TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2022

CJN: Judiciary Yet to Be Truly Independent, Administers Oath of Office on 62 Fresh SANs Appeals to executive, legislature to make judiciary's funding priority Blames non-amendment of constitution for over-blotted dockets

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola yes-

terday disclosed that the Nigerian judiciary was "yet to be free or truly independent" as the third arm of government.

This was just as the CJN administered oath of office on 62 lawyers newly conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate

of Nigeria (SAN).

Justice Ariwoola in a speech he delivered to mark the commencement of the court's 2022/23 Legal

Year and Swearing -in of newly conferred SANs, noted that the Judiciary, "to a very large extent, is Independent in conducting its

affairs and taking decisions on matters before it without any Continued on page 11

CBN Outlines Policy Initiatives to Accelerate 95% Financial Inclusion Target... Page 5 Tuesday 29 November, 2022 Vol 27. No 10094. Price: N250

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Emmanuel: No Candidate Matches Atiku’s Capacity Says PDP going into 2023 election to win Chuks Okocha in Abuja

L-R: Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III; Former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki; his wife, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, at the 10th-anniversary memorial lecture organised in honour of late Oloye, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki in Abuja... yesterday

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Continued on page 11

In Tough Start, Adeleke Signs Executive Orders, Sacks 12,000 Workers, Monarchs, OSIEC Chair Assembly fires back, says Osun Anthem, state of virtuous legal APC condemns reign of terror by alleged PDP hoodlums Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Barely 24 hours after he assumed office, and took some tough decisions, including freezing the state’s accounts, reversing appointments made by his predecessor, and abolishing the “State of Osun” appellation, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has announced a series of policies to consolidate his earlier actions.

Adeleke signed six executive orders yesterday affirming the reversal of the appointments made by ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, and further sacking some 12,000 workers said to have been illegally employed.

Those sacked included 30 Permanent Secretaries, while Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Segun Oladitan, and its members were suspended.

The OSIEC chairman and members were fired for alleged abuse of office.

Continued on page 11

TEMPLARS SAN HAT-TRICK!!...

L-R: Templars Partners, Adewale Atake; Past President, NBA, Olumide Akpata; Inam Wilson; Managing Partner, Oghogho Akpata and Godwin Omoaka, on the occassion of the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on Wilson and sixty-one other legal practitioners in Abuja…yesterday

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

PRESIDENTIAL HEALTH REFORM COMMITTEE RETREAT...

L-R: Emir of Shonga, Haliru Yahaya; Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr. Alex Okoh; Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senator PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI Ibrahim Oloriegbe, during the Opening Ceremony of Presidential Health Reform Committee Retreat at the NIA Conference Centre in Abuja..... yesterday

CBN Outlines Policy Initiatives to Accelerate 95% Financial Inclusion Target Agent banking channels hit 1.4 million in October Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it is assiduously working towards achieving its 95 per cent financial inclusion target by 2024, with the recent launch of its Revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 3.0) and a number of other important policy frameworks.

It listed the other initiatives to help ensure 95 per cent of Nigerians have access to financial services to include the National Strategy for Leveraging Agent Networks for Women’s Financial Inclusion; National Fintech Strategy; Nigeria Payments System Vision 2025 (PSV

2025); Nigerian Financial Services Maps (NFSMaps); the CBN Regulatory Sandbox as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria – Central Bank of Egypt Fintech Bridge.

The CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, disclosed this in a speech she delivered at the recently held 2022 Financial Inclusion Conference, in Abuja, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY yesterday.

According to Ahmad, “notwithstanding these successes, some of which were spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, certain segments such as youth, rural dwellers, women, north-east and

north-west regions and MSMEs/ Farmers remain relatively excluded [11%, 24%, 8%, 32% (NW) and three per cent (access to formal loans) respectively] compared to the national averages. Progress in credit, insurance and pensions have also been slow. These segments are the key target priority areas for the NFIS 3.0.

“Agent banking network growth was significant, increasing from 38,416 agents in December 2018 to 1.4 million by October 2022, primarily driven by the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) initiative of the CBN and the Bankers Committee.

“This expansion of agent network

NDIC Disburses N113.2bn to Insured, Uninsured Depositors Nume Ekeghe and James Emejo in Port-Harcourt The Managing Director/Chief Executive Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Mr. Bello Hassan has stated that the corporation has cumulatively paid N11.83 billion to over 443,949 insured depositors and over N101.37 billion to uninsured depositors of all categories of banks in-liquidation.

This brings the total amount to N113.2 billion.

He noted that the updated figures captured the 49 deposit money banks (DMBs) in liquidation as of June 2022.

He said this yesterday, in his opening remark at the 19th edition of NDIC Workshop the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) and Business Editors with the theme, “Boosting Depositors’ Confidence Amidst Emerging Issues and Challenges in the Banking System.”

According him, “As of June 2022, the NDIC had cumulatively paid N11.83 billion to over 443,949 insured depositors and over N101.37 billion to uninsured depositors of all categories of banks in-liquidation.

“It is most profound for me to say that out of the 49 DMBs in-liquidation, the Corporation in September 2022 declared 100 per cent liquidation dividend in 20 of those institutions, meaning that the Corporation has realised enough funds from their assets to fully pay all depositors of the listed banks.”

He added as of June 30, 2022, the NDIC provided deposit insurance coverage to a total of 981 insured financial institutions.

The breakdown included: 33 DMBs made up of 24 commercial banks, six merchant banks and three non-interest banks (NIBs).

Others, he added were: two non-interest windows, 882 Microfinance Banks (MFBs), 34 Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), three Payment Service Banks (PSBs), and 29 Mobile Money Operators.

Hassan added that the corporation was determined to ensure a faster and orderly resolution of liquidated banks.

He said: “In the area of scaling up the deposit insurance framework and ensuring faster and orderly resolutions of liquidated insured institutions, in May this year, with the active participation of the relevant stakeholders, we had developed and deployed the Single Customer View (SCV) platform for the Microfinance and Primary Mortgage Banks in order to strengthen our processes and procedure for data collection.

“The platform would not only ensure availability of quality, timely and complete data to the NDIC, but would eliminate delays often experienced in reimbursing depositors following revocation of institutions’ licences by the CBN. “The final phase of the implementation of the SCV for Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) will be achieved through the

incorporation of the SCV template as part of the ongoing Integrated Regulatory Solution (IRS) jointly being developed with the CBN.” He added that in the area of consumer protection, the corporation has strengthened its complaints resolution platforms, which include the Toll-Free Help Desk, social media handles and Complaints Desks in the Bank Examination, Special Insured Institutions and Claims Resolutions Departments, as well as our Zonal Offices, to receive and process complaints from depositors.

is an important lever to expand the number of financial access points per 100,000 of the population – thereby boosting access to affordable financial services by those in the more dispersed rural areas and certain urban centers. The growth in agent networks which has been significant also in the North-East (67% in 2020) will be important for improving financial inclusion in the north.

“Whilst the 2022 A2F survey is being awaited, it is anticipated that the financial inclusion rate would have improved by another 5 percentage points, drawing on the momentum on Digital Financial Services spurred by COVID-19 pandemic, and leveraging the myriad of financial services solutions in the dynamic financial system.”

Furthermore, she listed future priorities for accelerating financial inclusion for the CBN to include consolidating interagency and policy – innovation collaboration; deepening digital financial services penetration in excluded segments through the e-Naira offline solution; enhancing and harmonising digital identity for financial inclusion; and leveraging NIN foundational ID for further financial inclusion.

Others are implementing full cashless policy nationwide; implementation of the Nigerian Domestic Card project; gender mainstreaming in financial services; expending agent network penetration in underserved areas and further development of a robust payment system infrastructure.

Ahmad pointed out that financial

inclusion remains an important policy goal for countries and central banks, given its role as a key driver of poverty alleviation and economic growth.

She noted that when individuals have access to financial services that are varied, affordable and meets their specific needs and circumstances, it enhances their economic opportunities, financial resilience and wealth prospects thereby boosting national productivity and inclusive growth and development.

“Global alliances for financial inclusion such as the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative (FIGI) championed by the World Bank Group (WBG), and notable partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)’s network of policymakers, serve to promote policies to ensure that over 1.4 billion people around the world without access to financial services are formally included in the financial system.

“Financial inclusion is a strategic objective for the CBN given its mandate to promote price, monetary and financial stability. The role of financial inclusion in important in enhancing its financial stability and monetary policy effectiveness.

“Policy making by the CBN in collaboration with other financial sector regulators has been an undeniable force behind Nigeria’s advancements in financial inclusion over the last decade. Nigeria’s financial inclusion journey began in 2010 when the CBN along with

10 other countries joined the Maya Accord under AFI, a global peer country partnership for financial inclusion - pledging individual commitments to financial inclusion in their countries.

“This sparked the birth of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) in 2012, and the establishment of governance and policy frameworks through which the strategy is being executed.

“The convening power of the CBN shaped the financial inclusion narrative for Nigeria, given its role as chair of the National Financial Inclusion Steering Committee (NFISC) and Technical Committee (NFITC) chaired by the CBN Governor and the CBN Deputy Governor of Financial System Stability respectively, and establishment of a Financial Inclusion Secretariat, (now Financial Inclusion Delivery Unit within the Development Finance Department of the CBN).

“The FIDU acts as a critical coordinating unit for the NFISC, the NFITC and the Working Groups and State chapter coordinators,” she explained.

According to Ahmad, these committees and groups are comprised of a cross section of stakeholders in the public and private sector including financial and other regulators including the CBN, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), National Pension Commission (PENCOM), and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

FG Seeks Collaborative Efforts in Addressing Skewed Int’l Tax Rules Harmonisation of tax systems will plug revenue leakages, says Nami James Emejo and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed yesterday called on the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) to join forces with Nigeria in insisting that the skewed international tax rules be straightened for the good of all.

The minister insisted that the current international tax rules were skewed against some countries, particularly developing nations, including Nigeria.

Speaking at the opening of the 42nd Annual Technical Conference of the Commonwealth Association

of Tax Administrators (CATA) with the theme: “Tax Administration in the Digital Era,” in Abuja, the minister stressed that taxation was a matter of domestic law, pointing out that disputes arising from the interpretation of domestic legislation should only be resolved within those domestic legislations and by people properly schooled to interpret them.

Ahmed said Nigeria was committed to working with other jurisdictions and international bodies to achieve a win-win solution in the contentious matter.

She said, “Painfully, the skewness in the current international tax rules is again influencing the

two-pillar solution of the Inclusive Framework.

“We have observed, for instance, that “Amount A” profit meant for market jurisdictions is progressively being chipped away in favour of jurisdictions where the multinationals are resident.

“Another example of skewness of the ‘Amount A’, rules are the requirement for jurisdictions to surrender domestic tax disputes to the mandatory and binding ruling of an arbitration panel composed and sitting outside the legal system of the respective jurisdictions.

She said the “discussion to change the rules must start now; the world must rework the profit

allocation rules used for transfer pricing and the sharing of taxing rights by tax treaty partners.

“Nigeria is of the view that CATA is that organisation that is best placed to start this dialogue.

Nigeria is committed to working with other jurisdictions and international bodies to achieve a win-win solution.

“The ‘Amount A’ proposal being developed by the Inclusive Framework is not achieving consensus because it is founded on win-lose principles. Only rules that promote a win-win situation can achieve the support of all.”

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ADMIRALTY UNIVERSITY MAIDEN CONVOCATION CEREMONY...

L-R: Secretary to the State Government, Delta State, Patrick Ukah; Chairman, Heirs Holdings; Transcorp Group and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Lawal Zubairu Gambo, during the recent maiden convocation ceremony of the Admiralty University of Nigeria in Ibusa, Delta State, where Elumelu delivered the Convocation Lecture to the graduating class of 2022…yesterday

FG Banks on Energy Transition Plan to Pull 100m Nigerians out of Poverty Insists delivering net-zero target requires $1.9trn spending till 2060 EU pledges to support Nigeria's ETP with €400m projects, programmes Peter Uzoho For the umpteenth time, the federal government has hinged its target of pulling 100 million Nigerians from the shackles of poverty on the implementation of Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan (ETP).

The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, stated this yesterday, at the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF2022), which was held virtually, insisting that delivering net-zero target required $1.9 trillion spending up to 2060.

Also at the forum, the European Union (EU) promised to support Nigeria in its energy transition plan by contributing some €400 million worth of projects and programmes to achieve the plan.

The minister stated that aside pulling 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, the ETP would also help to drive economic growth of the country.

“It will also bring modern energy services to the full population and managing the expected long-term job loss in the oil sector due to global decarbonisation. The plan

focuses on the rapid build out of sustainable energy systems to tackle energy poverty in the nation," Jeddy-Agba added.

He explained that in designing the plan, key targets from relevant policies and initiatives such as the 2020 Economic Sustainability Plan, the Nigeria Electrification Project, the National Decarbonisation Programme, and the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) would be met.

He said the plan had been approved by the Federal Executive Council and adopted as national policy, noting that an Energy Transition Implementation Working Group (ETWG) had been established to drive the implementation of the ETP along with key international partners.

The ETWG, he said is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and made up of several key ministers including the Ministers of Environment, Finance, Works and Housing, Petroleum Resources, Foreign Affairs, and Power.

“The Working Group and its secretariat, the Energy Transition Office, have been engaging with

in-country stakeholders, development partners, financiers and the international community for the delivery of the plan," the minister said.

He added that the ETP analysis showed that delivering Nigeria’s net-zero target required $1.9 trillion spending up to 2060, including $410 billion above business-as-usual spending.

Earlier, the Team Lead, Green Economy Co-operation Section,

European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, said Nigeria was not standing alone in this ongoing transition.

She said the EU would contribute some €400 million worth of projects and programmes to the ETP, explaining that, “This amount may seem modest when compared with the needs and the ETP estimates, but it is also the role of our funds to act as catalysers of

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has summoned the Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and that of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over their roles in the financing of contracts awarded by the Nigerian High Commission in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

This was just as the Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Janet Oliseh and two Financial Attaches that served in the Mission during the time the controversial contract was signed in 2013, were made to explain their roles in the payment process.

The Office of the AuGF had raised an 8-point query on the Addisa Baba Mission project also

bordering on funds’ embezzlement, non-compliance to public procurement provisions in contract award, payment to contractors without required certificates as well as not following due process in virtually all stages of the contract award.

The lawmakers at the Investigative Hearing got to know that the award of contract for the construction of a presidential lodge and guest chalets to serve the Nigerian delegation to the annual AU conference in the Ethiopian capital, at the instance of then President Goodluck Jonathan's pronouncement was exclusively financed by the two major external-related security agencies, DIA and NIA. "From records I met upon my recent resumption as the director overseeing the PS office in the ministry, the bank account from which the project was financed

installed generation capacity by 2030 with 30 per cent share of renewable energy Nigeria.”

He said the NEF2022 webcast was focused on capacity building for energy professionals, policy makers, business leaders and consumers.

Adeuyi said that it demonstrated cross-industry collaboration and contributions towards ensuring a sustainable, just and people-centric energy transition.

FG: Standardisation Key to Reaping AfCFTA Benefits James Emejo and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Maryam Katagum yesterday said the role of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) remained critical in helping the country’s manufacturing sector to fully benefit from the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The minister said the assurance of adherence to internationally accepted standards which the organisation upholds would eliminate technical barriers to trade making to make locally produced items more competitive globally.

Speaking at the 50th-anniversary celebration of SON in Abuja, Katagum said one of the goals of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration was to ensure that the country takes advantage of

Lawmakers Summon NIA, DIA over Contract Awarded for Construction of Presidential Lodge in Ethiopia Udora Orizu in Abuja

change, reforms, private sector and international development finance investment.

"We are proud to have achieved such positive spillovers for Nigeria already and we look forward to working together more."

The Chairman of NEF 2022, Dr. Daniel Adeuyi, said, “practical actions on project financing, people development and policy implementation must progress at pace to achieve the target of 30GW

untill an order came for its stoppage was controlled by the DIA and NIA, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry not having any say or control over it", Oliseh said She said this explained the first part of the query raised by the Auditor General of the Federation AuGF that the Nigerian Mission in Ethiopia was denying it access to financial documents in its investigation on the projects costed at over N220 million.

Though the acting PS initially denied and tried to give explanations to issues raised in the Auditor's query, she later upon facts presented by the committee, asked for more time to review the reply submitted by the ministry before her assumption of office, with a view of getting to the heart of the matter and providing additional information and documents as

requested by the committee.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wole Oke had earlier frowned at the manner both Ambassador Lulu and his predecessor in office at the Addisa Baba Mission Ambassador Adeoye had handled the long-lasting issue to drag on till now without resolving it.

Oke noted that in as much as much of the Committee's work was post-mortem in nature, the mission contract issue since 2013, was allowed to drag on for two long with none of the personalities involved exhaustively exploring the available windows of resolution.

The committee chairman noted that the committee was pressed for time to turn in its reports on audit queries and granted the acting PS two weeks instead of the six weeks she asked for to get her acts together for reappearance.

emerging trade opportunities across the world, adding that adherence to quality standards was however critical to achieving its objective.

The minister particularly commended SON for the positive role it has played in promoting the growth of the manufacturing sector and the economy at large, adding that its, “activities especially through the MANCAP scheme have contributed immensely to the increased acceptability of Nigerian-made products in the international market achieved by this administration.”

She further assured the organisation of the government’s continued support towards achieving its primary mandate.

The minister said, “In acknowledgment of its consistent implementation of reforms aimed at making its services more easily accessible to the public, SON has been ranked first in the Ease of Doing Business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

“In addition, the organisation recently received an Award from the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for Ease of Doing Business in the Information Technology Sector. These two recognitions are no doubt fitting anniversary gifts which will no doubt challenge the organisation to keep up its good work.”

She added that the accomplishments of SON over the past 50 years could not have been possible without the strong support of successive governments especially

the various ministers of industry and trade.

Katagum also admitted that her ministry had also benefitted immensely from the strong support of Buhari and the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who remained a strong advocate of the growth of MSMEs. She noted that the leadership provided by the president and his vice had helped to position the ministry to provide SON with the support that has resulted in its achievements in the recent past.

The minister also pointed out that the current Director General of the agency, Mallam Farouk Salim, alongside his management team had demonstrated innovation, resourcefulness, and commitment in his leadership of the organisation, and, “I have no doubt that SON is in safe hands.”

She also reassured SON of the ministry’s continued support and guidance as it looks forward to the next 50 years of existence.

The minister said, “Fifty years is a long time in the life of an organisation in Nigeria especially given the fact that our existence as an independent country is only 12 years longer.

“SON must, therefore, be one of the oldest government institutions in Nigeria. This anniversary is therefore undoubtedly a milestone worth celebrating.

“In addition, the steady growth of the Organisation from its humble beginnings to becoming the Apex Standards Body in Nigeria with constitutional responsibilities is also remarkable and worth celebrating.”

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LAUNCH OF THE NIGERIA INFORMATION TRADE PORTAL...

L-R: Cluster Coordinator, Sustainable Economic Development Cluster, Markus Wausehkuhn; Team Leader, Green Economy Cooperation Section, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowic; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, and Director, Commodities Export Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Suleiman Audu, at the launch of the Nigeria Information Trade Portal (NITP) in Abuja...yesterday

Buhari: Global Economic Crisis Causing Hardship for West Africans Again, promises to bequeath free, fair election legacy to Nigeria, ECOWAS Gets sub regional parliament's honour for promoting democracy Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the global economic crisis has negatively impacted countries in the West African sub-region thereby causing untold hardship to its citizens.

This was just as he promised to bequeath the legacy of free and fair election to Nigerians and by extension the ECOWAS sub-region.

Declaring open the 2022 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, yesterday, he said the Second Session of the ECOWAS parliament would be expected to consider the Community Budget among others.

"Let me emphasise that the global economic downturn has deeply affected the economies

of our sub-region and resulted in dire economic hardships for the citizens of the Community,” he added.

According to him, the ECOWAS parliament should consider its budget with diligence and bear in mind the various contributions the countries make in terms of levy.

His words: “I, therefore, urge you to perform your sacred responsibility of considering the Community budget with diligence, while bearing in mind the sacrifice of various countries in the payment of Community levy.

“I urge you to remain conscious of the many challenges besieging the region and be sensitive to the needs of the people.”

He commended the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidie

Tunis, for what he said was the commitment and sacrifice he was making towards promoting regional integration and strengthening democracy and good governance in our sub-region.

Buhari noted the progress that had been made by the ECOWAS Parliament since the inception of the 5th Legislature, in March 2020.

He added: “Specifically, your contributions to the efficient and effective implementation of the objectives and policies of the Community, including the strengthening of representative democracy, have been outstanding.

“I must also commend you for the tremendous efforts you have invested in making the Parliament visible and relevant to the people of the ECOWAS region.

“I am aware that over the period of the tenure of this legislature, our people have begun to regard the Parliament as the true representative of their voice and a dependable ally.

“I, therefore, seize this opportunity to thank the Leadership and all Honourable Members for a job well-done."

President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS efforts, with the support of the nation’s partners to keep the region peaceful, secure and politically stable.

He noted that in this regard, Nigeria remains committed to supporting ECOWAS to restore democratic rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

While noting that some of the

Acting CNA Pledges Improved Welfare for National Assembly Staff Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Sani Magaji Tambuwal has assured members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) in the nation's apex legislative institution of his commitment and adequate attention to their welfare.

Tambuwal, made the pledge while declaring open, PASAN Week 2022 at the National Assembly complex yesterday.

He said, “I wish to reiterate that as an ardent advocate of staff welfare, I am assuring you of my commitment and adequate attention to the welfare of the National Assembly staff by the will and grace of God the Almighty."

He also assured the staff that he would operate an open-door policy and expressed hope that this would be “reciprocated with a high sense of responsibility in tabling issues concerning staff.”

He said, “I promise to ensure that no PASAN member will be unnecessarily discriminated against or made to suffer injustice in our quest to make the National Assembly the best place to work in Nigeria.”

He also appealed to the staff, “to support our Principals, including, the legislators to enable them to achieve their aspirations for the Nigerian people."

Tambuwal said, " Let us support and contribute to their success as their success is ours and our success is theirs.

"This support should also be extended to the National Assembly Service Commission for obvious reasons.

"There is also the need for support to all critical stakeholders in the legislative business of our dear nation in the interest of career development, better welfare for our staff, peace, order and good governance of our dear country.”

The acting Clerk urged the staff to, “join hands to move the National Assembly to an enviable height.”

This year's PASAN Week has as its theme, “Labour, Unionism, and Industrial Harmony in the National Assembly.”

Tambuwal described the theme as, “not only timely, but apt and reflects the happenings and developments in the National Assembly.”

“The role of labour, unionism, and the quest for a credible leg-

islative process in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised, taking into consideration our struggles and sacrifices to uplift the National Assembly at all times,” he said.

The National President of PASAN, Mohammed Usman said the National Assembly chapter of PASAN being, “the biggest and virile among the chapters should continue to be a role model and

be protective of other members and the union in general.”

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wamba described PASAN as not just an affiliate union, but one involved in the struggle for a better Nigeria.

He added, “What is happening is part of capacity building, which is what only responsible unions should be doing regularly.”

countries in the region including Nigeria would be engaged in political activities in 2023, the president also expressed commitment to bequeath a legacy of free, fair and credible polls to West Africa.

Said he: “We are convinced that the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law should remain the norm in this promising region.

“As you are aware, there will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS Member States, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to hold in February and March 2022.

“Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and smooth transitions.

This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria, but to the region as a whole.

“At the regional level, Sierra Leone and Liberia are also preparing for elections. As in the past, Nigeria is ready to stand by any country in the region that is committed to organising free and fair elections."

The president expressed Nigeria's commitment to keeping West Africa, in collaboration with all partners, peaceful, secure and politically stable, particularly seeing to it that the countries currently under military rule; Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, are successfully returned to democratic rule.

"Let me reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS efforts, with the support of our Partners to keep the region peaceful, secure and

Obaseki: We’ll Prioritise Building, Staffing of 20 Edo Technical Colleges, Others in 2023 Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration would in 2023, focus on building and staffing the proposed 20 technical colleges and other vocational training centres in the state.

A statement yesterday quoted Obaseki to have disclosed this in Benin City. He said his government was prioritising education, with emphasis on technical and vocational education to drive the state’s industrial growth.

The governor while restating the government’s plan to build 20 technical colleges, with one in each

local council of the state to cater for manpower needs and drive the state’s industrial growth, said emphasis would also be placed on building and staffing the proposed 20 technical colleges in 2023.

According to him, “Technical education is also a priority for us. The Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) has been a successful pilot for our state-wide plan to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). We are working with partners such as the German Government and

the World Bank to roll out more TVET schools across the 18 local governments in the state.”

He further added, “We have set out to deepen the reform of the basic education sector and would ensure the full operationalisation of the disarticulated school system to ensure that our children learn what is best for them and also acquire necessary skills to become globally competitive.

“Emphasis will be placed on building and staffing the proposed 20 technical colleges and other vocational training centres.”

politically stable. In this regard, Nigeria remains committed to supporting ECOWAS to restore democratic rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

"We are convinced that the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law should remain the norm in this promising region. As you are aware, there will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS Member States, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to hold in February and March 2022.

Reminding the legislators on the need to align their programmes to those of the founding fathers of the sub-regional body, Buhari said, “the vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS was to have a West Africa that is integrated economically with harmonised policies, enjoying free movement of persons, goods and services, as well as seamless right to establishment. ‘‘We must continue to strive harder to attain those objectives.

Let us take advantage of existing mechanisms and our enterprising population to turn our dreams into reality. ‘‘We have the capacity to do so. Let us collaborate more and remove our outdated physical and psychological boundaries and other colonially-inspired differences so our region can fully attain its full potential,’’ he said.

On the election of members of the ECOWAS Parliament by Direct Universal Suffrage, President Buhari strongly declared his support for the process, provided it was conducted with minimum or even at no cost at all, to the Community.

Explaining Nigeria’s support for the process, he noted that ECOWAS Parliament can only fulfill its true mandate when it has a set of directly elected and dedicated Members. ‘‘I believe that a membership of the ECOWAS Parliament, not drawn from serving members of Parliaments of Member States, would be a good step towards injecting our regional integration with new energy and initiative,’’ he said.

Also speaking, the President of Guinea Bissau and Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, decried the unconstitutional takeover of government in the region.

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ELEVEN

Oil Prices Tumble to One-year Low, Begins Recovery After Rumoured Planned OPEC Cut Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Oil prices yesterday tumbled to the lowest level since December

on the back of rising unrest in China, the world's biggest crude importer and consumer, clouding the outlook for energy demand.

West Texas Intermediate sank toward $74 a barrel following three weeks of losses, while Brent traded around $81 earlier in the day.

FG Mulls Regional Summit on Farmers-Herders Conflict Dec. 12 Advises Nigerian travellers to US, Europe to be cautious of thieves

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has said it was planning to hold a regional summit in Abuja on December 12 to adopt a common approach to addressing the farmers-herders conflict.

This is as the government has issued a new travel advisory, warning Nigerian travellers in the United States and the UK, some of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly, in the high street of Oxford to take extra precaution and avoid being robbed of their belongings.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the fifth edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard 2015-2023 Series’.

He described ranching as the easiest way to containing the farmersherders’ clashes in the country, adding the federal government was doing everything possible to contain the perennial farmers-herders strife that has often resulted in the loss of lives and property.

He said the federal government had embarked on an advocacy, strengthening Agro-Rangers and effective synergy among other security agencies to create a conducive environment for farmers in the rural communities.

Abubakar said President Muhammadu Buhari had also signed

into law the National Agricultural Development Fund 2022, which would provide additional source of funding for the agricultural sector apart from budgetary allocation.

The minister, therefore, called on farmers in rural communities to form cooperative societies and approach the ministry for support or intervention.

In his opening address, the

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted that the advisory on theft was imperative given that Nigerians were often robbed of their belongings especially money and international passports in Europe and the US. He lamented that the incidents had reached an increasingly high rate and therefore, the need for the advice.

However, it turned positive later in the day, recovering after falling to close to the lowest this year, as rumours of an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production cut offset concerns about street protests against strict COVID-19 curbs in China.

At the time of this report, WTI crude had risen 48 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $76.76 , after touching its lowest since December 22, at $73.60.

Also, Brent crude, Nigeria’s oil benchmark, rose 14 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to trade at $83.77 a barrel having slumped more than 3 per cent to $80.61 earlier in the session for its lowest since January 4.

Both benchmarks, which hit 10-month lows last week, have posted three consecutive weekly declines, Reuters reported.

"The word on the street is

there's rumour that OPEC+ is already starting to float the idea of a production cut on Sunday," said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at Kpler. "That's helped reverse losses that were caused overnight

by Chinese protests," he added.

OPEC and allies including Russia, a group known as OPEC+, will meet on December 4, to decide the next line of action, but in October, the group agreed to reduce its output target by 2 million barrels per day through 2023.

China has stuck with President Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy even as much of the world has lifted most restrictions, although recent events have now shown that the people are getting tired of the lockdowns.

Protests over harsh anti-virus curbs erupted across the world's largest crude importer over the

weekend, including demonstrations in Beijing and Shanghai, spurring a broad sell-off in commodities as the week opened. The rare show of defiance is raising the threat of a government crackdown.

The unrest is coming after a sharp pullback in the oil market as the risk of a slowdown in China looms and the European Union floated a price cap on Russian crude that looks set to have minimal impact on trade.

Speculators have been forced to markedly reduce bullish bets, posting the sixth-largest reduction in net-long positions on record for Brent last week.

In Nigeria, the federal government continues to battle to increase production and meet its OPEC allocation of roughly 1.8 million barrels per day, although the country can barely drill 1 million bpd.

of the people, by the time you see some people on the main road, you go back home and won't be able to sleep. So, everybody is feeling it; it is left for people to just rise and say, 'Hey, let us go back to what we knew worked well.’

“And this is not even the case of the children of Israel, who wanted to go back to Egypt and be faced with hard labour. In this case, there was no hard labour. It was actually a paradise you ran away (from).

All you need to do is go back to paradise, and paradise is with those who have the capacity.”

Regarding his thought on the 2023 polls, Emmanuel said, “I say I'm not looking at any permutation. I'm going into this with optimism, because if I'm going with permutation, it means I shouldn't be the chairman of the campaign council. I'm going with optimism. I would not have accepted been the chairman if I was not optimistic that I'm going

to win. So, we are in the race to win. There's no permutation in this case at all.

“We are trying to take the right step. That's why you are asking about a few issues in our party, and I said, of course, we are making progress. We'll resolve all issues.

You can't let anybody go in an election; every vote matters.

“Every single person is important in politics, not to talk of when you're talking about very big men. Small men like us will go and prostrate ourselves before them: please oh, big men, don’t let us down. I’m into this game to win. I don't think anybody will get to this point and be doing permutation.

What kind of permutation?”

Emmanuel spoke on the group of five aggrieved PDP governors, G-5, saying, “But they are not unhappy with me as Udom Emmanuel. Did they tell you they were unhappy with the party? Four of them are candidates of the party. They hold tickets of the party. They’re members of the party; you are getting it wrong.

“Even spoons and plates hit themselves and create a lot of noise; that doesn't mean they've broken. It doesn't mean they’ve broken. I think that is the situation here. For the fact that people are unhappy, it is inevitable, definitely inevitable, with a large party like PDP. It is the largest party in the whole of Africa.

“So, certainly, we all make mistakes. I must also confess as a party, we’ve made mistakes, and as individuals, we’ve made mistakes. But these mistakes, I can assure you, will not break us. We are trying to come back, review and then reappraise and see how we can move forward, and I can assure you, we'll do that.”

EMMANUEL: NO CANDIDATE MATCHES ATIKU’S CAPACITY Emmanuel, says there is no candidate in the race for presidency in 2023 with the kind of capacity and knowledge of national issues that the candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has. Emmanuel stated this in an exclusive interview with THISDAY. The governor said he was confident the main opposition party was going into the 2023 presidential election to win.

He said, “I’m not boasting, but among those contesting today, there is no candidate with the same capacity, knowledge and understanding of the problem and what to do for Nigeria like Atiku. There is none, not even one. I’m not being biased at all; I’m giving you a very objective opinion.

“There is none. So, that is why you see me following, because I love my country. I love my people. I want this country to get better, and even in terms of

the assemblage of good people with genuine intentions, give it to Atiku; he can put a square peg in a square hole and get the result.”

The Akwa Ibom State governor added, “I started by saying I’m very, very optimistic. But I don’t think the issue is about any party.

The issue is about Nigerians, because, you see, Nigeria is a peculiar country, and we are a peculiar people, too: suffering and smiling, like Fela said. You don’t need anybody to tell you this.

“If you’re feeling the heat of the sun outside and it is left for you to come under an umbrella and basically you refused, then what do you want God to do for you?

Even God Himself said, ‘I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me and open, I will enter.’

“So, God has given you the willpower to get out of the storm and come under the umbrella.

PDP provides an umbrella, and you refused to come under the

umbrella. Nobody can force you.

So, the issue is not about the party.

“The issue is about Nigerians, who have the power to say, 'Hey, I am tired. You guys took over power, when the exchange rate was N186. Today, it is almost N900.

You guys took over power, when a bag of rice was N6, 000. Today, it is N42, 000. You guys took over power when corruption wasn’t even anything to go by. But today, it is on a very large scale — when fuel was this and today it is this.’

“Our economy's growth rate was almost double-digit, and today we are on a minus. Every single index in this country is on a negative trend. There is no Nigerian, beginning from the least to the highest level, that is not feeling the pain. You don’t feel the pain, because you have food to eat. What about those who stop you by the way every time?

“They say you don’t have a good heart. If you have the heart

IN TOUGH START, ADELEKE SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS, SACKS 12,000 WORKERS, MONARCHS, OSIEC CHAIR The governor also dethroned three monarchs, whose installations were, allegedly, controversial.

The monarchs removed included Akinrun of Ikinrun, Oba Yinusa Akadiri; Aree of Ire, Oba Ademola Oluponle; and Owa of Igbajo, Oba Gboyega Famodun.

Adeleke told the monarchs to vacate their palaces immediately, and instructed security operatives to take over the palaces.

But the House of Assembly, yesterday, reacted to some of Adeleke’s actions. The Assembly said the Osun Anthem and the designation of Osun as State of the Virtuous remained legal, as they were backed by relevant provisions enacted by the legislature, and assented to by the then governor in 2012.

Relatedly, the Osun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned attacks by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs, which had thrown the state into panic and confusion immediately Adeleke was inaugurated in Osogbo on Sunday.

The latest purge in Osun State was contained in a statement signed

by Chief Press Secretary to Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed. The statement said the new governor had signed the executives orders covering chieftaincy matters, appointment issues, setting up of review panel, staff audit, and employment matters.

The statement read, “All employments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17th, 2022, are hereby nullified.

“Executive Order number five on Chieftaincy Affairs and appointment of traditional rulers. All appointments of traditional rulers made

by Osun State Government after 17th July, 2022, are hereby ordered to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native

law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.

“In the case of Ikirun, Iree and Igbajo, to avoid further breakdown of law and order, the appointments of Akinrun of Ikinrun, Aree of Ire and Owa of Igbajo are hereby put on hold pending review. Subsequently, the palaces of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo should remain unoccupied, while security agencies are hereby ordered to take charge.”

Another statement from the office of Secretary to Osun State Government, Tesleem Igbalaye, announced the suspension of the chairman of OSIEC, Segun Oladitan, and its members.

The members were Yusuf Oyeniran, Suibat Adubi, Yinka Ajiboye, Abosede Omibeku, Dosu Gidigbi, and Wahab Adewoyin.

The statement said the suspension was sequel to several petitions bordering on financial impropriety, dereliction of duty, absenteeism, and abuse of office against the OSIEC chairman and members of the commission.

But Chairman, Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Kunle Akande, in a statement, said the Osun Anthem and the appellation of Osun as “State of the Virtuous” remained legal, as they were backed by relevant laws.

Akande, however, said since there was a judgement on the matter relating to reverting to Osun State, as against “State of Osun,” the legislature would wait till all legal means were exhausted before stating its position on it.

Akande explained that the state would continue to be referred to as the State of the Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi), because the decision was an enactment of law and not by choice.

He stated, “The usage of the State Anthem, Crest, and Flag is an enactment of law and as such, its usage is a matter of law and not choice.

“The enactment ‘State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012’ assented to on the 18th of December, 2012 contained in Schedule I, II, III, IV and V, which carefully details every component of this law is not in ambiguity.

“Schedule I is the State Anthem, Schedule II has to do with the State Crest, Schedule III is the symbolic significance of the symbolic significance of the elements in the flag.

“Lastly, while we are aware of a court judgement in effect recognising ‘Osun State’, the Assembly, pending the determination and exhaustion of all legal means, would not be drawn into this matter. However, the state shall and will continue to be described as the State of the

Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi).”

Meanwhile, APC, in a statement by the State Deputy Chairman, Sooko Taju Lawal, said the ostensibly premeditated attacks in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ila-Orangun, Ijebu-Jesa, and other towns in the state, which erupted immediately after the swearing-in of the new PDP governor was an indication that the Adeleke administration was not capable of constitutionally protecting life and property in the state.

Lawal stated that the attacks on innocent members of the public by the PDP hoodlums was inhuman, inconsiderate, barbaric, and pungently oppressive.

According to him, there are reports indicating that a number of people

were attacked and wounded, with vehicles either burnt down and innocent people being harassed within 48 hours of the existence of the PDP administration in the state. He said the development was an indication that the helmsman of the new administration was putting on the proverbial oversized shoes.

The state APC chief implored the police authorities and other security agencies in the state to intensify their efforts to secure life and property. He regretted that the Osun PDP and Adeleke had chosen wilful injection of hostility and violence as the hallmark of their new administration, where innocent people were needlessly attacked and harassed.

CJN: JUDICIARY YET TO BE TRULY INDEPENDENT, ADMINISTERS OATH OF OFFICE ON 62 FRESH SANS extraneous influence", the same cannot be said in the area of its finance.

"Nevertheless, I will make it clear to whoever that cares to listen that when the Nigerian Judiciary is assessed from the financial aspect, we are yet to be free or truly independent.

“The annual budget of the Judiciary is still a far cry from what it ought to be. The figure is either stagnated for a long period of time or it goes on a progressive decline when placed side by side with the current realities in the market", he said.

He added that, “the only thing I can do at this juncture is to plead with the other arms of government and allied agencies to clear all the impediments so we can enjoy our independence holistically.

“This is a clarion call to the other two arms of government to make the funding of the Judiciary a major priority.”

The President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government recently approved an immediate improvement in the welfare of the judicial officers.

The approval when effected would be the first in nearly 14 years in the salaries of judges and would be coming about four months after the National Industrial Court in Abuja made an order to that effect.

However, the CJN has identified, "our extremely poor and pitiable salary package" as a "major issue of concern that equally has to be attended to with the urgency it requires."

Ariwoola clearly stated that the Judiciary would never go cap -in-hand to any arm or agency of government to get what is rightly due to them.

While stating that his focus since assumption to the office of CJN was to re-invent the court processes, provide speedy, quality administration of justice, he urged for a speedy amendment of the 1999 Constitution regarding appeals to the apex court.

"We have said it repeatedly that ordinarily, most appeals should be allowed to end at the Court of Appeal; but such constitutional provision is yet to be enacted, so we have no blame in it, rather,

we are daily overburdened by that long awaited Constitutional amendment as we work round the clock to attend to the plethora of appeals," he added.

Besides the CJN called for law stopping interlocutory injunction from reaching the apex court, just as he seek an overhaul of the criminal justice law as relating to police and other security agencies' operations in the justice sector.

While congratulating the new members of the "Inner Bar", the CJN reminded them that their success did not come on a platter of gold, hence they must work harder to preserve it.

In a remarks, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami, expressed optimism that the recent approval for the increase in the salaries and allowances of judges, as well as improvement in their health conditions, well-being and professional development; will usher in a new lease of life and impetus for the judges to operate maximally in a more beneficial and rewarding environment.

"I like to place on record that

since inception, this administration, in line with its commitment to promoting the rule of law, has accorded top priority to the funding of the judiciary.

“Hence, we have ensured a progressive budgetary allocation to the judiciary which has seen an increase from N73 billion in 2015, to over N130 billion in 2022.

A further increased sum of N150 billion has been proposed for 2023.

"In addition to the foregoing, we have provided special intervention when the need arises, particularly, in meeting the huge cost of running election tribunals", the AGF said.

He therefore enjoined stakeholders to note that their collective efforts are indeed needed to attain desired levels of good governance and development.

"Since law and development are interwoven, then positive changes in the judiciary will by necessary implication serve as precipitating factors for the much-needed developments in our national polity. Therefore, we continue to solicit the support and cooperation of the judiciary in this regard," he added.

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30TH GRAND ANNIVERSARY OF NNMA...

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA), Dr. Haroun Adamu, during the 30th Anniversary of NMMA held in Lagos…recently

Nigeria-UK Trade Volume Hits £5.5 Billion Adebayo, Badenoch welcome new trade agreement Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Oluchi Chibuzor in Lagos The United Kingdom (UK) International Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch has revealed that the trade volume between Nigeria and UK hit £5.5 billion at the end of fourth quarter of 2022.

Badenoch disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, at the 8th Economic Development Forum (EDF), where she also reaffirmed the UK's commitment to strengthen and deepen its relationship with Nigeria.

The EDF was launched by the former Prime Minister, Theresa May and President Muhammed Buhari in August 2018 and holds bi-annually; serving as a platform to address market access barriers, respond to opportunities and challenges of doing business and boost bilateral trade and investment in our two countries.

Since 2018, the EDF has played a crucial role in strengthening the UK-Nigeria trading relationship and through this forum, both countries have been able to unlock finance,

Azura Eyes 3,500MW Power, Gets Best GENCO Award

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Managing Director of Azura Power, Edo State, Edu Okeke has said the company can generate 3,500MW, which is about 20 per cent of the 25,000MW electricity capacity being targeted by the federal government.

A statement from the company, quoted Okeke as having made the comments at the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) retreat in Abuja.

Okeke added that Azura, in its first phase, completed and currently operates a 461MW Generation Company (GENCO) and targets a 1,500MW facility in its next phase.

He said: “Azura’s long-term vision is to engage in power generation projects that will add over 3,500MW of power, equal to approximately 20 per cent of Nigeria’s projected capacity.”

According to him, the 461MW project was completed within

28 months, ahead of schedule, explaining that since commissioning, it has provided over 8 per cent of the national grid electricity.

Also in recognition of its performance, Azura Edo Independent Power Project (IPP) was named the 2022 best generation company (thermal), by the Power Sector Performance Award in Abuja.

Presenting the award, Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company NDPHC, Chiedu Ugbo, described Azura as a leading power Genco in Nigeria.

The power sector award is a ministerial performance evaluation working group to track sectorial input in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

The awards were instituted to celebrate organisations and individuals who have contributed to improvements, growth, innovation, and progress in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

facilitate better regulatory link ups, support British and Nigerian businesses and engage on important global issues.

In a statement issued yesterday by the British embassy, the agreement in the EDF Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) came to a close yesterday, stressing that the UK and Nigeria agreed that the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership would offer an alternative high-profile mechanism to progress bilateral economic issues of mutual strategic importance, under which both sides would continue to work together to resolve market access issues and enhance economic cooperation.

Badenoch said: “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and I’m delighted to see our trade and investment links grow, already worth £5.5 billion.

“The total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Nigeria currently stands at £5.5billion. Of

this £5.5 billion: total UK exports to Nigeria amounted to £3.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022; while total UK imports from Nigeria amounted to £2.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022.

"The successes of the EDF over the last four years has helped address crucial market access barriers and boosted our exchanges in key sectors such as Legal and Financial Services.

“I welcome the shared interest in exploring an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership between our nations that will open up new opportunities for UK and Nigerian business, create jobs and future-proof our economies against a changing world.”

Also, UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Helen Grant, said the UK was supporting Nigeria on the path to becoming a higher-growth, more inclusive and more sustainable economy as the 2023 elections approaches.

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has said his administration would continue to hold women in high esteem and support their cause to excel, considering their role in the development of the society.

Inuwa said this yesterday in Abuja, when he received an award as the, ‘Most Women Friendly Governor of the Year,’ during the 7th Henna Ball and Awards Night 2022 which also heralded the official launch of Tozali TV, a lifestyle television channel that is on the Startimes distribution network, DSTV among others.

According to a statement issued by the Director-General

(Press Affairs),Government House, Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, which was made available to newsmen, the award was presented to him by a group of distinguished women, including the Kaduna State First Lady, Hajiya Ummi El Rufai; wife of former Governor of Zamfara State, Hajiya Asma'u Abdulaziz Yari, and others in recognition of his invaluable contributions, support and empowerment of women.

The governor who was also the special guest of honor at the event, described women as great pillars of support who must be encouraged to excel in all spheres of human endeavours.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, the governor commended the founder

collaboration with Nigeria and other developing markets was needed to mitigate against both current and potential future supply-chain challenges.

To this end, the minister noted that the introduction of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) was warmly welcomed.

Adedayo added: "The reduction in tariffs on hundreds of everyday products should be a win for both Nigerian exporters and UK consumers who are able to access our products at a lower price.

“In 2021, UK exports to Nigeria were said to be $1.64 Billion and Nigerian exports to the UK $1.12 Billion. Not too far apart. As we move into 2023 it will be good to see the DCTS grow these numbers.

“Increasing bilateral trade is key for both nations and the agreement we are forging must strategically promote its increase. We must continue to work together to resolve market access issues and enhance economic cooperation.”

2023: Commonwealth Calls for Free, Transparent Election Dike Onwuamaeze The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) has called on Nigeria’s government to ensure free and transparent general elections in 2023, in order to sustain and strengthen democratic governance in the country.

The call was made by the Deputy Chairman of the CWEIC, Lord Swire, in an interview with journalists in Lagos, where he described Nigeria as one of the great nations in the Commonwealth.

He said: “I'm aware you've got elections, and I would urge people to take part in those elections.

You know, democracy is only sustainable if people participate, particularly young people. And I think we really do need to encourage people to vote in these elections and that the elections should be free and transparent.”

Lord Swire, who is a member of the British Privy Council, was in Nigeria last week, to raise awareness and mobilise delegates for the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit 2022 (CTIS), which is scheduled to hold between December 5 and December 6, 2022, at Mansion House in London, United Kingdom, in partnership with the City of London.

Gombe Gov Pledges Increased Women Empowerment Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Grant added: “This is part of a wider push by the UK to drive a free trade, pro-growth agenda across the globe, using trade to drive prosperity and help eradicate poverty. A potential Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership would include a series of commitments to tackle non-tariff market access barriers to deliver tangible results for businesses in both the UK and Nigeria."

On his part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo said the EDF was a fantastic forum, saying it was important that what comes out of the working group builds upon its principles and strengthens its outcomes.

He said he was aware that both Nigeria and the United Kingdom have exchanged policy papers detailing how they wish to proceed, adding that he looked forward to feedback as both papers are reviewed.

Adedayo stressed that increased

and chief executive officer of Tozali Eyeliner, Maimuna Yaya Abubakar for making Gombe proud, describing her as a quintessential amazon and proud daughter of the Jewel.

He assured her of the support and solidarity of the government and people of Gombe State as she continues to make the state proud.

He said, "Women are so important to us. We must continue to accord them necessary support and push to excel so that we can have many Maimunas in our society.”

Yahaya said to underscore his resolve to promote women's wellbeing and empowerment, his government had ensured that women were appointed and well represented in different positions in the governance of the state.

According to the governor, “during our stewardship, we ensured that women were elected councillors, we also got a local government chairperson and appointed several women to man different strategic positions including key ministries, civil service and teachers service commissions, Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme (GSADP) among others.”

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who was the Guest Speaker at the event, spoke on the topic: “The IDP Question As A Statin on North’s Conscience,” and drew attention to the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country.

He said: “There will also be the 2022 Commonwealth High Commissioners' Banquet, a Black Tie/National Dress event at London's iconic Guildhall. We will also have our Global Advisory Council meeting, which is exclusive for our members, called Strategic Partners. There will also be the Commonwealth Legal Network (CLN) Networking Reception, held in partnership with one of our Strategic Partners; Irving Mitchell.

“We will also have the Gibraltar Dialogue, held at Gibratar House in partnership with one of our Strategic Partners; Government of Gibraltar. Most of our Stratgic Partners and top business leaders from Nigeria have been invited and they have confirmed their attendance and we look forward to an exciting engagement that will add great value to them and enable their businesses.”

He described the Commonwealth as a strategic market of 2.6 billion people with projected $20 trillion GDP in 2027. “Anyone who ignores the Commonwealth as a marketplace is ignoring 2.6 billion people, and a billion of this population is made up of middle class consumers that have money to spend.

“That is absolutely huge. And, again, very, very good reason why people need to look at the Commonwealth to do more trading,” he added.

Lord Swire, who was also a former British parliamentarian and cabinet minister, also urged the government to put measures

in place that would liberate the country’s private sector to do more businesses and generate revenues to the government through payment of taxes.

“I am a firm believer in the power of the private sector. I think very often government does not have the answers, nor the skill set to answer all the questions. The government needs revenue and that revenue can only really be generated by the private sector,” he said.

He also said the artificial intelligence would pose employment challenges for the younger generations in the next 20-30 years by doing things that could not be comprehended at the moment.

“But that means that it's going to replace a lot of jobs that will normally be done by humans,” he said.

He also said Nigeria’s population would provide a huge marketplace for businesses that are involved in consumer goods, education and hospitality.

According to him, “there are opportunities for Commonwealth countries to trade with existing Nigerian companies, do joint ventures and to invest in the critical infrastructure. And that's what we are about creating the marketplace within the Commonwealth.”

Lord Swire was in Nigeria to co-chair the Nigerian International Advisory Council meeting of CWEIC with the Nigerian Chairman, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, also a partner, Africa Law Practice Nigeria & Co.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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ABIODUN DELIVERS ON MOLIPA-ASAFA OKE ROAD...

L-R: Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola; Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot SalakoOyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Agura of Gbagura, Oba Sabru Bakre, during the commissioning of Molipa-Asafa Oke Road in Ijebu-Ode... yesterday

Osinbajo: Ongoing Health Reforms Will Improve Sector, Produce Desired Vision for Nigerians Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has acknowledged the contributions of past administrations in the heath sector adding, however, that reforming the sector remains a top priority of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Declaring open a two-day Presidential Health Reform Committee Retreat in Abuja, yesterday, Osinbajo emphasised that ongoing efforts would bring about a health system that best meets the needs of Nigerians in the 21st century, with special emphasis on strengthening Primary Health Care, improving access to Health Insurance, and establishing a platform that enables the country to better respond to future pandemics.

According to him: “What is crucial is that we set the broad parameters and vision for the health care system we desire for our people, we adopt a flexible approach that enables us track and incorporate other reform initiatives.

“We ensure that we always have the right people around the table, that there is wide ranging consultation, and that all views are properly considered, that we keep our vision clear through the process and we develop a robust and viable implementation process.”

Speaking further on the need to improve the country’s healthcare system through effective collaboration between states and federal goverments, Osinbajo stressed that while previous attempts had been made in the past, the implementation has either been incomplete,

non-systemic or haphazard.”

Pointing out the constitutional responsibility of state governments in ensuring primary and secondary healthcare, while participating in tertiary healthcare, he noted that any reform without the full participation of the states would fall short of a national health reform effort.”

Osinbajo posited that the current efforts to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system must include collaboration among different levels of government and the private sector to ensure effective implementation of reforms that would cater to the needs of Nigerians in the 21st century.

He noted that, “we must recognise that reforms can be complex. And the lessons learnt are there, no silver bullets and no perfect approaches.

"This is especially true in huge areas such as healthcare. Previous efforts must be taken into account you may have several small and even local reforms going on at different times."

Noting the lessons from the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the vice president emphasised that, “healthcare, especially public health emergencies cannot but have a multi-disciplinary, multi sector approach…. serious health reform must have the same multi-sectoral approach.”

Highlighting the core objectives of the Presidential Health Reform Committee, the vice president stated that addressing question of universal health coverage remained the key objective of the reform process.

He further noted efforts made

Board Chair: All 32 Nominees Screened for 2022 National Merit Award Failed to Meet Requirements Kuni Tyessi in Abuja A total of 32 nominations that were received in four fields namely Engineering/Technology, Medicine, Humanities including Arts and Culture and Sciences failed to meet the required criteria needed to be awarded the 2022 Nigerian National Merit Award.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, Chairman of the governing board, Prof. Shekarau Yakubu Aku, revealed that four of the nominations were received in the field of Science, nine in Medicine, five in Engineering Technology and 14 in the Humanities.

He said after the tradition of the nominations going through specialised committees which may use external assessors, when the need arises, before their recommendations are considered by a committee of Chairmen and then the Governing Board before approval by the Mr. President, none of them was considered worthy.

"The nominations go to specialised committees which may use external assessors, when the need arises, before their recommendations are considered by a committee of Chairmen and then the Governing Board and Mr. President gives his approval.

"This year, a total of 32 nominations/applications for the NNOM Award were received by the NNMA, four in the field of Science, nine in Medicine, five in

Engineering Technology and 14 in the Humanities.

"The nominations went through standard assessment process, however, after going through the rigorous process of assessment exercise, none was adjudged to have merited the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award for this year 2022. So in this year’s exercise, no winner emerged."

He said another activity of the NNMA was the hosting of the annual forum of laureates of the NNOM which is organised

annually to deliberate on salient issues of national interest, thereby affording the body of laureates an opportunity to channel views in policy making, thereby contributing to national discourse.

He added that it was also to promote networking opportunities between the government, industries and the private sector and to enable other Nigerian intellectuals, Academia and Research Organisations both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora to share ideas and to summarise the ideas generated in each Forum

in its Communiqué and Proceedings and help foster national development.

The Forum, the 13th of its kind, was expected to be declared open

by President Muhammadu Buhari and with the theme “Building Nigeria Through National Integration” to be discussed by Professor Babagana Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State who would serve as keynote speaker.

The NNMA was established

by ACT No. 53 of the 1979 and was amended by Act No. 96 of the 1992 now LFN 122 of 2004.

by the Buhari administration to address challenges and lay important building blocks for reforming the health sector.

“These included the signing of the bill establishing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), by the President in 2018, to enable the agency to respond to the challenges of public health emergencies and enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to epidemics through prevention, detection, and control of communicable diseases.

“In May this year, President Buhari also signed into law the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022.”

The VP noted that this was, “an important milestone for health financing in Nigeria, as it will mitigate the current difficulties of out-of-pocket expenses and create a virtuous cycle.”

“It means that more money will be available for payment of medical personnel and for hospital facilities and resources. Ultimately health insurance will accelerate our journey to universal health coverage through health insurance for all categories of Nigerians via a mandatory mechanism, in collaboration with State health insurance agencies,” he added.

Osinbajo also highlighted the focus of the Primary Healthcare Summit held earlier this year, towards re-imagining primary healthcare in Nigeria, where a case was made for private partner partnerships to complement on improving infrastructure, availability of health commodities, health workforce and use of evidence to deploy resources.

Addressing the objective of

attaining universal health coverage, the vice President acknowledged and commended the efforts at the sub-national level of the 36 State Governors. This included the recent launching of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Fund.

“All of these events and others are points of progress which must now coalesce into one central programme,” he observed.

Osinbajo also commended the commitment of development partners, noting that the Committee’s membership reflected a broad representation for effective collaboration.

According to the vice president, “in the past few months, the secretariat of this committee has been working in conjunction with our various partners to develop a Consultation paper that is expected to guide and focus the discussions.

“This includes experts from the Ministry of Health, Vesta, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, World Bank, FCDO, IFC, Global fund, AFENET, DPRC (the research arm of NIPSS) and PWC, a team of wide-ranging specialists.

“The overarching principle of this process has been inclusivity.

This is reflected in the membership of this committee which includes representation from the States, professional healthcare bodies, private sector, distinguished medical academicians. You will also note that I approved the co-option of additional MDAs, sub-national representation facilitated by the Nigeria Governors Forum and the Commissioners of Health Forum, NGOs as well individuals with experience in the business of health.”

ASUU Members Protest in Ibadan, Insist FG is Lawless Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ibadan Zone which comprises the University of Ibadan (UI), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and the University of Ilorin, protested against what they described as the victimisation of their members by the federal government and its agents.

The Chairman, ASUU-UI, Prof.

Ayoola Akinwole, while speaking with journalists yesterday, said the MOA reached with the government included the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and withheld salaries of 2020 and the release of the white paper by the

visitation panel to the universities and inter-university centres, among other issues.

But he expressed dismay that since 23 December 2020, these items of the MOA had not been honoured and implemented by the government, leading to the declaration of strike action by ASUU on 14 February, 2022.

Akinwole maintained that the government, rather than swinging into action to resolve the issues, embarked on playing politics with the lives of Nigerians and moved quickly to stop the payment of ASUU members’ salaries for seven months, leading to starvation and death of some members of the Union.

According to him, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, intervened in

the matter with a view to brokering peace between the executive arm of government and ASUU, stating that the agreement led to the suspension of the strike on 14 October 2022.

He, however, lamented that despite reaching an agreement with the Speaker, which led to the suspension of the strike, none of the items on the said agreement has been implemented.

He said, "The agreement with the Speaker included the following: The government is going to sign the new salary package, payment of the withheld salaries from March to October 2022 “Payment of the withheld third-party deductions, including Check-off dues from March to October 2022, non-victimisation of ASUU members who took

part in the strike.

“Today’s protest has become necessary due to our conviction that the federal government is on a mission to destroy the public universities through inadequate funding, and through its war against ASUU. “This war against ASUU by the government and the Nigerian elites has manifested in various ways such as violation and repudiation of all extant agreements reached with the Union, forcing the union into the strike, prolonging the strike by its inaction and victimization of ASUU members for embarking on strike, which they were forced into by the negligence and inaction by the government.

“In addition to the foregoing, ASUU members are being treated differently from members of other

unions that also embarked on strike to press home their demands. For instance, the members of the Research Institutes embarked on a twelve-month strike and their salaries were paid throughout the period they were on strike.

"On the contrary, the salaries of ASUU members were stopped a month into the strike and members were expected to starve to death.

This is evidence of double standard, inconsistency and selective treatment meted out to ASUU members by the government.”

He added: “Similarly, government has surreptitiously appropriated funds belonging to ASUU and its members. For instance, the government deducted check-off dues for the months of March, September and October 2022 without remitting the same to the Union.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022

POLITICS

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

Ariwoola: Crossing the Lines Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, recently acted against the sacred principle of judicial neutrality with his gaffe at an event organised by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and this deliberate choice must not be glossed over by anyone, who loves Nigeria and her judiciary. Oluwaseyi Adedotun writes

Ariwoola

T

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is presently at the centre of the storm after he breached the principle of judicial neutrality – an essential factor for the preservation of the integrity of the judicial system. He is being pelted for his recent unforced error of hailing the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s membership of the “Integrity Group” – a caucus of five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who seek an unlikely change in the party.

Ariwoola, while speaking at a banquet organised by the leader of the “G-5” governors, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, reportedly engaged in a subtle endorsement of the group.

Hear him: “That is why we should not be scared to have these men of the integrity group,” he said, as he began a series of remarks that would eventually place him on the hot spot for contradicting the sacred principle of judicial neutrality.

Apparently overwhelmed by preferential emotions, the CJN betrayed the universally acceptable neutrality codes as he expressed delightful sentiments at his governor’s membership of the embittered PDP governors.

“I am happy that my governor is among them, because he would try to imitate his friend and in-law, because we came here to marry for my governor,” he said in what has generated serious argument in the polity, for its sensitive nature as it affects the integrity of the country’s judicial system – the last hope of the common man.

“So, Governor Wike will always threaten that he will call back his sister if my governor fails to play ball. That is why you see him following his excellency (Wike) because my governor is afraid of his wife being recalled,” he added, but just like an egg, which once dropped, crashes, spills, and becomes intractable.

The discussion in the public domain is that the highest Nigerian judicial officer ran foul of the ethics that mandates legal officers to always remain unbiased and dispassionate to all issues and in all spheres.

Unfortunately, no amount of remedial statements and denials would remove the fact that the CJN was caught flouting the oath of his office in the web of politics.

Under the 7th Schedule of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (As Amended), judicial officers are made to state expressly under oath, that they would not allow their personal interest to influence their official conduct or official decisions.

It is, therefore, regrettable that Ariwoola’s statements and fraternity with politicians are a direct, yet, unforced affront to the pledge he took when he assumed office.

Barely two months into his tenure as substantive CJN, Justice Ariwoola’s Port Harcourt remarks were indisputable violations of his oath of office and many Nigerians were apprehensive.

Makinde

According to a law expert and former University lecturer, Barrister Kunle Areke, “it is a judicial ‘aberration’, for any judicial officer to descend low into the political arena,” much less the CJN. Whereas the principle of neutrality dictates that judicial officers maintain impartiality to any topic, because, ensuing disputes would invariably be brought before them for resolution, the conduct of the CJN and his remarks in PortHarcourt last Thursday, has gotten Nigerians worried with some becoming skeptical against earlier hopes, a turnaround at the appointment of the Ariwoola as substantive head of the Supreme Court in October.

His fraternity with the integrity group and his non-dispassionate statements about Makinde’s membership has attracted ridicule to the reputation of the courts and ought to have been shunned by any disciplined officer of the Law. It might have also made it difficult for opponents of any of the five governors to secure fair judgment in their respective states, because the principle of neutrality guarding, guiding and protecting the integrity of the judicial system as an unbiased umpire and reliable arbiter in dispute resolutions in society, has been so compromised.

Accordingly, occupiers of judicial positions as sacred as the office of Chief Justice of any civilised nation, must always be careful and wary of their acts, especially engagements that might generate or elicit political undertones. Sadly, the incumbent CJN was neglectful of these codes of conduct.

Being constitutionally expected to transcend petty political partisanships, the CJN ought not to be seen in any form of fraternity within the dispute-prone murky waters of politics or any matter at all.

Wike

For judicial officers, certain associations come with an intrinsically lethal capacity to bring the judicial system to ridicule, by eroding confidence in the courts or persons embodying the system. They easily elicit unhealthy insinuations that ultimately present the courts as ‘used’ and unethically associated before the eye of the public.

The CJN’s expression of delightful sentiments at his governor, Makinde, for belonging to the Wike-led group of five aggrieved PDP governors was therefore considered “unfortunate” as they represented open biases and partiality from which he had rather remained neutral.

This is why people with experience in matters of law considered his attendance at a banquet, themed in PDP colours as capable of jeopardizing the integrity of the judicial system, thereby robbing it of public confidence as an unbiased umpire.

Political gatherings are some of the places forbidden for judicial officers, conventionally.

Lawyer and public analyst, Chidi Odinkalu, was of the view that Justice Ariwoola was rather impolitic for attending the dinner and should have been more circumspect with his utterances in public.

“What happens when the Chief Justice of Nigeria manifestly breaches the Judicial Code,” he wrote, emphasising the part that was meant to restrain judges from improper social relationships... or that might cast doubt on the ability of a judicial officer to decide cases impartially, said Odinkalu.

Further explanations by the Supreme Court Justice on how Wike would always threaten to recall Makinde’s wife, who is a native of Rivers, and other rebuttals of some of the statements credited to the CJN, were seen as mere damage control or after-thoughts.

In what was obviously a belated attempt at playing down the gravity of the voluntary desecration of his office and personae, Ariwoola, had said inter alia: “After all, because we came here to marry my governor.”

It was not unexpected that many observers quickly raised objection to their condemnation of his evident thoughtlessness.

Some have rightly noted that the Ariwoola’s fraternity with the Integrity Group predated the banquet event of last week. They recalled that the group was present in Ibadan, Oyo

The discussion in the public domain is that the highest Nigerian judicial officer ran foul of the ethics that mandates legal officers to always remain unbiased and dispassionate to all issues and in all spheres.

Unfortunately, no amount of remedial statements and denials would remove the fact that the CJN was caught flouting the oath of his office in the web of politics

State Capital, when the government hosted a similar banquet in honour of the CJN upon his confirmation as substantive Head of the Supreme Court.

Nevertheless, the statement credited to the CJN in Port Harcourt, last week, gave him away as the number one principal judicial officer caught in flagrant violation of an all-important principle of judicial impartiality.

Curiously, before applauding Makinde, Ariwoola had offered what was seen as a disguised recommendation of the Wike group, when he said, “that is why we should not be scared to have these men of the integrity group” Barrister Areke considered it a desecration of the judicial system for any officer to be found in association with or expressing emotions towards the dispute-prone waters of politics.

“It’s going to be very unfortunate and sad, for any judicial officer to be found to have descended into the political arena,” Areke, a former university teacher with over three decades of post-bar experience, considered such a slip into a judicial abyss with the capacity to defeat the purpose the of courts.

Ariwoola’s unrestrained utterances in promoting and associating with a splinter faction of an opposition party, which law experts said were capable of giving rise to unhealthy accusations or insinuations, highlighted a flagrant flouting of the principle of neutrality, which ought to be held sacred as it preserved the sanctity of the judicial system Another indication that his utterances were unforced lied in the purpose of the visit of the CJN to Rivers State, as he was said to be playing the guest of Wike.

A defence put forward by the Supreme Court was rendered lame by its justifiable yet unanswered interrogation as to the propriety or otherwise of an invitation to commission projects from politicians at such a volatile period. He was reported to have called on other governors to emulate the Rivers governor in terms of the number and value of commissioned infrastructural projects.

Areke’s position, however, faulted Ariwoola’s presence in Port Harcourt. He argued that with critical consideration of his conduct in Rivers as a breach of the codes of conduct of judicial officers, expendable sweat might be minimised yet, but ‘unbiased’ conclusions reached, in case the Judicial Council of Nigeria (JCN) needed them in terms of decision-making.

“Judges occupy sacred positions and they must be seen to be above board in everything,”Areke said, as he cautioned against unguarded frivolities and fraternity between politicians and judicial officers, particularly as the 2023 general election approaches, adding that every party before the courts must be assured of the impartiality of the bench.

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

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POLITICS

Adeleke’s Pact with Osun People

Yinka Kolawole writes on the grandeur swearing in ceremony of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as he reels out his development agenda to further bring good governance to the state of the living spring

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he new Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Sunday took office to succeed Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeleke was declared the winner of the July 16, 2022 Governorship Election held in the State by the Independent National Electorial Commission(INEC) making him the Sixth democratically elected Governor of Osun State.

At the swearing in, the Osogbo township stadium, venue of the inauguration wore a new look as enthusiastic residents of the State who were eagerly awaiting the new government had started filing into the stadium as early as 7am while observing security checks at the gate. The stadium was beautifully decorated with the traditional red, white and green colours of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) making the arena looking so colourful.

To say the main bowl of the Osogbo township stadium is electrifying is an understatement as the excitement in the air was such that can be seen and grabbed. Some of the early entrants into the stadium who spoke with THISDAY could not hold back their obvious joy as they expressed joy and delight that the day of the inauguration has finally arrived.

They expressed gratitude to God for allowing them see the day they have been expecting, while thanking God that their votes counted at the end of the day. They also expressed confidence that Senator Adeleke will do a good job as Governor and put Osun State in the right place among its peers in the country, stressing that more residents of the State will definitely be lifted out of the poverty net.

Speaking at his inauguration, the new Governor said, “I stand on the podium of history with a sacred pledge to God and the good people of Osun State that my intellect, passion and strength will be devoted to nothing but the welfare, peace and security of our people.

As I accept the mantle of leadership entrusted upon me by the people of our dear State, I am conscious of the enormous challenges and responsibilities ahead of me and will beginning from this hour work day and night with deep sense of purpose to be a servant to you all. Our gathering here to witness the materialisation of a new era is not an accident of history. We are all programmed by the Almighty God to be what we have been, what we are and what we will be in future.”

Adeleke used the occasion to salute the founding fathers of the state, all the past administrators and Governors as well as everyone who has contributed in one way or the other to the growth, stability and progress of the state in the last 31 years. He equally saluted fallen heroes both at the national and state levels for the great sacrifice they have made for the survival of the nation.

DEVELOPMENT AGENDA While speaking on his development Agenda, the governor said, “you will recall that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party campaigned on a five- point agenda namely: welfare of workers and pensioners, boosting the state’s economy, home-grown infrastructure policy; people-focused policy on education, affordable health care, security and social welfare, agro-based industrialization for wealth and job creation.

EDUCATION On education, he said, “it was disheartening to see our State at the bottom of the national educational ratings especially in public primary and Secondary schools examinations. My administration will launch reform with direct focus on improvement of learning environment and outcome. Our target is to reverse the poor performance of students in public examinations within the next few years.

“To achieve this target, I would prioritise in-service training and welfare of teachers, enhancement of school environment, entrenchment of discipline in the school system as well as involvement of the Parents-Teachers Association in our school administration

into huge tourism. We will encourage and partner with the traditional institutions, business organisations and foreign partners to develop the culture and tourism industry which includes our beautiful waterfalls, the Osun Osogbo World Heritage site and many cultural festivals across the state.”

WOMEN AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Commenting on women and youth development in the state, he said: “Women and youths are important segments in our development programme. I had earlier set up a youth advisory council which has produced an impressive blueprint for youth development in Osun State. I plan to ensure speedy implementation of their recommendations. More importantly, let me assure our women that our administration will be gender-sensitive in all appointments.”

HEALTH “The health sector in Osun State is in need of urgent attention. Our government will give premium attention to improvement of the Primary Health care services. We will improve the working conditions of health workers and expand the coverage of our health insurance scheme. We plan to establish a standard diagnostic centre using the Public Private Partnership model and adopt measures that will retain medical practitioners in Osun state.”

Adeleke

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ICT “Our administration will collaborate with development partners to address problems of environmental pollution and Climate Change. We will equally promote digital literacy, technological innovations and create opportunities for our teeming youths in the ICT sector.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORMS On local government system, Adeleke said “In line with our campaign manifesto, our government will ensure local government autonomy in line with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.We will restore the lost glory of our local governments in order to make them more responsive to the needs of the people at the grassroots. “ According to him, “All policies that are not favourable to the growth of effective local government administration will be reviewed in accordance with the law.

No form of illegality will be allowed to stand and all acts of impunity committed by the immediate past administration on local government administration will be reversed following due process.” system. Our administration will soon convene an emergency Education Conference to articulate our blueprint on the restoration of the state’s education glory.”

export to take advantage of global markets.

While we target agriculture export earnings, we will establish modern farmers’ markets where producers and off takers can transact businesses,” the governor said.

AGRO-INDUSTRIAL On Agriculture, he said there’s need to boost wealth creation, job opportunities and food security through innovative agricultural reforms covering all the agricultural value chains.

“Aside the introduction of modern agricultural practices, we will shift attention to agriculture for

TOURISM Speaking on the state of tourism, he narrated that in his desire to diversify Osun economy, his administration will target the tourism sector to boost GDP and create new jobs.

According to him: “Osun State is the historical capital of the Yoruba people and it is my intention to develop a strong business model to transform this rich historical heritage

Adeleke used the occasion to salute the founding fathers of the state, all the past administrators and Governors as well as everyone who has contributed in one way or the other to the growth, stability and progress of the state in the last 31 years. He equally saluted fallen heroes both at the national and state levels for the great sacrifice they have made for the survival of the nation

THE PUBLIC SERVICE “My administration will restore the integrity of the civil service which has been bastardised through favouritism and political considerations. We will give the civil service a better orientation with a view to restoring its professionalism. In doing this, we will be fair and firm as we act only in pursuance of public interest. “ Adeleke announced an immediate return to status quo of all fresh appointments, placements and other major decisions taken by the immediate past administration with effect from the 17th of July, 2022.

He then assured all labour unions in the state of his administration’s willingness to protect workers interest and promote their welfare at all times. We will be a labourfriendly government.

SECURITY On security, the Governor said “We will embark on a security sector reform that will target crime prevention, detection, neighbourhood policing and better synergy among security agencies. The Amotekun Corps will be strengthened while our administration will ensure operational linkage between local hunters and the Amotekun Corps. A “Know Your Neighbour” security initiative will be implemented. By the grace of God, very soon, Osun will return to its old nature of being a haven of peace.”

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Tuesday November 29, 2022 Vol 27. No 10093

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

LET NOT VILIFY THE DONS The authorities must take determined measures to restore the standards of educational integrity in our schools, writes GBADEBO ADEYEYE

See page 21

THE TREASURY NEEDS STABILITY AND RIGHT LEADERSHIP PAUL K. ADEGBOYEGA writes that management is working hard at restoring confidence in the institution

See page 21 EDITORIAL

THE CJN AND JUDICIAL INTEGRITY

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We should strengthen the resolve for a central goal, to which every other part of Nigeria can subscribe, argues ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

POLITICS, GOVERNANCE AND NATION-BUILDING There is a need for a society to exist, to be conscious of its existence, and to have a vision. The values of the society determine the type of politics it gets. The type of politics LW JHWV GHWHUPLQHV WKH SURÀOH DQG DSSURDFK of governance obtainable within the given society. And the kind of governance determines whether or not a nation will be built. To put it bluntly, while a society’s vision determines its development, the society dictates the type of politics that is doable, and the kind of governance pattern feasible, because politics is not something that serves itself. Rather, it is to create a phenomenon of development.

Obviously, the problem with Nigeria is that there was never a time when an idea came that was nationally acceptable. Not a single one! So, it’s either a policy came to favour the North or appease the South. In other words, WKHUH ZDV QRWKLQJ WKDW WKH SHRSOH LGHQWLÀHG with. And so, that Nigeria has not been moving in unison towards a goal has been her trouble. Of course, that’s why she has remained more of a factionalized society; nothing but a recipe for chaos!

One funny truth about politics in this part of the world is that it is at times a product of tricks, intrigues, resurgent pedestrianism, incensed screeches and incurably incomprehensible extraterrestrial distractions. It also involves some essential concoctions of backbiting and missed bullets. In our clime, politics becomes more interesting when a tinge of godfatherism, hypocrisy, betrayals, complacency and complicity take a comfortable seat. In most cases, fake personality, unremorseful manipulations and collective thievery have continued to serve as the lubricant for the bogus political machinery of public administration, which has left the people so viciously and virulently divided.

7KH ODWH 0XDPPDU *DGKDÀ ZDV RQFH quoted as saying that he would not give his father a house until all his peers’ portions would have been served. And he achieved it! Somewhere, somehow, the world became afraid of the man who loved his people and the only ‘solution’ to the problem was to get rid of him. And he was assassinated!

Thenceforth, the seed of discord took a taproot in Libya, and the country has remained in turmoil ever since! At any rate, sincere Libyans would have by now found out that they were fooled! But then, why did Libyans allow the dream to die with the dreamer and why has Libya not been able to ÀQG KHU IHHW \HDUV DIWHU *DGKDÀ·V PXUGHU" When former Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State reportedly told Nigerians that he was going to be greater than Chief Obafemi Awolowo, some people took RͿHQFH %XW LQVWHDG RI DVNLQJ ZKDW WKH PDQ KDG WR RͿHU KH ZDV VKRXWHG GRZQ 7DONLQJ seriously, ‘Ogbeni’, as Aregbesola is fondly

called, ought to have been encouraged to be greater than Awolowo so that somebody else would someday come and aspire to be greater than Aregbesola!

The hood does not make a monk!

Again, whither Nigeria’s dyed-in-the-wool $ZRLVWV" %HVLGHV WKH GRQQLQJ RI ¶$ZR FDS· what else have they done to replicate the late VDJH RU VXUSDVV KLP" )RU LQVWDQFH $ZRORZR died and the lofty ideals embedded in his ¶)UHH (GXFDWLRQ· VDIHW\ QHW ZHQW DVWUD\ +H wrote books for posterity; yet, the so-called Awoists could not walk a man through his philosophy! And on Aregbesola, what eventually became the fate of ‘Opon Imo’ which, in saner climes, would have helped in UHYROXWLRQL]LQJ WKH HGXFDWLRQ V\VWHP" +DG the innovation been conceptualized and promoted by Awolowo, wouldn’t Nigerians have allowed the ‘Tablet of Knowledge’ to GLH WRR" It is no longer news that Gboyega Oyetola also led an unusual government in Osun 6WDWH +H GLG QRW ERUURZ D GLPH WR UXQ KLV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ +H DOVR GLG KLV EHVW WR block leakages, which no doubt made a lot of people very angry. Under Oyetola, life became something else for the kingmakers, the hangers-on and the entitlement syndrome promoters even as those who had been looting our common patrimony ZLWK GHPRQLF DͿHFWLRQ ZHUH VHQW EDFN WR the labour market to look for jobs. As we can see, the ark of Osun’s destiny is being moved into the house of new owners and controllers. So, Nigerians wait to see how events unfold!

When the veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, stated that anyone aspiring to become Nigeria’s president must have started at least 30 years ago, he was no doubt interrogating the attributes and the determination of a would-be Nigerian president. Momodu was referring to a man who must always be watching his investments even as he must also be watched by the people. Politics aside, Bola Ahmed Tinubu knew where he was headed. So, he started very early in life! The presidential

candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) knew that he’s a man to ZDWFK DV VXFK KH VWDUWHG YHU\ ORQJ DJR +H knew he would need money to realise his dreams and he created structures for making PRQH\ +H NQHZ KH ZRXOG QHHG WKH SHRSOH on his way to attaining that height and he has for long been building quality people!

Safe for some storms in a teacup which, in any case, cannot but be, it remains a fact of life that, while Tinubu was busy imagining the future that was to come, others were either sleeping and snoring, or, at best, “carousing in the midst of women of easy virtue and men of low morals.” When he was spending money to ensure that it’s well for dear fatherland, some men thought that the ‘Jagaban of Borgu’ was one rash, wasteful ‘money-miss-road’ individual whose ÀQDQFLDO FRQWULEXWLRQV ZHUH RQO\ PHDQW WR serve the best interests of groundnut and popcorn. Is it any wonder that some 10-for10k naysayers are now using shadowboxing to explain the strategies of the sturdy UHDOL]DWLRQ RI WKH ¶(PL /R .DQ· GUHDP" 1HSRWLVP )DYRXULWLVP )HGHUDO Character! I have argued repeatedly that À[LQJ WKH VRFLHW\ RU WKH VWUXFWXUHV RI WKH society, is not just about the structures of the society but about the society itself! Take for instance, how can an admission seeker into, say, Ahmadu Bello University pass JAMB entry examinations with high grades, yet he’s denied admission because he is from /DJRV RU (NLWL 6WDWH WKDW KH FDQ·W EH RͿHUHG admission because a certain percentage of the admission seekers, whether they pass or not, must come from Kaduna State and other so-called educationally-disadvantaged VWDWHV RI WKH IHGHUDWLRQ" To deal with the challenge on our hands therefore, what Nigeria’s handlers need to do is identify the pendulum and the complexity of her problems; then, come attacking them at the same time. It’s only when all hands are on deck that the systemic approach can work. Since the weakest link in the chain is actually the de facto status of that very particular system, all one has to do to disrupt an entire system is to hit the weakest link; and the whole system will give way. In other words, until we strengthen the resolve for a central goal, to which every other part of Nigeria can subscribe, it is better we forget about development.

If we like, let the next president come with magical powers from heaven. The best feat achievable will be like the one achieved by $ZRORZR %XW LPPHGLDWHO\ KH OHDYHV R΀FH HYHU\WKLQJ ZLOO IDOO ÁDW OLNH D SDFN RI FDUGV It’s like a vision dying with the visionary!

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

Komolafe writes from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State

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The authorities must take determined measures to restore the standards of educational integrity in our schools, writes GBADEBO ADEYEYE

PAUL K. ADEGBOYEGA writes that management is working hard at restoring confidence in the institution

LET NOT VILIFY THE DONS

THE TREASURY NEEDS STABILITY AND RIGHT LEADERSHIP

Before public university lecturers in 1LJHULD DUH ÀQDOO\ ZULWWHQ RͿ IRU WKHLU UHFHQW QDWLRQZLGH VWULNH ZH PXVW ÀUVW recognize that they are a great people.

Unlike their cash and carry counterparts in the National Assembly and other public sectors, most university dons are decent, generous, hardworking people driven by the ethic of individual responsibility, accountability for their actions and empathy for the misfortune of their fellow citizens. Former U.S. President Truman said: “Men make history and not the other way round”. The university FKLHIV KDYH ÀQDOO\ H[SRVHG WKH FULSSOHG administration in the country for what it is – a cold, shrewd, tough-minded enemy of school children and their teachers.

And before taking those brave men in the universities to Golgotha, however, it is not SUHPDWXUH WR ÀUVW LQGLFDWH WR RXU SROLWLFDO leaders at the highest level, particularly

the present clueless commander-inchief, quickly and with complete clarity that the government’s conduct against university students and their teachers in Nigeria is coming dangerously close to the point at which no citizen of goodwill in our country, particularly in South West, would be able to ignore anymore. Of course, public university lecturers are not without fault; and to come up with a solution to the pandemic undermining university education in RXU FRXQWU\ WKH VWDNHKROGHUV PXVW ÀUVW come together and break down the complex politics in ASUU, or be ready to accept the responsibility for the future demise of the public university system in Africa’s largest economy! However, nothing is more directly responsible for the rot in our universities today than the failure of leaders, especially those in the present government to understand the importance of education and how it works. Alfred Smith, the former governor of New York State once said: “I never keep anything to myself; I talk it out. And I feel I owe it not to the democratic party, but I sincerely believe that I owe it to the country itself to drag this un- American propaganda out into the public. Because this country, to my way of thinking, cannot be successful if it continues with political distrust. If corruption, distrust and the sister vices are going to succeed, it is dangerous to the future life of the republic; and the best way to kill anything un-American is to drag it out into the public; because anything un-American cannot live in the sunlight.” Since President Muhammadu Buhari came to

power in 2015, unfortunately, the crisis in the nation’s educational institutions has worsened more than ever before; and the HͿHFWV XSRQ RXU \RXWK DUH REYLRXV DQG frightening on a daily basis. The point is that those political sycophants who still ÀQG QRWKLQJ ZURQJ ZLWK XQLYHUVLWLHV LQ 1LJHULD VKRXOG ÀUVW FRPSDUH RXU QDWLRQ with other democratic countries of the world where education of their citizens is largely not determined by tribe, religion or quota system. After all, before the British left our country in the 1960s, we were a nation that already had a social structure, an infrastructure, the best housing estate LQ :HVW $IULFD WKH ÀQHVW WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ system, the best hospitals, and in many ways, the best public schools; especially in the South West. Regrettably, for more than 30 years now, our education policies and laws in Nigeria have been driven by the cultural conceit that took hold since the military regime of the counterculture, including a denial of quality educational opportunities for Nigerian citizens. SInce 2015, unlike the founding fathers, General Buhari has failed to take the country’s crimewave seriously and created through propaganda, subversion and aggression, a culture in which appalling large number of our youth are forced out of school to VHDUFK IRU RSSRUWXQLWLHV RͿHUHG E\ WKH interwoven world of crime; beginning with the government’s introduction of hijab in public schools instead of computers, and spending N5. 9 billion on telephone repairs training rather than funding the decayed public education system in the country – exactly the opposite of what the Chinese are doing, and what the South Koreans, Taiwanese, and Chileans did. For example, one of the most inspiring stories of the last 50 years has been that of countries who were mired in absolute poverty after World War II but adopted the right economic policies triggered astonishing social and economic progress. China, Taiwan, South Korea, SIngapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Chile and others have succeeded because they stressed basic economic principles such as lower taxes on importation, fewer government regulations and expenses, open market and competitive industries; and of course placed high premium on the education of their citizens. Those principles have opened up their economies and integrated them with developed countries of the world.

Whereas, the political consequences of neglecting education in Nigeria are far less than the educational consequences.

Young people have a way of outgrowing the fads of childhood, including political fads. But this blatant substitution of “telephone repairs training” for public university education by the Nigerian government deprives the youth of the intellectual foundation they need to prepare them for life in the 21st century PDUNHW ,Q KLV ÀUVW LQDXJXUDWLRQ DGGUHVV many years ago, former U.S. President Richard Nixon said, “To a crisis of the spirit, we need an answer of the spirit”.

That was true then and it is still true today.

Adeyeye is proprietor, Crown Heights College, Ibadan

It is said that when an argument is full of holes and cannot hold up in a court of law, it will be taken to the court of public opinion.

Such is the case of a recently published piece in a national daily aimed at discrediting the ongoing rigorous process of choosing a new Accountant General of the Federation $*) GULYHQ E\ WKH 2΀FH RI WKH +HDG RI Service. Titled “Accountant-General of The Federation: The Drama Continues”, the article is a long and rambling excursion with a haphazard and dubious destination. The objective is to misrepresent the clear objectives of the process, distort its rationale in order to impugn its integrity.

The sponsors of the piece obviously have a second mission: to discredit the timely appointment of the current acting accountant general which has brought a measure of stability and enhanced professionalism to the treasury, following the infamous crises in the institution this year. They are upset that the HOS, with the approval of the president, wants the process to be given more time so WKDW PRUH TXDOLÀHG SHUVRQV FDQ EH JLYHQ D chance to compete for the position. To give a façade of credibility to their dubious agenda, they tried to invoke civil service rules and norms to support their case. But it is a failed mission because anyone familiar with the recent developments at Treasury House which LQIRUPHG WKH FXUUHQW ZHOO PHDQLQJ HͿRUWV WR choose the right person to lead this critical institution will understand why the thorough process initiated by the Head of Service is absolutely necessary.

Recent developments at the OAGF which provide the context for the search for a new AGF are well known. First was the suspension of the former Accountant General, Ahmed Idris, following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged diversion of over N80bn of public funds.

This was followed by the removal of Idris’ replacement after two months, also following controversies including speculations about an EFCC investigation. These incidents which received wide coverage in the media also generated strong negative feedback from the public. No doubt the fallout have also had a detrimental impact on the reputation of the Treasury as well as the collective psyche of WKH PDQDJHPHQW DQG VWDͿ RI WKH LQVWLWXWLRQ Needless to say, the negative reports also constituted a serious embarrassment to the present administration which has made the ÀJKW DJDLQVW FRUUXSWLRQ D FRUQHUVWRQH RI its policies. Against this background, it is clear that the Head of Service and the other government institutions superintending the

hiring process for a new AGF are right not to rush through the process.

Rather than applaud the meticulous approach, the article reads like a thinlyveiled campaign by persons who are more interested in pushing the interest of some candidates than in widening the pool to improve the chances of selecting the right individual for the position. The appointment and retention of Okolieaboh Sylva as acting AGF is also perceived as an obstacle to the personal interests of those behind the publication.

That is why the article resorts to attacking the Head of Service for the appointment, disregarding her imperative to do the right thing in the best interest of the nation - appoint someone pending the emergence of a permanent AGF which is standard practice in any properly-run institution. The HOS was duty-bound to appoint someone not only because the $*)·V R΀FH LV D FULWLFDO RQH WKDW REYLRXVO\ cannot be left vacant, but also because the institution needs some stability following the aforementioned crises.

The bottom line is that the piece under reference is anchored on a faulty premise ZKLFK VWDWHV WKDW ÀGHOLW\ WR VRPH VR FDOOHG bureaucratic standards is more important than ensuring that the right leadership emerges for the OAGF at this sensitive time following the spate of negative controversies that have damaged the reputation of the institution. This cannot be right.

As stated earlier, the dishonesty and bad faith of the piece and writers and their sponsors is underscored by the fact that they have ignored the well-known fact that the appointment of Mr. Okolieaboh achieved the important objective of stabilizing the institution and helped to refocus its energies on its mandate and the priorities of the present administration.

This demonstrates that his appointment was the right decision and decision to keep him in the position pending the emergence of a new AGF was the logical step. Mr. Okolieaboh came in with a strong track record in the implementation of the TSA and other important mechanisms IRU PDQDJLQJ JRYHUQPHQW ÀQDQFHV transparently and judiciously and he is demonstrating that the decision to appoint him was a right one.

It is indeed sad that rather than commend the head of service as well as the presiding ministry for supporting the current leadership at this critical time, the writers would rather criticize a process that is focused on achieving the right results at a delicate time for the Treasury.

Steadying the sails of this institution is currently more urgent than the personal desires or grievances of the article’s sponsors. It is clear that they do not mean well for the civil service and the country.

While the piece pretends to be a patriotic HͿRUW WR FDOO DWWHQWLRQ WR VXSSRVHGO\ ZURQJ actions, what is clear to the discerning mind is that it is a campaign by people focused on their self-interests rather than that of the country. What the treasury needs is the support of Nigerians, as its FXUUHQW PDQDJHPHQW ZRUNV LQ ÀGHOLW\ WR LWV PDQGDWH UHVWRULQJ FRQÀGHQFH LQ the institution even as the process of choosing the right person to lead this vital institution.

Adegboyega is a public policy analyst

22 4

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE CJN AND JUDICIAL INTEGRITY The judiciary must guard its independence and stay above suspicion MHDORXVO\ 1R PDWWHU WKH WHPSWDWLRQ WKLV FULWLFDO 7KH FULVLV RI FUHGLELOLW\ D΁LFWLQJ WKH FRXQWU\·V DUP RI JRYHUQPHQW PXVW QRW EH XQGXO\ SROLWLFLVHG MXGLFLDU\ KDV WDNHQ D VHULRXV WROO RQ WKH LQVWLWXWLRQ 1HLWKHU VKRXOG LW EH UHQGHUHG LPSRWHQW E\ WKH YHU\ ,WV LPDJH LQ WKH H\HV RI PRVW 1LJHULDQV LV QRZ SHRSOH ZKR VKRXOG ODERXU WR PDLQWDLQ LWV SUHVWLJH VHYHUHO\ EDWWHUHG 5HVWRULQJ WKLV FUHGLELOLW\ EHFRPHV DQG LQWHJULW\ GL΀FXOW ZKHQ WKH QXPEHU RQH MXGLFLDO R΀FHU LQ WKH $SSDUHQWO\ FRQFHUQHG E\ WKH FULVLV RI FUHGLELOLW\ FRXQWU\ SXWV KLPVHOI LQ D FRPSURPLVLQJ VLWXDWLRQ WKDW KDV IRU ORQJ GRJJHG WKH MXGLFLDO DUP RI :KLOH ZH GR QRW ZDQW WR GZHOO RQ WKH FRQWURYHUV\ JRYHUQPHQW DQG WKH GDPDJH WKDW LW LQÁ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΀FLDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ EXW DOVR LQ KLV MXVWLFH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LQ HYHU\GD\ OLIH 1LJHULD E\ ZRUNLQJ WR ,W LV QRW IRU QRWKLQJ WKDW UHVWRUH LQWHJULW\ WR WKH LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV IURP EDU DQG EHQFK )RU WKDW WR ZKHUH ZH ERUURZHG WKH By virtue of his exalted position, the CJN should avoid social dealings KDSSHQ -XGJHV PXVW OLNH SUHVLGHQWLDO V\VWHP RI that are capable of eroding public confidence in the judiciary as the last &DHVDU·V ZLIH VWD\ DERYH JRYHUQPHQW MXGLFLDO VXVSLFLRQ UHDFK LV NHSW EH\RQG WKH hope of the common man :KLOH LW LV VWDQGDUG JUDVS RI VWDWH R΀FLDOV H[SHFWDWLRQ DQG HYHQ VR WKDW ZKHQHYHU D UHTXLUHPHQW WKDW 86 JRYHUQPHQWV HQFURDFK T H I S D AY 6XSUHPH &RXUW MXGJHV EH HLWKHU FRQVHUYDWLYH RU RQ WKH ULJKWV RI LWV FLWL]HQV WKHUH ZRXOG EH DQ EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU OLEHUDO WKH\ FDQQRW EH 5HSXEOLFDQ RU 'HPRFUDW LQGHSHQGHQW LQVWLWXWLRQ WR NHHS WKRVH ULJKWV VDIH DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA LQ WKHLU YRWHV RQ MXGLFLDO GHFLVLRQV 7KH IRUPHU LV 0RUH WKDQ DQ\ERG\ HOVH WKH &-1 VKRXOG XQGHUVWDQG MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO LGHRORJLFDO SDUW RI WKH ULJKW WR KROG EHOLHIV 7KH DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU WKDW SULQFLSOH KHQFH DYRLG KREQREELQJ ZLWK CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI ODWWHU LV D PDWWHU RI SROLWLFDO SDUWLVDQVKLS DQ DUHD SROLWLFLDQV ZLWKLQ WKH H[HFXWLYH DUP RI JRYHUQPHQW EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN WKDW LV EHORZ WKH LQGHSHQGHQFH DQG LPSDUWLDOLW\ RI HLWKHU DW WKH IHGHUDO RU VWDWH OHYHO ,I LW LV EDG HQRXJK MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI WKH MXGLFLDU\ DV HYHU\RQH·V ODVW EDVWLRQ RI KRSH IRU WKDW WKH &-1 DJUHHG WR EH KRVWHG WR D JDOD QLJKW THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE MXVWLFH DQG IDLUQHVV LQ D GHPRFUDWLF UHSXEOLF ,Q WKH E\ *RYHUQRU 1\HVRP :LNH RI 5LYHUV 6WDWH KH DEVHQFH RI VXFK GHHS URRWHG LGHRORJLFDO GLͿHUHQFHV FRPSRXQGHG WKH VLWXDWLRQ E\ KLV XWWHUDQFHV ZKLFK RXU DSH[ FRXUW MXGJHV KDYH DQ HYHQ QDUURZHU URRP PDQ\ QRZ LQWHUSUHW WR EH SDUWLVDQ T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D $V FLWL]HQV WKH\ PD\ KDYH WKHLU SULYDWH SDUWLVDQ $V ZH KDYH UHSHDWHGO\ VWDWHG RQ WKLV SDJH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA SUHIHUHQFHV EXW VXFK ELDVHV DUH QRW H[SHFWHG WR WKH MXGLFLDU\ LV QRW MXVW DQ\ LQVWLWXWLRQ LW LV DQ GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, UHÁHFW LQ WKHLU GLVSHQVDWLRQ RI MXVWLFH RU LQGHHG LQ ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI LPSRUWDQW DUP RI JRYHUQPHQW WKDW NQLWV KXPDQ WKHLU VRFLDO FRQGXFW DQG SXEOLF XWWHUDQFHV DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, VRFLHW\ WRJHWKHU <HW WKH IXQFWLRQ RI ODZ DV DQ ANTHONY OGEDENGBE %\ YLUWXH RI KLV H[DOWHG SRVLWLRQ WKH &-1 VKRXOG LQVWUXPHQW RI VRFLDO HQJLQHHULQJ FDQ RQO\ EH PDGH DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI DYRLG VRFLDO GHDOLQJV WKDW DUH FDSDEOH RI HURGLQJ GL΀FXOW ZKHQ MXGJHV FRPSURPLVH WKHLU RDWK E\ DFWV SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH SXEOLF FRQÀGHQFH LQ WKH MXGLFLDU\ DV WKH ODVW KRSH RI RI RPLVVLRQ RU FRPPLVVLRQ $QG WR WKH H[WHQW WKDW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI QRWKLQJ GHVWUR\V SXEOLF FRQÀGHQFH LQ WKH V\VWHP CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI WKH FRPPRQ PDQ $V WKH XOWLPDWH MXGJH RI WKH ODQG DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO -XVWLFH $ULZRROD VKRXOG DOVR SXUJH KLPVHOI RI WKH WKDQ WKH EDG EHKDYLRXU RI MXGJHV WKH MXGLFLDU\ TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com VOLJKWHVW LQNOLQJ RI SDUWLVDQ WDLQW PXVW JXDUG LWV LQGHSHQGHQFH DQG LPSDUWLDOLW\

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À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asiru Usman, Gombe State

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

23

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TUESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Between Egyptian Ankh and Christian Cross E

very day, Christians in their hundreds of millions make the sign of the Cross, thinking they are performing an act of faith pleasing to God. But is that really what they are doing?

I had heard and read about the true origins of the Cross and earlier this year, I even travelled to Ethiopia to celebrate Meskel, which is a celebration of the discovery of the true Cross in Ethiopian orthodox Christianity.

I am a truth seeker, I wanted to get to the truth, no matter whose religious feathers were ruffled, and I was told that if I wanted to get to the bottom of the mystery behind the Cross, then Israel and Ethiopia (two countries I had recently visited) were not the best starting point. I was directed to Egypt and off I went.

While in Egypt, I engaged the services of a qualified guide and we went investigating.

And that was when I discovered the Ankh.

The Ankh, is an ancient Egyptian mystical symbol used to represent life. It is most commonly seen being held by Ancient Egyptian gods and was given by them to Pharaohs as an assurance that they (the gods) would sustain the Pharaoh’s life in the afterlife.

One of the things that will shock many people is the fact that Christ did not die on a Cross.

The Scriptures never said so. I can see you now getting agitated. Christ existed. He is the Son of God. He lived, died and resurrected as a propitiation for our sins and there is no way to God EXCEPT through Christ. I did not say The Bible never said Christ died on The Cross. It does. I said the SCRIPTURES never said so. The Bible is a TRANSLATION of the Holy Scriptures.

The word used in Scripture is actually Tree.

The original word used in the original Greek Scripture is staurç, which may mean a pole, or a stake, or the word xylou, which means tree. Read Galatians 3:13 if you really want to know the truth. The King James Version uses the word ‘Tree’ to indicate where Christ died.

The NIV uses the word ‘Pole’.

Believe it or not, for the first 300 years of the Church, the Cross was NOT a Christian symbol. Don’t take my word for it. Research it.

The origins of what is called the ‘Christian’ Cross do not lie with Yeshua, our Lord and Saviour, or His disciplines. It is actually traced back to the Roman emperor, Constantine The Great.

The original symbol of Christianity is a fish symbol, because Yeshua told His first disciples, who were fishermen, that He would transform them into fishers of men if they followed Him: “And Yeshua said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”-Mark 1:17.

Emperor Constantine engaged in a power struggle with his Brother-in-law, Maxentius, and during a make-or-mar battle, known as The Battle of Milvian Bridge, Constantine, a former pagan, claimed that he received a vision of a cross in the sky, along with the caption “In this sign conquer.”

He thereafter asked his troops to draw the sign he saw in the sky, which is what we now call the Cross, on their shields. And when he defeated Maxentius’ forces, he attributed it to the efficacy of the Cross.

And this political/military event marked the entrance of that pagan symbol into mainstream Christianity.

Everywhere you see the word ‘Cross’ in The Bible, you are reading a word that is translated from either staurç or xylou. I encourage you to

use a Greek dictionary to find out the meaning of both words. So, where did the Cross originate from? I urge you to look at the attached picture of Ramses the Second discussing with the Trinity (consisting of Amun, his consort Mut and their son Khonsu).

What are they each holding in their right hand? I urge you to note that this papyrus painting is over 3000 years old. In Exodus 20:4, Scripture says we must not make an image of anything on Earth or in heaven or under the Earth.

That is why Christ and His disciples and the early Church did not use a Cross, whether with or without the image of Christ on it. The usage of the Cross and the Crucifix came from the Roman Emperor, Constantine, who was a pagan and claimed to have converted to

PDP Alerts of Plan to Change Appeal Court Judgement in Edo Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alerted of pressures being mounted by some individuals in the state to change the Court of Appeal judgement already in favour of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

In a statement by the Deputy Chairman of PDP in the state, Harrison Omagnoh, the party said

information reaching it showed that, "certain elements and enemies of democracy have been putting pressure on the Federal Court of Appeal officials sitting in Benin City, to change its already delivered judgment of 22nd of November 2022, in favour of the ‘Governor Obaseki candidates’".

The party said several comments and messages on social media have also exposed the boastings and

threats of many of their supporters, that certain sums of money had been set aside and would be deployed this week to reverse the legal position.

The deputy chairman of the party said, “It is pertinent to note that all parties to the suit have been given certified true copies of the judgment, which cannot be altered.

We call on all who are involved in this clandestine act, to desist forthwith, as such despicable act

is capable of bringing down the Judiciary.

"We must remember that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man in Nigeria. We advise all affected by the judgment to take necessary legal steps to seek redress in areas of their disagreement. Asking same court to reverse itself on a judgment given, will amount to the court sitting as an appellate court over its own judgment."

INEC: Losses in Recent Attacks Won’t Affect 2023 Poll Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, assured Nigerians that though some of its offices and facilities were set ablaze in some part of the country, the incidences would not affect the conduct of the 2023 general election.

The commission said some election materials had already delivered for 2023 general election had been lost to recent attacks on its offices in different parts of the country.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, speaking when he received the delegation of Africa Union Special Pre-Electoral Political Mission led by Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka, assured Nigerians that the occurrence would not affect the conduct of the

2023 general election as scheduled, because the commission could recover from the losses.

Yakubu said in spite of INEC progress and preparations for 2023 general election, the commission was still concerned about the security situation generally in the country particularly, the incidence of attacks on its facilities.

“In the last three weeks, three of our local government offices were attacked in three different states of the federation and the last one occurred yesterday in the South Eastern part of the country.

“Although there were no casualties, quite a number of the materials already acquired and delivered for the elections have been lost. Now, the good thing is that so far, we can

recover from all the losses but it’s a source of concern. This shouldn’t be allowed to continue.

“So, we will continue to engage with the security agencies to make sure that these offices as well as personnel and our facilities are protected ahead of the election. We may express some concern about the attack on these facilities but it will never deter the commission from going ahead with the election as scheduled,” he said.

Earlier, leader of the AU Special Pre-Electoral Political Mission Mlambo-Ngcuka, said they were in Nigeria as a partner on a supportive mission.

Mlambo-Ngcuka, a member of the Panel of the team and former Deputy President of South Africa,

added the the mission was very keen to ensure that Nigeria has peaceful and credible election process.

“We would like to hear from you how much you are prepared for this election. How much consensus.

Is there a margin, on the electoral process and potential dialogue that you may need to encourage among the contesting parties as well as society. We would like also to know that the working relationship between yourself and the contesting parties is proceeding as expected.

“We’re also keen to hear about the role and contributions of CSO, women and young people in particular, which we know as people are very much interested in the process and the outcome of this elections.”

Christianity. Thus began the introduction of The Trinity and The Cross into Christianity.

Both of which, the Romans and Greeks copied from the ancient Egyptians, not from Scripture.

Many of the translators of Scripture into The Bible were Masons. I beg of you, read Scripture in the original language and your life will never be the same again. It is not so hard.

The truth, as I found out in Egypt, is that some of the oldest Crosses in existence are an almost exact replica of the Egyptian Ankh, including the Ethiopian Ņ symbol. In Ethiopia, this Ņ, is actually a letter in their alphabet, which originates from Ge’ez, their liturgical language.

It is an undisputed fact that Christ did not die on a Cross. It is an undisputed fact that the Ankh predated the Cross. It is an undisputed fact that Christ asked us to teach believers “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”-Matthew 28:20. So, my question is who taught us to observe the Cross, and to make the sign of the Cross, and to put it in our places of worship? Certainly not God or His Son. Is it not time for us to purge Christianity of pagan practices? And that is why I have travelled to Israel, Greece, Spain (Montserrat to see the Black Madonna), Rome, The Vatican, Ethiopia, and Egypt, to gather first-hand knowledge about the true faith that Christ brought to Earth.

It is that important. Nothing is more important to me than chasing down the truth about God because Christ said in John 4:24 that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” If we are adopting pagan mystical practices, how can we be said to worship him in spirit and in truth.”?

My life, my money, my possessions and my time are not as important to me as my God. I believe that if mainstream religion clashes with God, a true believer must choose God. If work time and God time clash, a true believer must choose God. If politics and God clash, a true believer must choose God. If football and God clash, a true believer must choose God. If friends’ demands and God’s requirements clash, a true believer must choose God. To me, this is the only way I know how to worship God in spirit and in truth and I urge all my readers not to take my words at face value, but to be like the Berean Christians who “were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”-Acts 17:11.

We must pay close attention to what Scripture says. Scripture like 1 Timothy 4:1 which reads as follows: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” How can we have a symbol in churches whose origin is clearly of Ancient Egyptian mystical origins and we are not asking questions? Some people privately message me and urge me to tread with caution, lest the establishment quietly kill me. But even that warning assumes that I am afraid of death. I am not afraid of death.

Not at all. What do I want to achieve in life that God has not given me, often on a platter of gold? If I, who has been so blessed by God, cannot risk my life against the establishment for Him, then I am of all men most useless!

2 Chronicles 16:9 says “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

My body is very imperfect towards God. I am a sinner. I freely confess that. But my heart is completely devoted to God. I have no doubt in my heart that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God and Father of my Lord and Saviour, Yeshua Hamashiach, is the ONLY TRUE God. If I am killed doing what I believe He is leading me to do, then that death will be the sweetest death possible and I have no fear in my heart if it has to come.

We cannot just go along to get along. We must interrogate every aspect of our religion to make sure that it has complete fidelity to Scripture. After all, it is the same Scripture that warns us to “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”-1 John 4:1.

Any information that does not lead to transformation is entertainment. Do not just read this and be entertained. Read this and be spurred on to get to the bottom of your faith. You owe it to yourself, because on the Day of Judgment, every man will independently give an account of his life before God who tries the heart. God bless you as you do this.

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FG: 34 States Have Domesticated Child's Rights Act

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JI ADELEKE

QUOTABLE “If we are to practice true Federalism, there is nothing wrong in the States having their own Judicial Institutes that will train Lawyers; that will train Judges who apply the law and preside over matters that affect the States and affect businesses around there.” - Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, Lawyer, Life Bencher, Governor of Rivers State

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

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

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

LAWYER

Malami Suggests Nigeria as Seat of Arbitration Page V

STEPHEN KOLA-BALOGUN Stephen Kola Balogun, is a vastly experienced Legal Practioner who obtained his LL.B from University of Ife and LL.M from School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London. He has Post-Graduate Diplomas in Intellectual Property Law, Construction Law, Management and Arbitration. He has served in various capacities since his Call to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, including practicing at Akinjide & Co., and lecturing part-time at Oxbridge Tutorial College. He was the Honourable Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, State of Osun, August, 2011 to November, 2014. He is currently the Principal Partner at Kola Balogun & Partners. SKB, as he is fondly called, is accredited with several publications to his name, both International and Domestic.

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

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Forfeiture and Its Many Variants Basic Civil Forfeiture Lacking Criminal Connotations Across Different Jurisdictions he term “Forfeiture”, is one which we have heard being mentioned copiously lately in Nigeria, in the political arena during this campaign season running up to the 2023 general elections. While the word has general meanings, it is also a multi-faceted term which could convey different legal definitions in different jurisdictions. For instance, in many jurisdictions around the world, you have ordinary cases of purely civil forfeiture which have no criminal element; for example, where an individual buys a car on hire purchase, fails to make the agreed periodic payments thereby breaching the hire purchase agreement, and the Car Company repossesses the vehicle (this happens in Nigeria too). In this example, the Purchaser forfeits the vehicle, but it is not a matter that has criminal connotations. At best, it ruins the credit rating of the Purchaser. In the UK and many first world jurisdictions, an individual runs the risk of losing (forfeiting) his/her property, if he/she reneges on mortgage payments on a property purchased by means of a mortgage loan, as per the Mortgage Agreement. We also have forfeiture in Landlord/Tenant matters, and here in Nigeria, also in Customary Tenancy Matters. However, this purely civil context, is not the context in which we have heard “Forfeiture” being used in recent times, especially in relation to American law.

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Some Types of Forfeiture Under American Law Criminal Forfeiture The aforementioned types of forfeiture in the case of breaching hire purchase, mortgage agreements etc, differs from Criminal, Civil and Administrative Forfeiture under American law. These three American types of forfeiture are definitely linked to criminal activities, even if only one of them actually bears the term “Criminal Forfeiture”. Criminal Forfeiture obtains against a Defendant who is convicted of a criminal offence, and forfeiture in this regard, is part of the Defendant’s sentence, and is usually limited to property or money that is involved in the Indictment (Charge).

Civil Forfeiture In the case of Civil forfeiture, the difference is that no criminal conviction is required, and unlike Criminal forfeiture in which the proceeding is against a person, Civil forfeiture is proceedings against property which is derived from criminal activities or proceeds of a crime. However, for some Senior Lawyers to then attempt to mislead the unsuspecting, unknowing public by saying Civil Forfeiture has nothing to do with crime/criminal activities possibly because it bears the word “Civil”, is more than stretching the definition! There is an undeniable intersection, between civil forfeiture and criminal activities. I found Festus Keyamo, SAN’s arrogance particularly tragicomic, when he recently told Seun Okinbaloye on Politics Today to ‘take notes’ as he screeched out mostly inaccurate submissions, while he was ‘delivering his lecture on forfeiture! Civil Forfeiture has been defined as “A process by which the government institutes a civil proceeding parallel to a criminal prosecution, and attempts to seize property of the accused that is related to the crime” - Ira Mickenberg, Prosecutors Granted Leeway in Forfeitures, NAT’L L.J., July 29, 1996 at C6. This definition is self-explanatory enough; though it is called a civil proceeding, the words criminal and crime are used in the same sentence relating to the civil proceeding.

In the Michigan State Civil Forfeiture

Politicians and Bankers were convicted of corruption and money laundering charges, and they forfeited their illegally acquired properties and monies or some of it, as part of their punishment.

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

The

Advocate “…..for some Senior Lawyers to then attempt to mislead the unsuspecting, unknowing public by saying Civil Forfeiture has nothing to do with crime/criminal activities possibly because it bears the word “Civil”, is more than stretching the definition! There is an undeniable intersection, between civil forfeiture and criminal activities” case of Bennis v Michigan, 116 S. Ct 994 (1996), in which Mr Bennis, who co-owned his vehicle with his wife Mrs Tina Bennis, was arrested and subsequently, convicted for gross indecency for engaging in sexual relations with a prostitute in the said vehicle on a Detroit City Street, the court ordered the car which was used to commit the crime, forfeited, because it was a public nuisance. Mrs Bennis, the co-owner of the vehicle, appealed the decision, claiming that she was unaware of her husband’s misuse of the vehicle. The case went up to the Supreme Court of Michigan, and the majority decision held inter alia that “knowledge of the use of property as a nuisance is not required”. According to MICH. COMP. LAWS ANN. §600.3815(2)(West 1987) which Mr Bennis offended, “Proof of knowledge of the existence of the nuisance on the part of the defendants or any of them, is not required”. The point is that even though civil forfeiture is certainly connected to criminal activities, it is possible that a party who may not be involved in such criminal activity or has no knowledge of it could be made to forfeit their possessions, if their possessions are somehow involved in criminal activities, like the vehicle that was co-owned by Mrs Bennis.

It seems that in the case of civil forfeiture, a distinction is made between the individual and the property

itself. Naturally, the normal defence to forestall forfeiture in such matters, is to plead ignorance of the criminal activities that the item sought to be forfeited took part in, or is a resulting proceed of crime. In the Bennis case, the laws of Michigan State did not recognise ignorance as a viable defence against the nuisance.

Administrative forfeiture, also proceedings against property, has to do with Government seizure of property based on probable cause.

Nigerian Law & Examples of Forfeiture Under Nigerian law, Forfeiture is also a somewhat comprehensive and flexible term, since it can be used in both civil or criminal contexts. In Abacha v F.R.N. 2014 6 N.W.L.R. Part 1402 Page 43 per Kekere-Ekun JSC and Ariwoola JSC (now CJN), the Supreme Court quoted the definition of Forfeiture in Black’s Law Dictionary 8th & 9th Edition thus: “1. The divestiture of property without compensation.

2. The loss of a right, privilege or property because of a crime, breach of obligation or neglect of duty”. The Apex Court further held that: “Therefore, forfeiture connotes punishment for a crime committed, and it’s effect is instantaneous”.

We have straightforward criminal forfeiture, for example, where some

Court made Interim Forfeiture Order Against Properties purportedly belonging to former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

In a civil context, a situation where Government acquires land/property belonging to individuals possibly for a public purpose, doesn’t pay compensation for the acquisition, it fits into the first definition of forfeiture according to Black’s Law Dictionary cited in Abacha v F.R.N. (Supra) - divesture of their property without compensation. In this circumstance, there is no wrongdoing on the part of the landowners, and there is no criminal connotation to forfeiture here. Also see the case of Nwaigwe v F.R.N. 2009 16 N.W.L.R. Part 1166 Page 169 at 200 per Mukhtar JCA (as she then was).

The case of building collapse in Nigeria, is a good example of the second definition of Forfeiture in Abacha v F.R.N. (Supra).

Section 74 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 provides that if a property or structure within the State collapses due to negligence on the part of the owner or the developer, such property shall be forfeited to the State Government after due investigation and or publication in the State Official Gazette. Like Civil forfeiture in USA, the provision does not require a conviction. Because of the negligence, various breaches of duties of care, and of course, the criminal offences involved like Involuntary Manslaughter contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State if there are deaths resulting from the Building collapse, the Owner of the property automatically forfeits it.

In AG, Bendel State v Agbofodoh 1999 2 N.W.L.R. Part 592 Page 476 at 496497 per Uwais CJN, the Supreme Court referred to various dictionary meanings of the word forfeit - all pointing to something being taken away as punishment for doing something wrong, holding inter alia thus: “The Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary, 2nd Edition, defines the word “forfeit” as the act or process of paying a penalty for a crime, fault or mistake etc and the word “forfeiture” is defined therein to mean that which is forfeited; a penalty; a forfeit; a fine or mulct….. damage, confiscation, sequestration and amercement”.

Similarly, as in the case of building collapse, Section 15 of the Kidnapping (Prohibition) Law of Lagos State 2019 provides that any movable or immovable property used for, or in connection with the the commission of the offence of kidnapping may be forfeited to the State; the only difference with building collapse being that, while the forfeiture to the State Government in building collapse is mandatory after due investigation, in the case of kidnapping, it is a possibility.

Conclusion While it is true that in law, the term “Forfeiture” can be used in a civil context only, this is not the case in the recent national discourse. It is therefore, discouraging when Politicians/Lawyers twist definitions and situations to further their own causes, by attempting to mislead the unknowing public. Many political spokespersons, are not excluded from this unwholesome practice. Aside from it being off-putting, it may be a peep into what lies ahead in the future of Nigeria under these people, especially when there are thorny issues which Nigerians are unhappy about, or when they renege on their campaign promises or in situations which have been handled badly by Government. They will simply orchestrate all kinds of cover-ups as excuses, instead of doing the needful.

Just like this present administration has done, in many instances.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Ingredients of Criminal Breach of Trust Under Section 311 of the Penal Code Facts The Appellant was arraigned before the High Court of Plateau State on an amended four-count Charge, relating to the offences of criminal breach of trust contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 thereto; and official corruption contrary to Section 8(b)(ii) of the Corrupt Independent Practices and other Offences (ICPC) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 8(b)(ii) thereunder.

The Appellant was accused of dishonestly misappropriating the sum of N32 million granted to the Institute for payment of staff promotion arrears in 2012, in his capacity as the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences. He was also accused of granting the approval of an inflated sum of money as the amount meant for a contract for the printing of security and non-security documents, and fraudulently converting the same to his own use.

The Appellant pleaded not guilty to each of the four counts and the trial proceeded with the Appellant and Respondent calling witnesses and tendering various exhibits in proof of their respective cases. At the end of the trial, the trial court convicted the Appellant on counts 1, 2 and 4 and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment each on counts 1 and 2; and 5 years imprisonment on count 4. Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which court dismissed the appeal and upheld his conviction and sentence.

The Appellant filed a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination The Apex Court considered the following issues in its determination of the appeal: 1. Whether the trial, conviction and sentence of the Appellant are altogether a nullity, for failure of the prosecution to first obtain the leave of the trial court before the Charge was filed, as mandated by Section 185(b) of the Criminal Procedure Law. 2. Whether the competence of issues 1 and 2 in the Appellant’s Brief of Argument raised suo motu by the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal without calling parties to address them on same, does not amount to a breach of the Appellant’s right to fair hearing.

3. Whether from the totality of the evidence adduced by the Respondent on record, the court below was right when it held that the same established the guilt of the Appellant for counts 1, 2 and 4 beyond reasonable doubt.

Arguments On the first issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that the prosecution failed to first obtain the leave of the trial court before the Amended Charge was filed, as prescribed in Section 185 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and for this reason, the trial, conviction and sentence of the Appellant are altogether a nullity.

He argued with respect to the second issue, that the issue regarding the competence or otherwise of issues 1 and 2 of the Appellant’s Brief of Argument before the Court of Appeal was raised suo motu by the Court of Appeal without calling on the parties to address it on the same, and it thus, amounts to violation of the Appellant’s right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution. He cited MABAMIJE v OTTO (2016) NG SC 75.

On the third issue, counsel submitted that the prosecution did not prove the guilt of the Appellant to warrant the conclusion drawn by the lower court that he was rightly convicted and sentenced by the trial court on counts 1, 2 and 4. On the whole, he submitted that the two courts below did not properly evaluate and consider the evidence tendered before it, in arriving at their respective conclusion that the prosecution proved the ingredients of the

Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, JSC IIn the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 1st day of July, 2022 Before Their Lordships Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun John Inyang Okoro Abdu Aboki Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Tijjani Abubakar Justices, Supreme Court SC/CR/611/2020 Between 1. ENGR. UMAR SAIDU BAMALLI

APPELLANT And

1. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

RESPONDENT

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, JSC) offences for which the Appellant was convicted, beyond reasonable doubt. On this premise, counsel for the Appellant urged the Court to set aside the judgement of the court below, and accordingly discharge and acquit the Appellant.

Arguing contrarily, counsel for the Respondent submitted on the first issue that the Charge was initiated by due process of law, upon the fulfilment of the condition precedent for initiating the Charge. He argued that the Appellant failed to show which of the requirements for the initiation of the criminal proceedings, was breached.

On the second issue, counsel submitted that the issues in question were not issues upon which the judgement of the court below was predicated, and they were issues addressed in passing which had no bearing on the resolution of the matter. He submitted further that the Appellant failed to show that the issue purportedly raised suo motu by the court below had affected him, and caused him

“….. (a) That the accused person was entrusted with property or dominion over it; (b) That the accused misappropriated, converted or disposed of the said property; (c) That the accused did so in violation of any direction of law prescribing the mode in which such trust was to be discharged…… and (d) That he acted dishonestly”

miscarriage of justice.

On the third issue, counsel for the Respondent argued that from the totality of the evidence adduced and exhibits tendered at the trial, the prosecution established the ingredients of the offences in counts one, two and four, thereby linking the Appellant with the commission of the offences of Criminal Breach of Trust. He cited NWATURUOCHA v THE STATE (2011) 45 NSCQR at 300-301 and AFOLALU v THE STATE (2010) 6-7 MJSC 187.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the first issue, the Supreme Court held that by virtue of Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 13(2) of the EFCC Act and Section 185(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Laws of Plateau State, the trial court has the jurisdictional competence and power to grant or refuse leave to the prosecution to arraign and institute a Charge against the Defendant. However, like in all cases of exercise of discretionary power, the discretion must be exercised not only judicially, but also judiciously. The court held that it was evident on the face of the record that the trial court had recorded having dealt with an application ex-parte regarding the Charge on 7th May, 2018. The said ex-parte application which was brought by the prosecution sought leave to prefer a Charge against the Appellant, and it was duly supported by the necessary processes. The court concluded there was no doubt that the

Charge in question was initiated at the trial court by due process of law, and upon the fulfilment of the condition precedent for initiating the Charge. The Appellant had failed to advance any cogent reason, to the effect that any of the requirements for initiation of the criminal proceedings was breached by the Respondent.

On the 2nd issue, the court held that the law is indeed, well settled, that where a court deems it expedient to unilaterally raise an issue suo motu, then it becomes imperative for the court to accord an opportunity to the parties to address it thereupon. Though the Court of Appeal struck out issues 1 and 2, it still went ahead to determine the Appellant’s appeal on the merits. Thus, it would be a gross misconception for the Appellant to allege that the finding of the court below which resulted in the striking out of the said issues 1 and 2, amounted to raising an issue suo motu.

Regarding the third issue, their Lordships held that the elements of the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust under Section 311 of the Penal Code are: (a) That the accused person was entrusted with property or dominion over it; (b) That the accused misappropriated, converted or disposed of the said property; (c) That the accused did so in violation of any direction of law prescribing the mode in which such trust was to be discharged, or any legal contract express or implied which he had made concerning the trust, or that he intentionally allowed some persons to do so; and (d) That he acted dishonestly. The court placed reliance on the cases of UZOAGBA vs COP (2012) LPELR – 15525; (2014) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1401) 441; (2012) LPELR-15525 (SC).

The prosecution is under a duty to prove these ingredients beyond reasonable doubt.

In this instance, in discharging this burden, the prosecution had called witnesses and adduced evidence which proved beyond reasonable doubt that the Appellant, as the DG/CEO of Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, had been entrusted with money meant for promotion arrears, and had dishonestly diverted it for other use without authority. The evidence adduced by the prosecution also established that the Appellant knew that there was no promotion that year; hence, the purpose for the disbursement of the money was defeated; yet, he went ahead to approve the illegal disbursement of the money and used it for other purposes without authority. The court held further that the evidence on record also showed that, in order to perpetrate this crime, the Appellant facilitated the payment of the said money to various cadres of staff as overtime allowance, after which the said staff were made to return certain amounts to the procurement officer (2nd accused person) in connivance with the Appellant, and the money was in the end, used for other purposes by the Appellant.

The court also found that there was direct oral evidence, as well as documentary evidence on record which established that the Appellant illegally approved disbursement of the sum of N9.5million from the promotion arrears funds as money meant for a contract for the printing of security and non-security documents which was in fact a sham contract, and the Appellant gained a benefit of N5million therefrom.

There is no doubt that based on the totality of the evidence adduced by the Respondent (Prosecution) on record, the court below was absolutely right when it held in the vexed judgement that the said evidence was sufficient to establish the guilt of the Appellant in counts 1, 2 and 4 of the Charge, beyond reasonable doubt.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Abdulaziz Ibrahim Nasir Saidu with M.U. Bunza and Samson Okpetu for the Appellant.

Sir Steve Odiase with Bamidele Akhwmoch for the Respondent.

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

V

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen

EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

FG: 34 States Have Domesticated Child's Rights Act Stories by Steve Aya

34 of the 36 States of the Federation have fully domesticated the Child Rights Act, which is a law that deals with issues of child abuse, child labour, and forced marriage, among others, in Nigeria.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, gave the update on behalf of the Federal Government while appearing at the 59th edition of the Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

The Child Rights Act had been domesticated by just 13 States as of 2019, raising concerns in Government and Child Rights circles.

Mrs Pauline Tallen, stated that she had been actively involved in the advocacy, to ensure all States keyed into the initiative. The Minister said she had personally met with key stakeholders and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, to stress the need for them to pass the Bill into law for their Governors to assent.

She expressed confidence that the two remaining States, which she did not name, would soon pass the Bill to domesticate the Act. Although the Minister declined to mention the two States yet to domesticate the Act, sources within the Ministry said Kano and Zamfara are the two States yet to

Court Remands Sex Offender in Kirikiri Correctional Centre An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, on Wednesday remanded a man, Babatunde Fashogbon, for allegedly raping a 21-year-old girl in a school library.

Justice Abiola Soladoye remanded the Defendant in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, pending the commencement of his trial, and adjourned the case until January 16, 2023, for trial.

The Defendant is facing a three-count charge of rape, sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration. Charges to which he, however, pleaded not guilty too.

The State Prosecutor, Ms Abimbola Abolade, sought a trial date following the

not-guilty plea of the Defendant.

The Counsel alleged the Defendant raped the 21-year-old girl, by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

Abolade told the court that the Defendant committed the offences on March 21, during school hours in the library of Opebi Secondary School, Ikeja.

The defence Counsel, Mr Pedro Lawal, SAN, pleaded with the court for a quick trial date in the interest of justice.

According to the Prosecutor, the alleged offences violated Sections 260, 261 and 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

domesticate the Act. “We go to the traditional rulers, we go to community leaders, we

go to religious leaders, we go to the state assemblies,” Tallen said.

She also noted that

the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to have all States domesticate the Act, were

complemented by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and the Forum of First Ladies.

Malami Suggests Nigeria as Seat of Arbitration In an effort to drive the development of arbitration practice in Nigeria, the Federal Government has urged legal practitioners to make Nigeria the seat of arbitration by suggesting that the nation be the venue of arbitration, especially where the subject-matter of the dispute involves the country.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN stated this on Thursday in a keynote address delivered at the 2022 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

Speaking on the theme of the conference which was “The Future of Arbitration and ADR in Africa: Developments and Sustainability”, Malami noted that this will not only promote arbitration practice in Nigeria, but also enhance tourism and create a notable surge in foreign direct investment which would, in turn, boost the nation's economy.

He further said that this will help to achieve the objective of making Nigeria become an international arbitration centre, and towards achieving this goal, the Justice Minister promised that the government on its part would ensure the growth of arbitration by encouraging autonomy of arbitration organisation.

The Minister who was represented by a Director in his Ministry, Larry Nwudu, however, stressed the need for a legal framework that meets international best practices.

To attain this, he said there is a need to ensure the continuous training and re-training of Judges, Lawyers and arbitration practitioners, to enhance effective dispute resolution and administration of justice.

Similarly, he stressed the inclusion of arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution in school curricula, especially at the tertiary level and the establishment of more arbitration institutions.

Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Chima Nweze, in a keynote address titled, "Arbitration, Justice and the Rule of Law", remarked that several factors are working together to elevate arbitrators to a quasi-judicial status. He said that arbitrators, like Judges, have a duty to act judicially, and that this duty is not merely owed to the parties, but also owed to the public.

Justice Nweze urged members of the Institute to always uphold the vital standards of independence and competence throughout the country, and give effect to contractual rights following substantive and procedural legal principles, thereby helping to ensure the rule of law and effective delivery of justice.

He remarked that it is safe to conclude that Africa has achieved reasonable strides towards becoming an investment-friendly and resolution environment with the available arbitration laws and

institutions in Africa. He said what remains, are for the sincere application of these laws within the institutional framework to promote greater efficiency.

"The role of the national courts and their disposition to support, rather than interfere in the application of other dispute resolution mechanisms, will go a long way in promoting Africa as a destination for investment", he further stated.

Justice Nweze stressed the need for African governments to conscientiously drive infrastructural development, that provides safe and efficient cities for arbitration.

The President and Chairman of the council, NICArb, Prof.

Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, in his remarks contended that there is a future for arbitration and ADR in Africa. Prof Ajogwu said it was commendable that the Nigerian Governmental has heeded the call by arbitration and ADR practitioners and the need to update arbitration laws.

Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Indian Citizen An Indian citizen, Mr Chandra Singh, was on Thursday dragged before an Ikeja High Court over an alleged N816 million fraud by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Mr Singh is facing a 19-count charge bordering on bribery and retention of stolen property. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The EFCC counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, following his not-guilty plea.

“We are also ready to open

trial and have witnesses in court”, she said.

The prosecution alleged the Defendant, on or before January 1, 2021, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for his company CVN Engineering Ltd, so that he influences his employees to award the supply of cost N365 million to CVN Engineering Ltd. The anti-graft agency also alleged that the Defendant solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for his company Neo Paints Nigeria

Ltd, so that he influenced his employee to award the supply of cost N451 million to Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd. The Prosecution also submitted that the Defendant dishonestly retained the sum of 4,150 USD,mbelonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd. The Defence Counsel, Mr Hassan Olanrewaju, informed the court of the bail application for the Defendant, and requested a short adjournment to enable him to prepare for the trial.

“I was only served with the amended information

and proof of evidence this morning in court, and it will only be fair to be given time to prepare”, Olanrewaju said.

The alleged offences violated Sections 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and Section 83 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

Justice Ismail Ijelu remanded the Defendant in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, and adjourned the case until November 30 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

#upjudicialsalaries “Whenever we deliberately or inadvertently toy with the welfare of our Judicial Officers, we are consciously inflicting a devastating scar on the psyche of our nation.” - Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON, Chief Justice of Nigeria

VI

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Ethics and Discipline in Law: Akin to Waiting for Godot (Part 3) Introduction nation is said to be developed when her citizens have easy access to quality healthcare and education, advanced technology and infrastructure, sophisticated, diverse and well-balanced economic sectors, such as industrial, service, and agriculture, and a relatively high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

Of course, national ethics and ethos are an adjunct to these. These appear lacking in Nigeria. This is what has led her inability to measure up with developed nations of the world. Today, we shall continue our discourse on this and other issues.

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Ethics and Morality (Continues) To analyse law, reference must be made to a classic tale, originating in India, of a group of blind men and an elephant. Even though there are numerous variations of the story, I enjoy the Jain’s version in particular: “Once upon a time, there lived six blind men in a village. One day the villagers told them, “Hey, there is an elephant in the village today”.

They had no idea what an elephant was.

They decided, “Even though we would not be able to see it, let us go and feel it anyway.”

All of them went where the elephant was.

Every one of them touched the elephant.

“Hey, the elephant is a pillar,” said the first man who touched his leg.

“Oh, no! It is like a rope,” said the second man who touched the tail.

“Oh, no! It is like a thick branch of a tree,” said the third man who touched the trunk of the elephant.

“It is like a big hand fan,” said the fourth man who touched the ear of the elephant.

“It is like a huge wall,” said the fifth man who touched the belly of the elephant.

“It is like a solid pipe,” said the sixth man who touched the tusk of the elephant.

They began to argue about the elephant, and every one of them insisted that he was right. It looked like they were getting agitated.

A wise man was passing by, and he saw this. He stopped and asked them, “What is the matter?” They said, “We cannot agree to what the elephant is like”. Each one of them told what he thought the elephant was like. The wise man calmly explained to them, “All of you are right. The reason every one of you is telling it differently, is because each one of you touched a different part of the elephant. So, the elephant has all the features of what you all said.”

Because of the multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary nature of law, several theories and schools of law have been propounded to wit: the Naturalist School, the Socialist Theory, the Positivist Theory, the Realist Theory, the Utilitarian Theory and so on; but, we are not going to wear ourselves out with the various theories. For the sake of this write-up, we shall adopt the definition of law proposed in the Black’s Law Dictionary above, that is: “As that which is laid down, ordained, or established. A rule or method according to which phenomenon or actions co-exist or follow each other. Law, in its generic sense, is a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority and having binding legal force. That which must be obeyed and followed by citizens subject

to sanctions or legal consequences. Law is a solemn expression of the will of the supreme power of the State”.

“Waiting For Godot” is a term coined from the story – Waiting for Godot – to describe a situation where people are waiting for something to happen, but, it probably never will. Simply put, it is to engage in wishful thinking or to build castles in the air. The phrase is coined from the play

by Samuel Beckett. The play is basically about two clowns, waiting for someone who never shows up. It’s a metaphor for humanity waiting for some revelation of God’s presence, amid horror, destruction and chaos.

They never get it. At the end, a messenger boy comes to say Mr Godot is very sorry, but he’s unable to come today; but, perhaps, tomorrow. That’s life. Waiting for Godot is a tragicomedy in two acts by Irish writer, Samuel Beckett, published in 1952 in French as ‘En Attendant Godot’ and first produced in 1953. Waiting for Godot was a true innovation in drama, and the Theatre of the Absurd’s first theatrical success.

National Ethics National ethics simply means a set of conduct and behaviours expected of every citizen, the breach of which attracts punishment.

National ethics is defined as a system of morals, rules, and behaviour which every community in a country is bound to abide by; and a breach of such rules usually attracts punishment.

National ethics is stated in the Constitution of a nation, to guide the behaviour

“National ethics simply means a set of conduct and behaviours expected of every citizen, the breach of which attracts punishment. National ethics is defined as a system of morals, rules, and behaviour which every community in a country is bound to abide by…..”

and conduct of citizens in their places of work. It serves the establishment of law and order, and attainment of meaningful development in a country. The present Constitution of Nigeria states the national ethics to comprise the following: Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-Reliance, and Patriotism.

Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-Reliance, and Patriotism By discipline, the Constitution means that Nigerians should try not to be corrupt, disobedient to laws or embezzle government’s funds when they find themselves in a position of leadership. Citizens are expected to be disciplined, always observing self-control and associating themselves only with people of good character. The importance of discipline which cannot be overemphasised, includes but is not limited to the following: Discipline builds good habits; helps one stop procrastinating; helps one manage one’s time better; helps one achieve your goals; Discipline also boosts one self-esteem; helps one master things; makes one more reliable; improves one’s ability to manage challenging emotions.

When you have discipline in your life, you can make small sacrifices in the present for a better life in the future. Discipline creates habits, habits make routines, and routines become who you are daily.

Like a muscle, discipline can be trained.

The more you work on your discipline, the stronger it becomes. You see this in sports all the time; the more disciplined team, ends up beating the undisciplined team with greater talent. Disciplined teams can see the big picture, and use restraint during adversity. Teams that aren’t as disciplined lose their cool, and end up costing themselves a shot.

By integrity, the Constitution states that Nigerians should try to be firm and honest in all their activities. They should not allow others to drag them into illegal and dishonest activities. Integrity is a characteristic that many of us value in

ourselves, and it's one we look for consistently in our leaders. But, what does it really mean to have integrity? It is the quality of being honest, and strong about what you believe to be right. One could say that integrity is always doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, and even when the choice isn't easy. Or, one might see integrity as staying true to oneself and one’s word, even when one is faced with serious consequences for the choices that you're making.

When we have integrity, we gain the trust of our leaders, our colleagues and our team. We're dependable, and, when we hold ourselves accountable for our actions; we become role models for others to follow.

All of this, in turn, directly impacts our success in life.

Dignity of labour entails that Nigerians should be proud of the work they do irrespective of its nature, provided it is legal.

It also means labour should be rewarded accordingly. That is, we should have respect for those who work for us. Dignity of labour is the philosophy that all types of jobs are respected equally, no occupation is considered superior, and none of the jobs should be discriminated upon on any basis. Regardless of whether one's occupation involves physical labour or mental work, it is held that the job deserves respect. Simply put, any form of work, manual or intellectual, is called labour, and respecting any kind of job (manual or intellectual) is called "dignity of labour". Dignity of labour, in a nutshell, is the experience of self-worth and achievement that a person derives from his or her work.

It is experienced when a person is treated as an equal in the workplace, and when they feel useful to their company and to society in general.

By social justice, the Constitution implies that Nigerians, irrespective of where they come from, should be treated fairly and rightly. That is, they should be given equal opportunities in terms of access to justice, employment, education, etc. This could help to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor to the barest minimum.

Justice is the concept of fairness. Social justice is fairness, as it manifests in society. This includes fairness in healthcare, employment, housing, and more. Discrimination and social justice, are not compatible. Now, social justice applies to all aspects of society, including race and gender, and it is closely tied to human rights.

More specifically, what does social justice mean? Social justice means that everyone’s human rights, are respected and protected.

Everyone has equal opportunities. This doesn’t guarantee that society will be perfect, and everyone will always be happy. However, everyone will have a fighting chance at the life they want. They aren’t held back by things out of their control, like systemic obstacles or discrimination.

By religious tolerance, the Constitution simply means that Nigerians should learn to stay together without violating each other’s right in their practice of religion. That is, they should learn to believe that the religion of every person is important to him/her.

Therefore, every Nigerian should consider the religion of another Nigerian important to the believer. That is, we should learn to believe that, much as we value our religions, other people, too, value their religions, no matter the pattern of worship.

This goal is a complex one due to the great diversity of religions and spiritual beliefs existing in the world today, especially in our society. Religion is also a very emotional topic.

It can often be difficult for individuals to put their personal biases aside, and consider ideas or situations objectively. (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “In just about every area of society, there's nothing more important than ethics”. (Henry Paulson)

VII

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

My Brief by SKB STEPHEN KOLA-BALOGUN

stephenkolabalogun@yahoo.com

Locus Standi

Need for a Procedural Exclusivity Rule in Nigerian Public and Private Actions Background he vexed issue of locus standi has attracted a great deal of discourse and debate over the years, amongst Academics and legal practitioners alike. Despite the abundance of literature on this topic here in Nigeria, it still remains very difficult to say with absolute certainty what the true position of the law is on this subject. Law journals are no longer published as frequently as they were in the past, and Nigerian law libraries remain underfunded; as such, it has become difficult to identify any real authoritative thesis on this subject, other than that of Professor Tunde Ogewowo who over 20 years ago wrote a masterful and brilliant piece on locus standi titled “Wrecking the Law” in the Brooks J INTL L Journal in the year 2000 to be precise.

Generally speaking, there is a distinction between those who seek to establish standing on the basis of their own personal interests (personal standing), and those who do so on the basis that they represent the interests of other identifiable individuals, or that they represent the “public interest” (representative standing).

The Nigerian standing rule has a very narrow concept of personal standing (one that focuses on private legal rights), and no concept of representative standing. Hence, persons with a real interest in an issue of local or national importance invariably will be denied standing; even if what is assailed involves obvious illegality. This practice stemmed from the celebrated case of Senator Abraham Adesanya v President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Anor. 1981 5 S.C.

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The Adesanya case In this case, Senator Adesanya instituted proceedings in the High Court against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his appointee to the office of Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO).

He sought a declaration that the appointment was unconstitutional, and an injunction preventing it from taking effect. The Plaintiff had opposed the appointment during the confirmation proceedings in the Senate, maintaining that it was contrary to certain provisions of the 1979 Constitution, and was therefore, invalid.

The majority in the Senate, however, proceeded to confirm the appointment. The trial Judge granted the declaration sought by the Plaintiff, and set aside the said appointment.

In the course of this judgement, the Judgement remarked that the Plaintiff was raising a constitutional issue that did not affect him personally. When the Defendant appealed to the Court of Appeal, it was this observation that prompted the Court to raise the locus standi point suo motu. The Court called upon counsel to address it on the relevance of Section 6(6) (b) of the 1979 Constitution in relation to the issue of standing. After making his submission, Counsel for the Plaintiff invoked the provisions of Section 259(3) of the 1979 Constitution, under which the matter could be referred to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

Although the reference was made, the Court of Appeal nevertheless, went ahead to determine the meaning of Section 6(6)(b) of the 1979 Constitution, and ruled that the Plaintiff lacked standing. The Supreme Court thereafter, treated the reference as an appeal. The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal by agreeing that the Plaintiff lacked the relevant standing to sue.

This judgement went on to become the locus classicus on standing to sue in Nigeria, in that it now formed the basis for standing to sue in all aspects of Nigerian litigation by relying on the dictum of Bello JSC (as he then was ) who thought that Section 6(6)(b) of the 1979 Constitution (which is on all fours with Section 6(6)(b) of the present 1999 Constitution) established a rule on standing.

According to Bello JSC ( as he then was), Section 6(6)(b) expresses the scope and content of the judicial powers vested by the Constitution in the courts within the purview of the subsection. Although the powers appear wide, they are limited in scope and content to only matters, actions, and proceedings ‘for the determination

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person……’. In short, it is only when the civil rights and obligations of the person who invokes the jurisdiction of the court are in issue for determination, that the judicial powers of the courts may be invoked.

Despite some attempts to make distinctions to this rule on standing in subsequent cases, such as Owodunni v Registered Trustees of the Celestial Church of Christ, Bada & Ors. 6 S.C. (Part III) at 62, this perverse rule on standing has generally stood.

Public Law/ Public Interest Litigation Some notable Lawyers such as Femi Falana, SAN, have championed activism in the field of public interest litigation by calling upon the courts to invoke a more liberal interpretation of the standing rule with regard to public interest issues; and although this has been met with some limited and relative success, it is more or less restricted in the main to fundamental human right actions. Nevertheless, it has become obvious to most Lawyers, Academics and Judges alike, that the rules that pertain to standing or locus standi in Nigerian litigation in general, need to be revisited.

Unfortunately, the case of Senator Abraham Adesanya (Supra) which was decided in 1981 was a few years too early, otherwise the outcome of this case may well have been different. To begin with, the Abraham Adesanya case may well have been by judicial review, since it was a public law case dressed up as a private law case. This, of course, was allowed at the time because there was no procedural exclusivity rule between public and private law cases even in England, let alone Nigeria. Judicial review based on the ultra vires doctrine (as opposed to our Constitution), is the system through which the High Court exercises supervisory control over all forms of public law issues. This supervisory jurisdiction helps to ensure that public bodies not only perform their duties, but also do not abuse their power nor act arbitrarily, capriciously, unreasonably or unfairly. See Stitch v AGF (1986) 5 NWLR 1007. In this case, it was established that Nigerian courts can review an administrative action if it is illegal, irrational or flawed by procedural impropriety.

Historically, the prerogative writs of certiorari,

“….the Abraham Adesanya case may well have been by judicial review, since it was a public law case dressed up as a private law case”

prohibition and mandamus were used for this supervisory purpose. Although the basis for this supervisory jurisdiction is the common law, rules of court now lay down the procedure for invoking this jurisdiction. In Lagos State, for example, the procedure is governed by Order 44 of The High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 2019.

This procedure is a specialised procedure by which the courts may grant one of the prerogative remedies of certiorari, prohibition or mandamus and, alternatively, or in addition, a declaration or injunction. Damages may also be awarded in an application for judicial review, if one of those five remedies is granted, and the court is satisfied that damages would have been available if claimed in an ordinary action. Order 44 (before that Order 43) replaced the old Order 53,q which was based on Order 53 RSC in England. Under the old Order 53 only the prerogative remedies could be obtained. There were various problems with the old Order 53 procedure, most notably being that of “procedural incompatibility”. It was impossible to seek declarations, injunctions or damages (that is, private law remedies) in the same proceedings as those for the prerogative remedies. These private law remedies were obtainable, only in actions begun by writ or originating summons. The prerogative remedies, also had other shortcomings.

Primarily, they were laced with all sorts of technical limitations. They also had considerable procedural disadvantages – an absence of an automatic right to discovery, cross-examination and general interlocutory relief. Furthermore, there were problems relating to standing, as different standing rules applied to the different remedies.

The Procedural Exclusivity Rule It was these problems associated with the old Order 53 which led the Court to adapt private law remedies of injunction and declaration, in the service of public law. The House of Lords which has now been renamed as the UK Supreme Court, has since put an end to all this. There is now a procedural dichotomy between public and private law actions, in the sense that, as a general rule, it would be contrary to public policy and be deemed an abuse of court process, for a Plaintiff in a public law matter to seek redress by ordinary action. This is known as the Procedural Exclusivity Rule, and it was established in the case of O’Reilly v Mackman [1983] 2 AC 237. It is the absence of such a rule here in Nigeria, that is exacerbating our problems with the standing rule and locus standi. It is worth noting that O’Reilly v Mackman (Supra) was decided by the House of Lords in 1983, while the case of Senator Abraham Adesanya (Supra) was in 1981. In a sense this case was ahead of its time, in that it was a public law case dressed up as a private law action. The two years before O’Reilly v Mackman (Supra) were significant, in that

as we now know in subsequent years, the remedies obtainable in private law actions were extended to public law actions not only in England but also under the judicial review procedure in our various High Court Civil Procedure Rules. Unfortunately, this extension was not followed up with a procedural exclusivity rule, and as such, public law actions are still brought by our Lawyers couched as private law actions, thereby causing considerable confusion amongst Judges and to the detriment of our legal system in general.

In my opinion, it is this procedural exclusivity rule that activist Lawyers ought to have been pursuing, in their quest for a more liberal interpretation or construction of the standing rule in relation to locus standi. For instance, Order 44 Rule 3(4) of The High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 2019 states that a Judge shall not grant leave for judicial review unless he considers that the applicant has sufficient interest in the matter to which the application relates. Order 34 Rule 3(4) is the equivalent provision under the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019, and it also makes sufficient interest the relevant threshold. The rule on standing espoused

by Bello JSC (as he then was) in Senator Abraham Adesanya (Supra) which arguably stemmed from a misunderstanding of the true intent and purpose of Section 6(6)(b) of the 1979 Constitution, occurred because there was never even today a procedural exclusivity rule between public and private law actions.

The jurist’s reasoning may well have been different if we did have such a dichotomy, but, perhaps, more significantly, our legal system like before would have been able to keep abreast of developments in other common law jurisdictions, and not get left behind. In short, legal practitioners would have been able to argue more convincingly and with a lot more conviction that sufficient interest in public law actions does not equate to personal rights or interest in private law actions, and that a more liberal interpretation should be applied.

Conclusion Although there is now much to be said about the need for a procedural dichotomy rule under Nigerian law, this can perhaps, best be implemented by a practice direction to that effect. Since all the High Courts in the country have made adequate provision for judicial review under their Civil Procedure Rules, a practice direction by the various Chief Judges of the States to the effect that it would be contrary to public policy for a Plaintiff/ Claimant in a public law matter to seek redress by a private law action, is perhaps, the most realistic and practical way of implementing such a rule. This would have the advantage of allowing our Judges to become analytical in applying the more liberal sufficient interest test, in determining whether a litigant has appropriate standing to sue rather than the draconian and impractical personal right test developed in the Abraham Adesanya case, which we now know has the effect of shutting out several interested parties from public interest litigation.

VIII COVER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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

‘Our Top Priority is, Digitalising Lagos’ Judiciary’ At a population of slightly over 20 million, Lagos State is unarguably the most populous city and the third largest economy in Africa, in addition to being quite cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse. The challenges of administering justice in such a State, are undoubtedly humongous.

Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, is the one who currently carries this responsibility. How has he fared in this herculean task of administering justice to citizens of the State, through the over 400 Lawyers under his supervision? Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi tracked him down to discuss his eventful three and a half years in office, including some of his innovations, and achievements so far

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s Attorney-General of Lagos State you head what has been described as the largest law firm in Nigeria, with over 200 Lawyers spread across various departments and units under your Ministry and direct supervision.

What have been the major challenges administering such a huge outfit?

It is true that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice is one of the largest law firms in Nigeria, and it is indeed, a great privilege and honour to lead the 431 Lawyers grouped into 7 Directorates, 3 Agencies and 3 Units. There’s

no denying that managing such a large organisation comes with its own challenges, ranging from retaining good hands, coping with trust deficit between government and governed, digitalising our processes and operations, and such other challenges that law firms and organisations of our size face. These challenges could however, not break us; rather we see them as rungs of a ladder to be climbed, in order to provide improved and pristine services to the citizenry. So, gradually we are digitalising our processes, our departments of Commercial Law, Public Prosecutions and

“Whilst I’m grateful to Esq Legal Awards for the recognition, I really do have mixed feelings about the award.

Mixed feelings in the sense that, there is still so much to be done. It is difficult really to roll out the drums in celebration, when you look at the mountain of problems facing the administration of justice in Nigeria as a whole”

Civil Litigation are undergoing deployment of technology to assist their service delivery.

Furthermore, in our quest to continually support the staff in their personal and professional development, as well as ensure the optimal contribution of Counsel towards the attainment of the vision and mission of the Ministry, the Secondment and Mentorship programmes were initiated in October, 2021 to enhance career objectives, expand horizons as well as improve the efficiency of Lawyers in the employment of the State. Under the Secondment scheme, we have deployed some of our State counsel for a period of about two months to different law firms in the State, to enable them experience and learn first-hand the work processes and work flow in the private sector. The feedback we have received so far from participating firms and our State counsel is quite encouraging, and we are now on the verge of dispatching another batch of counsel for both the Secondment

and Mentorship programmes.

You just emerged as the winner of the Best Attorney-General in the country in the recently concluded Esquire Legal Awards.

How did you receive it, and what is its significance to you? What would you say have been your major achievements and would be legacies, in your three and a half years as Attorney-General of Lagos State?

Whilst I’m grateful to Esq Legal Awards for the recognition, I really do have mixed feelings about the award. Mixed feelings in the sense that, there is still so much to be done.

It is difficult really to roll out the drums in celebration, when you look at the mountain of problems facing the administration of justice in Nigeria as a whole. Whatever one has achieved pales into insignificance, when compared against the number of issues yet to be resolved.

In Lagos State we can boast of some modest reforms in the justice sector space such as; the ongoing attempt to revamp our civil litigation practice through the proposed Administration of Civil Justice Bill

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

‘Our Top Priority is, Digitalising Lagos’ Judiciary’ which contains several innovations such as preventing parties from stopping/staying a matter from being heard or tried, whilst that party pursues an interlocutory appeal; a cost regime which imposes stiff costs for causing adjournments on the date fixed for trial or hearing of an application; introduction of electronic service of court processes; virtual hearing; court sitting on weekends and public holidays; stiff penalties for filing frivolous suits; etc.

You were elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 36 States’ Attorneys-General.

What is the focus and vision of this group?

From 15th to 17th June, 2022, the Body of Attorneys-General of the 36 States of the Federation held its inaugural meeting in Lagos, and I was privileged to be elected as the Chairman of the Body. The aims and objectives of the group are largely to harmonise the positions of the States with respect to various infractions of the Constitution by various authorities, organisations, and agencies to the detriment of the States. Also, to assist each other with capacity building, sharing knowledge and experiences, that will assist each of us to ramp up service delivery in our various States. The next meeting of the Body comes up in Asaba, Delta State, at the end of this month.

Mobile Courts became quite handy in the administration justice in Lagos; but, in recent times, their impact is not being felt. Not much is heard about mobile courts anymore, and they are hardly seen around now. What happened?

Yes, you are correct to the extent that the Mobile Court is a very useful innovation in addressing the menace that misdemeanours’ such as street trading, breach of traffic laws and unethical/ anti-social conducts on the roads, environmental nuisances have become. This year alone between January and August 2022, our prosecution team at the Mobile Courts have arraigned 8,029 offenders who contravened various laws.

Recall that on the first anniversary of #EndSARS protests, when the Police arrested loads of protesters, it was the Mobile Court that was deployed to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti to sit on a weekend and late into the night too, in order to ensure that none of the arrested persons spent the night in detention.

Mobile Courts, like most courts, carries on their work daily without any fanfare or publicity, that does not mean it has disappeared. The Magistrates in Mobile Court have embraced non-custodial sentences for misdemeanours, to reduce the number of inmates at the Correctional Centres in Lagos State.

The No love-lost relationship between Director of Public Prosecutions and the Police doesn’t seem to have improved. Criminal prosecutions continue to drag on for years, on the excuse that the DPP’s Advice is being awaited.

To what extent have you tried to

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

improve on this often weak excuse that the Police always fronts, as being responsible for delays in criminal justice administration? For example, during one of the sessions at the 2022 NBA AGC, we were made aware that under the immediate past AG of Ekiti State, Wale Fapohunda, SAN, they put in place some Prosecution Protocols to circumvent these unnecessary prosecutorial delays by mandating that once an original case file is forwarded to the DPP, advice must be given within 7 days, and then the AG has 24 hours to decide on prosecution following the DPP’s Advice.

Does Lagos State have any such measures in place?

We have witnessed an improvement in the cooperation among the critical stakeholders, within the Criminal Justice Sector in Lagos State. There have been improvements in the delays associated with criminal prosecution in Lagos State, because we have come up with robust criminal justice initiatives geared towards ensuring that criminal cases are determined within the shortest time possible.

To increase efficiency in our work processes, we introduced the process of applying for CTC of Legal Advice, which has now been digitalised and made more transparent. Members of the public can visit our website www.lagosstatemoj.org to check whether legal advice has been issued in respect of a case, using a charge No. To further eradicate the delays associated with treatment and transmis-

“Under the Secondment scheme, we have deployed some of our State counsel for a period of about two months to different law firms in the State, to enable them experience and learn first-hand the work processes and work flow in the private sector”

sion of case files, all duplicate case files are now treated and transmitted electronically from the receipt of file from the Police till the issuance of Legal Advice.

We also introduced the ‘District Prosecutors Scheme’ to prevent Police Prosecutors from filing criminal charges in civil disputes, to either pressurise or intimidate parties and give an advantage to the Complainant. To curb this, we therefore, deployed State Counsel to Magistrate Courts to vet charge sheets before they are filed by Police Prosecutors.

Currently, there are eight District Prosecutors’ offices in the State, namely: Yaba, Ikorodu, Ogba, Ajegunle, Ajah, Tinubu/Igbosere, Epe and Ebute-Metta. Out of the 6,513 number of case files vetted by District Prosecutors, 371 cases were diverted from the Courts, being civil related matters. This Scheme has largely prevented civil disputes from being mischievously converted to criminal cases. We must also state that in Lagos, we enjoy a good relationship with the CP and the State Police Command, and any issues that arise are resolved by keeping the channels of communication open.

There is also the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee, set up under Section 375 of the ACJL (as amended); this Committee, chaired by the Hon CJ of Lagos State, comprises all the stakeholders in administration of criminal justice in the State including the CP, the DPP, the NBA, several other stakeholders and myself. This is yet another platform, used to thrash out issues which might impede administration of criminal justice in the State.

The Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State is currently undergoing a review. What are those new innovations that should be expected in the reviewed ACJL? The Administration of Criminal

Justice (Amendment) Law of Lagos State was signed into law on 5th October, 2021 by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu with the following innovative provisions. Section 200(2) of the Amended ACJL 2021 provides for Virtual Hearings, Courts can conduct criminal proceedings either in whole or in part through audio and video conferencing platforms, and members of the public can attend through the same means without the necessity of physical attendance in the courtroom. You recall that in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the use of virtual hearings was deployed to deliver judgements, and more than 500 Rulings/Judgements have been delivered to date. Through our Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS) we have provided audiovisual screens and laptops in the five Correctional Facilities, to ensure the inmates can participate in the proceedings virtually. Prohibition of Media parade of suspects- Section 9(A) of the Amended ACJL 2021, provides that the Police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media. We will continue to collaborate with the Police, to ensure this provision is implemented. Trial may be heard through closed hearing (not in open court) - By Section 371 of the Amended ACJL 2021, evidence may be received by video link, permitting the witness to be screened or masked, through written deposition of expert evidence in sexual related offences such as Defilement, Rape, Sexual Assault

by Penetration. And, the personal details and identity of the victims of such offences or witnesses, shall not be disclosed in any publication.

Victim and Witnesses Protection measures - By Section 373 of the Amended ACJL 2021, a new provision is inserted to allow parties apply to Court to order the non-disclosure of the identity of a victim or witness who may be in danger or at risk, until the Trial Court decides otherwise. The Court in the determination of protective cont'd on page X

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COVER ‘Our Top Priority is, Digitalising Lagos’ Judiciary’ cont'd from page IX

measures for victims and witnesses, may consult the office responsible for Witness Support and/or Protection.

Establishment of Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee –a new Section 375 of the Amended ACJL 2021 is inserted, to promote and foster inter-agency cooperation amongst stakeholders in the justice system, Establishment of Crime Data Registry – By Section 370 of the Amended ACJL 2021, an electronic repository of information on awaiting trial inmates and convicts in Lagos State. We have been populating this database since 2018, and it has been a useful tool to the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, the Correctional Centres and Police.

We are working towards launching a criminal records registry where Embassies, organisations can apply for background/criminal records of potential employees, particularly, for sex offenders. It will also assist the Police and Prosecutors, in identifying repeated offenders.

With a bourgeoning population and coming as the most populous cosmopolitan city in Africa, the crime rate in Lagos State is unarguably the highest in Nigeria. The burden is on you, as the Chief Law Officer of the State, to ensure a safer city that will inspire the confidence of local and international investors. How are you doing in this regard?

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has been supporting the Nigeria Police Lagos State Command and other security agencies in the State, by providing necessary support through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. The State has also acquired and provided equipment and training for the Officers and men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). You will also recall that Lagos State Government established Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency (LSNSA), which functions include gathering information and giving necessary support to the Police.

The LSNSA numbering over 4000 men and women, are our boots on the ground, patrolling neighbourhoods on foot and bicycles. They engage in community policing and assist in preventing commission of crimes, or giving useful information in identifying potential trouble spots in the community. The officers of the Agency, are spread across the State.

Some Laws have also been passed to ensure Lagos is safer for all of us, one of such laws is the Victims Assistance & Protection of Witness Law 2022, which when signed into law by Mr Governor will mandate all hospitals to give the minimum treatment required to stabilise the victim of any crime or accident, until that victim is transferred to another medical facility. This law was passed in memory of a young lady, Moradeun Balogun, who sadly lost her life after being stabbed by robbers

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

and the medical facility she was rushed to refused or failed to admit her, or even try to stop her bleeding. We are also in the course of amending the Criminal Law of Lagos State, while we are in the process of finalising the Lagos State Administration of Civil Justice Bill.

Why is it that Lagos State does not seem to be a part of the Amotekun initiative of the South West Governors?

Is open grazing allowed in Lagos State?

The State Government amended its Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency Law in 2020, wherein Section 18 specifically established the Neighbourhood Corps Special Patrol Unit (referred to as the Lagos Amotekun Corps) with membership drawn from the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. The Amotekun Corps is to share intelligence, equipment and resources with its counterparts in Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo State.

We also have a law known as Prohibition of Open Grazing Law, 2021, which outlaws open grazing in Lagos State. Before the advent of the outcry and clamour that led to the creation of the Amotekun Corps in the South-West, Lagos State, since 2016 had in existence the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corp, upon which all the Amotekun Units in the other South-West States was modelled upon. We just simply preferred to retain the

“…..we have made payments to the retired Judges. We are however, putting up a claim that by virtue of the provisions of Section 84(7), Second Schedule Part 1, Item 44 and Third Schedule Part 1, Item 21 (e) of the Constitution…..the obligation to pay the pension and benefits of retired judicial officers of the States resides with the Federal Government.

This is a constitutional point which we are taking up”

original name, rather than change it to Amotekun. Also, all the laws creating the Amotekun Corp in the other States, are also based on the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corp Law 2016. So, Lagos State is very much part of the Amotekun initiative.

What is the status of the aggrieved retired Judges who went to court over their unpaid retirement benefits and emoluments? This development is surprising, since Rivers and Lagos State are the two States that have been repeatedly singled out for their concern for the conditions of service of the Judiciary The Lagos State Government will continue to carry out its obligations to both the serving and retired Judges in the Judiciary of the State. The issue of retirement benefit of Judges that have served meritoriously in Lagos State is receiving attention, and parties have met to resolve the matter amicably. The matter will be resolved, and we have made payments to the retired Judges. We are however, putting up a claim that by virtue of the provisions of Section 84(7), Second Schedule Part 1, Item 44 and Third Schedule Part 1, Item 21 (e) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the obligation to pay the pension and benefits of retired judicial officers of the States resides with the Federal Government. This is a constitutional point which we are taking up. However, until the court decides this point, we shall continue with the payment of the pensions and benefits of our retired Judges.

Is the Lagos State DNA Lab going to be rebuilt?

Yes, you will recall that Mr Governor inaugurated the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund, which has been saddled with the responsibility of rebuilding the Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre and other public assets that were affected during the #EndSARS protest. I am aware

that they are on-track with the efforts to rebuild the DNA & Forensic Centre Facility that was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests. The Centre however, is still open, and offering partial services to the State and its citizens.

Certainly, the last hasn’t been heard of the #EndSARS Report, which your office seemed to take some exception to. What should Lagosians expect next?

Mr Governor set up the Tribunal of Enquiry on #EndSARS and Police Brutality. You will recall that the Panel submitted its report on 15th October, 2021, after which a White Paper was issued by the Government. The White Paper recommendations are currently being implemented; for example, we have forwarded a Bill to Lagos State House of Assembly for the creation of a standing human rights committee to investigate the issue of abuses by security agencies or any authority.

Also, the State Government has paid compensation of about N500 million, as recommended.

Kindly, shed some light on the e-filing and e-bail initiative your Ministry just put in place The e-Filing and e-Bail initiatives are under the control of the Lagos State Judiciary, under its Judicial Information System (JIS) and Bail Information Management System (BIMS) initiative. We however, provide support to the Judiciary in ensuring that these highly desirous and welcome initiatives, have the desired impact. We continue to hold meetings with the Judiciary and the Bar, in ensuring the desirable outcome. The JIS when fully operational, will provide electronic filing of court processes, swearing of affidavits and payments without the need to be physically present at the court premises. BIMS is to provide a databank for Defendants who have been granted bail by both the Magistrate and High Courts.

This will help resolve delays with tracking, and verifying of Defendants and their sureties.

Thank you, Honourable AttorneyGeneral.

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XIV

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT IL Bagno Opens Mirage Showroom in Nigeria Bennett Oghifo

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L Bagno, a subsidiary of The Black Pelican Group and the leading total interior solutions company in Nigeria, for the world’s leading manufacturers of sanitary fittings, kitchen, tiles, doors, and other interior solutions officially launched its Mirage centre in the Victoria Island area of Lagos state.

The ultra-modern design centre exclusively houses tiles and fittings from Mirage, an Italian company which has been developing, designing and manufacturing porcelain stoneware for wall and floor coverings intended for com-

mercial, public, and residential use for 49 years.

The design centre will offer the opportunity for a space entirely dedicated to creativity and destined for architects, designers, and operators in the sector to explore all the solutions available which include new products from Mirage and effective, top-level consulting services.

Commenting on the newly launched design centre, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Black Pelican Group, Mr. Michael Owolabi said, “We are extremely proud with the opening of the Mirage Project point located in Aboyade Cole, Victoria Island staffed by competent,

enthusiastic people. The space has been designed in a way that ensures that industry players can conveniently come in and have access to experts that can put them through on their projects.”

“The opening of the new centre strengthens our partnership with Mirage, a solid, widely recognised, 100% Italian manufacturer of ceramic surfaces. As of today, we will be able to provide an even more comprehensive, effective service to design engineers, at all stages of the process,” he added.

Mirage has collaborated with more than 160 countries around the world. IL Bagno is its sole partner in Nigeria.

River Park Estate Issues CofO to Home Owners Home owners of the high-brow River Park Estate, along Airport Road, Abuja received their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on Saturday. It is the first estate to do so in Abuja.

Underscoring the importance of the exercise, the Chairman, of River Park Estate, Paul Odili, said “House owners can start from taking the document to the bank as it is bankable.

The money is not locked up in their property. This is a good investment decision. It makes Nigeria a good investment destination for foreigners and for individuals, It enables them to unlock the value in their homes. This will equally encourage foreign investors in mass housing and consequently stimulate the operations of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.”

The C of O is a title document which is a legitimate proof of

ownership of a property. It also spells out what the property can be used for. It can equally be used for many purposes including as collateral.

Odili praised the FCT minister, Mohammed Musa Bello for making it possible for River Park Estate to get the title document which it is issuing to house owners in the estate while urging him to do more for other mass housing projects in the FCT. “River Park Estate will be law-abiding and adhere to all the rules and regulations guiding estate development in Abuja. We are poised to close the housing deficiency in the country which the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria put at 28 million. “Now with the C of O, foreign investors will be encouraged to get involved in mass housing because they know that, eventually, investors will come,” he added.

Blaming the worsening security situation in the country on youth unemployment, he urged the government to allocate more land to developers for them to create jobs for the youths.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman, River Park Estate, Dr Adrian Ogun, said that the issuance of C of O to residents would help to “unlock the equity inside the property to do more business. “It means we are moving forward, and we’re making a contribution to bridging the housing deficit in the country.”

River Park Estate, uniquely located along Airport Road, is one of the foremost estates in Abuja. It has well-laid out streets and state-of-the-art buildings, a functional police station and 24-hour security. It also has an 18-hole golf course and a shopping complex among other modern facilities.

Why African Enterprises’ Cloud Journeys Require Holistic Cybersecurity Strategies Ola Williams The future is cloud-first.

According to Gartner, global cloud spend is forecast to reach $178B in 2022, and although Africa may lag behind the rest of the world’s cloud adoption with only 15 per cent cloud penetration, the continent’s public cloud market has doubled in the past three years. To remain competitive in a digitally transformed business environment, agile enterprises around the world have also adopted cloud technology to enable new ways of working for their distributed-, remote- and hybrid workforces.

And this new way of working isn’t going anywhere: 60 per cent of global knowledge workers are currently remote, and at least 18 percent will not return to the office. Africa has embraced this trend, too.

According to a 2022 International Labour Organization report that covered more than 1,000 enterprises in 15 African countries, nearly 36 per cent of employees worked remotely during the pandemic. The report also reveals that while most

future workplaces in Africa won’t be fully remote, they will be either in-person or hybrid.

Enterprise-wide cloud adoption is increasing as digital-first business leaders look to ensure flexibility through hybrid work, market agility, and business continuity throughout their daily operations. Paradoxically, however, when a rapid digital evolution is not approached strategically with end-to-end security in mind, it can leave enterprises more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats due to a wider set of risks spread across multiple surfaces and entry points. This is particularly important during a cloud migration, when the rush to move business-critical workflows from on-premise to the cloud can unintentionally (and easily) open backdoors to bad actors.

A robust, end-to-end cybersecurity strategy – every step of the way Cybersecurity remains a significant concern for enterprises in Africa, as according to the Club of Information Security Experts in Africa (CESIA), in 2022, more than

half of companies in Africa believe they are not prepared to handle a large-scale cyberattack. And Interpol’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment report found that more than 90 per cent of businesses on the continent operate without the necessary cybersecurity protocols.

According to a recent IDC security survey commissioned

by Microsoft, only 16% of organizations in Nigeria have implemented a full end-toend security strategy with shared responsibilities, risk tolerances, classified events, and recovery plans in case of an attack. Another 15% of surveyed organizations have implemented – but not formally tested or reviewed – a security strategy. Organizations in Nigeria still lag in terms of security solution implementations.

With the acceleration of digital transformation enabling cloud-first and hybrid work environments, it’s more important than ever to have a robust, end-to-end cybersecurity strategy in place – right from the beginning of the cloud journey, and every step of the way.

IL Bagno’s Mirage Centre

Solewant, Champion of Local Content, Says NCDMB Fadekemi Ajakaiye Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has described Solewant Group as the Champion of the Local Content policy of the federal government.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote made the description on Friday in Port Harcourt while addressing participants at the 6th annual Business Open Day programme of the Solewant Group.

Represented by the Director Monitoring and Evaluation of NCDMB, Mr. Tunde Adelana, the Executive Secretary said, it is one thing to encounter challenges and yet another thing to tackle them headlong.

According to him, “Solewant has proved that it can do it and has done it in the area of steel pipe production and pipe coating solutions as shown in their plant.

Their facility is number one and for me, Solewant is leading the way. Confidence in ourselves is a major challenge and Solewant believes it can do it, today they are doing it,” he said.

Wabote emphasized that Solewant is a Nigerian company that is ready to showcase capacity and competence in its area of specialization and they are always innovating.

“Anytime you come here, there is always something new to see.

They have a full-fledged pipe mill that will soon be automated,” the Executive Secretary said.

In his speech at the event, the Group CEO of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi said his company is fully committed to complying with the provisions of the Oil & Gas Industry policy as championed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB).

He said Solewant by so doing, is helping the country to unlock its energy resources by increasing its production capacity and individuals in its supply chain, thereby ensuring that in-country vendors or stakeholders in its fold benefit from their operations.

Mr. Ewanehi added that some of their factories are now utilizing some raw materials that are locally sourced. He noted that they manufacture and supply premium quality products and solutions and that local production does not in any way amount to lowering quality or standards.

He pointed out that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has approved their products as a regulatory body in the country.

The Group CEO said Solewant Group has created employment for over 800 Nigerians and provided support for the develop-

ment of the country’s economy.

He stressed that transformation and innovation remain the hallmark of the company.

“Our key objectives are;!innovation, providing jobs for the youth, technology transfer and utilisation of raw materials in our country to drive our collective industrial revolution. This year’s Open Day event focuses on the impact of in-country manufacturing of pipeline products and relevance of pipeline distribution networks in Nigeria and Sub-Africa Region, “Ewanehi said.

Also speaking, the Group Executive Director of Solewant Group Mr. Matthew Aganren said having received the approval from SON on the manufacturing of coatings and paints, Solewant Specialty Protective Coatings and paints Limited has commenced commercial production of paints for their customers in the country.

In his goodwill message, a Representative of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company (SNEPCO), Obi Onochie said the business environment can only get better when ideas are shared. He disclosed that over USD800 million contracts were awarded by Shell to Nigerian companies in 2021, like Solewant that has shown capacity, in line with the NCDMB directive.

LASRERA to Host 3rd Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference, Exhibitions Fadekemi Ajakaiye Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority- LASRERA has concluded plans to host the third edition of Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibitions.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka disclosed this at the weekend in her office at Alausa, Ikeja.

She informed that the 3rd Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibitions has been scheduled for Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th December, 2022 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

Benson-Awoyinka added that discussions at the event will be in the form of a Town Hall Meeting on: “The Lagos

Real Estate Emerging Markets - Mitigating Potential Risks”.

She emphasised the need for stakeholders in the Real Estate Market to protect the sector from impostors whose actions portend great risk to the Real Estate Market in the State.

Benson-Awoyinka revealed that seasoned speakers are already billed for this year’s Conference and Exhibition to deliberate on potential risks in Real Estate Transactions, Laws that protect Real Estate investment Transactions, Policies and Guidelines about Lagos State Real Estate Sector.

Benson-Awoyinka stated that the event is meant to redefine the Lagos State Real Estate Market meet developmental Standard and to attract more international

investments opportunities for the State Real Estate, she said.

While assuring that Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority- LASRERA will continue to play its role as the State Government’s Regulator in the Built Sector, to strengthen and curb the potential risks for investors/investees in the Market, the Special Adviser urged individuals/organisations that are yet to register with the Agency can do that at the Conference event.

She promised that the Lagos State Government will sustain the platform of the annual Conference for the Stakeholders to brainstorm on how to ensure that Real Estate Business Transactions meet the Smart City vision T.H.E.M.E.S of the State Government.

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T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022

FEATURES

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

Championing Dialogue, Mediation as Tools for Mitigating Election-related Violence In championing use of dialogue and mediation as tools for preventing and mitigating electionrelated disputes and violence, ECOWAS recently partnered IPAC and other stakeholders to reinforce their stance, Uzoma Mba reports

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COWAS Commission, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other stakeholders last Tuesday trained political actors and agents for infrastructure for peace platforms across Nigeria on the use of dialogue and mediation as tools for preventing and mitigating election-related disputes and violence.

The training/workshops was themed: “Using Dialogue and Mediation as Tools for Preventing and Mitigating Election-Related Disputes and Violence”.

Other political actors involved in the facilitation of the training were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Women Situation Room (WSR) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).

Giving his opening remarks at the Interactive Workshop in Lagos, Ambassador Aderemi Ajibewa (PhD), Director of Political Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, said the training was planned as part of the ECOWAS Commission’s strategic support and intervention in the upcoming general elections in Nigeria.

These training and interactive workshops target the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other important stakeholders in the electoral process, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

"The ECOWAS Commission has developed a Dialogue and Mediation Handbook, elements of which will be used to facilitate these planned training workshops, and with this, participants are expected to acquire practical techniques and skills for dialogue and mediation as important tools for the management of electoral conflicts through role-plays and simulation exercises.

"The specific goals for these engagements include creating the opportunity for participants to appreciate the ECOWAS normative principles and frameworks for transparent and peaceful elections; sustain and enhance ECOWAS’ strategic engagement with the political process in Nigeria; and also, as an indication of our commitment and preference towards using dialogue and mediation in resolving electoral disputes and conflicts.

Other goals include providing a platform for IPAC members and stakeholders in the electoral process to brainstorm and collaboratively identify contending issues around the forthcoming elections and the possible roles that we can play in mitigating potential electoral violence before, during and after the elections," he said.

Ambassador Ajibewa added that the objective of the training and interactive workshops, scheduled to hold between November and January 2023, was to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders in their efforts at preventing and mitigating potential

L-R: CSP Godfery Soriwei, Representing CP Lagos State; Senator Iroegbu, Workshop Media Coordinator/Editor-In-Chief, Global Sentinel; IPAC Chairman,Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani; and National Secretary, IPAC, Mr. Yusuf Dantalle pre- and post-election-related disputes and violence, in order to ensure peaceful electoral outcomes.

"The first of such workshops begins today, 22 November, 2022, here in Lagos, for the Southwest geopolitical zone.

This will be followed by others planned for the rest of the country but to be conducted in other geopolitical zones.

"Our next stop will be in Kano (Northwest geopolitical zone), by middle of next month. We intend to proceed from there to other locations in January, ahead of the elections." he said.

He commended the recently signed Peace Accord on the prevention of violence and promotion of issue-focused campaigns by Presidential Candidates and Chairpersons of political parties contesting the 2023 General Elections.

Ambassador Ajibewa said it is the believe of ECOWAS that if all candidates, political parties and their supporters and all stakeholders, resolutely live up to the content of the Accord and the Electoral Guidelines, we would indeed have a violent-free 2023 General elections.

He revealed that ECOWAS Commission organized similar skills enhancement and training workshops for selected peace actors, prior to the 2019 general elections.

Ambassador Ajibewa said reports and data from the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network

(ECOWARN) and other open sources had increasingly indicate potentials for electoral violence and ranked Nigeria very high on political risk rating.

"It is in this regard that the ECOWAS Commission has mapped out its plans to have these training workshops and interactive engagements with critical political actors and stakeholders in all the geopolitical zones to achieve maximum impact.," he said.

IPAC Chairman, Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani, a keynote speaker at the training said Nigeria has not reached its political el-dorado because of the violence, thuggery, bloodshed, palpable fear that usually accompany every election year.

He further commended ECOWAS for organising the 4-day Training and Interactive Engagement With IPAC leaders from the southwest which he described as timely and a welcomed initiative.

"As Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman, permit me to express my personal gratitude to ECOWAS for putting this together and giving me the privilege to present a keynote address.

"My keynote address will be incomplete and perhaps out of touch without the realities of the rising insecurity and the real threat it poses to the 2023 elections holding in Nigeria.

"Although President Muhammadu Buhari and the service chiefs have assured that the 2023 general election will hold in spite of the security threats to the exercise in some parts of the country.

"However, Nigerians are reportedly worried about the spate of insecurity in the country. There are fears too that the election may not hold in some parts of the country where insecurity is

yet to be curtailed.

"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has even confirmed the distressing security situation in its recent disclosure that 242 polling units with 142,261 registered voters in 10 local government areas in Katsina State were under serious security threat and may likely be affected in the forthcoming general election." He said.

Giving the statistics, the Chairman said reports credited to concerned civil society groups under the aegis of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES), indicated that INEC may be under constraint to conduct the 2023 elections in over 686 communities due to the activities of “unknown gunmen” across the federation.

"Findings by the group revealed that the affected communities and wards cut across 90 local government areas and 18 states of the country. Of the 686 affected communities, 618 were identified in the north alone while the South had 68.

"Not less than 336 affected communities were identified in the North-West region out of which 200 were in Zamfara State alone. In the North-East, 168 communities were identified, with Borno State having about 79 wards where elections may not hold.

"About 114 wards, mainly located in Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states are affected in the North-Central zone.

"Similarly, 55 communities were identified as trouble spots in Abia, Anambra and Imo states.

In the South-West region, the findings claimed that at least 10 communities were identified in Ondo State, especially in Owo and Ose councils and their environs.

"With the festering insecurity in some parts of the country, the security of INEC officials cannot be guaranteed. This might have informed the recent alarm raised by the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu." he added.

Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani said it is not in doubt that the government has done a lot in allaying the fears and assuring voters of their safety during the 2023 election adding that President Muhammadu Buhari has also directed the armed forces to curb the security challenges and crush the bandits and terrorists in the country by December this year.

"ECOWAS, the organizers of this interactive engagement at this critical period of the forthcoming 2023 elections must again be commended for not only providing leaders of IPAC opportunity to find solutions to the rising electoral campaign violences regarded as threat within the political class but a timeous forum to discuss avenues to tame the growing specter of banditry and terror which are serious existential external threats to the 2023 elections," he said.

Transcorp Hilton Trains Youth on Career Development

T

he Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, has embarked on a capacity-building program toward educating young persons about existing career opportunities in the hospitality industry.

The annual training in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, ACE Charity, tagged 'Career@Hilton Hospitality Programme' with the theme 'Find Your Thing,' which lasted for two weeks with about 15 interns, has been described as an enlightening career event organised by the hotel in Abuja.

According to the Director of Human Resources Transcorp Hilton, Olakunle Olorunnisola, the mentorship program is part of the hotel's concerted effort to educate people who know nothing about the hospitality industry to open them to the different sectors in the industry.

Olorunnisola stated, "this is because a hotel is a one-stop shop for everything. We have different sections, accounts, human resources, sales, PR, laundry, kitchen, and more. Most of what people see when they come into the hotel

is the waiter and sometimes the chef because of their uniforms.

"What they know about hospitality is just what they see in front. So with this, it opens them up to see what they can do if they decide to join the hospitality industry.

"Bringing them into the system, they understand that there are people at the back end, who ensure the smooth running of operations and which is a career they can pursue.

The Director admonished the trainees to make this count, by making important connections that will enhance the foundation laid for them and make the best use of it.

On her part, the E-Commerce Manager, Public Relations and Marketing Department Transcorp Hilton, Ijeoma Osuji, reiterated that the program was created for youth in the society who have no knowledge

or the faintest idea as f the careers that exist in hospitality, to have an understanding of what career path they can undertake.

"It is believed that in the hotel industry, depending on the carrier you have or your qualification, you may not fit. The essence of this program was to make them understand that irrespective of what you graduate from school, or whatever your qualification is, there is a career path that you can grow.

"The team members in the accounts departments are all ICAN certified, so also there are qualified persons in another department. Most people just feel those working in the hospitality sector are in the low classes of qualification like the school cert, that is why we create this vision to make people understand that whatever study, you have a place in the hospitality industry," Osuji said.

Also, Senior Programmes Officer ACE Charity, Hasana Shaibu, maintained that the main focus was youth empowerment, adding the collaboration was to aid young graduates to

improve their work employability.

Shaibu noted that "this is an opportunity for them to gain that work experience, to prepare them for the future and future career.

"They say the youth are future leaders of tomorrow when they are the leaders of now, if the youth do not grow, Nigeria is not going to grow, and our economy will not grow. So we need young people who are independent, self-sufficient, who can be gainfully employed and should be employable so that they can contribute to the growth of the country."

One of the interns, Gloria Fatinikun, who won the award for the most outstanding trainee was offered employment to work at the Hilton, while expressing her gratitude disclosed that "I did not see this coming."

Fatinikun advised that the youth should not joke with opportunities, "start first and give it your all, because you don't know what might come out of it."

The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to the trainees.

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022

FEATURES

Obi Nnaemeka Achebe’s 20 Impact Laden Years For two decades, His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, has honourably ruled from the traditional stool. Chiamaka Ozulumba reports that in those 20 years, he has discharged his duties with panache and class. Recently, he received the Federal Government’s Award of Excellence in recognition of the outstanding and excellent contributions of the Ofala festival to the development and preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage

H

is Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe is a tall man. But he stood even taller on the 15th of November, 2022 as he received the Federal Government’s Award of Excellence in Culture. He looked every inch the epitome of cultural refinement, class and character as he proudly displayed the award.

Given in recognition of the outstanding and excellent contributions of the Ofala festival to the development and preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the ceremony was conducted in Lagos on the occasion of the first United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Conference on Linking Tourism, Culture, and the Creative Industries as Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development.

The event was epochal in many respects. It was a first for the UNWTO, it was a first for Onitsha and it was a first for Nigeria as event destination. Reason why, conspicuously present were the two designated ranking representatives: Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, and Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary General of the UNWTO. But the glory on the day rightfully belonged to His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, whose single minded focus on preserving the cultural heritage of his people had delivered dividends all along the way for his people and now was delivering as well for his nation. For the self-effacing monarch fondly called Agbogidi, it has been 20 remarkable years on the throne of Ezechima the founder of Onitsha (historically known as Onicha Ado N’idu), having ascended the throne on May 14, 2002, a date that, providentially, happened to be his 61st birthday as well.

This crowning achievement had come after a meritorious working life at Royal Dutch Shell, a career he embarked on after a distinguished educational odyssey that saw Agbogidi bag a BSc in Chemistry from the Ivy League University of Stanford and thereafter an MBA from another Ivy Leaguer, Columbia University, both in the United States of America.

Recall the monarch’s measured response to a question posed by Modele Sharafa-Yusuf on a Channels TV programme “View from the Top Interviews” in 2015 about the role of traditional rulers in post-colonial society vis a vis their relevance in the 21st century. “In precolonial times”, he had answered, “the primary role of traditional rulers was to defend territories, the territories of their people”. For which reason they had of necessity had to engage in wars.

Per their role today, he was of the opinion that “traditional rulers are still very relevant in the lives of the people”. How? “We have to improve the lives of our people…to lead our people, to set examples, to ensure that communities are wholesome”.

But it is his noteworthy take on traditional rulers being defenders of territories that resonates strongest. And to expound on that, one would say that today, traditional rulers, and in this particular instance, Obi Achebe, is a defender of the cultural integrity of the Onitsha people.

While coalescing collaborations from within and without to get Onitsha apace with the modern world, he has been resolute about culture being the competitive advantage that sets Onitsha apart. 20 years on the throne have seen him go at this single mindedly.

Why is culture important? Because it embodies the totality of the ways of a people in a way that derives directly from their history. While never static, it has a soul, an essential core that is pivotal to the people’s identity and therefore ought not be much deviated from.

Culture is essentially about rootedness, and this His Majesty knows full well. Which would be why on ascension to the throne in 2002, he was clear eyed about the direction he was going to be leading his people: fast forward into the future, but not far removed from its culture.

The 2022 Ofala festival, a manifest stage for the expression of the culture of the Onitsha people, provided ample room for the celebration of the exalted monarch’s 20th year on the throne. And again it was fortuitous that this

His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Achebe year it could happen on a much grander scale than the two years previous when Covid-19 restricted movements and mingling.

The 2022 edition therefore, just as in the old days before COVID, saw Onitsha come alive with festive jubilation. It was a grand spectacle of multicoloured feathers, and tusks of different sizes, the Agbalanze – titled men, did their strut like in the old days; the titled women were there as well, bedecked in their finery, and of course the general womenfolk, dainty and glamorous and breaking into dance movements at every opportunity; and then there was the often menacing prancing of the young men simulating the urgency of warriors who can’t wait to get on the battlefield. And another constant spectacle at the Ofala – the bonhomie of friends taking time out for hearty reacquaintance and catchup.

A notable aspect of the evolution of the Ofala since this King’s ascencion is the international flavour of the occasion. It was no surprise therefore that there were people from other parts of Nigeria and the world gathered to witness the spectacle.

But ultimately, it was the Obi’s day, and everybody paid obeisance to Agbogidi for his dexterous handling of the affairs of Onitsha for the past 20 years.

The Ofala is the high point of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle. This display of royal dances, tributes, parades and music running over two

days, with the Obi of Onitsha as the celebrant of the spectacle is rooted in deep spirituality.

The Ofala is primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period the monarch has successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom. It is also a re-enactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his subjects, at the discovery that yam is nontoxic, and a valuable source of food.

It is heartening therefore to see that after all the painstaking effort over the years, the Ofala festival is getting due recognition and becoming a noted fixture on the international tourism calendar.

His Majesty said as much while receiving the award in Lagos: ‘’This recognition, added to the endorsement of the Ofala by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation as a major Nigerian festival, has further enhanced our goals of attracting considerable national, West African, and international attention to the Ofala and getting the festival to attain the status of a major event in the Nigerian, and by extension the West African cultural/tourism calendar…. an honour that will serve as a boost to our plans of bringing the world to Onitsha to experience our rich cultural heritage and enhance the growth and development of our community’’.

Whilst not losing its essence as an annual traditional and ritual obligation, the Ofala has however been broadened with new fixtures that reflect the inclusive and forward thinking mindset of the Obi and Onitsha people. An international art exhibition (Oreze), a youths’ carnival (Ofala Carnival), and a marathon (Onitsha City Marathon) which has been approved by the relevant national and international athletic bodies, are now part of the Ofala.

But as this Ofala was in large part a celebration

This recognition, added to the endorsement of the Ofala by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation as a major Nigerian festival, has further enhanced our goals of attracting considerable national, West African, and international attention to the Ofala and getting the festival to attain the status of a major event in the Nigerian, and by extension the West African cultural/tourism calendar….

of the Obi’s 20th anniversary on the throne, his address on the occasion was therefore, and not surprisingly, more a reminder and as well a marching order to galvanize the energies and resources of Onitsha indigenes towards self-driven and future-relevant development that would enable the community to transcend the debilitating impact of modernization and globalization on a traditional society. He gave an account of his stewardship, so to speak, recounting the many innovations and interventions that have occurred since he mounted the saddle of his forebears.

Drawing from his personal philosophy of “Peace and Reconciliation based on Truth and Transparency as Foundation for Sustainable Development”, His Majesty recounted how this has shaped, in his twenty years on the throne, the vision of re-inventing and re-positioning the Onicha Ado N’idu community via the application of modern management and leadership principles to its governance.

“The basics of the re-invention and repositioning have involved the rebuilding of trust amongst the populace, resolution of long-standing disputes within and between kindred families and villages, engendering general reconciliation, and reformation and re-focusing of our youths’ aspirations and energy. Others were the palace redevelopment as a symbol of change, re-definition of our community as physical and virtual, and promotion of self-pride and the spirit of ‘Onicha-ness’”.

But while some of the objectives had been achieved and some clearly an ongoing effort, now was the time, he believed, to launch boldly into the next phase of advancing the cause of Onitsha. His Majesty reminded his august audience how in the pursuit of this goal, a meeting had been convened on April 15, 2017 with the theme: Taking Onitsha to the Next Level. “On that occasion, I stated that global and national challenges ‘provided a backdrop against which every community or entity must examine its place within the Nigerian space and take necessary actions to secure its future, despite the government. That is the imperative for us as Ndi Onicha to put our heads together to secure the future of our homeland by ensuring that our community is fit for purpose at any time. Nobody, but ourselves, can and must do it, and the time is now!” He had further stated that “the exercise that we are about to embark upon immediately assumes monumental, historic and groundbreaking dimensions. Besides the imperatives for our domain, it may eventually become a model for other communities to imitate.”

This marching order for movement to the next level has translated into positive outcomes reflected in such areas as a modernised traditional governance arrangement, proactive management of socio-political matters, a youth development scheme that is focused on equipping the youths for the future, community consolidation in the management of Covid-19 Pandemic, and the establishment of an economic empowerment programme which is driven by the Onitsha Advancement Foundation (OnAF).

It has been a twenty-year journey on change leadership, with the purpose of bringing an ancient traditional society fast forward to the 21st century. There is no end in sight because change is a continuous process. The people of Onitsha have to anticipate and be apace with change, else change will overtake them.

Beyond the grand visioning, however, is the elaborate and meticulous structure being put in place to ensure that the talks and plans translate to success and that Onitsha becomes the cynosure of all eyes as tourists visit, and traders come, and the youths make progress and women become more surefooted with regards to their place in Onicha Ado N’Idu, where peace and security are taken for granted, and where modernity coexists side by side with the rich culture that is Onitsha’s. Those are the legacies His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe is working hard to lead and leave his people with.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

N O V E M B E R

S & P INDEX

2 8 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Inflation: Diesel Prices Rise by 215%, Gas 70.6%, Petrol 17% in One Year

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigerians continued to grapple with growing energy prices caused by the challenges in the global oil and gas industry, the Russia-Ukraine war as well as local distortions in Nigeria’s petroleum transportation and supply infrastructure in October, latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has shown.

According to the NBS numbers, the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel used by many Nigerian businesses to power their generating plants in the absence of reliable power supply in October

2022 was N801.09 per litre.

This represents an increase of 215.30 per cent paid by individuals and businesses, from N254.07 per litre recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year, that is 2021. The implication is that there has been no respite for Nigerians and their businesses in the last one year, with skyrocketing energy costs, food prices as well as transportation bills, a development that has in turn led to increasing inflation.

The problem has been further exacerbated by the country’s inability to refine products locally as well as the impact of a tumbling naira exchange

rate to the American dollar.

While the government has retained subsidy payment on petrol, it has deregulated the prices of diesel, gas and kerosene, essentially leaving the rates to market forces.

But on a month-on-month basis, diesel increased by 1.42 per cent from N789.90 per litre reported in September 2022, the report stated.

On state profile analysis, the highest average price of the product in October 2022 was recorded in Ebonyi with N858.33, followed by Bauchi with N857.50, and Plateau with N856.25.

On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Akwa Ibom with

N748.18, followed by Benue with N750.00 and Edo with N765.91.

Furthermore, analysis by zone showed that the North-central had the highest price with N818.41, while the South-south recorded the lowest price with N774.96.

In the same vein, the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas on a year-on-year basis, rose by 70.62 per cent from N2,627.94 in October 2021.

However, it increased by 0.21 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N4,474.48 recorded in September 2022 to N4,483.75 in October 2022.

On state profile analysis, Kwara recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas, with N4,955.00, followed by Niger with N4,950.00, and Adamawa with N4,940.29.

On the other hand, Abia recorded the lowest price with N4,045.45, followed by Kano and Delta with N4,100.00 and N4,139.29 respectively.

In addition, analysis by zone showed that the North-central recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of gas with N4,726.07, followed by the North-east with N4,577.86, while the South-south recorded the lowest with N4,275.92.

According to the data, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas, increased by 1.45 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N9,906.44 in September 2022 to N10,050.53 in October 2022.

On a year-on-year basis, this rose by 51.40 per cent from N6,638.27 in October 2021. On state profile analysis, Cross River recorded the highest average retail price for the refilling of a 12.5kg Cylinder of cooking gas, with N10,986.11, followed by Oyo with N10,826.56 and Kogi with N10,783.33.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

NEITI: Nigeria Earned $741.48bn from Oil, Gas Sales in 21 Years Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ((NEITI) has said that the country earned N741.48 billion from oil and gas sales between 1999 and 2020, a period of 21 years. The Executive Secretary of the organisation,

Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, who made the assertion at a stakeholders’ engagement forum on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in Abuja, further revealed that NEITI had conducted and published 25 cycles of audit reports in the oil and gas sector, covering the same period. Orji

said that from the reports, the amount accrued to the Nigerian government from the oil and gas sector during the period, stressing that NEITI had recently embarked on an expansion of its operations to support government’s revenue growth plan.

“The 2021 oil and gas sector audit

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

is currently ongoing and will soon be released,” Orji added.

“This is guided by a five-year strategic plan (2022-2026) which will enable the agency to establish a presence and operate at sub-national levels to support government’s revenue growth plan and resources mobilisation,” he explained.

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

N17,000–N20,000

100KG

ABIA

N23,000

EDO

provide the information and data in the oil and gas sector that would help the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), of which it is a member, to effectively implement the PIA. The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T O D AY

PRICE

100KG

N23,000–N26,500

He expressed delight that NEITI’s reports had led to the recovery of several billions of dollars by government from companies operating in the sector. According to him, the recommendations made by NEITI in its reports also triggered huge reforms in the sector.

Orji assured that NEITI would

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

26

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Food Security: Makinde, Adesina, El Rufai Applauds IITA Gilbert Ekugbe The Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, the President African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the Governor, Kaduna State, Mr. Nasir El Rufai, have extolled the achievements of the outgoing Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agricultural (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, and commended his visionary leadership that contributed immensely to Nigeria’s food security.

The acknowledged that Sanginga’s leadership strategically positioned the institute to contribute to achieving 150 million fewer hungry people, 100 million fewer poor people, improving food and nutrition security as well as improving natural resources and ecosystem services as part of the Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) strategy 2016-2030.

“The things he has done, the decisions he took that led IITA to a foremost agricultural research institute shows great courage

and because of that courage, he has shown a remarkable and an uncommon focus and leadership,” he said.

He added that the idea of training the state’s young people in agribusiness has seen over 3000 youths trained in technology driven agrifood systems, stressing that the state is currently providing them with enterprise support courtesy of the IITA’s director general’s vision.

On his part, El-Rufai, said that Nigerians are very grateful to the director general, saying that

every state in Nigeria has been a beneficiary of the researches developed by the institute for agriculture and agribusiness development in Nigeria in the last decade.

“You took an institution that was struggling and made it thrive.

You are the first African to be a Director General at the Institute and have turned out to be one of the best ever,” he said.

The president of AfDB said the IITA boss’ tenure would go down in the annals of history of the CGIAR.

Adesina described his tireless efforts working with international scientists in

building extensive research to boost food security in Africa is highly commendable.

INTELS Sustains Women Empowerment Scheme, Beneficiaries Now 1,700 Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited has graduated a fresh batch of 73 beneficiaries of its popular Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS), bringing the total number of beneficiaries of the scheme to date to 1,700.

WEPSS was established by INTELS in 2013 to empower 5,000 community women over a 20-year period through training in fashion design and tailoring.

The beneficiaries are trained free of charge in two batches every year.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Pasquale Fiore said WEPSS is part of the vision of the Group Chairman of INTELS, Mr. Gabriele Volpi, to support and empower Nigerian women.

“This facility was set up at the instance of our Group Chairman as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility targeted at the women of the communities where we operate in line with our commitment to enhance the socio-economic status of women in our host communities. The sole purpose of this programme is to enable women generate sustainable sources of income to support themselves and their families.

“We are delighted that within

the eight years of its operation, WEPSS has successfully trained over 1,700 women, many of whom are presently earning a living from the skills acquired from the WEPSS Training Centre,” he said.

He charged the graduating beneficiaries to make good use of the skills imparted on them during the training.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Legal, Corporate Services, Contracts and Compliance of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Amaopusenibo Mike Epelle said WEPSS has become one of the best training facilities for tailoring and fashion design in Nigeria. He said the WEPSS Training Centre produces top quality fashion designers and tailoring professionals twice a year.

“We urge you to go out and become WEPSS Ambassadors.

You have been equipped with a powerful skill; make a conscious decision to make the most out of it,” he said.

The WEPSS 2022 Batch B Best Graduating Student, Esther Wehere, commended INTELS for sustaining the women empowerment scheme.

She also thanked the company, on behalf of her colleagues, for the training and empowerment, which was done at no cost to the beneficiaries.

Woodmac: Deepwater Oil, Gas Production to Stakeholders Seek Media Collaboration Rise 60% by 2030

Managing Director, INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Pasquale Fiore (right); Project Manager of INTELS’ Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS), Nancy Freeborn (left) and the Best Graduating Student, WEPSS Class of 2022 Batch B, Esther Wehere, during the graduation ceremony of a fresh set of 73 beneficiaries of WEPSS at the Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne Port, Rivers State… recently

in Tackling Power Sector Challenges Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Various stakeholders in the power sector have called for increased media collaboration in their efforts to tackle the electricity supply deficit in the country.

Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people still grapples with epileptic power supply, distributing less than 5,000mw to businesses and homes, in a country where at least 25,000mw is needed to have some level of stability.

Speaking at the second edition of the Obas Esiedesa-led Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) 2022 Annual Workshop, the experts maintained that there was the need to expand the knowledge base of the industry. The theme of the conference was:“Stable Electricity: Exploring a Contract Based Market in Nigeria.”

At the event, the Managing

Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, argued that industry-specific knowledge by the practitioners was key for effective dissemination of right information to the industry stakeholders and the general public.

Represented by the General Manager, System Planning, TCN, Mr Kabiru Adamu, the TCN boss said that company was working hard to ensure steady supply of electricity across the nation.

“The need to deepen industry knowledge cannot be overemphasised. More of this kind of interactions between the media professionals and the operators should be encouraged, ‘’ he noted.

Also, the Managing Director of Azura Independent Power (IPP), Edu Okeke, said the 461MW power station was ready to expand its footprints in the coming years,

FOOD NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

N19,500 – 25,000

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000 25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N19,000–N21,000

25CL ABUJA

N19500- N25000

urging the media to begin to raise questions when people throw unverifiable information around.

A representative of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Mr Kassim Burkullu, who is the Chief Technical Officer of the distribution company, said that the company had embarked on 40 quick-win projects to boost power supply in its franchise areas.

“We have contracted the replacement of 10,000 obsolete and faulty meters within FCT. AEDC has continued to provide seamless channels for timely resolution of customers’ complaints, ‘’ he said.

Also speaking, General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Usman Arabi, assured of the support of the commission as part of the market participants, to ensure the growth of the electricity market.

25KG LAGOS 40KG DELTA

N9,500 N17000

PRICE

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Deepwater production is set to increase by over 60 per cent between 2022 and 2030, growing from 6 per cent to 8 per cent of overall upstream production even as ultra-deepwater production continues to expand and will account for more than half of all deepwater production in 2024.

From just 300,000 barrels per day in 1990, production from ultra-deep water is expected to hit 10.4 million bond by the end of 2022 and will by the completion of the decade, surpass 17 million bpd, Wood Mackenzie said in a report.

According to Woodmac, Brazil remains the leading deepwater producer, accounting for around 30 per cent of current global capacity and is expected to continue to grow.

Guyana, the most significant new entrant, will be producing one million bpd within the next five years. In total 14 other countries will contribute to the deepwater supply mix in the

coming years.

Despite the diversification of sources, and corporate participants, control over major deepwater projects sits in the hands of relatively few companies. Just eight companies account for 65 per cent of deepwater production and 67 per cent of the remaining project value.

Rig zone reported that Petrobras and the seven oil majors dominate deepwater production, operating 22 of the top 25 deepwater assets.

Petrobras’ deepwater portfolio is around twice as big as its nearest peer, Shell, which stands out among the majors for leading production and cash flow. ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies show the highest rates of growth this decade.

The report stated that typically, only the best subsurface plays become commercial in water this deep, noting that deepwater basins, therefore, tend to be hyper-productive, recovering huge volumes of oil and gas from each well.

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

ABIA

N29,000

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

DG, NCAA Calls for Development of Pool of Young Professionals in Sector Chinedu Eze The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu has said that to avert dearth of technical personnel in the industry there should be the need to have a large pool of sound, young professionals in all areas and departments of aviation.

Nuhu made this known in Lagos at the weekend during the 6th Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Conference in Lagos with the theme: ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Through Scholarships and Sponsorships’.

The Director General said to make his proposal possible would require a robust training and manpower development programmes and collaboration between the private and public sector in air transport industry.

Nuhu observed that there is a growing demand for the training and grooming of large workforce of young men and women in all sectors of commercial aviation because of the growth and increase in passenger traffic, cargo and airports.

“Generally, global aviation sector is growing fast, aeroplanes are becoming bigger, flying faster and reducing travel time, there is mass movement of passengers and cargo within the orbit.

Airports are becoming larger and more complex, handling millions of passengers per annum, while meeting security challenges”, he said.

The Director General who was represented by the Director, Humans Resources and Administration, NCAA, Alhaji Wakil Adamu noted that, while the demand for

technical skills are persistent in aircraft maintenance, flight operations, air traffic control, airport maintenance

The President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) Emmanuel Ajufo, has stated that the association is not against regulatory policies of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) stressing however that the body is not pleased with the way things are done.

Ajufo, disclosed this in Lagos during the first edition of Nimbus Talks event which is a symposium aimed at exploring 10 years of innovative advertising solution in Nigeria and the way forward.

He also stated that regulation would improve their business, if it is done well, adding that the regulator should use regulation to set the standards, and members of the association would comply.

He lamented that they are faced with a situation, where Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) becomes the regulation, noting that this is not supposed to be, because IGR is supposed to be the end of regulation, “So that if things are done well, we will be able to do business and pay what we are supposed to pay to the government.”

According to him, “We have also noticed that some signage agencies are in competition (what I mean here is that

a sustained synergy and partnership among critical stakeholders.

He said this could be

made possible through scholarships and sponsorships from organizations and well meaning individuals, especially

to young aviators as this is fundamental to ensure the sustainable development of the sector.

L.R. Deputy Director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, Aina Olugbenga Stephen; Publisher, Guardian Newspaper, Maiden Alex-Ibru; Regional Director, Afrocet Montgomery, Mr. George Pearson; Representative of Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs. Olumuyiwa Ajayi-Ade; Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir; and Head of Trade Information Department, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Ibiloye Alice Olufunmilayo PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN at the Propak West Africa 2022 International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos….yesterday

Eat N Go Targets 250 Stores in Nigeria, Partners 9mobile Gilbert Ekugbe Eat N’ Go Limited has announced plans to expand its operations to hit 250 stores in the country next year, noting that the move is a demonstration of its commitment to delivering excellent consumer service to its loyal consumers in Nigeria.

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eat N’Go Limited, Mr. Patrick McMichael, stated this on the sidelines of the launch of a new call centre in partnership with 9mobile in Lagos.

Ajufo: OAAN Not Against LASAA Regulation Ugo Aliogo

and management, achieving the goal of sufficient, skilled and efficient trained manpower would required

they also have billboards) with us and we feel strongly that that should not be. You are aware that LASAA has some billboards and advertise some of these comedians on it. Such advertisements should have be business for our members who will then place the advertisement on their billboards and earn some revenues. We don’t want such practice and they should not do that.”

Ajufo added that the regulator should take a marketing approach to regulation.

Continuing, he said: “There is a need for the regulator to discuss with the stakeholders, even when we are talking about legislation, let everyone be onboard because the issues will require the input of stakeholders to give heed to it. Like in the National Assembly before they even pass a law, they call concerned stakeholders for public hearing and get one or two opinions from them. So for the regulator in trying to come out with a legislation, they should carry people along. For instance, the concession decision which Lagos State Government made on concessioning seven roads in the state, it was later discovered that six of the seven roads are federal roads, and the federal government has already disowned them.

Already, the foremost Quick Service Restaurant’s (QSR’s) outlets in Nigeria have reached 190 in its 10 years of existence in the country.

He however, stated that the launch of the new call centre is part of its bid to increase customer satisfaction and provide excellent service delivery to its customers across the country.

According to him, the technological innovation was

executed in line with the brand’s promise to prioritise customer satisfaction, maintaining that with the launch, customers’ orders will be taken and delivered faster with less wait time for the customers.

“The customer’s purchase journey will be seamless and faster. The call centre will also serve as the customer contact centre to assist our valued customers with any concerns they may have,” he added.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer, 9mobile, Juergen Peschel, expressed his delight with the new partnership, saying that Eat’N’Go Africa is one of its key enterprise customers.

“We are truly delighted to be part of this innovative approach to excellent customer service delivery as it aligns with our brand attributes which are encapsulated in three key ways, Quality of Service, Innovation and Customer Experience,” he

said.

He expressed that this partnership further shows the extent to which technology can be deployed to ease the way business is done. “As an innovative company, we are pleased to provide our support to your organization as a lot of what we will be doing will ride on quality telecom technology that will help you scale. So, we are happy to have you as our partners,” he added.

‘Hike in Food, Energy Prices Have Impacted Global Commodity Market’ Ugo Aliogo The President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr. George Donkor, has stated that the hike in food, energy prices have impacted global commodity market, adding that this has resulted in price hikes in various jurisdictions, leading to severe economic challenges.

He noted that inflation is on the high side, especially with countries that had been experiencing low inflationary records such

as Japan which he said has been fighting deflation but now they are also battling inflation.

Donkor disclosed this recently in Geneva, the Switzerland capital when he was awarded the prestigious Prix de la Foundation by the Crans Montana Forum.

Prince Jean of Luxembourg and Crans Montana Founder and Chairman, Jean Paul Carteron presented the award to him.

He also stated that the world is in economic turmoil as a result of two external shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine,

adding that as a result of these challenges, there have been escalating prices of food and energy and economies all over the world are suffering.

In his presentation to the Crans Montana Forum, Donkor expressed optimism that the ECOWAS Bank for International Development was more interested in the solutions more than the challenges.

He called for the need for people to change their orientation and re-engineer value system, “if we are to rise above the economic circumstances we find ourselves.”

“Unless there is a change within, there cannot be a change without,” the EBID President counselled stating, “it is necessary to reinvent foreign policies and diplomatic action based on the necessary and unavoidable acceptance of the other,” he said.

In his position as EBID, Donkor has focused on the need for implementation of change to drive progress not only in the West African sub-region, but also to stimulate a wider international impact through regional integration and engagement.

Aviation Institute Graduates 1st Batch of Flight Dispatch Students Chinedu Eze Aviatrix Hub Training Institute, a Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approved Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) has graduated its first batch of students, who have completed an intensive six weeks training for Basic and another six weeks for Advanced Flight Dispatch training.

The graduation by Aviatrix Hub Training Institute is the maiden edition.

The graduating students include: Lydia Olodun, Jude Olayiwola , Angela Chukwu and Afoma Onyechi .

Those who graduated in Enugu are Ibanga Matthew, Ibrahim Nathaniel, Orungbami Shola, Ibeabuchi Princewill and Aizenabor Benedicta.

Others are Ukpong Sunday,Anyanwu Henry, Chukwuka Godsglory and Ezenwa Anita.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion

and the first President, Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN), Taiwo Raji advised the graduates to be of good conduct outside the school in the course practicing their profession.

He urged them to be job creators and not job seekers and to also join hands with others in finding solutions to challenges and not create more challenges.

The Accountable Manager /Chief Executive Officer of

Aviatrix Hub Training Institute, Mrs. Victoria Adegbe, expressed joy at the graduation of the school’s batch of students.

She urged the graduands to be focused and steadfast in their profession as Flight Dispatchers are very important to flight operations.

To further buttress her point, the Aviatrix CEO, explained to the excited graduands that without Flight Dispatchers, there is no way any flight could take off.

28

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FG Vows to Make Nigeria Self-sufficient in Sorghum Production Gilbert Ekugbe

The Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, receiving Diamond Distinguished Alumnus Award of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, presented to the Founder of FCMB Group Plc, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, from the Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoritsedere Awosika, during the Association’s Awards and Dinner Ceremony held in Lagos… recently

The federal government has reiterated its commitment to streamline the existing sorghum varieties in its bid to make Nigeria self-sufficient in sorghum production.

The production of sorghum in Nigeria in 2021 was estimated to have reached almost seven million metric tonnes as the commodity remained one of the top earners of foreign exchange for the Nigerian economy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Mohammad Abubakar, revealed this while receiving report of the Sorghum Technical Committee in Abuja. Abubakar stated that the objective of streamlining the existing sorghum varieties was to find other ways of improving productivity, value addition and quality of sorghum produce, noting that the exercise would enhance farmers’ income, attract more youth to sorghum cultivation, meet national demand as well as contribute to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

He said: “This cannot be achieved without the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders of which farmers, seed producers, input providers and international Institutes are part of.”

He stated that the technical committee arose from a sorghum stakeholders meeting on production, commercialisation and product development of sorghum in Nigeria held in Gombe State in 2020, adding that to achieve the objective, the ministry had set up the committee to streamline the existing varieties.

Abubakar pointed out that “recently sorghum crop assumed great industrial relevance such that many multi-national companies such as breweries now use sorghum grits as adjuncts (up to 40 per cent) to barley base (Mash) for making alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages and breakfast cereals.”

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, who was represented by Director Rural Development, Udo Daniel, commended the committee members for the report they have presented and hoped that the streamlining of the existing sorghum varieties would meet the food and industrial demands.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Daniel Aba, stated that sorghum has been a sustainable crop in Nigeria and the rest of Africa and as such, had gained commercial importance in most of the African countries because of its different uses.

He noted that the crop is gradually replacing other crops in Nigeria and other African countries.

LAND DEVELOPERS REQUIRED

FOR A JV ON A VICTORIA ISLAND PLOT We hereby invite developers, experienced and familiar with the Lagos market, for a possible JV on a 2,000 sq.m. plot, located in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos .

Competent and interested firms, to express interest through: email:

Deepjetty@gmail.com

Telephone: 0803-520-2791 Signed:

Manager

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

29

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

30

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Offodile: Educational Devt Most Important Factor for Equity, Inclusive Economic Growth Gilbert Ekugbe The Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Chudi Offodile, has stated that prioritising investment in Nigeria’s educational sector is the surest way to achieve equity and inclusive economic growth for the country.

Offodile stated this at the 4th edition of the Eko conference and colloquium organised by the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu, Alumni Association Lagos Branch themed, “The Future of Education in Nigeria- An Outlook for 2023 and Beyond, “held in Lagos.

According to him, education is a powerful driver of development and delivers large and consistent returns in terms of income, explaining that for individuals, education promotes employment, earnings, health, and poverty reduction.

He pointed out that for societies, education drives long-term economic growth, spurs innovation, strengthens institutions, and fosters social cohesion, stressing that developing countries have made tremendous progress in getting children into the classrooms.

In his words: “More children

worldwide are now in school but learning is not guaranteed just by being in school. Learning methods and teaching methodologies are critical elements in achieving quality education. In Nigeria, sadly, we are faced with depressing official statistics of 20 million children out of school and 133 million out of a population of about 200 million living in multidimensional poverty.”

He stated that making smart and effective investments in people’s education is critical for developing the human capital that will in turn end extreme poverty, noting that there is incontrovertible proof that all the nations of the world that have escaped the poverty trap, focused primarily on education.

“Every nation develops in relation to its achievements in education and no nation can rise above its standard of education. It follows therefore, that education is the future of Nigeria. | am proud of those of you who put this together. I am proud of the leadership of the CIC Old Boys Association, local and international, one of the best organised and most impactful of all such associations in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“The educational sector is

responsible for the production of the human resource quotient of development, the fulcrum for the growth of the civilized mind. It provides the foundation for the fertilisation of the intellect and a trigger of elevated thoughts. Moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that education is a fundamental human right for everyone and of course, the right to education is indispensable for the exercise of other human rights,” he averred.

Earlier, the Colloquium Chairman, Dr. Okey Anueyiagu, delivering his paper titled “The dearth of education in Nigeria and the glorification of illiteracy in Igbo land” said he is a strong believer that although education is a social enterprise, but stated the need for a strong advocacy for private and community effort in the provision of qualitative education for the nation’s young citizens.

He advised that for a country to grow and become productive, its educational system must be well catered to, otherwise, the country and its people will face grave and massive social, political and economic degradation that will deprive it the capacity to function progressively in all spheres.

Sterling Bank Retains“BBB+”Rating with Positive Outlook Sterling Bank Plc has been given a long-term rating of “BBB+” with a Positive Outlook for the year 2021/2022 by DataPro, the Technology-Driven Credit Rating Agency, in its latest report.

According to a statement

by DataPro’s Client Service Manager, Kehinde Rasheed, at the weekend, the “BBB+” indicates Slight Risk, explaining further that the rating shows fair financial strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standard established by DataPro Limited.

“Sterling Bank Plc, in our opinion, has the ability to meet its ongoing obligations, but its financial strength is vulnerable

to adverse changes in economic conditions. “the statement said.

The statement explained further that DataPro Rating Committee approved the rating after assessment of the company’s financial performance, capital adequacy, asset quality, liquidity, profitability, corporate governance and risk management as well as risk factors of its current healthy profile in the medium to long-term period.

“During the year under review, the Bank was able to grow its Earnings capacity and Profitability. Gross Earnings went up from N133.4b (Yr.20) to N139.9b (Yr.21). Also, Pre-Tax Profit increased from N12.2b

(Yr.20) to N14.3b (Yr.21).

“The Bank also has strong Liquidity coverage for the mismatch in the maturity profiles of its deposit and loans, the liquid assets of the Bank provide adequate cushion resulting in Net Liquidity Surplus of N63.5b in the long-term.,” The statement said.

The statement said, “Sterling Bank Plc had a Short-Term Rating of “A2” which indicates Fair Credit Quality and adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

DataPro notes that the rating carries a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months, in line with international best practice.”

Baobab+ Celebrates Two Years in Nigeria Baobab+, the leading distributor of solar home systems in Western Africa and Madagascar is celebrating two years of distributing affordable Solar Home Systems in Nigeria.

As part of the activities marking the anniversary, the company has also introduced IZIL smartphone brand with an offer of Pay-AsYou-Go flexible financing solution for customers who are not able to afford a smartphone and pay at once. Speaking on the anniversary, the Chief Executive Officer, Baobab+, Kolawole Osinowo

said the company has equipped thousands of households and served several beneficiaries with its off-grid energy solutions in the past 2 years.

“We are currently active in three states: Lagos, Ogun & Oyo, where we sell our products through our last mile distribution agent network, door to door in rural communities and underserved areas. Access to energy is also a springboard to enable every African household to take part in the digital revolution. To cater for the needs of customers who are

not able to afford a smartphone at a one of purchase price, we are launching our flexible financing solution. Our Izili (pay small small) offer is an easy payment structure that allows customers to own a mobile phone with a 20% down payment and pay instalments for 3-6 months. This offer was launched on the 25th of November 2022.”

Osinowo stated that the Baobab+ off grid energy solutions are cost effective to provide support to the national electrification plan in Nigeria.

LASACO Bags Positive Performance Rating Insurance giants and a leading underwriter in Nigeria, LASACO Assurance Plc, has been given thumbs up for its positive contributions to the development of the insurance industry in the country The company was rated A(NG) in the latest ranking of insurance and financial products providers by the world renowned rating agency, GCR, which applauded it for its “stable outlook”

The agency, which put the performance of the leading financial and insurance operators in the country on scale for its 2022 ranking, found LASACO worthy of commendation for its creativity and strict adherence to standards The company came tops for its “strong financial strength and competitive position on improved financial profile” which cumulatively showed that its 2022 performance

outlook was stable.

LASACO’s latest rating confirmed the relevance and appropriateness of the reform programmes which the company embarked on to keep it fit for the 21st Century corporate performance and customer-oriented business strategy GCR is an international rating agency with bias in credit ratings, including financial strength ratings and structured financial ratings.

L-R: Assistant Brand Manager, Guinness, Odinakachi Njoku; Brand Manager, Guinness Smooth, Deji Layade; & Brand Manager, Guinness, Cynthia Ufele, all of Guinness Nigeria PLC, receiving the awards in the Experiential Marketing campaign of the year, Campaign of the Year & Legacy Brand of the Year Categories at the 2022 ADVAN African Awards for Marketing Excellence, recently in Lagos...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

31

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Down N65bn on Profit-taking in BUA Cement, Others KayodeTokede The profit-taking returned to the stock market of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) after six consecutive days of an uninterrupted bullish streak as capitalisation declined by N65 billion yesterday to start trading activities this week.

Investors’ profit-taking in BUA Cement Plc that depreciated by 2.78per cent drives the stock market’s weak performance,

leading to NGX All Share Index (ASI) dropping by 117.89 basis points or 0.25 per cent to close at 47,436.45 basis points from 47,554.34 basis points it opened for trading.

Similarly, the market capitalisation lost N65 billion to close at N25.837 trillion from N25.90trillion it closed for trading last week.

Sectoral performance was mixed, as the Insurance Index appreciated by 1.5per cent and Oil & Gas index gained 0.1 per

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

cent, while the Industrial Goods Index dropped by 1.3per cent and Banking index depreciated by 0.2per cent as Consumer Goods index closed flat.

Meanwhile, market breadth closed negative, with 15 gainers versus 17 losers. Prestige Assurance recorded the highest price gain of 9.30 per cent to close at 47 kobo, per share. NEM Insurance followed with a gain 9.22 per cent to close at N4.50, while Courteville Business Solutions rose 8.70 per cent to close

S E C U R I T I E S QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

at 50 kobo, per share.

Thomas Wyatt Nigeria went up by 8.33 per cent to close at 39 kobo, while unity Bank appreciated by 7.55 per cent to close at 57 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, Beta Glass led the losers’ chart by 9.90 per cent to close at N39.60, per share, per share. McNichols Plc followed with a decline of 9.68 per cent each to close at 56 kobo, while SCOA Nigeria lost 9.40 per cent to close at N1.06, per share.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

Jaiz Bank lost 6.82 per cent to close at 82 kobo, while Wapic Insurance shed 5.71 per cent to close at 33 kobo, per share.

The total volume traded rose by 182.15 per cent to 279.283 million units, valued at N1.563 billion, and exchanged in 3,781 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Regency Alliance Insurance topped the activity chart with 97.635 million shares valued at N23.434 million.

Jaiz Bank followed with 65.421 million shares worth N53.673

A S O F

million, while United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 22.926 million shares valued at N167.354 million.

Fidelity Bank traded 12.420 million shares valued at N50.930 million, while FBN Holdings transacted 10.292 million shares worth N112.343 million.

This week, United Capital Plc expected the impact of the recent 100basis points Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) hike to surface in the local bourse, as investors will look to book profits from the recent rally.

2 8 / 1 1 / 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32

TUESDAY, NOV ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

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dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌŽƐĞ ϭϳϯďƉƐ ƚŽ Ϯ͕ϭϰϭ͘ϯϳ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

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Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϰ͘ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ

Current Price

Ticker

ŝŶĚĞdž͘

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

2141.37

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

-0.22%

ROE

15.5% 114.1%

24.9%

ROA

P/E

4.6%

4.3x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

0.8x

6.4%

14.6%

>ŽĐĂů ŽƵƌƐĞ ,ĂůƚƐ ƵůůŝƐŚ ZƵŶ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ ϮϱďƉƐ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ďŽƵƌƐĞ ŚĂůƚĞĚ ŝƚƐ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ƌƵŶ ĂƐ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ h D Ed ;ͲϮ͘ϴйͿ͕ Ͳ ^^ KZW ;Ͳϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ d '> ^ ;Ͳϵ͘ϵйͿ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ůŽǁĞƌ ďLJ ϮϱďƉƐ ƚŽ ϰϳ͕ϰϯϲ͘ϰϱ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĨĞůů ƚŽ ϭϭ͘Ϭй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ ϭϭ͘ϯйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞͲ ĐůŝŶĞĚ ʬϲϰ͘ϮďŶ ƚŽ ʬϮϱ͘ϴƚŶ͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϴϮ͘ϭй ƚŽ Ϯϳϵ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ ϳϭ͘ϳй ƚŽ ʬϭ͘ϲďŶ͘

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƉƵƌǀŝĞǁ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ Ϯ ůŽƐƚ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z Ͳ/ d ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͛ ĐŚĂƌƚ͕

ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌŽƐĞ ϭ͘ϱй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ďƵLJͲ ŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ E D ;нϵ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ // K ;нϭ͘ϵйͿ͘ >ŝŬĞͲ ǁŝƐĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϵďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ

ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ d ZE ;нϯ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ E ^ KE ;нϳ͘ϬйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ

ƚŽ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ h D Ed ;ͲϮ͘ϴйͿ͕ d '> ^

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a in e r s

ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg % -4.0%

P R EST IGE

0.47

9.3%

R EGA LIN S

97.6

;Ͳϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ ^^ KZW ;Ͳϭ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ : / E< ;Ͳϲ͘ϴйͿ͘

N EM

4.50

9.2%

J A IZ B A N K

65.4

-6.8%

C OUR T VILLE

0.50

8.7%

UB A

22.9

-0.7%

T H OM A SWY

0.39

8.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

12.4

0.0%

UN IT YB N K

0.57

7.5%

FB NH

10.3

0.0%

N A SC ON

10.70

7.0%

A C C ESSC OR P

7.9

-1.2%

ST A N B IC

31.90

4.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

7.1

0.5%

ET ER N A

5.92

3.9%

GT C O

5.6

-0.3%

F T N C OC OA

0.30

3.4%

T R A N SC OR P

4.6

-1.7%

N GXGR OUP

23.50

3.1%

B UA C EM EN T

3.6

-2.8%

KƵƚůŽŽŬ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ǁŽƌƐĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ͲϬ͘Ϭϯdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϭϰdž ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϳ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϳϵ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŽ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶ

Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͘

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

B ET A GLA S

39.60

-9.9%

B UA C EM EN T

268.7

-2.8%

M C N IC H OLS

0.56

-9.7%

UB A

167.4

-0.7%

SC OA

1.06

-9.4%

N EST LE

159.2

0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

155.4

0.5%

J A IZ B A N K

0.82

-6.8%

WA P IC

0.33

-5.7%

FB NH

112.3

0.0%

GT C O

111.9

-0.3% -1.2%

C H IP LC

0.58

-4.9%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.40

-4.8%

A C C ESSC OR P

67.9

-4.0%

N GXGR OUP

55.3

3.1%

53.7

-6.8%

50.9

0.0%

R EGA LIN S

0.24

J A P A ULGOLD

0.28

-3.4%

J A IZ B A N K

B UA C EM EN T

76.80

-2.8%

F ID ELIT YB K

33

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 25Nov-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 178.11 179.26 0.00% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 319.77 319.77 0.00% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.81 107.96 0.00% 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 9.52% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.60 3.64 5.84% 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 9.11% Anchoria Equity Fund 139.17 140.71 -0.05% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 1.15% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 21.04 20.94 106.68% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 493.71 491.24 118.04% ARM Ethical Fund 42.28 42.07 116.26% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.10 1.10 102.55% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 111.00% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.39% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 94.76 94.76 -7.84% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,076.84 1,076.84 1.07% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 140.32 141.30 5.44% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.97% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -0.08% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.25 2.30 3.88% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 7.64% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 13.32 11.35 13.32% Paramount Equity Fund 17.69 18 4.57% Women's Investment Fund 143.95 145.65 1.12% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.35% Cordros Milestone Fund 132.97 133.88 6.78% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 112.28 112.28 5.00% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Smart Beta Equity 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 11.46% Legacy Debt Fund 3.58 3.58 -10.58% Legacy Equity Fund 1.86 1.90 7.04% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,016.87 3,679.36 100.00

4,044.34 3,679.36 100.00

3.48% 6.75% 13.88%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.13 1.13 0.00% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.40% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.96 3.01 0.00% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.62% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 144.43 144.43 0.00% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.17 1.21 0.00% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 4.49% 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 1.67 1.70 17.28% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,169.90 1,169.90 8.42% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.74 11.82 8.04% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.14% 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) 102.09 102.09 9.28% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.66% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 N/A N.A N/A 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 3,514.87 3,542.34 3.68% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 244.14 244.14 3.64% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.35 1.36 7.54% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 330.77 330.78 5.64% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 253.12 255.99 8.33% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.34% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,585.38 11,723.86 6.10% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.36 1.36 5.00% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 120.40 120.40 2.99% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 114.22 114.22 7.37% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.89 0.91 1.08% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.32 1.34 1.04% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 10.06% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 7.19% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.94 1.94 6.27% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.70 124.70 5.78% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.49 13.60 2.24% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.27 15.41 4.40% Zenith Income Fund 23.40 23.40 6.61% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.62% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.94 4.04 -1.70% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.47 5.57 -6.38% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.38 17.58 -1.68% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.41% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 21.53 21.73 7.71% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 134.91 136.91 -14.40%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.41 125.86 96.96 17.40 16.40

14.51 128.06 98.62 17.50 16.50

3.01% -1.37% -3.03% 14.35% 0.73%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

34

TUESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

LAUNCHING OF COALITION AGAINST COUNTERFEIT PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS...

L-R: Director, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Lagos Zonal Office, Dr. Ukamaka Okafor; CEO, CMC Connect, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Country Manager, Pfizer, Mr. Olayinka Subar; Chairman, Pharmaceutical, Wholesales and Distributors Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ernest Okafor and Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement NAFDAC, Mrs. Florence Uba during the launch of the PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA Coalition Against Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Products (CACPP) in Lagos...yesterday

Oloye, a Colossus Nigerian Leaders Must Emulate, Say Lumumba, Sultan Chuks Okocha in Abuja Kenyan intellectual and rights activist, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, yesterday, implored Nigerian leaders to not only memorialise the life and times of former strongman of Kwara politics, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, but also exhibit his “basket of good deeds”.

Similarly, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad, described Saraki’s style of politics as worthy of emulation.

Lumumba and Sultan spoke during the 10th memorial lecture for the politician, who died in 2012.

Lumumba, who was guest speaker, said, “Saraki was present on this earth. He had his time and he is gone. We are all gathered here today to remember him and his basket of deeds. It would appear to me that his baskets of good deeds outweighs his basket of bad deeds.”

Lumumba imagined that Saraki in heaven was now asking Nigerians, “it is 10 years since I left, where are the leaders? How have they served and is also asking Nigerians how have you been served?

“The great Saraki is asking the followers, have you demanded and the followers whether they have been served, just as he asked for the unity of those who are seeking to do good.”

The don, known for his oratory skills, while telling the story of the shepherds leading and protecting their cattle from elements, said leading human beings is entirely different.

“You may mislead them, but remember that there is the

day of reckoning. History has demonstrated that men can rise when they are misled,” he said.

Lumumba recalled with nostalgia the enthusiasm that heralded independence in Africa and how African leaders, like Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Samora Machel, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Abdel Nasser, denied themselves of material gains and fought for independence. He regretted that this was no longer the case with many leaders of Africa and Nigeria today.

“Kaunda had only $5,000 dollars when he died. That is what current politicians spend on breakfast.

We are suffering from deficit of leadership,” he said.

Taking a tour of Africa, he quoted Chinua Achebe’s “The Trouble With Nigeria,” and asked whether the continent was at peace and quiet.

“If Nigeria is not at peace, Africa will never be at peace,” he emphasised.

Lumumba said although the country had some of the best professionals in the world, it was tainted with the e-fraud syndrome of “yahoo boys”, adding that Nigerians are present everywhere in the world.

“Can it, with its billion dollars investment capability, which can afford a trillion dollar gross domestic product (GDP) realise its potential?” he asked.

Lamenting the continent and Nigeria’s mortality rate, hunger, failing institutions, educational backwardness, and dearth of amenities, he submitted that the politics and economies of Africa “is controlled by others from other

civilisations.”

Suggesting that true and reliable leadership must have a knowledgeable followership, he said, “Instead, African leaders have now assigned the question of educating their citizens to NGOs financed abroad and other civilisations.

“He who pays the piper pays the due. African followership is built from outside. Africans will never realise their potential until those in leadership instil what is right in the minds of the citizens, shun ethnicism and religious bigotry.

Lumumba stated, “I look forward to when leaders and followers in Africa will realise that it is not for us to fight for God but that the nature of the God they serve fights for us.

“Exorcise the ghosts of ethnicity, poverty, ignorance and selfishness.

Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

He added, “Nigerian leaders must be in front to serve and never to be served.”

He said the country was blessed with a critical mass of followers, whom he insisted must be knowledgeable.

Historicising the enviable roles African leaders played to disentangle the continent from colonial rule, he regretted that “the colonialists are yet to leave”.

Lumumba lamented that African leaders were not visible in the international arena, where important decisions about humanity are taken.

He said, “When G7, G20, and the UN congregate, there are no African leaders. Where are the pillars in Africa? What was the leadership before we were rudely disrupted?

We had traditional rulers. Where are they now? What do we expect from them? Pre-colonial Africa was forgotten and mimicry of colonial leadership adopted.

“Britain created the Commonwealth of Nations headed by the British monarch. This is neo-colonialism used to massage the ego of Africans. Through this they continue to control and manipulate us. France did same through the idea of Francophone Africa. In as much as African leaders try to turnaround our fortunes, these efforts are being torpedoed by external influence.

“Nigeria is an artificial entity.

There is no Nigerian in the sense in which there is a Dutch or a Finnish. In order to be a leader in Africa, African leaders must be their own among their people. If Africa were to succeed, the tribes must die.”

He said, quoting extensively,

Machel, “Tribalism is a mosaic used to divide the people,” while advocating a role for traditional rulers in the scheme of leadership.

“What was the leadership like before we were rudely disrupted?

We had traditional rulers. Where are they now? What do we expect from them? Pre-colonial Africa has been forgotten. Instead, a mimicry of colonial leadership has been adopted.”

Sultan of Sokoto, on his part, said the lecture and the one held by his alma mater, Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA), recently, were not a coincidence; “they come at a time when our country is shopping for a new leadership.

“If you need good leadership, you must have good followership and vice versa.”

The sultan added, “Leaders must be told the truth. Conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it,” quoting Sheikh Usmanu

2023: South West Muslims Will Deliver Tinubu, Says MURIC Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola, has assured the South West that Muslims in the region would deliver the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.

Akintola, who gave the assurance yesterday while speaking with journalists at the sideline during

a send-forth and book presentation organised by the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), in honour of a former Executive Secretary of the organisation, Prof.

Daud Noibi, held at the University of Ibadan, said they would support the former Lagos State governor because he was one of them.

The MUSWEN, in a statement by its President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, had long endorsed the APC standard bearer.

Court Fixes December 8 for Judgment on APC Ogun West Senatorial Ticket James Sowole in Abeokuta The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday fixed December 8, 2022, for judgment in the suit filed by four persons against the candidacy of the Senator Solomon Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ogun West Senatorial District.

Adeola, who won the Ogun West APC Senatorial District Primary, is the serving senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik fixed the date after listening to Counsels to both plaintiffs and

defendants in a suit that arose from the conduct of the May 28, 2022 senatorial primary of the APC in Ogun West.

While Mr. Seni Adio represented the plaintiffs who are Johnson Akindele, Babalola Oluwasaanu and Akanbi Orobiyi; Mr. Bode Olanipekun represented the defendants, who are Senator Adeola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly.

In the suit, the plaintiffs sought the interpretation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) , the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress to determine the

validity of Adeola's nomination by the APC to contest the party's primaries and the 2023 General Election, on the platform of the APC in Ogun West Senatorial District while still a sitting and serving senator representing Lagos West in the National Assembly.

The plaintiffs were canvassing that Adeola fragrantly contravened and infringed upon the Provision of Section 65(2) (b) of the Electoral Act 2022 and article 9(1) and 20 of the APC Constitution with the party parading himself as the APC's nominated candidate for the office of senator for Ogun West while he remains a sitting and serving senator simultaneously representing Lagos West Senatorial

Danfodio.

He prayed that leaders present at the lecture would take the message with them while campaigning, urging them to campaign honestly.

“And when you win, you do justice to the people of the country,” he said.

Scion of the Saraki dynasty and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the occasion was a national platform to address issues, such as the philosophies, ideals, goals and aspirations of his late father, whom he described as “passionate about politics.”

He explained that the deceased never took decisions without consulting his followers.

He urged a solemn observation of the lessons of his father’s life and expressed happiness at how Nigerians set aside partisan politics to attend the lecture, hoping that the lessons learnt would permeate the society.

District.

Convinced that the Ist-3rd defendants erred, the plaintiffs sought some orders against them to achieve their aims.

They sought, "an order of mandatory injunction directing the second and third defendants to recognise the candidate who came second (runner up) against the 1st defendant in the primary conducted on May 28,2022 in the Ogun West Senatorial District as the 3rd Defendant's validly nominated candidate.

"A further order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant whether by himself or his privies, officer or agents from parading himself as the 3rd

Defendant's validly nominated candidate to contest in the 2023 General Election in constituency of Ogun West Senatorial District.

"And for such further order or orders as the honourable court deem just to make in the circumstance of the case."

At yesterday's hearing, counsels to the two parties, adopted their final written addresses, which made the Judge to fix the judgment date.

While speaking with journalists, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Seni Adio said the matter was a constitutional matter and the two parties, have given their final submission and waiting for the judgment of the court.

Akintola, while supporting the position of MUSWEN, said Muslims in the South West havdno reason not to support Tinubu as he was the only leading presidential candidate from the region.

He lamented that Muslims in the region have been suffering for decades, stating that those who have either been President or Vice President from the region were Christians.

"MUSWEN endorsed the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I want to affirm that MUSWEN has no other choice. They don't have any other alternative. MURIC has said it earlier that we are supporting a Muslim presidential candidate from the South West.

"Because, the Yoruba Muslims have suffered for decades. All those who have been either President or Vice President are Christians. From Obasanjo to Diya to Shonekan and now to the current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, all of them have been Christians.

"At this time, we are supporting MUSWEN for endorsing Tinubu.

MURIC has said it earlier that we want a Muslim presidential candidate and since Tinubu has emerged as the APC candidate, the South West Muslims have no other choice than to support him."

35

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NEWS

CENTRE OF PRACTICAL SKILLS...

Enugu State PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah (right), having a business chat with the Director General, ICMPD, Dr. Michael Spindelegger, at the official opening of GO Uni-European Business Park and Centre of Practical Skills recently held at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu…recently

Yobe North: Appeal Court Affirms Machina APC Senatorial Candidate Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has affirmed Hon. Bashir Machina as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Yobe North Senatorial District election slated for February 25 next year.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision upheld the judgment of a Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State, which sacked Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as candidate of the APC in the said senatorial poll.

The judgment delivered by President of the appellate court, Justice Monica Dongban-mensem, agreed with the trial court that Lawan did not participate in the May 28 primary, recognised

as the authentic primary for the selection of the party's candidate in the forthcoming senatorial election.

The three-member panel of the appellate court further declared as invalid, the primary election conducted by the APC on June 9, which produced the Senate President, describing it as a breach of the constitution.

The judgment noted that contrary to the provisions of the law, INEC did monitor the primaries of June 9 that produced Lawan.

The APC had approached the appellate court for an order setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe and another order declaring Lawan as its candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District election.

However, Justice Dongban-

mensem held that "the appeal is unmeritorious as it fails in its entirety," adding that the appellant (APC) should pay the sum of N1 million to Machina as cost.

Machina had emerged victorious at the party's primary election for senatorial election, while the Senate

President lost the presidential ticket to former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.

However, the party conducted a fresh primary for the Yobe North Senatorial seat on June 9,which was won by Lawan and his name subsequently forwarded to the

and divide the country.

The governor made the appeal at the 30th anniversary of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.

Sanwo-Olu, who was the Chief Host at the NMMA 30th anniversary, where awards were presented to outstanding print and broadcast

Party’s candidate wants APC chair arrested, may boycott peace accord

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Juliet Akoje in Abuja The Kano State Police Command, has arrested and detained the Kwankwasiyya major financier,

journalists in about 40 categories, urged the media not to shy away from showcasing Lagos State and Nigeria in good light.

“Let me use this opportunity to lend my voice to the appeal by well-meaning compatriots to the media on the need to exercise a high level of professionalism and commitment to the ethics of the

IGP Assures of Improved Security in Rivers, Commission's Intelligence, Surveillance Centre Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has assured of improved security across all communities in Rivers State and environs.

Baba gave the assurances yesterday, while inaugurating the Intelligence and Surveillance Centre, built by Governor Nyesom Wike's administration in Ogbum-Nu-Abali community, Port Harcourt.

The IG, who thanked Wike for providing the centre, said it would enhance the police capability to perform according to international best practice.

“Your excellency, this project is a main boost to my agenda of policing Nigeria in this contemporary times, which is in tandem with providing international best practices of using technology and

ICT to police with ease,” he said.

According to him, the entire state capital, Port Harcourt, would be under surveillance and monitored within the control room of the centre, noting that the services to access at the Intelligence and Surveillance Centre would be combined with the police Cyber Crime Unit to render improved policing to Nigerians.

“I want to assure you that police will make judicious use of this centre in collaboration with our cybercrime unit to tackle all forms of crimes and criminality. We will do the needful to discharge our duty as expected,” the IG said.

The centre, he noted, could also be opened to other security agencies, on the basis of collaboration, synergy and cooperation to achieve real time monitoring of crime incidences and apprehension

Lawan had in September stated that he would not appeal the judgment of Justice Fadimatu Aminu of the Federal High Court Damaturu, which had on September 28, 2022, declared Machina winner of the primary election organised by the APC in May this year.

Police Arrest, Detain NNPP Financier in Kano Ambassador Yusuf Imam, popularly known as 'Ogan Boye'.

The influential NNPP chieftain was picked up at his Nasarawa residence Sunday night.

His arrest came on the heels of

2023: Sanwo-Olu Charges Media on High-level Professionalism Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged the Nigerian media to exercise a high level of professionalism and commitment to the ethics of the profession, especially, as the 2023 election inches closer.

He appealed to media practitioners to discard fake news, malicious reports, hate speech, and any act that could derail Nigeria’s democracy

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as candidate of the APC for the said senatorial district election, an action which resulted in the current litigation.

But the electoral umpire refused to accept the nomination of Lawal as candidate of the APC in the election.

of the culprits.

“You can sit and police Rivers by getting a live incident report and you can also have the opportunity to send a team that is on standby at the station. I think this is the international practice we will encourage, and also appeal to other state government and other stakeholders to repeat such project that will make human factor not an issue,” he said.

Handing over the project to the police authority, Wike noted that the Centre was built by his administration with the sole aim of boosting efforts of the security agencies in crime fighting in the state, explaining also that the centre was fitted with the latest technology and it would help in improving crime-fighting capability of police officers and make the state safer.

profession, especially, as the 2023 general election draws near.

“Even as the media holds powerful institutions to account, you must also reserve some of this scrutiny for yourselves, and ensure that there is no room for bad eggs and those, who seek to bring a noble reputation into disrepute.

“The times we are in call for great circumspection, and great fidelity to the timeless principles of journalism; accuracy, fairness, balance, integrity. Your standards must never be lowered for anything, and definitely not in this age in which social media and the internet enable the easy amplification of fake news and malicious reports, and hate speech, intended to give undue political advantage or to divide societies and derail democracy.

“I urge the media to continue to not shy away from showcasing Lagos State and Nigeria in good light, highlighting and projecting our social, economic, and cultural opportunities and potential, as we strive to attract more domestic and foreign investment into our economy, and position ourselves on the global stage.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who has received over 20 outstanding awards as Governor of the Year in many categories from different media organisations in the last three years, said his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for media practitioners in Lagos State to thrive.

a drumbeat of war by both leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria People's Party ahead of the 2023 general election.

Abdullahi Abbas, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress fired the first salvo at Gaya at the flag off the party governorship campaign last week where he boasted that the ruling APC would capture Kano "by hook or crook" during the forthcoming elections.

It could not be established as at press time reasons for his arrest by the police as top senior officers connected to the arrest and detention of Ogan Boye maintained sealed lips.

But the gubernatorial candidate of NNPP in Kano, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Kano state APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas, for instigating and perpetrating political violence in the state, threatening to boycott peace accord entered into if this was not done.

However, the chairman of NNPP in Kano, Umar Hudu Doguwa, has also responded to the development, saying, "We have accepted Abdullahi Abbas' challenge, and wish to assure him that we are equal to the task."

Spokesperson of Kano NNPP gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Sanusi Bature, told reporters that "Ogan Boye's arrest and detention was a calculated move by the ruling party in Kano to intimidate the NNPP. " He however, assured their supporters that, "We will never succumb to cheap blackmail."

But Yusuf in a press statement

by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, called on the security agencies in the state to swiftly swing into action to arrest Abbas to curtail the ever-increasing political violence as the election approaches to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties of Kano state citizens, residents, and visitors.

According to the statement, the APC state chairman was publicly aiding and actively supporting violent attacks on NNPP supporters and campaign properties throughout the city.

"Recently, Abdullahi Abbas directed his biological son Sani Abdullahi Abbas (popularly known as Ochi Dandaba) and his closed aide Junaidu Abdulhamid in company of over fifty (50) thugs to attack the family house and Ward’s campaign office of the NNPP governorship candidate in Chiranchi quarters and injured supporters of the opposition party in the area on Saturday, 12th November, 2022,” he said.

According to him, the suspects were allegedly supplied with dangerous weapons by the said son of Abbas while Rayyanu, a police personnel from Gwale Division, allegedly provided them with security cover to perpetrate the evil act.

"The NNPP Gubernatorial candidate is therefore demanding the immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution of Abbdullahi Abbas, his son Sani Abdullahi Abbas and other suspects that were involved in the attacks, inciting statements and other atrocities that have been perpetrated on our supporters and innocent citizen of the state that are capable of destroying the relative peace in the state.

"We also want to state in clear terms that if the utterances of Abdullahi Abbas toward political violence are not squarely addressed, we will be left with no other option than to boycott the forthcoming signing of peace accord initiated by the National Peace Committee under the able Leadership of the Former Head of State, Gen. Abdussalam Abubakar and any other inter-party agreements toward 2023 elections as doing same may not guarantee the protection of lives and properties of the good people of Kano State," he stated.

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NEWS

BOOK PRESENTATION…

L-R: The author, Prof. Ladan Sharehu; Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, and Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, at the presentation of four books and celebration of excellence of Sharehu in Zaria, Kaduna State…recently

Ekiti Obas Mediate in Assembly Crisis, Order Aribisogan to Withdraw Suit Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Traditional rulers in Ekiti State, have urged the impeached speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan, to withdraw the suit he instituted against his sack

from court, as part of measures to prevent the crisis rocking the Assembly from festering.

This was part of the five-point resolution arrived at during a peace meeting brokered by the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers at a peace meeting held

FCTA Demolishes Apo Tipper Garage Olawale Ajimotokan inAbuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), early yesterday demolished the popular Apo Tipper Garage in order to ensure the smooth construction work on the Apo interchange.

It carried out the large-scale demolition in collaboration with different security agencies by removing shanties, illegal shops, mechanic shops, food stalls and building materials shops. Some abandoned trucks and vehicles were also towed to the VIO office.

The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, who led the FCT Taskforce Team, said the garage was encroaching on a major interchange on four lane highway that connects the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway all the way to Kubwa.

“The FCT Minister Malam

Muhammad Bello at the weekend took a very developmental tour, around Guzape district to check developmental work in Guzape and to ensure the work get to advance stage within his tenure, when the minister was going round, he came across this very bad site at Apo tipper garage by Apo NEPA.” “He therefore instructed that the Tipper Garage should be removed first thing on Monday morning and that is why we are removing them,” he said.

He justified the removal of Tipper Garage as a critical road from the outer express way, to Wasa, which also connects Guzape II. He faulted the argument of the traders that they had settled in the area for over a decade, insisting no matter the duration of their stay, it is expedient they leave because of the interchange.

Casava Wins InsurTech of the Year Award

Casava, Nigeria’s first 100 per cent digital insurance company, was recently recognised at the Business Day Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards . as the ‘InsurTech of the Year’ The BAFI Awards celebrates the great accomplishments of industry trailblazers across several categories in the financial industry including; Fintech, Banking, Insurance, Investments, Pension Funds and other Financial services.

The winner of the InsurTech of the Year Award was chosen based on the criteria that the company must be fully licensed to operate by Nigeria’s insurance regulator, NAICOM, and must be an innovative technology company that enhances, extends or replaces a traditional approach to servicing insurance customers’ needs. The company’s solutions/ products must also be solving real customer needs, with the view of creating genuine

innovation in the insurance industry.

This win by Casava spotlights the exceptional feat Casava has been able to accomplish in a short period of time in a highly competitive industry.

Led by the company’s CEO, Bode Pedro, a veteran technology entrepreneur that has built many successful companies, including Veda Technology, one of Nigeria’s premiere computer hardware manufacturers, ‘Casava has recorded significant milestones in 2022. In February 2022, the startup announced a $4 million pre-seed funding to support customer acquisition and growth; product and technology development. Casava has also acquired more than 95,000 customers with $23 million in insurance coverage and was officially inducted as the first Insurtech and Microinsurance member of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) in October, 2022’.

at the Ewi’s Palace in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.

The Obas listened to both sides and concluded that the pro- Aribisogan’s lawmakers were wrong to have acted against the instruction of the party.

The Ekiti Obas, led by their Chairman, the Onisan of Isan

Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, in the resolution with the two sides in the dispute reasoned that 22 members in the Assembly had thrown their weight behind the new Speaker, Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba.

They therefore, called on Aribisogan to go back and join his colleagues and forget about

laying claim to the position of Speaker for the Assembly to move forward and the state to enjoy peace.

The Obas also advised that the majority members of the House (22) must accept Aribisogan back, lift his suspension and drop other punitive measures against him, after fulfilling the

conditions spelt out for others.

The Obas also resolved that the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Paul Omotoso, should go back to the party caucus and decide what to do with Aribisogan’s matter with a view to accommodating him as a member of the party (APC).

FG Urged to Decentralise University Salary Structure The federal government has been urged to decentralize the University salary structure so that lecturers could be allowed to negotiate with governing councils of their respective university.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, made the call while

speaking at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, during the launching of four books and celebration of excellence by Prof. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, who is a Professor of Public Administration.

Haruna suggested that lecturers should be paid by contact hours and remunerated according to the impact of their output.

He said Nigerian varsity system ought to grow to a level

where lecturers will earn more than a vice chancellor(VC), or political office holders if their works attract funding.

According to him, the attitude of some teaching staff leaves much to be desired, adding that it was worrisome that universities are not solving any socio-economic challenges of the communities in their catchment areas.

He said universities have no

linkages with industries and relevant research organisations.

He said: “Let me advocate that university salary structure and indeed of all tertiary institutions should be decentralised in such a way that lecturers are paid for productivity hours. Salaries to be negotiated on case-by-case basis with the Governing Council and according to the capacity and performance of the lecturers and the universities.

Police Arrest Four for Killing, Armed Robbery in Edo Adibe Emenyonu inBeninCity The Edo State Police Command operatives yesterday said they have arrested four persons alleged to have lynched an unidentified man for stealing an unregistrated motorbike at Iyanamo Community, Off Ekehuan Army Barracks, near Benin City, the state capital.

The Command in a press statement signed by its Public

Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor and made available to journalists in Benin City, gave the names of the suspects as- Emmanuel Igube,19 years; Matthew Gimba, 39years; Monday Nathaniel, 30years; and Gabriel Akuba, 20years The statement reads: “The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mohammed A. Dankwara, has frowned at the incessant cases of jungle justice in

the state and therefore implores citizens of Edo State to repose a little more confidence on the Rule of Law and on law enforcement institutions.

“The CP made this call on Monday, 28/11/2022, following the death of a man, whose identity is yet unknown in the hands of a mob, yesterday, 27/11/2022 at Iyanamo Community, Off Ekehuan Army Barracks, Benin City. The

victim was allegedly mobbed to death over an allegation that he stole an unregistered motorcycle.

“Four persons linked to the death of the deceased have been arrested and are assisting the Police in their investigation. Meanwhile, the CP has directed that the case be transferred from Evbuotubu Police Station to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin for further investigation.”

‘REA Committed to Providing Sustainable Power to Nigerians’ The Chairman of the Rural Plant at the Usman Danfodiyo they are ready to collaborate is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Hon Danlami Muhammad Kurfi, has disclosed that the agency is committed to providing reliable and sustainable power to all unserved and underserved rural homes across Nigeria.

Kurfi stated this yesterday during the inauguration of 2.0MW Solar Hybrid Power

University, Sokoto (UDUS).

He further disclosed that both schools, hospitals, communities as well as the various economic clusters will not be left out in the REA plans.

While noting that, REA is using the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) to actualise its mandate in the learning institutions, Kurfi added that,

with public and private sectors towards the progress and success of the power sector.

He said : “I am delighted to be here today as we commission this 2.0MW Solar Hybrid Power Project,together with it’s world class workshop and training center and solar powered streetlights under Energizing Education Programme (EEP) phase 1 which

Electrification Agency.”

“As the Chairman, Governing Board of the REA, I will continue to use my office to ensure that we provide the leadership and oversight needed to enhance and advance increased investment, regulations, compliance, proper governance, and other issues that affects the power sector in Nigeria”.

Abiodun: Reconstructed Roads are Recommended by People

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday said reconstructed roads in the state, were recommended by the people and not just imposed on them.

The governor gave the explanation at the inauguration of Molipa/Fusigboye/Ojofa Road in Ijebu-Ode. According to him, approval

had been for the reconstruction of some major roads in Ijebu Ode metropolis and Ijebu Local Government Area.

Abiodun listed Igbeba, Ilese, Awokoya Street, Balogun Kuku and Ijebu-Ode Club roads as some of the key roads to be embarked upon for rehabilitation by his administration.

He said that the 3.2km road which were in a deplorable state

and made worse by serious erosion, were abandoned by previous administrations.

Abiodun noted that the newly inaugurated road apart from further expanding the economic activities of the area by making them accessible, the roads would help in the control of erosion and flood in the axis.

He said that several of such projects across the state done by

his administration, have rekindled hope and trust of the people in government’s ability to deliver good governance.

He added that such commitment had also helped in establishing trust between his government and the private sector, which according to him spurred Dangote Nigeria Plc coming to reconstruct the Papalanto-Ilaro road.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Troops Raid Bandits’Camp in Kaduna, Rescue Nine Kidnapped Victims John Shiklam in Kaduna Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have rescued nine kidnapped persons in Kaso, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

Aruwan said the troops engaged the bandits in their hideout during which their victims were rescued.

According to him, the troops also recovered 90 cows and four motorcycles left behind by the fleeing bandits.

The statement said operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, indicated that “the troops

Honeywell Calls for Stronger Public-Private Partnership for Sustained Economic Devt

Dike Onwuamaeze

The management of Honeywell Group has advocated that effective public-private partnership (PPP) is needed to build the Nigerian economy and encourage the emergence of businesses that transcend generations.

This view was expressed by the group Senior Adviser on Government Relations, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Busari, recently in Abuja when she spoke on the sidelines of the 28th Nigeria Economic Summit (NES28), organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

She said PPP would enable more businesses and Nigerians to have improved access to electricity and potable water supply as well as help the country to address its inadequate seaports, airports, and roadways facilities that have been stalling the country’s economic growth and ease of doing business, especially the

international trade.

Speaking on the importance of government-private sector collaboration, and the role of transformational leadership in economic development, Busari said: “The public and private sectors are like conjoined twins with a symbiotic relationship.

Corporate organisations need the government as much as the government requires the support of the private sector.

“We need to have more relevant policies for businesses, and corporate organisations need to invest in strengthening their relationships with the government by providing the right support.

“At Honeywell Group, we ensure that we work closely with the government to drive the economy. We believe in forming strong partnerships that will enable positive impact. This goes to the core of who we are as a business.”

engaged bandits on the Tantatu high ground, as the bandits abandoned their camp and fled further into the forest.

Aruwan said: “The troops searched the camp and rescued nine kidnapped persons, identified as Salama Oliver

Husseini Odu, Danjuma Jakanwa Ezekiel Garba, Obadiah Moses, Taiwo Isaac, Buky Isaac, Ado Adamu and Maigari Shekarau. Initial debriefing of the rescued victims revealed that they had all been kidnapped around the Gurara Dam area.

“The troops also recovered 90 cattle left behind by the fleeing bandits. The animals will be handed over to the Kaduna State Livestock Regulatory Authority for proper identification.

“Further clearance patrols to Bawa Rikasa hill led to the

recovery of four motorcycles belonging to the bandits.

“The nine rescued persons will undergo further debriefing and examination before being reunited with their families.

“Fighting patrols will continue in the general area.”

Delta’s Debt Profile Stands at N272bn, Says Finance Commissioner Retirees protest unpaid pension

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije, yesterday said the state’s debt size was not more than N272 billion currently.

Speaking with newsmen at the Government House in Asaba, Tilije said about N110 billion is owed to contractors and outstanding pension while balance comprises debt was inherited by the Okowa administration.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected debt

servicing in the country.

“The debt profile as we speak is N272 billion; that is the debt size. Out of this, N84 billion is due to contractors, pension arrears is about N27 billion. The balance was debt profile inherited by this (Okowa) administration.

“There have been bailouts before we came, there have been series of indebtedness (contractual obligations) and then, naturally, we needed to carry them out.

“The CBN at some point in time through the instrumentality of NEC, had to freeze the payment of indebtedness

that were granted to past administrations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

On the much-talked-about refundable arrears of deductions from the 13 percent oil derivation fund, the finance commissioner said that Delta had accessed a total of N44.7 billion out of the N240 billion, representing about 18.6 per cent of what is due to the state.

Tilije said: “What are the expected refunds that we (members of the public) kept bandying across? We have a total refund of N240 billion with

respect to 13 per ent derivation.

Out of this, we have received N14.7 billion in three quarterly installments. And, also accessed N30 billion from the bridging finance.

“We had attempted to approach the market to discount a figure of N150 billion, which is about half of the expected refund. We eventually rejigged that process and reduced it to N100 billion. So, we have received N14.7 billion and have also accessed N30 billion from the commercial market ( banks).”

FG Ratifies 14-day Paternity Leave for Public Servants Olawale Ajimotokan inAbuja The federal government has approved the commencement of a 14-working-day paternity leave for federal civil servants.

The approval came after the proposal to grant paternity leave to workers was gazetted by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, confirmed

this development yesterday via a circular dated November 25, 2022 with ref no:HCSF/SPSO/ODD/ NCE/RR/650309/3, which was sighted last night by THISDAY. The circular titled, ‘Computation of Leave Based on Working Days and Approval of Paternity Leave in the Public Service’ was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, serving ministers, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Clerk to the National Assembly and Governor of CBN

among others.

According to Yemi-Esan, the approval was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition, that the computation of all leave shall be based on 14 working days.

The circular stated that period of the leave shall be 14 working days and shall not be more than once in two years, and a for maximum of four children.

“Where the family of a male officer adopts a child under four

months old, the officer will similarly enjoy Paternity Leave for a period of 14 working days,” Yemi-Esan said.

She said that request for such leave shall be accompanied by the Expected Date of Delivery’s (EDD) report of the officer’s wife or evidence of approval of the adoption of the child by the relevant government bodies.

She also said that the effective date of the circular was 25th November, 2022.

TUESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

38

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

DURO IKHAZUAGBE Reporting live

Ghana Black Stars players celebrating one of the goals in the 3-2 win over Korea yesterday in Qatar

Ajax Amsterdam forward, Mohammed Kudus scored twice as Ghana defeated Korea Republic 3-2 in another thrilling encounter by an African team at the ongoing World Cup here in Qatar yesterday night.

The victory revived Black Stars chances of making it to the knockout stage despite losing their opening game to Portugal. Ghana temporarily moved to second spot on three points ahead of the group’s second late night fixture between Uruguay and Portugal.

The Black Stars appeared in line for a Group H cruise when they led 2-0 at half-time. The opening 24 minutes were contested almost exclusively in the Korean half, but when Jordan Ayew sent over a freekick from the left, the ball dropped for Mohammed Salisu to force home from close range.

Ghana demonstrated terrific mettle to respond. Mensah flew down the left to cross along the floor. Inaki Williams missed his kick – but Kudus was on hand to clinically restore the advantage.

Ati-Zigi clawed out Lee’s dipping free-kick and Kim Jinsu saw an effort swiped off the line before Ghana

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Revenge Not on Otto Addo’s Mind as Ghana Beat Korea to Face Uruguay

clung on during 10 minutes of time added on to climb above their Asian rivals ahead of Friday’s closing fixtures against Uruguay in what many here have termed a grudge match for the Ghanaians.

But in what appeared a tongue-incheek talk, Black Stars Coach, Otto Addo, dismissed any insinuation that his wards are driven by the spirit to avenge Luis Suarez’s handling of ball to deny Ghana a semi final berth at South Africa 2010 World Cup. The winner of the clash between Ghana and Uruguay will take one of the tickets from Group H to the Last 16.

Speaking at the post match conference yesterday, Addo stressed: “It will be very difficult but I am confident to know that we can win this game," said Addo after his men claimed a thrilling 3-2 decision over South Korea. "I'm not a guy that thinks much of revenge.

"It was really, really long time ago that this incident happened and I am a strong believer if you don't seek too much revenge on these kind of things sometimes you get the blessings."

A long time ago perhaps but still not long enough for many Ghanaians

to forget the image of Suarez using his hands to clear away Dominic Adiyiah's header and what surely would have been the extra-time winner.

Suarez was given a red card for the foul but that would not be the end of the heartbreak for Ghana as Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty and the Black Stars eventually suffered a crushing 4-2 loss in the penalty shootout.

Addo pointed out that it is not only his team and approach that will be different this time, but that it will be a completely different Uruguay side as well.

One thing that hasn't changed is Ghana's attacking philosophy and Addo will, as always, rely on an explosive offence that has generated five goals in two games.

"It is a different approach, a different team," said Addo. "They have very good strikers, lots of experience and they are a very compact, very good team.

"It will be very difficult just like every match. "We said before the tournament started every game will be on edge, and we have to be at our best to beat them."

1FSNVUBUJPOT PO )PX 5IFZ 8JMM 'JOJTI As the group phase matches of the World Cup tournament hit the final bend, the likely teams that will qualify are taking shapes as many others will have to dip into the last matches to know their fates. France is the f irst team to progress, while Qatar and Canada have exited the tournament irrespective of their results from last matches.

TODAY Group A

Ecuador v Senegal (4pm) Netherlands v Qatar (4pm) Netherlands needs to win or draw to qualify. They will still qualify if they lose, provided Ecuador beat Senegal.

Ecuador need to win or draw to qualify. They remain in contention to qualify if they lose and Qatar beat Netherlands.

Senegal need to win to qualify but remain in contention if they draw and Qatar beat Netherlands.

Qatar is eliminated.

Group B

8BMFT W &OHMBOE QN *SBO W 64" QN England will qualify with a win or draw. Depending on goal difference, the Three Lions could also make it through in defeat.

Wales must win to have any chance of progressing.Iran are guaranteed to progress if they beat USA. A draw will also take the Iranians through provided Wales do not beat England (in which case goal difference will come into play).

For USA, it's simple: win and they are through. Lose or draw and they will be heading home.

8&%/&4%": Group C

4BVEJ "SBCJB W .FYJDP QN 1PMBOE W "SHFOUJOB QN Poland will be through with a win

or a draw, but would be knocked out if they lost to Saudi Arabia. If Poland lose and Saudi Arabia draw, the two teams will have to be separated by goal difference. If Poland lose and Mexico win, their fate will also be decided on goal difference.

Argentina must win to be sure of progressing, while a draw would be enough if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also draw. However, a draw and a Saudi Arabia victory would see La Albiceleste knocked out. Also, a draw coupled with a Mexico win takes the group to be decided by goal difference. Argentina are out if they lose.

Saudi Arabia will reach the Round of 16 if they win. A draw would be enough if Poland defeat Argentina, but if both matches are tied, they will go out. Should Argentina defeat Poland and Saudi Arabia draw, progress will be decided on goal difference between the European and Middle East sides. Defeat would see them knocked out.

Mexico must win to have any chance of staying in the competition.

They will be sure to go through if Poland win. If they win and Argentina and Poland draw, it will come down to goal difference with Argentina. Should Argentina win, goal difference will be required to separate Mexico and Poland.

would see the North African side go through on goal difference.

Denmark must win against Australia and, if they do so, will be certain to qualify unless Tunisia beat France, which would leave them tied on four points with the Carthage Eagles.

Tunisia must beat France and hope Denmark avoid defeat by Australia to be in contention to qualify.

8&%/&4%":

Senegal’s hope of qualifying for the Round of 16 is hanging on their ability to secure a win against Ecuador today. The game and others will be showing live on DStv and GOtv. Having defeated Qatar, the Teranga Lions restored their chances of making the next round. Today, they need to secure maximum points to displace Ecuador from second place. The tie will be broadcast on World Cup Select 1 (DStv channel 205 and GOtv

Group D

Tunisia v France (4pm) Australia v Denmark (4pm) France have already qualified and will top the group unless they lose to Tunisia and Australia beat Denmark, which would leave them tied on six points with the Socceroos.

Victory will see Australia qualify, while a draw would be enough unless Tunisia beat France, which

THURSDAY Group E

Costa Rica v Germany (8pm) Japan v Spain (8pm) Spain will qualify for the Round of 16 with a win or a draw. Defeat to Japan will leave them relying on their currently superior goal difference to progress, unless Costa Rica beat Germany, in which case Luis Enrique’s side will be out.

Japan can go through with victory against Spain, while a draw, coupled with deadlock in the Costa Rica v Germany clash, will ensure they progress. They will go out if they are beaten by Spain, or if the match ends in a draw and Costa Rica triumph against Germany. Goal difference will be required to decide their fate if they draw and Germany

are victorious.

Costa Rica can reach the last 16 by defeating Germany. A draw for Luis Fernando Suarez’s side would also guarantee a spot in the next phase if Spain overcome Japan, but if the current group leaders are beaten then goal difference comes into play.

A draw in both games or a defeat for Costa Rica puts them out.

Germany must pick up three points to stay in contention. Victory over Costa Rica coupled with a win for Spain against Japan will see them qualify. A draw between Luis Enrique’s side and the Samurai Blue, or a win for Japan, would take the equation to goal difference.

All other results would see Hansi Flick’s men out of the competition.

Morocco will be through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing Belgium to overcome Croatia, in which case goal difference would be required to determine if they or the 2018 runners-up progress to the last 16.

Belgium will qualify for the Round of 16 with victory over Croatia.

Defeat will see them knocked out. A draw will only be enough if Morocco are beaten by Canada, with goal difference then set to determine where Roberto Martinez’s side and Walid Regragui’s outfit finish in Group F. Canada have been eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures. *Group G and H to come after their second round matches

THURSDAY

Tiebreaker Information

Group F

Canada v Morocco (4pm) Croatia v Belgium (4pm) Croatia will be through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing eliminated Canada to overcome Morocco, in which case goal difference would be required to separate Zlatko Dalic's side from the Atlas Lions.

The second round of group matches here at Qatar 2022 World Cup are gradually coming to an end and, in some sections, the fight for spots in the knockout stage is simply too close to call.

So tight are a few of the groups, in fact, that many are already asking: what happens if two or more last-16 hopefuls finish level on points?

According to FIFA rules, if two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:

r 45&1

(a) Greatest number of points obtained in all group matches; (b) Superior goal difference in all group matches; (c) Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.

r 45&1

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows: (d)Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; (e) Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned; (f) Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned; (g) Highest team conduct score relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained; (h) Drawing of lots by FIFA.

#BUUMF GPS 3PVOE PG Tickets Live on DStv, GOtv channel 31) at 4:00pm.

The other group game will see Qatar take on the Netherlands. The Qataris have the worst record for a host country after they lost their first two games, they will be keen to salvage their image against the Dutch team. The match will be broadcast on World Cup Central (DStv channel 202 and GOtv channel 32) at 4:00pm.

In Group B, all is set for an allBritish game between England and Wales. The Welsh team have had

a disappointing outing, recording a loss and a draw. On the other hand, Gareth Southgate’s men have had to settle for a win against Iran and draw against the United States.

The game will be live at 8:00pm on World Cup Select 1 (DStv channel 205 and GOtv channel 31).

The United States and Iran will have to challenge each other for a slot at the Round of 16. Carlos Queiroz’s team got an upset victory against Wales and they can qualify for the knockout stage with just a

draw. The Americans on the other hand must secure three points to advance to the knockout stage.

World Cup Central (DStv channel 202 and GOtv channel 32) at 8:00pm.

According to MultiChoice Nigeria, to enjoy the games, “new customers can pay N4,900 instead of N6,900 for a GOtv decoder, GOtenna and one-month Jolli package subscription. “Existing customers on GOtv Max and Jolli can now watch all the games from the FIFA World Cup live on their decoder.”

39

TUESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Song: Why I Dropped Onana from Cameroon Squad Indomitable Lion of Cameroon coach, Rigobert Song, has attributed the inability of his first team goal keeper, Andre Onana, to fall in line with his tactical plans was the main reason why the Inter Milan keeper was left out of the squad yesterday morning.

Few moments before the all-important 3-3 score line with Serbia yesterday morning, Onana, 's dramatic axing from Cameroon's squad to face Serbia helped the Central African nation to pick a valuable point.

In a show of solidarity with the head coach, Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) issued statement last night supporting Song' s position on the player.

In the statement sighed by FECAFOOT Secretary General, Blaise Djounang, Onana has been temporarily suspended from the team to allow harmony in the squad.

Cameroon was staring down the barrel of a demoralising defeat yesterday before two quickfire goals from Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting helped the Indomitable Lions secure a point.

Song however admitted after the draw that the tension in camp

actually inspired the team to fight back.

"Andre has now been left out for disciplinary reasons,' he explained."

"I think we needed to make that decision. It was something that had to happen and maybe it was the trigger we needed for this performance. " In a squad you need to see discipline and if you can't fit in with that discipline, with what's required to be part of a squad, then you need to accept responsibility for that.

We don't question his ability - he plays for one of the top teams in Europe - but you need to ensure the team takes precedence over the individual.'

Before FECAFOOT statement last night, it was speculated here that Onana had been sent home

by Song.

RESULTS Cameroon Brazil Korea Portugal

3-3 Serbia 1-0 Switzerland 2-3 Ghana 2-0 Uruguay

HOW THEY STAND Group A 1 2 3 4

Team Netherlands Ecuador Senegal Qatar

Pl 2 2 2 2

W 1 1 1 0

D 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 2

F 3 3 3 1

A 1 1 3 5

GD 2 2 0 -4

Pts 4 4 3 0

F 6 4 1 1

A 2 6 1 3

GD 4 -2 0 -2

Pts 4 3 2 1

F 2 3 2 0

A 0 2 3 2

GD 2 1 -1 -2

Pts 4 3 3 1

F 6 2 1 0

A 2 4 2 1

GD 4 -2 -1 -1

Pts 6 3 1 1

F 8 2 1 2

A 1 2 7 3

GD 7 0 -6 -1

Pts 4 3 3 1

F 4 2 1 1

A 1 0 2 5

GD 3 2 -1 -4

Pts 4 4 3 0

F 3 1 3 3

A 0 1 4 5

GD 3 0 -1 -2

Pts 6 3 1 1

F 5 5 2 0

A 2 5 3 2

GD 3 0 -1 -2

Pts 6 3 1 1

Group B Team England Iran USA Wales

Pl 2 2 2 2

W 1 1 0 0

Team Pl Poland 2 Argentina 2 Saudi Arabia 2 Mexico 2

W 1 1 1 0

D 1 0 2 1

L 0 1 0 1

Group C Andre Onana (left) was left out after a row over goalkeeping styles

Senegal’s Cisse Admits Pressure in Decisive Clash with Ecuador Today Senegal’s AFCON 2021 winning coach, Aliou Cisse, has admitted under pressure for the Teranga Lions to reach the Qatar 2022 World Cup knockout stage due to their status as African champions.

After the Lions lost their opening game to the Netherlands and returned to reckoning with victory over hosts Qatar

in their second match, they now need a win today against Ecuador to leapfrog the South Americans to the second spot of Group A and qualify for the last 16. Senegal were eliminated in the group stage on fair play points four years ago in Russia.

But speaking at the prematch conference yesterday, Cisse said: "I come from a

country where we don't like losing. We're always hungry for that win. Not going to the round of 16 would be difficult to digest. We're okay, we're dealing with the pressure and stress. For me, it's good stress,” observed the gaffer who led Senegal to their first African title in Cameroon. He was in the Lions that shocked then

14,000 Athletes to Compete at National Sports Festival Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has said that about 14000 youth athletes from the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja will be competing in over 30 different sports, including football, basketball, wrestling among others at the 2022 National Sports Festival billed for Delta State.

Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja. He expressed optimism that at the end of the competition, new sets of athletes will emerge that will

compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

"I am optimistic that at the end of the competition, budding talents will emerge and the country will witness more podium performances through them in subsequent global competitions", he said.

He commended the Delta State government for its dogged determination towards ensuring that Delta 2022 becomes a reality and also for providing the teeming youth with the opportunity to showcase their sporting talents.

He urged the participating states to go all out for medals while stressing that the Games

will also help in strengthening the unity of Nigeria.

He therefore called on all sports loving Nigerians to create time to grace the festival, saying that the National Sports Festival is the "Nigerian Olympics".

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ismaila Abubakar said that Delta 2022 will inspire the next generation towards developing their sporting potentials, in line with the theme, "Uniting Nigerians, inspiring the next Generations".

world champions France to reach the quarter-finals of the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002.

Cisse's Lions lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in their opening match but defeated Qatar 3-1 to keep alive their hopes of advancing.

"We understand that winning will allow us to continue on the adventure and that's exactly what we intend on doing," Cisse said. "We know in 2018 we were looking for a draw when maybe the points would play in our favour but this isn't the case Tuesday (today).

"We've got a very strong and experienced team, they're a well-oiled machine. We've got the right mixture of veterans and players, players who are used to these types of challenges."

Ecuador need a win or draw to qualify, after beating Qatar 2-0 and outplaying the Dutch in a 1-1 draw to go joint top of Group A on four points apiece.

The South Americans are sweating on the fitness of captain Enner Valencia after he was carried off late in the Netherlands draw with a recurrence of a knee strain.

1 2 3 4

D 1 0 0 1

L 0 1 1 1

Group D 1 2 3 4

Team France Australia Denmark Tunisia

Pl 2 2 2 2

W 2 1 0 0

1 2 3 4

Team Spain Japan Costa Rica Germany

Pl 2 2 2 2

W 1 1 1 0

D 0 0 1 1

L 0 1 1 1

Group E D 1 0 0 1

L 0 1 1 1

Group F Team Croatia Morocco Belgium Canada

Pl 2 2 2 2

W 1 1 1 0

Team Brazil Switzerland Cameroon Serbia

Pl 2 2 2 2

W 2 1 0 0

1 2 3 4

D 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 2

Group G D 0 0 1 1

L 0 1 1 1

Group H 1 2 3 4

Team Pl Portugal 2 Ghana 2 Korea Republic 2 Uruguay 2

W 2 1 0 0

D 0 0 1 1

L 0 1 1 1

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Ezekwesili to Incoming President “If the person who will be our president really does the right things about the economy, Nigerians should prepare for difficult times, maybe for the first one year of the administration. There is nothing in African or Nigeria economy that puts us in the realm of exceptionalism…It means that as our GDP is contracting, we are not growing as we should”---Founder, SPPG, Obiageli Ezekwesili, advising the incoming president in 2023 to take steps to rebalance the economy.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Watching The World Cup C

ontrary to initial predictions that the on-going FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar would be the dullest ever in the history of the World Cup, it is in fact defying all such doomsday calculations and turning out to be a most exciting event. The quality of play is very high, the various players are superbly motivated, the fans are enthusiastic and as the tournament progresses, it all gets even more exciting. I find myself glued to the TV set every day to keep abreast of this historic event. Initially, politics almost overshadowed the event, with FIFA having to write to all the 32 teams playing a total of 64 matches in this year’s edition to focus on football, and not the protests that had been planned around the issues of human rights record of the Qatar government, LGBTQ+ rights in particular, and the abuse of 30, 000 migrant workers who were hired to build the infrastructure for the World Cup. The government of Qatar built 7 new stadia, an airport, 100 hotels and a fan park. The politics was so much that seven Captains of the participating European teams in fact announced that they would wear “One Love armbands.” Denmark said they would wear “tone down” shirts. Paris and other French cities threatened that they would not screen the matches in public areas.

The Ukrainian FA also called for Iran to be banned for “systemic human rights violations”.

Ahead of the tournament, Qatari authorities had to go after persons who had made fake World Cup trophies – 144 counterfeit trophies were seized, even counterfeit clothes with World Cup logos were seized. In the second week of November, a luxury liner dubbed by The Sun newspaper of London, as HMS WAG, ferrying the wives and girlfriends of England’s World Cup Squad set sail for Qatar. The players, we were told, were banned from setting foot on the massive ship, but nobody talked about the WAGs going on land to visit their men in the hotel bubbles to which they were going to be confined. There was also the issue of the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol consumption is against the country’s Islamic laws and beliefs.

Homosexuality also carries a penalty of a fine or seven years imprisonment in Qatar.

The irony is that Budweiser, a beer manufacturing company, with a $75 million deal with FIFA, is the major sponsor of the tournament and has been a FIFA sponsor for about two decades. FIFA first announced that it would be possible to drink beer in fan zones, but it eventually reversed itself and Budweiser was told to serve only zero-Bud within the vicinity of the stadiums. Now, Budweiser says the winning country will take all of its unsold beer from Qatar. FIFA would also later agree that persons who wanted to wear rainbow bucket hats or wrist bands could do so, after the Football Association of Wales protested vehemently over the maltreatment of its fans, but as we now know, Qatar’s officials refused. Even after FIFA’s assurance, fans wearing rainbow colours or symbols were arrested or roughhandled at train stations. The only man no one could do anything about is Tottenham Hotspur superstar, and England’s Captain, Harry Kane who decided to go around off-pitch with an 18-karat, diamond-encrusted, Rainbow Rolex watch worth about $950 million – a massive show of wealth, but Kane simply was protesting in support of the LGBTQ+ community and indicating his angst over FIFA’s threat that any player wearing a One Love Band will get an automatic yellow card. Kane could not wear the armband during England’s 6- 2 win over Iran. Germany also responded last Wednesday before their Group E match kick off against Japan by covering their mouths. Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser also wore a One Love arm-band, sitting in the stands, next to Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President. She later took it off, and of course did not get a yellow card - she, not being a footballer.

What Qatar represents in my view, is as I pointed out earlier in a parenthetical, prior comment on this page, now built up into an extended commentary, on

The World Cup what I have seen so far, is the clash of civilizations, between a conservative Middle Eastern culture, and a liberal, hypocritical Western outlook. The hypocrisy of the West is writ large. It is okay to collect sponsorship funds from Budweiser, only to turn around and breach contractual agreements and put the entire blame on the recalcitrance of Qatar.

The big question in this World Cup is: should Qatar have been granted hosting rights in the first place as far back as 2010? And now 12 years after the fact, the West is complaining about human rights?

This looks like a case of the money is good, bring it, but the culture is not good enough. Hell-ooo!

In any case, if the World Cup is a game for the whole of humanity, no part of the world should be discriminated against, and what the people and government of Qatar are showing is that if their money is good enough for France, England and all the other Western countries, the onus is on them to also respect their culture and conservative preferences. One clear point from the politics of the current World Cup in Qatar is that the West likes to overdo things, and wittingly too, as they seek to re-write principles of international law in a manner that should be of interest to teachers and students of the subject.

The most egregious example would seem to be the brazen manner in which the United States Soccer Federation decided to alter the Iranian flag last Saturday and chose to replace the Islamic emblem on the flag with a graphic representing the Group B standings in the FIFA World Cup. The US says it did so “to demonstrate support for the women in Iran fighting for basic rights.”

This amounts to interference in the affairs of a sovereign state, but the US as a superior power is accustomed to writing its own rules of engagement with other countries of the world. And hence, it would get away with it, despite Iran and the TASNIM, the official news agency of Iran, saying that the US has violated the FIFA Charter and should be kicked out of the Qatar World Cup. Iran is slated to face off against the US today.

Ahead of that encounter, the US is clearly waging a psychological war against Iran by interfering in its internal affairs. FIFA will not impose any sanctions, and thus delicately avoid getting involved in the conflict between both countries that dates back to 1980. It will be recalled however that the Iranian team at the World Cup refused to sing their own country’s national anthem during their first World Cup game in Qatar. The meeting between Iran

and the USA today will be another “mother of all games”, a rematch of their 1998 World Cup group stage encounter which Iran won 2-1. The US may have already won the match off-pitch.

Indeed, so political is this year’s edition of the World Cup tournament, even at the group stage level, on and off-pitch that Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super middleweight boxing champion has vowed that if he sets his eyes on Lionel Messi, he would teach him a lesson or two with his fists about how not to disrespect Mexico. Messi is accused of having pushed aside a Mexico jersey with his left foot as he tried to take off his shoes after a Group C match in which Argentina slammed Mexico 2- 0. Messi’s fans have said that the incident was inadvertent, but Alvarez says he is keeping his fists waiting for Messi. Lionel Messi may be good at playing football, and he has done well for his country in Qatar, matching Diego Maradona’s record but I doubt if his lithe frame can take one small, punch from Alvarez’s big fist! When politics and emotions are mixed with sports, the outcome can be very dangerous.

Indeed, in July 1970, El Salvador and Honduras went to war – the Soccer War or the 100-Hour War - over a World Cup qualifying match, triggered by underlying conflicts between both countries.

The World would also forever remember the Captain of the Colombian team in the USA ‘94 World Cup, Andreas Escobar, who scored an own goal and caused Colombia’s early exit from that World Cup. He was the other Escobar. There was Pablo Escobar, not a relation of his, a blood-thirsty drug warlord who was hunted down by the police and murdered. Andres’s offence was that he scored an own goal. Six bullets were pumped into his back at the El Indio nightclub in Medellin, later described as revenge action by gangsters who made heavy losses betting on Colombia at the World Cup. “Football,” as I wrote previously, is “worse than opium”. This year, last weekend, riots broke out in Belgium and the Netherlands, after Morocco, the Atlas Lions, handed the Belgium National team a 2- 0 defeat in a Group F match.

A car was burnt down in Brussels. There was violence in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp and Brussels. The police had to use water cannons to disperse crowds and enforce some arrests.

All of this drama about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar notwithstanding, I suspect that what would be remembered hereafter, would not necessarily be the attendant politics, but football itself, and how dominant it is as a game. The tournament is still at the group stage level at the time of this writing, but we have seen much to compel the view that this is turning out to be a remarkable event. History is being made, and it is becoming obvious that there are no underdogs on the pitch.

All the 32 participating countries are in Qatar to make a statement and quite a few have been able to do so. Almighty teams, tipped to be potential winners have been humiliated by smaller teams on the FIFA ranking table. Could anyone ever imagine that Saudi Arabia would beat Argentina, 2- 1? But it happened. The King of Saudi Arabia himself found the feat so unbelievable, he had to declare a national holiday to celebrate the achievement.

It doesn’t matter how Saudi Arabia fares in this World Cup, it is firmly on record that Saudi Arabia humiliated Argentina! The second major upset after this was the spectacle of Morocco beating Belgium, 2- 0.

The victory was such a major upset it caused riots in Belgium and the Netherlands! In a Group E opener, Germany lost to Japan in a 2 -1 upset.

Germany, a football superpower, is now alive, after managing to force a draw with Spain. It now faces a must win match against Costa Rica, as it confronts the prospect of finishing bottom of its group as happened in the 2018 World Cup. Another: Canada was beaten 4-1 on Sunday night by Croatia, but it managed to score its first World Cup goal through Alphonso Davies. Canada may exit the World Cup but what the team has achieved so far- that one

goal, within 67 seconds, the country’s first at the World Cup was enough to keep the pubs open in Canada on Sunday. The World Cup is a place to make history, and many are in it for the special experience and the opportunities it offers. Wales showed up in Qatar this year, the first time in 64 years. It would be difficult for Wales to reach the last 16, from Group B, sitting at the bottom of the Group, having played a draw against the USA, beaten by Iran 0 – 2, and now having to face England tomorrow.

At least one commentator has attributed the determination and the revolt against traditional assumptions that we have seen on display at this World Cup to money: the fact that the FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest prizes in sports – the total prize money in Qatar 2022 is about 440 US million dollars, $40 million more than the previous World Cup in 2018. The winner of the tournament will walk away with $42 million. For participating at all, every team will get a minimum of $9 million. The clubs whose players are at the World Cup would get a largesse of $209 million to be distributed across the world. The referees at the tournament will get a base fee of $70, 000 and $3, 000 for every match that they oversee.

FIFA already gave every participating nation $1.5 million to aid preparations. But I don’t think what defines the World Cup is money no matter how high the paycheck is, although it must also be admitted that host country Qatar is set to cash out big time! It is something more: the thrill of participation, nationalism and the opportunity to be on the world stage.

The kind of energy that has been put into the game is further demonstrated even by the African teams: Ghana showing that it truly deserves a place in the sun: see what the Black Stars did in the match against Portugal on Nov. 24. They lost 3- 2, but they were formidable. In their match against South Korea, yesterday they fought like true stars, and recorded an impressive win, beating South Korea 3-2! Before then, Morocco trounced Belgium 2-0.

Cameroun forced a draw with Serbia, 3-3 in an explosive, thrilling, entertaining encounter. Serbia was leading 3-1, but the Cameroonians roared like lions and cancelled out the deficit. Senegal lost to the Netherlands, 0-2, but they defeated Qatar, 1-3. They have survived to fight again today when they meet Ecuador. Tunisia has not done badly so far also at the World Cup. They played a draw with Denmark, in Group D, and lost to Australia, 0 -1. Their next match is against France on Wednesday. France has so far been a dominant defending champion. Les Blues are proving unstoppable, but this is again a World Cup like no other where underdogs are taking on the traditional champions and burying established reputations. The aggregate gainer is football, and the fact that football has become effectively a science, rather than 22-men running up and down, looking for the goal post. What I have been watching, to speak for myself, since the World Cup began in Qatar on November 20 looks to me like an interplay of artistry, science, and individual talent. It is a glorious testament to the capacity of the human mind and body, and how the world continually reinvents itself in time and space. The underlying and perhaps overt political and ideological currents speak to the inequalities and dissensions at the centre of geo-politics which in the long run are unresolvable given the balance of powers.

But for giving us an opportunity to laugh and get entertained beyond the perils of COVID-19, high inflation, cost of living crisis, and the doomsday predictions of economists, the World Cup is serving a great purpose at an appropriate time. When last, did the entire world laugh and cry along the full emotional spectrum therapeutically, over something as refreshing as sports, the interplay of talents, emotions and national pride? COVID-19 blocked our joys. The World Cup is setting our emotions free. And so, as the beat goes on, let the games continue, and may the best team triumph.

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