TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER 2022

Tinubu: Nigeria’s Next President Should Be Determined By Voters

Protests at Chatham House as PDP condemns APC candidate for answering questions through surrogates Analysts say rule by unelected proxies

Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said the 2023 presidential election should be determined by voters freely

dangerous, unacceptable to nation

making their choice rather than the domineering intimidation of a troublesome few. Tinubu, who stated this at the

TRUTH & REASON

elections.

Tuesday 6 December, 2022 Vol 27. No 10101. Price: N250

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, reiterated his commitment to handing over the leadership of the country to an elected president on May 29, 2023, saying his term in office would end on that day in line with the constitution of the country.

This is as the federal government has condemned the opposition parties over what it described as “increasing tendency” by some of them to downplay the achievements of the Buhari-administration, in their quest for power, ahead of the 2023 elections.

The government, which par ticularly picked on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar identi fied him as ‘’the worst offender’’ in

DEBATING EDUCATION, HEALTH, POVERTY AND HUMAN CAPITAL...

Chatham House, London, where he went to speak, however, kicked against all forms of electoral violence and intimidation ahead of the 2023

But Tinubu’s Chatham House experience was almost marred by protests led by a former aide to Continued on page 10

former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, who claimed Tinubu

Emmanuel Addeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Presidential Candidate of the All

L-R: Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; his New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, at the Arise News presidential town series three in Abuja...Sunday

Continued

Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abuba kar, yesterday, at his rally in Lagos,

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

LAUNCH OF THE MANAGING MIGRATION THROUGH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT...

Sylva: Nigeria Will Meet 1.8mbpd OPEC Quota by May 2023

Insists country will

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday said Nigeria was working towards meeting its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) crude oil production quota of 1.8 million bpd by the end of May 2023.

A statement released by the Senior Adviser, Media and Communica tions to the minister, Horatius Egua, disclosed that Sylva spoke a day after OPEC agreed to maintain its production cut among member countries to maintain market stability.

Consequently, the minister ex plained that the federal government would continue to improve security along the tracks of the major crude oil pipelines and block every leakage through which crude oil is stolen by oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

He noted that the inability of Nigeria to meet the current OPEC quota was not due to lack of production capacity on the part of crude oil producers, but because a lot of producers decided not to inject into the pipelines because they were losing a lot of their production when they inject crude.

“Once we are able to build

enough confidence in the security of the pipelines, they (producers) will then be able to inject into the pipelines once again and once that happens, we will be able to meet our OPEC quotas. That is where we are going and the early signals are there that we are making very good progress.

“Our pipelines have issues and we have put a security structure in place involving the communities, security personnel, oil companies and government and we are beginning to see some early signs of improvement.

“Our production for example has improved from where we were in the past. We are producing over a million barrels now and we believe that when we have built confidence enough on the pipelines and all the producers begin to inject into the pipelines that have been secured, we will be able to produce quickly to meet our OPEC quota.

“That’s really our plan and I am hoping that before the exit of this administration, we should be able to meet our OPEC quota,” Sylva stated.

The minister noted that with the current rehabilitation going on at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries

as well as the planned fixing of the Kaduna refinery and the coming on stream of the Dangote refinery, Nigeria was sure of guaranteed petrol supply that will ease the incessant fuel crisis faced in the country.

“Between Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, we have over 410,000 barrels and if you have all that refined in-country that will be at least half of our consumption and with Dangote refinery which is expected to come on stream by first quarter next year, we are expecting

that we will actually be exiting the importation of petroleum products by third quarter of next year.

“But I believe that even before the third quarter of next year we should be able to exit the importation of refined products,” he reiterated.

Speaking on the discovery of crude oil in Kolmani, a border town between Bauchi and Gombe states, the minister said Nigeria should brace for more oil finds, adding that only the Niger Delta region has been explored for oil despite potential in other regions of the

country.

“Nigeria is a very prolific territory, so far only the Niger Delta has been proven as oil bearing territory but we have a lot of other basins within Nigeria.

“We have the Benue trough, the Gongola Basin, the Sokoto Basin and the Dahomey Basin. We have a lot of basins that have not been proven. We are targeting to get to see how we can explore for oil especially now that the world is transiting.

“We want to see how we can

quickly take advantage of what we have on the ground because coal didn’t finish on the ground before the world moved on to oil but we don’t think that the world is going to wait for us.

“So, at this moment, we want to see how we can hurriedly take advantage of all the potential that we have. We have found oil only now in the North-east, and we believe that we are going to find more oil in the North-east because we have also begun exploration in the Chad Basin on the Nigerian side.

Navy Denies Indicting NNPC on Oil Theft Figures, Says Both Bodies Working to Curb Menace

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has denied accusing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) of insincerity and exaggeration of oil theft figures as reported in a national daily.

The Navy in statement issued yesterday and signed by its Director

of Information, AO Ayo-Vaughan Commodore, said in collaboration with the NNPC, both bodies were working together to curb the oil theft menace in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

"The attention of the Naval Headquarters, Abuja has been drawn to a publication in a National Daily of 4 December 2022 with the heading, ‘NNPC Not Sincere

Nigeria, Vietnam Sign MoU on Defence Collaboration

on behalf of his country.

processing) and trade.

is in the area of digital economy.”

about Oil Theft, Exaggerating Figures-Navy’.

"The said statement was purport edly made at an interactive hearing before the Senate Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes during which the relevant agencies implementing the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 briefed the Committee at the National Assembly," the Navy stated.

It noted that the said report indicated that the Chairman of the committee, demanded explanations on why the country continued to experience cases of oil theft if the waterways were secured.

senator reportedly asked if the Navy was aware or not of the taping going on under the sea.

"The questions were all responded to and in the course of responding, it was explained that the challenge is due to the criminal activity inshore by the illegal local refiners in tapping into the export lines many of which have not been in operation since early this year, 2022 resulting in opportunity lost.

Nigeria yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation with Vietnam.

The signing of the MoU was the major highlight of the bilateral meet ing between the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his Vietnamese counterpart, Madam Võ Thi Ánh Xuân, at the presidential palace in Hanoi.

In a statement issued by the media aide to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, while Nigeria's Am bassador to Vietnam; Ambassador Hassan Adamu Mamani, signed for Nigeria; Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence; Senior Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, signed

Nigeria and Vietnam have also expressed determination to deepen their long-standing bilateral relations as both countries plan to work together more, particularly in the areas of digital economy, telecommunications, agriculture and trade, among others, for the mutual benefit of the citizens.

The need for improved collabora tion between Nigeria and Vietnam was the focus of the bilateral meeting yesterday morning between Osinbajo, and his Vietnamese counterpart.

The two vice presidents acknowledged the countries’ great market potential generally and especially in digital economy, telecommunications, agriculture (especially cashew nut

According to Osinbajo, "there are vast opportunities that exist for coop eration and collaboration, especially in the area of digital economy and telecoms, and we look forward to the signing of some of the agreements that we have spoken about - the trade and investment agreements, trade projection agreements, double taxation agreements.

“We look forward to accelerating the process, ensuring that those agreements are signed because they are vital to the collaborations that we will see between our countries in the coming years."

The vice president also stressed that, “another area I think we might be able to cooperate with you more

He noted that despite the COVID-19 disruptions and other oc currences that affected the economy, Nigeria has built, over the past few years, six companies that engaged in fintech and e-commerce, now described as unicorns (companies that are valued over a billion dollars each).

He explained: “We think that there are opportunities for col laboration between Nigeria and Vietnam, especially in the digital economy space. We also have a growing telecoms market, possibly one of the deepest penetrations of telecoms in the developing world.

It said the distinguished Senator had queried that, “the oil theft issue has been a very worrisome one to every Nigerian and more importantly, it has negatively impacted our economy. How come the Navy hasn’t been able to solve the issue of oil theft and if the Navy is claiming that the waterways are secured, why are there still cases of oil theft?”

According to the statement, it was equally mentioned that another Senator noted that at an oversight function, the NNPCL said crude pipelines were being tapped from the pressure pipe under sea and crude oil was usually transferred from there into vessels, and this had been happening for nine years.

The Navy further stated that the

"Also, the major terminals have not been able to process crude for export since around February/March and this inability to process as export is reported as stolen oil since it is practically impossible to steal and move 100,000 barrels per day out of the creeks.

"The Navy representative at the Senate hearing repeatedly mentioned that the Navy is not indicting the NNPCL in any way and has been working with the National Oil Giant to curb the menace of crude oil theft since the 1 April 2022 when Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO (OPDDB) was launched in Onne, Rivers State as a mutual effort and synergy between the Navy and NNPCL to address issues of crude oil theft, rampant illegal artisan refineries and illegal oil bunkering amongst other criminalities in the creeks," the statement added.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

L-R: Head of Lagos and Benin City Sub-Office on Migration Management, Victor Lutenco; IOM Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck; Representative of the Governor and Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Representative of the Edo First Lady, Mrs. Aisosa Amadasun, and Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, during the launch of the Managing Migration Through Development Project, in Benin City… yesterday

exit petrol importation before third quarter next year Assures Nigerians of more oil discoveries in north-east

25TH ANNIVERSARY MEDIA BRIEFING...

CAN Sets Agenda for Nigeria’s Next President

Lists security, poverty eradication, war against corruption, economy as priority areas Says rigging, violence can't determine election outcome Osinbajo reassures Nigerians on 2023 polls Choose leaders who have fear of God, ethnic diversity, CAN chairman urges Christians

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said whichever party emerges victorious in next year’s presidential election must be prepared to address issues of insecurity, cor ruption, equity, justice, economy and lifting of millions of Nigerians out of abject poverty.

Also ahead of next year's general election, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo has urged Nigerians not to fear or despair over threats of calamity that may accompany the polls, saying God would take control and ensure that things went well.

CAN also said candidates and their political parties should be

ready to accept the will of God and should not allow the fear of losing elections to lead them to violence and rigging before, during and after 2023 elections.

The message was contained in a sermon by the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, during the Carol of Nine Lessons at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

Speaking on the agenda for the incoming administration after May 29, 2023 transition, Okoh said: "Let the resources and positions in governance be shared equitably among people of all regions and tribes. Equitable distribution of positions should not threaten the existence of any ethnic or religious group rather it will help us to harness the abundance

of potentials in our dear country for national development."

He further advised that the next administration should, “give a sense of inclusivity to the vulnerable amongst us – the Persons living with Disabilities and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),” adding that this would reduce the level of insecurity and ensure the contribu tion of such persons to national development.

Okoh also addressed concerns over threats to peaceful polls, saying Nigerians should not allow anybody to instill fears in them and that they should vote for those who would govern with compassion and sincerity in order to make life much better for everyone in Nigeria.

He said: "We should not allow the fear of losing elections to lead us to violence and rigging before, during and after 2023 elections. Men may have their ideas about good leaders, but it is God that chooses.

“Nigerians should therefore pray to God to open our eyes to be able to discern and vote for those who will govern with compassion and sincerity in order to make life much better for everyone in Nigeria.

"Politicians should engage in electioneering campaigns and elections proper with the mindset that after all genuine efforts are made, we should surrender to God for final decision."

The CAN president further spoke on the lessons to be learnt

Rewane Urges FG to Restructure Nigeria’s Debt

Nume Ekeghe

The Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane has advised the federal government to restructure the country’s debt and seek better loan repayment terms.

Rewane said this at the FDC economic forum with the theme: “Corporate resilience: Economic recovery against unforeseen pan demics,” held Lagos yesterday.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) had put Nigeria’s total debt at N42.84, trillion with the World Bank predicting that debt service to revenue would increase to 102.3 per cent by the end of 2022.

However, Rewane said: “First of all, restructure your debt, reschedule it and seek better terms. In any case, you have to be honest with yourself and use the money for the purposes you borrow. You cannot borrow to steal.”

Speaking on the global financial crisis and its spillover effect on Nigeria, he expressed optimism that Nigeria was on the path towards growth.

He said: “Nigeria has had some crises, more crises than the global trend. But in some cases, Nigeria has also benefited from windfalls. This crisis now where

Saudi Arabia, Angola, and Russia are making a windfall and gains from it. But I think that we didn't take advantage of it because we had our own domestic vandalism and all of that, but once we get

a hold of this, which is going to come in next year, then you will see that our recovery is going to be much more dynamic than we believe.

“So, again, I'm highly optimistic about the fact that things will change and change for the better.”

He advised the government to be, “more efficient in your collection of taxes, but also you have to reduce the number of taxes. The burden of tax itself is a problem.

“So, I also believe that the lower the tax rate, the more compliant people are going to be, therefore, we should go more on the efficiency of tax, and again, more credible leadership and policies, that if we can be honest with people, then people are more willing to pay taxes than if we are dishonest with the people.”

“Trust deficits exists and it is an accumulative pattern of bad behavior that has led to where we are. And I'm talking about the last 60 to 70 years so it's not just now.

“So, it has become the perverse nature of leadership and follow ership. We have come to accept falsehood as part of the DNA of Nigeria, so we've got to change that and it has to start with some very ruthless and drastic steps,” he added.

Commenting also on Nigeria’s debt, the General Manager Strategy and Innovation, MTN, Mr. Babalola Oyeleye said: “The cost of governance in Nigeria is one of our fundamental issues.

We are looking at a deficit in the next three to four years, so our interest expenses as a nation and our debt are growing exponentially compared to our revenue.

“One of the things we need to look at as a country is why we are spending so much money. And that money is not necessarily on

capital projects and infrastructure, it is being spent on operating expenses and it is a substantial problem for the country.

“It may not be a problem we would see now, but it is a problem that may manifest in another five to ten years. The debt level is out of this world.”

from Christmas celebration.

"Dear Brethren, in the same way, the story of Christmas addresses our circumstances, our fears and our future. Fear only points at negatives that do not bring progress.

"We should not allow fear to stop us from loving our neighbour as the Lord taught us. The story of Christmas is the one that mends relationships and brings unity. “Christians should demonstrate understanding and give leadership to promoting mutual understanding and unity among the people of Nigeria. We should not speak the language of despair and division.

“Let the story of Christmas move us to speak the language of peace to our neighbours regardless of differences in religion, ethnicity or political leanings. We should not be afraid to come close and engage people of other religions and ethnic groups in a sincere conversation that will promote mutual respect, mutual understanding and unity.

"The truth is that we have no other choice; we all live in this geo-political entity called Nigeria and we must find a way to live in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence.

"We should not allow fear to stop us from working against injustice. We must pursue justice for all. In

the face of apparent uncertainties, the tendency is for people to run back to their comfort zones and exclude others.

“In the world that appears to be moving towards exclusivity the redeemed should show courage to open doors of healthy relationship with others no matter how we are hurting. The message of Christmas is that Jesus came for all," he said.

However, Osinbajo’s whose mes sage was read by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, during the ceremony, said Nigerians should view the country’s current predicaments in a different way and always have positive expectations.

“Your theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Fear Not’. This is a very important subject for every one of us even as we approach 2023 which has been described as a year that Nigeria seems to be at a crossroad.

“As we approach the year 2023. Yes, we are going to have elections; we are going to have a census exercise. All these issues come with a lot of questions, but we have an assurance from our Lord and Saviour. He will not let not our hearts be troubled. We should believe in Him and believe in God,” he said.

Senate Exonerates Finance Minister Over Alleged N206bn Budget Padding, Others

Condemns NSIP shoddy implementation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate yesterday exonerated the Minister of Finance , Budget and National Planning , Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, from allegations of inserting N206 billion into the proposed budget of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Similar insertions were also discovered in the budgetary provisions of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) but the Senate Commit tee on Appropriation at its sitting yesterday, said Ahmed had no case to answer.

The panel nevertheless frowned at what it called, "shoddy" implementation of the National Social Investment Programme

(NSIP) based on lack of records of verifiable beneficiaries.

The Finance Minister got her clean bill of health on alleged series of paddings in the proposed N20.51trillion 2023 budget when she appeared before the Senate Appropriation panel.

She explained to the committee that the various sums some heads of agencies feigned ignorance of during their interface with relevant committees for budget defence, were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before budget presentation itself by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday , October 7, 2022.

She said, "All the proposed bud getary sums like the N206 billion in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the N8.6 bil

lion in the Ministry of Defence, N195.468 billion in the estimates for the Ministry of Power, among others, were all captured before presentation by Mr. President.

"Most of these sums are bilateral or multilateral loans captured in the budget of agencies selected for projects execution for sole purpose of transparency.

"The totality of such loans captured in the proposed budget of the relevant agencies is N1.771 trillion.

"Had heads of the affected MDAs carried out thorough scrutinisa tion of their approved budgetary proposals, the issue of insertion or budget padding wouldn't have arisen at all.

"The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi had to apologise after feigning ignorance of N8.6 billion

in his Ministry's budget during interface with Senate Committee on Defence."

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), expressed satisfaction with Ahmed's submissions.

Barau said the clarifications made by the Minister were well understood by all the committee members and commended her for ensuring transparency with capturing of such loans or grants in the budget.

Earlier at an interface with the Senate Ad - hoc committee on uneven disbursement of N500 billion Development fund by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), the Minister of Humanitar ian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, failed to supply the committee with verifiable evidence of beneficiaries.

L-R: Lead Media, C&F Porter Novelli, Chinenye Nwankwo; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, C&F Porter Novelli, Rev. Canon Tony Ajero; and Lead, Research and Planning, Abike Odelana, during a press conference on the 25th anniversary of the company held in Lagos… recently

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

MOU SIGNING CEREMONY FOR THE U.S. AMBASSADOR’S FUND FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION...

For Efficient Power Supply, FG Maps over 3,937 Settlements, 3.2 Million Houses in 23 States

Payments to TCN drop to 30%

The federal government yesterday said it has so far mapped at least 3,937 settlements and 3.2 million houses in 23 states in its efforts to supply reliable electricity to Nigerians.

Speaking at the 5th National Council on Power (NACOP) confer ence in Abuja, tagged: “Sustaining and Improving Electricity Supply through the Power Sector Value Chain for Socio-Economic Growth,” the Permanent Secretary in the power ministry, Temitope Fashe demi, noted that this comprised 60,183km of 11 and 33kV medium voltage line of the grid.

He explained that the maiden edition of NACOP commenced in 2014 with the purpose of galvanis ing ideas and policies aimed at improving the power sector in the country, pointing out that over the years, the programme had gone a long way to proffer solutions to myriad of problems affecting the power sector.

Despite what he described as the giant strides made since the enactment of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (EPSR) in 2005, and the roadmap for the power sector in 2010, Fashedemi stressed that there are still serious concerns affecting the various segments of the sector.

On generation, he noted that there was still inadequate gas supply and power plants transmission Right of Way (RoW) issues, preventing building of new

infrastructure and vandalism of existing infrastructure.

As for distribution, he listed inadequate maintenance; resistance to cost reflective tariff by a segment of the population, explaining that all these cause illiquidity issues and subsequently inadequate power to meet the needs of the people.

He said the council was expected to design an action log to track the implementation of the decisions and directives at the meeting and ensure policy initiatives that would make available, sustainable power supply within the shortest possible time.

According to him, it would also fast-track government’s effort in diversifying the energy mix, promote renewable energy sources from solar, wind, biomass, hydro and coal to power, increase electricity access to unserved and underserved pre-urban, rural areas or areas with difficult terrains as well as strengthen the existing partnership in the sector.

“Given Nigeria’s enormous energy resources, its huge human capital and population demography, it is obvious that creating an enabling environment is a critical component in the realisation of the electricity vision 30:30:30 which seeks to make available 30GW of electricity by year 2030 with 30 per cent of the energy mix coming from renewable energy sources.

“The ministry through collabora tion under the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) has achieved the following: Mapped

over 3,937 settlements, 3,244,605 buildings and 60,183km of 11 and 33kV medium voltage line of the grid in 23 states,” he stated.

In addition, he noted that a Minimum Energy Performance (MEP), Energy Efficiency (EE) Household label and Standards had been developed and approved for lighting, refrigerators and air-conditioners by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Council (SON).

Furthermore, he stated that six solar PV mini-grids were provid ing sustainable electricity to more than 15,000 people as at 2020, and

100,000 additional people would be reached under the second phase through the Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (MAS).

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, said in the last year, a lot of old substations had been reinforced with new transformers and associated switchgear.

He added that TCN has also made remarkable progress in transmission lines maintenance while vegetation under the lines were being cleared constantly to prevent unnecessary faults caused

by vegetation, thereby reducing downtime.

“Recently, TCN took delivery of twenty-two brand new power transformers; spare parts and other critical equipment which were delivered to TCN Central Store in Ojo, Lagos State. The stockpile of equipment in the store is the highest of such in the history of TCN,” he added.

Abdulaziz said the grid en countered system disturbances occasioned by sudden drop in generation brought about by the disruption in gas supply to power stations and by the vandalism of

transmission lines.

“Vandalism is now a recurring challenge for TCN. Funds meant for grid expansion and routine maintenance are constantly being deployed to clean up the act of vandals. These challenges are definite signals that we cannot afford to rest on our oars in achieving our goal,” he noted.

According to him, the TCN is equally confronting the problem of illiquidity in the electricity market as payment for TCN services in the market has gone down from 55 per cent to 30 per cent in the recent past.

Buhari to Unveil Milestones in Agriculture as NALDA Cultivates 500 Hectares for Wheat Production

Ikonne: I don’t see Nigeria going hungry in 2023

James Emejo in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday unveil milestones so far achieved by his administration in agriculture through the efforts of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

This was made known by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, who also said NALDA is currently cultivating 500 hectares of land for wheat production under dry-season farming to further assure food security.

The hitherto moribund NALDA had been revived and brought under Buhari’s direct supervi sion with a directive to recover agricultural lands belonging to the federal government across the country and deploy same to food cultivation to ensure food security, employment generation for the young population, enhance the country’s GDP among others.

The authority had hit the ground running by establishing integrated farm estates in the six geo-political zones and embarked on large-scale rabbit and rice farming including

livestock, and poultry among oth ers, as well as engaging youths in agriculture.

Ikonne, at a media briefing, said Buhari would showcase the achievement of the authority since its resuscitation, adding that there had been growing interest among Nigerians to embrace farming while the Buhari administration had also provided them with the required support.

He said under the ongoing initiative by NALDA, a lot of tractors and other heavy equip ment had been procured for the

Buhari Directs Aviation Agencies to Reorganise, Adapt Newly Signed Civil Aviation Act

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika to reorganise agencies under his watch to con form with the new Civil Aviation Act recently signed into law.

The president said the Act was a critical element of ICAO to further strengthen the sector for improved safety.

Buhari in his keynote address at the 14th International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation event in Abuja, noted that the government of Nigeria had adopted a Civil Aviation Policy centered on liberalisation and Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

This he said had resulted in significant growth of the industry and huge investments in the na tion’s airports.

This, according to Buhari, has increased, "our airports capacities and growth of the domestic airline industry."

The president, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said having the unique and important event for the third time in Africa, demonstrated ICAO’s determination and interest to support the sustainable develop ment of air transport in the region.

"I therefore wish to take this opportunity to appreciate ICAO under the leadership of Mr. Sal vatore Sciacchitano, the President of the ICAO Council because

one of the fundamental building blocks of the solid partnership between Nigeria and ICAO is our commitment to supporting the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices as well as the range of the Organisation’s programmes and policies, particularly in the African region," he said.

According to him, "Nigeria continues to champion the cause of aviation safety, security and facilitation throughout the continent with our on-going support on the comprehensive regional implementation plan for Aviation Security and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) plans.

"The COVID-19 pandemic

further exposed the immense contribution and importance of air transportation as a catalyst for economic development, vital engine of global socio-economic growth, and one of the greatest contributors to the advancement of modern society and a key instrument for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"This is why my administration has placed aviation at the centre of its National Economic Develop ment. Our collective efforts have enhanced aviation safety, security and efficiency.

“Huge investments have been made in the area of the provision of aviation infrastructure and facilities to further create enabling operating

environment for more efficient and profitable industry."

Speaking further, the president said: "It is my belief that as air services negotiators, this event will provide the required atmosphere for you to discuss, negotiate and come up with air services agreements that would further increase air connectivity and give the consumers of your services better travelling experience.

"Nigeria as a member of the ICAO Council since 1962, has continued to collaborate with other Member States in making valuable contributions to the work of the Council and its activities including supporting the ideals and aspirations of ICAO, as well as achieving its strategic objectives.”

repositioning sector – all of which he said Buhari will showcase at the august occasion.

Also, reacting to suggestions that the country may face an acute food shortage next year, Ikonne said this was unlikely as many Nigerians have now embraced agriculture.

He said except for climate change-related challenges which are beyond human capacity, Nigeria is well prepared to avoid hunger.

He said, “I don’t see Nigeria going hungry in 2023” adding that any contrary forecast is only a “dooms-day prediction”.

He, however, said Nigerians must adhere to the advice of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to avoid losses during the farming season.

Meanwhile, Buhari had directed NALDA to retrieve all agricultural lands in order to empower the youths and create job opportunities in the country.

The authority is among other things saddled with the mandate of harnessing the full potentials of the vast arable lands in Nigeria, empowering smallholder and large-scale farmers as well as mechanised agriculture.

The authority further seeks to support the drive for food and fiber security while assisting in diversifying the nation's economy, improving household incomes, and enhancing revenue mobilisation and generation nationwide.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L-R: U.S. Consul General, Will Stevens (left) and Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof. Abba Issa Tijani, at an MOU signing ceremony for the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant held in Lagos... yesterday

Nigeria-Morocco Pipeline: NNPC Seals Deal with Ghana, Gambia, Others

Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday signed separate memoranda of As sociation (MoU) with the national oil companies of Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone in furtherance of the planned Nigeria-Morocco Gas pipeline project.

The signing ceremony which was held in Morocco, was attended by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari; the General Director of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Dr. Amina Benkhadra and representatives

of the other countries.

In his comments, Kyari highlighted the roles played by the participating countries to make the planned com mencement of the project to fruition.

The GCEO recalled that on September 15, 2022, the NNPC and the Moroccan national oil company signed an MoU with the ECOWAS Commission, after similarly signing agreements with Petrosen of Senegal and SMH of Mauritania.

“Today, we will be attaining another feat by signing five MoUs with the national oil companies and relevant entities from Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Sierra

Leone.

“From inception of the project to this stage, concerted efforts have been made by the governments of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco, which led to the very commendable achievements recorded thus far.

“As the strategic vision of our great leaders gains momentum, I would like to express our appre ciation to His Royal Majesty, King Mohammed VI of Morocco and His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria for entrusting NNPC Limited with this strategic project,” he stated.

According to him, the African Continent stands to benefit im mensely from the execution of the project which extends beyond the supply of gas to energise the countries along the route.

Kyari listed other benefits of the project to include the creation of wealth and improvement in the standard of living of the citizenry, increased cooperation among the countries involved in the deal, while mitigating against desertification and other benefits to be derived from reduction in carbon emission.

“Natural gas must play a crucial role, as a transition fuel, on our path

to net-zero. Gas will support the establishment of base load energy capacity, stabilisation of the grid to allow for integration of renewables at scale and addressing our clean cooking fuel deficit in the form of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

“This therefore presents the opportunity of commercialising significant natural gas in the short to long term,” he explained.

Kyari assured the partners that the NNPC would leverage its experience and technical capabilities, ranging from gas production, processing, transmission and marketing as well as its vast experience in executing

major gas infrastructure projects in Nigeria to ensure the project progresses as planned.

He added: “NNPC Limited will facilitate the continuous supply of gas and provide other enablers such as the required land for the first compressor station to be deployed in Nigeria, which is among the 13 stations earmarked along the pipeline route.”

The project was aimed at monetisa tion of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources, thereby generating additional revenue for the country, diversification of Nigeria’s gas export routes and elimination of gas flaring.

At the same time, the Atiku/ Okowa Campaign Organisation, yesterday, mocked Tinubu over what it described as his pathetic display of vacuity at the Chatham House, adding that answering questions through proxies was a national disgrace.

This is as a senior minister in the government, who pleaded anonymity, yesterday, warned that rule by proxies or surrogates, was dangerous for the health of the country, stressing that the nation could not afford to return to a system, where unelected persons would tell the nation what to do and what not to do.

Also, a noted lawyer and Arise News analyst, Frank Tietie, yesterday, contended that, such a disposition was both dangerous and unacceptable, because in the long run, it could lead to infighting and cause crisis in

the presidency and by implication, stoke instability in the administration.

However, addressing a crosssection of audience, Tinubu, who said having spent most of his career in the political opposition, he had long fought against electoral malpractice and any attempts to extinguish the legitimate choice of voters, while as suring them that he would continue to do so.

Although Tinubu struggled with his responses during the question and answer session, he practically conceded nearly all the questions posed to him to members of his team, who in turn answered for him, citing what he described as the spirit of “teamship”.

Some of those who stood in his place, to address the questions, in cluded the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade; his former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.

Dele Alake and his former finance counterpart, Wale Edun.

TINUBU: NIGERIA’S NEXT PRESIDENT SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY VOTERS was unfit to be Nigeria’s president, citing many reasons, including his alleged shady past.

While the APC candidate tried to do a recap of some of the answers after some of team members had done justice to them, he did not directly take on the questions, including the one, which frontally questioned his personality as a man of controversial profile.

But the former Lagos State governor, who spoke on the topic: "Nigeria's 2023 elections: Security and economic development and its foreign policy imperatives", in a statement in London, signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, was of the opinion that the sovereign will of the people always decided the path of the nation.

He said Nigeria would epitomise values of democracy during elections anywhere in Africa, by ensuring that democratic ideals were followed and all forms of electoral violence rejected, allowing only the will of the people

to prevail.

His words: “Every election, wherever it is held, is important to the people or entity directly concerned. It is also important to the global democracy community as well. Equally, there are also countries whose elections, on account of their weight and influence, carry wider implications way beyond their im mediate geographical boundaries. Nigeria is one of such countries.

“I stand firmly against all forms of electoral violence and intimidation. Having spent most of my career in the political opposition, I have long fought against electoral malpractice and any attempts to extinguish the legitimate choice of voters. I will continue to do so.

“And I urge all my fellow contestants in this election to do the same. Let the sovereign will of the people decide the path of our nation. And let this election be determined by voters making

their choice freely rather than the domineering intimidation of the troublesome few.

“For one, as Africa’s most populous country and the continent’s largest economy, it is generally acknowledged that the fortunes of the African continent and indeed the Black race is tied directly to the health of Nigeria.

“Also the Nigerian elections of 2023 are coming up at a time, when the country’s immediate geographical neighbourhood of West and Central Africa is undergoing serious political turmoil that has manifested itself in the incursion of the military to power in a number of countries.

“In spite of the legitimate concerns being expressed by observers, Nigerians are resolutely commit ted to democracy, regardless of their political differences,” he said, explaining further that Nigeria shared direct land borders with four sister African countries with whose peoples Nigerians also shared historical and cultural affinities.

for its neighbouring nations.

He reiterated that effective energy generation and distribution would help build the economy of the nation, promising to improve the framework already in place to boost the generation and distribution of energy across the country, adding also that the nation under his watch would place emphasis on the use of technology to improve the agricultural sector for better production and contribution to the nation’s economy.

He promised to engage the private sector to better drive economic development across the country.

It was the second time that the APC candidate delivered a speech at the forum, having first done so in 2011.

pledged to devolve more powers to states and local government.

Atiku, who seized the oppor tunity of the rally to pick on his main rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, told Lagosians that the former Lagos State governor lied when he claimed to have built the state.

But one of the spokespersons of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign, Festus Keyamo, has said it was Atiku, who goofed, because indeed, Tinubu built modern Lagos.

Speaking at the Lagos rally, which took place at the Tafawa Belewa Square, Atiku said, "We will give your states and local governments more power and resources.

"It is up to you to hold them responsible. Therefore, the people of Lagos it is high time you took your destiny into your own hands for your own future, not for the future of one family. For in the last 23 years, you are governed by one family. It is your right and your duty to take over that governance and hand it over to yourselves that is what the PDP stands for," Atiku said.

Referring to claims by Tinubu that he built Lagos State, Atiku said, "The federal government built the Second Mainland Bridge; the federal government rebuilt the old Carter Bridge, built the Third Mainland Bridge, rebuilt the Agege-Ikorodu motor road, rebuild Ikorodu road, and all the major roads connecting Island and Mainland.

"Now the AD, ACN APC government has been telling you lies that they develop Lagos; they are lying to you, therefore, it is time for you the people of Lagos to liberate yourself from a family government to a people’s government led by Jandor.

"On my own part, if you elect me as your president, I promise by the grace of God that I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small medium enterprises.

"People were asking me where I am going to get the money. If I privatise the Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery, and Kaduna refinery, I will get the money. So, let me also promise you, if you elect me, we are going to restructure this country; what do we mean

by restructuring?" he asked In his comments, the Chairman of PDP presidential campaign, Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State said, "Let me tell you something that you have forgotten, in those days, whenever you need a job, whenever you need somebody, you can sit by the roadside and roast and eat agbado and ugba and be able to pay house rent, it was only in Lagos State.

"The economy of Lagos was more buoyant than the economy of so many West African countries put together. But today if you enter old Oregun, Ilepeju, do we still have those companies again? No.

“In those days of PDP from 1999, once you enter Lagos, you will see trains all over Lagos working, That showed that the economy was moving. I am telling Lagosians, Lagos is where money is made, Abuja is where money is spent, south-south is where money is produced.

"Under PDP, we will restore the economy of Nigeria. All those factories that have left Lagos will come back. Under Atiku Abubakar's administration, the economy of Lagos will bounce back; everything will come back to life. You can imagine the situation we are having right now. It takes only one route to come to Lagos Island, but it was not like that.

"We want to promise you that we are here in terms of the economy. Once you settle the economy of Lagos, you settle two-thirds of the economy of Nigeria," he stressed.

The national chairman of the PDP, Dr.Iyorchia Ayu, pledged that the the PDP would liberate Lagos.

“We shall rescue Lagos from the hands of people, who don’t want progress for Lagos people and for Nigerians. Liberating Lagos is like liberating Nigeria, because Lagos is an important part of Nigeria.

"Lagos is the biggest city in the country with a population of about 25million people, which is more than most African countries and other countries in the world.

"It is a very rich state, a state that there should be no poverty. In 1993, our leader, Chief MKO Abiola, said farewell to poverty was going to begin in Lagos. We have brought you hope, we have brought you

a man, who is experienced; who knows Lagos, who knows Nigerians, who is leading the crusade to rescue Lagos, end poverty, create jobs and make sure that you are not over tasked.

"With a president from the PDP, we shall make sure that it will be better for all of us," Ayu stated.

The vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of. Delta State, urged Lagosians to vote for the PDP as the South-south geopolitical zone, has resolved to follow the party and Atiku.

According to Okowa, "In the South-south, we are prepared to deliver our votes to the PDP and its presidential candidate. We have a presidential candidate that is accepted in all the zones of the country and the reason why he is accepted is because he is the only one that has experience.

"We want a Nigeria that works for everybody. In Lagos State, we want a Lagos that works for everybody, not only for the rich but also for the poor, because Lagos State is for all and therefore, the resources of

this regard, arguing that if anyone would accuse the APC-led govern ment of doing nothing, it should not be Atiku.

At the same time, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has disclosed that in line with President Buhari’s directive to actively collaborate with the private sector to create a large number of well- paying jobs for the Nigerian youths, the ministry had increased the number of jobs created from 8,882 in 2019 to over 16,648 in 2022.

However, speaking yesterday while playing host to the Kingdom of Morocco's Minister of National Education, Pre-School and Sports, Mr Shakib Ben Musa, as Special Envoy of King Mohammed the VI, at the State House, Abuja, Buhari reiterated that his term of office would end with the inauguration of a new president in May next year.

He promised to study the mes sage sent from Morocco and respond accordingly, giving assurances that he would continue to cherish and strengthen the very warm and cordial relations between the two

Lagos State must be used to uplift our youths and create jobs for them. That is the Lagos State that we want. "We do not want a Lagos state where the rich will become richer and the poor poorer. This Nigeria that we see today is not the Nigeria that we want, so, I want to urge you all go out and campaign for Atiku Abubakar, because he will restore the lost glory of this country," Okowa said.

According to him, the PDP worked for Nigeria between 1999 and 2015, saying, "Some people said they want change, we have seen the change that they brought, but today, the people are wiser. So, from door to door, home to home, market to market, go and campaign for the PDP so that with Atiku Abubakar as President in 2023, it will be well for Nigeria and the youths."

In his welcome address, Jandor said, "Lagos residents have been complaining about the suffering from NURTW. I want to tell you they are not the ones terrorizing you; it is the government. If they want it stopped, it will stop.

countries.

Accompanied by Mr. Moha Ou Ali Tagma, the resident representa tive of the Kingdom in Nigeria, the Special Envoy, restated to the resident, the friendship and solidarity of the King, the government and people of Morocco with Nigeria.

This, nonetheless, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke at the seventh edition of the 'PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023), which featured the Minister of Water Resources, Su lieman Adamu, yesterday, in Abuja, said during his recent campaign in Akure, Atiku was quoted as saying the APC had not done anything for Nigeria in eight years.

“What a preposterous statement from somebody, who should know! I guess we can excuse His Excellency, the former vice-president who, until recently, had fully relocated to Dubai, thus losing touch with Nigeria. And if anyone would accuse the APC-led federal government of doing nothing, it should not be Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

This, he claimed, effectively meant that the relationship between Nigeria and its immediate neighbours was much more than just a geographical expression.

He was, however, accompanied to the event by key party and campaign council leaders, including Governors Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Director General of Campaign Council, Hadiza Bala Usman, and former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, among others.

According to him, “To be fully secure at home, Nigeria has always believed it must be herbrothers’ keeper. It was out of this understand ing that Africa’s premier regional economic community, ECOWAS, was established in 1975.

“Uniquely, ECOWAS had embed ded in its mandate, the promotion of regional economic integration as a good in its own right and in addition undertook sub-regional peace and security.

“I am convinced, as I am sure most of us are, that the broad principles that enabled successive Nigerian governments to interface development and security, and establish an organic link between national security and economic development with regional peace and prosperity is both impec cable and remains relevant. It is an approach which I commit myself to upholding and advancing."

The presidential candidate prom ised to tackle the security situation head-on, so that Nigeria could also effectively provide security support

AT LAGOS RALLY, ATIKU PLEDGES DEVOLUTION OF POWERS MAY 29, 2023 HANDOVER DATE IS SACROSANCT, BUHARI ASSURES NIGERIANS

Meanwhile, Omokri, who many believed was supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, but some contended was playing double game, was seen wielding several placards along with his group, describing the APC candidate in unprintable terms.

“Tinubu will never forget the protest we just pulled off at Chatham House. He was disgraced and could not get out of his car. He had to run away,” Omokri said after the protest.

But the Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation, in a statement by one of its spokespersons, Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “Nigerians including supporters of the APC Presidential Candidate were thoroughly embarrassed to watch Asiwaju Tinubu, who earlier showboated with a scripted speech went blank on the world stage in tragic display of emptiness and in ability to personally address questions that were put to him on economy, security and other challenges facing our nation.

“Why? Because for the 16 years of the PDP rule, eight of which Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was vice-president, there was no motorable road to the former VP's hometown and indeed to key local governments in the Southern Senatorial zone that served as Adamawa's food basket and economic nerve centre until the government of President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

“Today, gentlemen, the Mayo Belwa- Jada-Ganye-Toungo road has been constructed fully and it’s the road that Alhaji Atiku uses to get to his hometown of Jada. What about security? Before this administration came into office, all the five local government areas in Adamawa's Northern Senatorial District were effectively under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists” the federal government’s spokesman stated.

Mohammed claimed further that all state institutions, the local government administration, the police, the judiciary, schools, hospitals and markets were under the PDP administration, while traditional rulers, including Emirs and Chiefs,

were displaced with their palaces taken over by the terrorists as their headquarters.

His words: “The affected five local governments in the Northern Senato rial zone are Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South and Little Gombi. In the Central Senatorial zone, two local governments were effectively under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists. These two local governments in the Central Senatorial zone are Maiha Local Government and Hong Local Government.

“Today, not an inch of these local governments in Adamawa, the home state of the former Vice President, is under the control of terrorists. All institutions of state have relocated back and are operational. All Emirs and chiefs have returned to their palaces. Schools and markets have opened.”

The Minister claimed that throughout that period, the former vice-president could not even go home, noting that when one of his

Emmanuel

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF DELTA AIRLINES IN NIGERIA...

68 Days After, Tinubu Yet to Sign Peace Accord for Presidential Candidates

Chima

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Bola Tinubu is yet to sign the peace accord for the presidential candidates put together by the National Peace Committee (NPC) exactly 68 days after other presidential candidates signed the agreement which symbolised their commitment to free and fair election, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

Attempts to find out why Tinubu was yet to sign the peace accord wasn’t successful last night, as the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and the spokesperson

of the APC presidential campaign organisation, Festus Keyamo, who promised to get back to THISDAY did not before press time.

The NPC is co-led by former Head of State, General Abudul sami Abubakar; Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar II; Cardinal John Onayeikan; Bishop Hassan Kukah and other eminent statesmen, with the objective of supporting efforts at ensuring free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

THISDAY gathered that although the vice presidential candidate of the APC, Alhaji Kashim Shet tima represented Tinubu at the ceremony in September, when other

presidential candidates signed the peace accord, he wasn’t allowed to sign on behalf of the former Lagos State governor.

Owing to this, an agreement was reached with the NPC that Tinubu who was out of the country then would pen his signature whenever he returns to the country.

However, THISDAY learnt that since then, Tinubu has not made efforts to sign the peace accord.

All chairmen and presidential candidates of the registered 18 political parties had signed the peace accord under the guidance of officials of the NPC at a ceremony witnessed by a large audience at

the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

A member of the NPC confirmed this to THISDAY on conditions of anonymity.

“On that day the NPC made it very clear to the Chairman of the APC that our doors are open for him to come and sign when he (Tinubu) returns. After all, it happened with Atiku in 2019. He (Atiku) was not at the event in 2019, but he turned up the next day to sign. I also recall that Oby Ezekwesili was not there as well, but they all turned up the next day to sign.

“So, as far as the NPC is

Again NBA Asks Olanipekun to Recuse Self as Body of Benchers Chairman

Alex Enumah in Abuja

For the second time in four months, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on Chief Wole Olani pekun, SAN, to recuse himself as Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB), pending the investigation by the BoB of allegation of professional misconduct involving a former staff in his chamber, Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde.

Recall that the immediate past President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, had on July 22, urged Olanipekun to step down while investigation of the alleged misconduct against Mrs. Adekunbi Ogunde was being conducted to allow for a fair, unbiased and transparent investigation.

Akpata had also called for the investigation of Olanipekun’s law firm, Wole Olanipekun and Co Chambers, to ascertain the level of its involvement in the professional misconduct of its staff, if there are any at all.

However, the issue was not discussed at the last meeting of the BoB preceding the last call to bar last August.

But barely 48 hours to the December call to bar, incumbent President of NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, has again brought the issue to the fore with a letter written to Olanipekun, calling on him to step aside and allow the Vice Chairman of the BoB,

former Supreme Court Justice, Mary Peter-Odili (rtd) to preside at Tuesday's event.

The letter dated December 4, 2022 read in part, "Mr. Chairman, I did not mince words about the devastating effect of that email on our noble profession of law and by virtue of the strategic position of this Body in showcasing the crème-de-la-crème of the legal profession in Nigeria, this Body must acquit itself of any complicity, albeit after the fact, in any act of professional misconduct."

Maikyau added that going by the circumstances and the need for an urgent remedial action, "I adopt the letter by my immediate predecessor-in-office dated July 22, 2022 and call for its immediate consideration.

"I also humbly call on the Chairman to immediately yield to the Vice Chairman of this Body – Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC, Rtd., to preside over the Call to Bar Ceremony scheduled for 6 and 7 December 2022.

"We owe the younger generation of not only lawyers but Nigerians honest and sincere mentorship. To allow the status quo to remain in spite the colossal damage that has been done to the conscience of this nation – the legal profession, is to abdicate our responsibility to the nation."

According to Maikyau, the call for recusal was predicated on the

need to salvage the body and by extension the judiciary which has been in a bad light since the revelation of an email written by Ogunde.

The lawyer in her email to an oil firm, Saipem Nigeria, introduced herself as a Partner leading the oil & gas practice area in Wole Olanipekun & Co.

The said email read, "I am writing specifically in relation to the ongoing USD130 million case at

the Rivers State High Court brought by the Rivers State Government against Saipem SPA, Saipem Nigeria, and others.

"I believe that, you need a more influential lawyer/law firm to prevent a potential huge pay out to the Rivers State Government and without a doubt, I believe that my law firm, Wole Olanipekun & Co., can help in this regard."

concerned, our doors are open. We fixed the day and anybody that was absent can always come back to sign. We didn’t allow the vice presidential candidate to sign because there was no space for his vice to sign. What we have on the form was only the names of the presidential candidates and the chairmen of the parties. The policy is that nobody can sign for somebody in proxy,” the source explained.

When asked if the NPC has reached out to Tinubu since his return from London, the source said: “It is not our responsibility to reach out to anyone. The chairman of the APC was there, the vice presidential candidate was there and so we are not under obligation to be chasing anyone about.

“After all, when Atiku didn’t sign on that day in 2019, it was same APC that were up in arms. So, it not our business. We as members of the peace committee, we have only moral authority, our doors are open.”

Tinubu has also shunned invita tions and opportunities to participate in town hall meetings or debate in the country outside that that are organised by his political party.

The NPC is a non-governmental initiative conceptualised in 2014, in response to emerging threats occasioned by the 2015 general election. Since then, the committee has emerged as one of the leading lights and credible organisations in Nigeria’s democratic journey. It is an initiative made up of eminent elder statesmen who undertake efforts to support free, fair and credible

elections as well as intervene in critical issues of national concern through high-level mediated and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

At inception, NPC had an urgent, broad-based mandate to make mod est contributions towards the smooth and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections, devoid of any breakdown of law and order before, during and after the electioneering process. Consequently, its core mandate is: to observe and monitor compliance with Abuja Accord signed by the political parties during elections; to provide advice to the governments, both federal and states and INEC on resolution of political disputes and conflicts arising from issues of compliance with the Abuja Accord; to make itself available for national mediation and conciliation in the case of post-electoral disputes or crises; and to ensure peaceful outcome of general elections that is acceptable to the generality of Nigerians and the international community.

Some other members of the committee include the Executive Chairman, Geregu Power Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola; former defence minister and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yahale Ahmed; former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Martin Agwai; founder of Channels Television, John Momoh; Director at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Miss Idayat Hassan; Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe; Priscilla Kuye; Archbishop Nicholas Okoh; Mr. Brown Ade; Mr. Sam Amuka; Yakubu, among others.

UNICEF: 245,300 Children Suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition in Katsina

Says 2,000 cases recorded monthly

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said 245,300 children aged under five are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) across the 34 local government areas of Katsina State.

The Chief of UNICEF, Kano Office, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah, who disclosed this during the launch of a Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) report in Katsina yesterday, said the malnourished children need urgent treatment from the government.

He explained that the nutritional situation of children aged between six to 59 months in the state has worsened with an average of about 2,000 cases of severe acute malnutri tion being recorded in hospitals across the state in a month.

In terms of antenatal care (ANC) services provided by skilled health personnel in the state, Farah said, "Katsina state is doing worse," as only 40.2 per cent of expectant mothers who visit health facilities in the state were attended to by the health workers.

According to him, there was a need for a significant improvement

in primary health care services in terms of access and quality in the state, particularly at the ward level if the state aims to improve the status of health indicators.

He therefore called on the state government and policymakers to allocate and release adequate resources for the treatment of malnutrition to improve the current human development situation in the state.

He said: “Based on the pre liminary findings from a recently completed SMART survey across the 34 LGAs of Katsina State, an estimated 245,300 children aged

under five are suffering from SAM and need immediate treatment.

“In terms of learning achieve ment in schools the MICS 2021 measures the level of foundational numeracy and literacy skills of children between the ages of 7 to 12.

“MICS data shows that the learning achievement situation in Katsina State is still far below the national average. For example, in Katsina State, only nine per cent of the children assessed, have demonstrated foundational reading skills compared to 26 per cent at the national level.”

Condemns silence of members on alleged professional misconduct case Wants Justice Odili to preside at today's Call to Bar

L-R: Sales Director, Africa, Middle East and India, Delta Airlines,Mr. Jimmy Eichelgruen; US Consul General,Mr. Will Stevens; General Manager, Delta Airlines Nigeria GSA, Sefia Emuejevoke; and Chairman, GHI Assets, Mr. Femi Adefope, during the 15th Anniversary of Delta Airlines in Nigeria, held in Lagos... on Sunday

Obinna

Jabs, Drama as Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Face Arise TV Panel Again

Just like it happened during the first leg, a mild drama again played out on December 4, 2022, as Arise News Channel in partnership with Center for Development and Democracy (CDD) held the third in the series of town hall meetings, with three frontline presidential candidates in the 2023 general election.

Transmitted simultaneously from panelists, both in the Lagos and the Abuja studios of Arise Television, the programme jointly anchored by seasoned broadcasters, Charles Aniagolu and Adesuwa Omoruwa, was the second the candidates appeared on, having featured in the maiden edition of the Town Hall dialogue last month.

Aside the Arise News Channel, the other media partners were Premium Times, Vanguard Newspaper, The Punch Newspaper, The Guardian Newspaper, Daily Trust Newspa per, Leadership Newspaper, New Telegraph Newspaper, Sun Newspaper, The Cable news portal, Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

The meeting which had former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso; and presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abuba kar, in attendance to speak on how they will tackle poverty and other issues, also saw the candidates taking jabs from one another while answering questions.

The jabs came mostly from NNPP candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who before answering any question from the panelists, takes a swipe at his PDP counterpart, Atiku Abubakar.

The first jab was thrown by Kwakwanso when the PDP candidate, Atiku while responding to question on how he will eradicate poverty if elected, asserted that his party since the return of democratic rule in 1999 is the best to rule Nigeria. Kwakwanso before responding to the question told Atiku that he can’t leave PDP for APC and later come back to try and claim righteous.

Another subtle jab was thrown when Kwak wanso said Atiku could do well if he reduced fees paid by students at his university in his home state, Adamawa.

According to him, Atiku’s decision to estab lish a university as a way of helping Nigeria’s education was “good”, but drastically making his tuition fee affordable would be a better con tribution to education accessibility, especially in northern part of the country

He said: “I have to thank Waziri, he has an institution, a university which is a very good thing. The only thing is that he should try and make the fees and so on much lower so that our teeming supporters and Nigerian students as many as possible can study in the university”

Though Atiku was not given a chance to push back against Kwankwaso’s comment,

the former vice-president quickly said his opponent’s comment was “contrary” to the ground rules of the debate, which emphasised non-aggressive conduct among co-debaters.

The former Vice President also refuted Kwankwaso’s claim that the PDP did not do well while holding central power for 16 years from 1999 to 2015, insisting that the party implemented reforms that turned the country’s education and economy around.

The Debate Proper

The trio of Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso took turns to speak at the meeting on the broad themes of education, healthcare, poverty and human capital while also field ing questions from the panelists consisting of senior journalists and development experts.

From their submissions, they all agreed that the issues of poverty reduction, healthcare, educational uplift and human capital devel opment demands more serious attention. They also admitted that the increasing budget deficit must be tackled to allow government perform optimally, while proper education are required to pull Nigerians out of poverty.

ATIKU ABUBAKAR:

Atiku, while speaking to Ni gerians, assured the people that if elected president next year, his administration would ensure that poverty rate in the country was reduced to the barest minimum.

The PDP flag bearer, who urged Nigerians to be fair to the PDP, said when the party was in power, the

poverty rate wasn’t as high as it was presently, adding also that he would remove the bottlenecks stifling access to funds by tertiary institutions, as part of ways to addressing recurring strike action by public universities’ lecturers.

According to him, the current system has bottlenecks, because when government released funding for universities it always went into another agency, while the agency stifled the universities from getting these funds.

On healthcare, Atiku advised that the issue of primary healthcare should be addressed, lamenting that government was not investing enough in the medical sector.

Assuring the Nigerian people that he would provide them with his health status if need be, the PDP presidential candidate said, he might not be able to use Nigeria’s healthcare facilities, because there were limitations that needed to be addressed.

Atiku, who addressed rising medical tourism, advised that private sector partnership would help increase the number of quality hospitals in the country.

He therefore, promised that his administration would look at the constitution and determine how to ensure that local government’s funds were directly allocated to the LGAs and applied in the best ways possible.

“When I assumed office as VP in 1999, I was placed in charge of LG allocations. I gave instruc tions that all LGA funds should be transferred directly to the LGAs. After nine months, the governments of the states protested and said it was illegal. We must look at the constitution and determine how to ensure that local government funds are directly allocated to the LGAs and applied in the best ways possible.

“The most important thing is education – to get our kids educated. And not only educated but rightly educated. And then they can make themselves available to the private sector for growth, which is the engine room of the economy. When we were in power, the poverty rate was not this high.

“We implemented these NEEDS (National

The jabs came mostly from NNPP candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who before answering any question from the panelists, takes a swipe at his PDP counterpart, Atiku Abubakar. The first jab was thrown by Kwakwanso when the PDP candidate, Atiku while responding to question on how he will eradicate poverty if elected, asserted that his party since the return of democratic rule in 1999 is the best to rule Nigeria. Kwakwanso before responding to the question told Atiku that he can’t leave PDP for APC and later come back to try and claim righteous

Economic Empowerment and Develop ment Strategy) and SEEDS (State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy), which significantly reduced poverty. I believe the programme initiated by the PDP govern ment, which brought down the poverty rate in Nigeria, should be sustained.

“We need to first address the issue of primary healthcare. After addressing this, which affects the majority of our citizens, then, we can focus on the secondary and tertiary levels. The truth is that, we are not investing enough as a govern ment in the medical sector.

“Another issue is medical tourism. We need to sit with the private sector and tell them we want them to invest in the health sector and that we are ready to offer incentives. With the right incentives, I believe Nigeria’s private sector will invest adequately in the health sector.

“On poverty, the poverty rate wasn’t high as this. Nigerians should be fair to PDP. We have got all the statistics both national and international, the most important thing emphasised by Peter and Rabiu is education. We have to get our kids educated by the time you educate them, you find that they become readily available to the private sector, who should be the engine of growth,” Atiku said.

Talking on budget deficit, the former vicepresident said his administration would first block government wastages in terms of spending to save money.

Seemingly expressing support for subsidy removal as part of his plans to raise money to meet up budget deficit, Atiku said his administration would continue with privatisation as part of plans to raise money.

He said: “We must first block government wastage. We started removing subsidies while we were in office. We were to remove it in four stages. We did two stages before we left, but no one had the leadership and courage to see it through.

“Another area is that we make sure we continue with the policies we have set, for instance started removing subsidies, when we were in office, we removed subsidies in four quarters. After we left, the whole thing froze; nobody had the courage in leadership to continue.

“We will continue with privatisation, for instance, the case of our moribund refineries, they have not been working but we are expending a lot of money there. With privatisation, we can raise so much money to meet up this deficit.”

Justifying why he was the best candidate to lead the country come 2023, Atiku said given his experience, he was the most qualified.

He argued that, Nigerians should look at their performance, when PDP was in government from 1999 to 2015 and that of the present administra tion of All Progressives Congress (APC) before making decision on who to vote for next year.

Udora Orizu highlights the drama, key takeaway from the Sunday’s Arise TV third town hall meeting with three out of the 18 presidential candidates ahead of the 2023 general poll

Kwankwaso

Obi

Atiku

Atiku, Okowa Storm Akure for South West Campaign Rally

No doubt, the 2023 general elections scheduled for February, 2023 will be the seventh since the country returned to democratic governance 23 years ago and this will give the electorates another opportunity to make better choices.

Parties including the PDP are already strategising on how to win the 2023 presidential poll by stepping up their political campaigns and for Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa, the sunshine state was the first point of call in the south west geo-political zone

Speaking at the event held at the MKO democracy park in Akure, Atiku said he deliberately began his Southwest campaign in Ondo State to appreciate them for the massive votes delivered to him in 2019.

He said: “We have started our campaign rally in Ondo state in the Southwest and it is deliberate because we want to show you that we appreciate what you have done for us in the last election. You have given us the highest votes in the Southwest and we will never forget you. That is why if you repeat the same thing again, we promise to deal with insecurity, we will also make sure that all the Federal road kinks to Ondo state are very motorable”.

Atiku also promised to set aside $10 billion to create employment and boost small and mediumscale enterprises to help employment drive for youths and women in the country.

According to him: “We will also make sure that our young men and women are employed, we will set aside enough money to make sure that we empower you. That’s why in our policy documents, we said that we will set aside $10billion to make sure that we provide small and medium enterprises for young men and women to empower themselves. It is our number one priority.

“We will also provide enough fund for education so that our universities shall continue to work perfectly, not the one we are witnessing today. APC don’t care for our education.

On his part, vice presidential candidate of the party and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, charged the electorates to embark on door yo door campaign in order to give the party a landslide victory come 2023.

Okowa promised that Atiku-led government will replicate his giant strides in the area of economic performance that will naturally boost security.

Also speaking, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyiorcha Ayu, boasted that PDP is on its way back to victory and rescue Nigeria and put it back on development track.

He said: “Ondo is a PDP state. PDP is coming back to rule in Ondo State. We, as a party must unify. All of you must work together to give us the highest vote. The return of the PDP at the national level is a return of the PDP at the state level. Atiku is your in-law. The country is in a bad shape. You need an experience leader, someone who has done it before. He will unify the country and make life better for all of you.”

In his speech, the new Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, urged Ondo electorates to vote for their in-law. He encouraged them to embark on house- to-house campaigns to woo voters for the PDP.

Outburst of Titi Abubakar

Perhaps, worried by killing over farmers/ headsmen clashes in the North -Central part of

Nigeria, North -West, North- East and occasionally in the South -West , South -East and South - South, the wife of the presidential candidate,Titi Atiku, reminded the crowd that there was no need to cast the bad judgment by saying her husband is indeed a Fulani but not a killer, promising that Atiku’s government will provide scholarships to students and end insecurity.

She said, “my people I, your daughter standing in your presence to tell you that my husband has done it before. The last election was won by my husband but we were robbed.

My husband indeed is a Fulani but he is not a killer and we have been together. I taught him our culture and tradition, and he is part of us.

During Obasanjo’s government, it was Atiku that brought the likes of the current governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Ngozi Okonjo-iweala and others who did well for Nigeria.

Atiku will defeat Boko Haram and provide you with scholarships”

She added that “No Yoruba has ever been a First Lady and if we vote Atiku, it’s a vote for Yoruba. There is hunger in the land, don’t let the opposition deceive you, vote all PDP candidates during the elections”.

2019 Presidential Poll Result from Ondo

The 2019 presidential election showed that PDP defeated APC after scoring 275,901 votes while APC polled 241,769 votes, making it the highest votes for PDP in the South West.

Political experts say results from Ondo State was surprising as many believed President Muhammadu Buhari would clearly win in the state given that the incumbent governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is a member of the ruling party but unfortunately, the APC lost the presidential election woefully in the state.

However, it is still not clear how PDP which has only 13 state governors (including the G-5 governors) and is not in power at the centre intends to triumph over the ruling APC in 2023.

The state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kennedy Peretei told THISDAY that the Presidential Campaign Rally being flagged off in Ondo State for the South

West was very significant, a morale booster and evidence that the state belongs to PDP.

According to Peretei, “You will recall that, Ondo State gave Atiku Abubakar the highest votes in the South West at the 2019 Presidential election. It is therefore, not surprising for him to start his campaigns here. The large turn out at the rally to welcome Atiku is also further proof that, Ondo State PDP will deliver convincingly for Atiku again come 2023.

Peretei boasted that despite the incumbency of All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state at the national level, PDP would reclaim the state in next year’s poll. He noted that with the mutual suspicion and antagonism within APC in the state, victory is sure for PDP.

“In saner climes, the APC would have simply apologised to Nigerians, having failed to fulfill any of the promises made in 2015. Having brought Nigeria practically to her knees, the APC/Buhari government will be recorded as the worst administration in the history of this country.

If they have any sense of shame, they should just beg Nigerians who they have taken for a ride in almost eight years”, Peretei added.

Crisis in Ondo PDP

In contrast, another chieftain of the party in the state who preferred anonymity said the crowd at the rally wasn’t impressive.

He said, “No doubt, in 2019, PDP won two seats for the Senate (South and Central). It also won three house of representative seats. However, there are bigwigs of the party who were absent. One is Mimiko and Chief Segun Adegoke and the Senator representing Ondo South, Nicholas Tofowomo. It shows that there is crisis within the party in the state. There is a group working for Jegede’s candidature ahead of the 2024 Ondo governorship election and that was why some members of the party stayed away from the rally.

“The candidates of PDP for various positions were just campaigning for themselves. I didn’t see anyone using the picture of Atiku. For instance, Ifedayo Adedipe, Agboola Ajayi, Tokunbo Modupe, among other candidates didn’t use the picture of Atiku in their posters. So, they are doing independent campaign. It is like they have abandoned Atiku’s campaign for Jegede and his cohorts. It is a precarious situation for Atiku’s campaign in Ondo State.

According to him, “For instance, former deputy governor, Omolade Oluwateru’s camp was missing in that campaign. He was there as a person but his camp wasn’t there. Mimiko wasn’t there but his candidate for Ondo West assembly seat, Tomide was there. He came in his capacity as a candidate. The crowd wasn’t

President Buhari’s leadership, he said, has been characterised by economic hardship, selective anticorruption war, astronomical increase in price of petrol, administrative lapses, policy somersaults, lopsided appointments, incessant herdsmen’s attacks’ leading to the chronic and unabated killing of innocent Nigerians most especially in North East and North Central, among others, which now cast aspersion and dark cloud on the chances of APC candidates in the 2023 polls.

Absence of Mimiko and his Allies

Though the campaign flag-off was well attended by Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa-Ibom); Ademola Adekeke (Osun); the national chairman of PDP, Iyiorcha Ayu; National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba; former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former deputy governors of Ondo, Agboola Ajayi, and Omolade Oluwateru; Senator Ayo Akinyelure among others, but the absence of former Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko who belongs to the group of the G-5 governors sent a clear signal to the rally.

Mimiko in October 2021 integrated the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) structures into the PDP at the grassroots level and political experts say, if Mimiko, being the only living former governor in the state is thus, the leader of the party and his former Commissioner and two-time governorship candidate of the party, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), is automatically under him.

However, while reacting to Mimiko’s absence at the rally, the media aide to the former governor, John Paul Akinduro said he was not aware of any PDP rally in the state.

Recall that Mimiko had in a statement in October,2022 rejected his inclusion in the Ondo PDP Presidential Campaign Council list, saying he has not abandoned the agitation for regional equity within the PDP and in particular, making a party member of southern extraction the national chairman before the 2023 election.

The statement read in part: “For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, Dr Mimiko is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which he believes a credible push for a PDP victory is possible. He fully subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity, if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country”.

Allies of Mimiko present at the PDP rally were former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi; a former Chairman of the PDP, Clement Faboyede, a member representing Ondo West Constituency in the state assembly, Tomide Akinribido, Gbole Adegbenro and others who defected from the Zenith Labour Party to the PDP.

It is pertinent to state that just like the G-5 governors, there is no doubt that the implications of Atiku and Okowa going into the election in 2023 without the support of Mimiko in Ondo State might be injurious.

A stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state who preferred anonymity claimed that the absence of Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) was a huge slap on the opposition party’s dream of reclaiming the country from APC.

He recalled that in 2015 when five serving PDP governors abandoned their party’s presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and pitched their tent with the then opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), it didn’t end well with the party.

Fidelis David writes that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, recently stepped up their nationwide campaign with the launch of the South-West zonal rally in Akure, Ondo State capital

impressive because people who were supposed to be present weren’t there”.

Atiku

Okowa

Ayu

Adeleke

PERSPECTIVE

Nigerian Judiciary and the Burden of Justice

By Olugboyega Isijola

Of the three arms of government, the executive is presumed the most powerful and important. But in reality, the Judiciary is it. The executive implements the laws made by the legislature while the Judiciary adjudicates matters between the two. It says what the law is and divides the powers of the executive.

For any democracy to survive and succeed, the legislature must be free, especially from the yoke of corrupt democrats, fake progressives, and all-for-sale judiciary, through open, free and fair processes.

One major problem of the democratic government in Nigeria today is the inability of the Judiciary, “from top to bottom” to accommodate the foremost principle of FREE AND FAIR JUDGEMENT in their chambers. This directly translates to bad government, lack of growth and development as well as disruption and destruction of democracy, as epitomized by the death of the First and Second Republics.

The Third Republic came into being through the same undemocratic route as the previous ones. The Constitution was produced, not by the people, but by the military whose culture is “Command and Obey” and “Obey the last Order”. How far can the rudiments of Democracy be sustained in a military-inspired national Constitution?

Miraculously, the 1999 Constitution has survived till now after two decades but thanks to several panel-beatings done by Nigerians.

Thanks also to some Nigerian scholars, new breed politicians, academia and jurists, who, through different fora, have been contributing their quota to fine-tune the Nigerian Presidential constitution. One of such, led to the production of the book titled “ The Judiciary and Democracy in Nigeria, 1998” edited by Professor Elo Amuchiazi and Justice Olajide Olatawura.

The major inference from the various contributors is that the Judicial involvement in electoral cases is to provide justice to all parties in any and all election matters if they are to, without favor, perform their constitutional roles. They are statutorilly expected to apply the rule of law and not the rule of man or inducements and justice in its pure form, must be fair and equitable for all that seek redress.

We believe that the Judiciary must abhore financial and material incentives from interested parties or their patrons, adjudicate cases freely and honestly in accordance with their oath of office such that members of the public and litigants can accept the outcome of their decisions.

We cannot but agree with the position of one of the most respected jurists in the country, Justice Olu Ayoola when he recommended that “A judge should decide cases neither to please nor to offend but with only one aim namely, to decide as the law enjoins and in faithfulness to the law and to his oath of office without fear or favor. Impartial and even handed dispensation of justice creates respect for law, judicial institutions and the judicial process”.

And let us add “and judicial officers”.

Apart from the respect which application of legal justice will confer on the judges and the Judiciary at home, it has implications for the image of the Judiciary on the international stage. The outside world is aware and abreast of what goes on in Nigeria, especially given the conception of the country as the most populous democratic experiment in black Africa.

With the benefit of hindsight, the performance of the Nigerian Judiciary has been a mixed bag of few approbations and many reservations in their handling of election cases since the adoption of presidential constitutional Democracy in 1979.

Since elections are considered as the main bedrock of democracy in a constitutional democratic system that Nigeria is trying to be, it will be the duty of political historians to give a comprehensive balance sheet of their performances.

It is a general beer parlor’s knowledge that many of our judges are not delivering justice but rule of fidelity and material/ financial considerations. Otherwise, how can we justify the declaration of a candidate who came fourth in an election as the victor using a magical mathematical formular? How can the Judiciary justify the case of

judges who decided to deduct votes from a candidate’s total votes, simply based on the color of ink used by INEC officials to accredit voters in his voting centers?Definitely it was a hatchet job between the judges and INEC.

It was a classic case of working to the answer by a procured Judge that was supposed to administer justice to all.

Many such ridiculous cases abound in our recent legal history since 1999 which have damaged the integrity of the entire judicial architecture.

Nigeria is again on another election circle when the performance of the judiciary will as usual be under domestic and international scrutiny.

It is generally said that a problem well diagnosed is half solved and it is hoped that those saddled with the leadership of the Nigerian Judiciary should and must work to return the old glory of the Nigerian Judiciary when judges were not mere appendages of the personnel of the other two branches of government.

More importantly, the Judiciary must extricate itself from the self-imposed servants of anti-democratic political merchants whose stock in trade is the commercialization of politics and the politicization of the Judiciary.

It is hoped that the new leadership of

the Judiciary in the person of the newest substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will return the Judiciary to the path of legal justice as he recently promised Nigerians and his global audience.

From his first public pronouncements since his inauguration, he seems aware of the unholy alliance between some members of the Judiciary and some politicians in the desecration of the judicial hallow chambers, where the basic principles of judicial independence and impartiality have been thrown out of the windows.

Hear him: “I want to admonish the politicians to leave the Judiciary alone for us to function. Let them do their own thing while we do ours too. Law is not static. What we apply is law as it is made”. These statements coming from him show that he is aware of what the ordinary Nigerian knows about the expected role of the Judiciary in the administration of justice.

But talk is cheap, as they say. He must therefore, talk the talk and walk the walk. He must now ensure that indeed, politicians do not put pressure on the judges to decide cases according to their whims and caprices but according to the rule of law.

The new corruptive weapon of some

judges today is to decide election cases highlighting technicalities without any atom of consideration for the cogent legal matters of the case. Some judges do this with their closets filled with dollars from the rotten hands of corrupt politicians without conscience and morals. What a shame of a nation.

And one of the politicians recently spoke from the two ends of his mouth saying that he has the judiciary in his pockets while other litigants in courts are mere entertainers.

This confirms that the two-term governorship seats of this now ex-governor must have been procured by or for him from the judiciary.

But the greatest tragedy of the matter is that his lackey and stooge are still in courts today expecting procured judgments on governorship cases. This group of politicians doesn’t have any respect for party constitutions, INEC guidelines, or the laws of the land before, during, and after elections.

This type of corrupt politicians are so entrenched in the judiciary that they are always sure that certain corrupt members of the Judiciary are there to ensure their victories through the election tribunals and the appellate courts.

They are aided by some senior members of the bar, who play the middlemen’s role. They now influence the judges that are allocated the cases they are interested in at all levels.

This is nothing other than the bastardization of the confidence of the voting public in the Judiciary as they benefited from the miscarriage of justice that followed.

The new CJN should endeavor to be bold enough to liberate the judiciary from the pressures of money bags that have rendered the principles of democracy inchoate since independence. He must walk the walk and not merely talking the talk because as the saying goes, “talk is cheap “.

The argument of the egalitarian school of thought in social contract studies that justice can only exist or flourish where there is equality in dispensation of distributive justice by the Judiciary should be the guiding principle of the Judiciary moving forward. Legal justice assumes that in constitutional democracies,all parties to any and all electoral litigations are supposed to be equal before the law and that any applicable laws of the land either as provided in the constitution, electoral laws and party constitutions and guidelines as applied for the conduct of elections either for primaries/ elections and the qualifications of candidates are applied equally in all circumstances.This is to safeguard the sanctity of the electoral process (democracy) and people’s confidence in the judiciary. It is an irony that for most of the years that Nigeria has introduced constitutional Democracy, many Nigerians who despite many odds participated in many of the election rituals later found out that their votes don’t count from the manipulation of politicians and when such cases are brought before the Judiciary, some of the corrupt judges using the advantage of their positions use the law as a weapon dishonestly in return for money or other favors from politicians. They stand the truth and the law on the head by denying legal justice to those who deserve it despite overwhelming facts and evidence.

All hopes may not be lost in the undertaking by the new leadership of the judiciary that he will ensure that the constitutional and democratic rights of Nigerians are safeguarded by his men.

It is his avowed responsibility to lead by example and ensure that the Judiciary under him must embody the virtues of legal justice to assure all Nigerians that most of them will be guided by their oath of office to protect the institutions of government, the people of Nigeria when they swear by the Bible or Koran so that democracy will be sustained in the country for the benefit of all and not the few.

Democracy cannot survive in Nigeria if judicial involvement in election cases is known to or perceived to be for the highest bidder. But the biggest challenge today is that the new CJN has himself lighted a new beacon of hope for a new Nigeria ruled by the Rule of Law and not of Judges and help them, God.

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

Addressing Peter Obi’s Sleeper Cells in the Media and a Bit About Tinubu

On September 19, 2022, I went to Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, to verify whether or not Bola Tinubu attended and graduated from that institution. I was not relying on hearsay, or newspaper reports. I went there as an eyewitness.

While there, I was given irrefutable and unequivocal proof that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a male, with a photo having the exact likeness of the current Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress attended and graduated from that institution,

Previously, I had provided ironclad evidence that Bola Tinubu was once a member of a white heroin drug cartel. In fact, not only was he a member, he was their bagman. So, there should not be any talk of me having sympathy for him, or collecting money from him to give him a pass over Chicago State.

I have sympathy for the truth. I am not known to be a coward. I have physically caused the house arrest of a sitting Nigerian President in London, by surrounding his residence to the extent that he could not go out or in. And he was only able to escape and go straight to the airport when I suspended my #HarassBuhariOutofLondon protest out of respect for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

I have my own businesses, including a highly successful monetised YouTube channel that yields more money every month than the highest paid Nigerian public official officially earns as salary. Money is definitely not my problem, as I visited 42 countries in 2020, 36 in 2021, and 28 so far in 2022.

I will not be bullied by compromised broadcast journalists who have sold their souls to one Presidential candidate or the other into slandering a man. No. If a man is guilty, no power on Earth, including blackmail, can prevent me from exposing him.

However, if he is innocent, no pressure from man or demon will make me taint an innocent man.

Bola Tinubu is a known drug lord. That is an established fact. However, there is and was no subpoena issued by any lawyer to Chicago State University and they denied Tinubu’s record on the strength of that subpoena.

Whoever is claiming that is a liar. A man reading from an online newspaper should not argue with an eyewitness.

And neither should he call family members of mine and threaten them. Because, unlike me, those family members will record his or her call, and if I were like the person who made such calls, I would have released the audio of such calls on social media by now.

A journalist is almost like a priest. You must be able to report the truth about people that you do not like in a balanced fashion.

My prayer is that desperate fame seeking upstarts will not bring down the Nigerian media, and especially broadcast journalism.

The 2023 election is between Waziri Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and I am 100% certain that Atiku would win hands down. There will be no run off.

To protect themselves from ruination, journalists should stop being spokesmen for Presidential candidates. If they cannot remain objective, then they must resign and go where their true heart is.

A journalist is there to balance the news, not defend or promote a candidate. My counsel to all journalists is this: may your journalist career not be the fly that follows Labour Party to the grave!

Broadcast journalists should note that there is life after 2023. Obi is a trader. He has already

read the tea leaves, and knows he will lose big time. So he is now making deals to save his neck. His core Obidients have their IPOB struggle to return to after their hopes are dashed on Saturday, February 25, 2023. If you destroy your journalistic career because of them, where do you return to? When push comes to shove, they will tell you to your face that their fight is not your fight!

And the thing is that this Chicago State University is a distraction. Do we know whether or not Buhari really sat for his General Certificate of Education examinations? There are too many question marks. Today, is he not our ineffectual President?

The fact of being a drug lord is more disqualifying than the falsehood of not attending and graduating from Chicago State University. Some may even say that Tinubu is floating this conspiracy himself as a red herring. Let us be focused.

Tinubu is a KNOWN DRUG LORD. He has a criminal forfeiture history in America. He is

House Committee Probes N4.014trn International Customers’ Electricity Debts Since 2018

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives' Committee on Public Accounts has summoned the Managing Director of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc over the N4.014 trillion debt owed by some international electricity customers.

The international electricity customers include Togo, Republic of Benin and Niger Republic.

The notice was contained in a letter titled: ‘Re-consideration of Auditor General for the Federation Annual Reports,’ dated November 30, 2022, with Ref. No: HR/ PAC/SCOS/9NASS/QUE.64/48. It was signed by the Chairman of the Committee , Hon. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun).

While noting that the Committee does not allow representation, he directed the NBET Managing Director to appear in person alongside Dr. Marilyn Amobi, who served as MD/CEO from 2016 to 2020, to justify the reason for non-rendition of the audited accounts for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, on Thursday, December 8, 2022, to defend his accounts laid before the parliament by the oAuGF.

The letter read: “The Committee is in receipt of your correspondence and has reviewed your 2017-2019 Audited Accounts and resolved to request for the following additional information/docu ments to enable the Committee carry-out its Legislative mandate: Indebtedness of International Customers (Republic of

Benin, Togo and Niger to NBET and TCN from 2018 to 2022).

“External Auditor's report showed that the Nigeria has international bilateral agreement on electricity energy delivery and sales with Republic of Benin, Togo and Niger. Prior to electricity transitional arrangement, these agreements were administered by Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“However, the Ministry of Power on 15/03/2016, directed that the administra tion of these international customers should be transferred to NBET. Moreover, before this can take place, certain agree ments and negotiation have to be made and this accounted for the reason why TCN and NBET came up with a sharing formula to be used to split payment from international customers since TCN issued a single invoice for both administrative charges and energy payments.”

It stated further that based on this, “24 per cent of the payment received from international customers was deducted for administrative charges by TCN while the balance of 76 per cent was passed to NBET for the payment of Genco’s capacity and energy bill.

“The total invoices issued to interna tional customers was N30.7 billion and N20.7 billion in the year 2018 and 2019 respectively.”

Hon. Oke asked for a schedule show ing total invoices issued to international customers from 2018 to 2022.

“This situation has adversely affected

the liquidity required of the companies to meet its obligations. The total outstanding invoices due from the Discos is N2.4 trillion and estimated interest receivable is N931 billion based on interest rate of NIBOR+4%.”

Furthermore, he directed that they produce a schedule showing the value of invoice raised by generating companies from 2016 to 2022, the amount paid by NBET and the outstanding balance as at date.

The lawmaker also unveiled plans to revisit the investigation into the audit report on the utilisation of N1.3 trillion loan facility granted by the federal government to NBET.

“External auditor's report revealed that the company was granted a loan facility to the tune of N701 billion in 2017 while additional N600 billion was granted in the year 2019 by federal government of Nigeria.

“The company's ability to meet its obligation is dependent on continuous support from the federal government. This is not sustainable. This is the ground upon which the external auditor reported in the audited accounts that its opinion was not modified on this matter,” he added.

To this end, the NBET Managing Director was asked to provide detailed utilisation records of the two credit facili ties, loan repayment schedule showing how much it has repaid and unmatured principal and interest.

On the possible non-compliance with procedure of disposal of government asset, he observed that the “review of Statement of Cash Flow confirmed that the sum of 7.5 million represented proceeds realized from the disposal of Property Plant and Equipment in the year 2019. Also, the review of Fixed Asset Schedule revealed that the Motor Vehicles worth 69.9 million was disposed.”

He noted that NBET engaged in outrageous expenses.

In the bid to ascertain the infraction, the company was expected to, “produce utilisation records vis-a-vis the amount expended on international travel showing approval from SGF to travel, air ticket to and fro, international passport, list and details of beneficiaries, purpose of travel, evidence of training among others and provide utilisation records of this consultancy services.”

On the status of trade and other receivables from 2019 to 2021, he noted that: “Further assessment of statement of financial position showed that the company's receivables as at 31/12/2019 was N1.5 trillion while that of 2018 was 1.06 trillion. Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for services rendered in the ordinary course of business.”

Consequently, he requested for schedule showing the breakdown of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 receivables such as name of debtors, amount ow ing, date service rendered, date due for payment.

thereby ineligible to contest for the office of the President, by virtue of Section 137 (1) d. Focus on that. Again, I repeat, forget about Chicago State University. It is a wild goose chase!

By virtue of accepting a plea bargain and forfeiting monies to the United States Government, through the Internal Revenue Service, Bola Tinubu is a convicted drug offender.

According to the United States Department of Justice, “Asset forfeiture is designed to deprive CRIMINALS of the proceeds of their crimes.” This can be found in their official website www. justice.gov/afms/types-federal-forfeiture. Tinubu forfeited assets in a drug forfeiture of assets case. So what does that make Tinubu?

Peter Obi has sleeper cells in the media, and especially in broadcast journalism. Some of them actually work on his campaign as undisclosed advisers. They socialise together and Peter Obi gives them gratuities.

These individuals are labouring under the delusion that Peter Obi can win the 2023 election. That is not going to happen. At best he is a regional candidate.

Tinubu may be a known drug lord, but at least he built roads, railways, export free zones, a brand new city (Eko Atlantic City), protected the Lagos shoreline from the encroachment of the Atlantic Ocean, and established various industrial parks. Other than the beer investment that is “worth next to nothing”, what commensurate achievement does Obi have in Anambra?

Let me end this segment by saying that there are more tape recordings of Peter Obi’s consultant broadcast journalist threatening my life that I have not released yet.

If anything happens to my extended and immediate family and I, hold Peter Obi responsible!

Because that journalist works for Peter Obi! And in the taped call, his words were very clear. He threatened to “take me out in less than three minutes” and to make “Reno stop existing”. And he said even more in the yet unreleased tapes. Peter Obi should know that a threat to life is a criminal act.

#HarassTinubuOutofLondon

On Monday, December 5, 2022, I led a group of patriotic Nigerians to Chatham House at 10 St James's Square, London. The purpose of our visit was to protest Bola Tinubu’s speech at Chatham House.

Bola Tinubu is a known drug lord. This is not hearsay. I went to Chicago myself to investigate him. I went to the court where he was tried and at which his plea bargain drug money forfeiture judgment was entered.

And I am glad that our protest was successful at embarrassing Bola Tinubu before the international media. We made the world know that he does not represent us. And our protest actually drew more attention than his speech.

And one other thing that our anti drug protest did was that it so confused Tinubu to the extent that he could not answer questions at Chatham House. He had to ask Nasir el-Rufai and Dele Alake to respond to questions on his behalf.

It will be to the eternal shame of Nigeria if we allow a drug lord emerge as our President. May that fate never befall us.

www.thisdaylive.com

opinion@thisdaylive.com

NIYI OSUNDARE: POET OF THE PEOPLE

FROM MOTHER TONGUE TO MOTHER OF ALL FLOPS?

It’s no longer news that the Federal Ministry of Education, in the immediate aftermath of the yet to be resolved eight-month ASUU strike and other

sector, has come up with a brain wave which it intends to implement as soon as possible. As part of a new National Language Policy, primary school pupils in Nigeria will henceforth be taught in their mother tongues, that is, their local languages.

According to the plan which was recently unveiled by Minister of Education Adamu Adamu, local languages will from now on serve as exclusive mode of instruction for

ATIKU, ADAMAWA AND ONE TREE AS A FOREST

Atiku Abubakar, PDP Presidential standard bearer, has tentacles across the nation and beyond, writes TUNDE OLUSUNLE

education. Thereafter, they will be complemented with English Language

For the purposes of the new policy, the mother tongue or local language in which pupils will be taught will be the dominant language spoken in the community where a school is located.

The THISDAY report on the

when government develops teachers are available”. Which begs the question: what’s the hurry?

Based on his record so far in the hugely important ministry, Adamu, a respected journalist has found policy implementation much tougher than the prescriptions that peppered his elegant columns in the past. Under his watch, there is little to cheer about in Nigerian education. Old problems have mutated into hardier forms, exacerbating new challenges. Money is a big issue, of course, as oil revenues continue to contract even as population continues to surge and poor economic management worsens economic prospects. But perhaps just as critical is the lack of not just bold ideas but rigorous ones to make up for huge gaps.

And this new exciting but not properly considered policy is not likely to improve Adamu’s record. While there is some evidence that teaching children in their mother tongue can lead to better performance in class and other positive outcomes, there seems to be potentially fatal lack of rigour in conception and undue haste in

A former minister of education, the late Babatunde Fafunwa was a major champion, in fact the face of advocacy for the inclusion of mother tongue in early education for many decades. Even in death, his shadow looms large on the

subject. He wrote a famous piece on the Tongue as a Medium of Instruction in 1969,” headed a successful project on the subject at the Obafemi Awolowo University and led many other interventions and initiatives on the issue in a highly impactful, pioneering life. But even though subsequent studies largely proved his point regarding the superiority of early stage instruction in local languages compared to the exclusive instruction in English model (in typical Nigerian fashion, the Ife project was later discontinued due to lack of funds), it was far from a perfect picture. As Professor F. Niyi Akinnaso, retired professor of anthropology and linguistics noted in the article Policy and Experiment in Mother Tongue

many experimental projects on mother tongue literacy in other countries are shown to have succeeded in realizing that its use as the medium of instruction in schools cannot compensate for the particularly poor quality instructional facilities, or the social barriers in the wider society which prevent certain groups of minority children from learning well in school…”

Angelina Kioko, a professor of English and Linguistics at United States International University in

in the classroom promotes a smooth transition between home and school. It means learners get more involved in the learning process and speeds up the development of basic literacy skills. It and creativity in teacher preparation. Using learners’ home language is also more likely to get the support of the general community in the teaching/ learning process and creates an

emotional stability which translates to cognitive stability. In short, it leads to a better educational outcome”.

But the idea, she acknowledged, works best when the pupils grow up with the local language and when they are taught by teachers who have a strong grasp of the mother tongue. Outside these ideal conditions – for instance, in certain neighbourhoods in Nigerian urban centres where pidgin English is the popular form of communication or in the many Nigerian families where, sadly, children speak only English - the

In fact, trying to shoehorn mother tongue learning into such spaces is sure to make things worse. Children not comfortable with the local language and or teaching it will struggle. The results will be predictably bad.

Given the realities, it is clear that the rush to announce the mother tongue at primary school level policy, possibly an attempt to ensure that Adamu leaves behind a legacy apart from record setting university strikes will do no favours to a highly challenged education system. Whatever may be the intellectual and practical merits of the idea, execution –our common Achilles heel - is likely to be problematic. As Professor Akinnaso mother tongue model cannot make up instructional materials or social barriers faced by children from minority mother tongue from the dominant one. tongue” is pidgin English cope? And tongue except that left behind by the British colonizers?

And has anybody fully done the math in terms of determining what kind of manpower needs, curriculum adjustments, training programmes, etc., will be needed over the short and medium terms? For sustainability reasons, this is critical.

The Education ministry’s statement that the policy has been launched but

available is ominous. It gives the distinct impression that the cart has been shoved in front of the horse. At the very least, this national rollout should be replaced by a pilot project. The situation is bad enough in our schools.

Nwabuikwu is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

UZOR MAXIM UZOATU pays tribute to Osundare, a poet who speaks for the people

BEYOND THE CJN LAMENTATION

Given the realities, it is clear that the rush to announce the mother tongue at primary school level policy, possibly an attempt to ensure that Adamu leaves behind a legacy apart from record setting university strikes will do no favours to a highly challenged education system

In spite of its benefits, there are many obstacles to the implementation of the mother tongue model, argues PAUL NWABUIKWU

UZOR MAXIM UZOATU pays tribute to Osundare, a poet who speaks for the people

NIYI OSUNDARE: POET OF THE PEOPLE

who dares all dangers in speaking truth to Journalism during the murderous years bearing the burden of solidarity with us He would wonder aloud how one tossed

in the masterful integration of oral lore and He had unstoppable words of Osundare makes no apologies to anyone

Poems published by Heinemann in the Uzoatu is a Journalist and Poet

Atiku Abubakar, PDP Presidential standard bearer, has tentacles across the nation and beyond, writes TUNDE OLUSUNLE

ATIKU, ADAMAWA AND ONE TREE AS A FOREST

President, found out that part of him Onukaba’s plays, notably *Tower of Burden* and *The Killing Swamp,* published in Federal Capital Territory Administration,

interrogated the title again and again, before a series of expositions on the largely unknown nation’s foremost opposition party, the Peoples’ the man and the multi-dimensionality of his

The unfortunate demise of Atiku’s ultra-loyal moderation and liberalism, and his keen eye for these, Atiku as an institution, has other strands

Unknown to many, Atiku is a faithful Adinoyi-Ojo of blessed memory, journalist

unfortunate demise, nearly six years ago of Onukaba, who was the liaison between him airplanes on ground, either preparing to of the *main body,* the president and his poet, journalist, scholar and author, is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

BEYOND THE CJN LAMENTATION

The ills afflicting the judiciary are largely self-inflicted

The public lamentation by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola that the judicature is overwhelmed by high number of pending cases and appeals is a serious cause for concern. At a special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2022/2023 legal year and the swearing-in of 63 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Ariwoola said the country’s apex court ranks as the busiest in the world due to the preference for litigation by Nigerians who would rather not explore other dispute resolution mechanisms. He wants the constitution to be amended to limit instances upon which appeals will go before the Supreme Court.

However, many do not share the reasons canvassed by the CJN the judiciary. Perhaps, Ariwoola himself realised this when he said: “Though we receive scathing criticisms from members of the public over our over-blotted docket, we are neither in nor have the supernatural powers to attend to all in one fell swoop.” But does the CJN truly believe to the Supreme Court will reduce the burden on the judiciary?

As evidenced in the letter he and other justices wrote to upend the career of his immediate predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad, the ills

According to Joseph Daudu, SAN, systemic challenges arising from lack of capacity to deliver the best quality justice due to factors arising from

docket on political and electoral cases are the main problem.

T H I S D AY

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

Letters to the Editor

Delay in appointing justices of the court is another reason the justices are overwhelmed. Despite knowing the date when each justice will retire, those with mandate to replace the retiring justices wait for too long before initiating the process to replace them. This year alone, three justices of the court have retired but none has been replaced. The last time a justice was appointed for the court was in 2020. The National Judicial Council (NJC) should amend the procedure to begin the process of appointment far ahead of the retirement date of the earliest retiring Justice. If this is adopted, there will always be always 21 justices for the court. This is not rocket science.

Meanwhile, the CJN also forgot to tell his audience that the main reason cases are delayed is because he and his colleagues still write in long hands, wasting valuable judicial time in the process. For decades, the Nigerian judiciary has been touting automation with hundreds of millions of naira sunk into the project, yet no one has seen or felt the impact. With the growing explosion in the population, the CJN should expect more court cases. And since he does not have control over such private decision by citizens, the CJN should look inward for solutions.

Justice Ariwoola is right when he said: “Prosperity of the Nigerian judiciary is the responsibility of all of us. We must not shy away from the challenges staring us in the face because if the judiciary fails, there will certainly be no country to call Nigeria.” However, he can begin by reforming the process of recruiting judges. He should stop the nepotism that

Two decades ago, it was recommended that each justice of the Supreme Court should have two research assistants to make their job easier. That recommendation, made during the tenure of Justice Muhammadu Uwais, is sitting on a shelf in the

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

LETTERS

NIGERIA AND THE MISTS OF MALNUTRITION

Nigerian children have never had it easy growing up. The challenges which have always been around seem to mount with each day that passes, bringing many to the inevitable conclusion that to be a child in Nigeria is almost akin to a death sentence.

For many years now, Nigerian children have had only very little time to digest the fact that there is a country within the country that is the giant of Africa and that that country is such Global Childhood Index of Save the Children, an international Non-Governmental Organization committed to the welin which to be a child.

The revelation came as little surprise because what poverty leaves behind in the lives of Nigerian children, insecurity rips apart.

The fact that since 1960 Nigeria has struggled to get its act their tender age, they are often the demographic most likely

Nigeria currently has close to 20 million out-of-school children. In a country gravely challenged by crime and insecurity, it is frightening the pool of conscripts this shameful failure of planning and development is creating.

Now, going into 2023, another stark warning issued by experts has rattled those interested in protecting the interests of Nigerian children. First to speak up was the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) which said that 100 children die every hour in Nigeria with malnutrition as the underlying factor which translates to 2400 deaths a day and 876,000 deaths a year. It also means that about 801,600 children died between January 1 and November 30, 2022.

Echoing the harrowing concerns by UNICEF, stakeholders in the health and nutrition sector have called for more to be done to save a great number of Nigerian children from what is a grave challenge.

trition in Nigeria.

The cost for Nigeria is better imagined. It is close to an ex-

istential threat with many children facing multiple threats on multiple fronts to their health and well-being.

Many children also continue to face genuine questions about what the immediate future holds for them in a country that appears desperate to restrict the opportunities available to children.

Hunger is a real problem as is the desperate poverty that gnaws ferociously at the few opportunities available to families who must scratch and scramble just to get by. If nutrition which is basic is a problem, what else is a problem? Available statistics show that education is a problem as is housing as well as the environment children need to thrive. There is no doubt that if Nigeria expects to one day be counted among the countries that are on the right path because the interests of children are being taken seriously, the interests of children would actually need to be taken seriously.

Until this is done, Nigeria will continue to be considered as a country where anything goes.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

For decades, the Nigerian judiciary has been touting automation with hundreds of millions of naira sunk into the project, yet no one has seen or felt the impact

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Indonesia Moves to Ban Sex Outside Marriage

Indonesia is expected to ratify sweeping changes to its criminal code Tuesday, senior officials confirmed, in a legal overhaul that critics say could wind back hard-won democratic freedoms and police morality in the Southeast Asian nation.

Among the most controversial revisions to the code are articles that would penalise sex outside of marriage with up to one year in jail, outlaw cohabitation between unmarried couples, insulting the president, and expressing views counter to the national ideology known as the Pancasila.

Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, and Bambang Wuryanto, head of the parliamentary commission overseeing the revision, told Reuters Monday that parliament would hold a plenary session on Tuesday to ratify the new code.

The government and the House of Representatives have agreed on the draft code, clearing a hurdle to its passage.

Decades in the making, the revision of the country’s colonial-era penal code has sparked mass protests recently, although the response has been considerably more muted this year.

Parliament had planned to ratify a draft new code in September 2019, but nationwide demonstrations over perceived threats to civil liberties halted its passage.

Legislators in the world’s third-largest democracy have since watered down some of the articles deemed most contentious.

Revised articles on sex outside marriage and cohabitation, for example, now state such complaints can only be reported by close relatives such as a spouse, parent or child while insulting the president can only be reported by the president.

EU Slaps Oil Embargo on Russia with Price Cap

A European Union embargo against maritime shipments of crude oil from Russia went into effect Monday, along with a price cap agreed to by the Group of Seven leading industrialised economies and Australia.

Targeting seaborne deliveries that make up two-thirds of the EU’s crude imports from Russia, the embargo counts among a raft of steadily tougher EU sanctions against Moscow for its war in Ukraine. Some analysts call it Europe’s most significant step to date in reducing its dependency on Russian energy — which is helping fund the war.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced the oil embargo in early May, as the weather was becoming warmer, and chances of an energy crunch seemed far away.

“This sends another important signal to all perpetrators of the Kremlin. We know who you are. We will hold you accountable. You’re not getting away with this. Putin must pay a price — a high price — for his brutal aggression,” she said.

Now, as winter sets in, European governments are warning of possible energy shortages — especially since Moscow has sharply curbed exports of its all-important gas.

Taiwanese Follow Chinese Protests with Interest, Muted Support

For two weeks, small groups of Taiwanese have gathered in support of a wave of protests across China against the government’s strict COVID-19 restrictions and ongoing lockdowns in the largest movement of civil disobedience since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

Rallies at Taipei’s Liberty Square and the campus of National Taiwan University have been attended by anywhere from 100-200 attendees, mainly students but also more politically minded members of the Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, the pro-Taiwan independence activists, as well as those linked to Hong Kong, Tibet, and ethnic minority Uyghurs in far western China.

For organisers and attendees, the theme has focused largely on universal human rights and democracy in the midst of harsh restrictions aimed at getting China to “COVID Zero.” The focus of the rally Sunday at Liberty Square was on showing that “human rights are for every citizen of the world,” according to organiser and university student Angelina Lin.

Korea Fires Artillery Near Border in Warning to South Korea

North Korea fired about 130 artillery rounds on Monday into the water near its western and eastern sea borders with South Korea, the latest military action contributing to worsening relations between the neighbours.

North Korea’s military said the firings were a warning against ongoing South Korean artillery exercises near the inland border town of Cheorwon and blamed the South for worsening tensions.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean weapons, fired Monday afternoon from North Korea’s western and eastern coastal areas, fell within the northern side of buffer zones created under a 2018 inter-Korean agreement to reduce military tensions. There were no immediate reports of shells falling inside South Korean territorial waters.

South Korea’s military said it communicated a verbal warning to North Korea over the firings and urged it to abide by the agreement. The South Korean and US militaries were closely monitoring North Korea’s military activities while strengthening their readiness to respond to any “potential contingency,” the Joint chiefs of staff said in a statement.

The South Korean army is conducting live-fire exercises involving multiple rocket launching systems and howitzers from Monday to Wednesday in two separate testing grounds in the Cherowon region.

Report: Guards Massacred 83 Tigrayan Prisoners at Camp in Southern Ethiopia

A published report says Ethiopian guards and villagers massacred 83 Tigrayan prisoners at a camp in southern Ethiopia last November in what the report calls the deadliest killing of imprisoned soldiers since the Tigray war started more than two years ago.

The Washington Post said the previously unreported killings occurred on November 21, 2021, at a camp near the town of Mirab Abaya that housed more than 2,000 detained Tigrayan soldiers.

Witnesses told the Post that between 16 and 18 guards at the camp opened fire on prisoners late that afternoon, prompting many to flee into the bush, chased by Ethiopian soldiers.

The report said after running for an hour, some escapees came across some locals and begged them for help. Instead, a mob of at least 150 people attacked the Tigrayans with machetes, sticks and stones.

Witnesses said members of the mob were incorrectly told the Tigrayans were prisoners of war responsible for the deaths

of local men in the military.

The Post said none of the soldiers killed had been combatants against Ethiopian forces.

Arizona Certifies 2022 Election

Despite Republican Complaints

Arizona’s top officials certified the midterm election results Monday, formalising victories for Democrats over Republicans who falsely claimed the 2020 election was rigged.

The certification opens a five-day window for formal election challenges. Republican Kari Lake, who lost the race for governor, is expected to file a lawsuit after weeks of criticising the administration of the election.

Election results have largely been certified without issue around the country, but Arizona was an exception. Several Republican-controlled counties delayed their certification despite no evidence of problems with the vote count. Cochise County in southeastern Arizona blew past the deadline last week, forcing a judge to intervene on Friday and order the county supervisors to certify the election by the end of the day.

“Arizona had a successful election,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said before signing the certification. “But too often throughout the process, powerful voices proliferated misinformation that threatened to disenfranchise voters.”

The statewide certification, known as a canvass, was signed by Hobbs, Republican Governor Doug Ducey, Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Chief Justice Robert Brutinel, a Ducey appointee.

The attacks happened at a time when Tigrayan forces were advancing toward the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Prisoners interviewed for the story speculated that the attacks were triggered by fear or desire for revenge.

The bodies of the 83 Tigrayans were dumped in a mass grave outside the prison camp, according to witnesses.

Massive Missile Attacks Barrage

Ukrainian Infrastructure

Ukrainian officials reported a heavy barrage of Russian missile strikes Monday across the country. Air raid sirens blared, urging civilians to seek shelter.

The new round of massive missile attacks on homes, buildings and power infrastructure, which Ukrainian authorities had been anticipating, underscores Russia’s strategy to leave Ukraine without energy, heat and water in the dead of winter.

State grid operator Ukrenergo confirmed that Russia had hit energy infrastructure facilities, leading to emergency power outages in Ukraine.

However, the nationwide power system remains functioning and intact, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

Ukrainian media reported explosions in several parts of the country south of Kyiv, including Cherkasy, Kryvyi Rih and the Black Sea port of Odesa, where the water company said power was out to pumping stations, leaving the city without water.

“The enemy is again attacking the territory of Ukraine with missiles!” Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, wrote on Telegram.

Tymoshenko said two people were killed and three others were injured, including a 22-month-old child, in the village of Novosofiyivka in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

Thousands on Alert in Indonesia’s Java After Mt. Semeru Eruption

Thousands of residents in Indonesia’s East Java were on high alert on Monday after a violent eruption at the island’s tallest volcano prompted authorities to impose an eight-kilometre no-go zone and forced evacuations of entire villages.

The provincial search and rescue agency deployed teams to the worst-affected areas near Mount Semeru to assess the damage, with low rainfall giving some reprieve, Tholib Vatelehan, a Basarnas spokesperson, told Reuters.

“Yesterday, the rainfall level was high, causing all the material from the top of the mountain to come down. But today, so far, there’s no rain, so it’s relatively safe,” he said.

No casualties have been reported, and there has not been any immediate disruption to air travel.

US: Iran Shouldn’t Be Member of UN Commission on Women

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has again emphasised her opposition to Iran’s participation on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

In a post on Twitter on Sunday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “The Iranian government should not be on the @UN_CSW – an international body dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Removing Iran from the commission on the Status of Women is the right thing to do.”

A draft resolution proposed by the United States regarding the removal of Iran from the com mission will be up for a vote at the UN later this month.

The draft reads in part: “The policies of the Islamic Republic are strongly in conflict with human rights and the rights of women and girls and the mission of the Women’s Authority Commission and are condemned. And the Islamic Republic of Iran should be removed from the commission on the Status of Women immediately before the end of the current term.”

Tehran recently started the four-year term on the commission. The commission, which meets every year in March, aims to promote gender equality and empower women.

Last month, Greenfield said that Iran’s membership on the commission is an “ugly stain” on the body’s credibility. “In our view, it cannot stand.”

Thomas-Greenfield’s comments in November were made at an informal gathering of Security Council members, known as an Arria meeting, focused on the mass protests that started in Iran on September 16, following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, 22. The Kurdish woman was arrested in Tehran by the so-called morality police for wearing her headscarf “improperly.”

Police say she had a heart attack while in custody, but her family disputes that. Iranian authorities have rejected the family’s request for a committee of independent doctors to investigate her death.

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 02Dec-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

Coral Balanced Fund

4,065.80 4,093.95 4.77%

Coral Income Fund 3,685.36 3,685.36 6.80% Coral

100.00 12.95% FSDH

1.13 1.13 0.00% GUARANTY

N/AN/AN/A CAPITAL

Fund

CAPITALTRUST

2.26 2.30 4.73%

MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806

Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/AN/AN/A

CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4

PriceOffer PriceYield / T-Rtn

Fund NameBid

Fund

Lotus

19.12%

8.73%

MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012

Fund

Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.92 12.01 9.58%

Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.12%

NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026

Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 102.19 102.19 9.21%

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 NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn

PACAM Balanced Fund 1.56 1.59 -1.01%

PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.51 11.59 3.21%

PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.30%

PACAM Equity Fund 1.40 1.42 -1.20%

PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.42 120.67 3.28%

SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227

Fund NameBid PriceOffer Price Yield / T-Rtn

SCM Capital Frontier Fund N/AN/AN/A

SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400

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244.31 244.31 3.71%

1.37 1.39 9.52%

331.21 331.21 5.77%

252.80 255.89 8.24%

1.00 1.00 10.83%

6.26%

1.36 5.12%

120.48 120.48 3.05%

114.35 114.35 7.49%

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.

KATHLEEN

PROFESSOR

EBELECHUKWU OKAFOR, SAN

LAWYER

‘There’sGenderInequality at the Inner Bar’

QUOTABLE

‘At this level of our national development, we should begin to emulate good things that will usher in a new dawn of progressive growth.’ - Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON, Chief Justice of Nigeria

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.

The Right to Challenge a Political Party’s Primary Election

Page IV

Contempt: IGP Files Motion to Set Aside Proceedings

Page V

Page V

Page VII

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

The Curse of Strong Men, Weak Institutions

Dr Olusola Saraki Memorial Lecture

Iattended late Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki’s 10th Year Anniversary Memorial Lecture in Abuja last Monday. The theme of the Lecture was “The Leadership and Followership Debate”; and the Guest Lecturer was Professor Patrick Lumumba, former Director of the Kenyan AntiCorruption Commission; Director of the The Kenya School of Law. He talked about our African leaders of old - Chief Obafemi Awolowo, SAN; Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello; President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. How the last two leaders, left office with the equivalent of only $4,000 & $8,000 in their personal accounts! A look at most African countries and their condition today, 60 years or more after independence, shows how badly most subsequent African leaders have done. Even South Africa which used to be the Europe of Africa, is now experiencing regular power cuts. Meanwhile, many of our African leaders have been quite successful at one thing - enriching themselves and their cohorts, while making the gap between the rich and the poor wider.

A Bad Report: Weakened Institutions

Shining the light on our own country Nigeria particularly, it is obvious that most of the institutions that the British colonialists and our founding Fathers left behind, have been systematically eroded and destroyed by their successors in leadership. Chief Awolowo would be turning in his grave, if he could see what their Free Education Scheme of the 1950s has turned to today (I must also recognise Professor Stephen Awokoya as being part of the origin of the Scheme as well)! As imperfect as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitu tion) is, its Section 18 provides for equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. However, successive leadership has destroyed our educational system with corruption, quota system, federal character etc. Additionally, while our supposedly free education is not entirely free, the quality has become rather inadequate and low. While Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was Governor of Edo State, it was common knowledge that he caught out a Primary School Teacher who could barely read! The Governor who was shocked, apparently asked the Teacher what she taught the children, and what she wrote on the blackboard if she couldn’t read! What kind of recruitment process was used, to the extent that an almost-illiterate was employed as a Teacher?

Most of our institutions have also been destroyed; we now have weak institutions and strong personalities. The output of our shaky institutions, therefore depends largely on the character and intellect (or lack of it) of the person-in-charge. If not that a country like USA has strong institutions, an unstable person like President Trump would have done irreparable damage to it.

For example, on January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order prohibiting the entry of immigrants and non-immigrants for 90 days from certain countries from the date of the Order, citing protection of the American people from terrorist attacks by nationals of the banned countries as his reason. Though the Acting US Attorney-General at the time, Sally Yates was sacked by Trump as a result of her advice to the Justice Department not to implement the travel ban because it was unclear if the ban was legally defensible, a U.S. Federal Judge in Seattle issued a restraining order ordering a nationwide suspension of President Trump’s Executive Order, thereby reopening US borders to the seven countries mentioned in the Executive Order. Again, Trump tried every trick in the book to ensure that he got a second term, including inciting violence. Having failed to prove his spurious electoral malpractice allegations in any court of law because the Judiciary would not cooperate with his nonsense, Trump then tried to truncate the Congressional session headed by Vice President Pence to certify Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the winners of the 2020 election. Some saw it as a failed coup attempt. Either way, Trump didn’t succeed, because America obviously has strong institutions; institutions that are stronger

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

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

The Advocate

than any incumbent President. For one, the courts wouldn’t just find in favour of Trump, simply because he was the President. Can we confidently beat our chests, and attest to the fact that this is how it happens in Nigeria? I think not.

While the American Judiciary is obviously not perfect and they also have their bad eggs too, it is for the better part of it made up of fine, mostly qualified jurists. While a good number of our jurists may be top notch, can we say all of them are, when even the recruitment exercises into their positions are usually fraught with controversy?

Sometime between 2020 and 2021, during the recruitment exercise of Court of Appeal Justices, the former NBA President, Olumide Akpata revealed that some of the shortlisted candidates for the job were not familiar with the basic legal concept of ‘Lis Pendens’, and they were told that they would learn on the job! Is the Court of Appeal a Law Faculty or the Law School? Is it then shocking that there are conflicting judgements delivered at that level, when not all those being recruited to the Court even know the basics? How do you then apply what you do not know? Those who are placed in institutions which they are not qualified to be in, can only do one thing - weaken, and maybe even destroy the institution.

Presently, there is another exercise to fill up vacancies at the Court of Appeal. The President of the Court of Appeal invited prospective candidates to participate in a

Computer Based Test last Friday, with a request that they bring their laptops or IPads to sit the test. We understand that such a computer based test, was success fully used to recruit Federal High Court Judges. Due to a protest by some people at a prior meeting that some candidates are not computer literate, the test was cancelled. Pray tell, what are people who are not computer literate in 2022, in the age of virtual hearings, electronic law, intellectual property etc; who are unable to carry out research by themselves at the drop of a hat on the internet, doing in such a crucial position as Court of Appeal Justice, when by now, we should be moving away from the outdated manual longhand court system to the computerised? If prospective Court of Appeal Justices do not understand basic legal concepts, nor are they computer literate, nor can they even access LPELR etc for themselves to look up the subject-matter or authorities on matters which are presently before them, or peruse law journals on the internet, then how properly equipped are they, to be in that role?

This is just another example of not put ting our brightest and our best forward, whether it be in our institutions, judicial and executive offices, educational sector or even elective positions.

Politicians/Ministers etc were very much present at the Memorial Lecture. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, when someone pointed out one of the Govern

ment bigwigs to me, and said the person’s nickname in University was the translation of dullard in their language! While I cannot speak authoritatively for other African countries, I think I can safely say that our founding Fathers would be rather disappointed with what Nigeria and her institutions have become today.

“Those of us placed in a position of leadership must be prepared to grasp the nettle if we unite in doing so, and if, in addition, we set a worthy example and a Marat on pace in probity, unselfishness and self-sacrifice, the people will follow, all too readily, in our footsteps.” - Obafemi Awolowo. Unfortunately, our successive leaders have done quite the opposite instead, and set an unworthy example of corruption, kleptomania, greed, selfishness, self-centredness, ineptitude and partiality, amongst many other evils; and sadly, this disgracefully bad example, has been followed by many. Both the leadership and the followership would require something akin to positive brainwashing, to get back on the right track.

Criminal Defamation

As is typical of Nigeria, moving from one drama to another, the other day, I read that a young man, Aminu Adamu, who allegedly defamed/libelled the First Lady of Nigeria, had been arrested. I wrote about Libel and Slander a few weeks ago, and so my interest was piqued.

As I said on this page on November 8, 2022, defamation of character or an allegation of it is a Tort. In Oruwari v Osler 2013 5 N.W.L.R. Part 1348 Page 535 at 556 per Chukwuma-Eneh JSC, the Supreme court held thus: "Defamation as a tort, whether as libel or slander, has been judicially defined to encompass imputation which tends to lower a person defamed in the estimation of right thinking members of society generally, and thus, expose the person so disparaged (the Plaintiff) to hatred, opprobrium, odium, contempt or ridicule".

However, Section 391 of the Penal Code (ap plicable in Northern Nigeria and Abuja) and Section 375 of the Criminal Code (applicable in Southern Nigeria) also provide for the offence of defamation of character, which is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. Aminu Adamu was charged under Section 391 of the Penal Code.

There doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between the definitions of civil and criminal defamation of character; and, while it is trite law that where a matter has civil and criminal aspects, the criminal matter should be handled first, in the case of civil and criminal defamation, it is unclear as to the elements which qualify a defamatory utterance to be civil or criminal. It has been argued by some that where the matter is between individuals or companies, it should be civil matter; but, when it involves an individual and the State, then it should be criminal defamation. If this is so, then Aminu Adamu should not have been charged under Section 391 of the Penal Code, but it should have been a civil matter, seeing as the First Lady is not the State.

However, in a country where there are not too many hard and fast rules, it seems that it may be up to the Complainant to decide which one he/she wants to pursue, that is, civil or criminal. So, for example, if I was defamed by a billionaire, my best line of action would be to pursue a civil case to try to recover juicy damages (monetary), while if it is someone who lacks the financial muscle to compensate me, I would go for criminal defamation, so that he/she at least suffers in prison if convicted.

But, looking at Aminu Adamu’s case, assuming without conceding that it qualified as criminal defamation, should he not have been charged under Section 15(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrime Act 2015 (CCA) instead of Section 391 of the Penal Code, since his offensive publication about the First Lady was by way of Twitter, that is, electronic communication, which is more specifically covered by the CCA? If found guilty under the CCA, the Defendant would be liable upon conviction to pay a fine of not less than N2 million, or be imprisoned for a period of not less than a year, or both. Thankfully, the charge against 24 year old Aminu Adamu has been withdrawn.

Professor Patrick Lumumba

“While I cannot speak authoritatively for other African countries, I think I can safely say that our founding Fathers would be rather disappointed with what Nigeria and her institutions have become today”

The Right to Challenge a Political Party’s Primary Election

Facts

The Appellant had filed an Originating Summons at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, seeking inter alia, a Declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 29(1); 84(1), (2), (5c), (8) and (13) of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1st Respondent is not entitled to recognise, feature and include as candidates to contest for elective public offices, the names of political candidates who were not nominated by the political parties through direct, indirect primaries or consensus procedures duly monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); a Declaration that the 2nd Respondent is not entitled to participate in the 2023 general elections for elective positions into membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly in respect of Tai State Constituencies I and II, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni State Constituencies I, II, and III, Akuku-Toru State Constituencies I and II, Etche Constituencies I and II and Ahoada East Constituency II in Rivers State, or to nominate, sponsor or field all or any of the 3rd to 13th Respondent as candidates to contest the 2023 general elections into membership of the House of Assembly (in respect of constituencies in Rivers State), having failed to hold valid primaries for the nomination of its candidates, as required by law and the Guidelines of INEC. The Appellant also sought a Declaration that INEC is not entitled to recognise, feature and include the names of the 3rd to 13th Respondent as candidates of the 2nd Respondent at the 2023 general elections; and that the 3rd to 13th Respondent are not eligible or qualified to contest the 2023 general elections. The Appellant equally sought an Order of Mandatory Injunction directing INEC to remove the names of the 3rd to 13th Respondent, or any name submitted by the 2nd Respondent from its published list of nominated or sponsored candidates eligible to contest the 2023 general elections into the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

Upon being served with the Originating Summons, the 2nd to 13th Respondent duly filed their Memorandum of Appearance, Counter-Affidavit and Written Address in opposition to the Originating Summons. The 1st Respondent, however, did not defend the action. The Appellant filed its Further Affidavit and Reply Address. The trial court heard arguments in respect of the Originating Summons and delivered its judgement thereon, dismissing the issues challenging the competence of the suit, as well as refusing the reliefs sought against the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents; and they were accordingly struck out.

Unhappy with the decision of the trial court, the Appellant filed its Notice of Appeal against the said decision to the Court of Appeal.

Issues for Determination

The Appellant formulated a sole issue thus:

“Whether the trial court was justified in its conclusion that the Appellant was unable to prove the allegation that the primary elections of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents were not held in their respective constituencies, and thereby, refused to grant the Appellant’s reliefs against the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents.”

The Respondents on their part, raised the following issue for determination of court:

“Whether the trial court was not correct when it dismissed the Appellant’s case against the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 13th Respondents, on the ground that the Appellant neglected to prove its case.”

The appellate court, however, formulated suo motu, and considered the following sole issue as germane for determination of the appeal:

“Whether the Appellant can, in the context of relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), be classified as an “aspirant” to entitle it to complain about the conduct of the primaries of 2nd Respondent.

Arguments

Submitting on its sole issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that it is an established principle of law that primary elections for the nomination of candidates must be held within or inside the various constituencies, and not outside it – MATO v HEMBER (2018) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1612) 258 at 295. Counsel submitted further that the 2nd to 13th Respondent neither specifically denied these facts in their Counter-affidavit to the Originating Summons, nor joined issues on the allegation that primary elections were held outside of the various State constituencies of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents. Counsel posited that the trial court wrongly relied on Section 54 of the Evidence Act, 2011, to determine whether Exhibit A can be acted upon in forming its opinion on the division of State constituencies in Rivers State, which issue was neither raised nor canvassed by parties. He argued that while the Appellant deposed to facts in paragraphs 10 to 13 of the Affidavit in support of the Originating Summons and supplied the documentary Exhibits D2, D3, D4, D5 and D11, detailing the specific addresses of the

In the Court of Appeal of Nigeria In the Port Harcourt Judicial Division Holden at Port Harcourt

On Tuesday, the 29th day of November, 2022 Before Their Lordships Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole Abdul-Azeez Waziri Justices, Court of Appeal Appeal No: CA/PH/481/2022 Between

its adjudication – ATTAHIRU v STATE (2020) LPELR-51092(CA). However, generally, in view of the provisions of Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitu tion (as amended), where such issues will require facts or evidence, the courts are required to invite parties through their counsel to address it on such issue(s) raised suo motu. Where the issue raised suo motu, from the court’s record, border, on pure question(s) of law, or where ex facie, the jurisdiction of the court is in issue, the court cannot just ignore or overlook it – NNPC v ROVEN SHIPPING LTD & ANOR. (2019) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1676) 67 at 92. In view of the fact that the issue raised suo motu by the Court of Appeal is jurisdictional in nature, which does not require any evidence on the questions and reliefs sought, the court decided to determine the issue first.

Foremost, the appellate court stated that the outcome of a political primary election can only be challenged in the context of the provisions of Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022, especially its sub-section 14, by an aspirant who participated in the primary election. Also, by the provisions of Section 285(14) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the makers of the Constitution made elaborate provisions delimiting applicants who have legal competence to approach the Federal High Court with regard to the outcome of parties’ primaries, only to “aspirants” who participated in the primary elections. Extending the right to challenge the outcome of political party’s primary to other political parties, with a view to getting the nominated candidates of their opponents disqualified on account that the primary election which produced such candidates was not in compliance with the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act, would amount to throwing away what the electoral process may have gained by limiting the right to seek redress in the Federal High Court only to aspirants that participated in the party’s primary election. It will be an act of grave legislative summersault for the National Assembly to have expended so much legislative time and valuable resources in the provisions that preceded Section 285(14)(a) and (b), and just by a single paragraph in subsection 14 of Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to now create a new cause of action in which political parties are allowed access to the Federal High Court to seek to litigate in order to challenge the outcome of other parties ‘primaries as a pre-election matter.

The Appellant in this appeal, who was clearly not an aspirant, and who did not participate in the contest in the primary election conducted by the 2nd Respondent, which produced the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents as the winners, was certainly not clothed with any legal right to approach any court for redress on the very clear provisions of the law, that is, Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The law is clear that, pre-election cases are strictly domestic or internal affairs of the individual political parties. The appellate court therefore, found it unacceptable for a political party, which was not an aspirant in a political party’s primary, to litigate on the propriety or otherwise of another political party’s primary election and seek to foist on INEC, a decision it had not taken as regards the outcome of a political party’s primary election – Section 82(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022; AMAECHI v INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1080) 227 at 296.

venues and places where the primaries were held outside the various State constituencies, the Appellant had thereby discharged the burden of proof placed on it in law, and shifted the onus of proof on the 2nd to 13th Respondent who asserted the contrary – Section 133(1) and (2) of the Evidence Act. He urged the court to set aside the aspect of the findings of the trial court as it affects the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents, and to hold that the Appellant duly proved his case and is entitled to the grant of the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons. Responding to the submissions above, counsel for the 2nd to 13th Respondent relied on the provisions of Sections 131(1), 131(2) and 133 of the Evidence Act, as well as the decisions of NEKA BBB MANUFACTURING CO. LTD v ACB (2004) FWLR (Pt. 198) 1175, to submit that, by virtue of the principle of the best evidence rule, a Claimant is bound to adduce the best evidence in order to meet the standard of proof required by law. Where a Claimant seeks declaratory reliefs, as in this case, such Claimant can only succeed on the strength of

his case and not on the weakness of the defence. Counsel cited the provisions of Section 82 of the Electoral Act, in support of his submission that every registered political party is enjoined to give INEC at least twenty-one days notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for nominating candidates for elective office and INEC may, with or without notice, attend and observe such congress, convention, conference or meeting, provided that failure to notify INEC as such, shall not render the congress, conference or meeting invalid. Further relying on Section 84(1), (2) and (7) of the Electoral Act, counsel submitted that in the case of nomina tion to the position of member of the House of Assembly of a State, the political party shall hold congress in the State Assembly constituency concerned with delegates voting for aspirants of their choice in designated centres on specified dates. He argued that the 2nd Respondent had, in its Counter-affidavit and Exhibits “ADC 2” to “ADC 7”, established the steps it took before the emergence of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 13th Respondents as candidates for their respective constituencies in the 2023 Rivers State House of Assembly election. These steps include conduct of transparent primary, under the monitoring and/or supervision of INEC.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

The court prefaced its determination of the appeal, with highlights of instance(s) where a court is entitled to raise an issue suo motu without asking parties to address on it. A court is entitled to raise an issue suo motu without asking parties to address on it, where they fail to take into consideration the provisions of a statute, or the Constitution when it relates to or affects the court’s own jurisdiction in the subject-matter of the dispute submitted for

The court further agreed with the decision of the trial court, that neither the Appellant nor the Tribunal had any right to challenge the nomination of the 2nd Respondent by engaging in an inquiry into the conduct of its primaries, as the Electoral Act clearly specifies who can challenge the conduct of a party’s primaries in Section 87(9). No political party can assume the role and status of an “aspirant” in order to litigate under Section 285(9) and (14) (a), (b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with respect to any alleged or perceived irregularities of another party’s primary election. The new provision in Section 285(14) (a), (b) and in particular (c), was not intended by the legislature to create a new cause of action in favour of the political parties to embark on poaching into the outcome of other parties’ primaries, so as to raise perceived issues of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Given the foregoing, the Court of Appeal held that the court is not clothed with the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal, in view of the provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the judicial notice of which it took pursuant to Section 122(2)(a) and (b) of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The court thereby struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction of the lower court to entertain the suit, leading to the appeal. The decision reached by the court was declared a nullity, and by which fact, it constitutes a gross abuse of court process of the appellate court. The appeal, which was founded on a null judgement, was thereby dismissed.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

E.C. Ukala, SAN with Dike Udenna, Esq.; T.T. Kuruye, Esq.; D.S. Mene-Mark, Esq. and Okechukwu Omeodu, Esq. for the Appellants.

P.T. Oyewole, Esq. with O. Benebo, Esq. for the 2nd to 13th Respondent.

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

“The law is clear that, pre-election cases are strictly domestic or internal affairs of the individual political parties.…..unacceptable for a political party, which was not an aspirant in a political party’s primary, to litigate on the propriety or otherwise of another political party’s primary election…..”

Honourable Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, JCA

Contempt: IGP Files Motion to Set Aside Proceedings

Stories by Steve Aya

Following the committal order issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th November, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has has filed a mo tion at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to set aside the contempt provision and committal order.

This was contained in a statement released to the press by the Force

Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters Abuja CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

In the motion filed before the Federal High Court in the Federal Capi tal Territory on Thursday, 1st December 2022, the IGP extensively high lighted grounds why the orders should be set aside, including noting that he had not been appointed into office as InspectorGeneral of Police when the case was instituted, and the reinstatement order in question granted.

Christmas/New Year Vacation: Industrial Court Begins Vacation 19th December

The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip OFR, has declared Monday, 19th December, 2022 to Friday, 6th January, 2023 as the end of year and new year vacation.

Justice Kanyip made the declaration pursuant to

Order 58 Rule 4(1)(c) of the National Industrial Court Civil Procedure Rules.

He further declared that there will be no normal court sitting, during the period of the vacation.

Hon. Justice Kanyip stated that normal court sittings, shall resume Monday, 9th January, 2023.

The Police IG also affirmed that the contempt proceedings were served via substituted means in November 2018 and Janu ary, 2019 respectively, on the then Inspector General of Police, and not on him as the incumbent.

The IGP, in his depo sition, noted that even before his assumption of office, official steps

had been taken by his predecessors towards complying with the reinstatement of Patrick C. Okoli, the Plaintiff, as ordered by the Court.

As noted by him, this was evidenced by an official letter addressed to the Police Service Com mission on the approval of the then Inspector General of Police, as far back as

2015, and before the court order of November 29th, 2022, requesting the Commission to issue a reinstatement letter to the Plaintiff, and also effect his promotion in line with the order of the court and in the exercise of their statutory authority in that regard. Hence, the grounds for the contempt proceedings ought not to

have existed, ab initio.

The IGP also reas sured Nigerians of his unalloyed commitment and steadfastness in defending the rule of law and respecting judicial authorities, and hence, would not wittingly or unwittingly disobey any order validly granted by courts of competent jurisdiction.

Dr Olaleye to Remain in Jail till Perfection of Bail Conditions

The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja, has ordered the remand of the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Femi Olaleye, in Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions. This was the order of the trial Judge, Justice Ramon Oshodi, on Wednesday after the Doctor pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him

Dr Olaleye was charged before the court, on a twocount charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of his wife’s

16 year-old niece.

His lead counsel, Mr Babatunde Ogala, SAN, while moving his bail application dated November 24 and filed on the 25th, prayed to the court to grant the Defendant bail on liberal terms.

Mr Ogala argued that the Defendant had cancer patients who looked up to him for his service, and would not be productive if remanded in prison. He also urged the court to use its discretion to grant the Defendant bail, adding that he appeared voluntarily in court after he had been served.

The prosecution team, led by the Director of the Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, in his counteraffidavit dated November 28, argued that the nature of the charge was serious enough, because it attracted life imprisonment.

Dr Martins argued that the complainant was the first wife of the Defendant, while the nominal Complainant was the niece of the wife.

Justice Oshodi admitted the Defendant to N50 mil lion bail with two sureties in like sum, following the adoption of bail application by the defence and counter-

affidavit by the prosecution.

The Judge also ruled that the sureties must have landed properties in Lagos, and the original documents of the properties must be submitted to the Chief Registrar of the court. He also said that the Defendant must submit his British, Nigerian and other international passports in his possession to the Chief Registrar of the court.

The Judge further ordered the court orderly, to verify the residential addresses of the sureties. Subsequently, the matter was adjourned to December 19, for commencement of trial.

Aderemi Becomes Chairman of ILA's Arbitration Committee

On 30 November, 2022, Leading experts and stakeholders in interna tional commercial arbitration called for greater devotion to independence, impartiality, integrity, as well as mentoring of the next generation, in order to sustain the legitimacy of the practice of arbitra tion in Nigeria.

This recommenda tion was made at the International Arbitration Conference organised by the Committee on International Commercial Arbitration and ADR of the International Law Association, Nigerian Branch (ILA Nigeria). Themed, ‘Recent Trends and Opportunities in International Commercial

Arbitration’, the event was held at the Lagos Ar bitration Court, and had in attendance more than 200 participants, both in person and online. Several dignitaries and leading arbitrators, including the President of ILA Nigeria, Professor Fidelis Oditah, KC, SAN, President of the Mauritius Branch of the ILA, Steven Sengayen, Tunde Busari, SAN, Nadia Ameh, Ignacio Dais amongst others, graced the occasion and delivered goodwill messages.

While opening the Conference, the pioneer and outgoing Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN gave a powerful pre

sentation titled “Recent Trends and Opportunities in International Com mercial Arbitration”. She emphasised the progress made in international commercial arbitration, especially the increasing role for African arbitrators and women in arbitration matters across the world, while also highlighting a wide range of gaps that still need to be ad dressed, if Nigeria and other African countries are to become preferred arbitration seats. This will include dismantling barriers such as undue delays in the arbitration process, financial hurdles, as well as technology and infrastructure challenges that limit virtual hearings,

she noted.

The highpoint of the Conference was the swearing in of the new executives of the Arbitra tion Committee, under the leadership of the Chairman, Mr Tolulope Aderemi, a n Arbitrator and Partner with the law firm, Perchstone & Graeys LP. Other members of the Executive Committee include Vice Chair person, Ofonime Enoh, Foluke Akinmoladun (Secretary), Deinma Dibi (Programs Officer), Mobolaji Oriola (Trea surer) and Shola Soyele (Media and Publicity Officer).

While responding on behalf of the new Ex ecutives, Aderemi com-

mended the outgoing Chairperson, Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN for her tireless sacrifice and dedication to the development of the ILA.

Aderemi noted “With this assignment, we will advance the course for improved administration of justice and advocacy for change. With the continuing growth of electronic commerce, increase in low volume high value claims, our focus will be to train Lawyers to unlearn skills antithetical to the interest of parties and the overall practice of arbitration. It is time to work with businesses, and move from dispute resolution to conflict

avoidance/manage ment”, he concluded.

The ILA was founded in Brussels in 1873. The ILA now has some 4,500 members, in 45 national and regional branches around the world. It is headquartered in London, under the leadership of the global chair, Professor Christine Chinkin. The Nigerian Branch of the ILA under the leadership of Profes sor Fidelis Oditah, KC, SAN, regularly hosts innovative lectures, seminars, conferences, and other capacity development programs, to advance the study and understanding of international law in Nigeria.

Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba L-R: Tunde Busari, SAN, Tolu Aderemi, Prof Fidelis Oditah, KC, SAN, and Mrs Doyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN Dr Femi Olaleye

Last Monday, November 28, 2022, 62 Lawyers were elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the Supreme Court, Abuja. Here are some of the New Silks and others who were present at the event

L-R: Kayode Adeluola, SAN; New Silks, Saheed Sanusi, SAN and Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN; and Yusuf Kadiri, SAN

L-R: Immediate Past NBA President, Olumide Akpata; former NBA General Secretary, Rafiu Lawal Rabana, SAN; Olawale Fapohunda, SAN; NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN; and Yusuf Kadiri, SAN

Immediate Past Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN (right) greeting the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON with Roland Otaru, SAN looking on

Joyce Oduah, FICMC, VP, West Africa, PALU & IPGS, and New Silks, former Governor of Bauchi State, M.A. Abubakar (left) and Sylvanus Tahir (right)

Olawale Fapohunda, SAN (left) and his predecessor-in-office, Former Attorney-General of Ekiti State, New Silk, Kolapo Kolade, SAN

Dr Sonny Ajala, SAN (left) and New Silk, Sam Kargbo, SAN

New Silk, Professor Joy Ezeilo, SAN

New Silk, Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN

Hon. Justice Irobosa Oluwatoyin Omotoso, her husband, Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN and Mr Edo Ukpong

L-R: Hon. Justice Winifred Iniebong Akpabio Effiong; New Silk, Sam Kargbo, SAN; Honourable Justice Mohammed Mohammed; New Silk, Bola Aidi, SAN and Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ubua

New Silk, Professor Kathleen Okafor, SAN

L-R: Templars Partners: Godwin Omoaka, SAN; New Silk, Inam Wilson, SAN and Adewale Atake, SAN

Attack on CJN: A Baseless and Needless Political Machination

This article by Dr Kayode Ajulo analyses the remarks made by the Chief Justice of

Honourable

during the activities marking the commissioning of the Federal Judicial Service Commission’s South-South Liaison Office

Harcourt, Rivers State. He denounces as persecution of the CJN, how some have misconstrued his utterances, whether intentionally to cause mischief or without due consideration, misrepresenting statements that were nothing more than banter and a call for others to emulate the milestones which have been achieved in the development of judicial institutions by the Rivers State Government under the leadership

Introduction

The saying that no one is watching more keenly than one who fervently prays to see you fail, may be true in this scenario of deliberate misrepresentation of the speech delivered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Honourable Justice Tajudeen Olukayode Ariwoola GCON, at the State Banquet in Port Harcourt, organised as part of activities marking the commissioning of the two buildings to accom modate the Federal Judicial Service Commission’s South-South Liaison Office and the Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili Judicial Institute, that were conceptualised and constructed by the Rivers State Government.

Observations

I have taken ample time to attentively listen to and carefully dissect the clip of the extemporal speech, part of which were obviously made jocularly, and I expected to come across something out of order which would give reason to the angle of the attackers, but I found not a single utterance that portrayed the CJN as partisan, partial or playing to the tune of an imaginary script as concluded by those who strongly seek to persecute him.

What I observed throughout the speech was a man who has an unapologetic affection for good governance, exceptional discharge of responsibility, equitable distribution of dividends of democracy, workable plans towards sustainable development, and resolute belief in replication of good deeds. The CJN’s remarks were no less than a sincere expression of his beliefs, devoid of personal interests or political undertones in their entirety.

His references were solely based on the good performance of the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike, especially in the area of infrastructural development and contribution to the development of the Legal/ Justice sector, while encouraging Governor Seyi Makinde, Governor of his home State, Oyo State, to emulate the good gestures, for the greater good of the people of Oyo State.

Improvements in the Legal Sector by Rivers State Government in Rivers State & Beyond

When Governor Nyesom Wike assumed office in 2015, the courts in Rivers State had been shut for about two years, leaving the legal profession there in a quandary, with Lawyers finding it difficult to earn their incomes. This was partly due to the crisis, regarding ascendancy to the position of Chief Judge of the State. This crisis was swiftly resolved by Wike’s administration. Some of Governor Wike’s well-known performances in the legal sector include, the construction of a new ultra-modern Law School campus with a Shopping Mall (so that the School can have a source of self-funding) and Staff Quarters in GRA, Port Harcourt; Rivers State Government’s contribution of the sum of N2 billion to the Law School Campus in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to bring it up to speed; contribution of N500 million by the Rivers State Government towards the construction of the newly commissioned Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja; the construction and furnishing of a new two-storey High Court complex in Rivers State; the construction of the ultra-modern Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division Complex and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Division Complex; improvement in the welfare of judicial officers in Rivers State and those who are of Rivers State origin but are serving out-of-State, including the construction of the residential estate for Judges in GRA, Port Harcourt, and monetisation for those Judges who opt for a cash equivalent instead of accommodation; construction of NBA House, Port Harcourt to mention a few.

Others Praised Wike for Rivers State’s Contributions

The CJN's sins, according to his traducers, was acknowledging the obvious fact that there are five PDP Governors christened "G5 or Integrity Group", stating the incontestable truth that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is one of them, and emphasising the undeniable feat

of Governors Wike's infrastructural development, particularly in the legal sector in Rivers State; a feat acknowledged across party lines, and even recognised by President Buhari/APC’s Federal Government with a National Award. Why does it sound like the CJN had said anything new about Governor Wike? Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, saluted Governor Nyesom Wike for being the major contributor to Judicial institutions; the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has praised Wike for his impressive contributions; OCJ Okocha, SAN, former President of the NBA, as well, past and present NBA leaders and several jurists have also eulogised the man for his impressive exploits in the State nicknamed the 'Treasure Base of the Nation'. Wike himself, is not only a Governor, but a Lawyer and Life Bencher of the Body of Benchers.

A few statements scattered throughout an article I read, claimed that the CJN used humour as a ruse to drag himself into the murkiness of political partisanship and contention, and claimed that all this occurred after the CJN had eaten his fill of Wike’s dinner goodies after the commissioning of the projects. A statement also implied that the CJN could have boycotted the event. For me, this statement came off as a cunning attempt to manipulate this issue, in order to pitch innocent people against CJN.

Meanwhile, according to a press statement from the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the CJN and other senior Judicial Officers drawn from different parts of the country were in Port Harcourt on Thursday and Friday, being the 24th and 25th days of November, 2022, for a 2-day commissioning exercise. In my opinion, staging absence from any of the events scheduled within the State in anticipation of the CJN’s visit, would not dignify the CJN.

Discernment & Open Mindedness

I am of the view that the context of the CJN's remarks should be discerned with an open mind, and properly placed. The CJN is human, and should have the latitude to make healthy banter. It is expected that the special guest at such a gathering would have the honour to give remarks, and oftentimes, such remarks are of an informal nature, in order to corroborate the social nature of such setup. The mention of the wife of Governor Makinde and her ancestral tie to Rivers State is a

“I have taken ample time to attentively listen to and carefully dissect the clip of the extemporal speech, part of which were obviously made jocularly…. I had no personal thoughts to suggest that the Honourable CJN had made a mistake that would give his attackers the cheap political points they so desperately crave, in order to satisfy their disproportionate interests”

healthy banter that holds no water, as it is certain that no one can withdraw the Governor's wife. How has calling something the name it bears become a sin? Are these five Governors not now truly known across Nigeria as G5 or Integrity group? How has the CJN’s statement involved him in the internal affairs of the People's Democratic Party? Is it worthy of needless debate, since it is known that the CJN visited Rivers State for no other reason than to commission projects related to the Judiciary?

A project conceptualised and constructed by the Rivers State Government led by Governor Nyesom Wike - a rare occurrence in today's political space? Must we at all times speak, act, and transact only within political inclination even to the detriment of national development? Must we continue to view our everyday activities through the lens of political affiliations and sentiments only?

These, and many more questions were racing through my mind as I read from the attackers of the CJN, and continued to observe the speech to find a nexus I was never able to spot.

Non-Violation of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers

It is imperative to state that the CJN, during his banter, did not violate any of the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. Rule 1(2a) which makes provisions for ‘Social Relationships’ states; “A Judicial Officer must avoid social relationships that are improper or give rise to an appearance of impropriety, that cast doubt on the judicial officers ability to decide cases impartially, or that bring disrepute to the Judiciary’’. It is clear that the CJN’s presence at the gathering on Thursday was in no way a contravention of this section, as the event in question was graced with and well-attended by the presence of several dignified and principled members of our society, including his brother judicial officers past and present, and the CJN’s presence could not have in any way brought disrepute to the Judiciary.

Rule 3 B(ii) which provides for Freedom of Expression and Association in accordance with the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution states: “A Judicial Officer is like other citizens entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly, Provided, however, that in exercising such rights, he shall always conduct himself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of his office and the impartiality and independence of the judiciary”. Again, the CJN has done nothing to violate this provision; like every other citizen of Nigeria, he has a right to express his views and beliefs, as he is entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly and his conduct during the event did nothing to compromise the dignity of his office, nor the impartiality and independence of the Judiciary.

Like William Shakespeare prescribed, “Give it an understanding, but no tongue”. The CJN’s statements, as they appeared in their actual context, are good wit seconded with clear understanding; therefore, this is the first requirement of his attackers’ sanity test who did not seek to give the CJN's

remarks an understanding but rushed their tongues and pens to action.

In general truth, and to my admiration, I was only able to listen and observe an upright man that I have known to always insist on due process and like every noble Yoruba man from Oke-Ogun, is full of wit and anecdotes. A man who speaks the truth as it is at all times, devoid of external influence and personal gratification, to avoid partiality in the disposition of his constitutional responsibilities.

Apart from the aforementioned, I had no personal thoughts to suggest that the Honourable CJN had made a mistake that would give his attackers the cheap political points they so desperately crave, in order to satisfy their disproportionate interests.

However, by my sincere observation, I had to believe that the CJN, being an apolitical professional, does not entirely understand the current system of political followership in the present-day Nigerian politics. A political followership that will sight white and call it black, and painstakingly defend its unfathomable position with unthinkable lies because of party differences, a political followership that will trade national development for personal gains.

These people particularly, are the ones who either want your job or achievements for themselves, or for their paymasters at all cost. They are inflicted with such a terribly enduring appetite to punch holes in every statement, even in a statement as simple as 'Good morning'. It is disheartening to read many unimaginable and condemning statements, even from within the groups of presumed intellectuals, who are attacking the CJN for a harmless statement. In the actual sense of it, his comments deserved a resounding applause for encouraging positive comparison and competition between two States as far as the development of judicial institutions are concerned, and not a deliberate misinterpretation of his words.

Though, it is quite understandable that the impulse of this issue is at a high because it happened within the season of aggressive politicking, which is why it has sparked such needless criticisms and unhealthy debates. But, for me, it equally revealed how badly opposing figures have been infected with the "bring him down syndrome", and are unrepentantly trying to seize every undue advantage to patronise the trade with unproven and baseless assumptions.

Conclusion

In the words of author, Shawn Anchor, “The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block, but as a stepping-stone to greatness”. The CJN is a man of integrity and upright character, and a blessing to the legal profession and Nigeria. He has a great track record to his name, and his little time as the Chief Justice of Nigeria has in no doubt been absolutely witnessed with commendable achievements.

As a Lawyer, I find it unethical to see people disparage the legal profession with the sole purpose of starting pointless arguments, to further their excessive and insatiable need for political significance. I sincerely hope other legal minds will share this view, and stand against any unjustified intimidation and oppressive plots.

Abuja

Dr Kayode Ajulo, Castle of Law,

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON

Nigeria,

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON

in Port

of Governor Nyesom Wike, a Lawyer and a Life Bencher

Dr Kayode Ajulo

‘There’s Gender Inequality at the Inner Bar’

The journey to the apex of the legal profession can be quite tortuous, and for female Lawyers, it is doubly challenging. Professor Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor, SAN is a quintessential Academic with a very rich background in corporate practice, having transversed litigation, arbitration, oil & gas, and finally settling in the ivory tower as the Dean of the Law Faculty of Baze University, Abuja, where many budding Lawyers went through her tutelage. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, she shared her thoughts on a number of issues, including how female Lawyers can rise on the ladder in the profession

Prof, please, tell us about your journey up to this point. Looking back at your over four decades at the Bar, what would you say have been your major high points? What makes you fulfilled as a Lawyer?

After my call to Bar, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Law from the University College, London. Later, I worked with Dr Lateef Adegbite

Chambers where I handled litigation, oil and gas matters, and conveyancing. We wound up Bonny LNG and initiated the Nigeria LNG with other Consultants like Skoup Ltd (owned by the late Dr Pius Okigbo), Chase Manhattan Bank, other US and UK economic consultants.

Thereafter, in 1984, I joined the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc as a Manager, and rose to the position of

Company Secretary and Legal Adviser within 10 years. I actually spent over two decades in the management of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting, moving from Company Secretary and Legal Adviser to Business Development, Personnel, and Marketing.

Apart from handling many sensitive matters and documents, my job involved interfacing with the Central Bank of Nigeria (at the topmost levels), our shareholders, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Independent National Electoral Commission for electoral materials, and Immigration services for passports etc.

My highest point of fulfilment is usually when I see my Baze Law graduands at the High Court, NBA meetings and International Conferences. I started Baze University Law Faculty, with only six female students. Now, we have over 500 students.

You are now one of the less

than 30 female Senior Advocates of Nigeria, out of a total of over 500. Why is there such a gender disparity, especially as there are usually as many women as men called to the Bar annually? In 2021 & 2022, only 2 women out of 72 and 62 respectively were elevated. What could be the reason for this? Is it that the women are not applying, or that women are being discriminated against?

Obviously, more women are needed in the rank of SAN to balance gender inequality. Two women out of 62, is paltry. However, more women need to be better prepared for intellectual engagement, and the financial discipline that comes with success. For Academics, more women need to be consistent in research and publication. Women need domestic help, as the demands of the profession, whether for advocacy or academics, are high. Women need to make the sacrifice of burning the midnight candle. When we have

“My highest point of fulfilment is usually when I see my Baze Law graduands at the High Court, NBA meetings and International Conferences. I started Baze University Law Faculty, with only six female students. Now, we have over 500 students”

Professor Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor, SAN

supportive husbands, the road can

less arduous.

One of Nigeria’s most respected legal practitioners, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, recently called for an overhaul of legal education, advocating the idea that Law graduates should be trained at reputable Faculties of Law, and only final Call to Bar examinations taken at the Central Nigerian Law School. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree with the opinion that final Bar exams should be taken at the Nigerian Law School. This will ensure harmonisation, and control of standards of Lawyers who control critical matters like the lives, freedom and death of people.

With regard to training law students at the Law Faculties, there are NUC, BMAS (Basic Minimum Academic Standards) guidelines for accreditation of Law Faculties, that is, their staffing, lecturers, facilities, standard of library, teaching convenience and other infrastructure. Prospective law students are guided on choice of Law Faculties, based on the staffing etc.

With the proliferation of law faculties across the country, and over 6,000 new wigs called to the Nigerian Bar annually, would you say Nigeria is overproducing Lawyers? How do we ensure that standards and quality are maintained? Some Senior Lawyers believe that the standard of legal education in Nigeria has fallen, and some of the curriculum is even outdated. What is your opinion?

Out of the over 6,000 new wigs annually, many Lawyers (maybe 15%) are not practising the profession, whilst we also lose some to the cold hands of death. This means that we have 1 Lawyer to 35,000 people. The population of the country is also growing at about 4% per annum, and the growth of commercial transactions is phenomenal.

To teach law as a senior lecturer in a Nigerian University, Lecturers are required to have a PhD from a reputable University. The Nigerian University Commission embarks on resource verification every year, to ensure high standards.

Recently, I was privileged to tour some Nigerian Universities. Most have upgraded their libraries, updated their curriculum to include contemporary subjects on Intellectual Property, Forensic, Medicine, Shipping Law, Gender and the Law, Space Law. etc.

Looking at the general business environment in Nigeria and the fairly new Companies and Allied Matters Act, as a Company Law Teacher, how would you rate our ease of doing business?

Considerable progress has been made on easing bottlenecks. Foreign companies no longer need the approval of the Federal Executive Council or the Secretary of Gov-

ernment of the Federation, to begin operations in Nigeria. The Ministry of Trade and Investment approves such ventures, with minimum bureaucracy.

The new CAMA has effectively solved the issue of a single member (shareholder) Company, Section 18(2) now makes it possible to create a private company with only one (1) member or shareholder. This favours SMEs, and household cottage industries. With the emergence of technology, our day to day business authentication of documents by virtue of Section 101 of CAMA 2020 can be achieved easily. An electronic signature is deemed to satisfy the requirement for signing. This is in tandem with today’s technological advancement. In addition to this, a document or proceeding requiring authentication by a company may be signed by a Director, Secretary, or other authorised officer of the Company, and need not be signed as a deed unless otherwise specifically required by the Act. In addition, the introduction of electronic filing, electronic share transfer and virtual meetings for private companies are right moves.

Section 860 (1) of CAMA 2020 makes provision for electronic filing of documents for registration at the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) and Section 175 also introduces electronic share transfer, while Section 240 provides for virtual meetings for private companies only.

Furthermore, Section 861 of CAMA 2020 provides that certi-

fied true copies of electronically filed documents are admissible in evidence, with equal validity as the original documents.

Obviously, some progress is ongoing, although more aspects of securities, mainly the Investment Security Act of 2007 are needed.

Are there really any advantages for Nigeria, in converting NNPC to a limited liability company?

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) became a Limited Liability Company on July 1, 2022, meaning that operations of the Company will be fully run in compliance with the provisions on the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 2020 and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Regulations. This is also in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

As a limited liability company, the NNPC would be required to pay taxes and dividends to its shareholders, including the Government, and the new status of the national oil company allows it to be listed on a stock exchange. Also, its operations would not be subsidised by Government. Periodical Board meetings will be mandatory, filing of annual returns, the Board would operate as a competitive entity.

Should Law teachers be engaged in active litigation? Some are not favourably disposed to it.

Yes, Law Lecturers should be actively involved in litigation, to expose them to the practical aspects of law. Specifically, Law School Lecturers who are saddled with the responsibility of training Lawyers in civil and criminal processes need court exposure; ditto for those teaching Arbitration. The Lecturers will enlighten Judges, by their

erudite briefs of arguments.

Many have, over the past few years, been clamouring that Nigeria be considered as a seat for major arbitrations. How can this be achieved? What major hurdles are there in actualising this aspiration, and how can they be overcome?

The choice of seat of arbitration depends mainly on a country’s history of rule of law infrastructure development, integrity, uninterrupted electricity and water, bilingual services, trustworthy and impartiality of Arbitrators, standard library, zero tolerance for corruption. Parties choose their seat of arbitration, usually before the dispute arises.

Are you in support of jettisoning the 1999 Constitution for a new and improved one, or do you believe that what we have is adequate? Kindly, give reasons for your answer.

No constitution is exhaustive or perfect. Even the tenets of the Code of Hammurabi and the Magna Carta, are being untenable as societal values change. One of the objectionable provisions of the 1999 Constitution is the number of local governments allocated, as the basis of our Federalism. The cost of revision of the Constitution is humongous, but general amendment will ensure an autochthonous document, true Federalism and better equity.

How would you rate this administration vis-à-vis its three main campaign promises - improving security, revamping the economy and fighting corruption? It’s less than three months to the 2023 general elections. What do you expect from the incoming administration in terms of improving the lot of Nigerians, seeing as majority of us are not in the best of conditions?

My ratings of the three indices of government, are unsatisfactory and poor. Government can do much better.

Thank you Learned Silk.

“My ratings of the three indices of government, are unsatisfactory and poor. Government can do much better”

‘There’s Gender Inequality at the Inner Bar’

be

Professor Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor, SAN

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

Ethics and Discipline in Law: Akin to Waiting for Godot (Part 4)

Introduction

When is a Nation developed and advanced? Is Nigeria in that category? Let me proffer an answer.

A 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; discipline helps one manage one’s time better. Discipline helps one achieve your goals. Discipline boosts one’s self-esteem. Discipline helps one master things. Discipline makes one more reliable. Discipline improves one’s ability to manage challenging emotions. When you have discipline in your life, you can make 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.

It is from this perspective we commence our discourse this week, continuing with National Ethics.

National Ethics

There is also an ongoing debate between theorists who favour cultural/ethical relativism (the idea that the “moral rightness and wrongness of actions varies from society to society, and that there are no absolute universal moral standards binding on all men at all times” -John Ladd, Ethical Relativism), and those who favour the idea that all human beings share an inherent sense of right and wrong, which can be determined objectively. Given these difficulties and controversies, any discussion of religion in the classroom or other educational settings can present special challenges.

The search for religious tolerance in the world has become particularly pressing today, in promoting peaceful coexistence in a religiously plural society like Nigeria. In Nigeria, religious tolerance as a means for peace is expedient, because of the near frequent occurrences of religious strife during the past three decades. Religious intolerance has most often times, led to gruesome assailment of persons whose words, actions and/or inactions somewhat do not align the religious beliefs of their assailants.

For instance, many Nigerians would be learning about the existence of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, for the first time. It wouldn’t be a good first impression, for this 52-year-old institution of higher learning. When this college opened its doors in 1970 as Advanced Teachers College, many who are parents today – and many of the people all over who would be smearing the institution with all kinds of foulness – were not even born. There must have been so many other things about the College, over the decades. Its alumni would look back with varied feelings. They might recall the time students unionism had thrived there. The Kegites Club might have held gyrations there; it might even have had an Ilya, as part of the vibrant Northern Hemisphere of the socio-cultural club. There would be nostalgic remembrances of feats by the College and its past, but the present of the College has been enmeshed in an ugly row of religious intolerance. The College has become super prominent, because of the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu. Deborah was, until Thursday, 12 May, 2022, a student of the College. She was stoned to death allegedly by a mob of her fellow students, for

alleged blasphemy against the holy Prophet of Allah (PBUH). Deborah had reportedly vehemently kicked against the posting of religious materials by other students to a WhatsApp group to which she belonged, believed to be that of students of her class. Going by a voice note said to be hers, she had reacted in annoyance to the posts, and said things that her accusers considered blasphemous against Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).

Another report claimed that she was killed by a mob in the College for daring to contend, in an online argument, that she managed to pass her examinations, which she was said to be writing at the time of the incident, with the help of Jesus. “She (Deborah) was having an argument with some of her school mates over their ongoing examinations, and when she was asked how she managed to pass her exams, she said it was Jesus. She was asked to withdraw the statement and apologise, which she refused to do. The school security officers intervened, took her to their post, but they were overpowered by the protesting students who brought her out and killed her. After killing her, her body was burnt on the school premises.”

Yet, another report of the circumstances that led to the stoning to death of Deborah, held that the events that culminated in her death had been brewing since the month of Ramadan when the College was on break. It had smouldered through the period, but did not die. There was online altercation in their WhatsApp group, the third report said, during which she allegedly blasphemed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). “When they sighted her at school today (Thursday 12th May, 2022), all available Muslim male students

surrounded her and started stoning her. They continued until she fell. They made sure she died, and subsequently, set her body ablaze.”

Barring the gaps in the reports, one outstanding thing lacking in the accounts is not about how Deborah was killed, that is an established pattern. It is also not about how others who had gone the same way as Deborah in our religiously volatile North, met their end. The reports highlight, in vivid reality, the obvious mis-education of the ever-ready stoning mob found in Northern Nigeria. Their religious education, in no small way, shows lack of humanity, and that is one area that we would need the Ulama to step in and help the country. There is no contending the entrenched position that Islam means peace; but, there are acts by some adherents of the religion which bring this assertion to disrepute. From a distance, and going by Islam as seen practised in the Southern parts of Nigeria, the intent of any teacher of the faith that could pass for a member of the Ulama, is not to teach his pupils to kill at will. A body of Muslim scholars recognised as having knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology would know that Islam recognises civil authorities, and would encourage Muslims to be law-abiding. Islam teaches the sanctity of human life. So, where does the teaching that we should descend into blinding violence, and kill for the sake of Almighty Allah and his holy Prophet (PBUH) come from? Who is fuelling this mis-education, and for what purpose?

Of course, we would be foolish and insensitive not to recognise our religious differences, and defer to them as often as we should. It is sure naivety for you to toy with the sensitivity of people of the same faith, or who do not share the same faith with you. The same goes for cultural and other differences. However, because of the kind of education given to millions in the North over the years, Nigerians have been made to perpetually walk on eggshells when the issue is religion. The common example is the air of tetchy volatility of religious matters, that makes all who visit the North to be wary of the ground they step on. There is a thin line between what could kill you and

otherwise – the case of a child walking with death without realising it.

At Easter, Sterling Bank did what many people considered as despicable. Easter is the height of Christian celebration; Easter, the resurrection of Christ, is the hub of the Christian religion. Sterling Bank Plc saw the need to greet Christians at Easter; and the bank also felt that the best way to celebrate with Christians was to compare the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to the yeast-induced rising of ‘Agege bread’. The bank published that insensitive message on Twitter, but took it down soon after it saw the angry reaction of Nigerians. People showed how much they abhorred the message, but not by rioting or killing of anyone or burning of property. The bank did not have any of its branches across the country, under any threat. Yet, there were protests and reactions, so much that the Advertisers Practitioners of Nigeria (APCON) announced that it would sanction the bank. That type of protest and reaction, cannot resonate with the kind of education some Islamic clerics give their followers. Education makes a lot of difference. But, what type of education?

For the sake of ‘Whataboutism’, arguments have risen to the hilt in many quarters, and comparisons cited of the dastardly reign of terror unleashed on the South East region by the destructive and condemnable activities of IPOB. There is no mincing words that each (tribe, religion, geo-political zone) has his own shortcomings, but the degree matters a lot to the cohesiveness, growth and development of the country. Violence is condemnable everywhere and every time.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, condemned the killing of Deborah. Muslim media practitioners condemned the killing, and described it as ‘not Islamic’. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, also condemned the killing.

Both religious leaders charged the State Government and the security agencies, to deal with the perpetrators. They are criminals who have stepped out of the bounds of Islam, to give the beautiful religion a bad image.

Religious tolerance can be effectively promoted, when one understands the experiences and the history of the people who abide by them.

Hindu-Buddhism, Chinese religions and Abraham Monotheism all emanated from a series of events or encounters that shaped those faith systems.

Some issues were political, such as the warring States in China and Taoism; others were social, such as the need to stick to certain social structures as in Hinduism. In essence different experiences led to different conceptual frameworks, hence, religions. It is this statement that makes religious tolerance possible

Self reliance in the Constitution means that Nigerians should be able to feed themselves without looking for others to support them. That is, Nigerians should device legal means by which they can feed, clothe and shelter themselves. It also means government should direct all Nigerians to work hard towards making Nigeria a great nation, where we produce what we eat. This is in line with the various poverty alleviation programmes, where Nigerians are encouraged to have sustainable means of livelihood.

The term “self-reliance” was coined by an American transcendentalist and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) in a similarly titled essay published in 1841. The essay emphasised trust in one's present thoughts, skills, originality, belief in own capabilities and genius and living from within. Some interesting quotes from this essay include:

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else; is the greatest achievement”.

“The only person you are destined to be, is the person you decide to be”.

“There is a time that envy is ignorance, and a time that imitation is suicide”

“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines”. (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“In just about every area of society,

there's nothing more important than ethics”. (Henry Paulson)

“….. the obvious mis-education of the ever-ready stoning mob found in Northern Nigeria… There is no contending the entrenched position that Islam means peace; but, there are acts by some adherents of the religion which bring this assertion to disrepute”

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala

Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Head of Investment Operations, Afrinvest, Miss Sharon Ukachukwu; Managing Director, Optimus by Afrinvest, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo; Managing Director, Afrinvest Securities, Mrs. Allen Adedoyin; Chief Investment Officer, Afrinvest Asset Management, Mr. Robert Omotunde; and Investment Strategy Manager, Afrinvest Asset Management, Mr. Omosuyi Temitope, at a press conference on the company’s ‘Investment Strategy Outlook 2023: Soft or Hard Landing’, held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Son of the deceased, Mr. Richard Adesuyi Owolade; his wife, Mrs. Oluranti Owolade; and family member, Mrs. Iyabode Eyitoye, during the funeral service of Richard Adesuyi Owolade’s mother, late Madam Janet Olojufun Owolade, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State… recently

L-R: The Isama Ajie of Asaba/Convener of the Asaba Memorial Exhibition, Chuck Nduka-Eze; Curator of the Asaba Memorial Exhibition, Otsholeng Poo; and Founder, Whitespaces Creative Agency, Papa Omotayo, at the opening of the Asaba Memorial exhibition held at the Red Door Gallery in Lagos…recently

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Reverend Emmanuel Adeyinka Aribasoye (left), and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji (left), during a visit by CAN leadership to the governor in Ado Ekiti… recently

L-R: Assistant National Secretary, Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr. Ini Usoro; Chairman, Scientific Committee, SOEHPON, Dr. Israel Iroezindu; Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the 2022 Annual SOEHPON Conference, Dr. Musa Shaibu; Vice President, SOEHPON, Dr. Uche Enumah; United Kingdom-based OH Facilitator, Dr. Ephraim Anyanate; National Public Relations Officer, SOEHPON, Dr. Charles Onigbogi; and National Treasurer, SOEHPON, Dr. Ayo Agboola, at day one of the 2022 annual SOEHPON pre-conference in Lagos…recently

PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Cornelius Ojelabi; state Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Adinderu Fatai; state Publicity Secretary of APC, Hon Seye Oladejo; and state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, during the media activation of the state APC gubernatorial campaign flag-off at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

L-R: Immediate-past Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo; Chairman, Board of Directors, NEPC, Senator Ibrahim Musa; Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak; former CEOs of NEPC, Tunde Bolaji and David Adulugba, at the NEPC Exporters’ Award/Gala Night in Lagos…recently

& ENVIRONMENT

Govt Urged to Understand Housing Goes Beyond Revenue Generation

Bennett Oghifo

The state and federal governments have been accused of having an inordinate thirst for the generation of excess revenue in the housing sector to the detriment of the people it should provide homes.

“Government should be more interested in the real estate sector other than seeing it as a cash-cow that brings in revenue, but a veritable source of bridging the gap in housing deficit.”

This is a solution to the nation’s housing deficit and needless collapse of buildings proffered by Bldr. (Dr.) Akinsola, Olufemi Emmanuel, National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Builders in Facilities Management (NIBIFM)/President of Nigerian Academy of Facilities Managers (NAFM), and Federal government Consultant on Facilities Management.

Dr. Akinsola was the keynote speaker at a seminar organised by Akmodel Homes & Properties in collaboration with NIBIFM,

during the 2nd Anniversary Celebration of Akmodel Homes and Properties, held in Lagos, recently.

Akinsola, whose speech was on ‘The Revolution in the Real Estate Industry: Identifying Causes and Proffering Steps to Forestall Building Collapse’, said the Theme of this year’s anniversary is more than relevant in view of the phenomenal growth of the real estate sector and incessant collapse of buildings with its attendant loss of life.

The keynote speech, which was delivered after a welcome address by the Chief Executive Officer, Akmodel Homes and Properties Ltd, Dr. Abdulhakeem Odegade, focussed on ‘Revolution of the Real Estate Industry; Building Collapse; Causes of Collapse of Buildings; Remedy to Forestall Building Collapse.’

Proffering steps to forestall building collapse in the country, Akinsola said, “As a registered builder and years of experience that I have working in private, public organisations and running

my own entity. I like to proffer these steps to forestall future building collapses that will in turn put an end to loss of lives, monies invested in building for real estate purposes.”

He said real estate vendors should as a matter of necessity set in motion a process of registering the eight built environment consultants, other than the marketing consultants they now have, to be on standby for ensuring sustainable development. These are: Architects; Structural Engineers; Builders; Quantity Surveyors; Surveying and Geo-informatics professional; Urban and Regional Development consultant; Estate Management and Valuation Experts; Facilities Managers; Health, safety and quality Managers.

He said, “With these professionals a robust, stable and sustainable development will be delivered. Government should be more interested in the real estate sector other than seeing it as a cash-cow that brings in revenue, but a veritable source

of bridging the gap in housing deficit, more especially in Lagos, where housing needs increase geometrically.”

According to him, the consultants registered with each vendor should be verified by

their professional bodies as having good and up-to-date standing professionally.

All real estate vendors, he said should have a working relationship with the Real Estate Developers Association

of Nigeria (REDAN), adding that real estate agency should as a matter of priority set up some departments on their sites for quality control and assurance to monitor quality of works done on their sites.

Dexdee County Estate Benin City Offers Fabulous Yuletide Bargain

Dexdee County Estate has marked out fantastic bargain prices for its prospective buyers during the Yuletide period. The Estate is located at the prestigious Dexdee golf resort, Ekae GRA Benin City, Edo state capital. The develop ment was conceived by the iconic Dexdee Fountains and has evolved through various exciting stages since its incep tion several years ago. It is 18 minutes’ drive from the Benin Airport and 22 minutes from Ring Road, the city’s nerve center. The location offers a serene and exclusive environ ment for both residency and leisure desires.

The estate is essentially an integral part of a wholesome development that includes the Dexdee Golf Resort with all its accompanying fascinating features. The Dexdee Golf Resort is an avant-garde luxury destination designed as a haven of typical charm, tranquility, lush green cascad ing water features to smoothen the nerves, relax and help

concentration. It is ideal for adventurers, honeymooners, executives who want to let stress away from their sur roundings, whole families and friends who want to be together in a perfect get-away environment, encapsulated in tranquility and total wellness. The resort which is designed as a 9-hole golf course is set in picturesque landscape and offers a stop center for leisure and inspiration.

Dexdee County Estate is a mixed residential development that offers limited plots of undeveloped land for purchase as well as beautifully built houses. Only 7 plots and 12 units of 2-Bedroom flats are now available for off plan sale and requires just 30 percent deposit.

The entire development offers a perfect environment where power supply is all round the clock, 24/7, and is well complemented with a complete range of facilities and services.

The recreational facilities include tennis court, two swimming pools, 5 exotic

fountains of different designs including mobile fountains, jogging track, Gym, Yoga room and bicycle track. Also on the cards of the development in the comprehensive plan are a restaurant, luxury guest houses overlooking the Golf course, champagne lounge, event center, training hall, picnic area, library, helipad, waterpark and neighourhood supermarket.

The project is conceived to target the Diaspora market, high networth residents in Benin or Edo state, well to do individuals and companies operating in Lagos, Abuja and other major urban centres in the country who desire a tranquil home tucked away from their regular homes. To secure a stake in the development requires just a 30% deposit. The title is safe and secure, backed by a Certificate of Occupancy.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Dexdee Fountains, Engr. Desmond Odiase said the project “is a dream and not a business. We are not

driven by the nuances of unhealthy competition. It is our passionate desire to

deliver the very best facility that aligns with our beautiful fountains as lasting legacies.

Potential subscribers can reach us through our website which is very active.”

Multiple Taxation Killing Nigeria’s Real Estate Sector, Say Experts

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Property experts have decried the effects of multiple taxation, among other challenges, on the growth of the real estate sector in Nigeria.

They shared this concern at the International Real Estate Conference 2022 held in Abuja, recently.

In his presentation, Dr Kennedy Iwundu noted there is a disharmony among the various levels of government when it comes to property tax in Nigeria.

Iwundu, who is also a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation, stressed the need for a regular review of property tax in the country so as to enable modern needs and challenges.

He regretted that the real

estate tax is one of the taxes upon which tax payers accuse the government of multiple taxation and levies, adding that the property tax is designed in a way where multiple jurisdictions may tax the same property.

The Chairperson, Interna tional Real Estate Conference 2022, Ajayi Franklin, lamented that property developers were indeed finding the payment of countless taxes, levies out of the little they make out of their investments frustrating.

The estate developer described the situation as adversary to the real estate sector, noting that the situation would be addressed if proper and right legislation is in place.

“We generally believe the government has to do something. And to the best

of my knowledge the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), has actu ally been working on having a legislation to curb over-taxation. I am aware of a bill that was at the National Assembly at some point in time, within this year actually. And it was meant to address some of the matters,” Franklin said.

He also proffered knowledge and proper financing as some of the solutions to the country’s housing deficit.

According to him, knowl edge will create the right information that will help developers on how to go about investing in the real estate sector.

He also noted that government’s policy must be right as it would help in reducing the housing deficit in the country.

L-R: Movie Producer, Chief Emeka Ossai; Vice President, Association of Movie Producer (AMP), Amb. Queen Blessing Egbigisin; Chief Executive Officer, Akmodel Homes and Properties Ltd, Dr. Abdulhakeem Odegade; Akmodel Ambassador, Mr. Paul Obazele; Keynote Speaker, Dr Olufemi Emmanuel Akinsola; The Adigun Olowe, Chief Olamilekan Adebayo; and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Adebukola Agbaminoja, at the 2nd anniversary and award ceremony of Akmodel Homes and Properties Ltd., held in Lagos…recently

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Bennett Oghifo

Dexdee County Estate

With no end in sight to the perennial power supply issues in the country, Nigerian businesses currently get 80 per cent of their own electricity supply through the deployment of self-funded diesel and petrol generating sets, THISDAY has learnt.

A review of data garnered from various sources released by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), at a workshop for power correspondents, showed that with a national peak demand forecast of 19.8GW and highest

peak generation of 5.8GW ever, commercial concerns have now resorted to covering the deficit supply by the use of off-grid sources.

Two years ago, a Dalberg report indicated that government and private offices, as well as residences in Lagos alone spent a whopping N750 million daily to generate electricity.

Experts have said that if grid power were available on a 24hour basis, this will be reduced to about N400 million, thereby markedly reducing the cost of doing business in the country.

The Dalberg report said that there were about 22 million small power generators being used in the country at the time, with over 60 per cent of that located in Lagos.

According to the World Bank, this generator usage accounts for over 6.1 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions yearly. Also, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), had said that power generation expenditure represents 40 per cent of the cost of doing business in the country.

In the data released by the NBET, the organisation said

that despite all the challenges, Nigeria will begin to reap the years of investment in the near future, stressing that the sector is currently at am incubation stage.

“Self-generation by commercial/ industrial customers using petrol/ diesel is 8GW - 13GW, according to the National Development Plan 2021-2025. Eighty per cent of operational energy capacity is from off-grid diesel/petrol generators.

“Growing energy deficit will continue as the population continues to grow with an annual growth rate of 3.2 per cent, the

country’s population of over 200 million is projected to be about 402 million by 2050,” the data sourced by NBET said.

Stressing that electricity market liquidity and payment challenges are issues that are being sorted out, the report further highlighted infrastructure challenges and misalignment along the electricity value chain (electricity and gas), as areas of challenge.

Quoting data from Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan 2022, NBET stated that power sector emissions in 2020 was 48MtCO2 while up to 90 million people lacked grid

electricity, the highest access deficit in the world , with 12 per cent of the global access deficit. The NBET data showed that there was need to stimulate effective demand for energy by those who need it, including timely and complete payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and provision of payment security instruments as may be required.

Furthermore, it stressed that transformation of the electricity market to a customer-centred

AThe Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Philip Mshelbila, has said that natural gas will remain a key energy source to the world in the next 20 to 30 years, despite the debate

around the current energy transition.

The global West has continued to push for a quicker decarbonisation of energy supply, although Nigeria and other African countries which rely heavily on fossil fuels sales argue that

there needs to be more fairness and equity in the discussions.

For the International Energy Agency (IEA), which basically works for the world’s rich countries, some of the measures that would be critical to reach net-zero include restrictions

in approvals of new oil and gas field development.

In addition, the body has insisted that there should be no new coal mines or mine extensions by this year while electric vehicles should reach 60 per cent of global car sales by 2030 as well as nearly 70

per cent of global electricity generation being produced from solar and wind by 2050.

But Mshelbila who spoke at the World LNG Summit and Awards in Athens, Greece, noted that gas will continue to play a major role in the global energy mix.

He listed the efforts being made by the gas industry to reduce carbon emission, adding that there is a need for other industries outside of gas to also cut down on their emissions.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Equatorial Guinea to Assume OPEC Presidency in 2023

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, Gabriel Lima, will take over as the President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2023, re-establishing Africa as a

leading powerhouse in the global oil industry.

Among the largest producers of oil in Africa, Equatorial Guinea has seen exponential Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as a result of its oil industry, with exports having been central towards

driving the economy and socioeconomic development in the country.

As such, in the wake of a new era of cooperation and partnership-building in the continent, Lima’s appointment as OPEC President is expected to facilitate a platform that

will advance the interest of African oil and gas explorers and producers and all OPEC members.

As an intergovernmental organisation OPEC holds significant influence over the global oil market. The organisation and its member states account

for nearly 40 per cent of global oil supply and thus, have a critical role to play regarding market stabilisation.

“We at the African Energy Chamber (AEC)

are very pleased to see the appointment of Gabriel Obiang Lima as the President of OPEC,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC,” added Ayuk.

NCDMB Hails Solewant Group’s Contributions to Nigerian Content Devt

industries.

Sunday Okobi

The President of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has called on governments at all levels to create urban agriculturefriendly policies in order to bridge the rising food gaps in the world.

Fayemi, according to a statement singed by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh for his media

office in Abuja, explained that urban agriculture is a vital strategy for building the resilience of cities’ food supply, reducing poverty and increasing employment, as well as improving nutritional outcomes, and mitigating environmental degradation of urban spaces.

“Urban agriculture is defined as the production, distribution, and marketing

of food in cities and metropolitan areas,” he said.

The agriculture expert made this appeal at the 2022 Brazil-Africa Forum which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, recently with the theme: ‘Sustainable Cities: Global challenges, local solutions’.

According to Fayemi, “Policies about urban agriculture must be

improved for the enhancement of urban agriculture benefits as well as the reduction of the risks associated with public health and environmental hazards.

‘’Policy integration should pay attention to issues such as urban land use planning, health, waste management, social housing, slum upgrading, park, and nature management.”

Fayemi Call for Urban-agriculture Strategies to Tackle Food Shortages Seplat Gets ISO Assets Management Certification

Seplat Energy Plc has announced that the firm has successfully obtained the ISO 55001:2014 Standard Asset Management System certification, becoming the first energy company in Africa to achieve this remarkable feat.

ISO 55001 is the international standard that helps organisations to manage their assets and optimise asset lifetime value effectively.

According to a statement from the company, it will deliver benefits both now and in the future by helping to improve its bottom line, reduce risk, improve asset performance, and ultimately improve investors’ confidence in how Seplat energy manages its assets.

The audit, it added, was based on sampling within the Western Asset operations of Seplat Energy, where the team demonstrated commitment and provided evidence of

conformity with developed and implemented procedures and controls.

“This is another exciting moment for Seplat Energy especially being the first energy company to achieve this certification in Africa. We have built a leading energy company with what it takes to comply with world-class standards.

“ With ISO 55001:2014 Standard certifications, we have proven that our strong performance over the years is not by chance but based on sustainable world-class

processes established as part of our business to deliver sustainable energy solutions to society. We will continue to set the pace for others to follow,” the statement quoted Seplat Chief Executive, Roger Brown, as saying. Seplat Chief Operating Officer, Samson Ezugworie, affirmed that the company will continue to strive towards sustaining and continually improving the company’s asset management performance as required by the ISO 55001:2014 standard.

Renews Appointment of Olayinka-Dosunmu as Rector FSS

The Federal Government has renewed the appointment of Dr Nihinlola OlayinkaDosunmu as Rector of the Federal School of Surveying (FSS), Oyo in Oyo State, for a second term of four years.

In the letter of the renewal of the appointment signed by the Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Abduganiyu Adebomehin, who doubles as Chairman of the Governing Council on the FSS, the government said the renewal of the new term was tied to the rector’s performance in office.

“Consequent upon your satisfactory performance as the school rector for the past four years, I write to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing of your appointment for a second term and final as the Rector, Federal School of Surveying, Oyo,” Adebomehin stated.

According to the letter of appointment, the rector is the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer and would be responsible for the dayto-day administration of the school; the exercise of general authority over the employees of the school, and the discipline of the students in the school.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has hailed the contributions of Solewant Group to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector, describing the company as the champion of the local content in the country.

Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote made the commendation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend while addressing participants at the 6th annual Business Open Day programme of Solewant Group.

Represented by the Director in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation at the NCDMB, Mr. Tunde Adelana, the Executive Secretary noted that it was one thing to encounter challenges and another thing to tackle them headlong.

“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,” Wabote 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 Nigerian oil and gas regulations as championed by the NCDMB.

He said by so doing, Solewant has helped the country to unlock her energy resources by increasing its production capacity and creating competent local manpower, thereby ensuring that in-country vendors or stakeholders in its fold benefit from their operations.

According to him, Solewant Group manufactures and delivers steel pipes, pipe coating, fabrication, construction, concrete and metal surface protections through their range of product solutions to the oil, gas and water

He said that the group’s business is built on expert knowledge, outstanding customer service and highest quality work for all the clients that they serve.

The Group CEO of Solewant Group added that some of the company’s factories are now utilising some raw materials that are locally sourced.

He noted that they do not lower quality and standards in their manufacture and supply of premium quality products, pointing out that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has also approved their products as a regulatory body in the country.

According to him, the company’s Industrial Area has created employment for over 800 Nigerians and provided support for the development of the country’s economy.

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 $800 million contracts was awarded by Shell to Nigerian companies in 2021.

He noted that Solewant that has shown capacity, and invested in facility in Nigeria, in line with the NCDMB policy.

On his part, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, represented by an official of the apex bank, Mr. Kasere Solomon said the economic impact of in-country manufacturing cannot be overemphasized. This, he said is the reason why CBN places a premium on local currency production.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Peter Uzoho

Crude Oil Theft: Whither Nigeria?

Anthony Osas Okungbowa, Esq.

Crude oil theft has been part of our history of oil exploration for a very long time. But in recent times, this issue has assumed dangerous dimensions with the damage caused to the National Economy and its impact on sub-nationals in Nigeria.

The print and electronic media have been awash lately with reports of discoveries of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, resulting in multi-million naira losses to Nigeria daily. The impact of this malaise has been so monumental that Nigeria is on the brink of the cliffs economically. The revelations have been astonishing and everyone is concerned.

In its Saturday, 8th October 2022 edition, ThisDAY newspaper carried as one of its headlines, the report that lawmakers had charged President Muhammadu Buhari to fight oil thieves, whom they said had declared a war on Nigeria. The same newspaper also reported that a former warlord, Tompolo, who had recently been engaged by the Nigerian Government to help stem the tide of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta had exposed security officials as being party to and protagonists of this criminality. The report further highlighted that “sixteen hidden tapping points on the trans-forcados/Ramos pipeline had been uncovered”. Many more illegal pipeline tap points have since been discovered and the discoveries are likely to continue in the coming days, weeks and months. There was even a report recently of the destruction by military men of a ship which was used to convey stolen crude in an apparent effort to conceal those behind the theft. Allegations and insinuations have been rife to the effect that top functionaries of Government and prominent people in the society including the clergy are deeply involved in this illegal business. Hopefully, more facts will emerge about this in the coming days.

Crude oil theft has gone on in Nigeria for years. Unfortunately, not much has been done to stem its tide. For a country that depends almost entirely on this economic good for its sustenance, this apathy is difficult to understand.

Nigeria currently faces an existential threat. Crude oil is the mainstay of the economy. Experts say that Nigeria losses about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day to oil thieves. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) however admits losses of 470,000 barrels per day. While this discrepancy exists, what is, however certain is that much of our crude oil is stolen on a daily basis.

From NNPC estimates, about 700million dollar worth of crude oil is lost to oil theft monthly. Between January and July 2022, Nigeria lost 10 billion Dollars to this crime and this is equivalent to 4.3trillion Naira (at N430 official exchange rate to the dollar) which is more than fifty percent of Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves. The figure is also more than double Nigeria’s total revenue between January and April 2022. It is on record that during this period, Nigeria’s total revenue was unable to service its debt. Nigeria had to borrow for everything, including payment of salaries.

Data obtained from OPEC show that the average production quota for Nigeria was 1.73million bpd during the first seven (7) months of the year. In that period, crude oil production fell to 1.1 million bpd(July, 2022) from 1.4million bpd in January (a shortfall of about 270,000bpd). Incidentally, July recorded the highest price per barrel of 117.25 Dollars in all of 2022 so far. In January, crude oil sold for an average of 93.95dollars per barrel (OPEC basket price) and in March, price jumped to 113 dollars. While Nigeria’s production quota increased to 1.71million bpd, production actually dropped to 1.34million bpd- a shortfall of 378,000 dollars resulting in a loss of 42.8 million revenue daily. In April, average price dropped to 105 dollars per barrel, however, OPEC increased Nigeria’s production quota to 1.73mbpd. Unfortunately, we could only do 1.32mbpd. In May, output further dropped to 1.23mbpd compared to an average of 1.75mbp allowed by OPEC which represents a shortfall of 520,000mbpd and a loss of 59m dollars loss daily. In July, and for the 7th consecutive month, production also dropped to 1.18mbpd as against OPEC’s 1.79mbpd quota. Production shortfall was 610,000 barrels pd (66.86million dollars loss in revenue every day). The value of oil stolen from Nigeria is said to be equivalent to the budget of Osun, Kwara and Ekiti States. As expected, this development has occasioned severe damage to the economy and its devastating effects include, reduced exports, and the shutdown of production by some companies, factors which have virtually crippled the country’s fiscal stability.

All this is happening in the midst of an apparent oil boom, the first since 2015, with crude oil selling at an average of 112 dollars per barrel for the first half of 2022. The highest ever recorded was 147.27 Dollars per barrel in July, 2008.

Curiously, in addition to the crushing effect of oil theft, Nigeria continues to bear the huge burden of fuel subsidy fraud. The Federal Government says it will cost Nigeria N6.9 trillion to fund subsidy in 2023. The Economist in the latest edition of its monthly breakfast meetings at the Lagos Business School reported that between 2015 to 2020, 5.5 billion dollars was spent on subsidy. But in 2021 alone, Nigeria spent a whooping

sum of 3.8 billion dollars on subsidy and 6.2 billion dollars in just the first quarter of 2022. The projection for subsidy in 2022 is 15.7 billion dollars which is almost double the budget of all the 36 states of the federation in 2021 which was an equivalent of 9.8 billion dollars.

From all these, many questions readily come to mind. Who are those responsible for this “attempted homicide” on Nigeria? What action is being taken to stem the tide? Are the revelations which we now see new? What was done in respect of similar revelations in the past? Did we learn anything from our previous experiences and what action(s) were taken to prevent a recurrence? Many many questions. Not enough answers.

Crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956. Previously, there had been 50 years of unsuccessful attempts at oil exploration in the country. The discovery on Sunday, 15th January, 1956 in Oloibiri, a small town in Bayelsa State ended that failure. The first Nigerian oil came onstream in 1958 with 5,100bpd.

Crude oil theft started long before today- around the late 1970s and early 80s when the country was under military rule. The story is that members of the top military brass in Nigeria started stealing the nation’s crude oil and allowing others to steal it around this period. The theft has grown exponentially since then to what it is now- criminality with sophistication.

According to Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, the illegal pipeline taps are so sophisticated now, that in some cases, they run for 3-4 kilometers and would have involved cranes, and at least 40 workers to build. In point of fact, according to the NNPC boss, in one illegal line alone which measures less than 200km, there were found not less than 295 illegal connections. He has also revealed that the rate of theft forced the shutdown of two production fields.

As to who are those responsible for oil theft in Nigeria, Kyari provides a measured answer. Speaking during the ministerial briefing by the Presidential Communications team at the State House, Abuja in August, 2022, Kyari fingered “high placed” Nigerians, (including the religious), community leaders and Government officials as being fully involved in the theft. No names were mentioned He also disclosed that stolen products were warehoused in churches and mosques with the knowledge of all members of the society where the incidents occurred, including the clerics. He revealed that at least 122 persons involved in the various activities had been arrested from April to August this year. Nigerians await the publication of the list of the so-called “high-placed” Nigerians and Government officials involved and how they are dealt with. Unless this is done, crude oil theft will not stop.

I am confident that the present administration at the federal level has the capacity to stem the tide of crude oil theft or at least significantly reduce it before it exits office In spite of avoidable hesitation initially, government appears to have picked up the gauntlet. The first right step has been taken in intensifying the pressure on the oil thieves. But beyond this, the revelations now emerging from the Niger Delta of possible involvement of the high and mighty must be taken seriously and handled in a manner that is fair, transparent and acceptable to all. There should be no sacred cows. Everyone involved, no matter how highly placed, must be brought to book, according to extant laws and regulations in force.

Diversification of the economy has long been touted as the much-needed answer to our national economic question. But as long as crude oil remains a source of national income, and continues to be highly valued in the international market, its exploration will continue to be a veritable source of national income. It is therefore unacceptable for any person to appropriate its benefits for private use.

It is a national imperative that in dealing with this rather entrenched criminality, Nigeria must up the game in the nature and quality of sanction to underscore the importance and devastating nature of crude oil theft. It is particularly disheartening that inspite of the severity of the crime and its impact on our national economy, the prescribed penalty for crude oil theft remains annoyingly low. In his article titled “the mystery of Nigeria Crude Oil Theft, published online on September 19, 2022, Dakuku Peterside, a former Governorship candidate in Rivers State and former MD of NIMASA opined “that crude oil theft is a crime against the State and must be treated as such. The Government must go after the perpetrators of this dastardly act and punish them as a deterrent to others. Economic sabotage is a severe crime against the State and is very reprehensible”. Nothing can be truer.

One reason why criminals are punished in society is to deter them and others from crimes and criminality. According to Wikipedia, in relation to criminal offenses, deterrence is the idea or theory that the threat of punishment will deter people from committing crimes and reduce the probability and/ or level of offending in the society. It is one of the five objectives of criminal punishment. Deterrence

has spiral effects on people and crimes. If sanctions are accorded infractions, not only will the guilty be punished and society is able to feel a sense of closure, the society would also have conveyed a strong message of disapproval for criminality and would-be criminals would be consequently dissuaded.

One major defect of our criminal justice system which has served as a veritable incentive to crude oil theft in Nigeria over the years is the failure of sanctions or insufficiency of it. According to the Oxford Dictionary, “sanction” means a strong action taken in order to make people obey a law or rule or a punishment given when they do not obey. The Blacks’ Law Dictionary defines “sanction” as “a penalty or punishment provided as a means of enforcing obedience to a law”. In maintaining societal equilibrium and ensuring obedience to laws and respect for order, sanction is, therefore, an imperative. Even in smaller units of authority like the home/ family or community, the need for sanction when breaches occur cannot be overemphasized. In the absence of sanction, society loses its capacity to self-regulate and criminal-minded people readily exploit this lapse and make life unbearable for decent members of the society.

Unfortunately, the regime of sanction/punishment available against oil theft in Nigeria and its application have left much to be desired. For instance, it was reported and published in the online media on January 20, 2022 that some crude oil thieves and their vessel caught with 200 million naira worth of stolen crude oil had, through the instrumentality of a plea bargain, been allowed to walk virtually free with a fine of N2,000. In a judgment delivered on 24th November, 2021, the trial Judge noted that the plea bargain filed by the prosecutor (an officer in the Federal Ministry of Justice) was “dirty”, “sordid” and “unpleasant”. The Judge also opined that he was seeing for the first time where a charge was amended to give the defendant “a soft landing”.

It is a shame that the plunder of our commonwealth has gone on for so long without perpetrators being punished adequately for their crimes. Evidently, the protagonists of this serious economic crime include the high and mighty in the society who have appropriated for themselves and their generations the right to use and gratify themselves with our commonwealth. In any society where this happens – where a privileged few have a sense of entitlement to the commonwealth and flagrantly, shamelessly, fearlessly and unapologetically display it as happens in Nigeria, genuine growth and development are impossible.

It is difficult to imagine that many of these illegal activities happen in communities in the Niger Delta to the knowledge, approval and in some cases, connivance of ordinary people. It is

a shame and an embarrassment to us as a people.

It is therefore suggested that a tougher regime of sanctions be introduced. This writer is of the firm view that the death penalty or life imprisonment should be introduced for crude oil theft and enforced no matter whose ox is gored. Oil is the source of life for Nigeria. Theft of it in any guise must attract the highest possible penalty.

It is also suggested that the Federal Government should declare a national emergency on crude oil theft and deploy massive resources to identify, follow up, and prosecute offenders. Government should make a show of the criminals and create a National Register of Shame to name & shame those involved directly or indirectly in the crime.

The time to invest in and introduce technology in the management of our oil resources is now. It is unacceptable that after many years of crude oil exploitation in Nigeria, we still cannot account for our oil. In some other countries, every drop of oil exploited is completely accounted for. Also, as a matter of national emergency, a Special Court should be constituted to try offences of crude oil theft. Some of our best legal minds should sit on those panels. Happily, Nigeria is not in short supply of such legal minds. Also, trials of such cases should be open and on national television. It is also suggested that the decisions of Courts in these cases should be highly publicized, simplified, and included as a module in the teaching of history where children, even those yet unborn, can study and learn about how some people stole their commonwealth but got sanctioned for doing so.

It is important that this matter is not treated with levity by the federal government. Similarly, Nigerians must not treat this issue as a federal government issue. Oil is our collective source of sustenance as a people and all hands must, therefore, be on deck to deal with the current challenges which the enemies of Nigeria have presented against our progress and prosperity as a nation. This issue must not be politicized. Nigerians must demonstrate high patriotism of purpose in this matter and join hands with the Federal Government seeing to it that this issue is addressed and Nigeria regains its lost glory as a powerhouse in crude oil production.

However, the Federal Government must step up its efforts, intensify its grassroots approach to dealing with this issue and most importantly, be ready to disclose those behind this long-standing “pain in the neck” for Nigeria. The cooperation and support of Nigerians are most important and needed to help the Federal Government deal with the menacing threats that crude oil poses to our commonwealth and collective existence as a Nation.

Dangote’s Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Industrialisation

“N

o country in the world has ever industrialised or attained ‘developed nation status’ without having a thriving manufacturing sector. Without a doubt, manufacturing is the heartbeat of industrialisation and the bedrock for inclusive economic growth and development. Consequently, any journey towards industrialisation must place strong emphasis on creating an enabling environment for manufacturing.”

This, in a nutshell, was the submission of the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, when he mounted the rostrum recently to deliver the Second Adeola Odutola Lecture in commemoration of the 50th AGM of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

Dangote, who presented a paper that was titled “Agenda Setting for Industrialising Nigeria in the Next Decade,” pontificated that the importance of manufacturing in ensuring the growth, stability and resilience of the economy cannot be over emphasised.

He said: “Without a vibrant manufacturing sector, Nigeria will be overly dependent on imports and fluactuations in oil revenues will continue to result in foreign exchange scarcity and economic shocks.”

He, therefore, said that “to drive industrialisation and sustained economic growth in Nigeria,” it would be important to enunciate deliberate policies that would ‘support manufacturing activities and address the perennial challenges of the sector.”

These challenges, according to him, included acute shortage of foreign exchange, dearth of long term funds, limited infrastructure, policy inconsistency, limited core industries, over regulation, insecurity and multiple and high tax rates for the industries.

IMPEDIMENTS TO SECTORS’ GROWTH

These binding constraints have combined to hinder the manufacturing sector from delivering its optimal performance. “In recent years, manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP has hovered around 9.0 per cent, which is low and indicates that previous efforts at industrialising Nigeria through manufacturing have not yet yielded the desired result,” Dangote said.

He stated that when industrialisation is driven by broad based manufacturing of products for domestic consumption and export the internal and external position of the country will in the medium to long term become favourable.

The resultant effects would be that “economic growth will trend upward; tax revenues will increase; balance of payment will be positive; external reserves will grow and the value of the Naira will be stable.

“In addition, lending rate for investment should decline as the economy becomes more liquid; standard of living will improve; and Nigeria will be in a position to provide its citizens with some of the social safety nets that exist in advanced economies.”

He posited that even though the policy dispositions and implementation strategies of successive Nigerian governments on industrialisation had been to seek to create more employment opportunities, scale up the production of consumer goods for the country’s teeming population and generate wealth for the nation.

But in spite the fact that these dispositions and strategies formed the kernel of public sector policies and planning, the rate of industrialisation in Nigeria has been slow as evidenced by the low contribution of manufacturing to the GDP, poor capacity utilisation and constrained export of manufactured products within and outside the continent.

For instance, Nigeria’s 0.41 per cent share of the world output as reported by the World Bank in 2019/2020 was unimpressive considering the country’s size and resource endowment. This ranked poorly when compared with India’s 3.1 per cent; South Korea’s 3.0 per cent and China’s 28.7 per cent.

He attributed the poor showing of Nigeria’s

manufacturing sector to the overtly challenging structural and institutional constraints, as well as funding. These factors, according to him, have over the years cumulatively contributed to its underwhelming performance.

He noted that the country’s dwindling industrial performance has significant socio-economic implications like rising rate of poverty and unemployment.

Dangote stated the following deductions on Nigeria’s latent potentials for industrialisation.

One, that the numerical strength of the country’s population could indeed be translated into economic wealth. Two: sthat the teady growth of manufacturing output is possible when the operating environment is conducive. Three: that Nigeria would not easily transit from “developing” to “newly industrialised” country without a vibrant manufacturing sector. Four: that effective implementation of long term plans that are backed with policy consistency would promote enduring economic growth and development.

This, perhaps, accounted for the prominence given to the manufacturing sector, which is largely made up of manufacturing, mining and utilities, in each of Nigeria’s development planning. These national development plans have all expressed the aspiration to develop a robust industrial sector that would fully explore export market, boost export proceeds, promote the development of local technology, increase local raw material utilization, create employment and generate wealth for the nation.

Dangoted noted that the industrial objectives expressed in the national development plans were underpinned by basically two industrial strategies, namely import substitution and export promotion. The goal is to shore up the country’s foreign reserve, expand our domestic market for locally manufactured products, increase employment and local production of goods, reduce dependence on imports; expand exports; conserve foreign exchange by replacing imported items with locally produced alternatives.

However, when x-rayed in the mirror of key macroeconomic variables the impact of these development plans, policies and strategies on the industrial sector has revealed that there is plenty of room for improvement.

For instance, their set targets have largely

not been attained as a result various factors that included the neglect of agriculture and manufacturing due to the oil boom; reliance on foreign technology for the country’s industrialisation without a robust local technology development strategy and policy inconsistency and poor policy implementation.

Others are dearth of local technical skills; low indigenous participation in manufacturing; dependence on external loans to finance projects and ill-conceived projects among others.

The corollary is that Nigeria has not attained its industrial development aspirations even though industrial development could hasten the pace of the country’s economic growth and ensure rapid transformation of the economy.

DRIVERS OF MANUFACTURING GROWTH

Dangote also went on to touch on few factors that needed to be in place to accelerate the growth of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. The first among them is the need to engender industry oriented government policy and macroeconomic policies such as exchange and interest rate that are pro-manufacturing industry. This could be achieved through an “industrial policy that is jointly designed and formulated by the monetary and fiscal authorities based on the outcome of interactions with the organised private sector and proper implementation of policies with sufficient maturation time as well as pro-industrial regulation and trade agreements.”

Secondly, is the provision of adequate infrastructure in the form of reliable energy for the industrial sector at reasonable tariff rates, good rail network that is functional and extensive and efficient seaports.

The third, according to him, is industry oriented research and development that would provide the best grades of local raw materials and creative technological solutions for Nigeria’s industrial sector.

Other factors included the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector to have strong industrial linkage, which would provide the value chain that feed the medium and large manufacturing business, and the necessity of human capacity development by nurturing a sound educational system that could churn out manpower with requisite skills for the manufacturing sector and revive and

HOW NIGERIAN BUSINESSES GET 80% POWER SUPPLY FROM PRIVATE GENERATING SETS

market remains important, where commercial and industrial customers drive network investments for enhanced electricity supply.

“Current regulatory framework already permits this

transformation, including the following NERC Regulations: Regulations for Investments in Electricity Networks in Nigeria 2015; Eligible Customer Regulations 2017; Guidelines on Distribution Franchising in the

NESI 2020. Nigeria Net Zero GHG Emissions Target: 2050-2070; Energy Transition Plan sets a target of 2060,” the data indicated.

It highlighted that there is an unconditional plan for 20 per cent reduction on Business

as Usual (BAU) emissions by 2030, and a 45 per cent conditional commitment achievable with financial assistance, technology transfer and capacity building.

“By 2050 (we need) a country with a low carbon energy efficient

NLNG: NATURAL GAS WILL REMAIN MAJOR ENERGY SOURCE IN NEXT 30 YEARS

“We are quite confident that over the next 20 to 30 years, natural gas will continue to play a vital role as a major source of energy to the world. As the gas industry

works towards decarbonising its value chain, we must encourage others outside our chain, to also reduce their emissions,” he suggested at the event.

Although Nigeria has about 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and about 600 tcf of unproven gas reserves, t Mshelbila said that there is big underserved domestic

demand for gas in Nigeria.

He said: “There is huge underserved domestic demand for gas in Nigeria. Even though our main product is LNG for export, we supply

modernize technical and vocational education. Finally, is the need to leverage technology to improve efficiency through the digitisation and automation of the manufacturing process.

Dangote also observed that “the sector, however, recorded its highest growth over the periods between 1999 and 2007 when it recorded 8.04 per cent growth and also between 2010 and 2015 when it posted 12.34 per cent.

He said: “Incidentally, these periods coincided with the implementation of robust industrial policies such as NEEDS, backward integration and the NIRP that were driven by well-targeted sector specific incentives. The performance of the manufacturing in those periods showed how sustained pro-industry policies can catalyse growth in industrial output.”

NEXT 10 YEARS AGENDA

Dangote opined that so achieve industrialization goals, it is necessary for Nigeria to formulate plans and policies that will enhance and sustain industrial development, which involved the establishment of conducive environment that would encourage investment and ensures sufficient of resources to increase productivity and growth.

He said: “The creation of a pathway to steady and sustained industrial growth entails the deployment of industrialisation centric strategies and policies; promotion of the national manufacturing philosophy; securing the buy-in of government for successful implementation of the agenda; promotion of smart manufacturing; establishment of a robust framework aimed at improving the business environment; the extension of comprehensive and integrated support to priority sectors with strong linkages and growth potentials as espoused in the NDP 2021-2025 with particular emphasis on improved value addition and export of manufactured products.

“It also entails the development of strong partnership with the private sector within and outside the country.

“Nigeria needs to henceforth intensify efforts at promoting industrialization with specific focus on the attainment of the following targets in the next 10 years: 15 per cent manufacturing sector growth; 20 per cent manufacturing contribution to GDP, 15 per cent growth in export of manufactured products, 10 per cent increase in the share of the manufacturing to total export merchandise, stronger inter-industry linkage between SMEs and large corporations, improved manufacturing contributions to government tax revenue and 20 per cent increase in manufacturing employment.”

industrial sector; a low-carbon, climate-resilient, high-growth circular economy that reduces its current level of emissions by 50 per cent, moving towards having net-zero emissions across all sectors of its development in

about 40 per cent of the LPG utilised by the Nigerian domestic market.

“We are also supporting the Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative which seeks to

a gender-responsive manner,” it stated.

It further noted that plans were underway for the promotion of renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and tidal wave by 2050.

supply gas for both export and domestic use – LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).”

Foremost industrialist and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, recently set an agenda for industrialising Nigeria in the next decade, Dike Onwuamaeze brings the report

Expert Tasks Entrepreneurs to Upscale Business across Globe

Sunday Ehigiator

The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Terminal Africa, Nnamdi Okoh has charged entrepreneurs to expand their businesses beyond the scope of Nigeria through the globe for better opportunities and exposure.

In a recent interview with THISDAY, Okoh said the growing interconnectedness of the global economy presents upsides in the form of a boost in customer acquisition, enhanced business visibility, diversified revenue profile risks, and exponential growth in topline for businesses expanding their footprint.

According to him, “Within Africa alone, businesses as

small as an online store run by a single owner from the comfort of their home can tap into a continental market of about $3.0 trillion powered by 1.3 billion consumers.

“Beyond the continent, the value to unlock is immense. Granted that cross-border expansion can enhance business performance, the process of growing in new markets could be daunting and even costly to businesses that lack the right expertise and support.

“Getting expansion right is important, and essential steps must be considered to improve the likelihood of success.”

He said the first step was ensuring that the product or offering fills a gap in the

markets of interest.

“The reason why businesses are successful is down to whether they solve problems that other people are willing to pay for. The market need of a place might differ from another.

“Before venturing out of the local market, it is therefore important to carry out adequate research or market analysis to confirm that an opportunity exists for the products in the proposed location.

“Based on the outcome of the investigation and to ensure a successful fit, it might become necessary to modify aspects of one’s products in line with the standards and consumer preferences of the specific market.”

BAT Wins Award for Leading Nigeria’s Non-oil Exports to African Countries

Nume Ekeghe

In recognition of its outstanding contributions to the growth of the non-oil export sector, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has recognized British American Tobacco Nigeria (BAT) as “Best Exporter to African Markets for the Year 2022. This award was conferred at the Council’s Award and Gala Nite which was held in Lagos recently.

British American Tobacco Nigeria came tops in the category after shrugging off competition from both Indorama Eleme Fertiliser & Chemical Limited and Dangote Cement Limited.

In a statement, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, explained that the Agency’s basis for the nominations and conferment of the Awards was the pre-shipment inspection reports of exports by the non-oil exporters. He also expressed appreciation to all

non-oil exporters who have contributed to the expansion and development of the Nigerian economy in recent years.

BAT Nigeria has been involved in the manufacturing business in Nigeria for over 20 years and has been conducting both domestic and export operations from its US$ 185 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Over the past 20 years, BAT Nigeria has generated revenues of over NGN 400 billion for the Nigerian Government through tax and other regulatory payments. in 2021 alone, BAT Nigeria contributed about N75 billion to the national treasury in the form of excise duties and other taxes.

In terms of export, BAT Nigeria exports to 14 (fourteen) countries in West and Central Africa, by virtue of which it has generated over US$ 500 million as revenue. Presently, BAT Nigeria is consistently one of the top 5 non-oil exporters each month,

thereby contributing significantly to the Federal Government’s objective to diversifying Nigeria’s export revenue base. It generates / repatriates more than US$ 110 million in foreign exchange each year. BAT Nigeria also provides direct and indirect employment for over 350,000 Nigerians across the value chain.

External Affairs Director at BAT West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, who received the award on behalf of the organization, expressed her delight at the award conferred on the organization.

In her words, “The Nigerian Export Promotion Council’s recognition of the volume of our exports to African markets is a testament to BAT’s contribution to the region’s economic growth and development. We have been involved with Nigeria, as well as the West and Central Africa region. We remain committed to advancing the non-oil sector in Nigeria as we create A Better Tomorrow.”

LAPO Wins ‘Best Financially Inclusive MfB of the Year’

Sunday Ehigiator

LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, a premium microfinance institution in Nigeria has won the award of ‘The Best Financially Inclusive MfB of the Year 2022.

The award was presented to the bank at the maiden edition of the International Financial Inclusion Conference, recently organised by The National Financial Inclusion Steering Committee (NFIS) supervised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The conference was a

convergence of critical stakeholders, including Regulators, Operators, Policy Analysts and Government functionaries with the sole aim to examine the opportunities, and challenges and proffering solutions to the snags along the nation’s Financial inclusion objectives.

Reacting to the development through a press statement, the Managing Director, LAPO MfB, Cynthia Ikponmwosa, expressed the bank’s appreciation for winning the award.

She said the award was

a validation of LAPO’s immense impact on Financial inclusion through the consistent delivery of innovative Financial products and services to the last man in the last mile across Nigeria

According to her, “We appreciate the NIFS, organisers of this conference and the CBN for this recognition and award.

“We remain committed to our over 30 years mandate of providing social and economic support to members of low-income households and owners of micro small and medium enterprises in a sustainable manner.”

CINQTECH Nigeria Bags ISO 9001 2015 Certification

CINQTECH Nigeria Limited, a foremost indigenous procurement, IT and engineering service company has bagged ISO 9001, 2015 certification in recognition of its operational, management and organizational effectiveness which aligns with international best practices.

The quality management system certification which covers leadership, planning, support, operation, performance, evaluation among other criteria was conferred on the company by BQSR, globally recognized ISO Certification body.

The certification followed a

comprehensive audit and evaluation exercise conducted by BQSR, a certification body accredited by International Accreditation Service (IAS) USA, a member of IAF.

Speaking on the certification, The Chief Executive Officer, CINQTECH Nigeria Limited, Babatunde Fafore attributed the certification to the strong commitment and professionalism as well as operational, management and organizational effectiveness exhibited by the company.

“This certification means a lot to us as a business and clearly demonstrates our commitment to values of excellence in delivery

of product and services to all our clients. Our processes, policies and business activities were audited to ensure compliance to requirements of the standard. We have truly shown our unalloyed commitment to best practices and compliance in what we do. In view of this, we are very excited about this achievement as we continue to make positive strides in the industry”, Fafore said.

He stated that the certification represents a big milestone that would help to boost the professional capability of the staff members and improve clients’ satisfaction.

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 10,829,686.9

--Special Intervention Reserves 390,557.8

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).

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

L-R: Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Content, TotalEnergies, Mr. Cyprian Ojum; Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Tunde Adelana; Group CEO, Solewant group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi; MD/CEO Scopex, Dr. Justin Akankali; and Manager, Central Bank of Nigeria, Port Harcourt branch, Mr. Solomon Kasere, during the 6th annual Business Open Day of Solewant Group in Port Harcourt… recently

Emerging Africa Records 100% Subscription in Series 1 & 2 CP Program

Kayode Tokede

Emerging Africa Capital yesterday announced the successful completion of its debut Commercial Paper (CP) issuances with a 100per cent subscription rate.

This impressive subscription level demonstrates investors’ confidence in the company’s impressive profile and the ability of its management team to deliver value to its

stakeholders.

The company set out to raise N3 billion (“Series I –182 days and Series II – 269 days CP Issuances) under its N15 billion CP Programme recently registered with FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited.

According to the company, the CP was fully subscribed to by Qualified Institutional Investors including asset managers, trustees, Insurance

companies and stockbrokers.

Commenting on the programme, the Executive Vice Chairman/Group Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Africa Capital, Toyin F. Sanni in a statement said: “I am very delighted with the overall outcome of the CP Issuance particularly given the caliber of investors that subscribed to the Issuance.

“It is my view that the continued issuance of

subsequent series under the N15 billion CP will support Emerging Africa’s strategic intent to build a long and credible track record of accessing funding from the Nigerian debt capital market.

“I thank the FMDQ for its thoroughness and the dealers and investors who contributed to the success recorded in the Company’s Series I and Series II CP Issuances”.

In addition, the Group

CFO, Emeka Anazodo, in a statement said “I am pleased that the Offer attracted considerable investor interest, and achieved a 100per cent subscription rate despite low market liquidity and less – than favorable general market conditions experienced in the second half of 2022.”

He noted that funds from the Commercial Paper Issuance would enable the

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF

company to diversify its financing mix and fund its short-term working capital requirements”.

Emerging Africa Capital Advisory Limited acted as Lead Arranger & Dealer whilst Afrinvest Capital Limited, Coronation Merchant Bank, Nova Merchant Bank and United Capital Plc were Joint Arrangers on the debut commercial paper transaction.

05/12/022

62ND ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE SUMMIT...

Terrorists Attacking Prisons Must Not Live to Tell the Story,Vows FG

legs

Against the backdrop of the Kuje Prison attack by terrorists in Abuja, that led to the escape of 600 inmates including 40 members of terror group,

Boko Haram, the federal government yesterday vowed that terrorists, who attack prisons in any part of the country must not live to tell the story. It restated its shoot-on-sight order to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who gave the order, also warned against posting of lily-livered personnel to custodial facilities, saying only sharp shooters, who are trained to aim at the heads of criminals should be deployed to

such centres.

He said the goal of the administra tion of criminal justice would have been defeated and money spent on arrests, investigations, trials and prosecution wasted if inmates were allowed to escape.

Ekweremadu Asks Court to Vacate Forfeiture Order

Anambra, firm lay claims to seized property

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Anambra State Government and a medical company yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that some of the landed property the court ordered to be temporarily forfeited to the federal government belongs to them.

This was just as Ekweremadu asked the court to set aside the November 4, order of interim forfeiture granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The defendants in three different applications brought to the court challenged the forfeiture of the said property to the government.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on November 4, ordered the temporary seizure of 40 landed property belonging to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently being detained in the United Kingdom over alleged organ harvesting charge.

The judge while adjourning the matter, also ordered that any person who has a reason why the temporary order should not be made absolute should appear

before him at the next adjourned date.

When the matter came up yesterday, lawyer to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Chuks Igbinedion, told the court that, “the property listed as No. 1 in Schedule “A” in Page 2 of the interim order granted on November 4, 2022, known as No 14/16, Charles Street, GRA

Enugu” belonged to it.

The state in an affidavit to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the federal government, claimed that the said property neither belonged to Ekweremadu nor his wife, Beatrice Ekweremadu, including Power Properties Ltd.

Deponent of the affidavit, one Mr. Amah Kalu, a litigation

secretary in Igbinedion’s law firm, stated that Enugu State was created from old Anambra by the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, on August 27, 1991, adding that the sharing of assets between the two states was in a white paper published by the federal government.

It vowed that those who attack custodial centres must never live to tell the story.

Following the directives, the government also inaugurated a command and control room for real time monitoring of selected custodial centres across the country.

Aregbesola said: “As far as I am concerned, whoever attempts to attack our facilities, whoever dares should not live to tell the story.

"That is how best I can say it. Whoever attacks our custodial facility should be made to return to his maker", he said.

“I have said it before and I will say it again that all our facilities are red zones. Rifles are for criminals, not for hunting antelopes. You don’t need any order. Don’t wait for any order.

"Anybody that comes to attack our custodial facilities which are the end or finishing line of administration

of criminal justice, take them out. Our facilities should be inviolable and any intruder must be made to pay a huge price.

“Inmates now know that they cannot escape by themselves. They gave criminals outside who want to help them to escape.”

He maintained that, “any officer that is too lily livered, that cannot shoot to kill, that cannot aim the head of a criminal, should be trained correctly.

"Train them to shoot the head of invaders, not legs. Whoever is not bold enough to shoot to kill, don’t take them to custodial centres, except maybe the female section.”

The minister also commissioned a block of barracks for junior officers and 40 operational vehicles, and gave awards to 25 personnel of a Kagara custodial facility in Niger State, where the personnel repelled an invasion by bandits.

Aba Power Begins House-to-house Electricity Consumers Enumeration

Collaborates with American partner to train 35 Nigerian professionals

The Aba Power Limited (APL), Nigeria’s newest power distribu tion firm, is collaborating with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) of the United States to embark on house-to-house electricity consumers’ enumeration in nine out of the 17 local govern ment areas (LGAs) in Abia State.

The enumeration exercise would commence today and would last

for four months. The APL has been providing electricity to these local governments since February 2022.

The collaboration was disclosed yesterday by the Managing Director of the APL, Mr. Patrick Umeh, a former commissioner with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Umeh, who is also a former executive of the Los Angeles Water and Power Company in California in the United States, said

the enumeration became necessary because “Aba Power is embarking on a major network expansion to enable it to provide not only 24-hour service from year to year to all consumers but also quality power to make manufacturers in Aba and environs become more competitive.”

According to him, the enumera tion would help the company to determine transformers and other electricity distribution infrastructure

WHO Sets Agenda for Nigeria's Health Sector Reform

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

As the 63rd meeting of the National Council of Heath begun yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged the federal government to make deliberate efforts to reflect key pillars of health systems including primary health care, climate change, strengthening local manufacture of vaccines.

In a goodwill message by WHO at the opening ceremony of the 63rd Regular National Council on Health (NCH), holding at Abuja, the WHO Country Director, Walter Mulombo said the organisation recommended an urgent paradigm shift towards promoting health and

well-being and preventing disease by addressing its root causes; having a radical reorientation of health systems towards primary health care, as the foundation of universal health coverage,

He said: "At the 150th Session of the WHO Executive Board on 24 January 2022, the Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, presented 5 priority result areas which formed key rationale for Member States to extend the 13th General Program of Work (GPW13) up to the year 2025 during the 75th World Health Assembly.

"These priorities include sup porting countries to (a) mtake an urgent paradigm shift towards

promoting health and well-being and preventing disease by address ing its root causes; have a radical reorientation of health systems towards primary health care, as the foundation of universal health coverage, urgently strengthen the systems and tools for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response at all levels, underpinned by strong governance and financing to ignite and sustain those efforts, connected and coordinated globally by WHO; harness the power of science, research innovation, data and digital technologies as critical enablers of the other priorities; and urgently strengthen WHO as the leading and directing authority on

global health, at the center of the global health architecture"..

Mulombo described the 63rd Regular National Council on Health as the most important strategic meeting of the health sector, He said the meeting with the theme, “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Health System for Improved Health Outcomes and Universal Health Coverage” was very apt.

"This builds on the deliberations of the last Special National Council on Health which focused on ap plying lessons from COVID-19 in building resilient health systems towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.

which are already overloaded or may be overburdened soon.

The exercise would involve 35 Nigerians who were hired by the APL but trained by NRECA to work in the enumeration exercise.

The enumeration team would also include computer scientists, statisticians, geographers and related professionals that would be using the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to conduct the exercise.

Umeh said: “We are using the GPS to identify the location of each structure and the consumers there, and provide each a unique identification number which will be used to deal with any problem from each structure,”

He disclosed that the enumeration would put to an end the practice whereby some electricity consumers are exploited by their landlords and even co-tenants through non-provision of separate meters.

“These consumers pay electricity bills to the landlords and fellow tenants, as the case may be, but the latter pocketed the money, making the helpless paying-consumers suffer unfairly when they are cut off from power supply for nonpayment.

“We will end the exploitation by providing each consumer with a separate meter as we carry out the consumer survey,” he said.

The managing director of the

APL said that it is unacceptable that some places within the company’s coverage are still without electricity.

He said: “This is unacceptable in the 21st century as Nigeria is in a hurry to develop rapidly. All these gaps have to be closed immediately.”

An Engineer with the APL, Mr. Jude Efidi, told journalists in Aba, yesterday, that following the massive and sustained improvements in power supply in recent months in the area serviced by Aba Power, local and foreign manufacturing firms, which for years depended solely on self-power generation on account of inefficient public electricity supply, “are fast turning to us because it is far cheaper to obtain power from us.”

These firms, according to Efidi, included the Nigerian Breweries and the Guinness Breweries that have for long been providing their own power because the poor and unpredictable supply from the national grid caused them to lose their sensitive and expensive equipment and machines.

He said: “The era of what economists call suppressed demand is coming to an end as far as power supply in the nine local governments in Abia State is concerned because of the dramatic improvements in our service delivery.

Continues online

Kingsley Nwezeh and Kumi Tyesi in Abuja

Dike Onwuamaeze

Again, orders security personnel to shoot-on-sight Says prison guards must shoot to kill Urges them to aim at the head of terrorists not their

L-R: President of Cote d'Ivoire H.E. Alassane Quattara; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chair of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo; New President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Oma Alieu Touray; President of Senegal, Macky Sall; President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo; President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow; President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio; President of Togolese Republic, Faure Gnassingbe and others, during the 62nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja…recently

PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE.

AWARD OF BEST COMPANY ON FOOD SECURITY...

Again, INEC Assures Nigerians of Transparent 2023 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, for the umpteenth time, assured Nigerians and members of the international community that it would conduct a credible and transparent general election in 2023. This is as the commission has said it has scheduled to meet with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) today, as part of efforts to consolidate on

plans for electronic transmission of results during the elections.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command, has announced a reward of N2.5 million for anyone that could provide useful informa tion that could lead to the arrest of attackers of those who attacked the Ogun INEC office in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Shairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, spoke when he received the delegation led by Ms Giovanie Biha: the UN Secretary General for West Africa

and the Sahel and Officer in Charge of UNOWAS.

According to him, "With just 81 days to the 2023 general election, we have made tremendous progress in our preparations so far. This is the 7th consecutive general election since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

"We are aware of the importance of our elections to Nigeria, our sub-region and the world. We assure you that the commission will not fail the nation and the international community. We will continue to

make incremental improvement to our electoral process supported by the deployment of appropriate and relevant technology that will make voter accreditation and result management more credible and transparent."

Yakubu, who expressed concerns over the security situation in the country and the subregion, said, "At different fora, Electoral Com missions in West Africa and beyond have expressed concern about the impact of prevailing insecurity on the conduct of elections, particularly,

PDP Crisis: Wike to Reveal Agreement with Dogara, Lawal

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that at the ap propriate time, he would reveal agreement he had with a former Speaker of the House of Representa tives, Yakubu Dogara and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, over the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike also urged the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to call to order, members of the presidential campaign council of the party, to stop attacking the G-5 governors.

The Rivers governor gave the warning yesterday, at the flag-off of the Indorama-Agbonchia-OgaleEbubu-East/West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area of the State, performed by the

former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

He described Dogara, as a man who cannot stand by his work, remarking that soon, he would reveal content of discussion both Dogara and Lawal, had with him at his residence when they visited.

“What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate. Ask Dogara: what made you leave PDP?” the Governor asked during the event held on Monday.

“Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’.

“The same Dogara said the presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be

peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (backing Atiku from the north). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?”

At the appropriate, time I will challenge them for a debate," he said.

He recalled how Dogara had allegedly evaded an appointment they were to have and surrepti tiously left the PDP to join the APC.

“Dogara was to see me. Unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC,” he recalled.

He however, warned that any further attack would attract the wrath of the Integrity Group and together with the G5, they would not hesitate to strike back.

Reacting to Wike’s statement

on Monday, Dogara said: “To my brother, Governor Nyesom Wike; if there is anything you are suffering from, I never thought amnesia would be one of them. Why would you think no one, except you, is entitled to a certain set of principles he/she cannot compromise?

“It’s such a pity if you cannot remember what our discussion and agreement was all about. Why should only your own position be respected and followed? I would never betray a friend and a brother that is why I won’t respond to your tirade on live TV.

“The details of our conversation is sealed up with me but if you feel it’s okay to throw it to the public kindly give me a written consent to divulge it so that the public can judge who is saying the truth. Thank God there was a witness!”

Enugu Elders Endorse PDP Governorship Candidate, Mbah, Set Agenda for Him

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Several elder statesmen and power brokers in Enugu state have endorsed the candidature of Dr Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the next governor of the state.

A number of those who spoke in separate interviews stated that Mbah was the right person to lead the state given his experience, his transparency, respect for rules,

entrepreneurial spirit and his exploits at Pinnacle Oil, which he heads.

David Ogbodo, a lawyer and elder in the state, said that although past leaders did their best, the aim of the founding fathers of Enugu state had not been achieved because the lofty aspirations of the elders for Enugu hadn’t been fulfilled.

According to him Enugu remains a civil service state

which is not acceptable in 2022, stressing that it wasn’t the best for the state which he reasoned had been overtaken by other states in terms of development.

Ogbodo stated that Enugu needs to be transformed from a civil service dependent state to one which operates a mixed economy where the civil service and commercial activities can exist side by side, stressing that government alone cannot absorb

the state’s teeming graduates.

He noted that this cannot be done without a thriving small scale business environment, calling for the replica of Alaba market for instance, in the state where massive trade can take place.

He noted that although education is a national issue, states can come in with their own innovation, with the inclusion of vocational training, rather than looking for Togolese for basic artisanal jobs.

with regard to insurgency, banditry and other forms of armed conflict.

"Consequently, a 9-nation confer ence of Electoral Commissions and election experts is holding this week in Ouagadougou, involving the host, Burkina Faso, as well as Benin Republic, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo from West Africa; and the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo from Central Africa. Nigeria will be making two presentations at the Conference," he disclosed.

On meeting with NCC, Yakubu, who made this disclosure at a oneday strategic interactive meeting with line editors in Lagos State, said the meeting was to address issues of poor telecommunications network amidst reports that not all parts of the country was covered by General Satellite Mobile (GSM) Communications.

In a related development, the Police in Ogun, announced the reward in a statement signed by their Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi. The INEC office in Abeokuta

South Local Government area of Ogun State, was on November 1, 2022, attacked by hoodlums, who set the office located at Iyana Mortuary, ablaze.

During the attack, it was reported that no less than 65,000 Permanent Voter Cards, were destroyed.

According to the police, "Hoolums sneaked into the premises in the dead of the night with loaves of bread soaked in petrol, which they threw into different parts of the building and set it on fire.

"The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has since directed the State Criminal Investigation Departments of the Command, to commence investigation, with the view to unraveling the arsonists behind the devilish act.

Meets NCC, telecom operators on network availability today Police place N2.5m bounty on Ogun INEC office attackers Former

"In furtherance to the directive to get to the root of the matter, and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Command has resolved to reward anybody with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators with the sum of #2.5 million.

Atiku Stood Out at ARISE Town Hall Meeting, Says Campaign

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, has hailed the performance of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, at the special Town Hall meeting organised by the Arise TV and partners on Sunday night, saying, “Atiku towered above others”.

In a statement by Kola Olog bondiyan, one of the spokespersons of the campaign, “Nigerians across the country, especially the hitherto undecided voters, were enthralled as Atiku professionally outlined his policy programmes, which touched on realistic solutions to the challenges brought to our nation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.”

He said throughout the session, Atiku, relying on his experience as a former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, traversed the space of the national

life: economy, education, healthcare, human capital and infrastructural development among others with practical answers to the challenges

"Our campaign notes with pride how Atiku Abubakar linked each of the challenges with respective solutions, bringing forth the efforts of his past administration in his determination to achieve the muchdesired succour for our nation.

"Nigerians accept that Atiku’s maturity, candour, sincerity of purpose, focus, preparedness, presence of mind and mien showcased the readiness of our PDP candidate to lead our nation out of the woods and build a nation in which every Nigerian citizen would be proud.

"Our campaign urges Nigerians to continue with their efforts in rallying other compatriots to vote for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates in the 2023 general election," he stated.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta

hits back: If there is anything you are suffering from, I never thought amnesia would be one of them

L-R: Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, HSE Manager, Fleet Operations, Eng. Femi Alonge; SERAs Award Presenter, Joy Emeghara; Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mrs. Temitope Hassan; Group Chief Financial Officer, Oscar Mbeche; Head of HSE, Itoro Unaam; SERAs Award Presenter Dennis Ezaga, during the presentation of the award of Best Company on Food Security won by Dangote Sugar at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2022 held in Lagos...recently

Labour: We'll Insist on Transparency, Local Refining Before Petrol Subsidy Removal

The organised labour movement in the country under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has again said it would resist any attempt to remove subsidy on petrol without the federal government first restoring local refineries to functional state.

It expressed its resolve to mobilise workers ahead of the 2023 general election to vote for candidates ready to implement economic and social policies that would promote the welfare of its members.

NLC's position came just as the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq said the

current N30,000 national minimum wage was no longer a living wage due to the inflationary trend.

Both the governor and Wabba spoke yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of NLC Harmattan School holding at the Michael Imodu National Insti tute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Speaking on the contentious issue of the removal of fuel subsidy by government, the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba said organised labour maintains its position on the opposition of the removal of subsidy on imported petroleum products, saying it would multiply the hardship being faced by Nigerians.

Against the backdrop of reemergence of long fuel queues in the country's major cities, Wabba said the labour movement believes that the only way the fuel subsidy crisis to be addressed in a sustainable manner was for the government to fix local refineries.

"What do you even call subsidy? subsidy is inefficiency, our ineffi ciency or inability to refine products. That is what we call subsidy. If we are refining, we should not be talking about subsidy and why can't we refine?

"We said we will not discuss anything subsidy. What they have told us is that the refineries will be fixed by 2023 and It will start production. So once we start

production, we can now come to the table and see what you call subsidy," he said.

Wabba said although there was nothing bad about petrol subsidy, but in Nigeria's case, it had been shrouded in secrecy and lack of transparency.

He stressed that the consumption of petrol and all details about were still shrouded in secrecy, which according to him was typical of a capitalist economy.

He noted that in a socialist economy, the focus is how to make the people happy and stress is removed from the people.

Giving example of the deregula tion of diesel supply in the country, Wabba said the cost of diesel has

Air Strikes Vanquish Seven Terrorists in Kaduna

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Military air strikes, yesterday, struck hideouts of terrorists in Kaduna State, killing seven terror kingpins. But the Nigerian Air Force leader ship has said it was not carried away by the successes recorded so far and would not stop until it was able to achieve the target set for itself.

A military update on the war against terrorism stated that, the air interdiction undertaken by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch, struck hideouts in Alhaji Ganai location, Buhari New location and Dogon Maikaji all in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

It said the air strikes became necessary following credible

intelligence from reliable sources on heightened terrorists’ activities in the general area.

"Consequently, the air strikes were authourised on December 1, 2022. After the successful strikes, it can now be confirmed that seven key terrorists kingpins, including Jibrin Gurgu, Isah Jauro and Tambuwal from Zamfara State” were neutralised.

"Other kingpins eliminated are Noti, Bala, Yunusa and Burti, who was a well-known associate of another sought after terrorist, Haladu Buharin Yadi," it update stated.

The war update further disclosed that follow-up air interdiction missions were carried out against terrorists and enclaves in Tsofa and Riyawa in Igabi and Birnin Gwari

LGA in Kaduna State.

"Feedback received also revealed that terrorists suffered heavy ca sualties from the ‘hell’ rained on them. These air strikes have since been corroborated by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security, Sam Aruwan, when in a press release on 2 December,2022, he stated that military air strikes identified and dislodged eight terrorists camp while freeing 10 kidnapped victims in the process,” it explained.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF confirmed the air strikes, and thanked Nigerians for their support to the NAF and the other security agencies, which was instrumental to the successes recorded so far.

He however, reassured that the NAF under Air Marshal Oladayo Amao would continue to provide all the air components in the various theatres the needed platforms and arsenals to enable them to curtail the enemy’s freedom of movement alongside other security agencies, while bringing them to their knees.

“The return of internally dis placed persons to their ancestral homes and the surrendering of over 10,000 terrorists and members of their families especially, in the last three months in Borno State, as well as the ability of Nigerians to freely travel on the Kaduna-Abuja road and other hitherto dangerous routes are some of the signs that the efforts of the security agencies are indeed yielding some positive outcomes.

gone up astronomically since the policy was implemented.

"Is same example you want to set? All Nigerians should reflect on it. What they call subsidy removal is just increasing the price which has happened in the case of subsidy on kerosene and diesel. We have removed the subsequent subsidy on diesel and kerosene.

How much is diesel today, it is almost N850 to N860, per liter.

"Is that the same thing we want to apply to petrol? How many people can afford it? These are the very important questions that we need to interrogate. And this is what Labour has been interrogating.

“So, we are not running away from and we have never run away or shy away from discussing the issue of subsidy. Whether there is or not, we can discuss it," he said.

Wabba said the NLC was aware that part of the reason for current fuel scarcity was the challenge of

high cost of diesel affecting owners of petrol tankers used to transport petrol.

"But the bottom line is that we will resist any price increase in the name of removal of subsidy. Let us look at the issue of subsidy. What do we say is the issue of subsidy? Does it only mean price increase?

“Diesel adulteration is still there. Adulteration is more now in the case of diesel which has been fully deregulated, and the prices are not in the reach of anybody," he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja described the issue of petrol subsidy as an anathema for labour movement and its members, adding that no worker would be happy to cast his or her vote for any candidates who goes against labour's stand on removal of subsidy.

MAY 29, 2023 HANDOVER DATE IS SACROSANCT, BUHARI ASSURES NIGERIANS

right hand men, Mr. Adila, was killed by terrorists, Atiku could not even go to condole with the family of the deceased.

He said: It was that bad. Now that he can travel home freely, thanks to the Buhari administration, it is not sweet in his mouth to accuse the same administration of doing nothing. As they say, the bed wet ter should not join those who are insulting the washer man.”

Explaining what the federal government had done to better the lives of people of the former vice-president’s state, the minister said in the area of Social Investment Programmes, there had been 29,641 beneficiaries, from Adamawa alone, of the N-POWER Programme of the Buhari administration.

are currently being rehabilitated or constructed in the state. That's out of 43 road projects in the North East alone.

“These are not phantom projects. We have the full list of the roads and can make it available to anyone who so wishes. Similarly, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has either completed or is currently working on 140 projects, including construction of classrooms, healthcare facilities and ICT training centres, in Adamawa alone,” the federal government explained.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, vowed never to abandon projects left behind, either by his immediate predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola or any other before him.

This is as Adeleke paid a courtesy call on the Osun State House of Assembly to seek the support and cooperation of the assembly in moving the state forward.

Adeleke at the plenary of the Assembly stated that since

government is a continuum, his administration would not abandon any of the project embarked on by the previous administration of the state.

The governor also promised to sustain the harmonious relation ship between the Executive and the Legislature to move the state forward, expressing his readiness to ensure that logistics and apparatuses needed for the smooth running of the assembly were promptly addressed.

He called on all and sundry to

support his administration, nothing that now that election has come and gone, what the state needed was good governance, which his administration was ready to provide.

According to him, "Now that election is over, I want everyone to join me to move the state forward. Government cannot do it alone. For we to have an enviable state, everyone must be ready to play their part for the state to move forward.

"I promise that my administration would not cheat anyone, it will be an all-inclusive government, where

everybody will be happy and peace will reign supremely in the state.”

Speaker, Osun Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, said the assembly would do everything to support the government, saying they might only disagree with the executive based on facts of the law and not sentiments.

The speaker added that the legislative arm and executive must strengthen its communication chan nels so as to communicate effectively, devoid of fake news and rumour mongering.

According to him, “Under the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, some 162,782 pupils from Adamawa are benefitting from one meal a day. That programme employs 2,259 cooks in Adamawa and has covered 1,236 schools in the state. How many school children did the PDP feed in Adamawa or anywhere in the eight years that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar held sway as vice-president in Abuja? We are not done.

“Under the Conditional Cash Transfer, some 64,607 vulnerable people have benefitted in Adamawa alone, while Trader Moni and Market Moni have reached a total of 38,000 people in the state. In the area of infrastructure, some 8 roads projects totalling 714 kilometres

The minister, however, said the irony was that someone, who held the number two position in the country for all of eight years but could not positively impact on his own hometown, state or region was now condemning an administration that has made it possible for him to even access his hometown, anytime he flies in from his new hometown of Dubai.

He boasted that the administra tion of Buhari has had a positive impact on all parts of this federation, saying no amount of fallacious soap box rhetoric could change this fact.

Adamu, on his part, while explaining the importance of the con troversial National Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly, said the Bill was structured as a compendium of existing Acts to actualise Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) strategies as stipulated by the National Water Resources Policy.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Ilorin

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

L-R: Chairman, Board of Directors, Pacesetters College, Kenneth Imansuangbon presenting the award pageantry winner of Miss Pacesetters to Zara Abdulsalam Kachalkah while Master Pacesetters, Ahmed Usman looks on during the Pacesetters College Talent Show/Funfare at school premises held in Abuja…recently

OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH PHYSICIANS MEET...

APC Chieftain Urges Buhari, Governors to Stop Blame Game and Address Nigeria’s Problems

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 states governors have been called upon to use the remainder of their days in office to do better things for Nigerians rather than engaging in blame game over the issue of

local governments’ funds. The advice was given by a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Al’ameen, who was reacting to the ongoing blame game between Buhari and governors, while Fielding questions from

Templers Law Firms Expands Services to Ghana

Leading Nigerian law firm, Templers and Ghanaian law firm, Ampem Chambers, have announced a collaboration to launch a new law firm to be known as Templars in Ghana.

According to the company, the new firm will service clients across all sectors of the Ghanaian economy including mining, energy, infrastructure, financial services, education, franchising, telecommunications and fintech. It is also expected to provide a strategic base for accessing other key hubs in the West African region.

As a result of this collaboration, the Templers brand will be welcoming a 12-person team of highly experienced Ghanaian lawyers some of whom are dual-qualified in the United

States, the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions.

These lawyers will work closely with their colleagues across Templers offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja to provide clients with seamless high-quality services in both markets.

Commenting on the development, Managing Partner of Templers, Oghogho Akpata, said: “This is an extremely exciting step in Templers’ growth across Africa. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement is opening a new vista of opportunities across the continent, and, in spite of recent global economic headwinds, we have seen increasing demand from clients for sophisticated support across Africa.

Ogun First Lady Admonishes Parents to Protect Children against Drug Abuse

Sunday OKobi

The wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, at the weekend admonished parents to be sensitive to changes in their children’s behaviour, in order to prevent any potential exposure to drugs and other substances abuse.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by the Press Officer, Office of the First Lady, Kemi Oyeleye, the first lady gave the admonition during the opening ceremony of a twoday workshop organised for members of the Ogun State Drug Control Committee, in Ibara, Abeokuta, the state capital, noting that the role

of parents and guardians at sensitising their children and wards on the dangers inherent in illicit drug use could not be overemphasised.

She said one of the ways to curb the menace was to get parents involved in the sensitisation against drug abuse, calling on them to pay attention to children at every stage of their development.

According to the statement, Abiodun said: “Social isolation for some and peer pressure for others are two major challenges confronting our children and adolescents today. As parents, we must be sensitive to changes in our children’s behaviour so that we can nip in the bud any potential exposure to drugs and other substances.”

Journalists in Bauchi yesterday. According to him, “the major problems bedeviling the country include abject poverty, insecurity, high cost of living, and bad governance,” nothing that addressing the issues should be

focus of those in government right now. The politician who aspired for the gubernatorial ticket of the party in the last primary election also said that all the present crop of leaders have failed the citizens by not being able to meet the

yearnings and aspirations of the electorate that voted them into power thereby leaving the people crying in difficult situations in all aspects of living.

He said: “The inability of the leaders to make judicious use of

the resources at their disposal to improve the living standards of a common man led to the rising level of poverty among Nigerians which was a consequence of the biting effect of insecurity on commercial and agricultural activities.”

Police Confirm Attempt to Kidnap Niger Senator

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Police operatives in Minna, the Niger state capital, have confirmed that there was an attempt by some hoodlums to kidnap the senator representing Niger East Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly, Senator Sani Musa.

The Police, which initially

described the kidnap attempt story as “ Fake news”, said its new position followed investigation into the matter and revelation by one of those arrested in connection with the incident.

Police Public Relations Officer Niger State Police Command DSP Wasiu Abiodun said in a statement yesterday that

“Reference to the Commands’ earlier press release on the unfortunate invasion of Senator Sani Musa’s residence, Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District Niger State Police Command wishes to state that additional facts emerged in the course of investigation, as one of the suspects confessed further

that the hoodlums led by the said Sherrif, presently at large targeted the Senator to his home in Minna.

According to Abiodun, “The hoodlums suspected that he could be at home, having attended a coronation ceremony at Kagara on the same date and to possibly kidnap him.”

NPC Says Insecurity Won’t Affect 2023 Census

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has assured Nigerians that the 2023 census would be held in all parts of the country despite the security challenges in some states.

Kwarra said the commission

has so far demarcated 773 Local Government Areas in the country, with only one left to complete the exercise.

The commission chairman spoke yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero in his palace, saying the census will be fully digitalised as it has

already commenced using digital maps for counting houses.

“We are here on an advocacy visit as part of our preparations for the 2023 census due to the critical role of traditional institutions.

Preparations for the census have already been intensified, and despite the security challenges in some places, the preparations have

gone far across the federation.

Kwarra then pleaded with the Emir to help convey the message of the commission to all other traditional rulers down to the local level across the state.

The NPC chairman reiterated that “So far, we have already demarcated 773 Local Government areas and only one is left.”

NECO Declares Zero Tolerance for Exam Malpractice

KuniTyessiinAbuja

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expressed its readiness to totally root out incidents of exam malpractice in all its examinations.

Registrar /Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, who made this known

at a one-day sensitisation workshop on examination malpractice yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, called for concerted efforts to address the problem.

Speaking on the theme of the workshop, ‘The Roleå of Education Stakeholders in Tackling Examination Malpractice in Nigeria,’

Professor Wushishi said there is urgent need to curtail the problem to ensure all-round development of the country.

“One of the biggest challenges bedeviling the conduct of public examinations now is the issue of examination malpractice.

”This workshop is therefore

both thoughtful and timely, and should address the ways and means that can be adopted to curb the menace and re-orient the minds of the youths concerning this cankerworm, as no nation develops when its youths indulge in sharp practices such as examination malpractice.

Alleged N3.5bn Paris Loan Scam: Court Document Clears Energy Firm of Wrongdoing

Wale Igbintade

An oil and gas exploration service company, GCAEnergy Limited, has been exonerated of any wrongdoing following the judgement of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which struck out a suit filed against three aides of former Senate President, Dr.

Bukola Saraki, over alleged N3.5 billion Paris loan scam.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on September 2019 arraigned Saraki’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola; a cashier in the Senate President’s office, Kolawole Shittu; a former Managing Director of Societe

Generale Bank, Robert Chidozie (now at large); a company, Melrose General Services Limited, and its Operations Manager, Obiora Amobi on the alleged offences.

However, in the suit, with charge no: FHC/140C/18, court documents revealed that neither GCA Energy Limited, nor its

officials were charged before the court, despite EFCC’s having stated in a report dated December 21, 2016, that GCA Energy Limited paid the sum of $25,000 to Asterio Energy Services Limited, and subsequently got the sum of N12 million from a company called Acarast Commercial.

NCNE Commences Skill Acquisition Training for 56 Nomadic Youths

John ShiklaminKaduna

The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) has commenced the training of 56 nomadic youths in skills acquisition to promote entrepreneurship and

job creation.

Participants for the three day training were drawn from Oyo, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kwara, and Kebbi states.

Speaking while declaring the training open yesterday in

Kaduna, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bashir Usman, said that the initiative would go a long way in reducing the poverty percentage of many rural societies as well reduce restiveness, kidnapping, raping, and rural banditry, among

other vices.

Usman, who was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance of the commission, Akin Akinyosoye, said that many young people are eager to imbibe relevant livelihood skills.

L-R: National Public Relations Officer, The Society of Occupational and Environment Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr. Charles Onigbogi; Vice President; Dr. Uche Enumah; National Secretary; Dr.Ntia Nsikak; Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Musa Shaibu, during 2022 Annual Conference & Annual General Meeting of the SOEHPON held in Lagos recently

ASSESSING SCORECARDS...

FG to Amend Law on Varsities’ Autonomy, Unveils New Curriculum

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has concluded plans to amend relevant laws bordering on autonomy of universities in the country to ensure stable academic calendar.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, made this known yesterday in Abuja at an event organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to mark its

60th anniversary and the launch of Core Curriculum Minimum Academics Standards (CIMAS).

Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Osinbajo expressed concerns over regular agitations and industrial actions by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other uniions in the nation’s higher education institutions .

He said: “The most recent strike actions by the university-based

Akeredolu Presents N272.7b 2023 Budget to Ondo Assembly

inAkure

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday presented a budget proposal of N272.736 Billion for the 2023 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Governor Akeredolu, while presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Shared Prosperity” to the lawmakers during a plenary sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun, said N143.511 billion was budgeted for capital expenditure and N129.224 billion for recurrent expenditure.

The 2023 budget proposal is higher than that of the total projected budget outlay for 2022 fiscal year which was N199.282 billion.

Akeredolu disclosed that the 2023 budget was prepared on the basis of the inputs garnered

during the Town Hall meetings with various stakeholders across the state, noting that the bugged was tailored towards achieving the “Redeemed” agenda of his administration which is also in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the governor, the projects and programmes carefully selected in the budget cut across critical areas of infrastructure and environment, education, health, social safety -net, security, industrialisation, among others.

He said with the resources available to the state government, his administration has continued to pursue its developmental agenda in areas of priority and his government has been able to record modest achievements across board in various thematic areas of the Redeemed agenda.

136 Graduating Students of OAU Bag First Class Honours

The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire yesterday disclosed that 130 graduates of the university have Obtained First Class (Honours), while 1,323 made 2nd class (Honours, Upper Division) respectively.

Prof. Bamire stated this during a press conference addressed to mark the 46th Convocation ceremony of the institution scheduled for December 7 to 10 which was held at the school auditorium in Ile Ife, Osun State.

The university don hinted that 1,991 graduated with 2nd class (Honours, Lower division) while 636 graduated with 3rd class (Honours), and 34 graduands

are on a pass category.

Prof. Bamire said a total of 5,852 graduands out of which 4,114 graduands were in Bachelor degrees, classified.

According to him the Bachelor degrees, unclassified, comprises graduands from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and, of course, Faculty of Dentistry.

The VC hinted that graduands from Centre and Distance Learning also fall within this category.

He said: “In this group, we have seven graduands who have Pass with Honours, while 28 falls within Pass with Distinction. 444 made it under Pass with Credit and 486 are with Pass. In these make us to have 965 under this unclassified category.

unions have necessitated a revisit on the issues and scope of university autonomy by government.

“This will lead to a review of the university autonomy laws to appropriately address funding, including staff remuneration,

institutional governance, and administration, as well as issues relating to internally generated revenue.”

Osinbajo lamented that the university system has cumulatively lost over 50 months from 1999 to date as a result of

strikes by ASUU.

“I doubt if there is any country that has lost such amount of time to strikes in its university system. From the first strike in 1978 to date, all the issues have remained the same. The agitations have been primarily on funding, university

autonomy, and remunerations.

“I need to stress here that government alone cannot fund education in the country. It is therefore imperative that a sustainable model of funding university education must be developed,” he noted.

Obi: NBS Statistics of Nigerians Living in Poverty Doubtful

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Labour Party (LP)presidential candidate, Peter Obi, yesterday said the statistics of Nigerians living in poverty by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics(NBS) might be incorrect given the reality as seen on the faces of millions of Nigerians.

This was even as former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawan, cautioned Obi, his running mate, Baba Ahmed-Datti and supporters of the party not to be carried away with the euphoria of the ongoing nationwide mass movement while ignoring the strength of having a well coordinated

structure to canvass for votes.

The former SGF has also dismissed speculations about disagreement between his splinter group and that of former Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, saying that they were both working on the same goal.

Peter Obi stated this at the North-east Stakeholders’

Interactive Session between LP and leadership of the region, as he lamented the state of poverty and insecurity in the region.

He said: 2023 election, is an election that is critical to Nigerians. We have over 35 per cent of population unemployed and over 60 per cent of our youths not employed.

Alleged N1.4bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Kogi Assembly Candidate, Two Others

Wale Igbintade

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ismaila Yusuf Atumey, and two others before the Federal High Court, Lagos over alleged N1,403,343,400.00 hacking fraud.

Atumeyi was arraigned alongside Ngene Joshua Dominic, and Abdulmalik Salau.

Atumeyi is the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the NNPP for Ankpa 11 Constituency.

The EFCC, through its counsel Mr. Rotimi Oyrdepo, SAN, preferred an 18-count charge bordering on concealment

of proceeds of fraud, money laundering and cybercrime against the defendants before Justice Tijjani Ringim.

Addressing the court, Oyedepo told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences between August and October, 2022 in Lagos. He stated that the Defendants conspired to directly conceal the N1.4 billion

in the account of Fav Oil and Gas Limited, “which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (a), 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

Onaiyekan to Deliver Lecture at Pyrates Confraternity Anniversary

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, has rolled out activities to commemorate its 70th anniversary starting from December 9to 11, 2022.

The Prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and Cardinal

John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan will be the keynote speaker at a special citizens’ summit for the 70th Anniversary Lecture in Abuja.

A statement signed by the NAS Capoon, Mr. Abiola Owoaje, stated that the citizens’ summit being an initiative of #OurvotesCount, an advocacy

programme of the organisation was aimed at advocating for a “purposeful democratic election as a critical first-step solution in effectively challenging the ills militating against the attainment of the full potential of Nigeria.”

According to him, the summit was expected to attract political leaders, Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, intelligence community/security agencies and relevant stakeholders.

The event would review the nation’s state and propose strategies to lead to a future, “where the potential of Nigeria can be translated into a reality of progress and prosperity.”

Oyebanji: S’Court’s Verdict’ll Strengthen My Spirit for Service

VictorOgunjeinAdoEkiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has hailed the judgement of the Supreme Court, affirming him as the validly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 18, governorship election in the state.

The Supreme Court had yesterday dismissed the case instituted by one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants, Kayode Ojo, challenging the validity of Oyebanji’s emergence as candidate of the party.

Oyebanji, in a reaction to the ruling of the apex court, described it as a

welcome development and triumph of truth and justice.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji, who described the ruling of the apex court as a landmark judgement, said the Supreme Court had put a final seal of validity on the primary election of the

APC that produced him as the party’s candidate for the June 18 governorship election.

“Again, the judiciary has lived up to expectation as the bastion of democracy and rule of law. The ruling has put to rest all controversies surrounding the January 27th, APC primaries.” Oyebanji said.

Physiotherapist Urges Nigerians to Vote for Good Governance

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

As the country’s general elections approaches, a physiotherapist, Dr Arinze Osuamadi has called on Nigerians to vote for candidates who will promote

good governance for the nation’s development.

Dr Osuamadi who is based in United States, said the sufferings faced by the people as a result of bad economy, urged Nigerians to vote in anyone whose ideas

and philosophy will rescue the country out of poverty.

He made the call during the official opening of the Ace Grand Resort, at Rumuagholu Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking with THISDAY at

the event, Osuamadi who is the Director of the resort, advised Nigerians to be conscious of who they are, where they come from, saying that they have no other place to call home than Nigeria.

Fidelis David

Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. Isah Idris Jere(left), and Comptroller General, Nigeria Correctional Service, Dr. Haliru Nababa, at the ministerial scorecard conference in Abuja...recently

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

EFCC to Arrest APC Senate Candidate for Alleged $1.3m Fraud

Shuaibu in Kano

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano State, yesterday, declared its intention to arrest the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kano central senatorial district, AbdulKareem AbdulSalam Zaura over alleged $1.3 million fraud.

Lawyer of the anti-graft agency, Ahmad Rogha,

told reporters yesterday at Federal High Court Kano at the resumption of the criminal trial of US$1.3million slammed on Zaura.

“We are looking for Zaura and he will be arrested as soon as we find him. Ordinarily, he was supposed to be in our custody and the court has affirmed that but I can assure you he would be arrested and brought to court for the next adjourned date

Lagos Approves Use of Hijab in All Schools

Segun James

Following a Supreme Court decision of the 17th of June, 2022, which approved the use of Hijab head cover for Muslim girls in schools, the Lagos Government yesterday authorised the immediate implementation of the policy in all schools in the state.

The government in a circular No 068 signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola and copied to the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of the state, Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, all Commissioners, all Permanent Secretaries and heads of other statutory departments that the implementation takes immediate effect.

Although the circular

stated that a Comprehensive Guidelines on the use of the Hijab in schools will be issued by the government in due course, “however, you are to note that the judgement is binding on all schools in the state.”

Even though Muri-Okunola did not differentiate between public and private schools, he said that as a law-abiding administration, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu government directs all accounting officers that “the contents of this circular for immediate compliance and give it the deserved service-wide publicity.”

According to him, the Supreme Court judgement on the use of Hijab in Lagos schools was delivered on the 17th of June, 2022, noting that following this, students should be allowed to wear the Hijab, if desired.

30th January, 2023,” he said. But in a counter argument, counsel to the accused person, Ibrahim Garba Waru, faulted the position of EFCC, insisting that the commission did not possess any legal authority to arrest his client.

According to him, Zaura refused to appear for

arraignment, saying there was no need for him to appear since the court was not sitting.

Before the adjourned date, the trial Judge, Justice Mohammad Yunusa, had ordered EFCC to produce the accused person for arraignment on the allegation

of fraud against a Kuwaiti national.

Justice Yunusa had overruled Zaura’s application that challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case and other addresses, bordering on whether the accused must appear in person to take a

plea.

Zaura’s counsel had argued that his client, under the law, was not compelled to appear before the court, insisting Zaura’s appeal was pending before the Supreme Court.

The arraignment was adjourned to January 30, 2023.

Soludo Terminates Road Contract in Anambra over Contractor’s Incompetence

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has terminated a road contract in Aguata Local Government Area, over the alleged incompetence of the contractor.

Though the name of the company handling the contract was not mentioned, a video of the governor’s visit to the site has been making the round on the internet.

In the video, Soludo who paid an unscheduled visit

on Sunday, to the road construction site referred to the company as being useless and lacking the capacity to deliver the job.

The governor speaking to the project manager at the site said: “Just take off all these things (equipment) because this contract has been terminated. I just called the commissioner for works and I have told him that this contract has been terminated.

“See what you are doing. I have terminated the contract,

and you are supposed to return the money you were paid. Useless company! We gave you this contract on the basis that you are an indigenous company, but see what you are doing.

“This is what we see. You blocked the entire highway, and nobody can pass by. Now, I am going to my hometown, how do I go? This is a federal highway.

“For months, you blocked the road, even for people to pass through the other

highway, you blocked the road.

“This job was supposed to have been finished in October, and that was the contract you were given. Other companies that were given the same contracts like you have all delivered.”

The governor refused to heed any plea from the obviously concerned project manager, as he rejected explanations that the road had peculiarities that made it difficult to deliver at the appropriate time.

Catholic Bishop Hails Enugu Gov’s Leadership Qualities

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Callistus Onaga, has expressed gratitude to God for the cooperation that exists between the Church and the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State, describing it as “wonderful”.

Bishop Onaga, who spoke at this year’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol, held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui, Enugu, yesterday, stressed that

the Catholic Diocese of Enugu has enjoyed a harmonious relationship with Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration.

The Bishop who prayed for “a very wonderful conclusion of this very administration,” further implored God to grant Governor Ugwuanyi and his team the spirit of fortitude to uphold to the end.

Appreciating the positive impact of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration since its inception in spite of the

numerous nation’s challenges, Bishop Onaga said: “We know they are moving higher; Lord let them go higher. We know they are spending sleepless nights because of the situation; Lord if you do not keep watch over the city, in vain do the watchmen keep vigil. Keep watch with them. Heal the wounds that are there. And above all, bless them for the good works they have done these years of service.”

In his sermon which centred

on Christ Jesus as a kingdom that has no end, and the need for mankind to live a worthy life and accept God’s kingdom in their hearts to reign with Him forever, the Auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Obodo, used the opportunity to applaud Governor Ugwuanyi for his commitment and dedication to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol in the diocese since he assumed office in 2015.

Ibrahim

Brazil Pummel Korea to Send Warning to Qatar 2022 Rivals

Vinicius, Neymar, Richarlison, Paqueta on target in 4-1 victory

Brazil Selecao delivered a clear warning of their intentions to win the 2022 World Cup here in Qatar yesterday with an emphatic 4-1 crushing of South Korea and book their quarter final clash against Croatia.

Injured Neymar returned to the South Americans’ squad yesterday and showed with a commanding presence of top classed player.

The Brazilian superstar was only one element of a devastating performance that ripped South Korea to shreds and settled this last-16 game well before half-time.

Vinicius Junior set the tone with a composed penalty-area finish from Raphinha's cross after seven minutes, and Neymar doubled Brazil's advantage from the spot six minutes later after Richarlison had been fouled.

It was Neymar's 76th goal for

Brazil, leaving him just one behind the legendary Pele's all-time record.

Richarlison then produced the highlight and another entry into his personal showreel of great goals at this World Cup when he followed up his spectacular volley against Serbia with a real work of art, controlling the ball three times with his head and foot before moving into position take Thiago Silva's pass in his stride and score.

Brazil went four up with another gem after 36 minutes, Vinicius picking out Lucas Paqueta for West Ham's expensive acquisition to score with a well-placed volley.

South Korea, to their great credit, continued to compete and forced several fine saves from Brazil keeper Alisson, before substitute Paik Seung-ho pulled one back with a glorious 30-yard strike to

Four Uruguay Players Face Disciplinary Action over Unruly Conducts

FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Uruguay's football association and four players over their conduct at the end of their final World Cup group game against Ghana.

Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 but went out on goals scored, finishing third behind South Korea in Group H. Uruguay's players reacted furi ously at full-time, confronting the referee and appearing to manhandle an assistant after they failed to award a penalty after a coming together between Darwin Nunez and Alidu Seidu.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Edinson Cavani, Fernando Muslera and Diego Godin all face potential punishments for breaches of FIFA's disciplinary code relating to offensive

behaviour and misconduct.

The Uruguayan FA faces ac tion for the same breaches of the code, as well as another relating to discrimination.

Valencia forward Cavani was filmed pushing over the pitch side monitor as he walked down the tunnel after the match, after which ITV pundit Ian Wright called him a "horrible guy".

FIFA has also opened proceed ings against Serbia's FA relating to "incidents" during their 3-2 defeat by Switzerland in their final Group G game.

Football's world governing body has not specified the incidents, but fans were told during the match to "stop all discriminatory chants and gestures".

add to the night's collection of special goals.

For 45 minutes at Stadium 974, Brazil hit heights no other team

Sponsored by: DURO IKHAZUAGBE Reporting live

is Brazil's trademark, a four-goal half-time advantage demonstrating their supremacy.

Richarlison's goal was a golden moment of this World Cup, followed by a team dance that even rather incongruously included coach Tite in the com munal celebration.

Neymar eased himself back into action with silky touches and his goal, before being replaced late on after proving his fitness following the ankle injury sustained against Serbia that forced him out of two group games.

Croatia Can’t Win Without a Drama, Says Modric

After leading Croatia to the quarter finals of the 2022 World Cup here in Qatar, Captain Luka Modric said yesterday that his team "can't do it without a drama" following a 3-1 penalty shootout win against Japan. Regulation and extra time ended 1-1.

Mario Pasalic struck the winning spot-kick after Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties.

Earlier, Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda's opener for Japan just before the break.

But no side could find a winner either in 90 minutes or in extra-time.

"It seems that we can't do it without a drama," said Modric, whose team were beaten finalists in 2018. "We are more than happy to reach the quarter-finals.

"It was a very difficult game against a very tough team."

The match in Qatar continues a pattern for Croatia.

Six of their past seven knockout games at major tournaments have gone to extra time, the only excep tion being their final defeat by France in Russia four years ago.

Modric said Croatia had not played at their top level but had found a way to win.

"We showed character when we came back from the deficit... Livi (Livakovic) performed a miracle today. A very tough, exhausting match."

Coach Zlatko Dalic said reaching the last eight was a "major result".

"Don't ever underestimate a Croatian," he added. "Whenever this happens, one regrets it. We are going all the way," he stressed with conviction.

Ahead of today’s Last 16 clash between Portugal and Switzerland at the ongoing World Cup here in Qatar, Head Coach of the Por tuguese national team, Fernando Santos is unfazed by the transfer speculations concerning his star boy, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speculation regarding the future of Ronaldo and his outburst following his substitution against South Korea were in sharp focus on Monday ahead of their game against Switzerland.

yesterday. "I don't know about this. It is his decision. I did not even know about this and I heard about this when I arrived here."

Ronaldo's future is unclear with several clubs around the world reportedly interested in signing him.

"We are focused on the World Cup. I don't know anything about this other issue," the coach said.

constructed

country's best traditions.

And it was all achieved with the smooth freedom of expression that

He is part of a potent Brazil attacking triumvirate alongside Richarlison and Vinicius, both on the scoresheet and both making a serious mark on this World Cup.

Portugal Coach Not Bothered by Ronaldo’s Transfer Speculations

ment on speculation back home about whether Ronaldo would feature in his line-up against the Swiss this evening or would start on the bench.

the immediate match. I am not worried if information is right or wrong."

For Santos, what is important is Portugal reaching the last eight for the first time since 2006.

"There has been a long hiatus.... what matters is this match. Portugal always have the obligation to win," said Santos, who has been in charge since 2014.

Santos had to continue answer ing questions about his player, however, including his outburst following his substitution in the final group match against South Korea with Ronaldo having said it was not directed at his coach but triggered by an opponent's comment.

"I do not read this type of information. I am focused on my team. We are focusing on training and not paying attention to any polls," Santos said. "What I have always done is focus on

The forward, who left Manches ter United by mutual consent last month following a controversial interview, was linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr for a mindboggling fee but Portugal coach Santos said he knew nothing about it.

"I have not spoken to him about this," Santos told a news conference

France have had their appeal over the result of their World Cup game against Tunisia rejected by FIFA.

The appeal was made after their final group game against Tunisia, which the North African side won 1-0 thanks to a Wahbi Khazri goal.

It was a game that ended in controversy, though, with substitute Antoine Griezmann believing he had scored an equaliser in the 99th minute.

A long delay followed, and the

"Yes, I did not like it, not at all. I really did not like it and from that moment on that issue is finished," Santos said.

The coach also refused to com

referee allowed Tunisia to kick off again, only for VAR to intervene and disallow the goal for offside.

That incensed the French and they lodged an appeal, claiming a breach in VAR protocol had oc curred in disallowing a goal after play had restarted with a kick-off.

The French Football Federation (FFF) asked FIFA to allow the goal and have the result changed to a 1-1 draw, but it has been rejected it out of hand.

Former Brazil star Adriano has reportedly split from his wife Micaela Mesquita after just 24 days of mar riage because he 'disappeared for two days to watch the World Cup'.

The 40-year-old, who is said to have splashed out £13,000 on 18

“The FIFA Disciplinary Com mittee has dismissed the protest submitted by the French Football Association in relation to the Tunisia v. France FIFA World Cup match played on 30 November,” a short FIFA statement read.

For all the incident caused con troversy, it did not actually change anything within the group. France still qualified as group winners and Tunisia were eliminated from the competition.

prostitutes to cope with the disap pointment of his failed transfer to French side Le Havre in 2015, tied the knot last month.

The couple had initially planned to get married on November 30 but decided to move the wedding forward and shared pictures of themselves signing official papers on Instagram.

Adriano Faces Divorce, 24 Days after Marriage Due World Cup FIFA Reject France Appeal over Disallowed Griezmann’s Goal

However, there is said to be trouble in paradise. According to Extra, the couple have broken up following a row over the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Adriano reportedly drove to Vila Cruzeiro, a district of Rio de Janeiro, to meet up with his friends to watch Brazil play Switzerland.

The former Inter Milan, Parma, Roma, Corinthians and Flamego star is said to have spent two days in Vila Cruzeiro, where he grew up, before returning home to Mesquita.

has reached at this World Cup, demonstrating the level that will be required to overcome Tite's team, producing a collection of goals

in their

Brazillian players celebrating one of the goals in 4-1 humilation of Korea

Uruguay players venting their frustration on match officials shortly after defeating Ghana 2-0 but crash out of the World Cup tournament

Painfully Again, Japan Exit W’Cup at Knockout Stage

For the second time after the last tournament, the Samurai Blue of Japan exited World cup finals via the lottery of penalty shoot-out as Croatia earned a spot in the quarter finals after 3-1 victory in shootouts. Regulation and added time ended 1-1.

It was in similar painful way they lost out in the last tournament in Russia at same stage when providence ensured that Belgium almost with the last kick of the ball eliminated the determined Japanese.

But last night, Daizen Maeda's opener was cancelled out by an Ivan Perisic header, but the two teams ultimately couldn't be separated in 120 minutes of football.

Dominik Livakovic was Croatia's hero, saving three penalties in the shootout as only Takuma Asano converted for Japan before Mario Pasalic's winner.

The question was always going to be whether or not an ageing Croatian team could cope with the energy of Japan. The early signs suggested they were going to struggle.

In fact, Croatia got a huge let off in just the third minute of the game. Shogo Taniguchi found himself with a free header just six yards out, but he was only able to glance his header wide.

Croatia seemed rattled by that scare and Perisic bullied his way past Takehiro Tomiyasu down the

right-hand side. He lacked support, though, and his narrow-angled shot was easily blocked by Shuichi Gonda.

The half belonged to Japan, though. Maeda just failed to con nect with a tantalizing cross from the right, while Daichi Kamada somehow gave away a throw in as he failed to finish off a quality Japanese move.

They finally got the reward their first-half performance deserved, though. A short corner routine ended up dropping to Maeda's feet six yards out and he gratefully accepted the gift.

Presumably aware that they were about to go out with a whimper,

Croatia was a different team after the break. The energy was higher and the desire started to match that of the Japanese.

The started the half brightly and got their reward when Perisic headed a brilliant Dejan Lovren cross into the bottom corner.

Japan tried to respond im mediately, and Wataru Endo saw his long-range shot tipped over by Livakovic. It was not enough to stem the Croatian tide, though. They kept coming and Luka Modric saw an attempt well saved by Gonda before substitute Ante Budimir headed horribly wide when unmarked and just six yards out. As the second half wore on,

Japan's energy levels dropped and Croatia's experience started to tell. Neither side could find a winner, though, so it was off to extra time for the first time at the 2022 World Cup.

Both teams struggled to create in extra time as trying to win quickly came attempting not to lose. Kaoru Mitoma looked a real threat and forced another save from Livakovic. Slowly, though, the game fizzled out towards a penalty shootout.

If anyone was expecting any penalty shootout drama, Japan had other ideas. They missed their first two with Takumi Minamino and Mitoma producing tame efforts that were easily saved Livakovic. They were hoping for some Croatian generosity, but it never came and Pasalic stroked home the decisive kick to win the shootout 3-1. Croatia will face the winners of the tie between Brazil and South Korea in the quarter finals.

Nigeria’s senior national Cricket team, the Yellow-Greens handed Cameroon a defeat to record five straight wins at the on-going International Cricket Council’s T20 World Cup Sub-regional Africa Qualifier B in Rwanda on Monday December 6, 2022.

The victory solidifies Nigeria’s chance for the two tickets at stake for the next round of World Cup Qualification, after defeating Mo zambique, Sierra Leone, Eswatini and Gambia earlier in the event.

Though the match was decided by Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method after rain disrupted the encounter between the two countries in the second inning.

The limited over calculation (DLS) favoured the rampaging Nigerian team who had posted 31 runs in five overs, having held the Cameroonians down to 72 runs and all out in 19.4 overs.

Nigeria’s Captain, Slyvester Okpe, was man of the match owing

Bukayo Saka Puts Euro Penalty Miss Aside, Ready for Another Kick

Bukayo Saka, 21, who is enjoying his first World Cup with England’s Three Lions here in Qatar insisted yesterday that he would be more than happy if picked for penalty kick at this tournament.

The English forward with Nige rian ancestry was one of the three players that missed in England's Euros final defeat by Italy last year. Along with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, they were subject of racist abuses online.

But speaking here in Doha barely 24 hours after helping the Three Lions defeat Senegal 3-0 to book a quarter final clash with reigning world champions, France, Saka he had matured since that miss to become a more confident player.

"Personally,

"Obviously I know I can never really forget about that - it's there in history.

"But at the same time coming out here and scoring those three goals, of course, lifted me a lot - and the love from the fans that I keep receiving has lifted me a lot as well and gives me a lot of confidence.

"I have matured and progressed a lot since that moment. I wouldn't have stepped up the number of times I have for Arsenal if I was not confident.

"If the moment comes and I am selected to take it, I will be more than happy to," observed the Arsenal forward.

He however insisted that England have nothing to fear when they

Okowa Plays Down Delta State’s Brilliant Start

The Co-chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the ongoing National Sports Festival, Tonobok Okowa, has played down the brilliant start of the state on the medals table of the games.

As at Monday night, Delta State athletes had won over 80 medals including 43 gold medals while Ogun, Oyo in second and third positions were yet to record up to 10 gold medals each.

Rather than celebrating the way the coast is getting clear for the host state, Okowa insisted that winning medals was not strange to Team Delta.

He argued that the LOC was

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

more particular about the overall operations of the games in Asaba than the results being posted by the state’s contingent.

“We have prepared so well for the games and we believe we have athletes good enough to give a good fight. Delta is used to getting good results anywhere but we have bigger responsibility here.

“To have 36 states and Abuja in Asaba for the Sports Festival is a big task and so we are more particular about making everyone feel at home to compete in a good

atmosphere.

“We are working hard to ensure a hitch-free event. The facilities are there but there are many other logistics involved in staging a big event like this. It is our own Olympics but we are up to the task since we also hosted African Athletics championship only few years’ back.

“Running a good show all the way to December 10 is the priority of the LOC, to win the games in the end will only be an icing on the cake.”

face the World Cup holders on Saturday.

"There's a lot of tournament experience (in the squad) now," said Saka.

"If you look at the results from the last few tournaments we've been in, we've got to a semi-final, a final and a quarter-final.

"So, when the big games come, we have a lot of players who know what they need to do."

Kylian Mbappe is the top goalscorer at this World Cup with five, while Saka is joint second with three goals as Lionel Messi (Argentina), Marcus Rashford (England), Alvaro Morata (Spain), Enner Valencia (Ecuador) and Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands.

Asked if he could be the breakout star of Qatar 2022, as Mbappe was four years ago in Russia, Saka said: "Thank you for the compliment, but no.

"There's only one Kylian Mbappe, but at the same time there's only one me. I just want to be myself and help my team in the best way I can.

"There's so many young play ers in this tournament and I can name so many, even in my own team - there's another young player alongside us doing unbelievably well in Jude Bellingham.

"I'm just happy that we're all here, all doing well and the priority is to try to win the tournament rather than be the Player of the Tournament or Young Player of the Tournament."

Ahead of the forthcoming football season, Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Bendel Insurance will kick the first balls as the NPFL-Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation pre-season tournament kicks off at the Remo Stars International Stadium, Ikenne today.

Enugu Rangers and Enyimba Football Club will face off in the second match of the day at the four-club competition.

The organisers of the event an nounced that they had committed a whopping N100 million in prize money which marks the event arguably as the biggest in the history of pre-season tournaments in the country.

Project Manager at Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation, Dr. Peter Owokolo, said the event would become a permanent feature on the football calendar in the country

to his dispatch of five batters in the encounter in which he said the team was pleased to add to its string of wins.

“We had chosen to field when we saw the possibility of the weather condition not going well earlier in the day. So, everything worked well in our favour.”

Nigeria’s next match will be against Tanzania on Thursday at the Gahanaga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali, both teams are the only teams with clean slates at the event so far and game will hence determine who tops the qualifying round before they both have finals matches the next day.

Nigeria ranked 43rd on the ICC T20i ranking behind Tanzania that sits 31st on the World log.

Nigeria’s last match is against West African rival, Ghana, who unfortunately has not had a good run at the event with one victory and three successive defeats so far.

as the foundation is committed to boosting the domestic league.

Although the maiden edition is invitational with four traditional clubs featuring, Owoloko said participation in the subsequent editions would be by placements of clubs in the final table of the preceding season.

"This is just a curtain raiser as we plan to make the event bigger in the subsequent editions. The total prize money for the year is N100 million which captured the appearance fee of the participating teams; the Most Valuable Player, the Highest Goal Scorer, and so on. We are certainly going to make it bigger in the subsequent editions," he said.

The participating teams would feature in a round robin and the first two teams would play in the final to determine the winner.

SWIPHA Embraces Rugby, Engages 800 Students in Kano

Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, brand owners of SWIPHA, has sponsored a Youth-led Rugby Tournament in Kano state where a total number of 800 students participated in the competition.

The competition was orga nized in partnership with a non-governmental organization, Reaching Everyone with Acces sible Community Healthcare (REACH) and other partners.

Themed 'iTry Nigeria Youth Rugby Tournament', the com petition featured 30 males and 11 female teams cut across secondary schools in Kano state.

Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director of Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, Frederic Lieutaud explained that the deci sion to sponsor the event stems

from the company’s belief in the vital role of sports as a major vehicle for social development, healthy lifestyle and identifica tion of talents.

“As a pharmaceutical company, which prides itself on the well-being of people and most especially young people, we have taken it upon ourselves to support the initiative to keep young people fit and healthy, use the competition to identify new talents. This will encourage them to embrace and participate in one sporting activity or the other. As you are aware, regular exercise keeps the mind healthy and we feel it is important to inculcate this idea at an early age for our kids”, Lieutaud said.

Says: "I have matured and progressed a lot since that miss

Dominik Livakovic saved three kicks as Croatia defeated Japan 3-1 in penalty shootouts to reach quarterfinal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Bukayo Saka

I've tried to move on from that moment," said Saka.

Oyebanji to FG, NNPC

“Nigeria started the crude oil swap deal, it’s supposed to be, take the crude and then bring the petrol back. But because of our financial position, we started saying give me the petrol first, I will give you the crude next week. Then we extended it to, I will give you the crude in three weeks time, one month time, and now in three months time, we’ll give you the crude ” --MD,11Plc,formerlyMobilNigeriaPlc,Adetunji Oyebanji,blamingthegovernmentforthecurrentfuelscarcity.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

Return Of The Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line

On March 28, 2022, a Kaduna bound train from Abuja, was attacked at a place called Katari in Kaduna State around 7: 45 pm. As is the case with many things in Nigeria where documentation is poor and students are just about to start learning history again after more than 10 years of the subject being excluded from the curriculum, till date nobody can give the exact figure of the number of passengers on that ill-fated train. What we all know is that it was attacked by rampaging bandits and terrorists, who had rigged up the train line with explosives, and who attacked the train, riding motorcycles and bearing dangerous weapons. The train was less than 20 minutes to its Rigasa station destination. The terrorists opened fire on the hapless travellers. More than eight persons were killed on the spot. About 62 persons were abducted.

Over 20 persons were injured. It was the beginning of a long nightmare involving negotiations with the abductors, the agony of distraught families, and a sad exposure of the vulnerability of the average Nigerian. The victims fell within a broad age and health range: young children, family members, the infirm, the elderly and the aged, including persons who were on various kinds of medication from which they had been cut off simply because they live in a country where insecurity is a problem and human lives have lost value. Those who died included Chinelo Megafu, a young medical doctor, Amin Mahmoud, an APC youth leader and Musa Lawal-Ozigi, secretary-general of the Trade Union Congress. Family relations of the affected persons were thrown into agony. As the Federal Government of Nigeria insisted that it was not prepared to negotiate with terrorists or pay ransom, families cried to high heavens. A few Samaritans led by Sheik Ahmad Gumi, Tukur Mamu, Professor Usman Yusuf and others stepped in to help, even if they created controversies of their own in the process. In the end, the abducted persons were released in batches on April 6, June 11, July 9, July 25, August 10, August 19, and the final 23 regained their freedom on October 6. The Federal Government has tried to claim credit for ensuring the release of the last batch of abducted persons, but what is worth remembering is the needless loss of lives, and the general insecurity in the land which must be addressed - government has the primary responsibility to protect the people. Following the attack of March 28, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) announced the suspension of services on the Abuja-Kaduna route to give time for the rail line that had been damaged in parts to be fixed. Two weeks ago, it was further announced that the rail line would now be re-opened for operations. The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, during an inspection tour of the Abuja station said the train service was originally scheduled to resume by November 28 but that within a week, normal service along the route would re-commence. Minister Sambo was quoted as saying that he had vowed that the trains will not return on that route until the last abducted person was released and that he was happy he had been able to keep that promise. Muazu became Minister of Transportation in July 2022. He only needs to be reminded that in fact before he was posted to the Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Government had tried to re-open that route by May 23. The attempt was greeted by public outcry. It was generally agreed that the government was being callous and insensitive, seeking to sell train tickets while the abducted persons were still in captivity. Affected family members threatened to picket train stations. At the time, Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of the NRC claimed that the corporation was under pressure to resume operations. Nigerians refused. NRC was forced to change its plan. Now, yesterday, the trains returned along that route.

Mr. Sambo, the Minister in charge, says the NRC is 90% ready. Is the NRC ready? Can the people trust its managers? The Minister further claims that lessons have been learnt. Is he sure that indeed lessons have been learnt? What lessons exactly, if we may ask? Minister Sambo has said a lot of sweet things to rebuild public confidence and encourage people to travel again by rail between Abuja and Kaduna. But how many people will summon the courage to trust the NRC and government? When the first train left the Abuja station at 10 am yesterday, after eight months of inactivity on that route, the passengers were few. People have obviously learnt to be cautious and watchful. We have been told that there

would be increased security along the rail line and inside the coaches and that some of the security men would be in mufti. The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba has to that effect deployed police men, working with other armed personnel, drawn from the Police Mobile Force, K-9, Force Intelligence Bureau, Railway Police Command and the Explosive Ordinance Unit to protect lives and property along that route. But for how long will the security agencies sustain this? And where is the Civil Defence Corps whose primary responsibility is to protect national assets and infrastructure? Why

are they not part of the arrangements? The sloppiness of our security operatives has been a major part of the security challenge in Nigeria. Even if the Abuja-Kaduna route is protected, what happens to other railway routes across the country? There have been reports for example of the vandalism of rail tracks in parts of the country, the most vandalized route being the 157-kilometres Lagos-Ibadan rail line. Apart from deploying armed personnel to protect the rail lines and the award of jobs to security contractors, many Nigerians would like to know if there is an electronic surveillance system in place to protect the rail lines across the country. Security in the 21st Century does not simply mean uniformed personnel. In April, the then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had disclosed that a proposal for the procurement of a N3.7 billion security surveillance solution was taken before the Federal Executive Council but this was rejected at the Council meeting of September 24, 2021. Questions were reportedly raised about the capacity of the recommended firm for the project. So, what has happened since then? An electronic surveillance system would definitely enhance whatever security measures the Federal Government wants to put in place.

The Minister of Transportation also says as part of new measures to be introduced, that train passengers would have to produce their phone numbers, and National Identification Number (NIN). Are they also going to ask for birth and marriage certificates? The proper identification of passengers should prevent the kind of confusion that occurred in March. The NRC had no proper manifest at the time! Till date the number of passengers on that Abuja-Kaduna train remains a matter of guess-work! Whatever documentation the NRC introduces this time around, every effort should be made to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy that could expose passengers to avoidable hardship. The bigger thing to worry about is the endemic corruption in the operations of the Railway Corporation. And let the point be made that the bandits who attacked the train in March were not passengers. They attacked the train along the route. There is no point treating every passenger like a potential criminal.

We have also been told that there would be no night trains. This is simple common sense. Nigeria is not safe during the day, not to talk of night time. In broad daylight, people get kidnapped, and it is worse during festive seasons when too many bandits become more desperate. The March 28 train attack occurred around 7:45 pm, forcing many people to advise against night train travels. It is in order that the Federal Government has taken the people’s suggestion in this regard. It is all such a pity though. Every means of transportation in this country has become so expensive and risky. The roads are bad, the waterways are dangerous, air travel is costly and even the trains cannot be relied upon. A country of over 200 million needs an effective public transportation system and this must be a major issue for whoever wants to lead Nigeria going forward. In some countries, public transportation is considered so important, there are Ministries of Railways as in India, China, Japan, Bangladesh, Canada and New Zealand. According to the NRC, the Federal Government lost N113 million due to the suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna train services for over eight months. In another account, the figure was put at N6.6 billion. What has now been decided in typical Nigerian fashion, is that fares would be increased. People died. Families lost their loved ones. Persons were killed in captivity. On one occasion, the bandits showed their victims being flogged. They threatened to kill and maim. One of the kidnapped persons, Dr. Mustapha Imam is an Associate Professor at the Usman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto. He came home from India to give back to his country and share knowledge. He spent four months in captivity. When he was eventually released, he burst into tears. And now, NRC is lamenting that the corporation lost N113 million. How about lives lost, the hardship that the victims faced, the pain, the agony? The people suffer. They get punished for their suffering. Their only offence is that they are citizens of a country called Nigeria. Fares on the Abuja-Kaduna route would now be N9, 000 for 24-seater coaches, with immediate effect. Empathy, security, and efficiency should be more important considerations for the Federal Government, not profit and greed.

On Local Governments’ Autonomy

President Muhammadu Buhari hit the nail squarely on the head last Thursday, when he told members of the Senior Executive Course No 44 (2022) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru that state Governors are stealing funds meant for Local Governments. The President’s assertion came about a day after the Minister for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba had accused state Governors of being responsible for the high level of poverty among Nigerians, the majority of whom (72%) live in rural areas, and had been neglected. I felt the Minister of State was grandstanding and fishing for scapegoats.

The simple response to him is that both the Federal and other levels of government continue to fail the people, and that the crisis is that of leadership. But the President’s position on the financial autonomy of local governments is most deserving of further emphasis. One of the many good things that the present administration has done in the area of reform includes the push for the fiscal autonomy of the judiciary and local governments, both of which have been stoutly resisted by vested interests. In May 2020, President Buhari signed Executive Order 10 to enforce the financial autonomy of the states’ judiciary and legislature. The States raised objections and went to court. In February 2022, by a majority of six to seven, the apex court ruled that the controversial Executive Order 10 was in conflict with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution with regard to the powers of each arm of government. The President was adjudged to have acted ultra vires. The Order was an administrative directive that monies meant for the judiciary should be sent directly to their leadership without state governors pretending to manage the funds on behalf of both the judiciary and the state legislatures, while stealing part of same. There was yet another matter. In 2019, the Nigerian

Financial. Intelligence Unit had issued guidelines with regard to local governments to the effect that not more than N500, 000 can be withdrawn daily, and that state governments must not tamper with local council funds, and can only act within the purview of the law as transit points. The state governments went to court. But the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled in May 2022, ruled that the NFIU guidelines were in order to promote transparency and that the plaintiffs (the 36 state governments) had no case. The Court found that the NFIU within its enabling Act had powers to provide guidelines. It was the second time that a court of law would decline the attempt by state governments to resist NFIU guidelines.

The contentious issue is Section 162 (5), (6), (7) and (8) of the 1999 Constitution. Section 162 (6) specifically creates “the State Joint Local Government Account”, and the subsequent amplifications as cited but this has been subjected to so much abuse with state governments and governors turning into supervisors and overlords of the local governments. All the 774 Local Governments in the 1999 Constitution are no better than appendages of state governments. Local government Chairmen are treated like aides of the Governors. The states rely on Section 162 (6) to collect monies due to the councils, and after charging administrative fees decide unilaterally on what they think the boys in the local governments should get. What is sent to them is barely enough to pay salaries, with some small change for the Chairmen and Councillors who by the way are so ignorant and incompetent, they are happy to collect crumbs. They are part of the problem! In March 2022, the National Assembly passed a bill to abolish Section 162 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, but for the bill to become law, it has to be passed by 24 Houses of Assembly. The Governors would not allow that to happen. Every Governor seeks to control the judiciary,

the legislature and the local governments. Ours is a democracy of dictators. At some point, the State Joint Local Government Account has to be deleted from the Nigerian Constitution to provide a constitutional safety valve for the third tier of government.

Development springs from the local councils – they are the best institutions to help address the challenge of poverty alleviation, being the level of government that is closest to the people. When they are rendered impotent and ineffectual, the entire governance superstructure is compromised. However, no one should be surprised that some Governors have responded sharply to President Buhari’s latest attempt to put them on the spot. Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state, Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have all come forward to protest that they do not steal local government funds. President Buhari cited the specific example of one state Governor whom he refused to name. Whoever that Governor is, he would know himself. This is why every governor must speak up, otherwise we would be right to assume that all the Governors that are keeping quiet are the guilty ones. And that President Buhari knows what he is talking about. Members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) were quick to support the President’s assertions. They should go a step further and name the thieving Governors and states that they know. The Supreme Court may have made a technical point about the Constitution but the President can give effect to his own words by prevailing on states controlled by his own party, and they are currently in the majority, to act with integrity and eschew the theft of local council funds. When the time is ripe, Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution should be amended accordingly to put a permanent end to the mischief of the state governments.

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Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo