaq Isa, said part of the expansion plans of the company was to raise the capacity of the processing plant from the present 5,000 to 40,000 barrels per stream day, and to be able to produce two million tonnes of petroleum products per annum.

According to the company, the refinery has so far supplied a total of 600 million litres of petroleum products into the Nigerian market since its commissioning in 2020.

NEITI, Oil Producers Step up Measures to Strengthen Transparency, Accountability in Petroleum, Mining Sectors

The NEITI and the OPTS yesterday met with oil firms and miners at the NEITI-Companies Forum, where they brainstormed on strengthening companies' participation towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the nation's oil and gas and solid minerals sectors.

Convened in Lagos by the OPTS, the forum, which was attended by the NEITI team led by its Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya, had representatives from Oando Plc, Platform Petroleum, ND Western and the National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, amongst others.

Speaking at the event, Ogbonnaya explained that the NEITI-Companies Forum was a veritable platform through which the agency helps the country and the operating companies to comply with the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

He stressed that participation at the highest level of EITI process was compulsory, assuring that NEITI would work with OPTS to deepen and strengthen the Companies Forum, which he said witnessed a drawback due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We have not met as often as we should. But we have already discussed with the OPTS, and now that Miners Association of Nigeria has come on board, we are going to come up with strategies and hopefully reconvene this forum

by March 2024", he stated.

He explained that the forum was put together to create opportunity for companies to scrutinise the work of NEITI, ask questions where necessary and seek clarifications without having to write letters, and understand their jobs as members of the forum.

He said companies' participation in EITI's activities had implications on the corporate reputation of the companies globally, adding that NEITI was that review mechanism on how to adhere to transparency, accountability and good governance.

Rather than take actions or make comments that would damage companies' reputation, Ogbonnaya said NEITI was mainly set up to encourage and create an enabling environment for companies to do their businesses.

The NEITI Executive Secretary further said, "We are a member of 57 member countries. Whatever happens here is tracked by 57 member countries around the world including the G7, G8 countries.

"We also want to engage in series of trainings with the OPTS to be able to expose them to whom truly we are, and then understand from them what we are not doing right, what we could do better and then seek their views on how to improve. But the forum has to be strengthened and put in place for that to happen.

"One area that we are going to ask the companies and that we will push it at the highest level is for higher level of representation, sending to us at this forum people who can take message and be in a position to participate in decision making.

That's what the forum is all about and we are going to communicate that very directly."

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Director of OPTS, Mr. Gwueke Ajaifia, said his organisation had been discussing with NEITI on how to strengthen the Companies Forum, engage with the key stakeholders in all the companies and

ensure that the next forum records larger attendance.

He said NEITI was important to every stakeholder in Nigeria owing to the data and information it releases which helps Nigerians to understand what happens with the nation's extractive resources.

According to Ajaifia, "In our society, where people just do things without planning, NEITI is a very good development to help us change our mindset."

However, to strengthen the NEITI-Companies Forum, he stressed the need to reach out to industry members in order to reestablish their commitment and make sure they all attend the next forum.

Ajaifia stated, "Now, for us in OPTS, we are very interested in NEITI. We are on the board of NEITI, but beyond that, it is in our interest to be able to show people what we are doing, because transparency is not just for anything but to help to prevent corruption and mismanagement."

He said the oil and gas industry was important to Nigeria owing to the huge amount of money they generate for the country.

"And if people do not know what is happening to this money, they will probably think we are siphoning the money away, which is not the correct thing; rather, we are actually creating wealth for the country, but this wealth, people must see how it comes in, how it is used and decide whether it is judiciously applied.

"So, OPTS is ready to make the required financial contribution to bring the industry together to achieve the desired goal", he added.

In her remarks, the Director of Communications at NEITI, Mrs. Obiageli Onuorah, pointed out that one of the reasons for countries to embrace the EITI was because it builds confidence between the host communities, the operators and the government that manages and governs the revenues from the sector on behalf of the citizens.

to cause disturbance or breakdown of law and order across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, banned all politically motivated clusters of people at all locations under whatever guise, and urged party supporters against any mass action or protest.

Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, who announced the latest discovery on the document, said it would strengthen NNPP’s position at the Supreme Court.

Dederi said going by the fresh revelation, as indicated in the certified judgement, the Court of Appeal set aside the judgement of the Kano election petition tribunal for lacking merit.

He said the evidence contained on page 67 of the CTC released on Tuesday and signed by Registrar, Jameel Ibrahim Umar, showed that the appellate court upheld the victory of NNPP’s Yusuf as duly elected governor of Kano State.

Dederi noted that page 67 of the certified copy of the judgement indicated that the tribunal ruling that sacked Yusuf was set aside.

He stated that contrary to what the judges read to the public on November 17, the written evidence vindicated Yusuf as the legitimate governor of Kano State.

NNPP Protests, Tells NJC to Review Court Rulings

NNPP, yesterday, protested the rulings of the Kano Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal that sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. It urged NJC to review the verdicts.

Acting National Chairman of NNPP, Abba Kawu Ali, who addressed a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, insisted that Yusuf was a member of the party before the primary election that nominated him.

He alleged that the CTC of the appeal court judgement delivered

by Justice Moore Aseimo Abraham Adumein (JCA) and concurred to

by Justices Bitrus Gyarazama JCA and Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu (JCA) was doctored against Yusuf.

Dipo Olayoku, who represented the NNPP national secretary at the briefing, stated, "Ladies and gentlemen of the press, to our greatest surprise, the CTC showed that the judgement delivered by Honourable Justice Moore Aseimo Abraham Adumein (JCA) and concurred to by Honourable Justice Bitrus Gyarazama JCA, and Honourable Justice Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu (JCA) is actually in favour of our candidate, the governor of Kano State, Engr.

Abba Kabir Yusuf.

"At page 67 of the extant judgement in its conclusive findings held inter alia: ‘In the circumstances, I resolve all the issues in favour of the Appellant (Engr. Yusuf Abba Kabir)’ the judgement of the tribunal in petition No: EPT/ KN/GOV/01/2023 between the Continued on page 41

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

Adebayo: I’m Out for Constructive Criticism of Tinubu Govt

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, in this interview with Folalumi Alaran, vows to keep President Bola Tinubu government on its toes with constructive criticisms for it to deliver on its promises. He also berates the Independent National Electoral Commission for the poor conduct of the recent off cycle gubernatorial elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Y

ou tried but failed to win the presidency during the February 25, 2023 poll. Where do you stand now politically?

What stands for me is to make sure that the government get full and maximum support of the citizens, and at the same time, we give them criticisms regarding so many errors they are committing, as you can see now. It’s one error or the other every day.

We criticise them to correct those errors. And we organise our people to have a culture of democracy. That is why we work very hard in Kogi and other states. We will keep working to ensure we give our people an alternative.

We must not be demoralised in the opposition whereby everybody will run towards the ruling party.

What will I do now with all the frustration.

Will I go and join APC, which I don’t agree with, because 99.9% of their policies I don’t agree with. I won’t.

So, we will continue to be where we are in the opposition, but we will continue to be loyal to the country and respectful to the government and then ensure that the system works. That is all I am about now.

Democracy that is supposed to allow citizens to have maximum choice seems to throw up bad politicians.

People are not in it for democracy. They are in it just to get power for their own selfpreservation and use. Even people who co-run institutions like INEC and the rest of it, are just there for the job. Look at the recent appointments made by our president, which was cleared by the senate. You will see that there are politicians, people who have shown desperation looking for power. These are the people who are called to adjudicate election for people. It’s like a boxer who has a record of cheating and bad behaviour and you make him a referee. Or a soccer player who has a bad record of doping cheating and fixing matches, you can’t make such a person to be FIFA official. Those are the things causing problems for us. It is not as if democracy is too difficult to grow on our soil. It’s just that the desperation is all around. Now, in INEC, we need to rescue that institution of appearance of actual cases of desperate people who see it as money making venture who go in there to turn off system and not make them work, who can even come to you as politicians to say that they have 55 way approach not to make this thing work. If you pay us, we will do it for you.

So, we must ensure INEC works. While we are still alive, we must have a government we believe in such that you can have a guarantee that when you contest election, you can lose and win with the firm belief that the system has been fair and done according to the law.

Election is a business for some people because that is where they make their money.

Even when you go into litigation, some people turn it into business.

What would you do differently to help turn things around, especially around the challenges you enumerated?

Three things you need to do. Firstly, you need to have good political parties. May be parties that look more like SDP, where people do not want to break the law. You could see that nobody has accused us of doing anything wrong.

Secondly, you have people in institutions who are patriotic, who go there to serve, just to do the right thing. Thirdly, when things go wrong like this, we don’t condemn the entire system. You come out to pinpoint errors that we can correct. We, as SDP, we are saying whatever we are complaining about because it is not just to grab power at all costs it is to make sure we finetune the system and correct the errors. Those are the things we can do.

IREV was still using their own language, synchronising several days after that.

This does not bring credibility to the system, and the aim of the SDP is to assist Nigeria and Nigerians in getting the government of the people by the people and for the people. It doesn’t mean we have to win every election.

We are not concerned that we win or we didn’t win. We are saying that the system must work.

The institution must work. And INEC has a window between now and next seven days after the elections to review this process, otherwise, what we are having will just be a system where people take it for granted that INEC is not serious about electioneering, it is not serious about credibility as it is there to wasting everyone’s time. That is not a good story to talk about INEC. We are open minded and we have submitted to them an opportunity to do what is right within the law which is to review what happened in each of the states particularly for us in Kogi State where it is evident that even from INEC contradictory reporting that everything went wrong that could go wrong there.

Adebayo There is no country that will not have the kind challenge from time to time. People who don’t deserve to be in certain offices, you will find them there. They will start to misbehave, but we must not throw away everything. Pinpoint where the errors are, shame those that need to be shamed, and remove those that need to be removed and correct what needs to be corrected. What has been done to the SDP now, they will not see the end of it until we get justice.

What is your take on the off cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states?

The issue for me and the SDP is that the elections raise more questions than answers. INEC appears contradictory. The elections are quite simple because they are just three states, not 36 states, and they have narrow constituencies. The states are not big states. There is no Kano, Rivers, or Lagos and all of that. Bayelsa is just eight Local Government Areas.

Imo is just a little more. And Kogi is just 21 Local Government Areas.

It should be quite easy.

What we are having now is a

situation where before the elections were conducted, there were some result sheets flying around to which INEC attention was drawn and they issued a statement. Then, accreditation took place, and by INEC’s own record, accreditation was being uploaded

by BVAS to IREV. So, using those figures as at the time INEC was decorating results, INEC’s result was contradicting what they have on the IREV. And we brought all of this to INEC’s attention.

Our agents at the polling units were surprised and aghast to see that places where fewer people showed up had magical numbers at the end of the day. What we have done was to bring this to the attention of INEC, in compliance with the law because despite all of the problems, the position of the SDP is to believe in the legal system, to believe in INEC, to believe in law and order of this country.

So, we wrote to INEC that we need you to review this because most of the national commissioners were not in Kogi.

Definitely, the INEC Chairman was not there. We, too, the leaders of SDP, were not there, but these were the reports we were getting. But all we got from INEC was a press statement that suggested that the figure we saw which some of them had complete on their own system were not final figures, that even after the results had been declared, their

What stands for me is to make sure that the government get full and maximum support of the citizens, and at the same time, we give them criticisms regarding so many errors they are committing, as you can see now.

It’s one error or the other every day.

We criticise them to correct those errors. And we organise our people to have a culture of democracy. That is why we work very hard in Kogi and other states. We will keep working to ensure we give our people an alternative.

We must not be demoralised in the opposition whereby everybody will run towards the ruling party.

Recall after the general election you said you weren’t going to court even though you claimed the three leading parties APC, PDP, and Labour, cheated in the election. Are you taking the same approach about the Kogi election.

This time, I am not the candidate, but he is our candidate. We supported him. We worked with him, and he himself said INEC was transparently dishonest and disorganised and that there was no point for him to go to court. The party has met and has reviewed things. The people, everybody who voted for us, and supporters within and outside Kogi all said let us give INEC an opportunity.

What we are doing now is to believe in INEC, hoping that INEC itself believe in democracy and want a country that works and being an entrance institution into government, we want to make sure that INEC itself allows politicians who come to power to know that institutions must work.

So, INEC will review it. But if INEC refused to review it, then, we have the option to go to court, and I think the party at the national level, Shehu Garba, our national chairman, our national secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye and members of the NWC have said they are going to court and we are working towards that.

Again, we are doing our own review with an open mind. We are not desperate to win.

We want to win within the law. We are not out taking the opportunity to throw a shot at INEC. We went into the election with a victory speech or a concession speech. Either way, we are okay. But we found out INEC’s announcement of the result is not in compliance with the law and with the regulation set by INEC. For that reason, INEC as a commission is by law given an opportunity like before where someone could do anything in their name and say sorry, so bad, we can’t do anything about it.

Under the new electoral act, INEC has seven days to do a review and we are giving and assisting INEC with all information to ensure they listen to other people, including the observers, and I believe INEC should review it. If the review is done properly and thoroughly, even if the review doesn’t favour us, we are SDP, we are law abiding party, we respect the country, we will abide by it.

But if it is not done or poorly done, we would take extra step in calling on the judiciary to intervene and look into it, and we are making sure that we narrow our claim to the judiciary things we are sure of.

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

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Obi-Okoye: APGA Will Perform Better in Future Anambra Polls

Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, in this interview with David-Chyddy Eleke speaks about conduct of elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the country, and APGA’s plan to consolidate its hold on Anambra.

Y

ou have been six months on this saddle as the chairman of APGA in Anambra State. Let know what you have been doing within this period of time?

Thanks for reminding me that I have been six months here. It has been an interesting period and also challenging. I will tell you why it has been challenging. We came in at a time the spirit of APGA members was quite low. We were battling with, many things.

We were just coming in when the result of the last election cannot be said to be the best for APGA in recent times. We never had it so low.

We got only 16 seats in the House of Assembly, four in the House of Representatives, and we were also battling with intra party grievances arising from the primaries, which had its own negative effect. We found out that quite a number of our party members worked against us, arising from the poor conduct of the primaries.

We also had challenges arising from the mindset of the party members, so we needed to work on the mindset of the party members, especially on not opening up to new members.

There were challenges arising from disunity in the operational structure.

So we started rebuilding, rebranding, repositioning the party to meet the vision that the new executive needed. It was not easy. We started by going around and visiting major stakeholders who had abandoned us or not showing interest any longer.

Some of the problems were from primaries, so we needed to convince them that things would be done in a different way under my watch. So we brought back the confidence of the people.

There was also the grievances of old political appointees, of more than 3,000, consisting of all sorts of people. Some were not gainfully employed, some were friends to friends, girlfriends to politicians, some lived in London, US, Abuja and many places in the diaspora.

But the current regime has a new vision for political appointees. The present regime under Governor Soludo believes it is better to teach people how to fish rather than giving them fish.

The old political appointees felt they had been shortchanged. The promise was that they were going to be re-engaged, and all these were the crisis we met and we needed to bring back their confidence and make them understand that the policy drive of Governor Soludo is better than what they used to have before.

We gave them examples that Soludo has employed 5,000 teachers and that counted for us electorally. The governor also started the one youth two skills programme. So they saw that this model is better. People got cheques for N250,000, N500,000 and more to go and start their own trade.

So you see that it is better than earning salaries as the appointees used to and at the end of that regime, you are thrown back into the labour market.

So, that is part of the rebuilding process and people have begun to show interest in the things of the party. Again, we have also started inaugurating various structures in a new manner, and some of the things we have found out is that it is not just the party executives that you have to trust to deliver. We fashioned out a process where the grassroot people who are not the day to day party officials can function in the affairs of the party. We have situations where palliatives come, and parts of the problem we had in the past was that those who are the leaders kept these things, so beyond the executives, we have broken wards into kindred, and when we have things to share, we make sure that every kindred gets it.

So these are some of the things we have been doing.

One good thing is that we have been able to bring back discipline. We lost it in the past, so when we came in, we decided to instill discipline, and this is from, the top.

I said something about the operational structure, yes. We also suffered that before, but now it is our policy that people who come up as support groups, some of them are not members of our party, but it is very important that they exist. So you must allow them to run their organisation and sustain their support. So,

Obi-Okoye all together, we said we will rebrand the operational modus, so that we will have better harmony and strategy in the operations within the party and the support groups, with the full knowledge the party remains supreme.

While we are working to achieve same goal, the party must sustain its supremacy. It has not been easy, it has not been what we are used to.

Before, we had support groups that were stronger than the party and better funded than the party, but now we are working together as a family.

I always tell them, you work as a support group, but we don’t want urban guerillas, those who just dress up and come to Awka and show themselves as support groups, but have no structures, down to the ward level. So we have standards by which we can recognize you as a support group.

If there is something we have been able to do within these period, it is the fact that we have been able to bring the party back to life, make it visible as one political family, working for one purpose and vision, under a respected leader.

Before now, APGA used to have as much as 25 seats, but in the last election, you had only 16 seats in the house of assembly. What is your confidence that you will perform better in the next election?

I have confidence that we can do better. Truly, the last regime got up to 27 seats at a point, but this time around, we got 16, before the current

speaker joined us. Part of why we lost some of those seats were the things I had identified before. The sham primaries we conducted. We had a lot of internal issues. Most of those who were aggrieved did not leave the party, they stayed within the party and worked against the party. That was how we lost. We had situations where our members were campaigning for the opposition party. We are happy that a lot of our members are back.

Most members of PDP who were with me when I was the chairman there have come to us, and I can tell you that anyone who is still in PDP is not in any party today. Then the Labour Party some of them are with us.

Most members of that party have understood that the emotions of the Labour movement does not seem like something that will last long. I can tell you that things can never be worse than it had been before.

As far as we have credible primaries, the election in Anambra won’t be a problem for APGA, and I can assure you on that.

Anambra is truly APGA and the people of Anambra still believe in APGA and we are getting more confident day by day, and the governor is working much more than we expected and sometimes we tend to forget that he is less than two years in office.

His achievements are already competing with those of people who have spent four years in office. So his achievements will make the election very easy for us to win.

Two former governorship candidates in the last election have rated your governor very low. One is Obiora Okonkwo and the other is Ifeanyi Ubah. What have you to say about this?

Let me start with my brother, Obiora

As far as we have credible primaries, the election in Anambra won’t be a problem for APGA, and I can assure you on that.

Anambra is truly APGA and the people of Anambra still believe in APGA and we are getting more confident day by day, and the governor is working much more than we expected and sometimes we tend to forget that he is less than two years in office.

His achievements are already competing with those of people who have spent four years in office. So his achievements will make the election very easy for us to win.

Okonkwo. I am starting with him because I know him too well, and I know with every kindness to him that he needs to rebuild his political career. He ran for governorship and lost very woefully in my community. He had 103 votes and APGA got 1,188 votes.

Those days we will say that he lost his deposit in Ogidi, his own community.

Many people can say it happened because he ran under the wrong party, which was Zenith Labour Party, but what happened in the last presidential and national assembly election is what will retire any serious politician.

He was the DG of PDP presidential candidate, and PDP did not win even one polling unit in Ogidi ward one and two, including his polling unit. After that he disappeared and suddenly he is now castigating our governor. I don’t take him seriously. He has a lot to repair and he has to come back home to repair the damage he has done to his political career.

Again, if he is thinking about governorship, it means he has learnt nothing from the old mistakes. Part of the old mistake was that governorship was zoned to the south, but he insisted on running, even though he is from the central zone. His party gave it to south senatorial zone and he left for Zenith Labour Party. We have a tradition of zoning, and it must be sustained. That tradition cannot be stopped because we have the likes of Obiora Okonkwo. He is a young man, he can be patient and his time will come. South will rule for eight years, before it comes to the central and that is when we will begin to listen to people like Obiora Okonkwo. For now, it is not the turn of Central, we are waiting for south to complete their tenure.

Back to the South where the likes of Ifeanyi Ubah is coming from. Still on the basis of zoning, it will be dishonest for him to say he is coming in to complete the four years of south before the rotation continues.

We have a governor from the south already, and he is doing very well. For Anambra people, we will rather he completes his four years, so that the rotation is sustained without interruption. It would be a risk to give it to another person from the south, because he would want a second term.

But again, the same Ubah you mentioned was at a town hall meeting in Abuja and he commended Soludo, saying he is doing very well. He even said he would like to be Soludo’s campaign manager. But then, I remember that by going into APC, Senator Ubah has gotten his debt cleared and his court cases removed, I appreciate the move, but it is a personal move and not for Anambra people.

Beyond that, the coming race would be based on the performance of Soludo. In two years we are all really impressed. We have a lot to talk about those projects the governor is doing when the time comes. Dr Okonkwo does not see the 400 kilometres of roads the governor is doing in different parts of Anambra, he did not see the employment of 5,000 teachers and the second phase to add additional 3,000, he won’t see free natal and antenatal care for Anambra women, he won’t see the free education. You don’t just sit in your comfort in Abuja and criticize. Let him come home and reconcile with the people of Ogidi who have rejected him.

How does APGA rate the conduct of governorship election in the country by INEC, taking into cognizance the outcry in the last general elections, and even what just happened in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa?

You see, there say even amongst thieves, there should be honour. We have come to a point in this country where amongst all of us, as political thieves, we should be tired of rigging, and there were expectations that reforms would bring about change.

After a lot of delays in the 2022 electoral act which came so late, many of us didn’t have the time to read it properly. But there were things we thought were in that electoral act but those things we thought were in the electoral act were not there.

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

18

FEatures

T H I S D AY • Thursday, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

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

Dare Herald: Visual Art Promotes, Preserves Our Cultural Heritage

Kokopelli International, an organisation which capitalises on intentional storytelling as an intervention across the globe, is set for “Parallel Passages”, a group exhibition featuring indigenous Nigerian artists.

Set to be held at the Kokopelli Gallery, Ikoyi Lagos, from November 25 to December 23, 2023, the gallery’s Director, Dare Herald who maintains that visual art promotes and preserves cultural heritage, in this interview with MARY NNAH says the exhibition, curated to facilitate the discourse of comparisons between connecting stories will have Nigerian Artists who have mastered the Art of storytelling and work across mediums to tell true or fictional stories that would spark conversations and also cause a revelation What role does visual art play in the Nigerian economy? isual Art contributes to the growth of the Nigerian economy in many ways. I’d start with tourism, cities with vibrant Art scenes like Lagos, Benin and the like often attract visitors which has a ripple effect on the economy.

Visual Art maintains our cultural heritage, promoting and most importantly preserving it, which enhances national and regional identity.

Also concerning education and innovation generally, visual art has contributed a lot to the Nigerian economy in that regard.

It is also a significant part of the creative industries, contributing to design, entertainment, advertising and a whole lot more.

These industries generate economic value and employment opportunities.

V

What is your gallery doing to encourage young artists and also to sustain the existing one?

We have some intervention programmes for emerging artists who may find it challenging to carve their voices and niches.

We've crafted a system by which we can showcase their works to local and international audiences. And to sustain the existing ones, we always stretch out our hand in collaborations and partnerships, we simply design programs they individually fit into and approach them.

How would you rate the works of Nigerian artists compared to global artists and their works?

Art is global, the principles are universal and to evaluate works of art is very subjective. It has to do with cultural vantage points, individual predilection, historical setting and exclusive references. Nigerian artists and artists in other parts of the world could approach art from different perspectives in the global art scene.

Comparing Nigerian artists to other artists around the world would involve acknowledging the variation in influences, themes, styles and experiences across regions. Artistic prowess is not by geographical boundaries, and the beauty of it on the scale of the global art community is the diversity.

So I’d rather not compare or rate against, but validate the global diversity of artistic voices which allows for a boost in the perspective on the world of art.

What do you think the Nigerian government should do to ensure that the talents and work of artists are sustained?

The Nigerian government should Invest in Art education: scholarships, workshops and the like.

Also, funding programs to support artists, residencies and exhibitions.

Nigeria needs more museums and public galleries, gosh! I can’t stress that enough.

The government also need to protect intellectual properties and strengthen the laws guiding copyright.

Lastly, one of the most important things would be to promote cultural festivals.

The government needs to showcase our heritage and tell our own stories. They need to employ people who know what they are doing to handle the different sectors

Dare

that relate to art, culture and tourism to avoid having to tell the stories of foreign lands through the wrong channels as seen in the National Museum of Art in Lagos, which the park has been hijacked by the USA embassy, telling their stories.

As someone who has had the opportunity to relate with Nigerian visual artists, what will you say have been their major challenges?

High cost of materials: Art supplies have become alarmingly expensive. A lot of these artists can’t afford to buy these materials because of many factors, dollar rate, not being able to sell and more.

Lack of direction: a lot of them also don’t know what direction to take with their works, how to attract collectors and how to get into galleries. You’d find quite a number of them just trying everything out, for example, the advent of the black-art rave.

Copyright infringement: for established artists, a lot of times you find that their works have been replicated by others and this can be a source of discouragement Income security is, a steady source of

income. As odd as it sounds, the market is getting highly saturated and a lot of these artists don’t make enough money to get by.

What are the plans for the Kokopelli Gallery?

More of our themed exhibitions, we want to create more of these experiences and imprint in the heart of our target audience what we stand for.

Representing more artists who align with the goals of the gallery's Educational programmes and Artist residencies for example we have the OUT (Once Upon a Time) Convention and Residency where artists are going to be exposed to more materials and information needed to carve their niche and be more intentional about their callings for collaboration with Brands that align with the vision of the gallery and also more Interactive installations.

Tell us a bit about the forth-

Visual Art contributes to the growth of the Nigerian economy in many ways. I’d start with tourism, cities with vibrant Art scenes like Lagos, Benin and the like often attract visitors which has a ripple effect on the economy. Visual Art maintains our cultural heritage, promoting and most importantly preserving it, which enhances national and regional identity

coming exhibition tagged, “Parallel Passages”and why Kokopelli Gallery has chosen to be part of this exhibition.

The Parallel Passages Exhibition has been curated to facilitate the discourse of comparisons between connecting stories and we seek to amplify the concept of typologies. Typologies are known for organising and understanding different types or patterns within a specific context in various fields even as psychology, anthropology and theology.

In this not-so-usual exhibition, we will be having 8 Nigerian Artists who have mastered the Art of storytelling as is our culture in Kokopelli, 8 artists who work across mediums from painting to mixed media to sculpture and more to tell true or fictional stories that would spark conversations and also cause a revelation What informed the theme, Parallel Passages?

Well, it’s more like an exegesis of typologies. In any literary work, parallel passages are those that mirror each other in content, structure, or meaning, giving breadth of view and foresight into the author's intentions or highlighting its key concepts, and because we are curating the exhibition to explore the topic of identification of common traits or patterns and the exercise of connecting the dots.

What informed the choice of the artists that make up this group exhibition?

Well, as I said earlier, we always look out for Artists who have mastered the Art of storytelling as is our culture in Kokopelli4.

Who are your target audience? Art lovers, enthusiasts, collectors, stakeholders, students, tourists and the like.

19

T H I S D AY • Thursday, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

featues

How Sacrifice of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Martyrs is Creating Academic Revolution in Ogoni Blessing Ibunge writes that the $1billion United Nation Environment Project, UNEP,-backed cleanup scheme in Ogoni may be ongoing with all its controversies and scandals, but the silent massive award of scholarships in Ogoni may have turned into a quiet revolution

Cross section of beneficiaries of the Ogoni Scholarship Scheme, during the 5th anniversary of the programme, held at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt

N

ovember is a solemn month in Ogoni, being the month the hero of the ‘Ogoni Struggle’ (demand for resource control, environmental justice, and autonomy), Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni freedom fighters were hanged at the Port Harcourt Prison, precisely on November 10, 1995. The event caused an international image crisis for Nigeria, under the late Sani Abacha military junta and has continued to make Ogoni areas a troubled zone to this day.

Every year, the indigenes of Ogoni in Rivers State under the aegis of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) stage events, peaceful demonstration and otherwise, to keep the memories of their martyrs and heroes burning in their memories. Several programmes and government projects have been floated to heal Ogoni land, but each seems to cause more crisis and injury.

Now, the Ogoni Scholarship Scheme (OSS) seems to be different, operating quietly and transparently to groom a new generation of Ogoni elites expected to redeem the land.

For five years, the OSS has been awarding scholarships to a number of high-scoring students. This year, the managers decided to mark the effort with an anniversary and also release the 2023 scholarships of 493 slots, which was held at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt.

The scheme which took off with little patronage of 18 slots five years ago in 2018, according to the managers, attracted more attention of 346 slots the next year when students were said to have found that the Kiisi Trust Foundation (KTF) which floated the OSS kept to their words and did exactly what they promised to do, thus emerging as about the only scheme that works successfully in Ogoni with no single evidence of compromise, corruption, or scandal.

The next year, the scheme attracted 447 beneficiaries and 421 in 2022, totaling 1,725 in the five years. This was achieved by the effort of Kiisi foundation headed by Hon Uche Onyeagucha, a human rights activists who fought on the side of the Ogoni in courts during the Saro-Wiwa’s struggle with other eight who tried to redeem justice for the their people over the degradation of the environment.

Speaking on the scheme during the event, Chairman of KTF, Onyeagucha, a former member of House of Representatives from Owerri in Imo State, said it was both for marking five years and for award of the 5th batch. He explained the lowkey celebrations of the past years, saying it was to reserve funds for direct awards to more students.

Onyeagucha disclosed that the foundation

was formed some years ago after some families that suffered deaths during the Ogoni crisis took Shell to court in New York. "At a point, out-of-court settlement was done and $15.5million was awarded.

The families resolved to donate $5million to a fund to develop Ogoniland".

Addressing the beneficiaries, Onyeagucha said that they were benefitting from the sacrifice including deaths of the numerous Ogoni people killed in the quest for justice.

“This is very important so you situate what you are getting very well.

He told the beneficiaries that the aim of the project is to see them succeed in academics, use it to transform themselves, their community, and Ogoniland, also be an ambassador of their areas and the foundation.

“Kiisi means development and the Kiisi Trust Foundation (KTF) supports community development such as education, health, etc, but the needs in Ogoni are plenty.”

Onyeagucha said Kiisi tried to intervene through grants to community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations especially Ogoni-based ones, but later did prioritisation and decided on direct intervention. He revealed what brains and integrity can achieve in Nigeria by putting forward two renowned professors from Ogoni. He named them as Bariname Fakae, Friday Sigalo, Deziah Hannah Karikpo, and Lebatam Ndegwe (Executive Secretary of KTF).

The former federal lawmaker who fought for the Ogoni struggle and for Ken Saro-Wiwa and the martyrs said there is something that is a must in the board and management of Kiisi; which he said is total transparency.

“There is no room for any undue favour to anybody. For spending, we adopt world best practices.

“We insist that scholarship must be for scholars. So, if you are not a scholar who is totally committed to studying and passing with high grades without cheating, then Kiisi or Ogoni Scholarship Scheme (OSS) is not for you.

“So, if you know you got your scholarship by knowing any of us, say it openly here and now. This is one of the few scholarship schemes without compromise or connection or fraud.”

In the health sector, he said KTF executed a solar power project at the most sensitive sections of the General Hospital Bori. “Assessment has shown that power has boosted attendance to patients after official hours.

Visits revealed that the Kiisi power scheme is still what is supporting the hospital in those sensitive places.”

Another strategic impact, Onyeagucha

Chairman of KTF, Uche Onyeagucha

stated, is in ICT. He said the board realised that Information Communication Technology (ICT) penetration in remote areas in Ogoni is low because it awareness programme is low.

“We have thus carried out sensitisation and support in two out of the 24 local councils in Ogoni. We took two best students in each of the 14 secondary schools in Gokana and trained them on how to effectively write computer-based test (CBT) and also same approach in Khana LGA. We found that intelligent students in Ogoni fail tertiary school entrance examinations because of poor ICT background or inability to put their what is in their brains with the computer.”

He said their playing in the lives and brains of young persons has revealed to them along with other research findings around the world that all children in the world are born equal in intelligence, but the difference is that as they grow, they face different standards of education in schools of different standards.

“Five years down the line, we have found the value of the OSS as sound and enduring. This has been on since 2018. This is in response to cries of lack of funds in Ogoni families after the many years of crisis, violence, land and water ruination, decline in farming yields, instability of business people, etc. Income per family seemed to decline very much, but many students were found to be brilliant.”

On challenges, Onyeagucha mentioned the overwhelming demand for slots as the biggest challenge, whereas at the onset, it was lack of participation of Ogoni students that was the challenge. He also mentioned poverty and anger in Ogoni areas due to many years of strife and deprivation as something now fueling ill-feeling in the communities.

In his remarks, the former Vice Chancellor of the RSU, an Indigenes of Ogoni, Fakae, said celebrating five years is good, saying that those who started at first have graduated.

The professor of parasitology, pointed to endless testimonies from beneficiaries and their families, an evidence that the project is real. "The beneficiaries have all said when they first saw the adverts, they called it

scam. Now, they say its real. They do not contact anybody to get the scholarship slots.

Also, we release their money exactly when we promised to send. They are the ones to speak about the credibility and transparency of the Ogoni Scholarship Scheme (OSS).

“Our events can be tracked and every name can be traced. Education is still relevant because I do not believe that it’s those that didn’t go to school that are getting the jobs. Its still educated people that get the few jobs. Now, the jobs are for the best. So, go to school and get an education.”

Putting the five years in perceptive, Lebatam Ndegwe, a trained medical doctor working in community health sector, said “We insist that scholarships must be given to the most intelligent ones. It was conceived for the best.

“We release the money at the time we promised to. This is an opportunity to bring parents together with the children to celebrate and to show Ogoni children that if you study hard, you will be celebrated. Some of the resource persons are being asked to come and facilitate other scholarship schemes.

Some other communities who have got funds are asking us to come help them.”

On what next to expect, Ndegwe said they listen to the communities to know what is most in their minds. “It is what communities want that we consider as long as the ideas are not to serve self. We want ideas away from serving individuals but the people. There are some suggestions being considered, example being on reproductive health awareness intervention, basic menstrual circles, exposure, drugs to take in such period, even amongst educated women.

We are open to ideas.

“No man is an island of knowledge, as a community trust, it is open to ideas so we can continue to empower the majority of the people, not ones to fritter away resources of the people. Good ones can be considered for collaboration, for funding. That is where the thinking of the Trust is in the coming months and years.”

Most student beneficiaries and parents interviewed said they never believed it was real when they learnt about it but promised to canvas for others to join.

Mrs Beauty Benda, a mother to one of the beneficiaries from Gokana appreciated the foundation for keeping to the promise of continuity after five years of inception of the education scheme. Also, Nkpornwi Ntito-Obari and Magni Gbani, beneficiaries said they didn't believe without connection they could get success opportunity. They also thanked KTF for preparing them for a better future.

20

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • THISDAY

POLITY

Strategic Leadership Role of the Board During Turbulent Times

Dr Alim Abubakre

Tailored counsel for regulators

L

et us delve into a critical facet of corporate governance tailored to the dynamic challenges of developing countries like Nigeria: the strategic leadership role of the board during turbulent times.

Upstream and downstream oil and gas: Embrace transparency, technology, and sustainability in licensing and regulation. Learn from Norway’s Petroleum Directorate, setting a high standard for effective, sustainable regulation.

Pension: Champion digital platforms for streamlined pension management, focusing on sustainability and ethical investment, drawing inspiration from Chile’s Pension Fund Regulatory Board.

Telecommunications: Advocate for infrastructure development and healthy competition, aligning with sustainability goals. India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority exemplifies the transformative power of strategic, sustainable regulation.

Banking and insurance: Bolster risk management mechanisms with an emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices. Singapore’s Monetary Authority demonstrates proactive regulatory measures, aligning with ESG principles in the financial sector.

Government parastatals: Promote transparency, efficiency, and digital transformation with a focus on sustainability. South Korea’s e-government model, driven by government parastatals, attests to the positive impact of such initiatives.

Grasping the turbulence: A developing country’s odyssey In the crucible of weak institutions, limited infrastructure, fierce competition, soaring inflation, and currency risks, the board’s strategic leadership becomes vital and existential. However, survival should not be the goal; success should be the imperative. Of course, challenges should be seen as roadblocks; they are stepping stones for those with strategic foresight.

Wisdom from resilient boards in developing countries Let’s draw inspiration from boards that conquered analogous challenges in other developing nations. Take the Rwanda Development Board, orchestrating Rwanda’s transformation into a competitive investment haven. As Henry Mintzberg wisely stated, “Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decisions.”

Lessons abound, nurture a collaborative ecosystem, leverage technology for efficiency, align policies with the nation’s vision, and champion environment, social, and governance (ESG) principles. If Rwanda’s Development Board can do it, so can yours.

The digital age mandate In this digital age, a board’s role transcends traditional governance. The board must grapple with Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Big Data, Augmented Reality, the Internet of Things, Quantum Computing, and cryptocurrency. Understanding and integrating these technologies are pivotal for sustainable success and aligning with ESG principles.

A call to action Dr Alim Abubakre, Founder and Chair of TEXEM speaking at the IoD Dinner at Transcorp

Tangible solutions directors in Nigeria

for

Collaborative ecosystems: Foster collaboration among stakeholders, aligning public and private efforts to tackle weak institutions and enhance social impact collectively.

Digital literacy: Invest in the digital literacy of board members. Estonia’s e-governance model, propelled by a tech-savvy board, underscores the potency of technological literacy at the helm and facilitates transparent and efficient governance.

Risk management: Develop robust strategies for risk management, considering currency risks and high inflation while incorporating ESG principles. Bob Tricker rightly said, “Good governance should not be about compliance; it should be about performance.”

The Central Bank of Brazil’s board navigated economic instability through proactive risk management, incorporating sustainability.

Innovation: Encourage innovative thinking. Kenya’s M-Pesa, a mobile banking phenomenon, emerged from the board’s commitment to financial inclusion, showcasing a blend of innovation and social impact.

In conclusion, strategic leadership demands courage, innovation, and adaptability in turbulent times. As directors, you are not merely stewards; you are the architects of change. Embrace the challenges, leverage technology, foster collaboration, and champion ESG principles. Your role is not just pivotal; it’s transformative. In the crucible of turbulence, diamonds are formed. Be the architects of Nigeria’s bright, sustainable future.

Peter Drucker said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”

Let us lead with wisdom, guided by the principles of ESG, sustainability, and ethical governance. *Dr Abubakre, the founder and chair of TEXEM, delivered this speech at the IoD Dinner at Transcorp (now slightly modified for publication).

NEWS

Osun Judicial Workers Declare Indefinite Strike, Rue Police Brutality, CJ’s Abuse of Office Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Osun State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Osun Chapter, Wednesday, declared an indefinite strike in the State Judiciary until their demands are met.

This statement was contained in a release by the State Chairman of

JUSUN, Comrade Gbenga Kehinde Eludire, who condemned the barbaric attitude of the police in descending on members of JUSUN Osun, State Chapter, and brutalizing them for no offence other than protesting peacefully to press home their demands.

The statement read: “The Honourable Chief Judge came

today in company of gun-trotting and fierce looking policemen who, apparently working on “an order from above,” descended on our members, brutalizing them, teargasing them and chasing them away with sticks.

“Our demands are for an investigation into the rot in the Osun Judiciary under the Chief

Judge, the high-handedness, corruption and abuse of office by the Chief Judge.

“Ultimately we call the attention of state government to the plight of some of our members who were unilaterally suspended and their salaries being diverted for over 57 months, and for an improvement in the general facili-

ties and welfare of the judiciary in Osun State. In response, this is what the Chief Judge has now done to us.

“Since the Chief Judge doesn’t want to see our faces again, as his lordship has failed to yield to our demands, coupled with the fact that the National Judicial Council is not doing anything,

we hereby declare an indefinite strike action in the entire Osun State Judiciary pending when our demands will be met.

“We also call on the Commissioner of Police to investigate the head of the police team in the escort of the Chief Judge, who acted illegally by brutalizing our members.”

Electricity Subsidy: Tinubu Sensitive OSPAN: Soybean Exports Threatening to Masses’ Plight - APC Chieftain $250m Oil Seeds Investment in Nigeria Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and former lawmaker, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said that the directive of President Bola Tinubu, on the stoppage of the implementation of the hike of electricity tariff is commendable.

Oyintiloye, while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Wednesday, said that the directive was a true reflection that the president was sensitive to the plights of the masses.

The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, had on November 8 revealed that President Tinubu recently stopped the implementation

of a hike in electricity tariff and insisted that subsidy be paid on power consumed nationwide.

Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) said that removing electricity subsidy, while Nigerians were still battling with effects of fuel subsidy removal would have been counter-productive.

He said the president’s decision on the electricity hike shows that he was in constant touch with the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians.

The APC chieftain said that in the quarterly report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the federal government’s subsidy in the power sector hit

N135.2 billion in the second quarter of 2023, from the N36 billion it paid in the first quarter.

He said the NERC reports, also revealed that the N135.2 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2023, was an increase of N99.21 billion or 275 per cent compared to the previous quarter of N36 billion.

Oyintiloye noted that the NERC report disclosed that government is still subsidising the electricity for the masses.

He said removing the electricity subsidy which government was still paying to fill the gap between the reflective tariff cost and allowed tariff cost would had been another burden on the masses.

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Oil Seeds Processors Association of Nigeria (OSPAN) yesterday raised the alarm that its $250 million oil seeds investment in Nigeria was being threatened by exports of soybean.

OSPAN, an umbrella body of processors of oil seeds in Nigeria, raised the alarm in a statement issued

by Mr. Sama’ila Barau Maigoro and Mr. Hule Idyerkaa, president and Vice President, respectively, of the association.

OSPAN maintained in the statement that export of Soybean should be banned from Nigeria to encourage value addition.

“If processed, the crude soya oil

would be further processed for local consumption which will in turn stabilise the price of vegetable oil locally,” OPSAN said.

The body further stated that, “Our members are investors in large, medium and small-scale processing of Nigerian grown Arable Oil Seeds into high quality edible vegetable oil and high-quality oil extracts for industrial use.

“Presently, our combined installed capacity per annum is well over three million metric tons with a total investment portfolio of about $250 million.

“We are currently one of the leading employers of labour in the agricultural sector; providing over 200,000 direct jobs to both skilled

and unskilled labour (mostly youths and women) and millions of indirect jobs to farmers and other actors in the Value Chain.”

According to the association, “In 2022, Nigeria farmers produced about 680,000 metric tonnes of soybean.

But instead of selling to Nigeria processors, they preferred the export window due to higher earnings made from foreign exchange.

“This situation is dire and poses a very significant threat to the Nigerian economy because it puts the effort of government to diversify the economy, the collective investments of patriotic Nigerians and the livelihoods of many Nigerians that are employed and engaged in the arable oil seed sector at risk.”

21

T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 23, 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

2 2 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

Manufacturers Alert FG on Possible Loss of N500bn to Proposed Sachet Drinks Ban

Raheem Akingbolu The Distillers And Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), a sub-sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has called on the federal government to reconsider its plan to phase out the sale and consumption of alcohol in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, warning that going ahead with the action will cost the Nigerian economy over N500 billion in direct investment and N800 billion indirect investments.

Comprising of over 24 corporate organisations, DIBAN in a letter of appeal addressed to the Minister of

State, Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, copy of which was sighted by THISDAY, advised the federal government to consider the decision to save their businesses and the 80 per cent of the workforce, that may be laid off.

DIBAN called on the government to direct the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who announced the plan to phase out sachet drinks to consider the impact lay-offs, will have on the unemployment market and halt the plan.

The body availed the minister with some background information with a view to providing insights

into the industry.

Among other critical relevant roles they play to strengthen the economy, they pointed out that DIBAN has conglomerate membership of over 24 corporate organisations, majority of whom are indigenous companies with few multinationals currently operating in the industry and are manufacturing wines and spirits with over 70 per cent local inputs.

They also emphasised that the industry has collective direct investment of N500 billion in the Nigerian economy; while indirect investments by other companies in the industry is well over N800

billion The body also informed the minister that it contributes in value addition, over N1.2 trillion to the Nigerian economy as well as providing direct and indirect jobs of over 250,000 and 5,000,000 respectively.

As part of its contribution to the industry, DIBAN reminded the minister to have been part and worked with the Ministerial Committee on the elimination of underage drinking and promotion of responsible drinking by adults as part of the group’s support to the initiatives at strengthening regulatory activities.

The letter also pointed to the fact that the association has been supporting NAFDAC in the campaigns against underage drinking targeted at children below the age of 18 years.

To this end, they claimed that they promote responsible drinking by adults and elimination of fake, substandard and harmful spirit drinks in circulation.

According to the manufacturers, the proposed ban of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small plastic bottles could hurt firms producing them.

Since the news broke that the government is considering

a total ban in this regard, some economic analysts have supported the position of the manufacturers on the basis that most of the firms are small, and implementation of a ban could push them out of business.

Recently, the NAFDAC DirectorGeneral, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed in a statement that the uncontrolled access and availability of high concentration alcohol in sachets and small volume PET or glass bottles contribute to substance and alcohol abuse in Nigeria.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Duport: Receiver Sacks Akindele, Others as Directors, Announces Replacements

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The receiver of the assets of Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited, appointed by Norsad Capital Limited, Mrs. Oghogho Makinde, has announced the removal of the Directors of Duport Midstream Company Limited.

The directors affected by the development are: Dr. Akintoye Akindele, Mr. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and Mr. Cherif Abdallah.

It was gathered that Makinde had earlier sent a notice of appointment as receiver over the charged assets of Platform Capital, to the board of Duport Midstream through its Chairperson, Mrs Bolaji Kuku.

To serve as replacements for the sacked directors, according to the official communication are: Ms. Seyi Willoughby, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi and Mr. Ayo Fakolade.

A letter seen by THISDAY indicated that Akindele’s Platform Capital had defaulted on a $10 million facility granted by Norsad Capital Limited, thereby calling into question the ability of Akindele’s nominees to represent Platform Capital on the Duport Midstream board.

In the notification of removal of directors and appointment of new directors for Duport, the receiver stressed that platform capital failed in its obligations to Norsad under the finance documents.

The credit facility was secured

by, among others: a Deed of Share Charge dated December 21, 2021 and a Composite Security Deed, the letter showed.

“In accordance with the powers conferred on me under the finance documents, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA), and under all applicable laws, I hereby give you notice that I have removed, with immediate effect, the following persons as Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited (in receivership) directors of Duport Midstream Company Limited, being directors nominated and appointed by Platform Capital: Dr. Akintoye Akindele; Mr. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; and Mr. Cherif Abdallah,” the letter read.

However, pursuant to the

shareholders’ agreement between the company and its shareholders, the receiver stated that Platform Capital is entitled to nominate three directors onto the board of directors of the company.

“In the exercise of my powers as receiver, I hereby nominate the following individuals to fill the vacancies created by the removal of the aforementioned directors.

“These nominees have been carefully selected based on their outstanding qualifications and experience,” Makinde added.

On their qualifications and professional experiences that have prepared the newly-appointed directors, the receiver noted that Willoughby is a qualified accountant and has extensive experience in

strategic financial management, credit risk management and debt restructuring.

She explained that Adegbayi is a chartered insurer and legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate legal practice, insurance and financial services.

As for the third director, Fakolade, the receiver said he is a dual qualified New York State and Nigeria lawyer with expertise and experience in advising local and multinational corporations, development finance institutions, and non-profit organisations in indigenous and cross-border transactions.

“I hope that you will cooperate with me in the best interest of the

company, Platform Capital and its creditors,” she stated.

THISDAY learnt that Akindele had attempted to prevent the Board of Directors of Duport from meeting by creating legal hurdles, which was finally put to rest by Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, who eventually struck out the case.

It was further gathered that a meeting was held on November 15, 2023, attended by Directors from Duport Energy Limited and Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), and Alternate Directors from Platform Capital Limited.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

M a r k e t d ata A s at w e d n e s d ay, N o v e m b e r 2 2 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS Description Price Yield Change Updated Time (%) ^13.53 23November 98.19 14.98 46,00 22, 2023 MAR-2025 November ^12.50 2295.52 14.91 28,00 22, 2023 JAN-2026 ^16.2884 November 10.3.85 14.78 0.00 22, 17-MAR-27 2023 ^13.98 23November 97.09 14.90 0.00 FEB-2028 22, 2023 ^14.55 26November 97.62 15.20 0.00 APR-2029 22, 2023

BILLS

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Maturity

Discount Yield

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

6.85

6.86

Change (%) Updated Time November 0.00 22, 2023

Maturity

7.15

7.20

November -0.01 22, 2023

7.96

7.83

November 0.01 22, 2023

7.85

8.02

November 0.00 22, 2023

NSDL CP IIA 22-NOV-23 MTNN CP V 23-NOV-23 NSDL CP IIB 23-NOV-23 VAAG CP XVII 24-NOV-23

NTB 7-Mar24

11.20

11.65

November 3.00 22, 2023

VAAG CP XVII 24-NOV-23

Change Time Discount Yield (%) November 22.87 23.17 -1,00 22, 2023 November 14.84 14.98 0,00 22, 2023 November 22.87 23.19 0,00 22, 2023 November 20.23 20.49 0,00 22, 2023 19.53

19.85

November 0,00 22, 2023

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

Date

November 22, 2023 November 22, 2023 November 22, 2023 November 22, 2023 November 22, 2023

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Thursday, November 23, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

e-Business

Passion for Affecting Lives MTN Nigeria is passionate about affecting the lives of Nigerians in positive ways through its several sponsored projects, especially the MTN MUSON Scholarship initiative that has been consistent since 2006, writes Emma Okonji

S

ince the inception of its commercial rollout of telecommunication services in Nigeria in 2001, MTN, the largest telecoms operator in Nigeria, in both subscriber number and market share, has positively affected the lives of many Nigerians, through the MTN Foundation (MTNF), that uses one per cent of MTN’s profit after tax in affecting the lives of Nigerians in three key areas: Mother and Child, Youth Empowerment, and Arts and Culture.

Through the MTN Foundation, the telecoms giant has affected the lives on many of its customers in Nigeria across diverse sectors like health, sports, education, entrepreneurship, and music, among others. But the most fascinating among its sponsored projects, is the passion and consistency of MTN in sponsoring 30 music students each year, for a two-year diploma programme in music, at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), since 2006.

who kept applying for the yearly scholarship initiative. Based on the positive effect of the MTNF MUSON scholarship project, on the lives of Nigerian youths, we have decided to continue with the project and even expand its scope and its funding,” Sanya said.

MTN as a brand is clear on one thing that the brand is an agent of transformation. As a group, we can go together. So in any community where we operate, we always impact the community because we believe that everyone in every community where we operate, deserves the benefit of a modern connected life, such that through MTN, people can actualize their dreams, Sanya further said.

Other MTNF Scholarships

MTN MUSON Scholarship

The Director, MUSON School of Music, Princess Banke Ademola, is one of the staff of the music institute that is very pleased with MTNF for its consistency in sponsoring 30 students each year since 2006 for a two-year Diploma programme in music.

Ademola, who in an interview, described MTN’s passion for promoting music in Nigeria as ‘Golden’, said the MTNF scholarship that was extended to students at the MUSON School of Music since 2006, had remained a game-changer for the beneficiaries, whom ordinarily would not have been able to fund their career in music.

“So much attention has been given by corporate organisatons for the support of sports, education, and tech startups, with little attention to music, which is a unifier and food of life, but MTN in its wisdom and passion for promoting music in Nigeria, accepted to sponsor students at the MUSON School of Music, and MTN, through the MTNF, has been consistent in the sponsorship since 2006. MTN is currently perceived by many as ‘Father Christmas’ for music sponsorship, because the beneficiaries who would not have had the opportunity to participate in the two years Diploma programme, now have such opportunity, which I see as golden opportunity provided by MTN,” Ademola said.

Speaking about the selection process, she said the process had always been transparent, through open advertisement, selection and examination before the final admission.

Giving details about the sponsorship, Ademola said the music institute approached MTNF in 2006 to help in sponsoring some students in its Diploma programe and that MTNF obliged and since then, had consistently sponsored students of the musical institute. “Every year, MTN sponsors 60 students, beginning with 30 students in year one and 30 students in year two for the two years Diploma programme in music. Since its inception in 2006, MTNF has sponsored 457 students that have successfully passed out of the MUSON School of Music and they are now Alumni of the Music School. Many of the Alumni have gone for further studies in various universities in Nigeria and abroad and many are doing well in the music industry in Nigeria and abroad. Based on the foundation that we built for them during their Diploma programme at the MUSON School of Music, those that further their studies, found it extremely easy to cope at the university level, both in Nigeria and abroad,” Ademola said in the interview.

Scholarship Package

Giving details of the total package of the MTN MUSON Scholarship, Ademola said “the scholarship covers tuition fees, books and transportation for two years.” According to her, MTNF signs an annual contractual agreement with MUSON for the scholarship and MTNF has been meeting up with the contractual agreement since 2006. Although she did not disclose the exact amount released by MTNF every year for the sponsorship, she however said the money had always been sufficient to cover the tuition fee, cost of books and cost of transportation of the beneficiaries for the two years Diploma programme.

Impact

Speaking about the impact of the scholarship on the music students since 2006, Ademola reiterated that 457 students have benefitted from the sponsorship since 2006, a development she said, continued to inspire young and talented

Nigerian youths to take a career in music.

The number of applications we receive each year is overwhelming and the number keeps increasing, a development that has made MTNF to extend the number of sponsorship from 30 to 40, beginning from this year, Ademola said.

“Our training programme covers basic training in music, control of musical instruments like the piano, saxophone, drum set, flute and guitar, including teaching methodology, public speaking, and stage performance, among others. Before a student graduates from the MUSON School of Music, such student is able to carry out two concerts on their own, one in year one and another in year two, and these are embedded in the curriculum that we teach the students. At the end of the programme, we offer Diploma Certificate to all graduating students. The training we give to the students, exposes them to the world of music and many of them are doing well both in Nigeria and abroad. Some who went for further studies, and returned to Nigeria after their studies, are teaching in the MUSON School of Music, Ademola said.

Beneficiaries’ Experience

President of MUSON Diploma Students Association (MUDISTA), Gabriel Oluwafemi Adebayo who also spoke in an interview on behalf of other beneficiaries, revealed that most of the beneficiaries were roadside musicians and members of church choir before enrolling as music students at MUSON. According to him, he is passionate about music, but thought he was champion in music as a street musician before his actual exposure to music after enrolling at MUSON. According to him, qualification for enrolment is Grade 5 Theory and Grade 5 Practical from a recognized music training institute, including five credits in O’ Level School Certificate Examination, which must include English Language.

Thanking MTNF for the opportunity to study at the MUSON School of Music, Adebayo said the MUSON School of Music remained the only institution of music that is offering standardized training in music.

“I attended the MUSON Basic school of Music, which was self sponsored before enrolling for the Diploma in Music that is sponsored by MTNF. At the MUSON Basic School of Music, 30 minutes lecture is charged at N50,000, while One hour lecture is N80,000. But MTNF is sponsoring some students including myself for the two years Diploma programme and we

are grateful to MTNF for the sponsorship, which covers our tuition fee, cost of books and transportation for the duration of the Diploma programme, which is two years.

I am in my second year and I have benefitted so much from the MTNF sponsorship, just the same way with other beneficiaries.

“Before enrolling for the Diploma programme, I was a roadside musician and then I thought I was champion in music, until I enrolled and was thought basic thongs in music that I did not know before. I have never played classical music since I started singing but I have learnt it at the MUSON school of music and I have also learnt to perform on stage with much ease. So for me, the training at MUSON has exposed me a lot and I am going to build on the knowledge to do great exploits,” Adebayo said.

MTNF Focus

Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, who spoke about the focus and target of MTNF, said the music industry had been neglected in the past, with so much attention given to the development of emerging technologies and sports development. She however said the focus for MTNF, in terms of its partnership with MUSON School of Music, was to raise the standard of people that are venturing into music by offering them the support that would make then excel in music.

“To raise a balanced society, I think there is need to support music and the study of music in Nigeria in order to give Nigerian youths that are in love with music, the opportunity to live up to their dreams.

Some students come to MUSON to study music after graduating from the university, just because of the quality of training given at the MUSON,” Sanya said.

On the review of the MTNF MUSON scholarship project, Sanya said as a policy, MTNF would review all its projects to find out the viability and sustainability of the projects. According to her, in the course of project review, MTNF has dropped some projects it initially started for obvious reasons and have also upgraded some projects and inject more funds into them because such projects have proven to be viable and accomplishing the objective for which the sponsorship was set out for.

Giving instance with the MTNF MUSON scholarship project, Sanya said the project had been consistently reviewed since inception and found out that the project had affected the lives of several Nigerian youths,

Recently, MTN Foundation (MTNF), through its annual scholarship initiative, has awarded scholarships to 360 undergraduate Nigerian students in addition to 651 current scholars, totalling 1,011 scholars.

The awardees were celebrated at award ceremonies held in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja. Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule, Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Honourable Peter Akpatason and other notable dignitaries were present at the different ceremonies.

The annual scholarships recognise and reward high-performing students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions. They are usually presented to three categories of students - undergraduates in science and technology-related courses; blind students in any field of study and the top 10 candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria. Through this initiative, 4,590 Nigerian students have received scholarships valued at N 3 billion in the last 12 years.

Speaking at the Lagos event, the Chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said: “This initiative was established with the belief that every individual – regardless of background or socio-economic status – deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams through education, which has a profound impact on shaping minds, fostering innovation and driving societal change.

“It is imperative to empower the next generation of trailblazers, problem solvers and African visionaries. This is why we support blind students, top 10 UTME candidates and top-performing STEM students by facilitating access to education and providing tools and resources to help them thrive academically and professionally.”

Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in his speech delivered by Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, commended the Foundation for its commitment to contribution to the development of its host communities.

He said, “I am delighted with the level of commitment of MTN to contributing to the growth and development of its host communities in terms of human and infrastructure development. Today’s ceremony, awarding scholarships to deserving recipients and the induction of past beneficiaries into the scholarship alumni, is a commendable gesture and indicative of their corporate social responsibility.

“Indeed, I commend the Board, Management and Staff of MTN Foundation for keeping faith with their mandate of empowering the youth and promoting academic excellence in public tertiary institutions over the past decade.

You have done well, and I urge you not to relent in your pursuit of the promotion of excellence. You have been worthy development partners and stakeholders with government and together we will continue to push the agenda of development and growth in our society.”

As part of the MTN Scholarship programme, blind scholars are supported with JAWS screen reader software (authorised licences) and graduating scholars also participate in an employability workshop called “Skill Up!” which is designed to equip them with skills required for the world of work. This year, MTN Foundation partnered the Project Management Institute (PMI) for a two-week virtual workshop, preparing the 2023 graduates with skills in agile project management.

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Thursday, November 23, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

CVFF: Prospects, Challenges in the Promotion of Indigenous Shipping in Nigeria Tolu Ojewunmi

T

he main crux of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 is to reserve the commercial transportation of goods and services within Nigerian coastal and inland waters to vessels flying the Nigerian flag and owned by individuals who have Nigerian citizenship. Part 2, section 3 of the act talks about the restriction of vessels in Domestic Coastal Trade. The implication is that a vessel other than one wholly owned and manned by a Nigerian citizen, built and registered in Nigeria shall not engage in the domestic coastal carriage of cargo and passengers within the coastal territorial inland waters, or any point within the waters of the exclusive economic zone of Nigeria. This provision is particularly exciting when you consider its impact on our territorial integrity and our blue economic competitiveness. Nigeria is a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and if charity does not begin at home as regards our blue economy, it leaves much to be desired.

Again, the holy book says money answers all things. So, there is a fund established in the same Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 for the purpose of developing indigenous ship acquisition capacity. This fund is also to provide financial assistance to indigenous coastal shipping operators. So, the fund will not only afford the indigenous industry players the capacity to acquire ships for their operations, but also serve as a cushion to them in the maintenance and other running costs. Perhaps it’s only a cushion fund because there are ongoing conversations about the insufficiency of the fund and the possibility of increasing this envelope budget.

It is noteworthy, that the fund is administered by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), subject though, to the approval of the National Assembly from time to time. How exactly, is this fund generated? It is through fees for licence fines, tariffs, and surcharge of 2% of the contract sum performed by vessels involved in coastal trade. As we speak, the cabotage fund has accrued to N160 billion, the dollar component is about $350 million (equivalent to about N160billion at N447/$). Indeed, shipping is a capital intensive business.

It is heartbreaking though, that since contributions

into the fund began when the Cabotage Act came into effect in May 2004, we do not know of any actual beneficiaries of the fund yet.

Maybe it’s any consolation, that as we speak, we have a new administration in Nigeria and the Tinubu administration may look in this direction. Despite former president Muhammadu Buhari’s approval, the fund was still not disbursed; talk of politicising our economic potential as a nation.

However, if the fund is conscientiously disbursed and efficiently appropriated by the beneficiaries, the maritime sector in Nigeria, and indeed our blue economy will benefit in no small measure. It will empower indigenous ship owners to take control of the nation’s coastal and inland shipping business.

Enhancing the Cabotage trade in this manner, will go a long way to reduce the chances of external bombardment on our waterways. This is one primary way to allow our blue economy operators take ownership of our waterways security. We can only continue that the fund gets disbursed as this will give Nigerian shipowners access to cheap funds. Of course, that would enable them to buy new vessels. In turn, our indigenous ship owners can be better enhanced, to fully participate in the coastal and inland shipping business.

Shipping is a business with a long gestation period but Nigerian banks invest in it with the expectation of getting returns in three years. In fact, it takes between 10 and 12 years for shipping investment to mature. This is according to the National Fleet Implementation Committee (NFIC).

So, this unrealistic expectation from deposit money banks in Nigeria stifle the growth potential of the cabotage industry, further depleting our nation’s domestic supply of ship owners in the blue economy. This is another challenge the banking regulators can help the industry to mitigate. Place this side by side with the very high interest rate for borrowing in Nigeria today and see What a tall order it is for Nigerians to compete with foreign-owned ships that get loans at a lower percentage.

Speak of he equity contribution and the collateral required to get a loan; these come with conditions that can only be likened to a horse passing through the eye of a needle.

Again, the banking regulators can come to our aid in this respect.

By sharp contrast, with access to the cabotage fund, not only will existing indigenous shipping business owners thrive and strengthen our blue economy, but new indigenous entrants will also be encouraged to participate and who knows what diversity such inclusion would bring to the industry? Thousands of direct seafaring jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs in marine insurance, shipyards, and others can be created within a short period, only if Nigerians are encouraged to buy ships. Besides, training and certification of seafarers will be positively impacted as many will get the opportunity for sea-time training onboard seagoing vessels. There is just no telling, the amount of jobs that can be created in the nation’s maritime.

This goes without saying, lack of access to the cabotage fund will lead to capital flight where our potential operators have to go abroad for requisite trainings and certifications. This is a direct link to the perennial challenge of brain drain that we keep battling as a nation in almost all sectors of our economy. $700 million; that’s how much the House of Representatives approved in cabotage vessel finance fund at the twilight of the 9th assembly. Before the approval, the house had urged NIMASA to stop the planned disbursement of the funds to individuals and entities. The house had also directed its committee on local content to make use of an external auditor to audit all the contracts that had entered the cabotage regime. It was to submit a report to the house on its findings. This serves as a reminder of the popular concern in different quarters that it’s important to ensure that only genuine indigenous ship owners are beneficiaries of the fund. Part of the recommendations of the committee is that there is a lack of capacity among indigenous coastal operators in Nigeria. As such, the NNPCL continues to award contracts to foreign shipping companies without recourse to the Cabotage and Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. This contravention continues because of inadequate capacity among domestic coastal operators in Nigeria. Indigenous shipping companies must continuously build capacity to execute the terms required of them.

Furthermore, the fund will enable Nigerians

to own different kinds of ships including general cargo ships, tanker vessels, roll-on roll-off vessels, barges, offshore supply vessels, passenger/ crew boats, and tug boats. This will facilitate bringing in imports and taking out exports. Then Nigeria can develop a fleet that will match her diverse international trade. This is a sure way to reduce foreign domination of the nation’s shipping business.

Also, Nigerian shipowners complain of rarely benefiting from the millions of dollars in annual earnings from freight expenditure on ships undertaking the direct sale-direct purchase (DSDP) contracts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). This is due to a lack of vessels to compete with their foreign counterparts.

This is because despite reserving cabotage trade to local shipowners, the Cabotage Act recognises that there may be some capacities of vessels that might be needed for the lifting of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Nigeria that may not be owned by Nigerians. This was why the Act provided for granting waivers at the discretion of the Minister of Transportation.

Ideally, the cabotage fund should be taking care of this. If appropriately disbursed, the fund will reduce the millions of dollars in annual loss to foreign ships dominating the Nigerian shipping business. So, a waiver in the act for non indigenous ship owners would not have been necessary for the lifting of crude oil and refined petroleum products if our indigenous ship owners had been adequately reimbursed with the wherewithal for acquiring all kinds of ships. By implication, our petroleum industry is also experiencing a domino effect of the non-disbursement of the cabotage fund. In addition, administrative and political bottlenecks are to hindering the disbursement of this fund. Indigenous ship owners are having difficulty providing their counterpart funding, and this a sacrosanct condition for disbursement.

The recently adopted Treasury Single Account (TSA) is where the total amount collected by NIMASSA is domiciled. .Tolu Ojewunmi is an Author, and Senior News Anchor @ Arise News. He writes from The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023 24 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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RARE, RADICAL BATTLER TAKES A BOW

See page 25

WHAT IS NIGERIA’S GREEN ENERGY FUTURE?

Nigeria should work to harness its renewable energy potential, writes SEUN AWOGBENLE

See page 25

EDITORIAL

TACKLING THE GROWING HUNGER

?

26

1

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

TUNDE OLUSUNLE pays tribute to MC Alli, former Chief of Army Staff

Thursday November 23, 2023 Vol 27. No 10450

KALU OKORONKWO argues the need to empower Nigeria’s higher education and position it as a hub of innovation and academic excellence

LEVERAGING NIGERIA’S RISING COMPETITIVENESS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION They have been significant advancements in the higher education sector in Nigeria, practically induced by the advent of private tertiary institutions. This development in the higher education sector has marked an era of gigantic transformation for the academic institutions across the nation and making the country’s education sector globally competitive and dynamic in a manner of speaking.

Recognizing the increasing demand for higher education and the need for diversified academic offerings, the Nigerian government opened the door for private sector involvement in the provision of quality tertiary education to its citizens in the early 80’s.

The first private university in Nigeria, the Babcock University, was established in 1984 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This marked a historic milestone, paving the way for other faith-based and privately-owned institutions.

With this development, Nigerian owned tertiary institutions now rank alongside most prized universities of the Western world that has hitherto held serious attraction for Nigeria’s “nouveau riche” with the consequences of encouraging education tourism or brain drain that has eroded the country’s rich intellectual capital.

Prior to this period, the country’s higher education sector was predominantly public, with government-owned universities and polytechnics being the primary providers of tertiary education.

As with most establishments of governments in Africa and especially in Nigeria, the predominance of the public tertiary education sector by governments especially the federal and state governments was not without its debilitating challenges.

Among the predominant challenge of the government owned private institutions was the incessant strikes by Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), a labour union established in 1978 when university lecturers in the country, dissatisfied with the state of higher education, formed the union.

Their primary aim was to advocate for improved working conditions, better pay, and a more conducive environment for teaching and research. The nascent union embarked on a journey that would come to shape the course of Nigeria’s higher education albeit, negatively as the strikes kept students at home sometimes for over a year and in most cases courses with duration of four years saw students spending five to six years minimum.

The recurring strikes by ASUU, which often centered around issues such as salary discrepancies, infrastructure deficiencies, and inadequate funding for universities, became a characteristic feature of Nigeria’s higher education journey.

Among the long-term consequences of the ASUU strikes was the uncertainty surrounding the reliability of the higher education system which compelled some of

Nigeria’s brightest minds to seek educational opportunities abroad, contributing to a continued brain drain, which is detrimental to the nation’s quest for global competitiveness.

Prolonged strikes took tolls not only on the immediate academic calendar but also on the long-term development of universities.

The interruptions disrupt research initiatives, impede infrastructure development, and hinder the overall progress of academic institutions. These factors collectively diminish the attractiveness of Nigerian universities on the global stage.

These disruptions, did not only affected the continuity of academic programs but also undermined the confidence of both local and international students in the stability of the Nigerian higher education system, which led to most Nigerians, even the not so rich striving to send their children abroad for academic pursuit with attendant cost implications.

Private tertiary institutions in the presentday Nigeria have continued to thrive and are now globally recognized. With a commitment to academic excellence, state-of-the-art facilities, and a focus on holistic development, these institutions are contributing significantly to the nation’s educational advancement.

Notable private universities in Nigeria including, Covenant University, Babcock University, Landmark University, Bowen University, Augustine University, Afe Babalola University, American University of Nigeria, Igbenedion, University, and recently, Maduka University, just to mention but a few stands as evidence to the growth and resilience of the private tertiary education sector in Nigeria with competitive edge.

Nigeria boasts of about 270 universities presently and 148, or 54.8%, are private.

Although some experts have argued that private institutions are expanding access to the education system, demands for higher education still outweigh the available space.

The private universities and institutions are seriously adapting to global standards and embracing innovative approaches to teaching and research. The commitment to enhancing the quality of education is evident in the rise of specialized programs, state-of-the-art research facilities, and a growing emphasis on collaboration with international academic partners.

However, despite these positive

developments, the increasing trend of educational tourism poses challenges to the sustainability and growth of Nigeria’s higher education system. A considerable number of Nigerian students opt to pursue their tertiary education abroad, drawn by the allure of prestigious institutions and the promise of exposure to diverse academic environments.

While the international exposure can be beneficial, it often results in a brain drain, as talented individuals may choose not to return to contribute to the development of their home country.

In a world where innovation and knowledge are the currency of progress, global competitiveness in higher education is nonnegotiable. Countries that invest in developing a cadre of skilled, forward-thinking graduates are better positioned to lead in technology, research, and socio-economic development.

Nigeria’s ascent to global competitiveness hinges on its ability to produce graduates who can not only meet international standards but also set them.

Fostering academic excellence demands a comprehensive approach that encompasses curriculum development, research investment, faculty training, and infrastructural advancement.

Upgrading laboratories, libraries, and online resources is pivotal to creating an environment that nurtures curiosity and innovation. Simultaneously, a dynamic curriculum that aligns with emerging global trends ensures that Nigerian graduates are not just participants but architects of the future. To mitigate the adverse effects of educational tourism and harness the potential of the country’s intellectual capital, there is a compelling need for strategic intervention.

Policies and initiatives should be devised to retain, attract, and nurture the brightest minds within Nigeria.

This involves addressing the root causes that drive students abroad, such as perceived gaps in the local education system, limited research opportunities, and concerns about the quality of infrastructure. By elevating the standards of local institutions, the appeal of studying abroad diminishes, and students are more likely to choose domestic options for their academic pursuits.

True global competitiveness goes beyond academic prowess; it requires the cultivation of leadership qualities. Nigerian higher education must instill in its students not just knowledge but also the ability to think critically, adapt to change, and lead in diverse environments.

Leadership programs, mentorship initiatives, and exposure to real-world challenges can contribute to shaping graduates who are not just employees but leaders capable of steering Nigeria’s course on the international stage.

Okoronkwo, a leadership and good governance advocate writes from Lagos and can be reached on kalu. okoronwo@gmail.com

T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

TUNDE OLUSUNLE pays tribute to MC Alli, former Chief of Army Staff

Nigeria should work to harness its renewable energy potential, writes SEUN AWOGBENLE

RARE, RADICAL BATTLER TAKES WHAT IS NIGERIA’S GREEN ENERGY FUTURE? A BOW The uncanny combination of his names which featured Christian and Muslim epithets was sufficiently intriguing to tickle my curiosity and inquisitiveness. He had become a notable public figure back in 1986 when Nigeria’s military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida appointed him military Governor of the old Plateau State.

Seven years thereafter he was catapulted to the position of Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) under the regime of Sani Abacha. Abacha had upended the Interim National Government, (ING), hurriedly cobbled together by the departing Babangida in August 1993, as he bowed to popular pressure to disengage. This clamour became more rancorous following Babangida’s mismanagement of the

“June 12, 1993 election,” which was patently won by the charismatic multibillionaire business mogul, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, but summarily annulled by Babangida.

In a military dispensation, the office of COAS is nominally and politically the Number Four position. There is a “Chief of Staff,” Supreme Headquarters,” (CSSH), or a “Chief of General Staff, (CGS),” in the Number Two placement.

There is also a Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), who often doubled as the coordinating hub of the three military services, the army, navy and airforce. He was therefore labelled “Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, (CJCS).” He was Number Three in the political hierarchy of a military government.

Professionally and operationally, however, the position of COAS was the de facto Number Two. He superintended over the army, easily the largest defence and fighting arm of the military complex.

He reported directly to the Head of State, who was concurrently the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Historically, the COAS was always also a Member of the nation’s highest policy and decision-making organ in a military government. The body has been variously christened over decades of military rulership. It was at some point the “Supreme Military Council,” (SMC), and later the “Armed Forces Ruling Council,” (AFRC). Abacha opted for the designation of the body as “Provisional Ruling Council,” (PRC). The COAS is a highly regarded and influential office popularised in the past by military greats like Yakubu Jack Gowon, Hassan Usman Katsina, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Babangida, Abacha himself and Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.

Abacha named Mohammed Christopher Alli, then a Brigadier-General his COAS upon his disbandment of the ING in November 1993 and simultaneously elevated him a Major General. Alli was a battle-tested, war-toughened officer who fought in the fiesty Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970, and commanded a battalion even as a fresh joiner into the military. Alli had also served as Nigeria’s Defence Attache to Zimbabwe; Director of Military Intelligence, (DMI) and General Officer Commanding, (GOC), of One Mechanised

Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Kaduna. Alli was therefore very well groomed for his new job.

I was on the Editorial Board of the *Daily Times* at the time Alli was appointed COAS. I had the added responsibility of maintaining a weekly interview page which I christened “Dialogue this Week.” I had the latitude to interview reputable Nigerians across the broad spectrum of the society on topical issues. The simple mention of the name of the organisation, opened doors. Tunji Oseni succeeded the suave and debonair Yemi Ogunbiyi.

The latter had launched a massive rebuild of the Daily Times behemoth following his appointment as Managing Director in 1989. Oseni worked hard to keep apace with Ogunbiyi’s multi-pronged legacies. I therefore wrote an official letter to Alli requesting to meet and interview him. Alli replied my correspondence. It was a surprise somewhat knowing how insular the military could be.

His military assistant at the time, I.I. Hassan a Lieutenant Colonel, acknowledged my letter and proposed a date for my visit early in the month of February 1994. *MC ALLI* beamed from the name tag on the breast of his work gear when I came face to face with him. My preliminary impression of him was that he was urbane and personable. His father, he told me in answer to my preliminary banter, was a Muslim, his mother was a Christian. His bouquet of names which are popular with both religions therefore arose from this background, that intriguing mix of “Mohammed” and “Chris” (abbreviated from the original version of the name, Christopher). He displayed notable wit and diplomatese for a steely, rugged soldier. I congratulated him once again on his appointment.

“You want an interview,” he asked as he proffered his hand for a handshake and waved me to the visitor’s seat. I responded in the affirmative.

“I’m still taking stock of this office as you probably can see,” he began. “Much as I want to talk to you, I wouldn’t want to respond to some of your questions with a “no comment” reply.”

Continuing, Alli said: “What you can do for me is to exercise some patience. There will be a lot to talk about the army just as there must be a lot to talk about *The Times!* Just wish me well as I lead and rebuild the army but rest assured I will talk to you.” Alli the rare breed, cerebral combatant tactically wriggled out of the dragnet of my proposed inquiries. He did speak about sundry issues concerning his background and career though. Arising from that encounter, my article was titled “Mohammed Chris Alli: Portrait of a Soldier-Patriot” and published in the *Daily Times* of Saturday February 5, 1994.

Months after that encounter and barely one year in office, Alli was removed by Abacha and replaced by Alwali Jauji Kazir, another army General in August 1994. He was reported to have regularly nudged Abacha on the imperative for the revalidation of the “June 12, 1993” election which was clearly won by MKO Abiola. He was said to have subtly, albeit stridently pushed for the military to return to the barracks to enable democracy thrive. The totalitarian, feared and dreaded Abacha had aided the ascent of some of his military predecessors to political limelight and long coveted the highest office in the land himself. He was indeed nicknamed the *Khalifa,* (meaning the successor) on the sidelines of the Babangida regime.

Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA)

Before now, I always wondered the fad about climate change. For the longest period, it was hard to see how Africa’s minimal contribution to the global emission mix may have had any significant impact. All together, I usually dismissed the global warming talk as some misplaced outrage by the international community when there were more urgent issues of poverty, hunger, malnutrition, outof-school children, communicable diseases, among other global economic challenges that pose an almost similar or even greater threat.

But I was wrong.

One of the earliest concepts I learned in economics is the idea of externalities, which explains the interdependence of human activities and how the economic decisions of one person or group can create costs or benefits for people other than the decision-maker(s).

This explains why, although Africa might contribute only about four percent of the global carbon emissions, the continent is not insulated from the impact of the climate crisis and may suffer the worst form of devastation from the climate challenge.

Already, it has been established that emissions and waste must be limited to the extent that the Earth can absorb. At the moment, we are producing a staggering 20 percent more emissions than the environment can safely

absorb. It was for this reason that at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015, most countries in the world agreed to keep the global average temperature below 2°C and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Nigeria currently accounts for the 4th largest emissions in Africa, after South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. Despite Nigeria’s marginal contribution to the global emission mix, the country has not been insulated from the impact of climate change. According to the United Nations, in 2022 alone, flooding killed at least 662 people, injured 3,174, displaced about 2.5 million people, and destroyed 200,000 houses in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s carbon emissions come from electricity generation, mining, oil exploration, manufacturing, transport, and marginally from households. The use of generators as an alternative source of fuel has made the situation even more dire. The desertification in the north, flooding, erosion, and other extreme environmental events in the south reinforce the already-known fact that the climate crisis is a present and imminent danger. To address the challenge, Nigeria must immediately commit to urgent climate action that is backed by resolute ideas, political will, and citizen effort.

At the center of every sustainable

transformation is the effective deployment of renewable energy sources. For example, Feldheim, a German village southwest of Berlin, has harnessed its wind potential to become energy-sufficient. Samso Island, Denmark, is another example of a region that has successfully harnessed its offshore wind potential.

Similarly, countries like Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Costa Rica are examples of countries that have transformed their renewable energy potential. A few African examples also abound; Kenya and Morocco readily come to mind. For example, Kenya successfully implemented the 310 MW Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, which is currently Africa’s largest wind farm, enough to supply energy to one million homes. In Morocco, the Noor-Quarzazate complex is the world’s biggest solar farm, generating 580 MW of electricity.

In all the leading examples I have seen, Germany possibly offers a compelling model that I think most countries, including Nigeria, can adopt. The country has successfully integrated its solar, wind, and bio-energy sources to produce over 69 percent of the total energy required.

By 2050, the country is looking to not only cut emissions but also reduce energy consumption. Its energy transition plan involves significant investment in smart grids, energy storage, and energy efficiency.

Like Germany, Nigeria must immediately work to harness, optimise and integrate its renewable energy potential—the abundance of hydro, sun, and wind— provide incredible opportunities for energy transition and to meet its net zero target. Policy instruments, including taxes, subsidies, permits, and emission trading, must also be deployed as either incentives or disincentives. For example, the carbon tax is a policy tool that has already been deployed in several countries, including Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. While the tax is charged on fossil consumption, it has been effective because of its redistributive value to the lowest income bracket, hence being described as revenue neutral.

Other market-based policy instruments, including emission trading, which involves the setting of an emission cap, and green subsidies, which, unlike carbon taxes, serve as incentives, are also vital policy tools for getting Nigeria on the path to a clean energy future. There is also a need to invest in an effective public transport system to reduce the number of cars on the road and, by implication, the amount of emissions.

However, more than policy and government action, there is a need for national consensus that would inspire citizen effort and private sector-led intervention.

Climate action has become a global emergency, and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. If we must guarantee a clean and sustainable future, Nigeria must immediately harness its renewable energy potential and introduce enabling policy instruments. There is no other way.

Awogbenle, a Development and Public Policy Professional, writes from the United Kingdom.

He can be reached via seunawogbenle@gmail. com.

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T H I S D AY

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

R

TACKLING THE GROWING HUNGER The authorities need to do more to stem this worrying challenge

eports that about 26.5 million Nigerians may grapple with high level of food insecurity in 2024 has come as no surprise.

That came at about the same time that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the October food inflation figure which jumped to 31.5 per cent. According to the figure released by the federal government and its partners during the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity, approximately nine million children are also at risk of suffering from acute malnutrition or wasting. Of these, an alarming 2.6 million children could face severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and require critical nutrition treatment.

The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) has warned repeatedly that millions of Nigerians are at the risk of hunger as prices of foodstuff skyrocket.

Recent data compiled by an international e-commerce organisation also revealed that the average Nigerian household spends about 60 per cent of its income on food, the highest in the world. In contrast, residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore spend less than 10 per cent. Insecurity in many of the rural communities has made it practically difficult for farmers to engage in agricultural production optimally, thus affecting productivity and largely causing market disruptions with attendant food price shocks.

For years, the cost of the general insecurity, particularly in the north has adversely affected agricultural production and cost of living. Staples such as beans and tomatoes have seen astronomical surge in prices, just like onions, and cassava flour. Some states with high food prices are ironically major foodproducing belt in peace times. Sokoto, for instance, is a major producer of beans, cowpea, groundnut, garlic, wheat, sugarcane, pepper, onions, and tomatoes, while groundnut, sorghum, sesame seed, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and pepper are produced extensively in Plateau State.

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With the support of the federal government and the United Nations systems, the Cadre Harmonisé, an initiative focused on food and nutrition analysis, conducts studies biannually (in March and October) across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The latest projection for 2024 indicates a sharp rise from the 18.6 million people currently vulnerable to food insecurity from October to December 2023.

“Food insecurity and malnutrition are among the main drivers of humanitarian need in the BAY (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe) states,” said the head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, Trond Jensen. “People have been forced to adopt negative coping mechanisms such as survival sex and child labour to stay alive. Over the past year, dozens of farmers have lost their lives, and others have been abducted or injured while eking out a living outside the security perimeters of Borno’s garrison towns due to limited farming lands and few or no livelihood options.”

While urging federal and state governments in Nigeria, donors, and other stakeholders to commit resources and implement measures to avert a potential food and nutrition disaster, the UN warns that timely action is of essence.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP) Country Representative, David Stevenson, “the hunger crisis in Nigeria, fueled by the ongoing conflict in the northeast, needs urgent addressing. Restoring peace in the northeast is critical for us to build pathways to production and achieve the northeast’s potential as the food basket of the country”.

Since food is needed for survival and well-being, there is a need for urgent intervention to avert a human catastrophe in the country. With the fear of malnutrition for millions of children (and mothers) who are deprived of a healthy and productive life, the situation is already dire. We therefore enjoin authorities at all levels in the country to come up with practical solutions to the challenge of food security in Nigeria.

For years, the cost of the general insecurity, particularly in the north has adversely affected agricultural production and cost of living 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 STRENGTHENING EFFECTIVE WATER SUPPLY IN FCT Whether one is concerned with irrigation, flood loss mitigation, urban and suburban drainage, energy production, industrial and domestic water supply, health, drought mitigation or preservation of aquatic ecosystems, water resources is essential to all human activity. This necessitates stable and sustainable operations and a commitment to water resources assessment which is indeed a prerequisite for the sustainable development and management of water resources.

Although this is the responsibility of the national government, many elements of such an assessment are undertaken at the provincial level.

In Abuja, the federal capital territory water passes through a lot of purification before it gets to the public. Firstly raw water is drawn from the Gurara Water to the Lower Usuma dam that stores water during the rainy season, but there are streams that service the dam.

The raw water moves to the water treatment plant and it is purified with alum, and clarifiers also assist in cleaning the water. After treatment the water is then sent to the tanks where it is stored as treated water before it is distributed to consumers.

There are about seven tanks spread across the districts including the Airport and even as far as Gwagwalada.

There is now the Greater Abuja Water Works, being handled by the FCDA where we can notice large pipes being laid in mostly areas that don’t have water hitherto.

In Abuja, not all the districts have water though, because the initial design was made to cater for mainly residents of the city center. It was not envisaged that the population would grow exponentially. Many are driven here by insecurity from their states, so not all areas have water supply.

There is a certain capacity of water that is being sent to the town per hour. For instance, 13,000 cubic meter per hour is released. But with aging infrastructure, e.g. pipes that were buried over 30 years ago that are corroded, it is common to have issues like pipe burst due to pressure on a daily basis.

Then the challenge of leakages. These are multi-dimensional, but there are issues of illegal connection to the main trunks and this reduces the pressure of water. This is common in high density areas of the FCT. And then there is theft of materials, e.g. valves. In fact in Abuja any iron seen by scavengers is fair game for scavengers. So there are leakages from such places hence waste therefrom. But there is swift response once notice is given.

There are 17 area offices in the FCT, therefore operational ve-

hicles are not sufficient and is another challenge.

There has however been substantial increase in revenue collection from water in the FCT. Hitherto there has been a slack, but there is a new drive through prompt distribution of bills and reminders to customers to come and pay.

From N178 million monthly, the FCT Water Board now records more than a N300 million monthly as revenue., thanks to the new team on revenue.

There is zero tolerance to corruption because staff may connive with customers to circumvent rules through sharp practices. Of course, the FCT Water Board Establishment Act 2017 has been signed into law, it is in operation and being implemented presently. The Act would enable the board to transition to a corporate entity in line with international best practices.

FCT residents that consume water should know that government spends a lot to produce this water. One cubic of water is equivalent to five drums, and a cubic meter is sold for just N110, and treated water for that matter.

Therefore residents should continue to pay their bills so that government can continue to produce more potable water.

Dan Salka Audu, Ag.General Manager, FCT Water Board

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 23, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

Interview

Sharma: Business Success Depends on Appropriate Use of Language, Communication Techniques The Program Director, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Mr. Rajiv Sharma, in this interview with Raheem Akingbolu speaks about the importance of the concept in business, leadership and how it integrated into digital marketing. Excerpts: Can you please explain what neuro-linguistic programming is all about? he best way to explain the concept is to break it down for proper understanding. Neuro is the way you think while Linguistics is the way you speak. Now, programming is the way you behave. If you look at these words and process their meanings, you will then understand that success and results actually depend on three things; the way you think, the way you speak, and the way you behave. If you have to achieve any success with anything in life, big or small, you have to make sure that your thinking should be of growth mindset. Your thinking should not be fixed. Then you must know that language is also very important. This is so because nobody will go into your head and see how you think. People you interact with can only evaluate you based on what you tell them and what you speak. It’s this that will demonstrate how you are thinking.

So, that’s where language is important. And in this language, you would be wondering that some companies make a lot of money and become very rich, while some fail and become poor because they lack the nitty-gritty of these basic things. The difference between a successful company and the failed one could be in the choice of language because their languages are peculiar to companies, depending on their operations.

In fact, the question about how this is applied to business is an everyday question and my response is the same. Neuro linguistics applies to all spheres. It applies to teaching, it applies to coaching, it applies to leadership, it applies to sales, it applies to customer service and it applies to human resources.

do is you can improve yourself, when you improve yourself, when you build yourself, your company benefits.

T

Now let’s narrow it down, what are the key components of NLP? As I shared with you, the first component of NLP is your senses. How many senses do you have? You have five senses. What are the senses and what are they for? The way you see, your looks, the way you hear, the way you speak, the way you smell, the way you taste. Nobody has actually taught us how to use these senses. Was there any school where they taught you what to see, how to see? And what you will see will be different from what she will see and what he will see. For instance, what Dangote can see as an investor, other people cannot see it. But in neuro linguistic programming, the first element is to sharpen your senses. You will be able to see beyond the obvious. You will be able to hear what is not being said. You will be able to enjoy. You will be able to see how that gentleman or lady is feeling. But how many people actually can see their own behaviour? Majority of people are not even conscious, mindful of where their hands are. People are not mindful of what they are doing at any point in time. So, these are the things about NLP. It makes you more mindful and it creates and raises your consciousness of performing things.

You are a digital marketing expert, how does NLP fit into digital marketing?

Absolutely. One thing I would share in this regard is that we live in a digital world today. In understanding the digital part, we will have to understand the second component of NLP which is hinged on digitisation. For instance, the way a reporter is recording is digital, the way we are looking at social media is digital and so, everything is digital today. We cannot think of our life without digital media. No, we cannot. Whether we like it or we don’t like it, we are living in the digital world. Now what we are concerned with is how we can use neuro linguistic programming to get better results in the digital world. That is where we are playing a very important role as a digital agency.

Let me share this with you. Digital age and digital marketing is all about how you are communicating your message to other people. Yes, every post, every message you see on the digital platforms is actually connecting with the people. It’s about using the language. It’s going to impact somebody’s mind.

And it’s going to impact his or her behaviour. It goes back to anything. If I craft a message which is going to appeal to your mind, you will pause there, and you will watch that message once or twice.

And you will think about it. That is the first impact.

What is the second impact or third impact as the case may be?

I’m going there. But like I said, the first impact is; you have to craft your digital message in such a manner that it should impact the human mind.

It should impact and connect with someone. For example, I was talking about money, right? You can use a lot of money. You can create a lot of money with NLP if you are using it correctly. That is

Sharma possible because when people hear money, they immediately stop doing something and pay more attention. Because it goes to somebody’s subconscious mind. It appeals to somebody’s subconscious mind. Similarly, there are certain words which are very important. And neuro linguistic programming teaches you how to use those words effectively to communicate better, to relate better, to create a rapport with another person. It is one element of digital marketing.

The second element of digital marketing is about creating reach. And that reach is because you want to have more reach for your organisation.

That reach is the customer reach that we want to have. And we can actually create a reach of 7 billion people. And that is what digital marketing allows you to achieve. The post you write here in Nigeria can be seen in China by somebody, it can be seen in India by somebody and can be seen in the US by another set of people.

So, there are no boundaries. Whatever you are thinking, you can actually express it. It helps you expand your reach. The technology we use for digital media in NLP is called RACE: R stands for Reach; A stands for Action; C stands for Conversion, and E stands for Engagement.

Can you please shed more light on RACE? Let’s look at this scenario; you want to expand your reach and you want the customers you are reaching to take some actions.

For example, if somebody is looking at your newspaper and he doesn’t spend money on your newspaper, nothing has happened. So, he has to take action. Then once you have taken the action. The C part of RACE is Conversion. He actually took action; he bought that newspaper.

Conversion means when he actually became the customer of your company. He became the customer of your brand. And then last, E- engagement. Now you continually have to engage that customer. Otherwise, he will not stay with you, he will go to another newspaper.

So, this RACE methodology, we use for digital media very well, which is again an outcome of neuro linguistic programming approach.

You have to make sure they take action, you have to make sure that they convert into your customers, and you continually engage their mind, you engage their language, and you engage their behaviour. This is how NLP is integrated into digital marketing as well.

How can the government and businesses leverage NLP to grow the Nigerian economy?

We were the first ones in Nigeria and we asked one question, which we have been able to address. One of the benefits of that critical examination is today’s digitization of Nigerian banks. Think of those banks in Nigeria, that’s where we started from. We deployed jobs for them. They were the first to enjoy the

solution; they were the first companies we deployed for.

You have been in Nigeria for a long time, where do you hope to see NLP in this country in the next 10 years?

Let me tell you something, people around the globe are the same; they are not different.

Colour of the skin does not change the colour of the blood. And when you mix the colour of the blood from one and second and third people, it is still the same colour. you can’t even differentiate which is Chinese blood or which is Indian blood or which is Nigerian blood.

The way the grass grows here, it is exactly the same way it grows in India. You put the seed, you water it and then it grows. The gravitational force, the way it applies here in Nigeria is the same way it applies in China, India and the US. Globe is one earth; one race, but we as humans have created boundaries.

We have created these countries and forgive me for saying we have even divided over days into Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, but all these are alike.

For our convenience, we call it Sunday or today I’m going to church but it is exactly the same with Monday, some people don’t like Mondays.

But we can definitely improve, we have to think about two or three things. China and India were exactly in the same place where Nigeria is today years back, but they have progressed and Nigeria is stuck. That’s the problem but I still feel that somebody is going to shake this all up and people will rise.

I would ask you, the same Nigerian can’t perform in Nigeria, but he goes to the US and he starts performing, why? Is it the environment? I want to give you an example, we’re over 200 million people. If we all start throwing water bottles on the road, this place will become dirty, the responsibility is not with the cleaners, it is with every citizen that we should not litter around, we should not make our country look dirty. If you look at Japanese, their concept is so good. If they drink water and the bottles are thrown in the stadium, they will clean the stadium before they leave. They won’t be talking about the cleaners. Even if you have 10 million cleaners, they can’t clean if over 200 million people start littering around.

So, our responsibility is to create awareness and education. I can’t give you anything, you can’t give anything but you can only educate yourself, I can only educate myself. I can build myself only, build myself, you can only build yourself, there is nothing else you can do for the world. Can you do anything for your company? Can you do even one thing for your company? The only thing you can

How, when and where did you start neurolinguistic programming?

I started my career in 1990 in an auto company.

Ordinarily, I never wanted to be in sales at that point in time. If you go and ask any young professional if he or she wants to start selling door to door? they’ll say “no, I don’t want to be in sales”, so was I. I never wanted to be in sales. But a lot of the time, the realities of the world hit you hard, you’re looking for a job of your taste and you don’t get it and then you pick up whatever comes your way; so that is what happened with me. I think that’s how I got into sales. I got into sales with the company and the job was to sell cars. So, I took that job as an ad-hoc job. That’s what happens to you when you get a job that’s not your taste. So, I didn’t make any sales for six months and then the company decided to sack me and that was when my eyes were open to the realities of life. So, I went to my manager and told him; sir, I really need this job, if you sack me, I will be without a job and I’ve been really trying hard to get a job.

He told me, yes you need a job, but I don’t need people with this kind of attitude. He told me we don’t need people who are highly qualified and educated, we need people who can do the real job, and I said okay give me a chance. And he said, okay if you perform well this month, we’ll continue with you and that year I was the best salesperson in the same company.

So, I really learned in the beginning of my career that; if you change your thinking, you can actually change your career; you can do anything in the world that you want.

Today, I am rated among the best sales trainers in the world, number six by Best Global Trainers which is a research company. That means I was destined to start a career like that and I was supposed to come here all the way. Today I coach people that don’t fight with the universe. Universe has a plan for you. You know you have a plan for yourself.

But wherever the universe has put you, wherever you are, master your game very well. And when you master it, there is a bigger plan than your plan, which is the universe’s plan. So, that really changed the way I saw things. And then after that, there was no going back. There was no looking back. And I got promotions and promotions and promotions because my mindset changed.

So, in 2013 I invented a model called the MARK model. M stands for Mindset, A stands for Action, R stands for Repetition, K stands for Knowledge.

You may be having a great mindset, but if you don’t take action, nothing is going to happen. If you keep thinking, oh, great things are going to happen and you keep lying on the bed and you don’t do anything, nothing is going to change around you.

You have to get out of your comfort zone. You have to get out of your bed and then you have to start taking proactive actions. And those actions are going to either take you towards your goal or will either take you away from your goals. Whatever actions you take are either moving you towards that vision that you want to achieve or they are taking you away from that vision that you want to be.

A lot of people want to create wealth. A lot of people want to make money. How many people are taking good actions, proactive actions towards creating that wealth for themselves? Or are they busy just scrolling on social media, watching Instagram and Facebook? Or are they taking some actions to create that wealth for themselves? Once you identify that you are taking some proactive actions, one action will not get you that result that you want. You need to repeat those actions again and again and again. And when you repeat, you attain mastery, self-mastery.

And that self-mastery will be the new evolution of knowledge for you. You are going to achieve new knowledge out of that. And when you come out with new knowledge, the world respects you.

As I came out with the MARK model, the world appreciates you. The world says that’s something we can try. Today there are more than 200,000 professionals across the globe, those who are practicing the MARK model. That is mindset to action to repetition to knowledge. And this is changing the results they get. This is transforming their life to the next level.

So, I can go on and on and on and on.

In all, I think I have trained and coached more than 700,000 people in 45 countries in the art of neuro-linguistic programming. And I traveled well because I love to educate people. I love to help economies and countries build businesses. I help companies to uplift their service, to uplift their sales and leadership so that they can perform better.

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Thursday, November 23, 2023 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

News

Union Bank Hosts CeBIH…

Head, Digital Channels and Innovation, Union Bank Plc, Akoh Ochai; Head, Digital Channels, FirstBank of Nigeria/Vice-Chairman, Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH), Folasade Femi-Lawal; Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, Union Bank Plc, Joe Mbulu: Head, Card Business, Zenith Bank Plc/Chairman of CeBIH, Celestina Appeal; and Chief Digital/Technology Officer, Union Bank, Toye Soladoye; during the hosting of CeBIH by Union Bank in Lagos…recently

Expert: Data Management Plays Critical Role in National Security Emma Okonji Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Berkeley Data Strategists, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajibola, has stressed the need for governments to adopt data management to address its national security challenges in the country.

According to him, effective data management allows for

the efficient collection, storage, and analysis of intelligence.

This, he said, could include information from various sources such as surveillance, communications intercepts, and open-source data. Proper management of this data is essential for identifying threats, understanding enemy capabilities, and making informed strategic decisions.

Ajibola said data management would be crucial in counterterrorism operations, and would enable the integration and analysis of vast amounts of data to track and prevent terrorist activities, identify networks, and understand their patterns and plans.

“That in an era where cyber threats are increasingly

prevalent, robust data management systems are necessary for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber-attacks. This involves managing a large volume of data related to network traffic, threat intelligence, and incident response,” Ajibola said.

He however maintained that managing data effectively aids in monitoring and

controlling national borders.

This includes processing and analyzing information related to travelers, cargo, and potential threats.

Ajibola stressed that for technological advancements, and the ability to manage and exploit emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Big Data analytics for national

security purposes, would lead to robust data management practices.

He maintained that data management remained indispensable for national security, facilitating informed decision-making, efficient operations, and effective response to threats, while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Stakeholders Push for Localisation of Data to Boost Economy Emma Okonji Stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, have called for the localisation of data to enable Nigeria benefit from the data centric economy.

The stakeholders who spoke at the 2023 Impact ICT Forum and

Award, said despite playing host to many data centers, Nigeria had never reaped the expected benefits because a lot of the country’s data are still being hosted abroad.

This is even as they noted that the strong growth of Africa’s digital economy would drive more demands for data centers in the continent.

Presenting a paper on the theme of the conference, “National Challenges and the Imperative of Relevant and Timely Data,” the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Reality, Ikechukwu Nnamani, examined the Data Centers Services in Nigeria as a case study.

He observed that while Nigeria appears to be doing well in

telephony, in the area of facilities that drive the digital economy, of which data center is one, Nigeria is way behind other countries.

In his Lead paper at the forum, the Group Managing Director of VDT Communications, Mr. Abiodun Omoniyi, examined the importance of big data for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria. According to him,

in today’s digital landscape, Big Data plays a pivotal role in shaping the operations of ISPs. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications

win cash rewards.

The campaign, which was grouped into three winning phases of N70 million, N100 million and N130 million, had users partake in a number of giveaway tasks on the app to win.

Through the promotion, about 1.5 million PalmPay users won various gifts, from coupons to varying cash prizes. Among the winners in each phase, a Lucky King emerged to win the highest weekly prize of N500,000. In all, there were three lucky kings all

through the promotion.

The winner in week two, Mrs. Gbolahan Ahmed said: “I was surprised when I won and more surprised when five hundred thousand naira was credited to my account. The joy that I felt was indescribable.”

Emma Okonji

(NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida, presented the keynote at the forum with a focus on the telecom regulator’s efforts to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

Cybervergent Harps on Digital PalmPay Concludes Promotion, Announces Winners Trust as Businesses Go Digital

Emma Okonji

PalmPay has concluded its N300 million Giveaway Promotion, which ran from November 1 to November 21, and offered Nigerians using the payment platform, the opportunity to

Jumia Records Lowest Losses Since IPO, GMV Growth in Q3 2023 Emma Okonji Jumia Technologies, a leading Pan-African e-commerce company, has reported its lowest Adjusted EBITDA losses since its IPO in 2019.

The company’s relentless focus on strategic growth initiatives has yielded promising results, evident in the Q3 2023 earnings report, according to the company’s financial report for Q3 2023.

The report said under the stewardship of its Group CEO,

Francis Dufay, Jumia’s commitment to a transformative blueprint initiated in Q4 2022 has proven pivotal. In the area of reduced losses and enhanced value proposition,the report said the resolute focus on core categories—Phones, Electronics, Home & Living, Fashion, and Beauty—has yielded tangible improvements. Jumia’s emphasis on tailoring offerings to meet customer needs in these key markets has notably enhanced repurchase rates among new

customers. Additionally, there is a discernible uptick in the average order value (AOV) for physical goods, signaling an evolving customer engagement strategy that resonates with the market’s demands. This strategic pivot, evident in the considerable 74 per cent year-over-year reduction in Sales and Advertising expenses, amounting to $4.3 million, aligns with the company’s pursuit of creating a stronger value proposition. Furthermore, the

67 per cent year-over-year decrease in Adjusted EBITDA loss, reaching $14.9 million, stands as a testament to Jumia’s concerted efforts toward profitability.

Analysing the report, Dufay said the most significant highlight of Q3 2023 report, is the encouraging growth in GMV of physical goods across five countries. This growth reflects a pivot towards more efficient economics and sustained growth, aligning with Jumia’s core business strategy.

AfICTA Elects Exner as First Female Chairperson Emma Okonji Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) has elected Ms. Ulandi Exner as the first female chairperson of the Africa private sector led Technology body, during its just concluded Annual General Meeting, which held virtually.

AfICTA is a concerned private

sector led alliance of ICT Associations, multi-national corporations, companies, organisations and individuals in the ICT sector in Africa, dedicated to fulfilling the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Exner said: “I am honoured and excited to lead AfICTA as its first female Chairperson. I want to thank the

former Chairperson Mr Thabo Mashegoane for his dedicated service and commendable leadership.

I look forward to working with the members of AfICTA to propel the organisation to new heights and contribute to the advancement of technology across the continent.”

Exner who succeeded Mashegoane, has concurrently held the position of Vice-Chair

for Southern Africa.

Exner is a seasoned professional in the field of information and communication technologies with a strong background in cybersecurity, IT risk and IT governance.

As the newly elected Chairperson of AfICTA, she brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to lead the organization into a new era of innovation and growth.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cybervergent, Adetokunbo Omotosho, has emphasised the need for digital trust as Nigerians move their businesses and transactions online.

Omotosho who gave the advice in Lagos, stressed on digital trust and security, especially now when businesses have gone digital, adding that Cybervergent prides itself as the company that ensures digital trust.

According to him, “A breach can erode trust and damage a company’s reputation. Prioritising cybersecurity demonstrates a commitment to protecting customers’ data, fostering trust, and maintaining a positive brand image.”

He said in 2022, the Nigerian financial sector recorded financial losses worth more than N2 trillion to cybersecurity breaches. He therefore insisted there was an urgent need for the Nigerian business community to build a robust cybersecurity solution and resilience to manage future losses.

“Many industries have stringent regulations regarding the protection of sensitive information, but cybersecurity measures ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding legal consequences and financial penalties for organisations found wanting.

“As businesses embrace digital

transformation, cybersecurity becomes an enabler for innovation. This is because secure digital platforms and emerging technologies empower organizations to explore new business models and stay competitive,” Omotosho said.

According to him, cybersecurity is fundamental in securing critical national infrastructure such as power grids, communication networks and financial systems.

He explained that a cyberattack on these infrastructure could have severe consequences for the nation’s stability and well-being.

Omotosho noted that cybersecurity was closely tied to the economic health of a nation, adding that successful cyber-attacks could disrupt national activities leading to economic losses and potential job cuts.

“Constant monitoring and analysis of cyber threats provide valuable intelligence for national security agencies. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial to sharing threat intelligence and responding effectively to emerging cyber threats. In essence, investing in robust cybersecurity measures is an investment prosperity,” Omotosho said.

He noted that his company understood that cybersecurity was not just a defensive measure but a strategic asset that empowered businesses to thrive in the digital landscape.

29

T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 23, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

News

L-R: Head, Channels and Innovation, Union Bank, Akoh Ochai; Vice Chairperson, Committee of e-Business Industry Head (CeBIH), Folashade Femi Lawal; Chief Financial Officer, Union Bank, Joe Mbulu; Chairperson, Committee of e-Business Industry Head, Celestina Appeal and Chief Digital Officer, Union Bank, Toye Soladoye at a recent CeHIB meeting held at the Union Bank Head Office in Lagos… recently

FG Partners John Deere, Tata for Delivery of Affordable Tractors James Emejo in Abuja In a boost to current efforts to transition the country’s agriculture from subsistence to mechanisation, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has signed a Memorandum

of Understanding (MoU) with American agriculture manufacturing companies - John Deere and Tata Nigeria to provide tractors to Nigerian farmers at an affordable rate.

The agreement also entails that the companies will establish tractor assembly

plant in the country.

The MoU made provision for a flexible payment plan of between five to six - years for the participating farmers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said

the potential of the partnership remained enormous, and seeks to primarily address the challenges of mechanisation in the sector.

He said Nigeria is grossly under-mechanised, with only 50,000 serviceable tractors for the country’s over 70 million

UK Group to Train 150 Kwara Women in Digital Technology Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

United Kingdom based organisation, Global Feminism in Solidarity and Action (UK), in partnership with a digital initiative organization in Nigeria, has commenced the orientation programmes for 150 Kwara state women as part of efforts to equip them with 21st century digital skills for self reliance.

The orientation programmes according to the organisers for the affected beneficiaries would take four-month.

The Executive Director of the partnering organisation, Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative, Mrs. Nafisat Bakare stated this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital during the orientation session of the programme for the affected beneficiaries.

The programme was tagged, “Webfala SafeHer Programme.”

According to her, “the training was expected to equip them with digital skills to help them thrive in digital age and be self dependent in their future endeavours.

Bakare, who said that the

programme aimed to inspire more girls and women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), added that it would help contribute to bridging the gender gap in the tech ecosystem in Nigeria.

“The Webfala SafeHer program is designed to provide our selected beneficiaries, who are all females, with a four-month intensive training in either Software Development, Product Design or Data

Science.

“This initiative is not just a training programme; it’s a commitment to empowering and equipping our participants with the skills and knowledge to thrive in this digital age”, she said.

The executive director, who said that the project sought to protect women and girls from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), “that has become prevalent in our society today”, added that available

Heirs Insurance Rolls Out Customer Rewarding Programme Ebere Nwoji

Heirs Insurance Group, has rolled out the insurance industry’s first loyalty programme – Heirs Insurance Rewards - promising customers additional benefits beyond insurance. The Rewards programme offers customers

remarkable discounts and offers across a wide selection of retail partners nationwide.

Speaking on the rollout of Heirs Insurance Rewards, the Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group, Ifesinachi Okpagu, said: “Insurance should be incorporated into our daily lifestyle. That is the

premise for Heirs Insurance Rewards – a robust loyalty scheme that goes beyond protecting the assets and lives of our customers, to rewarding them for their patronage.”

She added: “We believe that insurance should also provide instant benefits beyond its current offering, and we thank our partners for

collaborating with us on the actualisation of this vision.”

Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading panAfrican investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents, founded and led by Tony Elumelu.

LEAP Africa Restates Commitment to Nurturing Social Innovators James Emejo in Abuja The Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation and fostering positive change in Nigeria and Africa at large. It said over 279 social innovators had so far been supported.

Board Chair, LEAP Africa, Clare Omatseye, said the organisation has stayed true to its mission to equip a new cadre of African leaders to positively impact society.

Speaking at the 10thanniversary edition of its flagship initiative, the Social Innovators Programme and Awards (SIPA) 2023, with the theme: “Maximizing Africa’s

Potential Through Disruptive Leadership and Innovation” in Abuja, she said LEAP Africa envisions another decade of groundbreaking ideas, collaboration, and social impact.

She said, “Today, as we gather here, we not only celebrate the milestone of our 10th-year anniversary but also the collective achievements

of countless social innovators who have been part of this incredible journey.

“The Social Innovators Programme has become a platform that not only showcases the exceptional work of young entrepreneurs but also inspires and empowers future generations of changemakers in Africa, and we are not only celebrating the past

AXA Mansard Named General Insurance Company of the Year

Ebere Nwoji

AXA Mansard, a member of AXA, has clinched the General Insurance Company of the Year award at the 2023 edition of Almond Insurance Industry Awards.

The award, which was presented to the company at a ceremony in Lagos, is said to be another testament of its Industry leadership and unwavering commitment to customer service.

Organiser of the Almond

Insurance Industry Award Faith Ugwode, said the Almond Insurance Industry Awards was designed to promote the best practices in corporate management, leadership, governance, innovation, and

sustainable growth within the insurance sector.

According to her, the yearly event serves as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements of industry professionals.

hectares of land.

The minister said, “What we have just witnessed now is a partnership between John Deere and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to see that Nigerian farmers have access to agricultural equipment at an affordable rate.”

On his part, Vice President of John Deere, Jason Braintley said the company wasbexcited about the agreement with the ministry and Tata Nigeria.

He said the agreement remained critical for raising yields and enhancing food security as well as raising farmers’ income.

He said, “We are really excited with the agreement because it signifies that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, John

Deere, and Tata Nigeria see several opportunities to take proven practises in Nigeria and scale them up to make mechanisation more available for more farmers.

“John Deere has been active in Nigeria for decades, and we have tractors running all the way from north to south. We have equipment that will thrive in the country’s soil and climatic conditions.

“We also recognise that at the individual community level, the choice of implements will be really important, so one of the things we talked about is that we match up the right implement with the right tractor in the right area.”

30

T H I S D AY • Thursday, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Health & lifestyle

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

Bayode Oke: Revolutionising Nigeria’s Healthcare Industry through Technology Bayode Oke, the Country Lead and Head of Operations for InstantRad Nigeria, is on a mission to revolutionise Nigeria’s healthcare industry. As the co-founder of the Invasion Group and co-founder/MD of Mentors in Nigeria Initiative, Oke’s experience at the GITEX Global 2023 in Dubai UAE has set him and his team on an enviable pedestal in the nation’s healthcare system. While they focus on connecting hospitals, diagnostic centres, and radiologists, they are providing a secure environment for transmitting medical images. In this interview with Rebecca Ejifoma, the multiple-award-winning Oke discusses how InstantRad Nigeria is using cutting-edge technology to better humanity and his passion for mentoring young people

Could you walk us through a bit about your background? hold a medical degree from the University of Lagos. I’m a member of the European Society of Radiology and a fellow of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI). I also have an MBA degree from Nexford University, USA. I am a certified design thinker, having completed design thinking training with Salford Business School.

I serve as the Country Lead and Head of Operations for InstantRad Nigeria. With a focus on connecting hospitals, diagnostic centers, and radiology service providers, enabling seamless integration through all-in-one PACS, RIS, and TeleRadiology platform.

have changed. Companies that must be relevant must no longer use technology as their backdoor. Every company must be a technology company offering services.

InstantRad is now a company offering radiology services and technology drives most of the things we do. We offer mentorship services. In our mentorship programme, we digitalise the whole process, where students come in and register to be a part of the cohort, self-paced, do their mentorship, one on one section, and collect their certifications.

I

As one who manages multiple companies, how do you balance your responsibilities across them?

It’s been very amazing managing the company that we’ve built because the goal is clear — being an influence enough, makes humanity better. However, managing a business in Nigeria can be tough, considering the business model, as most of them are social interventions, harnessing the strength of youth for change.

It hasn’t been easy, especially bankrolling the system thanks to all who have been partners. There’s a principle we apply from my mentor, Dr. Alexander Faranpojo, “The idea of living and giving today your best shot; not seeking perfection, but doing all you can today because there’s a gift of hope called tomorrow.” This is our watchword across the business. We’ve put structures in place to ensure the businesses run without me. The business shouldn’t be centered around you to ensure sustainability in a business. We are doing all we can today to position for the future.

You are the Company Lead of InstantRad, which recently was selected by the Lagos State government to exhibit your solution at GITEX 2023 in Dubai.

Could you walk us through the solution?

InstantRad is a teleradiology company in the US that connects hospitals to radiologists.

Recently, we got selected by the Lagos State government through the Roadshow Gitex 2023 to pitch and exhibit our product on a global space in GITEX, Dubai.

I was there with the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, other leaders of the GITEX. It was an amazing exposure for us. We met with like minds, start-up founders, and entrepreneurs. We showcased our businesses to the world and learned from other stakeholders who exhibited.

We spoke with Dr Hamzat about how Lagos State can be a part of what we are doing at InstantRad on a bigger scale.

What impact does InstantRad hope to make with such an enviable exposure?

In Nigeria alone, we have less than 300 radiologists serving over 200 million people. That means we have one radiologist serving one million people. In Nigeria, we do an average of 500,000 images daily.

What we did at InstantRad is to create digital platforms where those images can get to the radiologists via the internet and then they can have access to the images

Oke anywhere in the world.

The radiologists don’t have to go physically to each of the diagnostic centres or radiological service providers to report the images. With emerging technology, the platform is growing. We hope to make an impact.

We are currently in almost all the diagnostic centres in Lagos and across Nigeria. So it’s a huge impact we are making in ensuring that patients’ outcomes are better than they used to be.

Imagine waiting for a report and the patient already dies three days before the report. We are helping to improve health with this platform.

they see the great impact we are having.

Now at InstantRad, centres don’t have to have one radiologist anymore; they can have about eight radiologists in their platform reporting the images.

With the whole mass migration (Japa) syndrome, InstantRad is ensuring the impact is not so fatal.

We are preaching the gospel of health awareness and making healthcare service delivery available to those who are in remote areas and who can readily afford or cannot afford it. Our goal is to make humanity and life better.

How has this selection influenced your firm’s position, and how will this influence your goal in the country?

I’ve always had a huge knack for building a great influence in the healthcare space as a medical professional. Hence, the selection in Dubai exposed us to a lot to take home to investors who are potential partners in different countries.

Currently, we are raising $1.2m between now and December as our seed round.

The selection to GITEX opened us to multiple investors who would like to invest in our amazing product because

How do you foster innovation and creativity within your companies, and what role does technology play in this?

We foster innovation and creativity through one of our design-thinking models. It’s created to solve problems and promote innovation and creativity in a team. It’s divided into five parts: empathy, problem identification, ideate, and prototyping.

We use technology for everything we do. Since 2020, things

Nigeria alone, we have less than 300 radiologists serving over 200 million people.That means we have one radiologist serving one million people. In Nigeria, we do an average of 500,000 images daily. What we did at InstantRad is to create digital platforms where those images can get to the radiologists via the internet and then they can have access to the images anywhere in the world

What other project do you have up your sleeves?

I’ve witnessed several patients who want to talk to a doctor after having symptoms, but won’t know the right hospital or specialist to approach.

I had a friend whose dad was admitted to a hospital where he was treated for a different reason. He didn’t have to talk to them about the kind of treatment they had been giving him. He came to our office and we gave his father a proper check.

Imagine he didn’t have access to us.

Patients need proper and adequate knowledge to make an informed decision about their care. That is why we are working on a system called, ResQ. ResQ is a solution-driven platform that allows every patient to have a doctor friend in their pocket whom they can reach out to ask any question. ResQ aims to provide support and care to patients from their symptoms to their treatment — refer hit to the right hospital, book an appointment at the hospital, and follow up through the treatment journey.

You have a mentorship programme for young people in the health sector and entrepreneurship, too. What’s the vision?

Younger people can understand that the only thing that drives a human is purpose— knowing why you are alive and having a vision for yourself. Having a purpose has been our driving factor from the get-go, in terms of envisioning a group that is for younger people to change.

Through one of our mentorship programmes, BOT Strategic Foresight, we are helping young people who want to venture into startups and entrepreneurship. No country in the world is built by politicians; every country that was built was built by people who understand NGOs, entrepreneurship, and leadership. To build our country, Nigeria, we need people who are involved in social entrepreneurship, and businesses and doing a lot to support the government in creating employment, and support systems in terms of social intervention.

There is a notion that every mentor has a mentee. Who is yours?

In my journey to adulthood, obstacles weren’t absent, but I always found solace in the encouragement my parents, Babayomi Emmanuel Oke and Funmilola Grace Oke provided, particularly, my father stands as my greatest motivator.

Moreover, Dr. Faranpojo has been a guiding light and mentor, a repository of wisdom. His teachings illuminated my understanding of life, emphasising the importance of operational knowledge.

31

T H I S D AY • Thursday, november 23, 2023

news

Abia Undertakes In-school Deworming Programme, Targets 60,000 Basic Education Pupils in 6 LGs Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Abia State has embarked on a preventive health initiative aimed at protecting pupils at the Basic level of education from the infestations of worms.

Wife of the state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti flagged off the In-School Deworming Programme at Umuahia, describing it as “a proactive approach to safeguard the health and future of Abia children”.

The programme targets deworming about 60,000 pupils in public and private schools located in six Local Governments - Ohafia, Bende, Ikwuano, Isialangwa South, Obingwa and Osisioma, selected for the pilot phase.

Mrs. Otti, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, noted that regular deworming treatments in Abia schools represents “a significant step (in) protecting our children from the harmful effects of these parasites”.

“The In-School Deworming Programme in the State signifies our unwavering commitment to ensuring the welfare of every child who enters our school gates,” she said.

The wife of the governor explained that the decision to focus on children between six and

14 years was informed by research indicating that most intervention agencies typically pay more attention to children of 0 to 5 years.

She stated that the age gap of children not covered posed health “implications for our growing generation” hence the state government decided to bridge the gap through the In-School Deworming Program.

Mrs. Otti said that government was committed to ensuring that “every child in Abia is dewormed “ and enjoined all stakeholders to make the programme a success.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Princess Agomuo, described the programme as a life saving initiative.

She called on mothers and care givers to embrace the programme and ensure that children internalised hand washing to enhance hygiene among the young ones.

The commissioner commended the governor ’s wife for the laudable project and assured that her ministry would give maximum support for the programme.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas had earlier in her address, said that the essence of the In-School

Deworming Programme was to eradicate worm infestation among school age children.

Citing health statistics, the SA said that an estimated 35 million children from six to 14 years are estimated to be infected with worm.

According to her, Mrs. Otti came up with the programme in realisation of the vulnerability the basic school age sub set of the population that “are majorly exposed to soil transmission infection” Mrs. Thomas explained that the deworming exercise is a pilot programme for children in primary one to junior secondary schools in the six selected LGs, lauded the wife of the governor for her concern for the vulnerable people.

She also expressed her appreciation to the collaborating partners, including civil society organizations, donor agencies, SMOH, CARITAS, ANRIN, SOLINA, HSCL and HOPE SPRING for their support.

Mrs. Caroline Charles, who spoke on behalf of the partners, said deworming could reduce the effects of the parasite on the health of children and assured Abia government of sustainable collaboration.

Highlights of the event was the demonstrative deworming of school children by the representative of the governor ’s wife.

Fertility Expert Blames Men’s Negligence for Recurring Infections in Women Omolabake Fasogbon A trado-medical practitioner and CEO of Anaxon Wellness, Victor Ayoola has decried rising cases of recurring reproductive tract infections among women, blaming scourge on their partner’s refusal to seek medical attention.

A recent study published by Wayne State University School of Medicine reports that about 138 million women globally contend with recurrent candida or yeast vaginitis, in which figure is expected to hit 150 million by 2030.

Ayoola who deals mainly in women’s fertility issue also disabused the popular impression that fertility is a woman’s problem, maintaining that both sexes are not left out.

While addressing the press recently, he disclosed that oftentimes when women present cases of infections in their reproductive system, their partner do not

show up for treatment , thereby making medical procedures ineffective or offer temporary relief, while ailment returns.

“It is very common to hear men say nothing is wrong with them when invited, yet they already had sex with the same women infected, which automatically makes them vulnerable. Their refusal to get treated keep their partner in ailment forever”, he said.

The Anaxon Wellness boss further asserted that there is an increasing need for relevant health stakeholders to enlighten and sensitise expectant and sexually active men on the need to get treatment along with their partner when the need arise.

He further tasked government on more awareness and advocacy around women’s health, insisting that women are more vulnerable to diseases than men, hence should be protected.

He stated that his passion for women’s health and longevity

inspired his pursuit in trado-medicine,majoring in reproductive health.

Clarifying doubt around herbal medicine, he said, “We must bear in mind that conventional drugs are made from herbs that were processed into capsule through technology. Nigerians just need to be sure that whatever they consume have regulatory approval.

“At Anaxon Wellness, our herbs are NAFDAC approved, clinically tested and produced under strict hygiene practices. Besides, in line with medical requisite, we only treat patients based on the result of their medical diagnosis& consultation. We also do proper pharmacology to ensure that prescriptions are accurate and not abused.

“For us, it’s not all about business, but women’s wellness and happiness.

We are glad that through our medications, we have restored broken home and solve fertility issues,among many other testimonies that have kept us going”.

Fertility

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

Septate Uterus (Part 2)

L

ast week, we started a discussion on Septate Uterus. We defined septate uterus and explained the types, causes, symptoms and septate uterus with its correlation with fertility. This week we will continue with septate uterus and fertility, diagnosis and treatment.

SEPTATE UTERUS AND FERTILITY • Reduced space for the fetus - A septate uterus can reduce the space available for the fetus to grow, leading to a higher risk of miscarriage or the fetus being in a breech position.

• Preterm delivery - There is a high probability of the baby being born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation) if the uterus is septate. Some of the baby’s organs and systems might not fully develop but being preterm or having a septate uterus does not mean that the child will be born disabled. Numerous women who have a septate uterus go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliver at term.

It is crucial to remember that not all septate uteri will impair fertility or result in miscarriage, and the chance of miscarriage can change based on how severe the condition.

DIAGNOSIS OF SEPTATE UTERUS This will usually start with a pelvic exam. However, unless the septum extends into the vagina, a pelvic exam will not show the depth or position of the septum. Instead, the healthcare provider will use imaging tools to get the best picture of the septum, its thickness and its exact position in the uterus. To diagnose a septate uterus, one or more of the following methods may be used • Ultrasound - This is an imaging test that uses highfrequency sound waves to create pictures of the uterus and cervix. An ultrasound can help identify any abnormalities in the shape or size of the uterus, including a septum.

• Hysterosalpingography (HSG) - This is a special type of X-ray that uses dye to highlight the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes. An HSG can help identify any blockages or abnormalities in the uterus, including a septum.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - This is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that provides detailed images of the uterus. This imaging test can help determine the extent of the septum and whether it is complete or incomplete. It is a safe diagnostic test that does not use ionizing radiation or contrast dyes. It is also relatively quick, taking about 30-60 minutes to complete.

• Endometrial sampling - This involves removing a small sample of tissue from the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) to check for any abnormal cells or growths. The sample can be collected during a hysteroscopy procedure, which uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end to visualize the inside of the uterus.

If any of these tests indicate the presence of a septate uterus,further testing may be recommended or treatment to address any related issues, such as infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

TREATMENT OF SEPTATE UTERUS The treatment of a septate uterus depends on various factors such as the severity of the

septum, symptoms experienced by the patient, and the desire for fertility.

• Observation -In some cases, if the septum is small and does not cause any symptoms or complications, observation may be recommended.

This approach is often chosen when the patient does not have any fertility issues or recurrent pregnancy loss. Regular monitoring through ultrasound examinations may be performed to ensure there are no changes or complications.

• Surgical Intervention -Surgical intervention is often recommended for patients with a septate uterus who experience infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss. The main goal of surgery is to remove or reduce the septum to improve fertility outcomes and reduce the risk of miscarriage.

There are two main surgical approaches for treating a septate uterus: • Hysteroscopic Metroplasty Hysteroscopic metroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed using a hysteroscope, which is a thin tube with a camera attached to it. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts the hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus to visualize the septum. Surgical instruments are then used to remove or resect the septum, creating a normal uterine cavity.

Open surgery, also known as metroplasty, is another surgical option for treating a septate uterus. This procedure is performed through an abdominal incision, typically a low transverse or vertical incision.

The surgeon accesses the uterus and removes or resects the septum to create a normal uterine cavity. Open surgery may be recommended for patients with a large or complex septum that cannot be adequately treated hysteroscopically.

• Postoperative Care After surgical intervention for a septate uterus, postoperative care is essential to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.

This may include pain management, antibiotics to prevent infection, and follow-up appointments to monitor progress.

CONCLUSION Women who are having trouble getting pregnant or who are experiencing repeated miscarriages may face difficulties due to a septate uterus.

A Gynaecologist /Fertility Specialist’s advice and recommendation is essential for precise diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. Patients can make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health if they are aware of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatment options.

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T H I S D AY • Thursday, november 23, 2023

NEWS

ChiomaIkokwu’s FoundationTakesBreast, CervicalCancerAwarenesstoIkotun Mary Nnah Over 150 women in the Ikotun area of Lagos State recently benefited from The Goodway Foundation Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Outreach.

The women went through cervical and breast cancer screening for free while those who were detected to have either breast or cervical cancer were scheduled for treatment.

Speaking during the event, the Founder, The Good Way Foundation, Ms Chioma Ikokwu, said, “We are here in this community in Ikotun where we are performing a Medical Outreach for breast cancer, cervical cancer screening, as well as testing of blood sugar for diabetes, and a few other medical conditions that women might potentially have but do not even know that they have.

On what birthed the idea of bringing a medical outreach to the community, Ikokwu said, “The Good Way Foundation pretty much focuses on poverty alleviation, education and the general health care and welfare of women and

children in our community.

So The Good Way Foundation has decided to carry out this Medical Outreach because last month, as we know, was Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We weren’t able to do this last month due to logistical issues, but we decided to do it this month because a lot of women in Nigeria have breast cancer. Over 70,000 people die from cancer in Nigeria, just generally. And a very high percentage, about 25% of that is breast cancer. And that’s the most common form of cancer. So it only makes sense that we started with breast cancer and cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer in women in the world.”

Ikokwu who said the Ikotun area of Lagos was chosen because of her passion for the area and also that it was one of her five adopted communities, added, “I am particularly passionate about this community because there are so many women here who are single mothers, or widows and they have children which they are looking after and also looking after themselves.

I just have a soft spot for women, especially single mothers who have to look after their children by themselves.”

She explained further that women who are found to have lumps in their breasts would be treated, noting, “Apparently, with breast cancer is not just a lump, there are so many ways of detecting breast cancer - when they feel it, apparently your nipples might be swollen, you could have lumps, you can like be secreting juices from your breast and not even realise that it’s cancer. And so today by checking or feeling, the medical professionals will be able to detect the women that have breast cancer or potentially have breast cancer. And if we do find women who have breast or cervical cancer, we plan on treating these sets of women.”

The Good Way Foundation CEO lamented how very expensive it was to treat Cancer, noting, “Nobody in this community can treat themselves if they do have cancer. It costs on between anywhere from 2 million, to 6 million to 20 million depending on how

severe the cancer is. And at what stage is found? So we are hoping that you know, we potentially find women who are at early stages that we can manage and treat.

About 150 women were screened with the hope that nobody had breast or cervical cancer. Ikokwu however said the foundation was ready to treat at least 10 women with breast or cervical cancer.

“Moving forward, we do good the good way; we do as much as we can. Right now the foundation is self-funded, and there’s only so much you can do when you put your funds to a cause like this.

If we’re able to get more funding then we’re able to you know, do a lot more.

We want to be able to go to different communities with impoverished women, and, like, carry this out again, this Medical Outreach, test them for breast cancer, cervical cancer, all sorts of diseases.

We’d even do UTI tests.

As I said, blood sugar for diabetes, and just things that they typically would not spend their money on because they really can’t afford to.

Founder, The Good Way Foundation, Ms Chioma Ikokwu, distributing food items to the community members during the breast and cervical cancer outreach on the 6th of November, 2023

HPV Vaccine Campaign: YMAF Celebrates Girl-child in Lagos Rebecca Ejifoma The federal government recently launched a largescale vaccination campaign against the human papillomavirus (HPV) and to vaccinate 7.7 million girls aged nine to 14.

While this move aims to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, Yeye Modupe Alakija Foundation (YMAF) has launched an awareness campaign in Lagos.

The campaign, Preserving and Activating Destinies

Initiative (PADI), will create awareness of the need for Nigerians to embrace the HPV vaccination and also enlighten older women on how cervical cancer is preventable.

According to the Executive Director of YMAF Omobola Olaribigbe, the launch is to mark the International Day of the Girl Child 2023 Annual Conference themed: “EquipHer: Navigating Today with Value, Values and Visibility”.

While the foundation partnered with Lagos state for better awareness, Olaribigbe emphasised the need to give women and girls a chance

in policy making. “The girl child naturally has the skill to multitask.

“Because they are being pushed outside or suppressed, you know, a lot of girl-children begin to question themselves but because of what the United Nation has done in celebration of the girls.”

She, therefore, sees the need for every girl child to be celebrated. “For her to be celebrated, she needs to know who she is and become who she is meant to be.”

The ED said the foundation’s effort is to augment what the government and

others are doing. “By the time we begin to do our own and everybody begins to do theirs, schools, churches, and mosques begin to let the girl-child know who she is and place her where she is supposed to be in society, there will be a change.”

For Olaribigbe, the girlchild is meant to be in policymaking. “The girl child is meant to be in the education, and health sectors.

“Every sector in Nigeria should have a girl-child placed high and for that to happen it will start in our schools.”

A Milestone Achievement: Nigeria’s HPV Vaccine Rollout

Dr Faisal Shuaib Abdulmalik Musa In a nation grappling with health crises, the fight against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - a harbinger of cervical cancer among others - has gained a significant foothold.

On 24th October 2023, under the banner of the Federal Government and orchestrated by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, Nigeria heralded the introduction of the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation system. This initiative, targeting girls aged 9-14, is a robust stride towards curbing cervical cancer, the third most common cancer among Nigerian women.

The path to this monumental milestone was strewn with challenges - financial constraints, logistical issues, and a lack of awareness. However, the narrative began to shift in 2014 with a pilot HPV vaccination program across three states, laying the groundwork for the nationwide rollout in 2023.

International organizations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, alongside the WHO and UNICEF, have been cornerstone allies, providing essential financial and technical support.

Gavi’s provision of six million (6,000,000) doses of the HPV vaccine was a substantial fillip, augmenting Nigeria’s resources which were already stretched thin. On the home turf, the government marshalled the training for healthcare workers and spearheaded community mobilisation to root out misinformation - steps quintessential to the success and sustainability of this vaccine saga.

Amid the collaborative efforts, one name stands out with considerable significance: Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the former Executive Director/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). His appointment in 2017 as the head of the NPHCDA was indubitably tied to the role he played as the Head/Incident Manager of Nigeria’s successful Ebola outbreak response. In this role, he coordinated over a thousand health and allied workers to effectively contain the outbreak. This was in stark contrast to the coordination challenges experienced by some West African countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

During the outbreak, Nigeria lost only 8 people, whereas Guinea saw 2,544 deaths, Sierra Leone 3,956, and Liberia 4,810. Nigeria also managed to bring the outbreak under control in just over 3 months, in comparison to the approximately 1 to 2 years it took for countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia to contain the Ebola outbreak.

During his term, Dr. Shuaib initiated a path brimming with significant achievements, including the eradication of the Wild Polio Virus. He was a key member of the Successful Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, which coordinated a strong response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. He guided the Agency and its partners to ensure the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to eligible Nigerians, despite the country’s delicate health system. His tenure was characterized by a perfect fusion of experienced expertise and forward-looking leadership, qualities that were key as Nigeria contended with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Shuaib led the NPHCDA with a dedicated emphasis on tailoring interventions to the diverse needs of various populations, aiming to make healthcare accessible and equitable for all. As a refined public health professional, he persistently advocated for the integration of technology to enhance healthcare services. His readiness to implement innovative solutions has notably transformed the agency, resulting in greater efficiency and expanded availability of health services. His avant-garde approach has firmly positioned the agency at the vanguard of healthcare innovation.

Dr. Shuaib’s role in the successful HPV vaccine introduction is a testament to his enduring legacy. His innovative strategies, such as the development of a smartphone application for enhanced disease surveillance, underline his ability to harness technology in combating health crises. His departure as the ED/CEO of the NPHCDA may have created a void, but his indelible imprint on Nigeria’s public health sector remains a beacon of exemplary leadership.

As Nigeria embarks on this new chapter in its public health narrative, the successful HPV vaccine rollout stands as a beacon of hope for millions of girls. The endeavour reflects a synergic alliance between national and international bodies, with Gavi providing a whopping 6 million doses of the HPV vaccine, ensuring the vaccination drive’s success.

Despite hurdles such as vaccine hesitancy and accessibility challenges, the government, fortified by the commitment and expertise of individuals like Dr. Shuaib and the likes, is poised to surmount these challenges. *Mal. Musa is an Abuja-based health sector professional.

33

THURSday, November 23, 2023 • T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

Compiled by Bayo Akinloye

Hamas to Release 50 Hostages Thursday As Israel Begins 4-Day Ceasefire

The first hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza are expected to be released Thursday when Israel is due to begin a four-day pause in its attacks on Gaza under an agreement announced by the warring parties.

Qatar, which helped broker the deal along with the United States and Egypt, said Hamas, in stages, would release 50 women and children in the coming days, while Israel is expected to free 150 Palestinian prisoners.

None of the identities of those being freed has been disclosed, but U.S. officials said they believe some of the nine American hostages believed to be held by Hamas will be among those released.

Fighting continued Wednesday ahead of the truce, set to take effect at 10 a.m. local time Thursday. Explosions were seen over Gaza, and Hamas fired missiles into Israel.

One airstrike hit a residential building in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, reportedly killing 17 people, including children, while in northern Gaza, about 60 bodies and 200 people wounded by heavy fighting were brought into the Kamal Adwan Hospital overnight.

Africa at Risk of Drone Terrorism, Regional Security Analysts Say

Security experts in Africa are raising concerns about the growing use of drones by terrorist groups and the readiness of government forces to match their sophistication.

A report last week showed that African terrorist groups are using global affiliations to acquire and modify drones for their own needs. Though drones are not yet being used to launch attacks, analysts worry that, in the long run, they could change the balance of power with governments.

The Institute for Security Studies report says that while the global focus has been on the adaptation of unmanned aerial systems in Iraq, Syria and other spots in the Middle East, drones are becoming part of the tool kit for violent actors across Africa.

The report said African militant groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and al-Shabab are acquiring and modifying drones for their own purposes.

It said terror groups use social media and messaging platforms to get the knowledge they need from groups like al-Qaida and Islamic State.

The report also suggested that the increasing technology affordability may contribute to the growing trend.

An analyst for Beacon Security in Nigeria, Kabiru Adamu, worries the drones will make terror groups more powerful.

Ukrainian Military Says It Downed 14 Russian Drones

Ukraine said Wednesday Russia launched 14 drones and a cruise missile as part of its latest attacks.

The Ukrainian air force said its air defences downed all of the drones, which were directed at parts of central, southeastern and western Ukraine.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

The Ukrainian military also said the Russian X-22 missile fell into a field in the Zaporizhzhia region without reaching its target.

Ukraine identified the Russian drones as being Shahed drones made by Iran, and the latest attacks followed warnings by the United States that Iran could provide Russia with ballistic missiles to use in its war in Ukraine.

“In return for that support, Russia has been offering Tehran unprecedented defence cooperation, including on missiles, electronics and air defence,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Tuesday.

Kirby said that in addition to drones, Iran has already provided Russia with guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition for use in Ukraine.

Americans Split on Aid to Ukraine

As lawmakers in Washington weigh sending billions more in federal support to Kyiv to help fight off Russian aggression, close to half of the U.S. public thinks the country is spending too much on aid to Ukraine, according to polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Those sentiments, driven primarily by Republicans, help explain the hardening opposition

among conservative GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill who are rebuffing efforts from President Joe Biden to approve a new tranche of Ukraine aid, arguing that the money would be better spent for domestic priorities.

Yet opposition to aid is down slightly from a month ago in another AP-NORC poll. Now, 45% say the U.S. government is spending too much on aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia, compared with 52% in October. That shift appears to come mostly from Republicans: 59% now say too much is spent on Ukraine aid, but that’s down from 69% in October.

Nonetheless, the Republican resistance to continued Ukraine aid remains strong.

“I understand the citizens need help, but I feel like we’re spending way too much money on Ukraine when we have our issues here, on our own soil, that we need to deal with,” said Eric Mondello, 40, from Fountain, Colorado. Pointing to needs such as health care for veterans and homelessness in communities, Mondello added, “I understand the U.S. has been an ally to others, but I feel like, let’s take care of our people first.”

India Alleged to Have Plotted Assassination on US Soil

An alleged plot by Indian government agents to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil is a serious issue that Washington has raised with New Delhi, U.S. officials confirmed on Wednesday.

“We are treating this issue with utmost seriousness, and the U.S. government has raised it with the Indian government, including at the senior-most levels. Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern.

They stated that activity of this nature was not their policy,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson told VOA News.

“Based on discussion with senior U.S. government officials, we understand the Indian government is further investigating this issue and will have more to say about it in the coming days. We have conveyed our expectation that anyone deemed responsible should be held accountable,” Watson said.

U.S. authorities thwarted the conspiracy and issued a warning to India’s government over concerns it was involved in the plot, the Financial Times reported earlier Tuesday.

The general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a citizen of the United States and Canada, was the target, according to the newspaper.

Vehicle Explosion Forces Closure of US-Canada Bridges Near Niagara Falls

All four bridges at the U.S. border with Canada in western New York were closed Wednesday afternoon after authorities reported that a vehicle explosion had occurred at the Rainbow Bridge near Niagara Falls, putting both countries on high alert.

Two people were found dead in the vehicle, law enforcement officials said.

The White House said President Joe Biden had been informed of the incident, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament, “This is obviously a very serious situation in Niagara Falls.”

Trudeau excused himself from Question Period in the House of Commons to be briefed further, saying, “We are taking this extraordinarily seriously.”

The blast occurred on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge, which links the two countries over the Niagara River. With uncertainty surrounding the incident near the world-renowned waterfalls, officials took the precaution of also closing the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Whirlpool Bridge, with traffic lanes blocked both into and out of the U.S. and Canada.

Authorities at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport began security checks on all cars and told passengers to expect additional screenings.

US, Philippines Conduct Patrols in South China Sea

The United States and the Philippines were conducting joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea as the two countries stepped up cooperation in the face of growingly aggressive Chinese activity in the area.

The Philippine Air Force said on Wednesday its aircraft had taken part in joint patrols on Tuesday in the vicinity of Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, which is only about 200km from Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims as its own.

The patrols run through Thursday and include both the U.S. and Philippine navies.

They come only days after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the South China Sea increasingly “dire” as China seeks to assert its presence in an area where multiple nations have competing territorial claims.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea as its own waters, which has led to disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, which have long been regarded as potential flashpoints in the region and the U.S.-China rivalry.

Newly Launched North Korean Satellite Snaps Photos of US Base in Guam

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected overhead images of U.S. military facilities in Guam, state media reported Wednesday, hours after claiming the successful launch of his country’s first military spy satellite.

During a visit to a satellite control center in Pyongyang, Kim observed satellite images of Andersen Air Force Base, Apra Harbor and other major U.S. military bases, reported the official Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA.

The report did not include any images allegedly taken by the satellite, launched late Tuesday from the country’s west coast.

It said the device would undergo seven to 10 days of “fine-tuning” before formally starting its reconnaissance mission on December 1.

Kim wants to launch “many more” spy satellites and place them “on different orbits” as part of efforts better to monitor U.S. and allied troops in the region, KCNA reported.

Altman Back as OpenAI CEO Days After Being Fired

The ousted leader of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is returning to the company that fired him late last week, culminating a days-long power struggle that shocked the tech industry and brought attention to the conflicts around how to build artificial intelligence safely.

San Francisco-based OpenAI said in a statement late Tuesday, “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board.”

The board, which replaces the one that fired Altman on Friday, will be led by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, who also chaired Twitter’s board before its takeover by Elon Musk last year. The other members will be former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo.

OpenAI’s previous board of directors, which included D’Angelo, had refused to give specific reasons for why it fired Altman, leading to a weekend of internal conflict at the company and growing outside pressure from the startup’s investors.

King Charles Welcomes South Korea’s President with Banquet

King Charles III hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife at a glittering banquet at Buckingham Palace Tuesday, as Britain rolled out the red carpet for a formal state visit to strengthen trade and defence ties between the two countries.

The UK government hopes the Korean leader’s three-day visit will help cement an “Indo-Pacific tilt” in its foreign and trade policy.

The king and Queen Camilla hosted Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee at a sumptuous white tie and tiara banquet at Buckingham Palace, where Charles paid tribute to South Korea’s political and economic advances and celebrated its culture. The monarch even singled out for praise the K-pop girl group Blackpink, whose members were among more than 170 guests in the grand ballroom.

“I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, better known collectively as Blackpink, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience,” Charles said in his banquet speech. “I can only admire how they can prioritize these vital issues, as well as being global superstars.”

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THURSday, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 T H I S D AY

business/MOnEYGUIDE

Wema Banks Signs $50m Credit Facility With EBID

Kayode Tokede

Wema Bank has signed a credit facility of $50,000,000 with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).

The funds are reserved specifically to support and promote empowerment initiatives for bank’s diverse customers.

The $50 million credit facility assigned to Wema Bank aligns with EBID’s strategy of impacting SMEs across the sub-region via partnerships with banks and reputable financial institutions that have a significant reach within the subregion.

With this facility, the bank will now extend its already functional loan disbursement capacity to positively impact more Nigerians and business owners across the country, driving the shared vision of empowerment.

Wema Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Moruf Oseni, disclosed that the bank’s unrelenting quest to drive impact and its mission of empowering lives through innovation, were what motivated this partnership with EBID. According to him, “Banking without impact or value is nothing, which is why we continue to find new ways to positively impact the lives of our customers and our society. Our mission is clear - to empower lives through innovation - and over the years, we have developed innovative ways to achieve it. With each solution, partnership, and initiative, we have evolved into a multifarious support system and enabler across different areas of the national ecosystem and through this partnership, more lives and businesses will

be impacted nationwide.”

Describing the partnership as long-expected, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at ECOWAS, George Agyemkum Donkor, emphasised the importance of women empowerment and the need to continue providing actors in the agricultural sector with resources to enhance produce, add value to the ecosystem and increase trade returns for socio-economic growth and development.

He further highlighted the impact of the credit facility on driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“It also aligns with SDGs 5 and 2. SDG 2 talks about the fact that we should ensure food security in the subregions and of course the entire world, and SDG 5 talks about gender equality,” he added.

L-R: Former President and Ex-CEO of Opay-Nigeria, Olu Akanmu,; CEO, Konga Group, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh; Chief Marketing Officer at Lagos Business School (LBS), Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe; Professor of Marketing at LBS and Academic Director, Africa Retail Academy, Uchenna Uzo; Co-Founder and CEO of OmniRetail,Deepankar Rustagi and Professor of Marketing at LBS and Congress Chair, Louis Nzegwu at the LBS Africa Retail Congress 2023 held in Lagos...recently

Experts Outline Ways Retailers can Use Data,Tech to Boost Sales Kayode Tokede Experts in the retail industry have said retailers in Nigeria and Africa can leverage the rise of data analytics and big data to have a better understanding of the industry to boost sales.

This was revealed at the second edition of the Africa Retail Congress hosted by Lagos Business School’s Africa Retail Academy in Lagos.

The congress, which was themed, “Transforming Retail Barriers to Opportunities,” gathered industry experts and practitioners from across Africa, to discuss pressing issues facing the retail industry in the continent, in order to chart a path to retail success.

“There are tons of small

data that retailers can use to better understand their businesses. There are also a lot of disjointed data that retailers cannot make sense of through contextualisation, ”Chief Executive Officer at Data Science Nigeria, Bayo Adekanbi said.

Former President and ex-CEO of Opay-Nigeria, Olu Akanmu said bankers need the application of retail knowledge in their business.

“Bankers should deviate from the conventional approach, they judge performance but instead look into individual customer data and how they transact with the bank,” he added.

CEO of Artee Group, Haresh Keswani, while delivering his keynote speech, said retailers are struggling

in the country because every regulator wants the modern retailer to comply with their regulations, and some of the regulations can be stifling.

“And the retailers have to comply because of the aspiration to serve their consumers. But informal retailers have nothing to worry about from taxes to compliance,” he said.

According to Patrick Akinwuntan, Faculty at LBS, retail businesses need to start creating common platforms like associations not only in Nigeria but across Africa as well because when they come together as one body to engage the regulators, they can have more impact.

GoldenTerra Oil Launches “Pour Pure Love”Campaign Golden Terra Oil has unveiled a new communication campaign themed “Pour Pure Love”.

In a statement, it said the initiative aims to celebrate the dedication, love, and nurturing spirit of mothers while positioning the cooking oil brand as an integral part of mother’s emotional connection, emphasizing their role in creating meals filled with love and care.

“Golden Terra Oil is a cooking oil that mothers trust to prepare wholesome and delicious meals.

It is a symbol of purity, quality, and health – exactly reflecting the values that a mother wants to provide for her family. The choice of Golden Terra Oil isn’t

merely about taste or functionality; it’s about ensuring that every meal prepared is infused with the same love and care that mothers naturally pour into their cooking. Deployed across different communication channels, the campaign’s television commercial opens with a mother pouring Golden Terra Soya Oil with love into a sizzling pan, infusing every droplet with affection and warmth, “the state reads.

Speaking on the newly launched campaign, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, Probal Bhattacharya, said that the “Pour Pure Love” campaign pays tribute to the heartwarming

magic that happens in every kitchen, with the care, love and affection that mothers pour into every dish.

“Through the ‘Pour Pure Love’ campaign, Golden Terra Oil salutes every mom in the world for the warm tasty meals that fill our hearts and souls every day with the love they pour selflessly into our lives. It reiterates that the world really needs moms because only they can Pour Pure Love. The message is a nostalgic reminder of what makes mom’s meal so precious – that drop of love, those heaps of care, that pinch of protection, and those sparks that ignite memories around the dinner table” he stated.

LASACO Invests in Educational Development Concerned about the standard of education in Nigeria, insurance giants and a leading underwriter, Lasaco Assurance Plc, has contributed to capacity building in the sector The company, which has been supporting the development of education in the country for a long time as part of its corporate social responsibility drive, is to invest in the enhancement of skills and make students better equipped for the challenges in the sector.

A highly elated Commandant of the school, Wing Commander B. N. Adamu was full of praise

to the management and staff of Lasaco Assurance plc for the support and interest in uplifting education in the country He thanked the company for investing in the future of the country through its intervention in education and the development of the youth on whose laps the fortunes of the country would rest in the future.

Responding, The Managing Director of Lasaco Assurance plc, Razzaq Abiodun, thanked the Commandant for deeming it fit to visit the company and pledged Lasaco’s continued support for

the school and other educational institutions.

Razzaq believed that all corporate organizations must come together to support the government in its quest to take the country out of its doldrums, saying the government alone could not do it without the support and cooperation of the corporate community.

He explained that his company chose to intervene in the education of children because of its central role in getting the children well equipped for leadership roles in the future.

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 •THURSday, NOVEMBER 24, 2023

35

mARKET NEWS

Stock Market Down N34.5bn on Profit-taking in MTNN, 14 Others KayodeTokede Bearish sentiments returned to the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday as investors lost N34.5 billon of their investment following profit-taking activities in MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN) Plc and 14 others.

As MTN Nigeria depreciated by 0.63 per cent or N1.50 per share to N238 per share and FBN

Holdings dropped four per cent or N0.80 per share to N19.20 per share, the NGX All-Share Index declined by 62.66 basis points or 0.09 per cent, to close at 71,003.98 basis points from 71,066.64 basis points.

Consequently, the overall market capitalisation value shed N34.5 billion to close at N39.048 trillion from N39.082 trillion it closed the previous day.

Sectoral performance was

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

mixed as the NGX Consumer Goods Index dropped by 0.19per cent and NGX Industrial Index depreciated by 0.08per cent, while the NGX Banking Index added 0.19per cent. Elsewhere, the NGX Oil and Gas Index closed flat at 988.17 basis points.

Analysts at InvestmentOne Research said, Nigerian stock market ended on a bullish note due to the sell-offs witnessed in the Consumer Goods and Industrial

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

quantity traded

sectors.

Looking ahead, they said, “we expect investor’s sentiments to be swayed by the search for real positive returns and developments in the interest rate space.

“We reiterate that this may be a great period to pick up some quality names with a medium to long-term investment horizon.”

However, investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth remained positive as 36 stocks

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

advanced, while 15 declined.

DAAR Communications, R. T. Briscoe and Unity Bank recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent each to close at 33 kobo, 66 kobo and N1.54 respectively, per share.

MeCure Industries followed with a gain of 9.96 per cent to close at N7.62 and Multiverse Mining and Exploration up by 9.82 per cent to close at N4.81, per share.

On the other hand, C&I Leasing led the losers’ chart by 7.56 per cent to close at N5.26, per share.

Prestige Assurance followed with a decline of 7.55 per cent to close at 49 kobo, while International Breweries lost 5.56 per cent to close at N4.25, per share.

UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust down by 4.60 per cent to close at N4.15, while FBNH declined by 4.00 per cent to close at N19.20, per share.

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

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

36

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 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 21Nov-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 286.81 286.81 52.14% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 9.25% Nigeria International Debt Fund 343.00 343.00 6.82% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.53 109.53 5.82% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.52% AIICO Balanced Fund 4.77 4.87 40.72% 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 0.03% Anchoria Equity Fund 182.21 184.56 25.70% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 -1.50% 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 29.42 30.30 34.05% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 646.36 665.85 24.01% ARM Ethical Fund 53.56 55.18 18.73% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.17 1.17 3.79% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 3.65% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.54% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.06 1.06 2.22% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 102.23 102.23 12.42% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,124.11 1,124.11 4.96% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 190.61 191.95 41.32% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.94% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 7.29% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Paramount Equity Fund 24.84 25.34 41.23% Women's Investment Fund 196.50 199.53 39.21% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.38 101.38 12.55% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.03 1.03 11.20% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.96% Cordros Milestone Fund 160.87 161.92 25.26% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 106.60 106.60 10.33% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 108.54 108.54 11.29% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 113.67 113.67 6.15% 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 10.61% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.44 1.46 26.64% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.36 1.36 0.23% 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 1.00 1.00 13.01% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 9.58% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.25 1.25 25.74% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 106.71 106.71 5.69% 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 1527.35 1527.35 11.57% FBN Balanced Fund 256.50 258.68 39.14% FBN Halal Fund 131.81 131.81 12.94% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.59% FBN Dollar Fund 122.95 122.95 7.54% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 232.66 235.59 54.08% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 8.31% Legacy Debt Fund 3.56 3.56 -0.37% Legacy Equity Fund 2.63 2.68 31.29% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.32 1.32 4.68% 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 1.80 15.00% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,200.77 1,200.77 9.73% 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 N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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) 103.37 103.37 11.91% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.47% Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) 102.86 102.86 11.20% 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 35.92% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.92 12.12 7.40% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.46% PACAM Equity Fund 2.27 2.29 59.47% PACAM EuroBond Fund 128.73 131.71 15.51% 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 148.80 153.46 18.37% 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 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 4,728.89 4,766.97 39.50% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 255.35 255.35 8.40% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.95 1.98 55.95% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 349.39 349.52 11.60% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 368.89 373.25 57.92% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.52% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 17,320.72 17,534.38 58.66% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.45 1.45 12.47% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 127.32 127.32 8.90% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 124.73 124.73 17.25% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,955.84 4,955.84 16.49% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 5,060.80 5,123.65 82.02% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,154.38 5,168.58 35.32% 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 1.26 1.27 37.97% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.74 1.75 34.78% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.35 1.35 25.39% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.17 1.17 11.59% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.94 1.94 6.89% United Capital Eurobond Fund 123.59 123.59 5.56% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 8.40% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.55% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 18.09 18.29 30.53% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 21.47 21.70 35.90% Zenith Income Fund 25.25 25.25 7.17% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.82% 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 7.17 7.27 77.80% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 11.47 11.57 95.49% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 25.44 25.64 43.62% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.07% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 28.05 28.25 40.17% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 -6.26%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

127.91 55.85 101.79 9.88

12.40% 5.34% -13.49%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

20.89 440.00 665.00 N/A N/A

23.09 440.00 665.00 N/A N/A

41.67% 241.83% 559.40% N/A N/A

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.

37

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Local Bourse Records Loss… ASI down 0.1%

₦

₦

₦

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

R T B R ISC OE

0.66

10.0%

VER IT A SKA P

62.1

8.8%

UN IT YB N K

1.54

10.0%

UN IT YB N K

38.7

10.0%

D A A R C OM M

0.33

10.0%

GT C O

33.9

2.4%

19.7

-0.2%

M ULT IVER SE

4.81

9.8%

UB A

N SLT EC H

0.46

9.5%

J A IZ B A N K

19.0

1.3%

N EIM ET H

1.85

9.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

14.4

0.6%

SOVR EN IN S

0.36

9.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

12.6

0.0%

D EA P C A P

0.61

8.9%

M TNN

11.8

-0.6%

VER IT A SKA P

0.37

8.8%

J A P A ULGOLD

11.7

-1.2%

R OYA LEX

0.62

8.8%

OM A T EK

11.1

4.8%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

Vo lum e

T ic k er

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

C ILEA SIN G

5.26

-7.6%

M TNN

2808.9

-0.6%

P R EST IGE

0.49

-7.5%

GT C O

1284.5

2.4%

IN T B R EW

4.25

-5.6%

ST A N B IC

519.3

0.0%

UP D C R EIT

4.15

-4.6%

Z EN IT H B A N K

479.8

0.6%

FB NH

19.20

-4.0%

UB A

407.4

-0.2%

LIVEST OC K

1.80

-2.7%

N EST LE

250.5

0.0%

D A N GSUGA R

60.00

-1.6%

A C C ESSC OR P

217.5

0.0%

WA P C O

29.50

-1.3%

SEP LA T

141.3

0.0%

A IIC O

0.75

-1.3%

WA P C O

102.2

-1.3%

-1.2%

UC A P

80.1

0.6%

J A P A ULGOLD

1.69

38

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Lagbaja condoling wife of the late chief of Army Staff, Chris Alli...

R-L: Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, condoling with the wife of late Army chief, Mrs Dorothy Chris Alli, during a condolence visit to the Ikoyi residence of the former army chief... yesterday

Senate Passes 2024-2026 MTEF-FSP, Limits Waivers to NGOs Bans importation of locally manufactured commodities

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday, passed the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP).

The approval followed the presentation of the report of a Senate Joint Committee chaired by Senator Sani Musa.

The panel scrutinised details of the estimates proposed by the various federal ministries, departments and agencies in the fiscal document.

The red chamber during the document's consideration at plenary, approved a borrowing plan of N7.8 trillion for 2024, N9 trillion budget deficit and federal government total expenditure of N26 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, after an extensive deliberation on the document put the approval of the fiscal document to a voice vote and it was overwhelmingly supported by the members.

Specifically, the upper chamber pegged the oil price benchmark of $73 per barrel of crude oil, 1.78 million barrels per day and sustained, as contained in the MTEF/FSP documents.

It also approved the special intervention (recurrent) of N200 billion, special intervention(capital) of N7 billion and an exchange rate of N700/$.

The Senate also resolved that all items locally produced should be banned from importation.

The joint committee had in the report, observed that a significant number of the federal government’s revenue-generating agencies engaged in arbitrary, frivolous and extrabudgetary expenditure.

Their recommendation that a review of the laws of all revenue generating agencies be carried out, was approved by the Senate.

The red chamber therefore urged the National Assembly to begin the process of amending the Fiscal

Responsibility Act (FRA, 2007) in order to enhance the agencies’ ability to enforce fiscal responsibility and impose sanctions on erring corporations.

The Senate during the session considered the joint panel's recommendation that the subsidiaries of NIPOST were irregular and illegal hence they should be wound-up and deregistered.

Members of the Senate argued extensively on the recommendation by the joint panel that the sum of N10 billion released by the Ministry of Finance for the proposed NIPOST restructuring and recapitalisation be thoroughly investigated.

The panel had also recommended that the funds should be fully recovered if established to be injudiciously utilised by the relevant committee

of the Assembly charged with the responsibility of fiscal prudency.

After the debate on the recommendations the Senate resolved that further investigation should be carried out before any cogent action could be carried out.

The Senate however, approved that all tax waivers not directly linked to non-governmental and non-profit organisations should not be granted.

It agreed that all investigations conducted into all tax waivers from 2015 to date by the relevant committees of the senate should be revisited.

Apart from this, the Senate approved that all items locally produced should be outrightly banned from Importation and customs tariffs amended accordingly.

It also asked the CBN to ensure that banks have access to foreign exchange in order to provide funds to importers and other users to prevent patronage of the parallel markets.

The senators approved the panel's recommendation that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) work towards reducing its production and operational costs to increase available government revenue.

Other recommendations were that federal government agencies should ensure the deployment of ICT in the collection of all revenues

by MDAs including stamp duty collection activities in order to block leakages Part of the recommendations included: "That the NNPCL should work towards reducing

its production and operational costs thereby increasing available government revenue.

"Our cost of production is the highest in the world. The cost of production is too high and we want the NNPCL to reduce it.

"All tax waivers not directly linked to non-governmental/non-profit organisations should not be granted.

"All tax waivers from 2015 to date should be investigated by the relevant committee of the Senate.

"The federal government should continuously assess the qualifications and performance of agency heads in order to guarantee that the government's total income target as stated in the MTEF/FSP and the yearly budgets is consistently met with adequate sanction were necessary.

PIND: Multiple Taxation Affecting Governor Eno Proposes Small Businesses in Niger Delta N845.63 billion Budget for 2024 Fiscal Year Okon Bassey in Uyo

As against the revised provision of N850billion for 2023, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, has presented a budget of N845.63 billion for the 2024 Financial Year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The 2024 financial estimate comprised Recurrent Expenditure N352.92 billion and Capital Expenditure of N492.72 billion.

Eno said the total projected recurrent revenue for 2024 is estimated at N561 billion as against the approved revised provision of N540.850 billion representing 3.7 per cent increase in revenue projection for the year 2024.

He said the 2024 budget, which is christened “ARISE Budget for Growth and Expansion” is predicated on an oil benchmark of $73.96 per barrel at a production rate of 1.78 million barrels per day with an estimated exchange rate of N700/US$.

The governor added that the total Capital Receipts and Expenditure for the year 2024 is estimated at N492.715 billion as against the approved revised provision of N455.685 billion for 2023.

A total projected Capital Receipts shows that N208.083 billion will be transferred from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

"To realise the year 2024 budget objectives, the following strategies shall be adopted by the state government; partner with foreign investors to invest in the relevant and key sectors of the state economy and undertake robust human capital development.

"Widen the industrial base of the state through rapid industrialisation and investment activities by providing an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

This is to enhance the availability of goods and services for domestic use as well as for export.

"Achieving at least 10 per cent increase in IGR by eliminating evasion in payment, wastages and leakages in collection and expenditure and developing tourism potentials," Eno said.

Eno added that the 2024 budget would stimulate the agricultural and agro-allied industries to boost production of local farmers to ensure food sufficiency for local consumption, exports as well as the provision of raw materials for the industries.

According to him, the budget will expand and maintain infrastructure and services in healthcare delivery, primary and secondary levels and to safeguard the state against any further public health emergencies after COVID-19 pandemic.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A non-governmental organisation, the Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) yesterday noted that illegal levies and multiple taxation were affecting small businesses in the Niger Delta region.

Advocacy Manager, PIND, Mr Chuks Ofulue, who stated this while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, noted that that there should be a limit to tax collection, stressing that it has negative implications.

While highlighting the place of taxation in economic development, he noted that excess of it could scare investors who may think they are over-taxed by government at all levels on the same item.

Ofulue said: "We advocate against illegal levy and advocate for the limitation of multiple taxation.

Looking at such taxation, generally it is government responsibility to impose taxes. Taxes are legal, there is nothing wrong with that.

"We try to say to government, if you impose multiplicity of taxes, that is, imposing the same taxes that federal government has imposed, the state is imposing and the local government is imposing. The same tax imposed by the federal, state and local governments, will drive away businesses.

“If businesses are driven away, your intention of generating revenue for the state will be lost, the businesses will put off business or they will go underground and you won't see them to tax."

He added: "What we are advocat-

ing is to ensure that those kind of things don't happen anymore so that people will be peaceful and they will earn money and better their livelihood".

He disclosed that PIND had

been in partnership with other stakeholders, including the civil society and some government departments to ensure a better environment for residents and indigenes of the region.

Also speaking during the parley, David Udofia, who is in charge of the organisation’s Peacebuilding Programme, explained that PIND had contributed extensively to the existing peace in the region.

Emefiele Gets N300 Million Bail in Alleged Procurement Breach Charge

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, has granted bail in the sum of N300 million, to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

As part of the bail conditions, Emefiele is to produce two sureties, who must have landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT. Justice Muazu had remanded the former CBN boss in Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja, pending his ruling in the bail application argued last week

by Emefiele's lawyer, Mr. Mathew Burkaa, SAN. Before his arraignment on an amended six-count charge last week, another judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, had ordered his unconditional release having spent a total of 151 days in custody of both the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Emefiele however, was not in court during Wednesday’s proceedings.

The anti-graft agency had last

Friday arraigned the former CBN boss before a High Court of the FCT on charges bordering on procurement fraud.

Although he pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge read against him, the trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, ordered his remand in the Kuje Correctional Center, pending his ruling on Emefiele's bail application.

However, shortly after his arraignment on Friday, the court adjourned till November 22, to determine the bail application, just as he fixed November 28, for the commencement of trial.

Delivering ruling on Wednesday, Justice Muazu, who noted that bail is at the discretion of the court said he was inclined to admit Emefiele to bail.

The judge held the offense with which Emefiele was charged was bailable, subsequently released him on bail in the sum of N300 million and two sureties in like sum.

The anti-graft agency had in August, first charged Emefiele and one Mrs. Sa'adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, purported to belong to Mrs. Yaro, on alleged breach of

the Procurement Act in respect of the purchase of some vehicles but the arraignment could not go on because of the reported ill health of Mrs. Yaro.

However, when the matter was called on Friday, EFCC's lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, drew the attention of the court to an amended charge dated November 8, 2023.

In the new charge, Emefiele was the sole defendant and the charges were reduced from 20 to six, to which the former CBN boss pleaded not guilty.

In count one, he was alleged to have used his position as governor of CBN to confer corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of "Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N854,700,000.00) only to April1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and thereby committed an offence.

Continues online

39

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

NEWS

ABIODUN CONDOLES FAMILY of Major General Ekundayo Opaleye...

L-R: Wives of the deceased, Chief (Mrs) Olusola Opaleye and Chief (Mrs) Kikelomo Opaleye; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, first son of the deceased, Mr. Kunle Opaleye and another wife, Chief (Mrs) Jolaoluwa Opaleye during the visit of the Governor to the family of the late former Military Administrator of old Ondo State, Major General Ekundayo Opaleye in Abeokuta... yesterday

ECOWAS Court Fixes Dec. 7 for Ruling on Legality of Sanctions against Niger Parliamentarians call for lifting of penalties

Michael Olugbode and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has fixed December 7 to rule on the interim measures in a case between the State of Niger and seven others, and the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and two others.

At the same time, a group of ECOWAS parliamentarians, at the opening of the Second Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament for 2023 in Abuja, appealed to the Heads of State and Government in the region to lift the sanctions imposed on Niger Republic.

The court fixed the December date after hearing both parties during its sitting on Monday, November 21, in Abuja.

At the hearing, the applicants, represented by their lawyers, Mr Moukaila Yaye and five others, argued that the sanctions imposed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS had had adverse effect on the Nigerien people, including shortage of food, medicine and electricity, due to the closure of borders and cutting off of electricity supply by Nigeria.

They asked the court for interim orders that would compel the Authority of Heads of State and

Access Bank, Firm Launch 'Access Green Energy' Folalumi Alaran in Abuja Access Bank Plc in partnership with Asolar Systems Nigeria Limited yesterday launched the 'Access Green Energy.'

Speaking at a ceremony in Abuja, the Deputy Managing Director, Retail Bank North at Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu, said the partnership would ensure constant electricity supply for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

The launch had as its theme, "Advancing environmental sustainability, delivering energy solutions, and enhancing financial inclusivity for under-served Nigerians."

Etuokwu, who was represented

by Regional Director of the Bank, Abuja, Neka Adogu, said the collaboration would also promote financial inclusion in rural areas.

According to him, the initiative not only targets businesses, but the whole nation.

“SME owners currently grapple with substantial expenses related to procuring generators, purchasing fuel, and maintaining power sources.

“Access Bank's collaboration with Asolar integrates their Access CLOSA Agent Network platform as the digital payment provider, facilitating widespread adoption of digital banking and financial services even in remote areas. This dual approach seeks to bridge the gap between power access and financial inclusion.

“The broader implications of this partnership on economic growth and development, inviting

stakeholders to join in sowing the seeds of progress. The collaboration envisions not only empowering SMEs to thrive in an eco-friendly environment but also contributing to a brighter, more sustainable world," she said.

The Group Head, Financial Inclusion, Access Bank Plc, Chizoba Iheme on her part, said the bank has about 300,000 agents across the county to facilitate the distribution.

"Access Bank has about 300,000 agents stationed across the country.

This is to help facilitate the distribution of the solar panels and other things involved," Iheme said.

Government to immediately suspend the sanctions.

Furthermore, the applicants said the respondents overreacted by imposing the sanctions, which were not successive. They added that Niger was treated unequally and unfairly compared to the other three member states (Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea) that also experienced coup d’état in recent years.

The applicants, therefore, asked the court to declare its competence to examine the case and declare the application admissible in accordance with the court’s texts.

In initiating application, the applicants – the State of Niger, six Nigerien organisations and a Nigerien national – asked the court to declare the measures taken by ECOWAS during its extraordinary sessions of July 30 and August 10, 2023, allegedly aimed at restoring constitutional order in Republic of Niger, illegal.

They requested the court to nullify all decisions of the ECOWAS organs imposing sanctions, including the decision to resort to military intervention in the Republic of Niger.

But the respondents, namely the Authority of Heads of State and Government, the Mediation and Security Council, and the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Mr François Kanga-Penond, raised an objection of inadmissibility of the application and asked the court to reject the request of the applicants.

Kanga-Penond told the court that coup d'état was not recognised in a democracy and that the junta did not have legal capacity to bring a case before the court. It added that the democratically elected president had a pending case before the court in which he was challenging the legitimacy of this same junta.

The respondents’ lawyer emphasised that the lack of legal capacity of the junta to approach the court

restrained it from examining their request for interim measures.

The panel of three judges on the bench was composed of Hon. Judge Edward Amoako Asante, President; Hon. Judge Gbéri-bè Ouattara, Judge Rapporteur/Member; and Hon. Judge Dupe Atoki, Member.

However, a group of ECOWAS parliamentarians, concerned about the turn of affairs in Niger, appealed to the Heads of State and Government in the region to lift the sanctions imposed on Niger Republic.

Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, who is also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ali Ndume, while addressing journalists after the opening session of the parliament, said the sanctions were biting hard on the masses, including Nigerians in the border states.

Ndume said, “Niger is bordering about eight states in Nigeria, namely Borno, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto,

EU Invites Applications for 2024 Erasmus+ Postgraduate Scholarships Michael Olugbode in Abuja The European Union, EU, has welcomed applications for the Erasmus+ Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for 2024.

This programme offers Nigerians the opportunity to pursue

Master's and Ph.D. degrees in European countries, on fully-paid EU scholarship as it aims to promote academic excellence and international collaboration.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Samuela Isopi, in a statement

underscored the significance of this initiative, which she described as a success story the EU is particularly proud of.

She said: "The Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme offers a beacon of opportunity for Nigerians seeking to advance their academic pursuits

MultiChoice Holds Anti-Piracy Roundtable to Address Challenges in the Fight against Piracy

MultiChoice, Africa’s leading entertainment company, took a bold step to address the rising challenges of piracy by hosting an anti-piracy roundtable event tagged ‘Piracy Untells Our Stories’.

According to the organisers, the aim of the event is to foster collaboration among key stakeholders, develop strategies and proffer solutions in the ongoing battle against content theft and how it impacts industries, resulting in loss of revenue and jobs.

The event, which was held on November 22, in Lagos, facilitated in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and the formulation of effective countermeasures to combat piracy in the digital age.

Zamfara, and Kebbi. Since the closure of the border and the imposition of sanctions, poor people, especially children and women, have been exposed to untold hardship and no meaningful progress has been made in terms of resolving this issue.

"We are, therefore, using this opportunity of the Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament to appeal to the ECOWAS Heads of State to intensify the resolution of the political impasse in Niger by first lifting the sanctions and opening the closed border of Niger and Nigeria.”

Similarly, Hon Abdullahi Balarabe Salame, from Sokoto, said his people were suffering from the sanctions on Republic of Niger. Salame lamented that thousands of trailers loaded with food items to be transported to Niger were stranded at the border, adding that the food items are already decaying.

Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice West Africa, Dr. Busola Tejumola stressed the imperative of such event where knowledge is exchanged collaboration between industry players encouraged and discussion and development of initiatives to raise public awareness about the consequences of piracy and the importance of supporting legitimate content as piracy are shared.

Her words: "As we navigate the complex landscape of digital content distribution, it is imperative that we unite against the common threat of piracy. Piracy takes away all that a producer has worked for. Our event signifies a commitment to collabora-

tive efforts, where industry leaders come together to share insights, develop strategies, and fortify our defences against content theft. I urge everyone to join the fight against piracy. Together, we can ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for the creative industry."

During the panel discussion, Victor Okhai, President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, stated that proper communication is key in the fight against piracy.

“The biggest challenge with fighting piracy is that we do not communicate in the language that the common man understands. I think the messaging from the Nigerian Copyright Commission and concerned bodies

have to be tailored to the audience,” he said.

Legal Practitioner and Intellectual Property Expert, Obafemi Agaba, reiterated that understanding the danger of piracy is a key strategy in the fight against piracy.

According to him, “We need to let people understand the danger piracy causes to talent. MultiChoice and other relevant parties need to advocate for funding of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in the fight against piracy.”

Other members of the panel include Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director, Operations, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Lagos; and Chinenye Nworah, Producer of Slum King.

in Europe. It is not only about expanding educational horizons but also about building bridges of knowledge and fostering cultural exchange.”

Erasmus+ scholarships offer Nigerian students a gateway to experience world-class education, engage with diverse cultures, and broaden their academic horizons. This year, the programme extends its scope to include teaching and non-teaching staff of higher education institutions, promoting knowledge-sharing and professional growth.

Eligible Nigerians, including higher education institutions staff, are encouraged to visit the official Erasmus+ Scholarship website for comprehensive details on application procedures, eligibility criteria, available fields of study, and invaluable opportunities for career advancement.

Isopi reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to skills development in its partnership with Nigeria, emphasising that "Erasmus+ nurtures not only individual development but also strengthens the bonds between Nigeria and the European Union through the power of education.”

The EU has awarded postgraduate scholarships to over 800 young Nigerians since 2014.

40

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Abdullahi Sule’s courtesy visit to the Ministry of Police Affairs...

L-R: Secretary to Nasarawa State Government, Barr. Muhammed Aliyu, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Minister of State, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr Sani Gwarzo, during a courtesy visit of the governor to the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja …. yesterday

Afenifere: Akeredolu's Absence Has Caused Lack of Sustained Good Governance in Ondo Writes Tinubu, Ganduje for urgent intervention

Fidelis David in Akure The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, expressed worry that the long absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from Ondo State has caused lack of sustained good governance in the state.

The leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and other prominent elders in the state called on President Bola Tinubu and

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulahi Ganduje, to urgently intervene to end the current constitutional crisis in the state and avoid a looming breakdown of law and order.

In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of Ondo State elders and leaders, signed by the convener, Fasoranti, and the secretary, Bakkita Bello, they reiterated that Akeredolu's absence had adversely affected governance

in the state.

The elders added that the governor’s absence and non-active participation of Ondo State in national affairs due to the lingering crisis must be put to an end.

The communique read, "The elder statesmen called for prayers for the improved health of the governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, MFR. The elders noted that without doubt his absence has caused a lack of

sustained good governance in the state.

"There should be no impeachment of the governor or the deputy governor by the House of Assembly.

All unelected persons should allow the three arms of government to find lasting solution to the current crisis. The rule of law should be followed by all stakeholders, as enshrined in Nigeria's constitution.”

The leaders emphasised the need for the national ruling party and

Tunji-Ojo Canvasses UN Support to Reform Nigeria’s Correctional Service Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called on international communities to support the country’s bid to reform its correctional service operations and architecture.

He made the call on Tuesday

in Abuja during his presentation at the International Donor Round Table on Correctional Service Reform organized by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

According to him, decongesting the correctional facilities demanded the urgent attention of the govern-

FG Urges US to Support Tinubu, Assures on Sanctity of Press Freedom Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has urged the US to deepen support for the Bola Tinubu administration and its effort towards the re-engineering of the Nigerian economy on the strength of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

It said the much-touted agenda focused on food security, poverty eradication, growth, job creation, access to capital, social inclusion, rule of law and the fight against corruption.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, echoed this when the US Charge d’Affaires to Nigeria, Mr. David Greene, paid him a courtesy visit.

Idris underlined Nigeria's commitment to democracy and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of press freedom, stressing its pivotal role in fostering a vibrant democracy and transparency in governance.

“While we are for press freedom, we also want to call on the government of the United States to support efforts at instituting best practices in the media space, particularly

fact-checking mechanisms towards reducing the spate of misinformation, fake news, and mal-information,” Idris said.

According to him, President Tinubu has since hit the ground running in his quest to attract foreign investment through his physical presence at various economic fora, engagements with business leaders and key stakeholders, first in paris, for the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, followed by the G20 Summit in India, and the recently concluded Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh.

He also added that the president was days ago in Berlin, Germany, to attend the G20 Compact with Africa Conference, in furtherance of his determination to retool the Nigerian economy through strategic partnership.”

In his response, the US Envoy said the United States was fully behind Nigeria’s democracy and was supportive of its media growth through the offer of consistent training over the years.

Green described Nigeria as a critical partner in regional security and economic development.

ment, civil society groups, and international communities.

“There is a lot to do in the area of decongesting our correctional facilities. From our audits, we have too many inmates, who are awaiting trials. We also have many others, who are illegally detained.

“With over 80,000 inmates, we were able to decongest by only 5% with the N585 million fines we cleared on Saturday. Today, we seek the support of the United Nations as there is an urgent need for government, civil society groups, and the international communities to contribute their quota to re-engineering the system.

“This is the era of Renewed Hope. We need to partner you to see how we can leverage on your technical expertise.”

On the abuse of power by correctional facility controllers, which has in recent years become a commonplace, the minister who frowned at such development noted that the Renewed Hope agenda of the President was set to crack down and expel anyone caught in the act.

He, therefore, warned that: “Any controller caught taking money from a big man to lock up a poor man without a detention warrant will be expelled from the service.

“We are here to fill in the gap for the weakest in the society.

We are here, as a government, to be the voice of the voiceless, and the strength of the weakest.

Never again should the freedom of anybody be taken away on the basis of his weakness.”

the executive arm of government to nip the matter in the bud, as an escalation of the crisis would be catastrophic.

"The elders also called on the state/national leadership of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, to provide the required guide to those in government as well as ensure discipline amongst their fold,” the communique added.

The leaders noted that the misinformation of the governor and lack of communication between him and his deputy had resulted in the inability of the deputy to perform constitutional duties on the governor’s behalf for the good governance of the state.

The communique said, "Reconciliation efforts initiated by Papa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Chiefs Femi Aluko, Korede Duyile, and

Professor Olu Aderounmu that were started two months ago and been continuously vigorously pursued by elders/leaders, spiritual and royal fathers in the state should be concluded with a view to allowing true rapprochement and enduring good governance thrive in the state.

"The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is hereby passionately called upon to intervene and end the present constitutional crisis in the state, to avoid the looming breakdown of law and order in Ondo State."

In addition, the leaders said the current utter disrespect for the rule of law in Ondo State, where self-serving persons had taken over the government without due regard to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was unacceptable.

Naira Depreciates at Parallel Market, Official I&E to N1,140, N840 Nume Ekeghe

The naira yesterday depreciated at the parallel against the dollar where it exchanged at N1,140/$1 as well as at the official I&E window closing the day at N840.53/$1.

The official I&E window at N840.53/$1 depreciated from N830.97/$1 it closed on yesterday representing a N9.56 loss. However, intra-day trade from the data obtained by FMDQ showed that

the highest spot rate exchanged at N1135/$1 while the lowest spot rate recorded was N743.43/$1 Also, the parallel market at N1,140/$1 depreciated from N1,135/$1 it exchanged the previous day signifying N5 loss.

In terms of trade volume, the official I&E window reported a daily turnover of $198.21 million, signaling a notable 61.89 per cent increase in turnover compared to the $122.46 million recorded on Tuesday.

NAPTIP, Others to Introduce Template for Reporting Trafficking in Persons Michael Olugbode in Abuja

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), and its partners, have introduced a Standard Reporting Handbook for Journalists covering human trafficking cases in Nigeria.

Director General NAPTIP, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, said the reporting handbook would go a long way to guide journalists on how to properly report issues surrounding Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, (TIPSOM).

The DG made this known at a two-day Validation and Technical Finalisation Workshop on Standard Reporting Handbook for Journalists and members of the Trafficking in

Persons Media Corps, organised by NAPTIP in partnership with Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, (A-TIPSOM) and the European Union, (EU) on Tuesday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

In her address, Waziri-Azi said: "The reporting template came because of an enunciation of the United Nations urging the use of specific words, language and registers that apply to trafficking in persons.

"If you don't use them in your reportage, other choice of words will not serve the purpose and may actually denigrate a victim causing another round of stigma.

"The terms highlighted in the reporting template did not come

from NAPTIP, those terms are domiciled in the UN conventions and the importance of using those templates in our reportage is that they are deemed appropriate to speak to the issue."

Waziri-Azi, who was represented at the workshop by the Director Training and Manpower Development, NAPTIP, Arinze Orakwue, explained that the need for a reporting template stemmed from the fact that there are unique registers and terms that are approved to be used appropriately in reporting cases of trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

She said: "The validation workshop can help us bridge the gap and validate the standard operating

document."

Team Leader, A-TIPSOM, Federico Millan, noted that the reporting template is an important tool in the fight against trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants as it represents the core existence of the A-TIPSOM, project implemented by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies, (GIIAP).

Represented by Segun Sanwo at the event, he said: “The way and manner cases of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants is being reported, must ensure that victims are adequately protected in the course of reportage of the issues."

41

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

NEWS

Graduation ceremony of 4,593 students of 19 Skills Acquisition Centres...

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo; WAPA Commissioner, Mrs. Cecilia Dada; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presenting a certificate to a graduand, Eniola Oshinaike and the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mrs. Anike Adekanye during the Y2022 graduation ceremony of 4,593 students of 19 Skill Acquisition Centres, at the De Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja,.... yesterday

Senate Laments Cyber Threats to Digital Economy with $500m Annual Loss Says national cybersecurity not effectively funded

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate has expressed concerns over the annual loss of $500 million to various forms of cybercrimes across the federation, warning that if the national cybersecurity programme was not effectively funded, the

gains of digital economy would be defeated.

Consequently, the upper chamber resolved to review and amend the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015 with a view to putting an end to the exploitation of Nigeria's digital space by cybercriminals and

APC Dissolves Rivers State Executives, Appoints Caretaker Committee Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, dissolved the Rivers State Executives of the party at all levels.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting of the NWC held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

He announced NWC's decision to appoint a seven-member Caretaker Committee to steer the party's affairs in the state for the next six months.

Members of the committee were Chief Tony Okocha, who will serve as Chairman, while Chief Eric Nwibani will serve as the Secretary.

Other members of the committee

were Hon. Chibuike Ikenga, Prince Stephen Abolo, Hon. Silvester Vidin, Senibo Dan-Jumbo and Miss Darling Amadi Morka, who read out the party's decision signed by the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, disclosed that the Caretaker Committee was mandated to conduct a comprehensive and fresh electronic party registration of all members in the state.

"The Caretaker Committee, subject to the directives of the NWC, was entrusted with preparing for the conduct of congresses to facilitate the emergence of new Executive Committees for the party at various levels, extending from the ward to the State," he said.

certain individuals with misguided intention.

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed the concerns yesterday at the inauguration of public hearing on the 2023 Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 at the Senate Complex, Abuja.

The inauguration was at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu; Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence,

Senator Shehu Buba Umar and all members of their committees.

In its report, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), had claimed that Nigeria “is losing $500 million dollars annually to all forms of cybercrime including hacking, identity theft, cyber terrorism, harassment and Internet fraud.”

At the inauguration of the public hearing on Wednesday, the senate president lamented that certain individuals with misguided intentions “are exploited cybercrime laws by tarnishing the reputation of Nigeria.”

Akpabio, represented by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, observed that it was imperative to establish a comprehensive legal framework to deter, investigate, pursue and prosecute cybercriminals.

“In this age of rapid technological advancement and widespread internet usage, cybercrime has emerged as a grave menace to our society, economy and personal security.

“It is imperative and strengthening the existing laws on cybercrime prohibition and prevention. In

HURIWA: Recent Incessant Interagency Clashes Bad for Democracy Chuks Okocha in Abuja Civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has said that clashes among government agencies remain inimical to democracy, urging the authorities to halt the menace.

National Coordinator of the organisation, Emmanuel Onwubiko, argued that the growing number of violent exchanges between diverse law enforcement agencies was a sign

that the system had broken down.

“We are appealing to President Bola Tinubu, who has the overall command and control of the structures of the armed forces, police and the law enforcement agencies, to take immediate steps to launch a profound investigation into the reason these clashes are happening much frequently, and then activate pragmatic mechanisms to stamp it out," Onwubiko HURIWA argued that there was

a rising erosion of professionalism and discipline in the law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces.

The organisation alleged that undemocratic elements embedded within the various law enforcement agencies were instigating the unprecedented rise in clashes and physical confrontations amongst the agencies, just so that constitutional democracy may collapse.

It spoke against the backdrop of the latest clashes in Kaduna

Mere Errors Blight Appeal Court Judgment in Kano, Create Crisis of Judicial Confidence

All Progressives Congress (APC) Vs INEC & 2 others delivered on the 20th day of September 2023 is hereby set aside.

“The sum of N1, 000,000.00 (one million naira) only is hereby awarded as costs in favour of the appellant (Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf) and against the 1st respondent (APC).

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, this is the complex situation we, as a political party and our candidate, have found ourselves.

"If at the point of delivering the judgement, there was a pronouncement that our appeal failed but the CTC of the same judgement in its conclusive findings actually resolved all the issues in our favour, and even awarded costs in our favour against the APC, this definitely is a riddle! We are an interested party.

"We own the platform on which Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf ran for the election and was declared the winner. We are calling on the National

Judicial Council (NJC) to, without delay, commence investigation to unravel what happened in the matter.

"Also, we are calling on eminent members of the bench (both retired and serving) and the bar, to be interested in what happened that we have the kind of scenario presented in the CTC of the judgement of the appeal court.

"In addition, we call on leaders, elders and other major stakeholders in the Nigerian project, including the media, to step into this matter to avert the danger this type of signal from the judiciary portends for our democracy, in particular, and our country, in general."

APC: Appeal Court Will Clarify Errors Contained in CTC

APC said it expected the Court of Appeal to provide explanation on

the past, certain individuals with misguided intentions exploited our weak cybercrime laws, thereby tarnishing the reputation of our country.

“They engaged in a wide array of illegal activities, such as hacking, identity theft, fraud, harassment and cyber terrorism. These crimes not only inflicted significant financial losses upon our country, but also invaded our privacy, disrupted critical infrastructure, and eroded trust in our digital systems,” the senate president said.

the errors contained in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Kano State governorship election judgement.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, National Legal Adviser of APC, Professor Abdulkareem Kana, said the ruling party had not received the Certified True Copy of the judgement. He added that the APC would write and get a copy, saying if the copy that would be conveyed to them still contains the errors, it would take steps to ensure correction is made.

Kana noted, "We woke up this morning and we were confronted with media reports from different news outlets, mostly print media and a few social media posts, where the controversy was identified in the released Certified True Copy of the judgement of the Court of Appeal that was delivered on the 17th of November 223 here in Abuja.

"However, those of us who are

lawyers, we know that typographic errors often occur in Certified True Copy (CTC) of court judgement.

Ordinarily, there wouldn't have been a confusion if it was probably not a political matter, because it will not be the first time such typographic mistakes will be seen in judgement and being lawyers we have been used to a situation like this. All that is done is to merely correct that mistake. The most important thing is a judgement that was read in open court."

Kana emphasised that the merits and other facts of judgement of the tribunal, which was delivered on September 28, indicated that the appeal was upheld.

According to him, “If you read through the entirety of the judgement from lead justice, my Lord analysed the submissions of different cited cases and the case and arrived at appropriate findings. It gives you an idea of

what should be the conclusion.

But that's not all. If you read the concurring judgements by two justices, because there are three judges, who sat over the appeal, the two justices had explained and clarified their positions.”

Kana explained that in a situation like this, lawyers engaged in what was called community reading of the entire judgement to see what exactly the finding of the court was.

He stated, "So, I don't think the explanation needs to come from us. But for us, we can only render our own perspective as a party to the entire uproar that is going on.

"But as to the explanation as to where the error happened in the cause of typing the judgement, it is for the court to provide an explanation and I'm sure the court would have done that by now by taking necessary measures to issue a fresh CTC with respect to an appropriate judgement of the court."

between the Air Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in Yola between the Nigeria Police Force (NAF) and Nigerian Army.

It urged the president to restore professionalism and the highest disciplinary ethics within the armed forces and other law enforcement bodies.

HURIWA said that the NAF personnel reportedly stormed the commission’s office in an attempt to release their colleagues earlier arrested

by EFCC operatives for allegedly attempting to forcibly release fraud suspects from custody.

It also recalled that on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, a Police Inspector, Jacob Daniel, was confirmed dead in the course of a clash between soldiers and policemen at the Adamawa Police Command headquarters in Yola, which was attacked in the early hours by soldiers.

The civil rights group said the faceoff followed a rift between police operatives and their military counterparts that started in the late hours of Tuesday.

The group also observed that a few hours after President Bola Tinubu assumed office, the EFCC and the Department of State Service (DSS) clashed over rights to a property in Ikoyi, Lagos.

HURIWA which advocated sustainable synergy amongst members of the different security forces and law enforcement agencies, said anything to the contrary posed a threat to democracy.

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Episcopal Golden Jubilee of Gbuji...

L-R: Former governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; Bishop Emeritus of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji; Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Callistus Onaga; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; and former governor of Enugu State, Barr. Sullivan Chime, at the episcopal golden jubilee of Gbuji at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish, Emene, Enugu, ... yesterday.

Shettima: Nation’s Healthcare Financing to Get Boost Under Tinubu House vows to strengthen sustainable funding for sector

Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its healthcare system financing and accountability, especially the vaccine and immunisation programmes.

He explained that the Bola Tinubu-led federal government was irreversibly devoted to redefining the idea of modern leadership in the country, particularly as it pertains to the welfare of Nigerians.

Shettima, who stated this during a high-level strategic meeting on Gavi Alliance support to the Nigerian government at the State House, Abuja, applauded the Alliance’s

invaluable contributions to improving vaccine coverage in Nigeria, noting the significant increase from 33 per cent to 57 per cent since 2016.

He said: “We are facing some fiscal and monetary challenges, but where there is the will, there is always the way. President Bola Tinubu is irrevocably committed to redefining the meaning and concept of modern leadership in this country. We are committed to the welfare of our nation.”

Shettima also acknowledged Gavi’s critical role in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, highlighting the last reported case in 2016, even as he emphasised the government’s dedication to sustainable domestic financing for immunisation programmes and its exploration of

innovative financing mechanisms.

“We appreciate Gavi’s assistance in strengthening vaccine supply chain management and cold chain infrastructure. This has been instrumental in ensuring the availability and accessibility of vaccines to all Nigerians,” he added.

Soliciting Gavi’s continued support, Shettima outlined Nigeria’s plans for post-pandemic recovery and integration of immunisation services within broader health strategies.

He emphasised the need to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on immunisation programming and rebuild resilient health systems.

“We are grateful for Gavi’s unwavering commitment to

Nigeria’s immunisation efforts.

We look forward to continued collaboration with Gavi and other stakeholders to achieve universal immunisation coverage and ensure the well-being of all Nigerians,” he added.

Earlier, the Interim Chief Executive of Gavi Alliance, Mr David Marlow, while explaining the board’s visit to Nigeria, commended the Tinubu administration for its “strong commitment to primary healthcare and immunisation”.

He said the government’s commitment to re-establishing the presidential taskforce on routine immunieation and the increase in healthcare funding, among others, was also commendable.

Meanwhile, the House of

Representatives yesterday assured that it would strengthen Nigeria’s health system through well-tailored laws to ensure sustainable financing for the sector.

The Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, stated this in Abuja at a retreat for members of the House committee on Healthcare services.

He said Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is the vision of a world where everyone has access to quality, affordable, and equitable healthcare services, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.

The lawmaker said achieving UHC was not merely a noble aspiration, but a moral imperative and a sound investment in the

Tinubu Departs Berlin for Abuja after G20 Summit Deji Elumoye in Berlin

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday afternoon left Berlin for Abuja, Nigeria's capital, after a four-day official visit to Germany.

The President, whose convoy arrived Terminal One wing of Willy Brandt Berlin Brandenburg International Airport in Berlin,

boarded his official aircraft, Nigeria Air Force 001, at about 12.41pm and took off for Abuja at 1.09pm.

President Tinubu who arrived Berlin last Sunday morning attended the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) conference hosted

by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at JW Marriott Hotel in Berlin.

During the conference, the

President joined other Heads of State and Government of CwA member countries, bilateral partners, as well as Heads of International Organizations and deliberated on the immediate enhancement of economic and business cooperation with a view to outlining concrete measures to boost investments in critical areas such as energy, trade,

FG Moves to Improve Standards in Governance of Health Institutions

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has inaugurated the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC) as part of efforts to improve the standards in the nation’s tertiary hospitals.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, who performed the inauguration in Abuja, said the committee is comprised of seasoned healthcare professionals with varied experiences in various aspects of healthcare management.

He also said that they will be supported by the statutory regulatory bodies in the health sector.

In a statement signed by the Director information at the ministry, Patricia Deworitshe, the Minister stated: "With this inauguration, the federal government has reiterated its commitment towards improving the governance of health systems, which is the first pillar of the current administration's focus".

He listed other deliverables to include; population health outcomes, unlocking the value

chain, and health security.

The Minister of State noted that the members were chosen to reflect all the geopolitical zones in the country as enshrined in the National Health Act, 2014.

He added that the committee is to ensure compliance and a high level of standards in our tertiary hospitals in line with global best practices.

Members of the committee comprise chief executives of the Tertiary Health Institutions, the Registrars of the 14 regulatory bodies in the health sector are also statutory members, and these include the National Postgraduate Medical College, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Registration Board (MRTB), Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dental Therapists Registration Board, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board.

Others are Community Health Practitioners Reg. Board (CHPRBN),

Dental Technologist Registration Board of Nigeria (DTRBN), Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, the Health Records Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) and the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN).

The secretary of the committee is the director and head of the Department of Hospital Services, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, mni and the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation are also members.

The terms of reference and functions of the committee are to advise the Minister on matters affecting the establishment of Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, prepare periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated development of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria and establish minimum standards to be attained by the various tertiary health facilities in the nation and also to inspect and accredit such facilities.

The committee is to make

infrastructure, and new technologies, among others.

The G20 CwA Conference took place simultaneously with the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, cohosted by the German government and German business associations.

The President also, Monday, held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Scholz with top officials of the two countries including Ministers in attendance.

On Tuesday, Tinubu attended the 10th German-Nigerian Business Forum in Berlin where he assured German business community that

with Nigeria’s stable political landscape, foreign investments into the country are now very secured.

The President disclosed that with a resilient democracy, Nigeria is well primed to attract foreign direct investments.

Tracing the history of the stable democratic dispensation in Nigeria since the advent of the Fourth Republic, President Tinubu said: ''Since 1999, we have witnessed changes in democratic governance, with peaceful transfers of power within and between parties.

collective future.

According to him, a healthy population is a productive population, contributing to economic growth and social stability, while poor health hinders individual progress and strains economies.

Idahosa noted that primary health care represents the cornerstone of UHC, providing the first line of defence against disease and the gateway to the basic minimum package of health services as enshrined in the 2014 National Health Act. He added that despite its undeniable importance, healthcare in general faces significant challenges ranging from dilapidated infrastructure, shortages of skilled health workers, limited demand for services, gross underfunding and perceived lack of absorptive capacity leading to low budget execution.

“In this context, effective legislation plays a central role in shaping and strengthening the health system. Through well-tailored and contextualised laws and policies, we can ensure sustainable financing for healthcare, ensuring that it receives the resources it needs to provide quality services,” he stressed.

Idahosa added that the House could also leverage its oversight function to expedite investments in the education, training, and retention of a competent health workforce and addressing the critical shortage of healthcare providers in underserved areas.

5-Gender Bills: Women Groups to Launch Social Media Action Advocacy ...Deputy speaker, Onyejiocha, others to attend Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Women Groups across the country are set to launch Advocacy Hashtag and Signature Campaign in continuation of the five gender bills that were dropped in 2022 by the Ninth National Assembly.

The gender bills include the provision of special seats for women at National Assembly, affirmative action for women in political party administration - 35 percent of executive positions.

Others include a bill seeking to grant citizenship to foreign-born husbands of a Nigerian woman, indigenship and choice of married women on state of origin; access and inclusion of at least ten percent affirmative action in favour of women in ministerial appointments.

The groundbreaking initiative which is billed to be launched on Thursday, November 23, aimed at promoting the passage of the five gender bills is sponsored and promoted by USAID and Palladium, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), Womanifesto, National Coalition on Affirmative Action (NCAA), Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GCRN),SAGE and Gender Mobile.

Expected to be in attendance are the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha and other key influencers.

In a statement signed by Founder/Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola AkiyodeAfolabi, the campaign will address key gender gaps in the 1999

Constitution.

She said this is done to ensure adequate awareness of the deficiencies in the constitution and to draw the attention of lawmakers and public to the need to have a representative constitution.

According to Akiyode-Afolabi, "Women’s representation in leadership roles is dishearteningly low; both in elective and appointive positions. Despite being half of the population and voters' register, the numbers remain dismal.

"The constitution itself contains provisions that perpetuate gender bias, such as the silent stance on women's rights to confer citizenship.

There is an urgent need to address these disparities and ensure gender equality and inclusion of women in all spheres of life.

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NEWS

Courtesy visit and presentation of the Healthcare Policy award...

L-R Executive Assistant, Office of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Dr. Abiola Adeosun; MD/CEO, PSHAN; Dr. Tinuola Akingbolagbe; Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate; Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; CEO, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko; and Director, Health Philanthropy, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Dr Chinonyerem Egekwu, during a courtesy visit and presentation of the Healthcare Policy award by PSHAN in recognition of the exceptional policy decisions by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development and the reaffirmation of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s support to the Federal Ministry of Health… recently

FG to Industrialists: Embrace Artificial Intelligence, Green Energy to Improve Efficiency, Drive Productivity Dike Onwuamaeze The federal government has advised Nigerian industrialists to leverage on emerging trends in artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance their efficiency and productivity because the future of manufacturing lies on technological advancement and innovation.

This advise was delivered Tuesday in Lagos by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Doris

Uzoka-Anite, and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji, in their keynote addresses delivered at the opening ceremony of 2023 edition of the 7th Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME) and the 9th Nigeria Raw Materials Expo with the theme “Future Manufacturing: Building a Sustainable Roadmap to the Industrialisation of Nigeria.”

The expo was organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Raw

Louis Edet House: Tinubu’s Wife Commissions Remodeled Work Place Nursery, 13 Years after Bombing

...Names place after Victoria Gowon Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Thirteen years after the bomb blast that rocked Louis Edet House, headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, the first lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has commissioned the remodeled work place nursery.

The nursery situated behind the Police Headquarters ceased to be operational since June 2011 as a result of the bomb blast and further insecurity challenges that pervaded the country and the nation's capital.

Represented by the wife of Vice President Kassim Shettima, Mrs. Nana Kassim Shettima, the first lady stated, Wednesday, that the centre will henceforth be called Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Gowon National Model Work Place Nursery.

She said the establishment of the nursery stands as a testament to this administration's dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for working and nursing mothers.

Her words: "I was informed that this facility was commissioned in April 2001, but ceased to be operational as a result of the bomb blast at the Nigeria Police Headquarters in June 2011, which affected the operation of the Workplace Nursery.

"It is therefore a thing of joy that 13 years after, we are all gathered here on this occasion to Commission and put the facility to use for the benefit of mothers.

"This facility will serve as a preparatory ground for early childhood care, educational and recreational activities for the children, with the policy thrust to improve the baby-friendly initiative of the Government of Nigeria under

the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration.

"To the working mothers, your perseverance and dedication are inspiring. Nurturing a child is proof of your strength and resilience.

“I believe that initiatives like the Work Place Nursery serve as a foundation for progress and a promising future for our nation towards improved bonding between mothers and their children.

"I hereby commission this Work Place Nursery by naming it after one of our foremost matriarchs, Her Excellency, Mrs. Victoria Gowon and now to be called Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Gowon National Model Work Place Nursery."

Material Research Development Council (RMRDC).

Uzoka-Anite said: “It is gratifying to note that the future of manufacturing in Nigeria relies on our ability to embrace technological advancements and innovation.

“We must leverage emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance our manufacturing processes, improve efficiency, and drive productivity.

“By adopting these cuttingedge technologies, we can boost the competitiveness of our local manufacturers and position Nigeria as a global manufacturing hub.”

The minister, who was represented by the Deputy Director (PPW/Agro) Industrial Development Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Olumuyiwa A. Ajayi-Ade, added that the future of manufacturing

also lies in harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources.

“As we transit to a greener economy, it is imperative that we promote the use of clean and sustainable energy in our manufacturing processes. This will not only help reduce our carbon footprint but also create new job and investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector,” the minister said.

She also harped on the need for industrialists to prioritise the development of the country’s raw materials sector to support Nigerian manufacturing industry.

According to her, “by focusing on value addition and local sourcing we can reduce our reliance on imported raw materials and improve the overall competitiveness of our products.

“This will also contribute to the growth of Small and Medium-sized

Enterprises (SMEs) and empower local entrepreneurs to participate actively in the manufacturing value chain.”

The minister also said that the federal government is dedicated to fostering conducive environment for manufacturers to flourish.

“Our commitment extends to the implementation of policies and programs that facilitate ease of doing business, improve access to finance for manufacturers, and enhance infrastructure and logistics to bolster the growth of the manufacturing sector,” Uzoka-Anite said.

Speaking in the same vein, Nnaji, noted that the expo would deepen local raw materials sourcing by the manufacturers for sustainable industrial development, is a timely event that would serve “as a critical window to embrace machinery and equipment to produce goods, support sustainable development and

Budget Defence: Gov Adeleke Tasks Cabinet Members, Lists Three Urgent Executive Bills Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed members of the State Executive Council to be prepared for detailed budget defense at the state legislature and ensure draft executive bills are forwarded to the assembly as quickly as possible.

Speaking at a review session on the 2024 budgetary plans, Governor

Adeleke reminded his cabinet members that full cooperation is needed with the legislature to speed up the budget processing in line with the assembly’s timetable.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Adewale Egbedun had on Tuesday announced that the appearance of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's) including the State owned Tertiary Institution for their budget defense will

commence on Monday 27th November, 2023 The governor charged all ministries, departments and agencies to attend assembly budget sessions with full documentations, warning that any MDA which fails to cooperate with the lawmakers will be sanctioned.

In the governor’s words, "We have a state to govern. We have a five-point agenda to deliver. There

Akpabio: Modular Refineries Establishment Will Create More Jobs, National Security Kyari rules out fuel queues this year

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has tasked the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to seek ways of deepening the consumption of locally produced petroleum products.

He also called for the establishment of modular refineries, as well as the renovation of existing ones, “to create a multiplier effect which will include creation of jobs for our teeming youths, and more security for the country.”

Akpabio, spoke when the leadership of the NNPC Limited led by its Group Chief Executive Officer,

ensure that we are not dependent on developed nations.”

He said that this year’s event could not have been held at a better time than now with the imperative to support the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to address the nation’s economic crisis.

According to him, “it is a wellknown dictum that any country that does not stand its developmental efforts on Science, Technology and Innovation cannot expect dividend of socio-economic rejuvenation, which underscores the indispensable need to deploy a demand-driven research and development solution.

“Hence, the need to recognise the relationship between sustainable market and demand driven research and societal development for economic growth and industrialiation built on the untiring efforts of the organised private sector of our economy.”

Mele Kyari paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He also explained efforts by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly to end oil theft and pipeline vandalisation which, according to him, was costing the nation revenue losses.

The Senate President revealed that the Red Chamber would partner with the NNPCL in creating legislations that would smoothen ease of business for stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.

He commended the Corporation for ensuring an end to the fuel subsidy regime.

The Senate President called for capacity building for legislatures to

ensure proper legislative input in the sector.

He told the delegation from the national oil company that, “Nigerians want to hear good news and you came with a very good news. And this is good news.”

He expressed satisfaction at the resolution of the deficit in the account of the Corporation, adding that the Senate was, “a people focused Senate” that is set to bring benefits to Nigerians.

Kyari, assured the Senate that in three months the country will not see fuel queues.

The NNPCL GMD said that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has ensured that “energy

supply is stable, creating cheaper energy” for Nigerians.”

He disclosed that the Corporation has “robust supply plants from now until next year; we have always planned for three months. And I guarantee you your Excellency that we will not see any shortages in our country.”

“You may see a number of scattered reports that of filling stations that people will call it queues. They are not.”

He also revealed that the national oil company occupies over 30 percent of the downstream sector in the oil and gas business, adding that the corporation will “optimally provide” petroleum to consumers.

is no room for distractions. All cabinet members must get their act together by ensuring a successful budget hearing at the assembly.

"Let the relevant house committees have all required information to vet and approve your proposals.

I have full confidence that the legislature will understand the fiscal and economic considerations behind the 2024 budgetary proposals.

"I am also aware of new innovative ideas we are introducing that may necessitate new laws or amendment of existing ones. Let me on this note direct our MDAs with planned executive bills to speed up the internal processes.

"Three of such bills are very dear to the goodness of our state. The bill to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act should be forwarded to the assembly without further delay. That bill holds the key to boosting and diversifying our state economy.

"The Osun State electricity market bill is also important to us. At the Governor's Forum, a resolution was particularly reached on this matter. We have to move faster to get the bill passed into law without delay.

"Of similar importance is the bill to harmonise the state tax system. Our government wants to put an end to multiple taxations and expand the tax base with a lower tax rate. That is the basic focus of the bill."

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NEWS

RAND MERCHANT BANK WINS AWARD...

L-R: Chief Risk Officer, Rand Merchant Bank, Taiwo Gabriel; Head, Markets, Nadia Zakari; Chief Financial Officer, Bayo Ajayi; and Executive Director, Head Balance Sheet Management and Treasurer, Yetunde Ogunrem, when the bank won the FMDQ Member Compliance, Secondary Market Award in Lagos…recently

Nigerian Railway Corporation Confirms Ticket Racketeering by Staff

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria, yesterday confirmed ticket racketeering by members of staff in the corporation.

Okhiria disclosed this during his appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance at the 2024–2026

Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) interactive session in Abuja.

He said that the members of staff involved in the ticket racketeering have been sacked, while some with fewer offences have been demoted.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke alleged by saying, “Social

Aviation Union Calls for Reversal of Redundancy of Arik Air Staff

Chinedu Eze

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has demanded the reversal of the redundancy placed on some of Arik Air staff that has drastically reduced the airline’s workforce.

In a letter written to the Managing Director of the airline (in Receivership), the General Secretary of NUATE, Ocheme Aba, insisted that letters of redundancy were issued to staff without recourse to Section 20 of the Labour Act as the Union has yet to be contacted.

He also insisted that the union must be consulted and updated on the actual contents of the prevailing agreements on the issue of secondment of Arik staff to other airlines in order to understand how it affects the service record of the affected staff.

“It has been brought to our attention that your manager

has declared and issued letters of redundancy to your staff without recourse to Section 20 of the Labour Act as the Union has yet to be contacted. As your action in this regard is out of tune with the law, we demand that management takes steps to revert its actions so far and reverse to the extant law in the interest of industrial harmony.

“On the issue of secondment of Arik staff to other airlines, the union requests to be availed of actual contents of the prevailing agreements in this regard in order to understand how it affects the service record of the affected staff.

“Also, the union is apprehensive of the financial state of Arik Air. In order to allay the fears of our members who are your dedicated and dependable workforce, we request your kind information as to know the current stand of the airline financially and operationally.

Accion MFB, Justrites Stores Sign N2bn Credit Facility

Nume Ekeghe and Oluchi Chibuzor

Accion Microfinance Bank and Justrites Superstore, an e-commerce firm, have sign a buy now, pay later, 30 days window period deal worth N2 billion.

The deal, which is expected to kickoff in December 2023, will see customers walk into any of the 23 stores of Justrites and pick any products of their choice if found credit worthy by Accion Microfinance Bank.

Speaking at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, yesterday, the Managing Director, Taiwo Joba, said the signing of the agreement provides needed fund for customers to have access to groceries and products that meet their aspirations.

He said the deal gives existing customers and new ones the

financial capacity to walk in into any Justrites stores buy what they want and then pay later within a 30- day window.

According to him, “Is a credit wallet and we are going to carefully select who qualifies through algorithms developed

by Accion MFB.” “So the original exposure for us will be up to N2 billion for the partnership, but the maximum that an individual can access is N100,000 for now.”

“We will look at individual customers’ financial history, capabilities and their willingness to pay. We will put all these together to form what we called a credit score.”

However, the buy now pay later deal, is expected to lead to other product development with the e-commerce firm as part of the agreement which has no timeline.

media clips show how your staffers are engaging in ticket racketeering.”

Okhiria during his response

said: “This is true, and the solution to that is e-ticketing, and the government has approved that.”

He further stressed that the corporation was working with the security agencies to arrest the menace, adding that many of

the staff involved in the dastard act had been sacked, while some had been demoted depending on the offense they committed.

Fintiri Calls For Calm Following Military, Police Clash in Adamawa

Daji Sani in Yola

Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has called on the people of the State to remain calm and go about their normal businesses describing Tuesday’s nights gunshots in Yola, the Adamawa

State capital as unfortunate.

This was contained in a press release in which the governor ppealed for accommodation and tolerance among security agencies, describing the incident as unacceptable “at this time of peace building.”

While regretting the ugly

incident that led to the clash between the Soldiers and the Police, Governor Fintiri disclosed that government is on top of the situation and appealed to the parties to exercise restraint in the overall peace of the State.

Governor Fintiri urged all security personnel on special

assignment to remain at their duty posts and conduct themselves with high sense of maturity.

He said: “I am concerned that such acrimony could have lasting consequences on the hard earned peace we have been able to build over the years.”

Federal College of Education (Tech) to the Railway Line through several communities including London Maidoruwa, Malam Inna, Wuro Ledde, Wuro Kesa, and Arawa, the erosion control work is a co- funded project between the Gombe State Government and the Agro-Climate Resilience In Semi

Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), a World Bank-funded initiative.

The Procurement Officer of ACReSAL Project, Gombe State coordinating unit signed on behalf of the State Government, while the Managing Director of Triacta Nigeria Limited, Eli Fahad signed for the construction company.

Governor Yahaya, who presided over the signing ceremony, explained that the event represents a vital step forward in the state’s collective resolve to restore the agricultural and environmental landscapes previously ravaged by gully erosion and environmental degradation.

Gombe Signs N12bn Contract to Tackle Environmental Degradation Segun AwofadejiinGombe

Gombe State Government has signed a contract agreement valued at N12,057,248,267.00, aimed at addressing the menace of gully erosion, safeguarding lives and preserving the environment.

Spanning 21 kilometers from the

Alake Tours Agencies, Urges Innovation inin being Operations Hope agenda of the Tinubu inadequacies. the first agency to host the Folalumi AlaraninAbuja The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has paid a maiden visit to agencies under the ministry, canvassing reforms and adherence to due process in line with the Renewed

administration.

Speaking at his first port of call, the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), the minister lauded efforts of the agency as the custodian of mineral titles, stressing the need to do more in addressing perceived

He emphasised that the perception of progress in the mining sector is contingent on the activity or inactivity of the MCO. In his welcome address, the Director-General of MCO, Engr.

Obadiah Nkom, expressed delight

Minister. Restating the functions of the agency as the issuer of mining licenses, he revealed the MCO moved in 2022 to digitize its operations through migration to an online platform called Electronic Mining Cadastral System.

First Lady Flags Off Expanded Market-Moni Scheme for 1.5m Nigerians

Deji Elumoye

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has launched the targeted Expansion of the Market-Moni Scheme for 1.5 million vulnerable Nigerians, just as she performed the symbolic presentation of cheques to some of the scheme beneficiaries in Abuja.

Mrs Tinubu, who performed

both tasks at a launch ceremony Abuja, charged beneficiaries of the interest and collateral-free loans scheme to invest their money well.

According to her, the present administration is ready to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country with a view to creating a ripple effect for employment

generation for Nigerians.

She said such support goes a long way in serving as lifeline to those struggling to make ends meet, while enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and families.

The transformative impact that MSMEs can have on the lives of the vulnerable ones in

our society, she explained, cannot be overemphasized, considering the fact that enterprises are the bedrock of our economy.

Mrs Tinubu said MSMEs play a crucial role in fostering inclusive growth and providing tangible benefits to those who need it most, especially women and persons with disability.

Zulum Closes GSSSS Monguno IDP Camp, Orders Immediate Rehabilitation Michael Olugbode inMaiduguri

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has ordered the immediate closure of the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp located within Government Senior Science Secondary School, Monguno

in order to give room for the rehabilitation of the school and subsequent resumption of academic activities.

Zulum gave the instruction on Tuesday during an inspection visit at the camp to assess the extent of destruction resulting from Boko

Haram attack and the prolonged use by IDPs. GSSSS Monguno houses IDPs from parts of Kukawa, Nganzai, Marte and Guzamala displaced

by Boko Haram insurgents.

Zulum stated that the IDPs will be relocated to occupy 1,000

resettlement houses built for citizens affected by the over one decade old Boko Haram insurgency.

Monguno’s 1,000 houses is part of the housing intervention that form over 10,000 resettlement houses constructed by Zulum’s administration since 2019.

Delta Pays N30bn to Contractors for Various Projects

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Delta State Government has released the sum of N30 billion for payment of outstanding certificates owed contractors in the state.

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads) Mr Charles Aniagwu,

disclosed this while speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting ongoing projects at Emevor and Evwreni in Isoko North and Ughelli North local government areas of the state.

Aniagwu commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the approval, adding that it would encourage contractors to

redouble their efforts towards delivering their respective projects on schedule.

According to him, not too long ago, Governor Oborevwori approved the payment to different contractors to the tune for almost N30 billion, noting that is why a lot of our contractors have recently moved back to site.

Aniagwu said: “We are already making plans to commence, in no distant time, to also continually pay so that contractors can continue to work and our people continue to get value for the jobs that we have awarded for the ease of movement across the 25 local government areas of Delta.

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MOVING AGAINST PIRACY...

L-R: Legal Practitioner and Intellectual Property Expert, Obafemi Agaba; Deputy Director, Operations, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Lagos, Charles Amudipe; Television Presenter, ARISE News, Ojinika Anne Okpe; Executive Head of Content and Channels West Africa, MultiChoice, Busola Tejumola; President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, Victor Okhai, at the MultiChoice Anti-piracy Roundtable event held in Lagos…recently

Army Arrests Human Trafficker, Rescues Five Children George Okoh inMakurdi

The Nigerian Army, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), has arrested a human trafficker, Samuel Out from Akwa-Ibom State, and rescued five children who were kidnapped from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Briefing journalists yesterday at the headquarters of Nigeria Tactical

Air Command, Nigeria Air Force Base in Makurdi, the Commander of OPWS, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said troops of Sector 3 who were deployed in Nasarawa state, while acting on credible intelligence on the activities of human traffickers, arrested the trafficker at a transit park in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State.

He gave the names of the

Army Seeks Media Support Towards Ending Terrorism Onuminya Innocent inSokoto

The Nigerian Army has hosted members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other media executives in Sokoto State yesterday for its Fourth Quarter 2023 Civil-Military engagement with view to seeking robust collaboration and dissemination of timely and objective information in tackling the menace of banditry, terrorism and other security challenges bedeviling some parts of the country.

In his opening remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, said that the military and other security agencies and all stakeholders rely

on the media to disseminate its operational activities in combating terrorism in the country.

Lagbaja implored media on important of objective, balance and fair reportage in covering activities of Nigerian Army.

The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Sokoto, Major General Godwin Mutkut, said that the media as an important component in the nation’s progress and development process play a very significant role in the society, having been involved in the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic lines of operation towards ensuring a peaceful and secured Nigeria, as a nation.

Ogbuku Cautions NDDC’s Staff against Partisanship Blessing Ibunge inPort Harcourt

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has charged the staff of the commission to always be professional in the discharge of their duties, advising that they should not dabble into politics or spread negative stories about the commission for selfish or ethnic interests.

Ogbuku gave the advice during a meeting with the new Executive Management and staff

of the Commission at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

He said that the new leadership in the commission has resolved to buy into a common vision that will be in the best interest of the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku, who assured them that members of the Board would work in one accord to impact positively on the lives of the people of Nigeria’s oil-rich region, urged the staff to play a positive role to ensure that there was harmony among the board members and the management.

Auto Accident Claims 17 Lives in Niger Laleye Dipo in Minna

Not less than 17 persons have been confirmed killed in an auto accident that occurred at Takalafia village along the Yawuri Expressway, in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday’s afternoon.

Twelve others who were in the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injuries.

An eyewitness said that the lone accident involved an articulated vehicle, which was said to be on top speed resulting

in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

As a result the vehicle overturned killing most of the passengers and injuring the others.

The eyewitness said that the remains of the dead have been deposited at the Kontagora General Hospital’s morgue while those injured are also being given medical attention at the same hospital.

The FRSC Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, confirmed the accident.

underage children as Nasiru, Apinan, Khariat, Izan, and Adinan..

He explained that the ring leader of the criminal syndicate, on

sighting the troops, abandoned the children and left them with Otu. The commander of Operation Whirl Stroke further explained that

during preliminary investigation, a Techno mobile phone was recovered from him, and during screening, some of his cohorts

were discovered, including one Mrs. Tina Nkechi, a resident of Abuja, whom he confessed to be working for.

Council of Yoruba Elders Laments Insecurity, High Rate of Inflation, Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Yoruba socio-cultural group, Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE), yesterday raised an alarm over what it described as recent reoccurrence of security challenges in the South-west region of the country, calling for urgent intervention of the President Bola

Tinubu’s government.

This is just as it condemned the high cost of food items and other essential commodities “which has made life more unbearable for Nigerians.”

The Secretary General of the group, Dr. Victor Taiwo, while addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday, said the

group is inundated daily with reports of herdsmen attacks on farmers, ravaging of plantation fields, abductions of people for ransom by bandits and indiscriminate killings of people, most especially in Ondo and Oyo States respectively, lamenting that the attacks have become nightmare to the people.

According to him, “The people of the region heaved a sigh of relief when they witnessed the reduction in the menace immediately after the government changed hands on May 29,” stating that what they are witnessing now is resurgence in a high profile and an understatement that armed robbers are literally on the rampage in the region.

Ekiti Orders LGA to Disburse N6.5m Salary Arrears to Chiefs With this directive, the state State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Chiefs led to the seizure of all their

Gbenga SodeindeinAdoEkiti

The Ekiti State Government has directed the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state to immediately release the N6.5 million four years’ salary arrears to Chiefs in Awo Ekiti, as part of the efforts to resolve the raging obaship tussle in the community.

government had succeeded in brokering truce over the salary crisis between Alawo of Awo Ekiti, Oba Abdulazeez Olaleye, and some Chiefs, who accused the monarch of sidelining them in the salary payment since August 2015.

In the petition written to the Ekiti

Home Affairs, the Chiefs accused the monarch of depriving them of their statutory salaries on account of their opposition to his ascension to the throne.

At a peace parley held at her office yesterday, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, said the complaint raised by the

salaries in the town since 2019 by the local government authorities.

Subsequently, Afuye, in a statement issued by her Special Assistant Media, Victor Ogunje, ordered the Local government to instantly release the fund for onward distribution to all Chiefs across board .

‘Soyabean Exports Threatening $250m Oil Seeds Investment in Nigeria’ Igbawase UkumbainLafia

The Oil Seeds Processors Association of Nigeria (OSPAN) yesterday raised the alarm that its $250 million oil seeds investment in Nigeria was being threatened by exports of soyabean.

The OSPAN, which is and an

umbrella body of processors of oil seeds in Nigeria, raised the alarm in a statement issued by Mr. Sama’ila Barau Maigoro and Mr. Hule Idyerkaa, president and vice President of the association respectively.

The OSPAN maintained that export of Soyabean should be

banned from Nigeria to encourage value addition.

They said: “If processed, the crude soya oil would be further processed for local consumption which will in turn stabilise the price of Vegetable oil locally.”

“Our members are investors in large, medium and small-scale

processing of Nigerian grown Arable Oil Seeds into high quality edible vegetable oil and high-quality oil extracts for industrial use.n “Presently, our combined installed capacity per annum is well over three million metric tons with a total investment portfolio of about $250 million.

Soleye, Opaleye Contributed to Nation Building, Says Abiodun

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the late former Military Governor of Ondo State, Major General Ekundayo Opaleye, as a humble and intelligent

officer who served his country and humanity diligently while alive.

Abiodun, who made this assertion when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late General at their Ibara GRA resident in Abeokuta, said

Ogun State has lost one of its illustrious sons who dedicated his life to nation-building and served as a great mentor to the young ones.

According to him, “Major General Ekundayo Opaleye served his country and

humanity in several capacities, particularly as a top ranking officer of the Nigerian Army.

“He served with absolute integrity. The General indeed lived a life of impact, a life of service, dedication, and contribution.

Insecurity: Kwara Monarch Lauds Military for Restoring Peace in Oro-Ago Community the community.

Oba Dada said the exercise we’ve been enjoying peace and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A member of the Kwara State Traditional Council and the Oloro of Oro Ago in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, Oba Johnson Olarewaju Dada, yesterday commended the military for restoring peace to

The 22 Amoured Brigade of the Sobi Cantonment had in the wake of incessant kidnap incidents in the area established operation ‘Still Waters III’ exercise in Oro Ago town to improve security of lives and property in the axis.

had boosted peaceful living in the area.

The monarch stated this in OroAgo when the state Governor, Alhaji AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq, visited his palace yesterday.

He said: “We thank God. Since the military personnel came here,

we’ve been sleeping well.

“In fact those coming to the market-who used to be afraid of the security situation here-are now telling themselves that Oro-ago is free and peaceful for business transactions. So we no longer have problem.

Glo Delights Customers with Another Season of Smartphone Festival

Nigerian telecommunications giant, Globacom, has brought Yuletide season excitement to its subscribers with a special edition of the company’s Smartphone Festival, which will give them up to N150,000 discount as well as 18gb of free data to browse.

The edition offer tagged: ‘Gloworld Black Friday’, which began on November 16 to end on November 30, is available to subscribers who purchase selected smartphones from any of the Gloworld shops spread across the country.

Globacom in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday said: “Customers who visit Gloworld shops across the country and purchase devices will enjoy up to N150,000 discount and also 18gb bonus data for six months.”

The company, which stated

that the festival provides opportunity for all subscribers (prepaid and postpaid) to visit Gloworld shops to get the best price deals on any phone of their choice, also added that customers who buy Glo SIMs will also enjoy bonuses on airtime and data.

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GamingWeek

T H I S D AY • Thursday, November 23, 2023

Edited by Nseobong Okon-Ekong | ikotibok@gmail.com | Tel: 08114495324 TR

How Oyo Drives IGR with Focus on Tax, Responsible Gaming UT H

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Iyke Bede captures didactic and convivial moments at the recent Annual Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum of the Oyo State Gaming Board, where the agency was officially acknowledged as one of the top five significant contributors to the Internally Generated Revenue of the state government

L-R: Oyindamola Michaels, County Manager, Betano; Olabimpe Akingba, Executive Secretary, Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (ANB); Zuma Oladele-Alabi, Legal Officer, Nairabet during a panel discussion on Responsible Gaming

L-R: Hon. Bayo Akande, SSA ICT & eGovernance; Mr. Olajide Boladuro, DG/Chairman, Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board; Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, Secretary to Oyo State Government

he Nigerian sports betting sector was evaluated at $2 billion in annual revenue generation in 2020. That same year, a report by the National Sports Industry Policy projected that the sector is expected to grow to $4.7 billion, provide over 10 million jobs and contribute between 1.5 and 3 per cent to national gross domestic product (GDP) over 10 years.

This trend is actively unfolding as the number of gaming operators in Oyo State has increased from over 20 in 2019 to over 55 licensees regulated by the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board (OYSGB) today.

Acknowledged as one of the top five agencies contributing significantly to the internally generated revenue of the Oyo government, OYSGB, at the recently held fifth edition of its Annual Stakeholders’

to deliberate on pressing issues affecting the sector in the state.

Launching the discourse with a keynote address, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo, presented an overview of the gaming sector, highlighting growth trajectory and trends such as the broadening of the customer base to include the middle class, influx of foreign investors, partnerships, and increased regulation of the sector, and factors that fuel such growth.

She also highlighted the challenges that include gambling addiction, cyber security, and double taxation stemming from jurisdictional tussles between the state and national regulatory bodies.

To address some of these issues, a panel session employing a holistic approach through the perspectives of diverse experts was set up to proffer sustainable solutions.

T

Interactive Forum, examined the gaming landscape with a focus on tax revenue, compliance, and sustainability for the economic viability of the state.

“The Oyo state roadmap for sustainable development 2023 to 2027, crafted by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, in his brilliance and dubbed the Omituntun 2.0 Agenda, continues to be a guiding light for the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board.

I am particularly interested in all the initiatives geared towards spurring economic growth,” Director-General of the OYSGB, Olajide Boladuro, noted.

He added, “One crucial aspect of achieving economic development is through taxation. It plays a vital role in regulating the gaming industry, as it generates revenue for the government, however, taxation alone is not enough to build a sustainable

gaming environment.

“We must now also focus on the task of testing the societal, financial, and environmental impact of the gaming companies, societal and environmental issues that could impact gaming companies’ successes, and how gaming companies fit within the state’s threshold.”

Boladuro stressed that the overall goal of the forum this year “is to showcase the potential of the gaming industry for sustainability through proper regulation, management, attention to changes in the market, and social attitudes. This is also bearing in mind that they need to be transparent, responsible, and considerate for the potential impact of consumers and society.”

Tagged ‘Tax and Task: Building a Sustainable Gaming Environment’, the event staged at Golden Tulip, Jericho, Ibadan, attracted stakeholders

After 15 Years, Supreme Court to Hear Suit on Lottery Regulation Feud The Supreme Court has fixed March 13, 2024, to hear a suit filed in 2008 by the attorney general of Lagos against the federal government regarding who controls and regulates the gaming and lottery sector. A seven-person panel of justices of the court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun fixed the date at a resumed sitting on Monday.

The attorney general of the federation is the first defendant, while the National Assembly is the second defendant. The attorneys general of 34 states were joined as defendants by the Supreme Court on November 15, 2022. Meanwhile, the apex court panel unanimously deemed all the processes filed out of time by the defendants as duly and properly filed, having been regularised.

Ekiti was joined as co-plaintiff in the suit following an order of the court made on October 6, 2020. The application by the attorney general of Oyo state to join as co-plaintiff, having been withdrawn, was struck out by the panel.

Bode Olanipekun announced an appearance for the Lagos government, while Adetunji Osho appeared for Ekiti. The federal government was represented by Innocent Daa’gba, while Ifeanyi

Mrialike represented the National Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that attorneys general of the 33 states were duly represented and announced appearances.

However, Kwara had no legal representation despite being served with a hearing notice. The Supreme Court ordered the Jigawa and Kaduna governments to put their houses in order by resolving the issue of legal representation before the next hearing date.

Kekere-Ekun advised that all the state governments that are on one side in accordance with their respective interests should present a common argument to save the court’s time on the hearing date.

Speaking to judiciary correspondents at the Supreme Court, Innocent Daagba said he had filed processes and submissions of the Federal Government since 2020, adding that the processes have been regularised by the court, which clears the coast for hearing of the matter.

Recall that on Aug.15, 2022, the Federal Government (the Nigerian Lottery Regulation Commission and the Nigerian Lottery Trust Fund) won the case against Lagos and

other states on the issue of multiple regulations in the gaming sector.

The Bookmakers Association of Nigeria had initiated the lawsuit to determine the legitimate regulators of gaming businesses because they complained about multiple taxes and licensing fees paid to states and the federal government.

In suit No FHC/L/CS/15992020, filed before Justice I.N Oweibo of the Lagos High Court, the judge ruled that the federal government should be the sole regulator of the gaming business, citing the Constitution as putting lottery in the exclusive list. The judge said only the National Assembly can legislate on lottery matters.

Despite the judgment, there is still no end to the back-and-forth bickering between the bookmakers and state governments on multiple taxation and regulation. On July 19, 2023, Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court ruled that the federal government, through the National Assembly, had the exclusive right to legislate and control lottery activities in the country.

Few months after the judgment, a Lagos high court delivered another judgment holding that matters of lottery and one-chance betting were

subjects under the residual list in the Constitution. By this, the judge held that Lagos had the right to regulate the sector.

However, by a further amended originating summons marked SC/1/2008, the plaintiffs want the apex court to declare that lottery is not one of the 68 items in respect of which the National Assembly has the exclusive vires to make laws under Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution (as amended).

They are seeking a declaration that, regarding the clear provisions of sections 4 (2) and (3) of the Constitution, the federal parliament lacks the vires to legally and constitutionally make any law to regulate and control the lottery operation in Nigeria.

“A declaration that having regard to the clear provision of Section 4(4)(a), (b) and Part ll of the Second Schedule, matters relating to lottery do not fall within items which the National Assembly and state assemblies are concurrently empowered to make laws with regard thereto.

ADVISORY: +18 PERSONS UNDER 18 MUST NOT PARTICIPATE IN BETTING, GAMING OR LOTTERY ACTIVITY

Composed of Executive Secretary of the Association of National Bookmakers (ANB), Olabimpe Akingba; Senior clinical psychologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Damola Ilesanmi; legal officer of Valex Advisory, Jumoke Odudimu; and legal officer of NairaBet, Zuma Oladele-Alabi, panellist took turn deliberating during the panel session themed ‘Building Sustainability Through Responsible Gaming Tools’.

Akingba highlighted the concerning trend of an increasing number of punters nearing addiction.

She, however, noted that while addiction cannot be stopped, measures and systems should be established to guide punters for easy evaluation of addiction rates.

To ensure compliance with responsible gaming, Odudimu opined that all stakeholders have a vital role in ensuring policies are implemented to reduce exposure to vulnerable age demographics through controlled advertising, review of advert content by regulators, temporal suspension of defaulting operators, implementing warning systems such as pop-up alerts on websites, providing gambling therapy, and for operators to view responsible gaming with an approach of CSR. In support of operators’ initiatives labelled as ‘self-regulated’, Akingba emphasised operators’ proactive measures that predate regulatory intervention of the regulators.

Instead, she urged state and national regulatory bodies to harmonise the regulatory frameworks to provide an enabling environment for operators to work in while channelling efforts towards responsible gaming instead of the current clime that deals operators with a bad hand of over-taxation.

Providing more insight, the moderator and Country Manager of Betano, Oyindamola Michaels, advised that an independent,

responsible gaming association should be set up to oversee compliance with responsible gaming. That way, he believes the regulators and operators do not influence processes in their favour.

Ilesanmi helped stakeholders understand the science behind general addiction patterns. He explained the early signs of gambling addiction using the dopamine reward system that eventually reaches a state of denial by the person with an addiction. He elucidated how economic hardship also plays a role in morphing an otherwise enjoyable process into one that serves as a gateway to aggression, substance abuse, and crime.

“The fact about any form of addiction is if you are in denial of why, how, and the real fact of what is happening to you, the more you struggle to overcome the addiction, the reality is you are digging deeper.

By that time, you will be impressed by yourself manipulating loved ones just to get funds,” Ilesanmi said.

Oladele-Alabi recognised that reaching out to addicts to help them is a crucial step to ensuring the sector’s sustainability. She said, “It is more sustainable to have healthy gamblers than to have gamblers who spend all their money now. They become addicted and no longer able to spend again.”

In the latest forum, Boladuro itemised the board’s milestones, which encompassed initiating the enumeration of all retail agents in the state, addressing local governmentlevel tax enforcement on agents, and achieving a significant reduction in underage gambling.

In the fifth edition, Boladuro expressed optimism for sustained growth, anticipating a positive impact on the state’s IGR. He envisions an environment where operators and regulators coexist harmoniously, fostering continued development.

GAMINGWEEK TEAM Nseobong Okon-Ekong ikotibok@gmail.com | 08114495324 Iyke Bede ikennabede@gmail.com | 0703 044 7714 Akeem Lasisi lasaisai@yahoo.com | 08023687884 Vanessa Obioha vaysylver@gmail.com | 08069838305 Davidson Abraham davisiano.adm@gmail.com | +971 56 744 6013

47

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023

THURSdaysports

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Barca, Sevilla Set to Battle for Ndidi

Current La Liga champions, FC Barcelona and top side, Sevilla FC, are reportedly in a race to secure

the services of Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi.

According to reports from Spanish media outlets, Football Espana, the reigning Europa League champions,

Sevilla, and former UEFA Champions League winner, Barcelona are vying for the signature of the Leicester

City star.

Despite playing in the English Championship, the Super Eagles

ARGENTINA HUMBLE BRAZILAT MARACANA....

Police officers armed with batons clash with fans during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Photo: Getty Images Brazil...Wednesday night. Argentina won 1-0 to move to top of the table with 15 from six matches.

midfield enforcer has attracted the interest of some top European clubs like Bayern Munich and Liverpool but the Catalan side have been on the trail of the Nigerian star in the recent years.

Ndidi whose contract is expected to expire next summer has been on the radar of Barcelona who are grappling with financial challenges.

They hope to sway the Nigerian on a free transfer when his current deal concludes.

Ndidi, recognised as one of the most effective ball-winning players in the English Premier League, recently earned recognition as the SkyBet Championship Player of the Month.

Although there’s been less noise surrounding Ndidi, Barcelona might consider taking a gamble, similar to their approach with Franck Kessie, prioritizing players with potential resale value over immediate style fit.

While Sevilla sees Ndidi as a potential starting player, his Premier League salary might pose a challenge.

Convincing Ndidi to accept a substantial wage cut could be necessary for Sevilla, considering the disparity in earnings.

Ndidi was omitted in Nigeria’s opening two matches in the ongoing World Cup 2026 African qualifying series against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in which Nigeria posted uninspiring 1-1 results.

His absence was greatly felt in the middle of the park with Jose Peseiro’s troops securing two points out of a possible six in the clash.

He will therefore be hoping to return from his injury and firing the national team and his club to more victories.

NPFL: Mbaoma’s Goal Lifts Elegbeleye Says NPFL Broadcast Enyimba over Bendel Insurance Rights Still Available, No Exclusivity Femi Solaja with agency report

Companies seeking to acquire Broadcast rights of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have been invited to approach the league body with offers for negotiation.

Chairman of the NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye on Wednesday clarified that the adopted marketing approach of the board is for nonexclusivity which have not foreclosed the signing up of more rights holders.

Elegbeleye described as shocking, claims by an individual alleging that there was an offer for $11m dollars to the NPFL for the rights before the StarTimes deal was executed.

"For the avoidance of doubt and for public records, the NPFL and StarTimes deal took months to conclude and all through the duration of our negotiations, nobody approached us with any offer", explained the NPFL Chairman.

He further narrated efforts of the defunct Interim Management Committee (IMC) to attract a Broadcast partner including getting the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to broker a meeting with Supersport which at the end didn't express interest to take up the offer.

"The NPFL has an office in Abuja and the facilitator of the said $11m offer knows this place and has contacts of the NFF President. We are still very much open to negotiate as our deal with StarTimes provides for a third party investor.

"Let the person please come to our office or to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) because we are still open for more partnerships in the Broadcast space".

The NPFL boss explained that the unbundling of the broadcast bouquet has made it possible to accommodate multiple partners "It is obvious that we have unbundled the broadcast products and segmented the number of matches

any rights owner can show every matchday. So there is still a window to accommodate genuine interests in our league broadcast partnership", declared Elegbeleye, who also is the NFF Second Vice President.

Faulting claims that the League fall foul of the Public Procurement Act which governs sales of government assets in the country, the former member of the Federal House of Representatives, said, "the

NPFL is incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and is not captured in government funding.

"We do not receive funding from Government but run our programme from money generated through sponsorships and we operate a transparent system that accounts for sponsors/investors funds to maintain the integrity of the league.

Gboko City Chiefs in Garden City to Win, Says Iornem The General Manager of Gboko City Chiefs Basketball Club, Fanen Iornem, has said that they are in Port Harcourt to win the NBBF Final Four championship.

Iornem, who stated this yesterday in Port-harcourt during a courtesy visit to the Rivers Commissioner for Sports, Barr Chris Green, stressed that the team was ready for any opposition.

He opined that Gboko City Chiefs have bonded together sufficiently and are in high spirits to overcome opposing teams and land the title.

According to him, "I will just tell

NBBF FINAL FOUR straight forward that we are here to win; in as much as bookmakers might want to say anything, we are happy that everybody is looking at us like the 4th team because this is our second season in NBBF league but we are here to win with the calibre of the players we have, we have everything we need to succeed."

On basketball in Nigeria, the GM said that the level was high but was quick to add that there is

the need for more championships and longer period of playing to improve the game.

Reiterating the GM's position, Team Captain, Antibas Samaila and Centre, Bright Osagie Akhuetie both said they were ready to give their all and were not scared of any team While welcoming the team to Rivers State, Barr Chris Green expressed delight that the final four championship was taking place in Port Harcourt and assured that necessary facilities and associated logistics have been put in place to enable hitch competition.

Curtain Falls on Maiden 1XBET Grassroots Football Today Curtain will be drawn on the maiden 1XBET Community Football Championship this afternoon in Lagos when Odion Ighalo FC and Bariga FC battle for the top prize.

This final game at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island is the climax of six weeks of pure grassroots football contests across five different communities in Lagos State.

According to the organisers of the championship, Match

International Limited led by Engr.

Waidi Akanni, the final match of the championship between Odion Ighalo FC and Bariga FC, is to be preceded by a novelty five-a-side football match between Lagos Legends, a group of former footballers.

Also, the third-place game between De Elites FC and Young Strikers FC will hold before the grande finale.

Akanni expressed his excitement over the championship, praising

1XBET for offering to sponsor it.

"We give profound gratitude and appreciation to 1XBET for sponsoring this championship.

We have had several grassroots football competitions hosted in different parts of Nigeria. Yet, I can confidently tell you that the 1XBET Community Football Championship has set a lofty and enviable benchmark for grassroots football development in Nigeria,” observed the former Nigerian international who is also

a former Chairman of Lagos FA. The Match International Limited Chief Executive Officer was also happy over the quality offered by the non-league players.

"We are very impressed by what we have seen so far, in the championship. All the teams and officials have showed that with more of such competitions, there's hope for non-league players, as well as, young players to express their innate talents for further exposure,” concludes Akanni.

Former African champions, Enyimba FC moved away from the bottom rung of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a hard earned 2-1 win over visiting Bendel Insurance of Benin in a rescheduled tie yesterday in Aba. Chijioke Mbaoma was the hero of the night with an 81st-minute winner after Ismael Seriki had cancelled the home team lead and secured the maximum points.

The former champions have had a turbulent start in the season and are gradually gaining momentum but yesterday’s victory has pushed the Peoples Elephants into the eighth position on the log while Insurance remained in the sixth position.

Having defeated Lobi Stars last weekend, Enyimba saw the rescheduled game against Bendel

Insurance as an opportunity to improve their position on the table.

The Benin Arsenal made it tough for the host from the blast of the whistle and no goal was recorded in the second half. Joseph Atule put the champions ahead in the 70th minute before Ismael Sarki netted the equaliser in the 75th minute.

Mbaoma sent the home fans into a frenzy with the winning goal in the 80th minute and ensured another maximum point in the second consecutive game.

Action resumes again this weekend with Remo Star playing host against leaders, Doma United in Ikenne in the only match on Saturday and the next day, Abia Warriors will host Enugu Rangers while Heartland will hope to extend the impressive 1-1 score line against Sporting Lagos last week as the clash with Enyimba.

Kano Pillars will host Bendel

Stage Set for 3rd Aruna Quadri Table Tennis Open Plans have been concluded for the staging of the 3rd Aruna Quadri National Table Tennis Open starting from November 29 to December 3 at Eko Club in Lagos.

The tournament which started as a cadet tournament has grown to become a national open for senior, junior, and cadet players within and outside Lagos state.

The tournament is organised

by Aruna Sports and Academy with support from Eko Club and Olusoga Odunayo Adesanya Foundation Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) will provide the technical backing.

For the 2023 edition, top players have expressed interest in being part of the championships as former champions like Tobi Adebakin and Kehinde Akanbi are ready to reclaim the titles they won at the maiden edition in 2021.

According to the coordinator of the tournament, Ganiat Aruna, the essence of the championships

was to unearth new talents that would step into the shoes of African champion Quadri Aruna in the near future.

“Our aim is to discover more talents by catching them at a younger age as well as to discover more talents like Quadri Aruna in the near future. We hope to help improve the physical fitness and health of children to maintain a healthy lifestyle through table tennis by preventing a range of health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in children as it has increased dramatically in recent decades,” she added.

“We also want to develop valuable teamwork and leadership skills that can help foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among team members as well as build critical skills such as problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution to prepare to lead in the society,” the former national junior champion said.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

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Atiku Abubakar to Ruling APC

“Either through the electoral process where opposition parties are rigged out with brazen impunity, or during the post-election court processes where the judiciary is conspicuously doing the bidding of the ruling APC, it has become increasingly apparent that our democracy is in a state of ill-health. It gets more curious that all the states where the courts have made controversial declarations are those controlled by the opposition political parties. From Nasarawa to Kano to Zamfara and now Plateau State, what the ruling party missed out on Election Day are being delivered to them through the courts.”

olusegunadeniyi the verdict olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Mikel Obi,‘Black Tax’ and African Families

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ollowing a highly revealing (and very entertaining) interview on ‘Vibes With Five’ (podcast of former England International and Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand), former Super Eagles Skipper, John Obi Mikel is now in the eye of the social media storm. In the interview, the 2013 African Footballer of the Year, who had an illustrious career at Chelsea FC, spoke about several issues, including what is generally regarded as ‘Black Tax’—an unstructured financial burden usually placed on a successful person by members of their extended family. While the term was coined in the days of apartheid in South Africa, it is a phenomenon that you find in practically all countries on the continent. I hear that there is also a Latino version in the United States called ‘Brown Tax’. Meanwhile, this has nothing to do with sports or the world of celebrity.

But perhaps because footballers are noted for sudden stupendous wealth, they are often targetted by family members who see them as the ‘tides’ that must lift other ‘boats.’ And they are the people Mikel Obi spoke for.

Apparently affected by the lack of appreciation he received from those he may have helped within his family, Mikel lamented: “You get threatened by your own blood. When you come from Africa, and this is something I don’t think we speak a lot about, when you make money, it’s not your money. You get a salary and say, ‘I will put this aside for this person, put that aside for that person, and put that aside for my mum and dad’. Before you know it, you are getting less than them.

That is the culture. They expect you to do that. For them, you owe them.” He went further to describe how that culture of entitlement ultimately breeds laziness and indulgent lifestyles, including from distant relations. “You have all these relatives, cousins, whatever you call it…and your sisters, they go off and they get married to some guy who just wants to get married to John Obi Mikel’s family because my life is sorted. And then you start looking after this guy. Before you know it, you’re looking at them. They keep having so many kids, and you look at it, ‘okay, you’re having these many kids, who’s going to look after them?’ It’s you.”

Quite naturally, a mix of entitlement and indulgence soon leads to resentment and blackmail if you don’t meet certain expectations, as Mikel explained. “For them, you owe them that. So, sometimes you have to be strong and say, ‘you know what, guys, enough is enough, I don’t care.’ They give you this thing whereby, if you don’t do it, we’re going to go to the press. ‘Oh, wow! After all that I have done for you guys.’ But this happens a lot.

In Africa, I’m telling you, not everybody comes out and speaks about it, because we’re thinking, how are we going to talk about this?”

Before I continue, let me state that Mikel will not be the first African footballer to

John Obi Mikel

express his frustration. In 2017, Emmanuel Adebayor, former Togolese International (with Nigerian ancestry) who played for Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Real Madrid, also spoke of how his family members saw him as no more than an ATM machine from which to draw money.

“I often change my phone number so that my family can’t contact me. They call me, not to ask how I am, but to demand money. That was the case after I injured my hamstring while with Tottenham,” said Adebayor. “They rang me while I was having a scan to ask me if I could pay a kid’s school fees. At least ask me first how I am before you do this.”

I do not see any reason to vilify Mikel for sharing his experience. But I also do not agree with those who see only evil in ‘black tax’. Perhaps the most nuanced intervention I have read on this issue is the X (formerly Twitter) post of Ikhide Ikheloa. While appreciating what might have necessitated Mikel’s “lamentation about the dysfunction that we now call black tax”, Ikheloa explains that there is nothing inherently wrong with the concept which many of us also benefitted from at some points in our life. If it takes a village to raise an African child, it also stands to reason that when such a child eventually makes it in life, they should not forget their roots.

Ikheloa draws from his own family example which is not different from that of many. “There are circles of need; while my parents were billing others, they were busy being billed. Our house was always full, relatives fleeing poverty would come to us in the city,” Ikheloa wrote. “It is a privilege and a blessing to be in a position to give, to help loved ones, to look in the

eyes of a hopeful youngster and assure them that they will be alright.” I share his position. The network of support that many of us have drawn upon to get to our present station in life makes it difficult to decry ‘black tax’. But I am also aware that each of us has a breaking point.

It is not wrong for successful people to help empower members of their family and other network of acquaintances through strategic giving. But such gestures should neither breed family loafers (and haters) nor impact on their own ability to save for the future. So, ‘giving back’ is not the problem. What we must discourage is a culture of dependence that has conditioned some family members of a successful person to believe they no longer have to work for a living. That’s what Mikel spoke against. Even when most of us may not have voiced our frustrations as he did, there is hardly anyone who has not ‘blocked’ certain individuals from their contact list because of this same problem. We must therefore ask salient questions about this phenomenon of ‘black tax’ because it also reflect in the productive capacity of our country.

I recall an experience I once had during a visit (in October 2012) to Ekiti State when Dr Kayode Fayemi was a first-term Governor. I escorted him on a working visit to the Ikogosi Spring that was then under reconstruction. During the inspection of work, we reached the reception area being constructed with thatched roof and Fayemi noticed that the Yoruba being spoken by the workers had a different slant. He asked where they came from and they replied that they were from Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Turning to the contractor, Fayemi asked why he would import foreigners to do local jobs. The contractor said the job required some special skills. “Then teach our people”, Fayemi directed. “They don’t want to work”, the contractor replied, right in the presence of many of the young boys from the village who had congregated. Almost immediately, Fayemi started to ‘lecture’ the boys who had been hailing him, but it was obvious they were not interested in what he was telling them. They just wanted him to ‘drop something.’ No nation develops when you have a preponderance

of able-bodied young men who seek to build their lives not by working but rather by relying on collecting ‘black tax’ from successful people!

That this issue has posed its own challenge in the public space and may be responsible for the lack of accountability in the system today is why it is indeed worthy of serious interrogation. Ordinarily, when people go to public office, it is meant to be a sacrifice.

But that is not the way those who expect this ‘tax’ see it. And the tragedy of Obi Okonkwo, the fictional character in Chinua Achebe’s ‘No Longer At Ease’, provides a practical example. In my August column, ‘To Serve…and To Eat!’ which interrogated this issue of public expectation, I illustrated my point with a piece I wrote in 2008 as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Therefore, Mikel has raised a very important issue. Why, for instance, is it difficult to build generational wealth on the continent?

On Monday, the African Director of MacArthur Foundation, Dr Kole Shettima, was around in my office with the visiting Dr Jonathan F. Fanton, immediate past president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Fanton, 80, was the global president of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for ten years between 1999 and 2009. During the period, he took special interest in our country.

Established in 1978, the Foundation has spent billions of dollars across the world and hundreds of millions of dollars in Nigeria to promote education, health, human rights, justice and accountability in the public space. Out of curiosity, I asked whether the MacArthurs left any children behind. Fanton said they had a son (now deceased) and a daughter who is still alive but stays away from the work of the multibillion-dollar charity organisation established by her deceased parents! Can you imagine an African man leaving behind such stupendous wealth to be managed by ‘outsiders’ to solve problems in faraway countries without the entitled children and grandchildren of some uncles, aunties, nieces, cousins and even unrelated village people fighting themselves to death over the money?

NOTE: Column concluded online

Adimora, Obiagwu at 60

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n ‘Twin Grief: The Loss of My Other Half’, Jill Cohen explains that nobody can fully understand what a twin goes through upon the death of their sibling unless they themselves are a twin.

“And even then, as we know, no two people grieve alike, as no two relationships are the same.” She added that the uniqueness of the twinship bond makes grieving more complicated. I have seen that with my brother and friend, Obi Adimora who lost his twin sister, Mrs Adaobi Ibezue (nee Adimora) 32 years ago. Since then, every birthday has been more an occasion to mourn her loss than to celebrate his own additional year. But as he clocks 60 on Saturday, Adimora must imbibe the spirit of the Biblical Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything,

including ‘a time to mourn, and a time to dance.’

A very private but highly thoughtful man who is fiercely loyal to friends and family, Adimora deserves to dance on Saturday as he joins the Sexagenarian Club. My prayer for him is that the several years ahead be more fulfilling than the years behind as I wish him happy birthday. Incidentally, Adimora shares the day with someone who is also special to my family, Pastor Emeka Obiagwu. His 60th birthday also comes up on Saturday. I will not be in Lagos for the thanksgiving service, but my wife will be joining the RCCG ‘Good Shepherds Pasture (GSP) family’ in the diamond jubilee celebration for our beloved brother. I wish Pastor Emeka happy birthday, good health and long life.

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