WEDNESDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2022

Tinubu: How I Made My Money, I’m Not Denying My Wealth

Says West still uncomfortable with Buhari reason they’re not selling arms to his government Vows Nigerians won’t suffer under him because he’s not the incumbent Boasts he remains frontrunner for 2023 presidential run

Emmanuel Addeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the All

Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, yesterday, in a pre-recorded interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), explained

how he made his money, which he claimed was through real estate, adding that he would not deny his wealth.

Tinubu, who spoke on a wide ranging issues, addressed insecurity, and stated that the West was still not comfortable with the administration

of President Muhammadu Buhari, the reason they seemed not to be selling arms to his government.

He, however, said he believed

Buhari, had done his best in the circumstances as the nation’s presiContinued on page 10

Again, World Bank Raises the Alarm, Says Nigeria’s Economy at Critical Juncture... Page 9 Wednesday 7 December, 2022 Vol 27. No 10102. Price: N250

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Sultan: Let’s Trust Buhari on Promise for Credible 2023 Elections... Page 41

Atiku: Tinubu’s Chatham House Appearance Comparable Only to Standup Comedy

Weep for Nigeria, not APC candidate, PDP admonishes Says ex-Lagos gov advertised incapacity, inefficiency

Chuks Okocha and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku

Abubakar, yesterday, took a swipe at his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Bola Tinubu, saying his appearance at the Chatham House, was comparable only to

a comedian’s visit.

At the same time, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has also described Tinubu’s presence at the Chatham House as

one of the saddest moments for Nigeria on the global stage, saying the people should weep not for Tinubu but the country.

Similarly, one of the spokespersons

of the PDP Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, has said Tinubu only advertised incapacity and inefficiency at the Chatham House event.

In a statement titled: “2023: A Comedian Visits Chatham House” and signed by Atiku’s Special Assistant Continued on page 10

In a Move That May Prevent Vote Buying, CBN Sets New Withdrawal Limits Restricts individuals to N100,000, corporate withdrawals to N500,000 weekly, daily PoS withdrawal pegged at N20,000, ATM N100,000 at weekly Says third party cheques above N50,000 not eligible for OTC payment Urges customers to use eNaira, other digital payment channels, warns banks against policy violation Apex bank records N8bn eNaira transactions in one year Buhari seeks second term for two CBN deputy governors

Sunday Aborisade, James Emejo and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos In an apparent move to tackle vote buying as the 2023 general elections draw closer, and control the amount of cash in circulation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday introduced new cash withdrawal limits for banks and other financial institutions.

The new policy followed its recent currency redesign project in which it had expressed concerns over the high volume of cash outside the banking system.

Under the new dispensation, the central bank restricted the maximum cash withdrawal over the counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate organisations per week to N100,000 and N500,000 respectively.

This was just as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday Continued on page 10

INAUGURATION OF NEWLY-BUILT TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION COMPLEX...

L-R: Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna; President Muhammadu Buhari; the Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology Senator Uche Ekwunife and other guests, during the inauguration of the newly-built Technology and Innovation Complex at NASENI Headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

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

NEWS

11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum...

L-R: Vice Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Ranti Omole; Chief Executive Officer, UTM Offshore, Mr. Julius Rone; Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote; Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari; and Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Nicolas Odinuwe, at the 11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum, organised by the NCDMB and DMG Nigeria Events, at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State... yesterday.

More Boost for Nigeria as Oil Production Rises to 1.6mbpd NNPC shops for new American IOC for Bonga South-west Aparo FID in 2024 NCDMB to get first dividend payment from Waltersmith Refinery by year end Security, cost optimisation, others at front burner as NLNG, IOCs seek solutions

Peter Uzoho

Nigeria is speedily recovering from the months of under-production with oil production at 1.59 million barrels per day as of yesterday, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The Chief Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investments Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, who represented the company's Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mr. Adokiye Tombomieye, disclosed this during a panel session at the ongoing 11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum (PNC) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Wunti, also said the NNPC and its partners were making significant efforts with corresponding outcomes in the upstream oil sector, revealing that the company was bringing another American oil major to take part in the Bonga Southwest/

Aparo Final Investment Decision (FID) billed to take place in 2024.

Also at the forum entitled, "Deepening Nigerian Content Opportunities in the Decade of Gas", Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited announced that the NCDMB would get its first dividend payment from its 5000 barrels per day modular refinery in Imo State by the end of the current financial year.

However, issues bothering on challenges of the nation's oil and gas industry including insecurity, high operational costs, enabling fiscal policies and other such bottlenecks were at front burner as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Shell, TotalEnergies and Chevron unanimously canvassed the need to address those problems to drive investments in the gas sector.

Speaking during the panel, which was on "Defining the Requisite Roadmap for Increased Gas Produc-

tion," Wunti said the achievement of the 1.59bpd production yesterday was resulted from the collaboration between the NNPC, its partners, the private security contractors and other stakeholders in the industry.

He said that meant that a significant quantity of the lost production volume had been recovered, adding that it represented an average of about 250,000 barrels over the last six months.

Wunti said, "I like talking about outcome and matching the outcomes with the efforts. We do know that in January, our budget is 1.8 million barrels per day.

“I'm sure His Excellency has not been getting the money that he should get from the treasury because the budget was anchored on 1.8 million barrels.

"It degenerated somewhere in July, August to about one million barrels. I'm glad to say, with the

collaboration of every one of us and the private security contractor that we put in place, our production today is about 1.59 million barrels this morning. That means we have recovered significant quantity.

"On the average, about 250,000 barrels over the last six months, but on a snapshot, we have seen the 400,000 barrels increase that was deferred earlier as a result of significantly either stealing or as a result of our inability to produce as a result of environmental reasons and some other reasons."

He, however, revealed that the company was bringing another American oil major to take part in the Bonga Southwest/Aparo Final Investment Decision (FID) billed to take place in 2024.

Bonga Southwest/Aparo is a conventional oil development located in deepwater in Nigeria and is operated by Shell Nigeria Exploration

and Production Company Limited.

Discovered in 2001, Bonga Southwest/Aparo lies in block Oil Mining Licence (OMLs 118, 140 and 132, with water depth of around 4,395 feet.

The project is currently in approval stage and was expected to start commercial production in 2026. The FID of the project was to be approved in 2022 and the development of the asset would involve the drilling of approximately 24 wells and includes Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) and subsea trees.

Production from the project was expected to begin in 2026 and was forecast to peak in 2027, to approximately 146,765 bpd of crude oil and condensate and 157 Mmcfd of natural gas. Based on economic assumptions, the production would continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2059.

Also, the field was expected to

several other similar cases; and all this happening in the face of government increasing difficulties to fund its various development projects and welfare commitments across the country.

"The overall intendment of this Amendment Bill, therefore, is to ensure that government is able to pool all its collectibles in one coffer, to be able to target its allocations to those areas of priority in the country.

"An effective way to do this is to re-organise the processes of granting tax holidays, investment incentives and waivers to private individuals and corporate entities for effective coordination and transparency.

"We must also ensure that such applications are placed before the National Assembly, in order to ensure that all arms of the government are on the same page on this delicate matter."

recover 759.56 million barrels of oil equivalent (Mmboe), comprised of 644.86mbbl of crude oil and condensate and 688.17bcf of natural gas reserves.

The field is owned by Shell, Eni, TotalEnergies, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Luke Oil. "I did mention that we're going for FID on Bonga North either last quarter of this year or first quarter next year. I did mention that Bonga South-west is going to sleep, we're going to focus on 2024. We're aligning with all our partners to focus on doing Bonga South-west/Aparo.

"We're bringing one American more to make it for Aparo. So we're targeting the FID in 2024. Several other projects with Chevron, we hope to do the FID before the end of first quarter of 2023 - the Agbami Gas Project. All these are coming with significant gaseous hydrocarbon," he noted.

He said the current improvement in electricity supply was a result of the security architecture, which has enabled the generation of additional 500 million standard cubic feet (scuf) of gas, assuring that the NNPC would be sending additional 250 million scuf to NLNG and 250 million scuf to the domestic market.

"That increase is making Egbin and all the other power plants around Lagos very stable. And we're making sure that all the efforts we make we can measure them. I was very excited when I saw Simbi putting the outcome versus the input. So in upstream today, we don't look at only the input and the output, but we go all along to capture and commend the outcome", Wunti added.

Delivering the sponsor's keynote address, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, announced that the NCDMB, which is an investor in the 5000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery would be receiving its first dividend by the end of the 2022 financial year.

Continues online

Continues online

Senate Passes Bill to Whittle Down FG's Power to Grant Tax Waivers

Seeks private sector, CSOs’ participation in NSIP implementation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Senate yesterday passed for second reading a bill to amend the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act. The proposed law aimed to regulate the processes of granting corporate tax holidays, import duty waivers and investment incentives to investors and businesses in Nigeria.

The bill was sponsored by Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North).

It seeks to among others, whittle down the powers of the federal government to unilaterally grant tax holidays and incentives to businesses.

It seeks create a new Section (9) in the FIRS Act to mandate the Service to secure due legislative approval of the National Assembly in granting of new or renewal of corporate tax incentives and waivers.

It stated that for purposes of

transparency, efficiency, effective monitoring and fair play, all requests and applications for parliamentary approval shall be referred to the Senate and the House of Representatives for necessary scrutiny.

"Such requests and applications for parliamentary approval shall stipulate clear conditions and justification for granting tax waivers and investment incentives.

“All, or any other enactments specific to cases of granting investment incentives and tax waivers to businesses, institutions and individuals that conflict with the provision of this Act, shall be deemed, not applicable,” he said.

Senator Abdullahi, in his lead debate, said the bill became imperative due to leakages and loopholes in tax collection and remittances to government amid revenue shortfalls and high debt profile.

He expressed worry that in the last five years, the country had not

been able to achieve its revenue targets.

Figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that N3.9 trillion was realised out of the targeted revenue of N7.2 trillion in 2018.

In 2019, the target was N7 trillion while actual revenue collected was N4.12 trillion. The sum of N5.4 trillion revenue was targeted in 2020 but N3.9 trillion was received.

In 2021, the target was N6.4 trillion while N4.64 trillion was received.

In 2022, targeted revenue was put at N5.82 trillion while actual revenue received was N3.66 trillion.

The lawmaker expressed concern that debt service was consuming over 90 per cent of the government's revenues up from 32.7 per cent in 2015.

He said, "If this trend of relentless reliance on increasing public debt to finance the budget continues without corresponding rise in revenues, the

country shall slide into distress and insolvency.

"With petroleum revenues dwindling into insignificance, we must rise to rationalise the system of tax administration by blocking loopholes, and tax evasion and ensure utmost efficiency in tax management.

"It is important to note that even while government explores other means of increasing its revenue streams and improve collecting capacity, the National Assembly must act with firmness and determination to ensure that we initiate and pass laws that regulate revenue streams collection and remittance.

"In early 2020, the FIRS reported a loss of N 1.3 trillion to tax waivers, in five years. And this was in just three sectors of the economy. Similarly, in October 2021, losses were put at $2.9 billion yearly, in tax waivers to multinationals.

"It is obvious that there are

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NEWS

ATIKU VISITS OONI...

L-R: Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; PDP Presidential Candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, during Atiku's visit to Ooni's palace... yesterday.

FG: Nigeria's Downgrade by Credit Rating Agencies Not in Line with Current Realities Seeks UN's support on next year's elections, census Global body urges caution on subsidy Nigeria’s foreign trade declined by N1.24trn in Q3 Crude oil exports accounted for N4.66trn, non-crude oil N1.28trn, non-oil products N438bn

Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja The federal government has lamented the impact of the recent downgrade of Nigeria by global credit rating agencies, saying the ratings were posing some difficulties for the country in terms of cost of funds at the international market.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed stated this in Abuja, yesterday, during a visit to her ministry by the Deputy Director General of the United Nations (UN), Mrs. Amina Mohammed, also called for the international bodies to reverse a situation where African countries borrow at higher cost than their European counterparts.

Ahmed made these remarks on same day the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that Nigeria's total merchandise trade decreased by about N1.24 trillion to N11.60 trillion in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2022) compared to N12.84 trillion in the preceding quarter.

In quick succession in November, Moody's and Fitch Ratings downgraded Nigeria. Moody’s downgraded Nigeria’s local currency and foreign currency long-term issuer ratings as well as its foreign currency senior unsecured debt ratings to B3 from B2.

Fitch Ratings also downgraded

Nigeria’s long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B-’ from ‘B’, pegging Africa’s biggest oil producer, six notches above default, and at par with Ecuador and Angola.

Briefing the visiting UN deputy scribe on the strides and challenges of the Buhari’s administration, Ahmed said the challenge of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and Climate Change were not caused by Nigeria.

According to her, the cost of quantitative easing, high inflation and high interest rates, among others, across the world were global challenges, regretting that despite the fact that this reality, the rating agencies went ahead to downgrade Nigeria.

"We are coping with a lot and we are doing the best we can under very difficult circumstances. But to have to cope with credit rating agencies working as if nothing has changed, not realising the kind of shocks we are facing, and assessing us and downgrading us for factors external to us even when we are putting our best efforts.

"We think it is a situation we realise we can’t change. In this ministry, we engage every credit rating agencies and provide everything they ask for.

"But it seems as if it is not enough.

They have to be some support that we need to get. They themselves need to do things differently.

"You cannot be making the same kind of assessments you were making some time ago. Things are different. Things are not going.

We have seen some of our sister countries really hurt.

"This year only, we have had Nigeria being downgraded, and unless these interventions are done at a very high international level, countries that are developing will be the ones that would carry the brunt of this attidue of the credit rating agencies.”

The minister called for the support of the UN as Nigeria goes into its general elections and population census next year.

She thanked United Nations Population Fund (UNFP) for its assistance for the National Population Commission (NPC).

She said: "We have a national census plan. the UNFP has embed a special adviser that is working with the population commission. A proclamation has been done been done by President that census will be carried out in April, after the elections.

"We are asking the UN for support and funds it will be very tasking on the federal government budget.

We have elections and census that are very expensive so we really do need these interventions now."

Responding, the UN deputy scribe urged caution on the removal of fuel subsidies because of its wide implications.

Noting that subsidy was hugely important to the economy, she however advised that it should be handled with care, "targeting

The federal government is set to provide a legal framework that would position Nigeria as the gateway for franchise development in Africa and enable the country tap into the immense potential of franchise business to bolster the growth of its economy.

This was disclosed yesterday in Lagos, by the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, during the launch of the pilot program of “Franchising as an Investment Alternative for Lagos MSME’s.”

The United States of America’s Department of Commerce Report had in 2019 projected that Nigeria has the potential of earning $100 billion annually from franchising.

Katagum said Nigeria, “with a population of about 200 million, is

the most populous country in Africa and has the potential to become the gateway for franchise development in Africa.”

She added that the federal government was working through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to deepen collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address some regulatory clauses and disclosure documents of the Franchise Bill it would send to the National Assembly for passage into law.

The minister of state, who was represented at the ceremony by a Deputy Director, Industrial Development Department of the FMITI, Mrs. Olumuyiwa A. Ajayi-Ade, said the, “Industrial Development Department of my ministry will deepen the existing collaboration with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, an agency promoting regulatory roles,

Nigeria’s Foreign Trade Declined by N1.24trn in Q3

Meanwhile, Nigeria's total merchandise trade decreased by about N1.24 trillion to N11.60 trillion in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2022) compared to N12.84 trillion in the preceding quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said yesterday.

The export component of trade dropped to N5.93 trillion, representing 19.89 per cent decline over the

preceding quarter and accounted for 51.16 per cent of total trade in the review period.

According to the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics for Q3 2022, which was posted on its website, total imports, however, increased by 4.22 per cent to N5.66 trillion in Q3.

According to the statistical agency, imports accounted for 48.84 per cent of total trade. As a result, the balance of trade in the period under review stood at N269.34 billion.

It also showed that exports trade was dominated by crude oil exports valued at N4.66 trillion, representing 78.51 per cent of total exports while non-crude oil exports stood at N1.28 trillion or 21.49 per cent of total exports.

Continues online

Gombe Governor, Emir, Other Leaders Commend Buhari Over Kolmani Oil Find Say his footprints will remain indelible

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday paid host to a delegation of political, religious and business leaders from Gombe State at the

State House, Abuja.

The delegation led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya appreciated Buhari for his role in the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the Kolmani area.

FG Set to Make Nigeria Gateway for Franchise Devt in Africa

Dike Onwuamaeze

effectively what one believes is important for people to understand that those perceived gains from subsidy are actually going to translate into their lives towards reducing poverty ensuring our women and youths have jobs."

control of foreign technology into the country, to chart a way forward with other relevant stakeholders like government MDAs, private and developing partners in addressing some regulatory clauses and disclosure document of the Franchise Bill to be sent for passage by the National Assembly.”

Katagum added: “The federal government is committed to improving the business environment in the country, as franchising allows not only expansion but an empowerment tool, which can benefit start-up companies and develop Nigeria's SMEs to bring about growth and sustainable development in the economy.

“Today, there are a number of emerging and developed economies that have embraced franchising as an effective means for job creation.

For example, South Africa, whose economy is comparable to Nigeria’s,

generates 12.5 per cent of its GDP from franchising.”

In her welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, described the franchising industry as a quiet achiever with amazing contributions to many national economies around the world.

Hammond added that although the market demand for the franchise industry is growing by as much as 30 per cent each year in the global markets, “majority of Nigerian businesses are still not aware of this option and how they could access this space.”

But, “interestingly, the Lagos State Government has woken up to smell the roses” and is currently “encouraging investors to set up franchises in Lagos because of our healthy business climate.

The president on the occasion jocularly told them: “Thank you for coming to say thank you to me for doing my job. Thank you for appreciating the efforts.”

Going down memory lane, Buhari said when he served as Petroleum Minister for over three years in the 1970s, “we developed the feasibility studies, believing it would further stabilise our polity. So, you should congratulate yourselves, rather than me for the oil find.”

On the political situation in the country, preceding the 2023 general elections, the president said off-season elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States showed that the government respects Nigerians, “and would allow them to choose their own leaders without interference or manipulation.”

He also said irrespective of what some people say, the administration he led had made strides in stabilising the security situation in the country, reviving and diversifying the economy, and fighting corruption.

Buhari described the visit as a “morale booster.”

Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation, Yahaya said Gombe people came to express, “profound appreciation and gratitude for the successful flag-off of the Kolmani oil project.”

He added that such gigantic project was a milestone for the entire country, “as it will enhance our socio-economic fortunes, create jobs, and benefit farmers, business people, indeed, everyone.”

Yahaya assured of community support for the venture, promising that along with Bauchi State, where the oil field is jointly situated, “we will ensure success of the project.”

He said Buhari had done his best for the country, despite the tumultuous time in which he served, adding that history would be kind to him.

He appreciated the president for other projects in the state like the takeover of the airport by the federal government, siting of an Air Force Base, a Federal Polytechnic, among several others.

“We will remember you forever.

You have left footprints that are indelible. History will be kind to you on efforts you made, despite the difficult times,” the Governor said.

In his remarks, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar 111, described the Kolmani project as “historic, never to be forgotten by our people.”

He assured that there would be no conflict between Gombe and Bauchi States, as the traditional institution would mobilise the people positively.

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NEWS

at the media briefing on the unveiling of Louisville...

L-R: Minister of Finance, Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), Nocolas Kazadi; Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, Eustache Muhanzi Mubembe; Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde; Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, United Bank for Africa(UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu; and Minister of Youth, DRC, Yves Bunkulu Zola, during the selection announcement ceremony of the 2022 cohort for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday

Again, World Bank Raises the Alarm, Says Nigeria’s Economy at Critical Juncture Declares debt-service payments put biggest squeeze on poor countries

Obinna Chima in Lagos and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Bank yesterday reiterated its call for urgent reforms to reset the Nigerian economy and address its myriad of economic challenges, saying the country is presently at a critical juncture.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, said this yesterday, in a presentation titled: “Nigeria’s Choices and How the World Bank is Trying to Help,” which he delivered at a roundtable with media leaders in Lagos, organised by the bank in collaboration with Agora Policy.

He reiterated the need for the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate convergence, even as he ex-

pressed concern that the country’s debt service cost has outstripped its revenue.

Chaudhuri, also urged state governors in the country to be more accountable in order to deliver the dividends of democracy and ensure inclusive economic growth.

“Nigeria is at a critical juncture.

The basic message here is that Nigeria has huge potential and often you can see it from the impact of Nigerians in diaspora and the rest of the world as well as the potential you see within Nigeria right now.

“But Nigeria has huge challenges. in basic things as little as investing in its people, Nigeria has not done a lot and in terms of enabling private firms to grow and create jobs, that hasn’t happened and without these

Fashola: Nigerians’ Mindset, Not Lord Lugard Responsible for Their Challenges Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has urged Nigerians to change their mindsets, rather than continuing to blame Lord Lugard who amalgamated Nigeria in 1914.

Speaking at the 11th Convocation ceremony of Veritas University, Abuja, on the topic: “ Mind, Mindset and State of Mind”, Fashola argued that it was not in the interest of the country for its citizens to escape to other lands while abusing Nigeria.

Fashola stated that his abiding belief in the country has never changed, explaining that Nigeria remains for him a home, a place to treasure and to nurture and to protect.

“My state of mind is not to take flight to another man’s land and from there pour scorn and hate on the place of my birth. My state of mind tells me to offer my skills and deploy my energies towards improving the place I call home.

“My mindset is such that, I believe that my contributions can improve something even if it does not improve everything. My mindset tells me that greatness is not an event, it is a process to which we all have contributions to make.

“I have often marvelled at the

mindset of those who take flight and when they fall upon difficult times then reach back to the place they deserted in search of relief, help or succour,” he stated.

While admitting that those who have that mindset deserve every help they can get, Fashola stated that his only wonder was for those whose mindset it is to seek help from the place they deserted when trouble arises.

“My message to you is to invite you to focus your minds, develop a mindset and maintain a state of mind that in every aspect of life that you believe Nigeria can do better, and that there are inherent opportunities to surpass any challenges that you may see.

“This is a mindset of positivity, a state of mind that is hopeful and a mind that refuses to surrender to negativity,” Fashola told his audience comprising mainly students.

He stressed that a mindset of self-pity was something Nigerians must turn their back on and take responsibility for the kind of Nigeria they wish for.

“An example is the one that blames our situation and developmental status on colonialism; the amalgamation of Nigeria by Lord Lugard and so on and so forth, 62 years after.

two things, Nigeria would never get out of the situation it finds itself presently,” he said.

He pointed out that from the 1980s down to 2020, average income in the country hasn’t really grown.

“Take a look Indonesia which is very similar to Nigeria, you will see the difference. Both countries had similar average income in the eighties, but Indonesia was able to manage its resources better.

“Good times come with oil prices being high. Nigeria is at a critical juncture and there are three different paths that Nigeria can take. But why are we sounding the alarm? For the first time in Nigeria’s history, what should be good times has actually become negative for the country.

“Oil prices have headed up, while oil and gas revenue has headed down. Petrol subsidy is not really helping the poor and should be taken away immediately.

Another reason why things are different this time for Nigeria is that for the first time, the cost of debt service has exceeded its revenue.

“Another thing is that when oil prices go up, Nigeria’s current account balance goes up and usually forex reserves go up. But for the first time, just as we saw with revenue, forex reserves have continued to decline. So, the question is, where are all those borrowings going to?” he added.

According to Chaudhuri, as a development organisation the World Banj believes that, “there is need for consensus that you cannot have business as usual, especially among the elites and other stakeholders. Without that, we are facing the risk of having a not so nice scenario.”

In his presentation, the World Bank Lead Country Economist for Nigeria, Alex Sienart, noted that Nigeria’s debt stock relative to the size of its economy was not an issue, compared to a country like Kenya.

“But what you have to look at is what it is costing the country to finance the amount of debts the country has accumulated. For every naira the country earns, immediately the money comes into the purse, more than half of that goes back as interest payment for its debts.

“So, even though Nigeria doesn’t have a debt problem, it has a revenue problem. No matter how you look at it, the point is that this is not sustainable. As your debt obligation begins to outpace your revenue base, you now have to be borrowing increasingly to do anything else, and even to service the interest on your loans. The parallel forex market premium is a reflection of the scarcity of forex.

“The financial markets have noticed these challenges and that

has consequences on Nigeria’s risk premium and increases Nigeria’s financing cost,” Sienart added.

He, however, pointed out that the global economy has really changed and has become more challenging due to rising inflation and geo-political tensions.

Sienart, however advised the federal government to among other recommendations, adopt single and market reflective exchange rate, increase non-oil revenue by raising the Value Added Tax (VAT), eliminate petrol subsidy, contain inflation by reducing the federal government’s borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as establish a strong implementation mechanism that promotes performance and accountability.

There were also presentations from World Bank Infrastructure Programme Leader for Nigeria, Ms. Yadviga Semikolenova and the World Bank Nigeria Human Development Programme Leader, Mr. Tekabe Belay. The meeting was moderated by Mr. Waziri Adio of Agora Policy.

Meanwhile, the bank has stated that the poorest countries eligible to borrow from its International Development Association (IDA) now spend over a tenth of their export revenues to service their long-term public and publicly guaranteed external debt—the highest proportion since 2000,

shortly after the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative was established.

It stated this in its new International Debt Report released yesterday.

The report highlighted rising debt-related risks for all developing economies—low- as well as middle-income economies.

It noted that at the end of 2021, the external debt of the economies totaled $9 trillion, more than double the amount a decade ago. During the same period, the total external debt of IDA countries, meanwhile, nearly tripled to $1 trillion.

According to the report, rising interest rates and slowing global growth risk tipping a large number of countries into debt crises.

About 60 per cent of the poorest countries are already at high risk of debt distress or already in distress.

At the end of 2021, IDA-eligible countries’ debt-service payments on long-term public and publicly guaranteed external debt totaled $46.2 billion—equivalent to 10.3 per cent of their exports of goods and services and 1.8 per cent of their gross national income (GNI), according to the report.

Those percentages were up significantly from 2010, when they stood at 3.2 per cent and 0.7 per cent respectively.

Continues online

Buhari: I'll Bequeath New NASENI as Legacy to Next Govt Says agency undergoing transformation to tech, innovation hub

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) would be a pivotal legacy his government would bequeath to the next administration in May, 2023.

Speaking yesterday during the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari Technology and Innovation Complex at NASENI Headquarters, Idu Industrial Zone in Abuja, the president stated that the agency, under his administration, was being repositioned to become a technology and innovation hub for national development.

He explained: "This is one pivotal legacy of this administration. With

this complex and the available facility, the future of our national competitiveness among global economies is promising.

“We are sure that these advanced science and engineering core facilities will assist our nation in the attainment of Africa Union's 2063 Agenda and United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, 2030."

Decrying NASENI's inability to attain its full potential over the years, Buhari assured of his administration's determination to reverse the trend.

"NASENI has a long history of establishment and has been in existence for over 30 years now, but the agency has been facing so many challenges that were mitigating against the realisation

of her full potential in line with the Act that established the agency," he added.

He, however, noted that, "under my Chairmanship, NASENI is undergoing a reinvention and transformation to become a Technology and Innovation Hub for our national development.

"Consequently, we have strategically repositioned NASENI to develop local capacity in machine building and fabrication, which is critical to Nigeria's Industrial development,” he added.

Impressed with the great strides the agency has made under his administration, Buhari declared: "NASENI is now domesticating foreign technologies and product development through backward integration," adding that, "the recent

attraction of 250 Czeck Koruna or $10.5 million US Dollar Research and Development grant to Nigeria is evidence that our transformation is achieving results in building competitive Agency."

According to him: "NASENI, under my watch as the Chairman of the Governing Council, has lived up to its expectations and has performed well.

"The agency has invented useful and historic intelligence and defence-related equipment and devices and has engineered, in collaboration with reputable organisations, Armoured Personnel Carrier with advanced features and Mine Resistant Ambushed Protected APC, among others."

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Nigerian Content in Oil, Gas Industry Hits 54% in 2022 NCDMB charges indigenous companies on compliance

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Mid-way into a 10-year Strategic Road Map for enhanced indigenous participation and utilisation of local assets in oil and gas operations, industry regulator Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has recorded a 54 per cent Nigerian content level in 2022 Presenting a status report at the 11th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Workshop organised by the Board in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Simbi Wabote explained

that the average Nigerian content performance in the last five years is 44 per cent, which represents the period the 10-year Nigerian Content Strategic Roadmap has been implemented so far.

He indicated that the performance in 2022 above is well above the 42 percentage target set by the Project Management Office (PMO), just like in 2021 when 42 per cent was achieved, above the target of 38 per cent.

He confirmed that the tracking of the performance was based on the Board’s monitoring and evaluation

of industry activities.

The technical capability development pillar of the roadmap, he said, stands out as a major highlight as fabrication and construction, hitherto under near-total dominance by foreign firms, had 99 per cent Nigerian content during the period under review.

He further disclosed that 77 out of 96 initiatives under the short- and medium-term categories of the roadmap had been completed in November 2022.

Wabote stated that manpower in the oil and gas industry had

reached 81 per cent Nigerian content as of November, while project management as of that month was 80 per cent.

Zeroing in on year 2022, the executive secretary revealed that performance was largely driven by the contracts awarded under the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Train 7 Project.

However, he stated that the low points in accomplishment were in procurement, engineering and services, with Nigerian ontent as unimpressive as 34, 46, and 50 per cent respectively. These, he assured,

In a Move That May Prevent Vote Buying, CBN Sets New Withdrawal Limits

asked the Senate to confirm the appointments of two serving deputy governors, Mr. Edward Adamu and Mrs. Aisha Ndanusa Ahmad for second and final terms in office.

The directive on the new cash withdrawal limits was contained in the CBN letter dated December 6, 2022, which was addressed to all Deposit Money Banks, and Other Financial Institutions, Payment Service Bank (PSBs), Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs).

The correspondence was signed

by CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa.

The CBN stated however, that withdrawals above the thresholds would attract processing fees of five per cent and 10 respectively for individuals and corporate entities going forward.

In addition, third party cheques above N50,000 shall not be eligible for OTC payment while extant limits of N10 million on clearing cheques still remains.

The new withdrawal regime further pegged the maximum cash withdrawal per week via Automated teller Machine (ATM) at N100,000 subject to a maximum of N20,000 cash withdrawal per day.

Also, only denominations of N200 and below shall be loaded into ATMs while the maximum amount that can be withdrawn via Point of Sale (POS) terminal was limited to N20,000 daily.

The central bank, however stated that in compelling circumstances not exceedingly once a month, where cash withdrawals above the prescribed limits was required for legitimate purposes, such withdrawals shall not exceed N5 million and N10 million for individuals and

corporate organisations respectively, and shall be subject to the referenced processing fees.

This, would be in addition to an enhanced due diligence and further information requirement, the apex bank stressed.

The CBN further noted that monthly reruns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limits should be rendered to the Banking Supervision Department while compliance with extant Anti-Money Laundering/CFT regulations relating to KYC, ongoing customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting

among others is required in all circumstances.

The bank also encouraged bank customers to use alternative channels including internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS, eNaira among others to conduct their banking transactions.

The CBN warned banks and other financial institutions that aiding and abetting the circumvention of the new policy would attract severe sanctions.

On October 26, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele had announced moves to redesign

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Company Limited (NNPC), Group Chief Executive, Mele Kyari , assured the nation that the effort to deepen the utilisation of gas to drive industrialisation and economic development was very much on course.

While emphasising Nigeria’s interest in gas as energy transition fuel, he stated that gas will continue to provide the opportunity to power the global economy.

Among several projects embarked upon by government, he cited the multibillion dollar Nigeria-Morocco Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline, which had taken him to Morocco recently.

Feedstock for the pipeline, he explained, would be from faraway Brass in Bayelsa State. He further said: “We will complete the OB-3 (East-West pipeline, with a projected capacity of two billion standard cubic feet) pipeline.”

In a welcome address, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, expressed the joy of the people of the State for the opportunity to host the PNC for a second time.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, he stated the desire of the state to be considered in plans for oil and gas producing states.

Atiku: Tinubu’s Chatham House Appearance Comparable Only to Standup Comedy on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the PDP presidential hopeful stated that Tinubu’s performance was disgraceful.

According to him, while Tinubu was expected to sell himself to voters at the event, he ended up doing the opposite.

“The disgraceful campaign of APC candidate, Bola Tinubu, reached its nadir at Chatham House in London, where he was expected to have sold himself. Six long months after emerging the candidate of the party, the self-styled Lagos godfather has continued to avoid any public engagement with other candidates because his intelligence pales in comparison to them,” he said.

Atiku stressed that Tinubu avoided engagements at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce Industry (LCCI); evaded the town hall organised by the Alumni Association of the Lagos Business School (LBS) and that of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Lately, he added that Tinubu

avoided the town hall organised

by Arise Television and other media houses, stressing that the Chatham House event would have been an opportunity to redeem himself, but he once again fell short.

“After reading his prepared speech for about 15 minutes, it was time for the question and answer session. Clearly lacking the capacity to respond to easy questions, he claimed his style is to delegate and thereafter decided to call on members of his campaign to answer questions for him.

“It is baffling that Tinubu could not defend his manifesto, which he personally launched amid fanfare.

His action was like a final year student calling on his colleagues to come help him defend his project.

Utterly disgraceful,” Atiku stated.

He said, rather than reveal how he would tackle insecurity, Tinubu called on Governor Nasir el-Rufai to answer the question on his behalf, noting that for clarity, the Kaduna governor recorded 1,192 civilian killings alone in 2021, almost

Tinubu: How I Made My Money, I’m Not Denying My Wealth dent and therefore had no reason to run away from his record as a friend and leader.

Tinubu, who said he could confidently defend Buhari’s achievements in the area of insecurity, claimed that the current administration, has degraded insurgency in the country from the overwhelming menace they used to be.

While boasting to being a frontrunner for next year’s presidential run and the reason he was being shot arrows from different sides, Tinubu, while answering question on the fact that Nigerians were suffering under the current government, said he was Bola Tinubu and not Buhari and therefore, situation under his watch would be different.

Describing a majority of those questioning his source of wealth or asking questions about him as envious, the APC candidate maintained that his source of wealth, has actually been through real estate.

Throwing more light on this, Tinubu stated that if the people, who questioned his sources of riches were not enemies of wealth, they should stop criticising him.

“I inherited great real estate and I turned the value around,” he said, stating that he remained the most investigated Nigerian politician till date.

“I have not taken government appointment, no government contract,” Tinubu said, adding that, the allegation that he was in charge of the revenues accruing to Lagos remained unproven, and that he has been investigated several times

the naira in the variation of N200, N500 and N1,000.

Emefiele, who pointed out that the change was a sequel to the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, had said circulation of the new banknotes would commence on December 15, 2022.

He said the development was also aimed at checking the increasing ease and risk of currency counterfeiting evidenced by several security reports, and the increased risk to financial stability as well as the worsening shortage of clean

would be sufficiently addressed, going forward.

Technical data, cited by Wabote showed the capture of 12 new indigenous operators in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, bringing the total to 97.

In the service subsector, there were 1,303 new corporate entrants, raising the total to 9,532, while 22,512 individual registrations were recorded, bringing the total to more than 271,000.

The executive secretary informed stakeholders that the Board has commenced the process of allocation of serviced plots to manufacturers of equipment components, spares, and tools required in petroleum industry operations to kick-start operations within the industrial parks at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State, and Odukpani in Cross River state.

He expressed the Board’s displeasure at the activities of indigenous oil and gas companies, which seek to undermine its effectiveness after they had benefitted from strategic interventions in funding and capacity building programmes of the organisation. He advised them to turn a new leaf and ensure compliance with regulations or face the consequences.

In his own remarks , the Nigerian National Petroleum

without any dirt, saying, “It’s envy”.

His words: "You ought to know how to analyse and how to ask questions, not in the opposite format.

Are they enemies of wealth? If they are not enemies of wealth, investment does yield. I have an example of Warren Buffett and one of the richest men in America and in the world, he started from stock buying and brokerages. I inherited great real estate, I turned the values around.

"I'm not denying my wealth, I was the most investigated, the most accused governor in opposition for 8 years and up till 2007. And since I left the office, I have not taken any government appointment, no government contract."

Defending Buhari, Tinubu said, "Buhari has done his best, I can't run away from him being my friend, my leader in the party, I will not."

Contending that Buhari had degraded the insurgents, even though he admitted that they had not been completely eliminated, Tinubu added: "I will defend him (Buhari) for that, it (insecurity) has reduced. Then, 17 local governments and about four states where we had flags of foreign jihadists in Nigeria, that is no more. That is long gone.

"To start chaos is easy, to bring normalcy and redecorate is more difficult. Here we are, Buhari has degraded, but not completely eliminated ISWAP. Then we talk briefly of lethal weapons and ammunition and technological equipment that could have helped accelerate the clean-up of those…

“The west is yet to feel comfortable enough with a Buhari administration to sell us the arms.

We have to look for alternatives and that include mass recruitment of a volunteer army,” he stated.

Asked if that could change if he emerged president, Tinubu added, "It could change, it might not change, but we have to look at alternatives.

Those are the mass recruitment of individuals in a volunteer army to really clean up," noting also that there was a need to recruit more people into the military.

The former Lagos governor stated that his priority would be security and revamping the economy as well as focusing on employment if elected, stressing that he would restructure Nigeria’s monetary policies and take a decision on fuel subsidy.

He urged Nigerians to vote for him, because he was ‘different’ and he was Bola Tinubu, who has governed Lagos and turned it to a modern state, which could pass for a country of its own.

“I led an administration that was so prudent. We raised Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N600 million to N5 billion a month,” Tinubu stressed, describing it as a record.

According to him, he also turned the Atlantic Ocean, which would have killed many people in Lagos into an asset, renewed infrastructure in the state and has ensured continuity in the governance of the state.

He also disputed the imputation that the presidential candidate of the

leveling with that of war-torn Syria and therefore not qualified to speak on the issue.

“This is also a governor that admitted to paying killer insurgents to stop murdering his people. He hurriedly withdrew his children from school last year, because of insecurity but left the children of the masses to their fate,” he alleged.

Early this year, Atiku had said Kaduna State was cut off completely, becoming inaccessible by air, train or road, noting also that in August, the governor wrote a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that election might not take place in some parts of the state due to the activities of terrorists.

“Yet he was the one nominated

by Tinubu to address security issues. What a joke! Tinubu also could not respond to questions on healthcare and even the economy despite claiming to have developed Lagos. Rather, he nominated the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Betty Edu and Wale Edun to do so on his behalf.

Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, was the youngest of the candidates meaning to take over the leadership of the country, explaining that Obi could not lay claim to being young, having being a governor of Anambra State for eight years some years back.

He also stated that if he (Tinubu) wasn’t contesting, he would not vote for either Obi or Abubakar Atiku, insisting that neither of them had any track record to bank on.

"None, because they are not as competent as any other person out there. They have no track record.

None of them is qualified except me," he said.

Tracing attacks against him to the fact that he was the candidate to beat, Tinubu said, 'I'm very confident that this election, free and fair, I am the frontrunner and that is why I'm getting many arrows."

He however, noted that, if he won the election, his priorities included tackling security and economic recovery in order to accelerate development, while also reducing inflation, in addition to changing the country's monetary policy.

Asked what he would do differently as many Nigerians have suffered under the Buhari administration, Tinubu said, "I'm different. I am Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have governed Lagos, I built a modern state that could be a country on its own. I have led an administration that is so prudent. From N600 million internally generated revenue to N5 billion a month. That's a record, nobody else can brag about that.

“No wonder he is not brave enough to attend debates. He cannot hold his own. For a man, who constantly says Emi lo kan (it is my turn), it is ironic that he suddenly discovers that it is not his turn when it is time to answer serious questions,” Atiku mocked Tinubu.

He noted that when, Tinubu was pointedly asked about his profile and background, he started his story from his life at Chicago university, wondering why the former Lagos governor could not mention the primary and secondary schools he attended and why he deliberately left them out of his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) form CF001.

“Without mincing words, Bola Tinubu’s entire candidacy is built on a grand scam. He is like a puppet, who on the surface appears to be alive but is actually being empowered by strings from a team backstage.

“In the unfortunate event that he becomes president, Tinubu’s presidency will be run by a cabal pulling the strings from the backstage.

This is not about effective delegation but dereliction of duty. The warning signs are there for Nigerians to see.

“The country is facing arguably its worst crisis since the civil war.

Unemployment is at 33 per cent, at least 133 million Nigerians live in abject poverty, the exchange rate of the naira even at the official market is at an all time low, debt is at an all time high, oil revenue has dried up, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Nigeria cannot risk another failed presidency,” Atiku said.

According to the PDP presidential candidate, the country deserved a very healthy person, saying, “The office of the president is not for sick people. Tinubu has tried his best but he is now weak and tired and should be allowed to go home.”

On its part, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement by its Director of Strategic Communication, Dele Momodu, and titled: "Weep not for Tinubu but for Nigeria", said what happened in the UK was a complete charade.

"The Bola Tinubu handlers fumbled, and bungled it big time...

They showcased him like a packaged invalid. It would have been better to present him as a brilliant politician and administrator, warts and all, who's capable of independent thoughts.

"But what we saw yesterday was a theatre of the absurd. It brought back memories of our great President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and how he mysteriously disappeared from the radar and some of his aides governed by proxy,” Momodu recalled.

Noting that he was one of those, who led a protest against the anomaly

at the time, Momodu maintained that what was unacceptable then was even more unacceptable now with the benefit of hindsight.

He argued that the problem of Nigeria was often aggravated by the ambitions of some acolytes, who wished to remain eternally relevant in the corridors of power at the expense of the long-suffering nation.

He also recalled when Buhari visited the same Chatham House seven years ago, the difference was that he answered all questions directed at him and did not delegate any question to anyone to answer for him.

“It is horrifying to watch some respected intellectuals like el-Rufai and Kayode Fayemi as they struggled to window-dress Tinubu on a muchhallowed global stage. Please, weep not for Tinubu but for Nigeria,” Momodu.

Melaye, while interrogating the Chatham House show, said even when a direct responsibility was placed on him, Tinubu forgot that the seat of the President was a chair and not a bench on which you can invite others to sit with you, saying it was a direct and personal responsibility, adding that, "This is the origin of the expression, 'the buck stops on my table'.

According to Melaye, "For nearly all his life, Tinubu has lived in disguise and in the shadows of others.

There are contentions on whether the name he bears now belongs to him or a woman. There are also interrogations on his certificate, his crime record and a great hue of inconsistencies.

"It was this same pattern that played out in London, where he chose to assume the names of Nasiru, Dele, Femi and Ben before a live international audience, who would not only have pitied the ostrich conduct of Tinubu but saddened by his coterie of defenders and power entrepreneurs, who chose to swim in shame with a calamitous candidate.

"Tinubu spoke about working as a team. Nothing typifies a team more than a football team, where 11 players form a team. In each team, there's always a captain. One of the formalities for starting a match is the tossing of a coin to decide the side of placement.

"During this ritual, the captain of each side steps forward to pick one side of a coin. That is team leadership. Further to this, there are ladders of leadership. First, a leader must be able to lead himself before leading teams, leaders and institutions. What was required of Tinubu at Chatham House was self-leadership, but as usual, he thought he could circumvent the process. He failed.”

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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APC women Presidential Campaign's courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos...

L-R: Chief Kabiru Oshodi; Co-chairman of APC Presidential Women Team and Wife of APC presidential candidate, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; His Royal Majesty Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and Chairman SUBEB, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos by the APC women presidential campaign rally in Lagos...recently

Olanipekun Swears in New Lawyers Amidst NBA's Protest Says Body of Benchers not appendage of governments, institutions, agencies Warns new wigs against campaign of calumny Maikyau: Why I boycotted call to bar ceremony

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB), Chief Wole Olanipekun, yesterday in Abuja, called 4711 law graduates to the Nigerian Bar amidst protest by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led

by Mr. Yakubu Maikyau.

The NBA had in a letter dated December 4, asked Chief Olanipekun to step aside as chairman, while the Vice Chairman, Retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Peter-Odili, takes over proceedings at the Call to Bar ceremony held yesterday.

The letter signed by Maikyau was predicated on an earlier request by the immediate past President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata.

According to the NBA, the BoB chairman should recuse himself as head of the body pending resolution of issues bordering on professional misconduct of a former partner of Wole Olanipekun and Co., Law firm.

However, during yesterday's ceremony which was presided by Olanipekun, the NBA President was said to be absent.

Olanipekun in his speech said it was necessary to clear some "misconception" about the BoB, which according to him was a creation of statute responsible for the formal call to Bar of persons

seeking to become legal practitioners.

He added that the BoB as a body corporate with perpetual succession has its own seal and was also imbued with the power and jurisdiction to make regulations for itself and the legal profession.

"The term of office of the Chairman is only one year, from March of the preceding year, to March of the following year, and the chairmanship of the body is rotated between the Bar and Bench, that is if a member of the bar is the chairman, the Vice Chairmanship automatically devolves on the Bench", he said.

While observing that it was a tradition they met and has sustained for the years, Olanipekun stressed that, "our transition is always seamless, and has never been rancorous".

He added that: “The Body of Benchers is not an appendage of the federal government, or any government, institution or agency, howsoever.

"It is an independent and autonomous body, and its meetings, affairs and decisions are not influenced by any power or authority whatsoever.”

Olanipekun also explained that although the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) responsible for the discipline of lawyers was a committee of the BoB, the LPDC was a juristic

personality on its own, independent of the body, not controlled in any way or manner by either the body or chairman.

The senior lawyer meanwhile seized the opportunity to caution that, "proceedings before the LPDC should not be politicised, sensationalised, publicised and advertised in advance or while the proceedings are ongoing by

The South East caucus of the Labour Party (LP) has passed a vote of confidence on the national leadership of the party headed by Julius Abure and all the members of the national executive council.

The caucus also distanced itself from the purported suspension of the Director General of the party's presidential campaign council, Doyin Okupe by the Ogun State chapter.

Addressing newsmen on the recent development in the party and its level of preparedness about its mega rally in Imo State yesterday, the National Vice Chairman of the

party, South East, Innocent Okeke noted that the party would not allow the internal wrangling thwart efforts of winning the presidency in 2023.

Okeke said, "We are not unaware that success comes with a lot of challenges and Peter Obi's monumental domination of Nigeria's political space will experience same but we least expect it to come from within.

"Our party, the labour party has its robust and organised internal conflict resolution mechanism and it is therefore expected that any disagreement or aggrieved member should activate the mechanism to amicably resolve their challenges.”

from envy like plague, for envy breeds hatred and unjustified contempt for others. Appreciate your colleagues and peers, as well as senior members of the profession who have received God's benevolence, and pray that your own time will come."

While pleading with the National Assembly to stop making laws or amending the Legal Practitioners

Act, to pave way for the proliferation of Law School Campuses, the chairman commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice for their cooperation and implementation of the 2018 report on judicial officers' welfare packages.

Continues online

Oil Theft: FG Inaugurates 11-man Special Investigative Panel Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.Gen. Babagana Monguno, yesterday inaugurated an 11-member Special Investigative Panel on oil theft and losses in Nigeria.

The panel, which is chaired by the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu, has seasoned administrators and retired top military and police officers as members with Mr. David Attah as Secretary.

While inaugurating the panel, Monguno said Nigeria was facing monumental loss of revenue that ought to have accrued from the sale of crude oil, being the main source

S'East Labour Party Leaders Pass Vote of Confidence on National Leadership, Okupe Amby Uneze in Owerri

complainants for whatever reason howsoever, as so doing, negates the principle of fair hearing, which all lawyers subscribe to."

As part of his admonition to the new wigs, Olanipekun, urged them to act notably, in and out of court.

He said, "Do not engage in strife, blackmail, mudslinging, campaign of calumny, treachery or any attempt to run or pull anyone down. Flee

He added "We, the South East caucus of Labour Party are having our eyes on the big project, how to get Nigeria working again.

“Bringing sanity to the hopeless situation Nigeria has found herself, helping the Nigerian youths in taking back Nigeria, managing and improving the economy of our dear country for the now and the future generations to come.”

In the same vain, the State Coordinator of the party's presidential campaign council, Martins Agbaso assured that the expected crowd at Kanu Nwankwo stadium, venue of the rally would be adequately controlled.

of its foreign exchange earnings.

He said the escalation of acts of vandalism and theft of crude oil led to significant decline in production, with associated impact on revenue.

He said the enormous losses were caused mainly by oil theft, orchestrated by unscrupulous elements.

The NSA said Nigeria had consistently failed to meet its daily production quota of about two million barrels per day as provided by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

He noted that the country’s current crude production struggles to meet even one million barrels per day, adding that recent interventions by the security agencies had revealed massive illicit platforms of stealing ranging from marine evacuations via vessels and load-outs from illegal operations platforms.

“Government has been briefed on the dwindling economic fortunes including, inability to replenish foreign reserves and reduction in revenue thereby, affecting accruals into the federation account.

“With the scale of the theft and losses and the alleged complicity of regulatory agencies/officials and security personnel as well as the involvement of international collaborators, the enterprise is deeply entrenched and would be extremely, difficult to exterminate without very stern and decisive action by government.

“The menace of oil theft/losses is completely unacceptable, considering its attendant impact on the economy, national development and security.

“It is an affront on government

and its institutions, which must be tackled without further delay.

“It is in this connection that government worried by the ugly trend, among other things, directed the setting up of a Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/ Losses in Nigeria to investigate all aspects of crude oil theft, identify the culprits and submit its report for necessary action,” he said.

Monguno said the panel was expected to investigate oil theft/ losses in all its ramifications and propose wide ranging array of implementable recommendations to enable this administration take decisive action to end the criminal enterprise within the shortest possible time.

He said members were appointed based on their proven integrity, track record of service, competence and dedication to the national course.

He urged them to work with a view to unravelling individuals and groups perpetrating the national economic crime, no matter how highly placed they might be.

The Terms of Reference (ToRs), according to NSA, includes to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the illegal insertion into the Trans-Escravos Pipeline (TEP) around Yokri area in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State “They are to establish the ramifications of crude oil theft/ losses in Nigeria; ascertain the causative factors immediate and remote, of crude oil/theft/losses in the country and ascertain the extent of crude oil theft/losses in the country.

“With the widest possible amplitude, identify persons/entities

whether public, private or foreign, involved in the criminal enterprise and establish the level of culpability of identified persons/entities in the enterprise.

“The panel is to also examine the specific roles of regulatory agencies; security agencies, tiers/arms of government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in aiding and abetting the criminal enterprise.

“They are to also assess the efficacy of security architecture/ arrangement in tackling crude oil theft/losses and associated petroleum products and recommend appropriate commensurate and sufficiently, deterrent sanctions on all those culpable,” he said.

Monguno also tasked the panel to recommend steps/procedures/ processes to be taken by government to eliminate the enterprise in the industry to prevent future occurrence; and make any other recommendations on any other issue incidental to the terms of reference.

He said the panel was expected to commence its assignment with immediate effect and to conclude as well as submit its report on or before Feb. 21, 2023.

The Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Aliyu Yerro, said the menace of crude oil theft had greatly impacted the nation’s revenue growth.

Yerro said the challenge had necessitated the setting up of the panel, adding that in spite of the huge amount of money spent by government to secure its maritime domain.

Continues online

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

Midweekpolitics

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611 SMS ONLY

APC Moves to Dislodge PDP in Delta

Sylvester Idowu reports that the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have given the Peoples Democratic Party in the state a run for their money as they stormed different communities to campaign in the oil rich state

Tinubu

D

elta State has been a traditional stronghold of the PDP since 1999 and usually produced bloc votes for whoever is presented as it’s candidate. Until now, all elections from the national to the local government levels have always been won by the PDP. That appears to be changing with recent flag off of the presidential and gubernatorial campaigns of the All Progressive Congress Party (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ovie Omo-Agege at the Warri Township Stadium.

A few days to the flag off and apparently manifesting the jittery of the ruling PDP in the state, Chairman of Warri South local government area, Dr. Michael Tidi, issued a statement ordering closure of some roads leading to the venue of the event under the guise of slating them for repairs.

It took a fierce resistance by the opposition All Progressive Congress Party (APC) and the clout of it’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege before the council boss released a rejoinder denying it was intended to scuttle the event.

That not withstanding, the flag off eventually held recording an unprecedented mammoth crowd ever recorded in the history of opposition campaign in the state.

THISDAY investigation revealed that aside members and sympathisers of APC, those in the ruling PDP in the state also thronged the venue of the event in angst with happenings in the ruling party, especially the emergence of Hon. Sheriff Oborovweri, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly as gubernatorial candidate of the party, whom most see as being imposed on them.

Addressing the crowd, Asiwaju Tinubu descended on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to develop Delta State despite the huge resources accruing to the state accusing the opposition party of abandoning infrastructural development in the state and leaving the state to rot away.

According to him: “Delta is among Nigeria’s largest oil and gas producing states.

Revenue from oil and gas has historically been the backbone of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. As such your state and other oil producers have made a one-of-a-kind financial contribution to the building of modern Nigeria. The nation is thankful to you.

“Delta has all it takes to be great and help lead the nation forward. Yet, for the past 23 years, those governing your state have taken you for a hard and long ride by selling you short. They have not done the things they should have and could have done for you.

“The infrastructure in the state was better 30 years ago than it is now. The state has recorded historic debts run up by the incumbent, yet the infrastructure and other things still remain lacking because of under-investment and neglect.

“But Delta State is not an ATM for migratory politicians. It is a place where good and hardworking people reside and work to create decent and peaceful lives for themselves and

Omo-Agege

their families”, he declared.

On his plans for Delta State, which he described as another home to him, Tinubu promised to re-activate the gas revolution industrial park while also seeing to the cleaning of the whole Niger-Delta region to ensure that the host communities do not suffer for building the nation’s economy through their oil.

“Our government will further reactivate the Multi-Billion Dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project.

President Buhari’s administration has made great strides in revisiting this project. We will complete it.

“Gas will become a national priority. I envision fertilizer and petrochemical plants, aluminium smelters, and methanol plants, all creating jobs for the unemployed while producing goods that bolster farming, construction and other industries.

“We will step up and clean up the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta. The NDDC will be improved. Greater cooperation with communities, which have suffered environmental degradation will be my policy.

“I am saddened by the environmental cost, that the oil and gas industry has exacted. Our moral and economic duty calls us to clean the region and to create new opportunities for young Deltans to build better lives for themselves,” he added.

On infrastructure development in the state, which he affirmed had been in a sorry state, Tinubu said, “We will help develop the infrastructure of your state. The deep sea port project and the Omadino – Escravos Road project will be revisited. We will rehabilitate Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu ports, creating yet more jobs in the State.”

Oshiomhole

Okowa

He also promised to make the state safe for all, noting that no business can thrive in an unsafe environment.

Also addressing the rally, the Delta APC Governorship candidate, Senator Omo-Agege, lamented that the Governor of the State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the opposition PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had failed the state and should step down.

Okowa also came under criticism from the former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who accused him of under-developing the state.

Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan paid glowing tributes to both Asíwájú Tinubu and Senator Omo-Agege, who he described as an eminent son of the State.

On her part, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a daughter of the soil, addressed the people in her Itsekiri language, urging them to vote for APC so they could have one of their own in the corridor of power.

Eminent personalities that accompanied Asiwaju Tinubu to the Warri rally included Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; APC Deputy National, South, Barrister Emma Enekwu, representing National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; the Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the presidential candidate and daughter of Itsekiriland.

Also in attendance were Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinnma, Governor of Plateau State and Director-General of the campaigns, Hon. Simon Lalong, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who is also Delta State governorship candidate of the party, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase, members of the APC National Working Committee, Ministers including Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Akin Dare, and Labour and Employment (State), Festus Keyamo, SAN, and former governor of Edo State and Edo North APC Senatorial Candidate, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the Warri Central Stadium rally, the duo of APC presidential and Delta Gubernatorial candidates within a few days again paid a surprised

visit to former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo at Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West local government area in their search for Delta votes.

The visit, which eventually turned into a rally, sent jitters down the spines of the leadership of the ruling party in the state. This is so because the winning votes usual come from the riverine communities and Tompolo has in the past eight years emerged as one of the God father’s of politics in the state.

Ekpemupolo played a prominent role in the emergence of the incumbent Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, especially with the refusal of his immediate predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to support him during the primaries and elections proper.

A sign that all was not well with Delta PDP manifested while awaiting the arrival of the APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Tinubu and his entourage with repeated announcements to the gathering by the Spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, that the event was not political.

Also some members of the ruling party, who are from Ijaw ethnic nationality were seen moving around the venue of the event wearing long faces with some attendees murmuring that they were spies to witness what happens in Oporoza.

That notwithstanding, the event held with Presidential candidate of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu; Delta State Gubernatorial candidate, Omo-Agege; Minister of State, Labour, Festus Keyamo; Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; Yobe State Governor, Maila Buni and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Timipriye Sylva conferred with Chieftaincy titles at a reception bu Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Gbaraun 11.

Receiving Asíwájú Tinubu in his palace, the Pere of Gbaramatu showered praises on the APC candidate and prayed for his success in the presidential election.

The traditional ruler urged Tinubu to ensure the establishment of a deep sea port in Gbaramatu, industrial park in Ogidigben and good roads and bridges leading into the kingdom, if he emerges victorious in the 2023 presidential election.

Thereafter, the reception was moved to a mini stadium where Asiwaju Tinubu pushed for votes from the mammoth crowd that turned up to receive him.

Addressing the crowd and in his response to the Monarch’s requests, Asíwájú Tinubu promised to work to speed up the development of the region assuring that he would engage in regular consultations with the leaders to emplace initiatives and projects that would help the region.

“I’m one of you. My wife is a daughter of the Niger Delta. Your in-law is also your son. No be so?’ the APC presidential candidate asked in Pidgin English to which the mammoth crowd yelled, “Na so!”

The flag off eventually held recording an unprecedented mammoth crowd ever recorded in the history of opposition campaign in the state. THISDAY investigation revealed that aside members and sympathisers of APC, those in the ruling PDP in the state also thronged the venue of the event in angst with happenings in the ruling party, especially the emergence of Hon. Sheriff Oborovweri, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly as gubernatorial candidate of the party, whom most see as being imposed on them

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

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

politics

As House Holds Summit to Revamp Education Sector...

From summit on tertiary education, to passage of bills on students’ loan, Almajiri, Udora Orizu writes that education topped agenda of House of Representatives in some of its recent interventions

Gbajabiamila

Wase

Obasanjo

Prof. Osedeke

T

he House of Representatives sitting recently was all about discussions to proffer solutions to the crisis bedeviling Nigeria’s education sector.

Aside the industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and another issue plaguing the sector is the increasing number of out-of-school-children.

Currently, about 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This figure is a worrisome far-reaching increase from the 10.5 million recorded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2020.

The crucial role education plays in socioeconomic development, made the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila wade into the crisis bedeviling the sector.

Gbajabiamila, under his “Nation Building: A Joint Task”, motto of the 9th House, has become an agent for good cause and a broker of peace negotiations. With his intervention, university lecturers eventually agreed to return to classrooms after almost nine months of strike, due to unfulfilled agreements they had with the federal government.

As the peace brokered by him was getting through, the federal government on its part stuck to its decision on ‘No Work, No Pay’; the October, 2022 salaries of lecturers were paid on pro-rata basis, and this was deeply frowned at by the lecturers.

The Speaker, to prevent another strike and as well find lasting solutions to education sector problems, came up with an idea for a National Summit on Tertiary Education Reform with the theme “Reimagining Tertiary Education in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Solutions”.

Gbajabiamila, who announced this at the resumption of plenary on November 14, said “the long overdue national conversation”, will have stakeholders including scholars, tertiary education administrators, billed to submit papers for presentation.

At the two-day event, held on November 22nd and 23rd at the main auditorium of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gbajabiamila assembled an array of scholars including Professors Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Hillary Edeoga

and Hamman Sa’ad, Former Vice Chancellors of University of Lagos, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Abia and Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

Others were Olusegun Adeniyi, Hon. Aisha Dukku, Prof. Conrad Omonhinmin of Covenant University; Oluwole Adeosun, President Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; Dr. Idowu Chiazor, Centre Director, Brightpath International Academy; Dr Dasuki Arabi, a paper presenter and Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun.

He also drew former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the event as a special guest panelist, the Minister of State for Education Goodluck Opiah was also available to make his presentation.

ASUU delegation led by its President, Professor Emmanuel Osedeke was also present, and many other personalities.

In his welcome address, Gbajabiamila said, “This summit aims to provide an opportunity for all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to

present those ideas for consideration, examination, debate and, eventually, action. A Technical Team has been appointed to collate and review these submissions. The conversations we hold at this Summit and the submissions we have received will form the basis of a policy action plan and implementation framework we will unveil shortly after the conclusion of the summit.”

In his remarks, former President Obasanjo warned that if Nigeria does not get the 20 million out of school children who constitute 10% of her population, the country will be preparing for more Boko Haram insurgency in the future.

According to him, there was the need for holistic development of the education sector in Nigeria beginning from the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, noting that an uneducated citizenry can not contribute to the progress of the nation.

He said, “Tertiary education is very important but education, particularly, education that has left 20 million of our children out of school and those 20 million have no access to education. They cannot be effectively part of nation building because they have not had the opportunity to develop their innate capacity to the extent that they can be useful

While an House member, Hon Nicholas Ossai, was of the view that the bill is discriminatory in nature and the proposed Commission should have a gestation period, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, who presided over the session, said the provisions of Bill is not only for almajiri but every out of school children.

Wase said, “I want you (Ossai) to look at the long title of the bill. It says almajiri and out of school children, which we have in all parts of Nigeria. It’s not only for the almajiri, it will also take care of our brothers that are always in the street”

to themselves, to their families and to their community let alone their nation, let alone Africa. Those 20 million children that are out of school, we can get them back to school. If we do not get them back to school, we are preparing for Boko Haram of tomorrow. It will happen as sure as daylight.”

Many panelists at the summit commended the initiative of the Speaker, saying that it would ensure that access to tertiary education is made available to every Nigerian child.

Lawmakers Pass Bills on Almajiri Education and Students Loans While the summit was ongoing, both chambers of the National Assembly finally passed the Students Loan Bill sponsored by House Speaker, Hon Gbajabiamila, to enable Nigerian students in higher institutions of learning to gain more access to financial assistance.

The proposed legislation titled, ‘Bill for an Act to provide for easy access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Bank, established in this Act with a view to providing education for all Nigerians and for other purposes connected thereto.’

While Gbajabiamila had argued in the Bill that hardship being faced by the unemployed and low-income earners coupled with the very high cost of living in Nigeria over the years has made access to quality higher education difficult, hence the need for the Bill, however ASUU president at the summit said the union will not support the proposed Students Loan Bank.

Reacting, Gbajabiamila cautioned against skepticism against the Bill, which will soon be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent, noting that the future of the teeming young people in the country should be of concern to all considering the prevailing state of tertiary education in the country.

Also at the plenary on Nov 23rd, the House passed through second reading a Bill seeking for the establishment of a National Commission for Almajiri Education and out of School Children.

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

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FEatures

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

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

Jagged Edges of Insurgency and Monumental Humanitarian Crises in the North-east

Thirteen years of insurgency in the North-east has left in its wake blood, tears and destruction.

More than anything else, the monumental humanitarian challenges confronting stakeholders in the region appear to be a new kind of battle all together. Kingsley Nwezeh, who was in Maiduguri, recently, reports

Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, delivering relief materials to one of the camps

Wives of repentant insurgents and their children

T

he sea of heads, the thousands of women and children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, the surge of more thousands of anxious faces of young men at the repentant terrorist camps, the lamentations of the Chibok girls, kidnapped by insurgents at ages 15 to 17 but are now mothers of one to four children at ages 24 to 26, are the signposts of a heart-breaking and true picture of the impact of terrorism in the North-east, a situation that is better seen than imagined.

In 13 years, the gruesome violence in the North-east has left in its wake blood, tears, destruction and a new humanitarian battle for the military and other stakeholders.

Although the insurgency war has ebbed with the mass surrender of the terrorists, it has thrown up questions about the nature of the stakeholder engagement in the theater of conflict and the commitment to end hostilities.

It has created a vast land of humanitarian challenges that produced an equally challenging period for stakeholders managing the crisis.

At the last count, over 82,000 insurgents and their families had surrendered to frontline troops. They have now taken up residence at the National Hajj Camp and other facilities in Maiduguri.

The New Humanitarian Battle The military, having fought a spirited, kinetic battle to contain the insurgency for over one decade, while following in the footsteps of the federal government, to allow some level of negotiations with the insurgents, have also found itself in a second battle ground, though a non-kinetic one, aimed at reaching out to terrorists, using repentant colleagues and financial offers to urge those still fighting the state to lay down their arms, a strategy that has proved successful.

There is, for instance, N200,000 on offer for each AK-47 rifle submitted to troops while others, who are in dangerous situations or being monitored

by ISWAP in Sambisa Forest, are encouraged to escape and later take troops back to where their arms are buried for mop up operations.

Frontline troops have also been engaged in receiving pregnant wives of insurgents including many Chibok girls, who either escaped from Sambisa Forest with their babies or other young girls, who came out pregnant.

Beyond the kinetic approach, frontline troops found themselves on a mission to rescue the young mothers and other pregnant girls fleeing from captivity and taking care of them to the point of aiding the delivery of their babies.

Borno State government officials told newsmen that the mass surrender of terrorists was made

possible by military operations and the death of late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Shekau was said to have laid claim to the ownership of the Chibok girls after their kidnap and demanded dowry from every insurgent wishing to marry them, a directive that was complied with thus giving rise to the birth of over 4,000 children by wives of the insurgents while in captivity and afterwards.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, said the negotiations with the insurgents was important otherwise the nation would be grappling with another generation of insurgents wrongfully indoctrinated to fight the state.

11 Chibok Girls Now Have 25 Children During an interview with some of the Chibok girls, at the Bulukum Interim Center in Maiduguri built by the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF), it was revealed that the eleven Chibok girls recently rescued by the military now have 25 children.

Giving further details of the on surrenders, in Maiduguri, Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, said 82,237 insurgents and their families have surrendered so far out of which 16,577 are active male fighters, 52,44 men, women and 96 children.

He stated that of 276 kidnapped Chibok girls, 57 escaped, 117 were released while 11 were rescued this year.

Eleven of the Chibok girls, who recently escaped captivity now have 25 children.

In all, he said 180 girls were out of captivity while 96 remained in captivity.

In a separate interview, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, said the 11 Chibok Girls, who recently escaped captivity had 25 children and the government was taking care of the young mothers.

In a chat with some of the young mothers, they expressed desire to return to school like some of their colleagues.

Joint Investigation Center: 1, 952 Combatants in Detention,

900 Suspects for Trial Speaking to newsmen at the Joint Investigation Center, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Adeniyi Oluwagbenga, said 1,952 combatants were in detention including 23 females and 11 children.

He affirmed that 900 Boko Haram members would go on trial in Niger State while 323 were sent to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation.

He said the trial of the suspects was moved to Niger State following the difficulty in accessing witnesses while some lawyers refused to go to Maiduguri for the trial.

"Most suspects are awaiting prosecution. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has assured that by January, more than 900 of them will be moved to Niger State for prosecution.

Some lawyers refused to come to Maiduguri for trial hence it can't be held in Maiduguri", he said.

Taking journalists round the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri housing 14, 804 repentant insurgents and families, Special Adviser on Security to the Borno State government, Brigd.Gen Abdulrasaq Ishaq (rtd), said of the number of repentant terrorists housed in the three camps, married males were 3,472, single males 1,773, spouses, 4,438, male children, 2,691 and female children 2,497.

He said 5000 fighters and their families were living in the three camps as well, adding that 90 per cent of die-hard Boko Haram insurgents were dead just as he attributed the mass surrender to the death of late terror leader, Ibrahim Shekau and the operations of the military.

Military High Command Addresses Allegations of Infanticide, Slams Reuters There were recent insinuations of involvement of the military in abortion of pregnancies of female terror suspects. However, with the number of new babies in the various camps and the care accorded the young mothers and their babies, the allegations appeared far-fetched.

Major General Musa condemned such insinuations, saying abortion was alien to the military.

"In Africa, we abhor it (abortion). We have gone to other countries and secured them. Why should we do it here. Every nation should stand up for what we want."

Medical staff of the hospitals located in the repentant terrorist camps in Borno also deplored insinuations of abortions of pregnancies of wives of the repentant insurgents.

Speaking to newsmen at the camp, the Head of the Medical Facility, Dr Mohammed Sale, said new born babies in the camp comprised 150 females and 112 males.

A breakdown of the figure showed that in July this year, 94 babies were delivered at the facility,

with 98 delivered in August, 60 in September and 11 in October.

On abortion, he said the medical facility did not record any case of maternal mortality or abortion in the camp, saying such critical cases were usually referred to the state owned Umoru Shehu Specialist Hospital and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

The military high command also debunked the allegations. A statement issued by the Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, said the allegations smacked of wickedness in view of the military's role in the restoration of democracy in Liberia, Sierra Leone, among other peace-keeping operations across the globe without any such record.

It accused Reuters news agency of planning to publish stories about purported actions of the Nigerian military during the government’s 13-year war against Islamist insurgents in the country’s North-east.

The Reuters report was to also allege that since 2013, Nigeria’s military had run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the country’s North east terminating at least 12,000 pregnancies among women and girls, as well as shot, poisoned, suffocated children or run them down by vehicles in army-led actions.

The report further alleged that soldiers selected babies and toddlers for killing after rescuing them and their mothers from Islamist militants, amongst other weighty concocted allegations.

The key motive being that the army wanted to eliminate the children because the blood of islamist militants run in the veins and they would one day follow in their father’s footsteps and take up arm against the Nigerian Government and society.

In its reaction, the military provided statistics of insurgents and their families housed in different camps in Maiduguri during a recent tour of the camps.

"Let us analyse the period from July 2021 till November 2022. A total of 82,064 Boko Haram fighters with members of their families have surrendered to troops of Op HADIN KAI. Out of this number, 16,553 were active male fighters, 24,446 were women while 41,065 were children.

"The Borno State government is camping and accommodating them family-by-family, as per households, without having to separate the children from their parents. In the same camp are thousands of pregnant women and nursing mothers", it said.

"A total of 262 babies were born within a period of 4 months (94 in July, 98 in August, 60 in September and 11 in October 2022). This figure comprises 150 female and 112 male children.

Continued on page 19

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

features

Jagged Edges of Insurgency and Monumental Humanitarian Crises in the North-east

Rugurugu, a repentant top commander of Boko Haram

Chibok girls and their babies The children were neither aborted nor yanked from their mothers and killed, as may have been the joy of Reuters.

"Let us now spotlight the rescued Chibok girls who were kidnapped from their school by Boko Haram Terrorists in 2014. A total of 11 of the Chibok girls were rescued this year 2022.

Hauwa Joseph with her child, Mary Dauda with her child, and Ruth Bitrus were rescued in June 2022.

"Troops also rescued Kauna Luka with her child and Hanatu Musa with her two children in July 2022.

"In the same vein, Aisha Grema with her four-year-old child and Falmata Lawal were rescued in August 2022.

"Furthermore, Asabe Ali with her child, Jinkai Yama with her 3 children, Yana Pogu with her four children and Rejoice Senki with her two children were rescued in September and November this year. The names of the rescued girls are in Serials 18, 46, 41, 38, 7, 11, 3, 12, 20, 19 and 70 (in the order of rescue) in the list of the abducted Chibok School girls. The rescued girls were handed over to the Borno State government after their rescue", it said.

Defence Headquarters maintained that a visit to the rehabilitation centre accommodating the Chibok girls on November 29, 2022 revealed that there were two other Chibok girls (with their children) rescued earlier, bringing the number of the Chibok girls in the centre to 13.

Other residents in the facility, it said, were children, who were rescued by troops unaccompanied (by any adult) or who separated from their parents/relatives due to war.

"The welfare of the Chibok girls with their children and the unaccompanied children, is a major priority of the Borno State government.

The Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) is where captured terrorists (men and women) are being processed, to determine their level of complicity in the heinous crimes committed by the Boko Haram Terrorist group. There were 1,952 persons in the facility, which included 23 women with 11 children who remain attached to their mothers as at November 30, 2022."

It also disclosed that there is also a medical facility being run by the centre in collaboration with medical staff of ICRC where there welfare is highly prioritised, including basic education for the children, tailoring and hat-making skills acquisition for the adults as well as provision of recreational and sporting facilities for all the occupants.

It added that since July 2021 when the BH terrorists started surrendering with their families in droves, a community-based reintegration process is evolving, involving local traditional leaderships, town councils and family members.

"Accordingly, a total of 4,933 rescued civilians/ surrendered persons (including 1,977 children, 1,423 women and 1,533 men) have been reintegrated with their communities from the camp housing the Chibok girls alone. The children were not taken from their parents and killed; unaccompanied ones were not also rounded up and killed", it said.

While condemning Reuters, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, said it now seems that the new stock in trade for Reuters is, ‘mining’ and selling lies to demonise Nigerian military, Nigerian institutions and Nigerian leaderships.

This new vocation of Reuters is worse than illegal arms trade, worse than hard-drug trafficking, and actually worse than terrorism".

Concerns over Role of NGOs There are also growing concerns over the role of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs)

havoc in this part of the country,” he said.

The traditional ruler said the insurgents killed many people including worshippers, Muslim and Christian clerics.

“So many people died, many people were killed at that time, it was a very pathetic situation around 2009 that was maybe three months or so months of my appointment, because I was appointed in March 2009.

“They killed our imams, they killed pastors, they burnt mosques and churches, they killed our district heads, village and community leaders, traditional rulers and even one of our Amir, Amir Warda, was killed here in Borno. They detonated bomb on me but luckily enough I escaped with the late deputy governor,” he said.

More Chibok girls and their babies and alleged international conspiracy delaying the end of the insurgency war in the North-east.

There are presently 246 foreign and local NGOs involved in different humanitarian activities in the state.

Some critics have viewed the operations of the organisations, some which are non-descript and the absence of an exit plan in view in spite of the surrender of 82,000 insurgents and their families as a clandestine move aimed at prolonging the war.

Military authorities said the agencies pay hotel accomodation for 10 years ahead, an indication of the absence of an exit plan.

THISDAY Checks also confirmed that many of the NGOs paid for hotel accommodation for upwards of 10 years.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, at a meeting with bank officials in Borno, lamented the practice of allowing a single NGO to open over 50 bank accounts.

The commission subsequently declared that the movement of funds

by NGOs operating in the North-east must be approved by it.

Speaking in Maiduguri, Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, said it was imperative to check the inflow of funding to the agencies through diplomatic means, noting that the NGOs were powered by massive funding which required effective monitoring.

"What powers them is funding.

They take hotel rooms and pay 10 years ahead. Who's monitoring them?", he queried.

He maintained that for the nation to move forward from the insurgency war, funding of Non-Governmental Organisations should be checked.

Meanwhile, the NGOs at a meeting with the military in Borno said they were not averse to scrutiny of their activities, stating that they remained focused on raising funds to meet humanitarian challenges.

Speaking at the meeting, Head of Civil Military Coordination, UN OCHA, Mr Brian Laguardia, said the groups had several meetings in the past with the military to address certain issues and allegations which he said was work in progress.

"There is no reason why you should not scrutinise us. Our focus is to raise funds to meet humanitarian challenges", he said.

The agencies present at the meeting include, UN, WHO, UNICEF, WFP among others.

Lack of Access to Arms The military commander lamented the lack of access to weapons by western countries, noting that only China sold weapons to Nigeria.

"A lot of countries are looking to demonise the military. They have denied us weapons yet give to countries, who do not respect human rights.

"The western world has blocked every attempt to buy weapons. Only China allows us to buy weapons. It took three years for us to get the Super Tucano planes. We have improved greatly and we hope to do better", he said.

He said the flow of arms through Nigeria's borders was unchecked and called for more efforts to address the situation.

Shehu of Borno Says Foreigners Introduced Terrorism in Borno The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, while receiving a delegation of Defence Headquarters led by the Director, Defence Information, Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, in his palace, said strangers, who came to settle in Borno State in the name acquiring qur’anic education imported terrorism into the state.

He lamented the devastation unleashed on Borno State by 13 years of insurgency, saying it was a ploy to take over the state by external forces.

He said the challenge of Boko Haram insurgency was never started by Borno people. He said the late leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, was not from Borno State.

"Everybody knows where Shekau is from,” he said.

El-Kanemi described the ideology of Boko Haram as meaningless, and not derived from any holy book.

“Boko Haram is something meaningless, mindless, without any sense of direction. None of the holy books either the Holy Qu’ran or Bible indicate that you kill one another, show disrespect to people, burn people’s property and cause distress.

“We don’t know that ideology, we don’t know how they decided to do this. These people came to Borno simply because Borno is home of peace and hospitality. Borno people like strangers, they like one another, they were doing their legitimate and local businesses", he said.

“So these people came to Borno and requested for a place to settle while not knowing that they have an ideology which they came with and polluted the minds of the youths and created

Repentant Top Boko Haram Commander Newsmen also encountered a former Boko Haram commander, Adamu Rugurugu. Rugurugu means "destruction of everything in sight".

He revealed how the sect’s leadership deployed him and other commanders against troops. The repentant terrorist was full of commendation for the military and Borno State government for the kind treatment they have received so far.

He lamented that while in the forest, many of the terror leaders were overbearing and hid from armed forces fighting in the North-east.

He thanked the military authorities, saying “they pity us without ill-treatment.We pray that God increases them in value. Whoever will bring tension in Nigeria and who doesn’t want peace to reign, may Allah distance him far away from us totally.”

Rugurugu disclosed that Boko Haram leaders misled them and urged God to avenge on their behalf. He recalled how most fighters were forcefully abducted, marched to Sambisa Forest and conscripted into evil ideologies.

“We were mobilised and stationed at Sambisa forest, busy holding the horn while the top commanders are milking the cow. We cheated ourselves and we will not go back again since God has now delivered us out of this predicament.

We returned to the community and soldiers have accepted us", he said.

“The leaders (of Boko Haram) are not attending the battle, it is only the low-ranking members that carry guns. Have you ever heard of any ‘Khadi’ or ‘Wazir’ leading the battle on the frontlines?

“They will say you are doing this thing for the sake of God and when you are killed, paradise will be your final abode.I swear to God this is a scam, you are not going to any paradise.”

Rugurugu appealed to his “brothers” still inside the forest to tow the path of peace and lay down their arms.

Conclusion All stakeholders are encouraged to sustain efforts aimed at ensuring peace and maintain the humanitarian trajectory as a pathway to end hostilities.

The plight of the Chibok Girls and other victims must be accorded priority. The international and local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) should also move in this direction.

The military deserves commendation for all the sacrifice. The heart-rending situation of the victims of this unprecedented violence, the families, communities require attention of all stakeholders to manage the situation and avoid a repeat occurrence.

Peace is better than war. Matthew 5:9 says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The peace option is what the North-east and the entire country are in dire need of at this time.

20 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022 TR

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Wednesday December 7, 2022 Vol 27. No 10101

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

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DIGITAL ACCESS AND THE MEDIA TODAY

SONNY ARAGBAAKPORE writes that technology has remarkably eased access to information

See page 21

AISHA BUHARI, AMINULLAH AND THE LEGACY OF MORAL DECADENCE The young should be punished for their misdeeds, writes TAHIR IBRAHIM TAHIR

See page 21 EDITORIAL

RETURN OF HISTORY TO THE CURRICULUM

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Debates are primarily meant to provide opportunity for the voters to assess the candidates through their answers to questions, writes AUSTIN ISIKHUEMEN

DEBATES AS 2023 QUALITY CONTROL POINTS Nigeria has been through a lot. She has seen a lot and is currently a nation in transition. Some would argue that it is just a country and not yet a nation. Never mind those semantics or hair splitting. But we are all agreed that we are not exactly where we should or want to be. We are not anywhere near what the resources in man and materials we were disproportionately endowed with ought to have placed us in development terms. Insecurity, economic situation and social divisions have pushed Nigeria to the edge of a cliff. This is why the general elections of February 2022 have existential implications for the polity.

A democratic election, when well-managed, is like a manufacturing process of which I am fairly familiar. It involves various inputs passing through processes that ultimately turn out outputs made up of finished products and some byproducts. A key component of a manufacturing concern that wants to produce quality products that meet and exceed customer and consumer requirements is a quality control system. That is the system that guarantees that only products that meet specification are passed as fit for purpose and are shipped to market. It is that system that ensures reproducibility of desired product attributes and reduces variability to the barest minimum. This is what ensures that the taste of a bottle of Malta Guinness bought at Nnewi tastes the same as that bought in Kaura Namoda or Iseyin.

Quality control as a part of the overall quality assurance system requires sampling.

The removal of some work-in-progress at different stages for testing in order to ascertain their fitness that will guarantee that the finished product will be in specification.

Quality control tests are of various types. Some are destructive in nature and this means the removed samples are not returnable to the production line while in other cases the tested sample can be reworked or returned to the process. Quality assurance is costly but lack of it can be catastrophically so, for, without it, you can end up with a product that is unfit for purpose and a business can die as a result.

The electioneering process, like all processes, has inputs and outputs. It is the quality of input and the robustness of the process that determines the quality of the final output. The purpose of elections in a democracy is to select the best fit for leadership positions through a process that is democratic and ultimately representative of the choice of the majority. It ought to be as simple as that. But it is not. This is because those who are inherently unfit would always want to pass themselves off as fit, and to achieve their aims they subvert the system using various stratagems and shenanigans.

It is the desire to catch these rogue inputs and counterfeits that some quality control strategies have been gradually built in over the years in more enduring democracies. One of these quality control measures is the use of debates by candidates aspiring to electoral positions. Some variants of this is the Town Hall format which has become popular over

the years especially in the United States from where Nigeria copied its presidential system of government.

In a debate, the candidate gets a chance to sell him/herself and his ideas personally to the electorate. The electorate see him/ her directly, hear from him directly and get a chance to experience his fitness or foibles firsthand. Unlike in the primitive democracy of Greece where everybody turned up in the village square to participate and vote, the typical debate is now able to reach an audience that runs into millions through the use of technology. Television and social media spurned by the internet has made it possible for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to watch such debates live or later at their own convenience.

Such Debates or Town Hall events are not for entertainment. They are primarily meant to provide opportunity for the voters to assess the candidates through the answers they provide to questions asked by seasoned journalists and the ordinary participants.

Comperes sometimes collate questions from the public in other to compile the relevant questions to ask at such fora. The questions are designed to probe the depth of the candidates thinking and knowledge of the problems facing the country or constituents which he/ she is asking to be elected to solve. It is also an opportunity to drill into such candidates’ pasts and antecedents to draw a correlation between what he has done in previously and what he is promising to do if elected. People watch the temperament and demeanour of the candidate while tackling provocative questions. All these are done to enable voters make informed judgments on the suitability, or otherwise, of candidates seeking elective offices.

In the light of the foregoing, a debate is definitely an opportunity to be grabbed with both hands by a candidate who has capability, integrity, oratory, antecedents and bonhomie to demonstrate. Participation is a sign of confidence in your ability and it is also a sign that you have nothing to hide or you are ready to defend your past actions in a convincing way that will not hurt your chances.

Debates can greatly improve your chances.

Conversely, it can ruin it too. Especially if you are unprepared, have lots of skeletons that may be exhumed at such a forum or you have aspects of your character or physical wellbeing that may get exposed at the podium. I am not

sure a stutterer would gladly accept a debate invitation, for example. There is the saying that it is better to keep quiet and let people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all their doubts! Debates can therefore be a double edged sword which can cut both ways!

Debates have become accepted in the Nigerian electoral system and have played the expected role over the years. Who can forget the Lagos gubernatorial debate where Fashola virtually killed the extant and future ambitions of a Lagos socialite who before then had fancied himself electable? We have had some debates recently with the TV networks even making it possible for subnational election debates to be watched nationally. It is unarguable that such debates have helped deepen our democracy as imperfect as they have been. Our polity would have been worse off without them. Debates have become a useful quality control tool which we must sustain if we are not to reverse the gains of the last few decades in our democratic journey. Those against debates need to have a rethink. Debates throw light on the candidates to enable a critical examination of their fitness for purpose – a political microscope of sorts.

Only candidates with an ‘ugly’ side they do not want the electorate to see can justify their running away from debates and serious town hall engagements.

Refusal to take part in a debate is disrespect for the electorate. It is an indication that such candidates are relying on ulterior machinations rather than the votes of the masses to win an election. Can anyone imagine a Presidential candidate in the United States refusing to attend a debate? Would his candidature not be dead on arrival? A trend being observed in this electoral cycle is the case of candidates turning down invitations to public townhall engagements but arranging their own where they decide the nature, structure, pre-arranged questions, who asks them and all the shebang. There is no scrutiny in such subterfuge. Only the guaranteed and paidfor cheers of followers and sloganeers. While party arranged town-hall events have their place and value, it cannot, and should never be allowed to, become a replacement to the superior and more public interest serving variants.

Refusal of candidates to attend debates and Town-hall engagements did not start today.

We saw in the past when a candidate who refused to attend debates in our country had a stage-managed one at Chatham House in our colonial metropolis. I hear such is about to repeat itself. Also, a debate can never be a one-man affair! This is a trend we must discontinue in the interest of our democracy.

We saw Kenya recently. Before then, we saw Ghana. Even the clumsy one that played out in Museveni’s Uganda. Nigeria ought to be a shining city on the hill for the rest of Africa in terms of democratic practices and leadership recruitment! auxtynisi@yahoo.com

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022

SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE writes that technology has remarkably eased access to information

DIGITAL ACCESS AND THE MEDIA TODAY

For some of us who had the unfortunate accident of going to the University in the analogue days, research was a drudgery if not completely a nightmare.

Yes, there were books to aid the research which many of us had to leaf through to fish out relevant information to support such work.

In so many cases, dust-caked books provided no solace or respite despite all the efforts ploughed in. Where some situations became insurmountable, students were left to their devices.

Having gone through the university system, coming to the newsroom was a bigger nightmare especially when we were plagued by the tyranny of deadlines especially when we needed background information on a new subject or a news break.

One such encounters was in 1991 when Ben Okri won the Booker Prize for

Literature with his work “The Famished Road”. Yes, there was information about Ben Okri but very little was available on the Booker Prize and so it took me ages to manually excavate whatever I could lay my hands on to background the story for publication.

Well, we tried!

We were late in adopting technology this part of the world but we appear to be catching up fast in its good and bad parts.

I remember the sordid encounters we had at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, Venue of ITU Telecom ‘98, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Of the nearly 2000 journalists that covered the three-day global telecommunications event, only three of us came from Nigeria.

And while we battled to send handwritten stories home via fax machines supported by officials of Telkom South Africa, many of our colleagues from other parts of the globe were riding with ease as they had access to the internet which was still news to us. While they sent as many stories as possible home to their editors, the three of us from Nigeria managed to send a single story each per day. Which was a shame.

But all that has changed, thanks to the internet access and improved technology.

The internet is now ubiquitous and pervasive no matter the speed. Most people with smart devices, at home, on the streets, offices, internet is not far again. We can tell the story because we were there from the beginning of “store and forward” internet, where even the hosts resided elsewhere in the world. But all that has given way to manageable points where we can have access even to our hosts locally.

While Google appears to be the most popular search engine today, there are several other search engines that have

made access to information materials possible on our finger tips. For students, their teachers, researchers, media and communications experts, these tools have become like Siamese twins with their users.

Only last week, in Lagos, experts including media chiefs, telecommunications companies and the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) met to take stock of how technology has boosted research and information dissemination. What it is now and how it was before now.

They spoke at a two-day International Conference of the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). The Conference, the second by the Association, was hosted to update and catch up with the trends.

Veteran communicator, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye and Chief host, Prof Eserinune Mcarthy Mojaye were on hand to throw more light on the conference while the keynote speaker was the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta.

Mojaye began by telling his audience that “The21st Century is not only the information age, but it is also the era of the knowledge economy where human work is increasingly shifting towards two kinds of tasks. He listed the tasks as “solving problems for which standard operating procedures do not currently exist” and “ working with new information by acquiring it, making sense of it, and communicating it to others” in that regard.

Mojaye further explained that since individuals have moved online and are rapidly adopting new technologies and communication strategies that give them unlimited access to content generation and consumption,” this is the time to X-ray the impact of unprecedented connection to individuals around the world”.

Danbatta took it up from there and spoke on the theme, “Influence of Communication Policies on Digital Revolution in Nigeria”.

Represented by NCC’s Director, Research and Development, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, he said that communication policies are essentially blueprints and strategies, marked by plans for the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in a way that nudges people to harness opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through the embrace of digital culture across sectors by individual, businesses and institutions.

“Through diligent implementation of telecommunication policies, which have triggered digital revolution, the media and entire field of mass communication have been impacted by innovations that have revolutionised production and consumption of mass communication contents, and that make communication easily accessible, more affordable and exchanges faster.”

Danbatta traced the trajectory of growth in the telecoms industry from 1960 till date, saying the past decades have witnessed formulation of various policies and laws for developing the industry but remarkable growth in the sector started after the sector’s liberalization in 2001.

Aragba-Akpore is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

The young should be punished for their misdeeds, writes TAHIR IBRAHIM TAHIR

AISHA BUHARI, AMINULLAH AND THE LEGACY OF MORAL DECADENCE Just as there are millions of lovers of PMB, and perhaps tonnes of fans and supporters of Aisha Buhari, and her Future Assured programs; there are almost equal number of haters, wailers and even down to the worst of them - enemies of the first family.

The power, the affluence, and the numerous perks that come with the position they find themselves in, as guided by The Lord’s providence. The situation The First Lady finds herself in, regarding an online troll, Aminu from Bauchi State, is the perfect stage for her enemies to devour her, and insult the living daylight out of her. If they had their way, she should be imprisoned or humiliated publicly, in a town square, like the Old Market Square at Nottingham,

where the Luddites protests were held. Even in the midst of PMB hailers and die hards, there are wailers to the unusual media gaffes of The First Lady that have perhaps been a source of concern to the administration, from back in the day when PMB coined The Other Room for Mamana (Aisha-the First Lady). She is often excoriated for that and has perhaps never been forgiven for those media outings including the most recent one where she was nostalgic about PMB’s recovery from the trauma of the civil war, as a war time veteran.

Notwithstanding Aisha’s sins of being Nigeria’s First Lady, wife of PMB, media gaffes, there is a very disheartening development in our society where children, young ones, teenagers, and youths in their 20s and 30s are encouraged to live an uncultured, unorthodox and egalitarian lifestyle where they are right all the time and cannot be coached, guided, or reprimanded; let alone punished for any misdeeds.

Teachers or other educational instructors are now the subject of ridicule, scorn and abuse, should they dare to punish kids or students, under their care and tutelage. Morality has been taken out of our school’s curricula, just the way history was expunged. The videos and reels that come out of our primary and secondary schools are no longer causes of concern, but sources of entertainment and humor. Recently, a student of a College of Education stabbed his best friend to death over a girlfriend. The army of little devils being reared is alarming and worrisome.

Social media has become no man’s land and the idea of freedom of speech being imbibed, is to have freedom to infringe on other people’s freedom, beliefs and cultures.

There should be no limit to what one can post or tweet. Immorality, profanities, dehumanizing posts, nudity and sex are all to be freely posted and made available to all groups and ages in our society. To abuse anybody, however you want, for whatever reason, and to bully anyone you’d love to do, and offload your vileness or venom on them is just guaranteed by the freedom of speech. It is the Stone Age decorum in the global village newage technology.

Sex anywhere, language anyhow and everywhere and the strongest reigns supreme. Have you been a victim of online bullying? Has your child been a victim of online bullying? Have you been a victim of revenge porn, nudes, and other social media exploitative trends that have the tendencies of destroying one’s childhood or livelihood forever?

It is unfortunately a political season, one that promises to be the hardest fought, and fought to the finish line.

Aisha and Aminu’s imbroglio is veritable material for political manipulations and sensationalism, that is definitely bound to up the ante for the opposition camps. The Obidients and especially the Atikites are having a field day with it and it’s business as usual. Removing one’s self from a partisan perspective and implanting one’s view from a moral angle would be Herculean, rare and of course would only be beneficial to finely patriotic citizenry, who are more concerned for the long run, than the short run and selfish benefits of the scenario.

It has been reported a few times that The First Lady has sought medical attention abroad. Most would not be fair in judgement to even think that she is perhaps suffering from the side effects of her medical disadvantages.

Hatefully some are concentrating on her size to demean her, and in white man’s land, body shame her. Aminu outrightly called her a thief. He is young enough to have been mothered by her.

His accusation is unfounded. In the North, predominantly Muslim, caution and religious values have been thrown to the boot and the front seat is firmly occupied by modernism, belt strapped, on a cruise to the jungle justice arena where the guilty is to be emancipated as victim. The young is correct and old is wrong. The tradition of punishing the young for misdeeds publicly and rebuking the older privately is no longer fashionable. The reverse is the case.

What we always forget is that while we are celebrating other people’s calamities, misdeeds and trials, we are not insulated or quarantined from similar or worse misgivings. I wonder how many of us would watch a child as young as our children or grandchildren insult us, and walk away peacefully and cheerfully.

Unconfirmed reports speak of infringing on Aminu’s rights and privileges. But then the confirmed infringements of Aisha’s rights among other things are to be done away it. Puff like you blow away a fly from your bottle top!

Tahir is Talban Bauchi

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T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

RETURN OF HISTORY TO THE CURRICULUM The study of history is significant to all

about the place of history in the development of Thirteen years after it was expunged from primary the individual and society. It is the bedrock of any and secondary schools, the federal government last nation, as it instils patriotism and nationalism in week announced the reintroduction of history as a the minds of citizens. Society looks up to history subject in the basic education curriculum in Nigeria. for knowledge of the accumulated wisdom of At the flag-off ceremony of the event, Education the people, their mores, and values. It is also the Minister, Adamu Adamu rightly said the subject foundation of all subjects, and a vast umbrella. should never have been removed in the first place.

History embraces all disciplines – the arts, “This single act no doubt relegated and eroded the literature, religion, the social and natural sciences, knowledge and information that learners could mathematics, and technology. otherwise have been exposed to,” acknowledged Knowledge is built on examples of past events Adamu. “The immediate implication of this was and as such history does not only help in shaping that we lost ideas even of our recent past, and we our attitude, but it also builds our intellectual mind scarcely saw ourselves as one nation and gradually by educating all about the began retreated into our nature of their emergence primordial sentiments.” and the relationships While we commend between individuals, the minister for To be ignorant of the political and cultural history of a people is also communities and others. summoning the courage Nigeria’s foremost to reverse the odious to be ignorant of the contributions of that people to all areas of statesman and former decision, it is perhaps President of the Senate apposite to reiterate that intellectual activity Nwafor Orizu had long millions of Nigerians asserted that unless we had been graduated know what we are and from many of our T H I S D AY how we come about to be what we are, we shall institutions without the benefit of learning their EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU be unable to know where and how to go further. own history, and the key component of Nigeria’s DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA Perhaps nobody has put the importance of history nationhood. The decision is even more painful MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO in better perspective than a British politician, Robin because in the past, history was a popular subject DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU Walker when he stated that “…To be ignorant of CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI among students and offered in both internal and the political and cultural history of a people is also EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN external examinations. But for inconsequential MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI to be ignorant of the contributions of that people to reasons – ranging from lack of interest by students THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE all areas of intellectual activity.” to lack of jobs for graduands, history was yanked It is therefore heart-warming that some 3,700 off the curriculum and buried in social studies. teachers have been selected from across the 36 states But history is important. It is essential for all and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to give T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D of us in understanding ourselves and the world meaning to the new resolve to restore history to its EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA around us. History helps provide us with a sense GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, proper place. They must be well equipped with the of identity. All people and cultures are living ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI necessary skills to teach the subject satisfactorily histories. This position is shared by the Sultan of DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, and give data about how various aspects of our Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who during ANTHONY OGEDENGBE society worked in the past so we can understand the ceremony acknowledged that the country is DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI our present condition better. Doing that will also still evolving and striving to achieve nationhood, SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH entail revising the curriculum to remove ridiculous ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI hence the rich history of the country’s diverse claims that are rooted in our colonial experience constituents should be explored and exploited to CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO like how one Mr. Mungo Park discovered River serve as an effective tool for nation-building.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Niger!

Indeed, there has never been any controversy

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LETTERS

EDO STATE AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie recently said in a press statement that the data recently released by the federal government has further validated the figures published by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget, Economic Planning and Development., Joseph Eboigbe, which stated that Edo only received N2.1 billion from the N28bn that accrued to the state as 13 percent oil derivation refund.

In a statement, Osagie noted that the amount mentioned in the report by the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, to have been received by the state totaled about N21.7bn for a period of two years, adding that this is less than five percent of Edo State’s annual budget for the two-year period during which the funds were said to have been released in several tranches.

He stated that the overt excitement about the issue in the case of Edo State is essentially making a mountain out of a molehill.

According to Osagie, “We have reviewed the recent report released by the federal government and we are glad that they have given credence to the figures earlier published by the Edo State Commissioner for Finance that Edo only received about N2bn from the N28bn that accrued to the state as 13 percent oil

derivation refund.

“However, the federal government has now also come up with other amounts that have been paid to states. From all the data supplied by the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, assuming all the figures are correct, as we are still confirming the receipts from our accountants in the state, it means that Edo received a total of about N21.7bn from 2021 to 2022, which is essentially straddled between two budget circles.

“If the amount that is said to be given to Edo State as 13 percent derivation and other repayments is about N21.7bn, this means that the sum is still less than five percent of the state’s budget for the period (2021 to 2022) and is therefore not an exceptional earning for the state. Hence, we think it is a storm in a teacup in the case of Edo State’, the aide was quoted to have said. The governor’s media aide further noted, “It is, however, important to restate that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration runs a prudent, accountable and transparent government and these monies received were judiciously channeled through our budgets into different infrastructural projects, payment of salaries and other life-transforming programmes and reforms to ensure improved livelihoods for our people and

achieve economic prosperity for the state.

“Going by the recent report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that 133 million Nigerians are impacted by multidimensional poverty, Edo State was vindicated having been identified by the same NBS report, along with six other states in the country, as the least impacted by multidimensional poverty.”

Against this sentiment by the media aide, there are indications that the report from the NBS is doubtful and suspicious.

This is because in spite of the huge sums from Federal Allocations, Edo appears as poor as most of the states identified by the NBS multidimensional poverty report. For instance, several publications in the media throw up Edo State inability to fix basic infrastructure like streetlights (Airport Road Benin City, Tale Of Two Street Lights – Alltimepost.com) and roads. Apart from it being a haven for kidnappers, the Auchi-Ekpoma Road, together with Sapele Roads are impassable, decrepit and dilapidated. Most Edo people are indeed poor, and almost entirely depend on handouts from their cousins, brethren and sisthren abroad for housing, feeding and general welfare.

Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, Benin City

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T H I S D AY • Wednesday, DECember 7, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement, 16 Others Contributed 90.4% to Market Cap in Nov

Kayode Tokede As the Nigerian equities market maintained its positive performance in November, a total of 18 out 161 companies contributed about 90.4 per cent or N23.46 trillion out of the overall N25.959 trillion market capitalisation in the month of November 2022.

THISDAY had reported that the stock market in November appreciated by N2.08trillion following investors renewed interest in large-medium cap companies on the bourse.

Despite severe macro economic

challenges, the 18 large-medium cap companies comprise of two telecommunication giants; seven financial institutions; three cement manufacturing companies; four Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG); one petroleum marketing company and one power generating company have maintained stronger performance and declared an interim dividend.

These companies drove the stock market performance by N3.66trillion in 11 months of 2022 amid foreign and High Network investors exiting to fixed income instruments.

The stock market in 2022 has

faced a sustained hike in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) due to the global inflation rate and tension towards the 2023 that has forced foreign investors exit.

THISDAY analysis of market activity revealed that Airtel Africa Plc, followed by Dangote Cement and MTN Nigeria still led others in most capitalised stocks on the bourse as of November 2022.

As Airtel Africa is the only company with over N5trillion in market capitalisation, Dangote Cement and MTN Nigeria remained at a threshold of N4trillion in market capitalisation

as of November 30, 2022.

Specifically, Airtel Africa added N657.67billion in market capitalisation to close November at N5.45trillion.

On the backdrop of 2.18 cents per ordinary share interim dividend payout to shareholders, the pan-African provider of telecommunications and mobile money services witnessed N175 per share gain in stock price to N1,450.00 per share in November from N1,275.00 it opened for trading.

Airtel Africa in its half year ended September 30, 2022 reported $2,565million in revenue, representing an increase of 12.9 per cent from $2,272million reported in half year

ended September 30, 2021. The company closed the period with 9.1 per cent decline in profit before tax to $516 million as against $567milllion reported in corresponding period.

The chief executive officer, Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya in a statement said, “Airtel Africa continued to deliver strong results as its purpose of transforming the lives of people across sub-Saharan Africa through digital and financial inclusion gained further momentum, with growth accelerating in the second quarter.

“Whilst we are not immune to the current macro-economic challenges and currency devaluation risks, I

am pleased to report double-digit reported revenue growth in the period, largely driven by customer growth of 9.7per cent and ARPU growth of 7.2 per cent, as we increased penetration and usage through our affordable service offerings.”

Closing November at N220.50 per share, Dangote Cement hits N4.47trilion in market capitalisation as of November 30, 2022. The cement manufacturing company had reached N5.11trillion in market capitalisation this year when its stock price Continued on page 24

Medview Airline Condemns Sealing of Properties over Alleged N4bn Debt Wale Igbintade Medview Airline has condemned the early morning invasion and sealing of its properties located at Olowu, Ikeja and the Lekki area of Lagos State by a team of policemen under the guise of executing a court order.

Counsel to the airline, Mr. Lawal Pedro, condemned the invasion, stating that he had read a copy of the ex-parte

order made by Hon Justice Lawal Akapo in Suit No. ID/6251/GCMW/22 delivered on 22/11/22, and it does not include possession or sealing of the properties.

According to him, what the court granted was for a preservation of the assets of the airline, from sale or other alienation pending compliance with the pre-action protocol procedure

by First Bank which was yet to file an action in respect of

the alleged debt.

He also accused the bank of desperation and engaging in forum shopping and abuse of court process.

He alleged that the bank obtained additional two ex parte orders in different suits on same subject matter (the alleged unpaid loan).

“The second and third ex parte orders were granted by Hon Justice Oluyemi in Suit No ID/6241/GCMW/22, and

ID/6243/GCMW/22 both delivered on 22/11/22, to take over the residential house of the Managing Director of the airline situated at Olabanji Olajide Street off Admiralty way Lekki Phase 1, pending compliance with pre action protocol procedures by the bank.

“We are amazed at today’s early morning invasion and sealing of our client’s properties located at Ikeja and Lekki Lagos

by Ex-parte orders in respect

of an alleged debt which the court is yet to determine the validity having regard to the denial of such liability by the airline after the sale of its aircraft by the bank, “he said.

“That we have held meetings with the bank officials and exchanged correspondence on amicable resolution of any outstanding debt and for the parties to resume normal banking relationship.

“So it came to us as a

rude shock this morning when policemen invaded our clients properties in Ikeja and Lekki chased everyone away and sealed the properties as if final judgement had been awarded in favour of the Bank on the alleged debt. We believe that this is an illegality and institution like First Bank with full compliment of legal department and which we owe Continued on page 24

M a r k e t d ata A s at T u e s d ay, D e c e m b e r 6 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS Description Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

Yield

99.77

15.16

99.77

14.20

94.98

14.27

105.26

14.59

98.51

14.38

Change Updated Time (%) 0.00 December 2, 2022 -0.07 December 2, 2022 -0.28 December 2, 2022 0.00 December 2, 2022 -0.32 December 2, 2022

Maturity NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23 NTB 27-Apr23 NTB 11May-23

11.58

11.83

8.32

8.48

8.96

9.21

8.05

8.34

8.05

8.37

0.00 December 2, 2022

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPs

Change Updated Time (%) -0.01 December 2, 2022 0.00 December 2, 2022 0.00 December 2, 2022 -0.01 December 2, 2022

Discount

Maturity FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23 VHPL CP III 1-APR-23

Change Updated Time (%) 16.46 15.63 1.46 December 2, 2022 19.74 19.74 1.08 December 2, 2022

Discount Yield

.

.

.

. .

.

.

.

. .

.

.

.

. .

Contract Tenor Contract (Month) NGUS NOV 30 1 2022 NGUS DEC 28 2 2022 NGUS JAN 25 3 2023 NGUS FEB 22 4 2023 NGUS MAR 29 5 2023

Current Rate Updated Time ($/₦) December 454.73 2, 2022 December 456.93 2, 2022 December 459.12 2, 2022 December 461.32 2, 2022 December 463.51 2, 2022

24

Wednesday, DECember 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

Insurance

Addressing Public Distrust in Insurance The lingering distrust and lack of confidence on insurance services providers have culminated in the establishment of claims advocacy institution to mediate between the insurers and the insuring public on claim matters, writes Ebere Nwoji

I

ssues bothering on claims payment and claims denials are some of the factors that have instituted distrust between insurance operators and the insuring public.

This has over the years deprived insurance managers of the much-desired patronage by Nigerian masses. In most cases, the point at which the insurers and the insured often disagree is on scope of coverage of a particular policy. For the insured, insurance cover is insurance cover any time any where and claims must be paid once there is risk irrespective of whether that particular risk is mentioned in the policy document or not.

But to the professional insurer, every policy and insurance contract has limit of coverage and claims demand and payment should be limited to that except there is extension paid for.

The above sceneries have to a large extent created a very deep distrust between members of the insuring public and insurance professionals to the extent that Nigerians at all levels hardly take insurance operators seriously neither do they see insurance services as one worth patronising.

This negative perception has over the years created a huge gap between the insurance professionals and the people they are meant to serve.

Insurers’ Efforts

On their part, insurers have been searching for remedies through the use of dispute resolution bodies like consumer complaint bureau, alternative dispute resolution organisations.

Both National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) as the regulator and Nigeria Insurers Association on annual basis provide information on number of disputes they resolved through these bodies but the fact remains that they have to a large extent failed to bridge the distrust gap between the insured and the insurers.

The need to erase this distrust and bring both the insuring public and the insurance managers to an equilibrium point in terms of genuine claims definition and payment, spurred a former chairman Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Gus Wiggle to action to create a forum where he recently brought together insurance consumers and practitioners to a round table to brainstorm on how to bridge the huge gap created by non payment of claims and its attendant distrust.

By his position in Nigeria insurance industry as erstwhile NIA Chairman, council member Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) as well as a member of steering committee National Insurance Summit 2015 and National Inclusion Strategy, Wiggle is in a better position to assemble insurance technocrats to such a brainstorming session which end result is targeted at wiping out this lingering distrust problem to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria by improving patronage of the industry by Nigerian masses.

The gathering titled, 2022 Insurance Advocacy Conference with the theme, “Catalising Insurance Through Better Claims Experience,” was organised at the instance of Carefirst Consult, which has Wiggle as its principal Consultant.

In his welcome address, Wiggle raised a puzzle on whether there was so much or little distrust between the consumers and insurance companies.

He charged insurance stakeholders at the conference to unravel where the distrust emanated from or to

prove it as mere imagination.

He said his organisation works like a mediator between the insured and insuring public in matters of controversial claims settlement to bring both parties to an agreement point.

Experts’ View

Speaking, former Group General Manager Risk Management and Insurance, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Odunayo Bammeke, explained the conference theme and said that it meant using claims experience to be the cause of insurance becoming a lifestyle of every potential insured.

He described claims payment as the only test of trust and gateway to earning confidence of the consumers.

He insisted that claims should be customer friendly automated or otherwise.

According to him, claims experience is what insurers sell, adding that claims statistics should be properly analysed especially rejected claims.

“It could just open up opportunity to expand product add -on offerings.

He insisted that insurers needed change of mind set moving from the default positions of all claims are potential fraud and negative profiling of certain risk/ clients, “he added.

Counseling the insurers, he said insurance underwriters should aim for higher level of self-regulation.

He also opined that claim staff should be evaluated based on turn-around time from notification to settlement and not how much the department saves the company.

He also advised the insurers to incorporate into their system customer satisfaction survey after every claims process.

On his part, Executive Director Technical and operations Leadway Assurance, Adetola Adegbayi

pointed out four business trust model insurers ought to embrace as integrity, result, intent and capabilities .

She described claims ratio as the percentage of insurance claims costs that a company incurs in relation to the premiums earned in the financial year. According to her, an ideal claims ratio is considered to be between 75 and 90 percent.

She highlighted various classes of businesses insurers underwrote in 2021 and their claims ratio saying, fire insurance during the period recorded N47,888.27 billion with 72 .22 claims ratio. General Accident with Gross Premium income of N36,587.63 billion has 40.85 claims ratio.

Motor with N47, 515.23 billion has 40.13 percent claims ratio. Marine and aviation with Gross Premium income N33, 107.78 billion with 39.03 percent claims ratio. Average loss ratio incurred by the industry on fire insurance was 88.31 percent.

She explained that the loss ratio was more on industrial houses.

Adegbayi said motor loss ratio during the period stood at 39 percent showing insurers were not paying enough because either that people were not making claims or they tend to forgive a lot when accident occurs.

She said those who forgive were not probably rich enough but because they don’t have time to insist on claims processes and advised that such individuals should opt for lawyers to assist them.

Effects of Distrust

A critical examination of what is happening in the industry shows that distrust and its negative impact has over the years remained the bane of insurance sector growth.

In the past, some industry operators had put up effort to rebuild the image of the sector and give it some measure of credibility and goodwill.

They did this by embarking on image laundering

through publicity.

This compelled them to set up a committee tagged insurance industry image committee led by one of the elders of the industry, the late Yinka Lijadu. This did not achieve much prompting the setting up of the consumer complaint bureau by both NIA and NAICOM The bureau was to ensure that genuine claims are paid without much argument. Both the NIA and NAICOM have the customer compliant bureau where any member of the insuring public that has unsettled claims should lodge his complaints.

According to NIA, the bureau serves as a place where displeased claimants can lodge complaints against insurance companies in Lagos.

At the inauguration of the bureau, the then NIA chairman, Mr. Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi, had identified the need to change the poor public perception of the insurance industry as a major reason for introducing the bureau.

According to him, “Over the years, incidences of unsatisfactory response to settlement of claims by underwriters seem to have contributed to the poor public perception of insurance as a financing option.

“Today, we want to shake off the yoke of the inglorious past and chart a new beginning for the insurance industry anchored on the principles of trust and utmost good faith, the basic pillars of insurance practice.”

He said that after a comprehensive review of the situation, especially as it concerned confidence building mechanisms, the NIA had come up with the idea of establishing a Customer Complaints Bureau structured to provide the needed platform for intervention in cases of dispute leading to delay or non settlement of claims.”

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

Medview Airline Condemns Sealing of Properties over Alleged N4bn Debt in high esteem should not be involved in this type of action.

We are taking appropriate steps

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

to seek justice and remedy for our clients by due process of law, ”he added.

When contacted the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Muneer Bankole stated that his

company is currently engaged in a dispute with First Bank Limited, over an alleged N4bil-

lion debt and that his lawyer had served the bank with a pre action protocol notice.

Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement, 16 Others Contributed 90.4% to Market Cap in Nov appreciated to N300.00 per share on the NGX. Among leading company on the Exchange, MTN Nigeria accounted for N4.45trillion in market capitalisation as of November 30, 2022.

The stock price of MTN Nigeria closed November 2022 at N218.50 per share, representing 10.97per cent increase from N196.90 per share it opened for trading.

With about N4.4trillion in market capitalisation, MTN Nigeria is more valuable than all banks listed on the NGX combined.

The share spike, which is also largely driven by MTN Nigeria’s impressive nine months ended September 30, 2022. MTN’s share price has risen 51.38 per cent in the last year.

While Airtel, valued at over N5 trillion is also more valuable than all the financial services firms, MTN

Nigeria is more significant as the company’s financials represent income generated from Nigeria alone, excluding other African countries.

Apart from fundamentals, Nigerian banks also have billions in outstanding trading shares with much higher liquidity when compared to telecommunication companies.

For example, Zenith bank with about 31,396,493,786 outstanding shares compared to MTN Nigeria’s 20,354,513,050 as of the end of November 30, 2022 has a market capitalisation of N687.58billion.

Other key notable banks that contributed to the 90.4per cent market capitalisation are: Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO)-N588.62billion; FBN Holdings- N402.03billion; Stanbic IBTC Holdings- N395.84billion; Access

Holdings- N302.13 billion; United Bank for Africa - N247.95billion and Ecobank Transnational Incorporate - N185.33billion.

Commenting on the stock market performance in November, Capital market analyst, Mr. Rotimi Fakeyejo, explained that one per cent gain or decline in Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement and MTN Nigeria tend to impart on capital market movement in a day.

He added that the fundamentals of both companies attracted foreign investors in taking position.

On his part, the vice president of Highcap securities, Mr. David Adnori explained that foreign investors’ participation in the trading of Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa stocks drive price appreciation.

He added that impressive corporate earnings and dividend pay-out

to shareholders contributed to these companies’ price appreciation.

According to him: “The three companies are the largest companies by market capitalisation on the NGX. If these companies record one per cent gain, it will affect the direction of the stock market.

“The financial results of these companies have been impressive despite foreign and domestic challenges. Despite reporting high operating cost, the likes of MTN and Airtel Africa have maintained robust fundamentals. We have seen Dangote cement dropping in nine months ended September 30, 2022 profit before tax over operating expenses, influenced by inflation.

However, Dangote cement remains one of the top three companies on the Exchange in terms of market capitalisation.”

Also, CEO of Wyoming Capital and Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka said investors reacted towards low prices of some fundamental stocks on the Exchange.

According to him, “Prices had become too low to resist, and this happened because of prolonged repricing of securities across markets and instruments, pushing down stock prices below the levels they should ordinarily be. It also demonstrates improved earning capacities of some listed companies, as they continue to adjust to the variability of costs and cost pressures in the short run, in order to stay afloat.

“Another factor is the usual positioning and repositioning for year-end rally by investors, as some companies begin to show strong earnings’ prospects ahead of full year results.”

25 25

T H I S D AY • Wednesday, DECember 7, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

FINANCE

First Bank: Fostering Cross-atlantic Trade Nume Ekeghe writes that First Bank of Nigeria recently marked a giant stride when its United Kingdom arm; FBN Bank UK marked its 40th year anniversary.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, FBNBank UK, Mr. Sam Aiyere; Former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, His Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Group Dr. Adesola Adeduntan and Chairman, FBNBank UK, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale, at the 40th-anniversary celebration of FBNBank UK, held at Plaisterers Hall, One London Wall, London, United Kingdom… recently

M

arking 40 years anniversary is in many cases a big occasion for individuals and it is not different for institutions either as the United Kingdom arm of First Bank of Nigeria Group, FBN Bank UK marked its 40th anniversary amidst pomp and pageantry. The FBN Group, which remains the oldest bank in the country, was the first Nigerian bank to spread its tentacles outside the shores of Africa’s most populous nation.

Charity they say begins at home and First Bank of Nigeria has thus far been able to transition its vast knowledge in attracting and helping businesses grow from within the Nigerian Banking space to its various subsidiaries in countries within and outside Africa. Its presence in countries such as DRC, Senegal, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea, Gambia, and Sierra Leone demonstrate its understanding and experience of business on the African continent.

Boost for Cross Border Trade

This reach in Africa enhances FBNBank UK’s capacity to do business across Africa, leveraging on the group’s presence and coverage. As the popular saying goes, life begins at 40 and for FBN Bank UK, there are still a lot to do in facilitating trade not just between Nigeria and Europe, but also the link among countries within the African continent. This is particularly crucial with the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA).

The presence of FBN Bank in the United Kingdom not only ensures ease of trade but also capital that is required for investment in infrastructure and burgeoning businesses in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. According to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, trade will spur economic growth, employment, and wealth creation in the country. The integration of the Nigerian and indeed the African banking industry into the global financial system is vital for driving these two critical factors.

“FBNBank UK’s established presence in a leading global financial center such as London, ensures that FirstBank Group is well positioned to play an active role in the promotion of Africa as an investment destination, attract much needed capital to the continent and facilitate trade with other parts of the world. The presence of FirstBank in other countries outside Nigeria

shows that the span of its impact is continent-wide,” he said.

The CBN Governor noted that being headquartered in the largest economy on the continent, FBN have a unique role in also facilitating capital flows into other African countries and assisting their economic growth and development.

“Partnerships with global financial institutions is critical to ensuring that our aspirations for Nigeria and the African continent become a reality,” Emefiele added.

African Development Bank (ADB) said Africa needs infrastructure financing of about $130-170 billion a year with an infrastructure financing gap of up to $108 billion per year. The bank observed that it is evident the region would need non-African players in the global financial system on the side of Africa to make this possible. In this regard, Emefilele said FBNBank UK’s location in London positions it to be the partner of choice to such global financial institutions with the capacity to move the needle in the African continent.

There are about 200 foreign banks operating in the United Kingdom, which accounts for 15 per cent of the outstanding value of international bank lending. This provides an unbridled level of opportunity for partnerships to finance African economic growth and development needs. London also accounts for about $3.8 trillion in daily forex, which is more than one third of worldwide trades and plays a key role in the global trade finance business.

The financial experts agreed that Africa’s route to prosperity would be facilitated by trade, noting that this is important, not just for Nigeria but also for other African countries. Furthermore, the presence of many multinational companies using London as a hub for their geographical operations covering Africa also offers opportunities to facilitate trade and positively influence foreign direct investment into the continent.

The operation of Nigerian banks in London also provides opportunities for knowledge transfer and adoption of best practices, which could be imbibed in the home market of African nations and improve the maturity and sophistication of the banking industry.

As we become more integrated with

the international financial system, we will need to imbibe high standards in our operations especially in the areas of corporate finance, risk management and compliance.

The experts also noted that the presence of a large Diaspora population in the United Kingdom also provides beneficial partnership opportunities for FBNBank UK, which could feed into the economic development agenda of Nigeria and other African countries.

Tapping into the networks, skills and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians and Africans globally will generate opportunities for investment into the continent in addition to creating markets for exports into the United Kingdom and wider European continent for Nigerian and African manufacturers.

Testament to Nation Building

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari in his goodwill message to FBN Bank UK on the event of its 40th anniversary testified that the bank’s exploits of the past 40 years have certainly been fruits of the high level of professionalism, strong corporate governance, resilience, and reliability that are synonymous with the FirstBank brand.

According to him, FirstBank has profoundly demonstrated a high level of nationalism by keeping the Nigerian dream at the heart of its business through constant evolution to birth agile financial services solution to suit the demands of its customers both home and abroad.

“Also, perhaps more than any other institution in its class, FirstBank has supported the government by providing human resources at various times to booster much required professional expertise in various sectors of our economy.

“Indeed, the growth and development of the Nigerian banking industry over the years can be largely attributed to FirstBank’s exemplary leadership as an industry pacesetter across two centuries. FirstBank has made history in the banking industry as a trailblazer to the extent that they have continued to shape financial industry policies, if you recall that much earlier in the life of the bank it was served as the central bank of the entire West African region.

I must note that FirstBank is also renowned for its exceptional professionalism and strict adherence to processes, regulations, and policies. Although some people complain about this, it does explain why the bank has survived for this long and remains the bank to beat in the industry,” Buhari said.

True to its slogan of “Woven into the Fabrics of the Society” President Muhammadu Buhari testified to the impact of the 128-year old bank in the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria appreciates the contributions of the FirstBank Group to our national growth and development beyond the provision of financial services. Its robust and far-reaching corporate responsibility and sustainability programmes complement government development plans in financial inclusion, education, health and social welfare, as well as environmental sustainability, to mention a few,” he added.

Delivering his welcome address to the dignitaries and guests present, at the 40th anniversary celebration, Chief Executive Officer, FBN Bank UK Ltd, Sam Aiyere said, “Since its establishment, our bank has demonstrated an unmatched dexterity, serving as a gateway connecting international markets in Africa, Europe and the rest of the world to the finest financial services solution that the UK has to offer.

“Through its office in the UK and the Paris Branch, our bank has continued to facilitate international trade between Africa and Europe while offering top-notch, world-class corporate, institutional, and private banking solutions to our esteemed customers. We have recorded laudable achievement only because you stand solidly with us. Therefore, I dedicate the success of the past 40 years to all our stakeholders.

Thank you for being the lever beneath our thrust”, he also said.

Appreciating the patronage and support extended to FBNBank UK, CEO, FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan said, “Today we celebrate 40 years of unbroken business operations in the United Kingdom; 40 years of supporting and enabling dreams; 40 years of resilience and relevance; 40 years of trust, safety and security; 40 years of long-term value to all stakeholders; and 40 years of partnerships beyond borders. I believe the future is bright for FBN Bank UK. With our beautiful outing tonight, our Group stands out, once again, as one big and happy family of many parts,” Adeduntan said.

26

Wednesday, DECember 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

Economy

Salvaging Nigeria’s Debt Crisis Barely two decades after Paris debt cancellation, Nigeria’s sovereign debt has reached an all-time high with over $103 billion (N42.8 trillion). Nigeria appears to be heading towards another debt crisis. It is against this backdrop that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Christian Aid (CA) organised a one day forum on media presentation of research on the role of private creditors in Nigeria’s debt crisis where stakeholders agreed that for governments to desist from borrowing, it will have to maintain a realistic debt management model to help improve debt sustainability and fiscal prudence, Sunday Ehigiator reports

Cross section of participants during a Media Presentation of a Research on the role of private creditors in Nigeria’s debt crisis organised by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Christian Aid (CA) in Lagos… recently

T

he history and roles of international finance can be traced to 1944 when the two Bretton Woods institutionsWorld Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were created to respond to the global need for development finance.

With no provision for the private sector, over the years it remains a godfather to government of various nations in lending money. As nation grows, so its financial needs increases and in the absence of resources, it will look for a way to sustain its economy. The accountability and transparency advocacy group’s main cry is predicated on the fact that despite the loans being taken, successive administrations in the Africa’s most populous country have been unable to meet their obligations either for national economic growth and development or better life of the people, who are supposed to be major reason of government system. It has been two decades after Paris debt buyback that saw Nigeria’s sovereign debt crashed to an almost ground zero, the debt burden of the country has now reached an all-time high of over $103 billion (N42.8 trillion) as at March 2022.

It is against this backdrop that the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) with support from Christian Aid Nigeria embarked on a one-year research to address the self-inflicted financial burden. At a one day forum on media presentation of a research on the role of private creditors in Nigeria’s debt crisis, stakeholders urged governments to desist from borrowing, embark on capital expenditure that will promote GDP and also maintain a realistic debt management model to help improve debt sustainability and fiscal prudence. The research was a product of a 12-month project that centers on revealing and challenging the role of private creditors in hindering people’s recoveries to enhance the urgency with which the international community must address sovereign debt crises. The research was commissioned to fully highlight the Nigerian context and dimensions of the indebtedness to private creditors for policy options and deliberate efforts to ending it. According to the organizers, the ultimate outcome of the project aimed to contribute international financial architecture and macroeconomic environment that enables the fulfillment of human rights and the undertaking of climate action in economies that center on care.

In his opening remarks, Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani who spoke virtually via zoom, said the research became necessary because as Nigerians, ‘we can’t allow the government to put us into perpetual poverty

because we have an analogue governments that are lazy to invest in human capital.’ This advocacy journey by CISLAC with support from Christian Aid became imperative because it will help prevent the future generations from the burden of debt.”

“We find today’s engagement crucial to amplifying the interests of the 130 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians, as well as a huge percentage of those who sit above the poverty line, whose lives, livelihoods and future are being impacted by gross lack of adequate investment in critical social sectors and the growing threats of climate change.

“As we all know, Nigeria is presently in a debt crisis- with a fiscal deficit well above the statutory threshold of 3%, an increasingly unsustainable debt profile, a rising cost of debt servicing worsened by the rising interest rates, and socio-economic investments sacrificed at that expense.

CISLAC Collaborations

Speaking further about CISLAC collaborations on a series of engagements, he said, “This included a research commissioned to fully highlight the Nigerian context and dimensions of the indebtedness to private creditors for policy options and deliberate efforts to ending it as well as a policy roundtable on the modality for setting a debt limit as a veritable mechanism for providing the parameter for checks and control of the debt stockpile of all the tiers of Government and ultimately avert a national public debt crises of bankruptcy proportions.

“As we share the findings of this research today, we hope that it contributes to protecting the interests of present and future generations by spurring present and incoming governments in Nigeria to commit to and take urgent actions to salvage the country from the current and impending economic throes,” Rafsanjani said.

While making his presentation on the FORGE research findings, an evidence based research on the role of private debtors in Nigeria’s debt crisis, Research Consultant, Botti Isaac clearly explained the problems with patronising private creditors, the evils doing so accrues to a nation of Nigeria’s stature and why, despite the gains of accessibility of it Nigeria has remained at same point neither being to meet its obligations nor move forward.

Noting that the loans problem is just by the Federal Government but also the 36 states of the Federation, Isaac said the major issue is because the law or legal framework guiding borrowing in the country does not support doing so outside of multi-lateral

and bi-lateral arrangement. He, however, faulted the requirements for accessing loan by the private creditors, which make it easy for government to take, but insisted that, as civil society groups and media organisations, they would continue to talk until the right thing will be done to save the soul of Nigeria from burden of such debts.

He said, “We need to be concerned because most of the loans and their private creditors are not known to the public. The law is that loan can be taken from multilateral, bilateral and at conventional interest rate. We also need to be concerned because it is difficult to understand the terms and conditions under which these loans are obtained, which is not the case if they were taken from the sources approved within the legal framework for borrowing.

“We need to be concerned because, despite that we borrow, we are still unable to meet our obligations,” adding that the problem is because some people just wake up and want nothing more or less than taking loan.

Parameter for checks and control of the debt stockpile of all the tiers of Government and ultimately avert a national public debt crises of bankruptcy proportions.

“As we share the findings of this research today, we hope that it contributes to protecting the interests of present and future generations by spurring present and incoming governments in Nigeria to commit to and take urgent actions to salvage the country from the current and impending economic throes,”

Borrowing irresponsibly

Corroborating the CiSLAC boss, the head of Programmes, Christian Aid Nigeria, Victor Arokoyo said government can’t be borrowing irresponsibly because it will have negative impact on the generations to come. We support CISLAC on the research to know where they are borrowing the money and what the money is being used for.

Arokoyo said the 75-year-old international faith-based development and humanitarian organisation that will be 20-year-old in Nigeria next month, believes that poverty is not a product of nature but of a systemic manipulation of the economic system skewed against some people and make them to be poor.

“In line with our economic justice, social and political justice, we are part of the tax justice and political platform in Nigeria.

One of the things we are doing around that governance platform is campaign for private creditors to begin to see the need

not to give Nigeria loan again because their loan is costing government the ability not to respond to public services. For example, you can see from the graph that was shown by the research consultant, that such money is spent on servicing debt compared to what is spent on education and health. And then, our debt and revenue ratio, you can see that we are borrowing now to pay debt. I borrow Mr. A’s money, I can no longer pay. I will go and borrow from B to pay A. For instance, foreign exchange violability has been contributing to the rise in foreign exchange debt, thus, higher debt burden results from constant depreciation of local currency.

“So, there is no wisdom in it and there are other sources from which we can get money to address this. Particularly, what government is currently doing is against the law. The law prescribes the kind of loan you can take and where you can take it from. What government is doing now is to go outside that legal framework to collect loan anywhere the money is available and then put the country in serious debt burden.

So, we are interested in widening the knowledge of citizens about this issue and possibly for citizens to demand from the government the need to look inward. Let us have some period of pains now so that we can have gains tomorrow, rather than have gains now and our children will have pains tomorrow, ”he said.

Boosting Revenue generation

At end of the robust media dialogue, recommendations were made that the government must embark on venture that will boost its revenue generation, reduce reliance on borrowing from the international capital market, maintain a realistic debt management model to help improve debt sustainability and fiscal prudence, improve public borrowing transparency and accountability, strengthen the foreign exchange policy to reduce the impact of volatility on loan repayment, strengthen legislative review approval processes to ensure that only concessional loans are approved and to establish an independent committee that comprises CSOs representatives, the auditor general office, the Ministry of Finance and the DMO to carry out independent review of all future loan requests with the view to determine their variability and importance.

The CISLAC boss ended the discussion by calling on the National Assembly to save the country from imminent economic collapse and also call on the three tiers of government to develop realistic economic policy that will curb recklessness.

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T H I S D AY • Wednesday, DECember 7, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

News

Olam Reiterates Commitment to Quality Foods, Self-sufficiency in Wheat Production Dike Onwuamaeze Oam Agri Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Olam Group, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that would Nigeria would attain self-sufficiency in local wheat production and to provide Nigerians access to quality, nutritious and affordable foods.

This was declared recently by the Country Head of Olam Agri Nigeria, Mr. Ashish Pande, who said that Olan’s wholesome inclination formed

part of the four pillars of the business’ Seeds for the Future Foundation that was launched recently.

Olan Agric, which is a leading agribusiness in food, feed and fibre, said that the “Seeds for the Future” initiative is a multimillion naira, multi-year value chain intervention project that is targeted at driving Nigeria closer to attaining wheat production self-sufficiency.

The initiative was initially launched in 2021 but has since been scaled into a full-

fledged foundation focusing on supporting farmers and farming communities to strengthen local wheat production; enabling wider education and skills development for young people; empowering women in farming communities; and promoting health and nutrition across the country.

According to Pande, the “Seeds for the Future’s” impressive first-year report showed that the business achieved its milestone of producing 10kg pre-multiplication wheat seed varieties that suit the

unique local topography and climate, is a huge step towards enriching the country’s food production value chain.

He also said that “we are making an extensive investment in our manufacturing plants, locating them in strategic locations. As well, we are investing in innovative food production processes and food fortification facilities such as Vitamin Premix to enrich the quality and safety of our deep line of packaged food portfolios.”

Coscharis, AIICO to Provide Cover for Auto Buyers One of the leading firms in Nigerian automobile industry, Coscharis Motors Limited, is partnering with AIICO Insurance to provide Insurance coverage for its automobile product buyers.

With this partnership, existing and prospective customers of Coscharis will continue to enjoy premium automobile aftersales service backed with risk protection from AIICO Insurance Company.

Speaking at the launch, Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication Coscharis, Mr. Abiona Babarinde said, “ We have entered into this value-based collaboration in our quest to continuously offer the best value to our wide range of customers. With this integrated insurance package, we can guarantee our customers immediate insurance coverage at the time of car purchase across

all of our showrooms, as well as a quick and stress-free claims process as the need arises.”

Also speaking, AIICO Head Partnership and Alliance, Mr. Piyush Srivastava said, “We appreciate the trust reposed on us by the Coscharis Group, giving us this platform to bring on board our experience, expertise and capacity for underwriting this kind of business. From this partnership, Coscharis Motors’ clients stand to gain significantly. Among other backend processes in place, we have developed procedures to speed up the claims process and they would enjoy a seamless customer experience.

In addition, customers are to get priority attention for necessary repairs or replacements,” he said.

AIICO’s Head of Retail Business, Gbenga Ilori said “Our approach to business is built on a deep understanding

of the markets we operate in.

This partnership illustrates our commitment to providing solutions to the identified needs.”

He said AIICO Insurance is a household name in insurance

and has been in the underwriting business for nearly six decades and is currently ranked high by gross written premium in the industry for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021).

Stanbic IBTC Pension Launches Youth Talent Development Initiative

Ebere Nwoji

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings has launched a first-of-its-kind talent hunt and youth development initiative tagged, “FUZE Talent Hunt.”

The leading Pension fund manager said in launching the campaign, it was seeking to promote indigenous talents and help them explore their creativity and business prowess through the initiative.

It said FUZE Talent Hunt would employ a holistic approach to youth empowerment, and feature four categories of activities across Music, Dance, Fashion and Technology.

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Demola Sogunle, expressed delight in the opportunities and rewards FUZE holds for young Nigerians pursuing their dreams.

“Around the world today, young Nigerians are making

a statement on the global scene, putting their names and communities on the roadmap to greatness. The average young Nigerian is bursting with talent and potential waiting to be harnessed, and we are here to give them the support they need to soar high. After all, Nigeria is our home and we drive her growth”, he said.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Olumide Oyetan, spoke about the inspiration behind FUZE. He explained that the project was to the benefit of the Nigerian society. He added that as a future-ready organisation, Stanbic IBTC valued talent, creativity and innovation, and created the platform to shine the spotlight on youngsters and provide the necessary support they required to succeed, regardless of their chosen sphere of influence or industry.

RIF Trust Becomes Global Marketing Agent for St Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme Sunday Ehigiator

In a landmark announcement, RIF Trust, part of the Latitude Group, one of the leading international Residency and Citizenship by Investment firms has been appointed as the Global Marketing Agent for St Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme.

In a statement yesterday from the company, the appointment was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister of St Lucia, Hon. Ernest Hilaire, and the CEO of the

Citizenship by Investment Unit of St Lucia, Claude Emmanuel, on November 21, 2022, at the company’s Dubai office in Business Bay, is coming on the heels of a decade of growth and success for the global company which has assisted over 4,000 clients and their families since its inception.

In his submission, Hon. Hilaire noted that the appointment was very important for the country.

According to him, “RIF Trust and Latitude are significant

players in the Residency and Citizenship by the Investment industry. They are a wellestablished and respected partner.

“We are certainly delighted to announce this news to ensure we continue building our relationship with RIF Trust and Latitude as they have been very important to the success of the Citizenship by Investment Programme in St Lucia over the last few years.”

Reacting to the development,

RIF Trust’s CEO and Latitude’s Vice Chairman, Mimoun Assraoui, expressed delight over the appointment, while also expressing optimism over the effectiveness of the collaboration.

According to him, “Our relationship with St Lucia goes back almost a decade ago and has been very successful and fruitful.

We recently hosted a successful event with St Lucia in Los Angeles earlier this month to celebrate our firm being the first global RCBI firm with an office in the USA.”

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

Education Bowen VC Recounts Administration’s Giant Strides With few months to the expiration of his five-year tenure, the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole highlighted his efforts at transforming the institution. Uchechukwu Nnaike reports

Professor Ogunwole with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the inauguration of the SuperDARN recently

U

pon assuming office in August 2018, the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole pledged to position the institution to be outstanding in all directions.

About nine months to the end of his tenure, it is safe to say that Ogunwole, who prefers to be called ‘Team Leader’, made good the repositioning and rebranding agenda of his administration.

For instance, its Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is the only equatorial-low latitude SuperDARN in the world today.

Inaugurated last month by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the landmark scientific project, a collaboration with the Virginia Tech (United States) and the Nigerian government (through its Centre for Atmospheric Research), is the 36th SuperDARN in the world, and the first and only one in Africa.

Nigeria is the 12th country participating in this international scientific collaboration.

According to Dr. Olumide Ajani, Head of the VT-NigerBEAR (Virginia-Tech, Nigeria Bowen Equatorial Aeronomy Radar), the facility, which will be fully deployed by January/February 2023, will help in the enhancement of space weather research and understanding of the equatorial ionosphere.

It will help with communication (telephony); surveying and oil exploration; navigation (aircraft piloting, ship navigation); equipment designs; geo-mapping; study of atmospheric currents (weather forecasts and other weather dynamics, thus helping in agricultural planning); understanding and management of electricity grid disruptions, as well as improvement the teaching of science, particularly Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Geography, Geoinformatics, Geology and Astronomy.

“This is the 13th in the world; the first and the only one in Africa and the only one of such facilities in the middle latitude (equator).

Because of the uniqueness of the equator, there is a need for a lot of adjustments. The other ones that we have in the upper and lower latitude have only 24 configurations; this one has 36.

“So, this is the first of its kind in the entire world that has this number of array and that would be able to study the equator,” Ajani said.

He said it is already being deployed, but it will be fully deployed by January/February.

With this, we will know the amount of sunshine to expect in a year, the amount of rain to expect in a year as well as other weather dynamics.”

According to him, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bowen.

“NiMET has an MoU with us, and they want to put a station here because what we have here will be feeding them,” he added.

Ajani encouraged other government agencies, affiliates and multinationals that rely on HF and satellite communication in the equatorial and low latitude regions for their day-to-day

activities and businesses, including the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), telecommunication, banking, agricultural, surveying, oil companies, among others to join Bowen University, Virginia Tech. USA and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to provide support to the cutting-edge scientific solutions to HF (high-frequency) and GPS signal degradation in the equatorial-low latitude of Africa.

On the reason for constructing the project at Bowen, Ajani said the university secured the international partners’ trust because of its leadership’s demonstrable commitment, transparency, stability, and accountability.

Osinbajo, who was excited about the project, said at the inauguration: “The VT-NigerBEAR is the first and currently the only deployment of an equatorial low-latitude SuperDARN anywhere in the world. I am very proud of Nigeria, and in particular Bowen University and the team that has worked on this project, placing Nigeria on the SuperDARN global map and in the network of nations that play host to the international scientific radar network.

“We need to pay attention to VT-NigerBEAR, not just because of its potential, but because of the ways in which it can change the quality of our communications using telecommunications devices, global positioning systems, satellite communications, military communications, aerial surveillance etc, and because its success will serve as a template for other high-level research and scientific collaborations between Nigerian and international partner institutions, connecting results to industry and converting data to useful information for commercial and social good projects.

The newly constructed Senate Building “I congratulate Bowen University for this laudable achievement. I am optimistic that as you begin to operate this radar equipment, it will provide avenues for further research collaboration, private sector and equipment manufacturer partnerships, disaster planning, economic forecasting and support for Nigeria’s communications and space projects.” the vicepresident stated.

As part of efforts to enhance the welfare of staff and students, the university under the leadership of Professor Ogunwole has also achieved a near 24-hour power supply through the installation and connection of a 33/KVA Power Station to the national grid.

There is currently a minimum of 20-hour uninterrupted supply of power on campus, which, according to the Director of Students, Dr. Aderibigbe Adebola, has saved the university millions of naira since its inauguration on February 21, 2020.

Journalists were also taken on a tour of the university’s paddock and milk collection centre, facilities set up not only for teaching and research purposes, but also to advance town/ gown relationship and assist dairy farmers and herders in the host communities.

At the paddock, the Agric Officer, Mr. Oluwagbenga Ajibade said that there are currently 33 cattle. He said the animals are fed in-situ (not grazed), and artificially inseminated with semen from species from Brazil, Holland or other foreign countries. This is because local breeds have limited milk production capacities.

He said the milk is then collected and taken to the Milk Collection Centre, for onward transfer (sale) to Friesland Campina.

Shedding more light on the facilities, a Professor of Animal Science at the university and supervisor of the project, Tunde Lawal, said the project was the idea of Professor Ogunwole, who felt there was the need to transit from extensive to intensive dairy animal management.

“When he came as the vice-chancellor and he saw our animals moving around, he decided that he would ensure that we move from the extensive management to intensive management system.

“You would have also noticed that we have a Milk Collection Centre; that shows the presence of Friesland Campina in the university. We have an MoU with them, and the intention is to extend the CSR to Iwo and its environs. This means that dairy farmers in Iwo, Olupona, Ile

We need to pay attention to VT-NigerBEAR, not just because of its potential, but because of the ways in which it can change the quality of our communications using telecommunications devices, global positioning systems, satellite communications, military communications, aerial surveillance, etc

Ogbo and others can instead of going into wara (pasteurized milk delicacy) production can just bring their raw milk to that place, and they will be paid immediately.

“We produce the milk at the paddock, transfer the milk to the Milk Collection Centre so that the chain can be a complete one,” he said.

He also confirmed that the cattle at the paddock have all been artificially inseminated with semen from animals procured either from Holland, Israel or Brazil.

“It means that the calves from those animals will not be our normal breed that we know in this environment; what we have is going to be a hybrid. The hybrid animals are going to be producing milk in a very high quantity.

“Our own animals here reared by the Fulanis at most would give us one litre or two litres (of milk) per day, but the calves from those animals that you have seen will be giving us at least 15 litres per day.”

Professor Lawal also said that as an extension of the university’s CSR, the hybrid male animals are routinely released to the dairy farmers in Iwo and environs to mate with their local breed, towards ensuring increase in milk production and, subsequently, their income.

“We (Bowen/FrieslandCampina) are already organising training for farmers in Iwo and environs, teaching them what to do with their animals so that their animals can begin to perform better,” he added.

Under the leadership of Ogunwole, Bowen University has introduced a number of new programmes including (Undergraduate) Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS); Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSc. Public Health); Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Bachelor of Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering; Bachelor of Science, Politics and Law; and at the postgraduate level: Master of Arts, Religious Studies; Master of Arts, English; Master of Arts, History and International Studies; Master of Science, Statistics; Master of Human Resource; Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Food Science and Technology, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Business Administration.

The university also achieved another first by securing the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run the Politics and Law degree programme, thus becoming the first university in Nigeria to offer the programme.

On infrastructure development, two projects that will keep Ogunwole’s tenure in the consciousness of those that know Bowen University include the imposing Senate Building and the New Heritage International Scholars’ Hostel.

Others include the College of Health Science Building, donated by the Bowen University Parents Forum (BUPAF), for which the university advanced a loan to BUPAF to aid its speedy completion; the 288-bed smart hostel and the College Building for the Computing and Communication Studies; and the 190-bed hostel facility at the Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogbomoso.

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education

Deepening Quality Education with 140-bed Hostel

In this report, Oluchi Chibuzor writes that the inauguration of a 140-bed Hostel at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro,​donated recently by an old boy, Mr. Ayodeji Fadoju, points to the fact that privately driven intervention can complement government’s lags in the education sector across the country

“I

t’s easier to take than to give. It’s nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime,” according to Joan Marques.

This perhaps prompted an old school boy after graduating in 1988 from his alma mater to donate a 140-bed hostel named after his mum who clocked 75 years recently.

The single-storey dormitory named Kikelomo Hall was donated to the school by Mr. Ayodeji Fadoju of 1988 set.

For him, the willingness to give back to the school was inked in his heart during a visit to the school five years ago when he observed that the basic infrastructure​ was in a bad state.

Right there, there was no doubt to what he can do within his financial capability or otherwise but to strategies on how to build a world class facility that would deepen the learning environment for​ students.

Explaining the rationale behind his gesture, he recalled a visit that brought the idea to him.

“When Baptist Academy decided to have a hostel, as a real estate professional, I decided to reciprocate the huge mental resources endowment deposited in me by the school.

“So one day we visited the school. The state of the hostel was as bad as being in prison, so I had it in the back of my mind that one day I will do this project. It took me five years to complete this as I did not decide to start it.”

Fadoju said he felt compelled to donate the dormitory to the missionary school because the the building that was formerly erected on the site, was an old bungalow that did not befit the school.

He said the school had laid a good foundation of academic excellence and moral values in him, noting that the best way to give back was to initiate project that would benefit students.

“One of the reasons for embarking on this project is not because the donor has excess funds, but because I believe it is only the responsibility

R-L: Mother of the donor, Mrs. Kikelomo Fadoju; donor and old student of Baptist Academy, Mr. Ayodeji Fadoju; his wife, Mrs. Remi Fadoju; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu-Olu and President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, at the inauguration of 140-bed hostel, at Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos…recently of the government or the mission to look after the generations that will take Nigeria to a better place.”

He appealed to the school community and beneficiaries of this project to see it as a gift to be nurtured.

Commenting further on the reason why old students must embrace interventions at their alma mater, the donor opined that his gesture should encourage similar projects across the education sector.

According to him, “old students should be stakeholders in terms of participation and suggestions because you will not say

you want to come and take over what does not belong to you.

“The school belongs to a mission, the school was taken over from the mission by the government. We as stakeholders are proud graduates of the school and we want to make it necessary to continue that way. So, partnership with the school, yes, and this is the way to go to help our educational sector for the sake of humanity.”

“So we design this hostel accommodation for about 140 students fully equipped because our thinking is that as soon as we are able to provide a comfortable and

convenient sleeping environment for students, the impact on the quality of learning will improve.

“We are using this means to encourage other old students that have passed through one institution or the another not only to wait on the government, but see what they can do.We cannot wait for the government to do everything and we must all put that at the back of our mind to contribute our quotas either financially, morally or even your time to plans that are dear to your heart.​ “So we are dedicating this hall in honour of my mother who will actually turn 75 this week.

It is an honour to her and we thank God that she is alive to see this honour done to her.”

Speaking on sustainability, Faduju noted that he will be working with the school to ensure that yearly there’s a maintenance structure as it will help to sustain the project to meet its purpose.

However, considering the vast academic and secular success that old boys have recorded since leaving their alma mater, Fadoju believed that the country should consider linking students to industry in order to deepen their entrepreneurship skills while in school.

Proving to be a man who can be trusted he hinted that his real estate company has started looking at regiging their curriculum to reflect global trends in the face of unemployment in the country.

“We are already in discussions with the school to improve on the curriculum because curriculum should give room for the industry to interact with them.”

President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, described the donor as a shining example, while expressing the mission’s gratitude to Fadoju and his family for the initiative.

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

Toyobo: Why I Pursued Medical and MBA Degrees Simultaneously Dr Olubukola Toyobo is a Nigerian who simultaneously pursued a medical and MBA degrees from Pennsylvania State University, US, and excelled in both. She shared with Uchechukwu Nnaike her motivation, aspirations and plans

A

t a time when it is said Nigerian youths have lost the zeal to work hard, Dr Olubukola Toyobo courageously enrolled on medical and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes, withstood the rigours of both courses and excelled in both.

Hers was a move fuelled by the determination to cross-practice medicine and be able to provide the funding and resources to maintain whatever hospital or medical practice she is​ part of in the long run.

Toyobo, who had obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the same university in 2016, said she noticed the tension between management and clinicians due to differing perspectives on their goals.

“That’s what ultimately motivated me to pursue an MBA during medical school to bridge the gap in understanding both parties with the goal Dr. Toyobo of improving patient experiences and providing cost-efficient services,” Toyobo noted.

On her family’s reaction over her decision to She added that she was able to pursue the demanding courses simultaneously, interact with like-minded individuals, she said her family was ecstatic and slightly including leaders in the medical nervous about her choice, especially as it would industry, with similar interests in add an extra year to her medical training.​ improving the healthcare system.

“However, they supported my decision Asked how she managed her because it would differentiate me from other schedule to prevent any clash between clinicians as I would better understand what both courses, she said she did the drives costs in hospital management,” she first year of the MBA programme explained. “In addition, very few doctors have between the third and fourth year of an MBA, which would give me a competitive medical school when she had a break. advantage in working as a clinical physician, Afterwards, she was to coordinate hospital management, or the area of policy.” with the lecturers to take exams at According to her, she had a positive experience certain times, days, or weekends. studying both programmes because she could She stated that about 5 per cent of apply the knowledge she gained to provide her medical class elected to complete a different perspective to her business classes an MBA, which made it easier for which helped in her understanding. them to work together.

Toyobo admitted that running both programmes was challenging, but she never thought of quitting any because she was purpose-driven.

“I did not consider dropping any course because I enjoyed acquiring business acumen in relation to the application of my medical knowledge. A challenging crossroad while completing both courses was deciding on a business concentration that would be most beneficial to my career,” added Toyobo. “Due to my interest in medical quality improvement projects and health system sciences, I took consulting courses.”

According to her, whenever she felt stressed with her workload, she revisited her time management and well-being and reflected on previous activities and how to prioritize and focus her task to reach her goal.

Toyobo added that she prioritised her wellbeingwell-being by exercising regularly. She said taking a walk or running helps her enjoy nature, reflect on previous events, and prepare for the next day. She also enjoys cooking.

She stated that the knowledge​she acquired in business administration has started to pay off because shortly after completing her MBA, she participated in the Global Health Case Competition at a well-known medical college.​ “I had first-hand experience working with a multidisciplinary team across different medical schools to utilize creativity, innovation, and feasible solutions to real-life problems encountered by medical businesses,” she said.

On her future plans, Toyobo said, “I plan to complete my preliminary medical training in internal medicine. Thereafter, I will pursue anesthesiology. Throughout medical school, I was drawn to working in the operating room.

During my weeks of anaesthesia rotations, the variety and complexity of cases were fascinating;

I enjoyed everything, from supporting senior residents in understanding patient risk factors to utilizing anaesthetic agents to minimize complications and triaging the next steps.”

On her long-term ambition, she described medical training as a journey which takes a few years to complete to get to the medical attending level and practice independently.

After completing her medical residency, she plans to join management and climb the ladder to become a medical director, honing her skills in health system sciences and lean six sigma training, “which has given me a mindset of continual improvement in quality care and efficiency.”​ She also mentioned that the knowledge “helps me better identify root causes when forming care plans to discuss with the team while adapting approaches to improve and reduce patients’ length of stay.”

Asked if and when she hopes to return to Nigeria to help develop the health sector, Toyobo said after about five years of the residency programme and a few years of practice, she hoped to move back to Nigeria and see where best she can use her skills to support.

Toyobo said from her interactions with the medical system during her short stay in Nigeria, she thought it was important for her to have that business background in terms of being able to cross-practice medicine and be able to provide the funding and resources to maintain whatever hospital or medical practice she is part of.

She stated that her top three role models are her parents and medical school adviser.​ NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

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education

YABATECH Inaugurates AuthorAID National UBEC Boss Blames Outof-school Children Crisis Research Hub to Boost Researchers’ Skills on High Birth Rate

Funmi Ogundare

create the enabling environment. I believe the​AuthorAID Yaba College of Technology National Research Hub, has launched the AuthorAID Nigeria, will meet the needs National Research Hub, Nigeria,​ of academics in the college and designed​to enable researchers other institutions in Nigeria strengthen their skills, deepen to enhance their capacity in confidence, and build new con- research and award winning nections while positioning them grant proposal writing, publicato undertake relevant, high- tion in high- impact journals quality and​engaged research. and through collaboration It was a partnership between within the hub.”

He added that the national the college and AuthorAID UK. Speaking at the programme hub, will be domiciled at its in Lagos, the Rector, Mr. TETFund Centre of Excellence Obafemi Omokungbe com- in Skills, Entrepreneurship and mended those who initiated Sustainable Development (TETit while expressing optimism CoE), established in 2021 with that through it, researchers objectives of building capacity with enhanced research and in applied/ innovative research communication skills, will and skills.

This Omokungbe, noted, work with policy makers, practitioners and communities aligns with the goal of the to address local and national national research hub that will help improve the career and challenges.

According to him, “YA- professional development of BATECH is committed to academics.​ supporting its academics to The rector said the impact of develop research skills and research must be strengthened build their careers and also and its activities should con-

tribute to policy development, evidence-based decisions, research applications and innovations that are relevant to national development.

The National Coordinator, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty explained that AuthorAID is a free pioneering global network which provides support, mentoring, resources, and training for researchers in low and middle-income countries.

“It is a project of the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP), an international development organization based in Oxford, United Kingdom with 30 years experience of working with a global network of partners in Africa, Latin America, and Asia,” stated.

Through this research hub in Nigeria, she noted that they will help to root AuthorAID more strongly in the country by providing opportunities for members to contribute to, and lead on initiatives to reach more

people, and deliver more value for its global community of researchers.​ “The national hub will aim to meet the needs of researchers in Nigeria following the finding of the RNA, allowing us to understand and contextualise the challenges faced by researchers in the country, to provide sustainable solutions and support researchers.​ “The network will provide the expertise needed to respond to the challenges. AuthorAID stewards, leaders and other established researchers from Nigeria will be involved as mentors.

“The network will enable researchers to publish in high-impact journals through collaboration within the research hub. Researchers in YABATECH​ and other institutions will be able to enhance their capacity in research writing and publication, therefore improving their career and professional development,” Doherty stressed.

Leeds Beckett University Students Shine at IKEA Circular Economy Campaign Peter Uzoho

Students of Leeds Beckett University, Masters in Public Relations and Strategic (MAPRS) Communications, emerged top with a convincing PR campaign for IKEA’s circular economy.

A circular economy is a production and consumption model involving sharing,

leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.

The campaign is in collaboration with four teams of Hanze University Groningen (Netherlands).

The MAPRS students Kunle Kalejaye (Nigeria), Prakriti Roy (India),​ Susan Omodiale (Nigeria),

Tiffany Thao Le (Vietnam), Marie Amet (France) and​ Sandra Reev John (India) pitched their campaign idea to a panel of Dutch senior professionals.

They had to compete with four student teams from Hanze University Groningen by developing a tailor-made campaign for the UK public, specifically targeting young

professionals and students.​ Senior lecturer of Leeds Beckett University in Public Relations and Strategic Communications department, Rudiger Theilmann, said the key to success was the overall campaign idea to make something as technical as the “circular economy” fun and playful and embed it in British traditions.

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, has called for a deliberate programme to address the high birth rate, especially in the north, which has the highest number of out-of-school in the country.

He said this at a five-day financial management training for chairmen of state and the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) at the Lagos Business School.

Bobboyi noted that the country recorded a reduction in the number of out-of-school from the 2018 UNESCO baseline. For the 6-11 years section (primary school), the number reduced from the 2018 baseline of 10.2 million to 9.6 million in 2020. He said the number remained at 9.6 in 2021, and in 2022 the projection is that it will come down to 9.5 million.​ According to him, the primary section is crucial, as the entry-level, because if children do not get into primary school, they cannot attend any other section of basic education.

In the junior secondary section, he said from the UNESCO statistics, the number of the 2018 baseline was 6.3 million out-of-school children. He said the number is also down to about 5.6 million.

The executive secretary explained that the recent UNESCO statistics of 20 million out-of-school children in the country did not indicate an increase from the 10.2 million, but because, according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), basic education no longer ends at junior secondary school, but senior secondary school.

“So UNESCO is now counting from 6-18 years, not 6-11 years anymore, not even within junior secondary school of 12-14 years, but now including 15-18. That is why the future is high. But UNESCO has validated our figures and is even telling us that they are stable. There is need for us to see how we can make the push to ensure that we can reduce them,” he said.

On the essence of the training, Bobboyi said the commission’s Quarterly Financial Monitoring reports on the utilisation of the Federal Government-UBE Intervention Fund by the state and FCT Universal Basic Education Board revealed serial infractions being committed in SUBEBs, some of which violate the UBEC guidelines, accounting practices, the Financial Regulations and the Procurement Act. He added that UBEC’s efforts to stamp out these practices by training the SUBEB accounting personnel did not yield the desired result. This forced the omission to recommend to its governing board what sanctions to impose on offending boards.

“I also consider this training very important for the purpose of protecting our individual integrity. Over the years, some of the boards have been invited for questioning by the crime-fighting agencies over the utilisation of government funds in their care,” the UBEC boss stated.

“Even when most of the cases turn out to be baseless, the frequent visits to these agencies serve as distractions and some of the time create wrong impressions about our person in the minds of the public that may lead to their loss of trust and confidence in the UBE programmes.”

Royal Academy of Engineering Launches £100,000 Grant at Unizik Business School David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

L-R: Students of Leeds Beckett University, Masters in Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Kunle Kalejaye (Nigeria); Tiffany Thao Le (Vietnam); Marie Amet (France); Sandra Reev John (Indian); Prakriti Roy (Indian), and Susan Omodiale (Nigeria), after emerging top with a convincing PR campaign for IKEA circular economy at the university... recently

Sanwo-Olu’s Wife Urges Stakeholders to Empower Persons with Disabilities Funmi Ogundare

Lagos First lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called on all stakeholders to continue to embrace initiatives that will empower people with disabilities to contribute positively to the state’s socio-economic development.

Sanwo-Olu​disclosed this recently at the 2022 International Day of Persons with

Disabilities.

“This is the crux of this celebration​today, which is designed to champion the cause of persons with disabilities, an initiative that has been sustained yearly by the ministry of education.”

She disclosed that the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) keyed into the​vision and that the first public school with a

ramp specially designed for physically challenged students to facilitate ease of their movement had been completed in Ogombo, Ajah.

While commending​the ministry of education for initiating and sustaining the initiative, she urged Nigerians to “continue to challenge all forms of stereotypes and discrimination against persons living with disabilities. It is our

collective duty as a people.”

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, noted that there “are many policies and practices in the state that​encourage children with special needs” to succeed.

Awards were given to individuals and organisations in recognition of their support for the growth and development of special education in the state.

The Royal Academy of Engineering, United Kingdom, has officially launched a £100,000 grant programme for Unizik Business School.

The school, under Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, recently won the UK Royal Academy of Engineering grant to boost engineering skills in Africa.

The launching of the programme (Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa 22/24 Programme) took place at the weekend.

The team lead of the project, Dr Chinedu Onyeizugbe, disclosed that the title of the project to be researched by the team was catalysing the employability and entrepreneurial impact of Nigeria graduate engineers in the electricity industry as a strategic way to

improve access to electricity in Nigeria. He added that the project would last for two years.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Charles Esimone, said the programme would improve Nigerian engineering graduates’ skills, capacity and employability.

He urged scholars to take advantage of foreign grants to expand their knowledge and research, adding that the two years training programme of the grant will create employment opportunities and further promote the academic relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Director of UNIZIK Business School, Prof Emma Okoye, said the programme aimed to address the engineering skills deficit in Africa and showcase the role of engineering in driving inclusive economic development in the region.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

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L-R: Director, Legal Services, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ibrahim Tijani; Director of Press and Public Relations, NYSC, Mr. Eddy Megwa; and Overseeing Director of NYSC, Mrs. Christy Uba, during the workshop for Public Relations, Protocol and Freedom of Information Desk Officers held in Abuja…recently

L-R: Vice Chancellor, School of Politics Policy and Governance (SPPG), Mrs. Alero Ayida-Otobo; Founder, FixPolitics Initiative, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; Coordinating Chairperson, Work Study Group 1 (WSG1), Bolatito Adeniyi-Aderoju; Executive Director, WIMBIZ/ panelist, Mrs. Hansatu Adegbite; member FixPolitics, Mrs. Adeola Azeez; and another member of FixPolitics/Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, at the official activation launch of Office Of The Citizen (OOTC) by FixPolitics Initiative, held in Lagos…recently

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

L-R: Business Development Manager, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Lagos, Mr. Toyib Olatunji; Chief Business Officer, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Lagos, Mrs. Kehinde Oyesiku; Chairman, Lekki Estate Resident Association (LERA), Mr. Yomi Idowu; and Vice Chairman, LERA, Mr. Malachy Ezeoke, during a handover ceremony of patrol vehicle by Evercare Hospital Lekki in support of LERA’s security initiative, held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja; CSR Lead, Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie; Chairman, Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. David Olusegun Odunmbaku; and Regional Operations Director, Airtel Nigeria, Chika Obanor, at the presentation of 1,000 food packs to the residents of Ogba (Nigerian Institute of Journalism) in Lagos during the Airtel `5 Days of Love’ yuletide programme in Lagos...recently

Divisional Head, Corporate Services and Service Management, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Felicia Obozuwa (sixth from right), flanked by some of the winners of season six of the FCMB organised #Flexxtern Contest, an internship and employment opportunity programme for young graduates, at the inauguration and certificate presentation ceremony to the winners of the contest in Lagos…recently

L-R: Deputy Vice President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr. Innocent Ohagwa; Chief Tax Officer, Bayelsa State/Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Nimibofa Ayawei; President, CITN, Mr. Adesina Adedayo; Vice President, CITN, Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi; and Honorary Treasurer, CITN, Simon Kato, at the Institute 47th induction ceremony in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

CITYSTRINGS

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

Ven Ifionu: Changing the Nation through Thanksgiving

Rebecca Ejifoma, who covered the annual general thanksgiving of the Anglican Church of Praise, Akoka, Church of Nigeria, speaks with Venerable Okey Ifionu on the significance of the covenant of thanksgiving in Christians

E

very year, Christians in Nigeria observe the special annual thanksgiving service to express their profound gratitude to God for His show of boundless love, undying care, protection, grace, unrestrained love, deliverance, healing, provision and good health among a host of others. For many, it's is a time to praise and raise holy hands to extol God. So, for members of the Anglican Church of Praise, Akoka, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria, it was a moment of glorious reflection on a certain Sunday in November this year in line with the annual thanksgiving. Unanimously, they chanted songs including Great is Thy Faithfulness; To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done.

The service was on the theme, Harvest of Divine Thanksgiving led by the choir.

"Thanksgiving is to appreciate God for all His benefits," says Ven Okey Ifionu, Anglican Church of Praise. He cited Psalms 103 from verses one to five, "Bless the Lord, oh my soul and forget not all His benefits. Every harvest, what we are trying to do is to reenact the covenant we have with God, the covenant of protection, security, and prosperity. It is God who has sustained us in the last 12 months (the last one was in November)."

According to Ifionu, God likes his children to be grateful. This is as he reminisced on the Bible story of 10 lepers. He recounted "Of the 10 healed, only one returned to thank God. The Lord appreciates people who come to Him to thank Him for His favours.

"So annual Thanksgiving is an opportunity for Christians to say thank you. Though we walked in the valley of the shadow of death, you were there with us and even set our table in the presence of our enemies. The Lord says I'm your shield at your right hand. He says, 'I'll preserve your life and your soul from this time forward. If you break these things down, it shows

Victor Emeruwa

Ven. Ifionu that we can do nothing without God. He's the source of our grace. He's the one who leads us. The song, Oh, Lord our help in ages past shows you that God is indeed everything."

Despite the floods, pandemic, inflation and climate change, the church's shepherd insisted that it is the time to thank God. He believes strongly that battles are won through prayers, thanksgiving, and praises.

He cautioned: "If you are a Christian who takes the Bible seriously, you will know that there are battles in the Bible the people of Israel didn't win by the strength of their armament.

God simply said give me praise and I'm going to address the issue. This is the time to trust God more and

COP 27: Enough of the Talk

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s the Conference of Party (COP 27) on Climate Change ends in Egypt, hopes are high that leaders in government, the public sector, policy experts, and scientists will finally take more action and do less of the talk as the urgency to cut emission to the recommended 1.5 degree Celsius by the end of 2030 nears.

In its position, Sterling One Foundation urges leaders to move fast in reaching the Paris Agreement, a most crucial step to cutting rising temperature and its attendant consequences.

When Simon Stiell announced that the ambitious Paris Agreement goal on carbon cutting is yet unreached almost a decade after 193 countries signed up to the agreement; the room was still, silence and reflection covered the ballroom where the stock-taking technical session was held, at the just concluded Climate Change Conference of Party (COP27) in Egypt. Simon Stiell is the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary.

“The global stock-take is an ambitious exercise, it’s an accountability exercise, it’s an acceleration exercise, it’s an exercise that is intended to make sure every party is holding up their end of the bargain, knows where they need to go next and how rapidly they need to move to fulfill the goals of the Paris Agreement,” Simon Stiell said to the gathering of government leaders and advocates for Climate Justice at Egypt’s COP 27.

The Paris Agreement was reached in 2015 among 193 countries plus the European Union. It contained an ambitious global goal to reduce carbon emissions to 1.5 degrees Celsius; at 1.5 degree Celsius by the end of the century, the planet can be considered safe for human and plant habitation. The journey to that goal is at best less aggressive than would be expected for a planet in peril. “Although progress has been made in cutting global temperature, these efforts remain insufficient to limit the global temperature rise of 1.5 degree Celsius by the end of the century,” Stiell said.

pray. I'm not saying we should stop at prayer.

The church has been praying."

Besides praying, singing and dancing, the Anglican Church of Praise is intentional about charity. "We have been very active in helping.

This my parish has a welfare ministry. We give out things like foodstuff and clothing. There is an orphanage close by; we put some smiles on their faces."

Ifionu also encouraged the church to go beyond preaching the gospel. "There is what we call the social gospel. Christ showed us how to do it.

He fed the multitude despite the large number.

With two loaves of bread and five fish, Jesus blessed and multiplied the bread. These are not just stories. They happened. They show us that God's power is infinite. They show us that God has an endless ability and capacity to transform situations."

Not fazed by the current state of the nation, the venerable expressed that when there is farming and flooding, God can intervene, citing the Bible, "He says if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray. There are times to pray. He says I will look down from Heaven and bless them. This country needs more prayers now."

On Christians casting votes and even joining politics, Ven Ifionu is not your regular priest.

He was a media practitioner for decades and worked with three government administrations before facing the pulpit full-time. And because he understands the significance of having the right people at the helm of the nation's affairs, he charged all Christians to go out and vote for the right president as a step towards changing the narrative of the nation even as they pray and hope.

"While we are asking Christians to pray, we are not saying they should fold their arms. We are not passive. We don't just preach or pray.

Peju A UN Climate Change report published in October 2022; shows how countries are bending the global greenhouse gas emission curve downward.

According to the report “combined Climate pledge of all 193 parties under the Paris Agreement can at best put the world on track for around 2.5 degrees Celsius of warming at the end of the century, it is still far from the 1.5 degree Celsius target”. The report spells the need for top urgency.

The Sterling One Foundation while adopting its position on the recently concluded COP 27 in Egypt made an emphatic call on global leaders; particularly African leaders to waste no more time: “Let’s accelerate action on the Climate. We have little or no time” said Olapeju Ibekwe, head of Sterling One Foundation.

Olapeju insists that now that the talks are over, and the conference is ended, it is time

to put aggressive action to work in order to reach the several resolutions, targets, and goals reached at the regional or global level especially the attainment of the Paris Agreement.

Making reference to the consequences of Climate Change which is now evident in flooding as recently experienced across Nigeria, Olapeju bears her concern on the lack of consistent push for lasting solutions and warns of the danger of inaction and strategic coordination on the part of government and the policy community.

“Time is running out, and nature is in emergency mode. There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now and we need urgent action to address these pressing issues” she urged a shift from “harming the planet to healing it” through concerted efforts and strategic partnership across government and development organizations.

Recall that Nigeria suffered weeks of perilous flooding in September, about 12 States were most hit by the devastating flood, a replica of the 2012 flooding which sacked communities, washed off farmlands, and caused human fatality. “What have we learned from this incident? What are we doing to avert future occurrence?” Olapeju queries the level of preventive actions from relevant authorities, urging for system strengthening for effective flood prevention and better response. Flooding is just one sign of a raging climate, other pressing issue that require government attention is heatwave, deforestation experienced mostly in Northern Nigeria.–which is partly responsible for herders/farmers' conflict.

The response to Climate Change remains a call to collective responsibility; it is an urgency to save the planet from extinction. At COP 27, the agenda for Africa going into the conference was clear; In COP 27 African countries prioritized energy security and the development of a stable and reliable energy mix that will support the continent’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. The major challenge for Africa is governance challenge, legislative frameworks, and the inability to follow through with signed international protocols and conventions. As of September 2022,

Take part in politics."

However, he warned that for someone who has Christ in him, there are things you shouldn't do. "We are encouraging Christians to go out there and vote for the right person. If you are being led to join politics, join. Go and make a difference. God says Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. You can't afford to go there and muddle yourself up the way the others do," he implored.

Following the resolution of the Central Bank of Nigeria to reintroduce and redesign the nation's currency, Ifionu frowned that a lot of people have stashed billions and bullion vans in their homes and private volts.

"Now some of the money is going back to the banks because of the naira redesign. A man who has the spirit of Christ won't take part in this.

Your neighbours are dying. People are hungry and you pile money."

Again he reiterated "We are saying go out there and be actively involved. Christians are the hope of this country. A man who fears God won't partake in evil, corruption and oppression."

While accusing the media of turning blind eye to all these, Ifionu argued, "The media, especially Lagos media, is letting the country down. I don't know whether these people are paying them. The president behaves like he couldn't be bothered."

The Ven also decried that Bayelsa is completely submerged by floods. "The president travelled to South Korea. Of what value is the conference?

What does he know about a digital career? He is just cruising. If it happens in a serious democracy, he will lose the next election. There is a limit to how you can play politics with the lives of people. Femi Adesina is defending irrationality."

With so many issues plaguing the nation simultaneously, the Venerable encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in their thanks to God for all His works and benefits.

49 African countries out of 54 had ratified their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) indicating their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the increase in global temperature. However, ratification does not translate to booth-on-the-ground action.

Only 1 African country has submitted content of its national working plan of action to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse emissions in compliance with the Paris Agreement.

Nigeria’s representation at the COP 27 already had an agenda “We are focused on ensuring that we bring the issue of loss and damage to the fore and we are already making progress in this regard, because during the Pre-Cop engagement the COP 27 President, Sameh Shoukry highlighted flood related issue with particular reference to Nigeria and Pakistan amongst other nations as one of the key issues on the agenda for discussion, already the issues of the flood are linked to loss and damage and that is of priority to us as a nation.”

Muhammed Abdullahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment said.

“In addition, Nigeria as the leader of the PAN African Agency for the Great Green Wall will focus on climate finance to support its activities in the Sahel Region, particularly in the most endemic Northern states described as the front line states where there is fast approaching desert encroachment and of course wetland drying up, these and others are huge issues that we will be focusing on,” The Minister said “Part of what we will do is to galvanize the action plan for Africa to push for a positive climate funding action from the developed countries, that is why the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan is aligned to ensuring that we get the requisite funding for a smooth transition to renewables without which it will be very difficult to deploy infrastructure to support our mini-grid, deployment of solar and support bio-fuel African countries and developing countries indeed understand that funding is important in whatever position COP 27 will take,” he noted. Know ko ko ko -Emeruwa is a journalist in Abuja.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESday DECEMBER 7, 2022

citystrings

Okowa's Infrastructure Model: A Vital Tool to Nigeria's Economic Challenges

Victor Efeizomor writes that the developmental philosophy, governance ideology and political shrewdness of Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is a vital model needed by government at all levels to move the country out of the woods

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s the political space in Nigeria gets turbo charged with promises , permutations and projections about who is likely to win the forthcoming presidential election, it has become imperative for the electorates to put on their thinking cap to differentiate between promises anchored on reality or declarations fuelled by desperation.

Many Nigerians have presented themselves as presidential candidates in the forthcoming elections , notable among them are; Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Party APC , Senator Bola Tinubu , the Presidential candidate of Labour party , LP, Mr. Peter Obi among others.

These candidates with their running mates have presented their manifestos to Nigerians on how they plan to move the country forward and to the next level.

Many believe that the fact file of the Delta state Governor , Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP has a lot to offer Nigerians when Atiku/ Okowa ticket mount the leadership position as President and Vice President of Nigeria come 2023.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a grassroot and an astute politician has been able to demonstrate his leadership ingenuity since he mounted the saddle as the Governor of Delta in 2015.

Since the past seven years, Governor Okowa has been able drive unprecedented developmental impact in Delta State through transforming and prospering economy, job and wealth creation, unprecedented network of roads, urban renewal and boost of the service sector.

Governor Okowa has also ensured of an era of policy and institutional reforms , a modernized educational system , a transformed healthcare system, a better business environment and a historic upliftment of living conditions in riverine communities.

This leadership trait and purposeful sense of direction played out in one of his speeches, which many be termed a roadmap for the growth and development of Delta State, and when applied to the Nigeria's situation in general, could get the country out of the present socio-economic and political dilemma that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has plunged it into.

For the doubting Thomase’s, permit me to reel out a part of that all- important speech, that the Governor made at the beginning of his second term in office.

"The Delta State Medium- Term Development Plan 11 (2020-2023) is building on the foundation that was laid in the first term. In a nutshell, the plan is anchored on six strategic imperatives namely : Adopt a cross-sectorial, multi-pronged approach to job and wealth creation with strong emphasis on skills , training and raising entrepreneurial leaders to combat the scourge of youth restiveness, and drive the economic diversification business and competitiveness of the state; promote civic engagement in our communities; create the peaceful atmosphere necessary for development to take place; make agriculture regain its pride of place in the economy through private-public sector partnership in the agricultural sector, and development of the agricultural value chain; lead in the provision of Universal Health Coverage and cutting edge technology for broad-based and excellent service delivery essential for a healthy and productive populace; build an educational system that will produce thinkers, innovators, leaders and managers that will excel globally and partner with relevant stakeholders/investors to attract infrastructure funding ...'’

It is heartwarming to know that since Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assumed the leadership of Delta State, he has walked the talk and has not look back since he made the speech, as he has matched every word in the speech with action.

He has continued to work tirelessly, to show the love and commitment he has for the growth and development of the State; and has, by this shown that he is a leader and driver behind the wheel of that growth and development

Okowa Delta State desires.

By implications, his vision and well- articulated socio-economic policies and programmes in Delta state have shown that he has the capacity, the wealth of experience and commitment to occupy the Vice Presidential position of this great country.

As a matter of fact, no one who had closely observed the unprecedented socio, economic and infrastructure transformation of Delta State since 2015 will not be surprised by Gov Okowa's emergence as Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP. Empirical data from the Federal Bureau of Statistics, World Bank, the media, Tony Elumelu Foundation and the United Nations have indicated that Gov Okowa has done so well in many areas, ranging from wealth and job creation, infrastructure and human capital development, service delivery, security, education and all round development in Delta State since his administration came on board in 2015.

With over 100,000 youth taken off the labour market and hope for a better future by the governor, his administration has been adjudged as a visionary leader that has created jobs , employment and youth employment in the public sector in Nigeria.

It is on good record that, these young folks are now self- employed, courtesy of his wealth and job creation initiatives.

Since 2015 when he came on board as governor of Delta State till date, he has been able to create a business support for about 120,000 youth entrepreneurs. The implication of this is the sustenance of about 120,000 direct and indirect private enterprise jobs in the state. The creation of jobs and wealth have positively transformed the economic conditions of youths as shown in their testimonies.

Information on good authority has it that, as a result of Governor Okowa's economic vision in creating jobs for the youth in the state, the unemployment rate, estimated at 31%, considerably lower than the National all- States average, estimated at 37.2% (according to National Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey in 2020.

Beyond the drop in unemployment rate, the impact of this development policies and programmes on the overall economy of the state is highly significant with the general economy witnessing progressive structural shift, exemplified by the fact that the non - oil sector has constituted 52.50% of crops in 2020, compared to 41.90 of GDP in 2023.

In line with this structural shift, the Agriculture sector increased from 9.53% 2013 GDP to 13.22% of 2020 GDP, just as services sector increased from 18.77% of 2013 GDP to 29.73% of 2020 GDP. In the field of sports, the Okowa administration has made remarkable progress in the state.

The Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba is now completed and is currently hosting All African Games Festival having been put into several use under his administration.

For over a decade before he became governor, the stadium facility was decrepit but within three years, it was fully built and transformed.

Kudos to the sports- loving governor.

Worthy of mention is the wisdom and competence Governor Okowa and his team displayed in managing the economy of the state between 2016/2017 in the face of economic recession and the covid-19 global pandemic that practically grounded the economies of the World.

According to him, Delta State was able to stay afloat because "we limited our expenditure to revenue limits, prioritized the funding of programmes/ projects based on their socioeconomic value, and strengthened the Economic Intelligence Unit in the Ministry of Economic Planning as the due diligence outfit of the government".

The Okowa administration, knowing fully well the negative consequences of allowing the army of unemployed graduates and Secondary School Leavers to roam the streets and wallow in abject poverty, was clear on what needed to be done. It went ahead to equip them with the requisite technical know- how, vocational skills, values, and resources to make them become

Since the past seven years, Governor Okowa has been able drive unprecedented developmental impact in Delta State through transforming and prospering economy, job and wealth creation, unprecedented network of roads, urban renewal and boost of the service sector

employable and self- employed.

In order to drive this process, the state government established the Technical and Vocational Education Board and created a special purpose vehicle - the office of the Chief Job Creation Officer.

Seven years after, and still counting, the Technical and Vocational Education Board has been integrated into the new Ministry of Technical Education, while the office of the Chief Job Creation Officer is now known as the Job and Wealth Creation Bureau by law of the Delta State government.

In the education sector, Deltans are proud that the six existing Technical Colleges have been fully rehabilitated and equipped with the knowledge and skills to function in wealth and job creation. This is in addition to possessing employability skills. Also, nine new ones have been established in nine Local Government Areas and very recently, the Governor provided brand new buses to each of them to ease transportation and improve on their service delivery.

The Okowa's administration has also, in addition to the existing twelve vocational education training centers in the State, given approval for the establishment of five new ones at Evwreni, Umutu, Kokori, Ashaka and Oza-Nogogo.

To crown it all, the Okowa administration in its wisdom has established three new Universities - The University of Science and Technology, Ozoro; Dennis Osadebey University, Anwai-Asaba, and University of Delta, Agbor. The purpose is to broaden access to University education for our bright students who, unfortunately are unable to gain admission even when they are qualified.

It is very important at this point to mention the highly impressive achievement of the Okowa administration on road and physical infrastructure in the State, and to quote Gov Okowa's statement in one of his speeches on this in order to drive home the point.

"We have constructed roads and physical infrastructure of the most vital interest and impact. Through the Ministries of Works and Urban Renewal, Direct Labour Agency, DESOPADEC, Delta State Capitol Territory Development Agency, we have embarked on a total of 799 road projects, comprising 1,577.8km of roads and 908.8km of drainage channels."

Interestingly, the road projects cut across the three senatorial districts; even deep into the remotest parts of the State. Notable among remote areas that have benefitted from the network of road projects are 20.29 km Obotobo 1-Obotobo 11-80 Kebolu-Yokri Road in Burutu Local Government Area. These roads are in the riverine area, and the project is unique because the road is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean with all the human, material, ecological and financial implications that the terrain presents.

Without doubt, the flagship physical infrastructure project of the Okowa administration is the Central Secretariat Complex, named Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat. This, no doubt, is an architectural edifice, only surpassed by the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja in terms of size and layout.

Also, worthy of mention is the Gov Okowa's health policy in the ''Health for all Deltans" (HeFAD), in line with the Universal Health Coverage Mandate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In February 2016, Delta State became the first State in Nigeria to launch the Universal Health Coverage Scheme with the birth of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, with not less than 906, 768 enrollees.

The Governor Okowa's economic development outcome together with their policy and institutional reforms, no doubt demonstrates a fundamental development model that should be emulated by other states of the country and at the national level.

-Efeizomor is Special Assistant to Governor Okowa on Media and a member of Media/ Publicity Sub -Committee, Delta state PDP Campaign Council.

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDay, DECEMBER 7, 2022

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business/MOnEYGUIDE

World Bank, UNICEF, IOM, OthersValidate Impact of Obaseki’s Devt Programmes in Edo Oluchi Chibuzor The World Bank, the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) among others have hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki for his government’s impactful and life-changing reforms and programmes that have continued to translate to improved livelihoods in Edo. The Director Global Education, World Bank, Jamie Saadevadra; Chief Education Officer (Nigeria) UNICEF, Saadhna Panday and the Chief of Mission, IOM, Laurent De Boeck, while speaking in Benin City during a dinner organized by the state government, hailed Obaseki’s impressive and pragmatic approach to governance and for implementing nuanced reforms and programmes to deliver on the government’s development objectives and achieve progress across all sectors of the state’s economy.

Others who also validated the governor’s development programmes are the representative of the Italian Government and Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo; Senior Programme Officer at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clio Dintihac, and the Regional Vice President (Africa), Udacity, Emman Nour Ahmed Raslan, among others.

The World Bank represen-

tative, who described Edo as an accelerator state, said Edo under the leadership of Governor Obaseki is among the only ten sub-nationals in the world with the political will to transform education and tackle learning poverty.

Jamie noted “Across the world, we’re faced with a huge challenge; we face what I describe as a silent crisis. One that we don’t see any one dying each day but we see so many children across the world, even if they go to school, are not learning or getting the skills they require to succeed in life. That’s a challenge we have everywhere, including in Nigeria and Edo.” While commending the governor for the successes recorded in the education and other sectors of the state, the UNICEF representative assured that the global education body “will continue to partner and ensure the technical support to provide all that’s needed to take the EdoBEST programme to the next level.”

Panday said, “Let me say how delighted we are at UNICEF to be partnering with Edo state. It has really been wonderful visiting various schools in the state. I have had the opportunity to travel and see schools across the country, and today, seeing the Edo example and what is possible and has been achieved here,

it is really heartwarming. We are in 190 countries across the world and I must say that we really look forward to taking the EdoBEST programme to, not only to other states in Nigeria but to other countries across the world. Many other countries could learn from the Edo example and that’s our commitment to you.”

On his part, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria hailed the state government for the launch of the second phase of the Managing Migration through Development Project, assuring that the government will partner with the state on job creation, as well as investment and training opportunities, among others.

According to him, “The Italian Government invested about €2m in this project expected to last for two years because we strongly believe that the projects of economic development and growth by the government of Edo State led by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki need to be supported. These are innovative projects and programmes because they were drafted by the state government.”

In his response, Obaseki thanked the partners for their collaboration and support, reassuring that his administration will sustain efforts to ensure sustainable growth and development in the state.

Greenville LNG Clears Air On Contract Breach Allegation Kayode Tokede The Management of Greenville LNG has cleared the air on the allegation of breaching the gas supply contract with BUA cement Plc. The Chairman of Greenville LNG, Mr Ed dy Van Den Broeke, reacting to the allegation that BUA plans to file a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Greenville over a contract breach, said the prevailing situations in the Country forced the Company to engage its customers with a Contractually permitted price review exercise.

He stated that out of 45 customers engaged on the same Contractual provision, only BUA cement disagreed with the contractual process.

He further dismissed the claim of alleged contract breach, say-

ing price review is permissible under the Contract, given the prevailing business and financial circumstances in Nigeria.

He explained that the contractual agreement between his company and BUA gave room for a price adjustment based on the contractual provisions agreed.

He further urged Nigerians to disregard the allegation that the company has a history of reneging on contractual agreements and being involved in Panama paper scandal.

He emphasised that he was never involved in the Panama paper scandal because he does business within lawful means and honesty. He said Greenville LNG hopes to settle the disagreement with BUA in a meeting slated for December 5th, 2022.

According to him, “It is not

a breach of contract because not only are we continuing the gas supply to BUA plant in Sokoto but also because we are discussing in good faith on the mutated business and economic conditions that afflict both Companies”.

“We have a clause in the contract which gives room for a price adjustment on account of the nation’s prevailing situations.

In this case, we only activated that clause. We cannot explain how it is possible that social media misrepresented so grossly the present circumstances and the conditions of our contract, which were not reflected at all. Without a contractually permitted price adjustment, we would then supply BUA at unrealistic prices for the remaining duration of the Contract and go bankrupt.”

Quickteller Paypoint Rewards Agents in Promo Nume Ekeghe As part of its effort towards rewarding agents loyalty, Quickteller Paypoint, Interswitch’s Financial Inclusion Services vehicle, has rewarded over 1,000 agents with exciting prizes from its ongoing Double Up Promo.

The promo which began in September has seen participation from over 2,000 individuals/businesses within the Quickteller Paypoint agency network. After a series of raffle draws monitored closely by relevant regulatory bodies; Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Lagos State Lottery Board (LSLB), and the National Lot-

tery Regulatory Commission (NCLRC), more winners have emerged from another raffle draw concluded recently.

Five of the winners; Bamidele Aminat, Ishaya Galion, Ayinla Habeeb of Achiever’s world, Edozie Joy, and Ilonwa Peter of Oxford Logistics, visited the Quickteller Paypoint premises to receive their prizes and celebrate their win. Speaking on the Double Up Promo, Bunmilofe Akingbola, Marketing Manager, Quickteller Paypoint, stated that the prize presentation ceremony was done to reward the effort and dedication of its agents across the country towards driving the goal of the consumer digital

payments platform.

“Our major focus at Quickteller Paypoint is to deepen financial inclusion by bringing financial services closer to Nigerians, especially those who are in financially excluded regions, and we are really excited about the capable partners we have found in our agents across the country. Today, we are rewarding these reliable agents through our Double Up Promo, thereby enhancing their lives.

While we impact the lives of these agents, we are also enthusiastic about being able to reach more financially excluded Nigerians and touch more lives through avenues like this.”

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki presenting a souvenir to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission, Laurent de Boeck, during a dinner organized by the Edo State Government, at the Government House in Benin City.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

August 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

• Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

37

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDay, DECEMBER 7, 2022

mARKET NEWS

Purple Real Estate Declares 650.1% Increase in PBT to N1.5bn KayodeTokede Purple Real Estate Income Plc (Purple Group) has announced its unaudited results for the nine months ended September 30 2022 with N1.5billion profit before tax (PBT), representing an increase of 650.1 per cent N198.2million reported in nine months of 2021`.

The group in its profit & loss figures also reported N1.3billion profit after tax, up by 552.7 per cent from N198.1million reported

P R I C E S MaiN Board

earnings).

The consolidated statement of financial position of Purple Group revealed N31.3billion in total assets as of September 30, 2022, representing an increase of 18.3 per cent from N26.4billion reported in 2021 financial year.

The growth in non-current assets to N25.6 billion as against N17.3 billion in 2021, was driven by a 47.9per cent growth in investment property to N25.2 billion from N17 billion in 2021.

in the corresponding period.

The increase in profits was driven by 207.8 per cent increase in gross earnings to N5.9billion as against N1.9billion reported in nine months of 2021.

A key driver of gross earnings growth was income earned from trading properties under development (73.4per cent of gross earnings) which grew year-on-year by 391.1 per cent to N4.4 billion (9M 2021: N886.4 million; 16.9 per cent of gross

DEALS

F O R

S E C U R I T I E S

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N )

Current assets declined by 38.5per cent to N5.6 billion from N9.1billion in 2021: N9.1 billion, driven largely by a reduction in trading properties under development and cash and cash equivalent balance which fell by 83.0per cent and 81.2per cent to N1.2 million (2021: N6.8 million) and N370 million (2021: N2billion), respectively.

As total liabilities stood at N21.2 billion, up 21.8per cent year-to-date from N17.4 billion

T R A D E D MaiN Board

reported in 2021, shareholders’ funds closed the period at N10 billion from N9 billion reported in 2021.

The Chief Executive Offcer, Purple Real Estate, Mr Laide Agboola, in a statement said, “The strong performance in the second quarter of 2022 has been reinforced by our third quarter’s performance, and we have maintained very good momentum in practically all of our

A S O F

key measures as a result.

Operationally, we expanded our clientele base and progressed on our core and peripheral business lines.

“As a Company with multiple revenue streams spanning principal investment, financial services, private equity, real estate and lifestyle development – which blends retail, family fun, e-commerce, entertainment, food and drinks, co-working, and accommodation.

0 6 / 1 2 / 0 2 2 DEALS

Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

38

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 05Dec-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.02% Anchoria Equity Fund 141.03 142.59 1.28% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 1.52% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 21.24 21.88 109.46% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 496.75 511.73 120.60% ARM Ethical Fund 42.41 43.68 118.45% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 102.16% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.06 1.06 109.86% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.17% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 95.41 95.41 -7.24% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,080.48 1,080.48 1.41% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 0.39% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.28 2.32 4.38% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 7.82% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.79% Paramount Equity Fund 17.79 18.1 6.42% Women's Investment Fund 144.33 146.03 1.66% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.07% Cordros Milestone Fund 135.03 136.00 8.35% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 112.42 112.42 5.02% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.79% Legacy Debt Fund 3.56 3.56 -11.08% Legacy Equity Fund 1.90 1.93 9.04% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,069.63 3,687.92 100.00

4,097.82 3,687.92 100.00

4.83% 6.82% 12.21%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.13 1.13 0.00% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.97% Vantage Balanced Fund 3.01 3.06 7.97% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.62% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 144.64 144.64 7.36% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.17 1.20 -1.86% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 7.00% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.91 11.99 9.44% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.91% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 102.26 102.26 9.20% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 12.53% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.55 1.59 -1.27% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.52 11.60 3.30% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.30% PACAM Equity Fund 1.39 1.41 -1.79% PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.42 120.69 3.28% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.09 11.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,557.57 3,585.64 4.94% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 244.35 244.35 3.73% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.38 1.40 10.32% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 331.27 331.27 5.79% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 254.22 257.33 8.85% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.34% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,645.15 11,778.49 6.62% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.36 1.36 5.14% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 120.50 120.50 3.07% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 114.38 114.38 7.52% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.91 0.93 2.72% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 1.81% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.15 1.16 10.93% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 7.20% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.94 1.94 6.26% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.88 124.88 5.77% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.88% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.67 13.79 3.64% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.49 15.63 5.94% Zenith Income Fund 23.45 23.45 6.81% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.63% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.94 4.04 -1.78% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.47 5.57 -6.36% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 17.68 17.88 -0.04% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.87% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 21.63 21.83 8.18% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 135.89 137.89 -13.78%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

121.48 52.64

6.71% 3.45%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.60 127.64 98.51 17.40 16.40

14.70 129.88 100.20 17.50 16.50

4.34% 0.03% -1.48% 17.11% -4.49%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

39

40

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

at the media briefing on the unveiling of Louisville...

L-R: Director, Availsys Ltd, Mr. Moses Ida Michaels; Managing Director, Avantis Design and Engineering Group, Mr. Christian Nader; Director, MOA Nigeria, Mr. Dapo Abe; Chief Operating Officer,TotalEnergies Staff Housing Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (TEHC); Mr. Ehima Uwumarogie; and Managing Director, Greenkeys Facility Management, Mr. Nahel Jamarkani, at the PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT. media briefing on the unveiling of Louisville, a luxury future-focussed housing development by TEHC at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos recently

18 CSOs Commence Zonal Rallies Next Week to Force Ariwoola's Resignation Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A coalition of 18 civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Societies of Nigeria (CCSN) has resolved to embark on zonal rallies next week to force the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to resign from his position.

Ariwoola ran into troubled waters during a recent commissioning of a project in Rivers State, when he was quoted to have said that he was glad that Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, was a member of G-5, a rebellious group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Based on this, the Coalition had embarked on a peaceful protest to the Supreme Court and also protested

to the National Assembly where it demanded the resignation of the CJN. Addressing a press conference yesterday, in Abuja, the Head of the group, Olayinka Dada said the coalition has outlined measures and legitimate means to force CJN resignation should he fails to resign.

He noted that the country needs an impartial umpire to oversee the judiciary.

Dada stressed that since Ariwoola visited Port-Harcourt for a project commissioning, the political landscape of Nigeria has witnessed a lot of unease, which he blamed on the partisan utterances made by CJN at the event.

He stated: “Our elections are around the corner and Nigerians expect an impartial judicial who

most likely will dispense justice where disputations occur before, during and after the polls.

“These statements are enough testimony of the partisanship of the CJN in political dispute involving his friends in a political party out of the 18 parties running for elections in 2023. Nigerians are dissatisfied and confused as to this new twist.”

The coalition said to allow the judiciary to have vested interest in politics was to damn representative governance which guarantees people’s choice in electing their preferred leaders.

It said: “As we all know, elections results are often contested in courts and in many instances, ends at the Supreme Court. How will the CJN allow honest dispensation of justice

NSIA to Unveil Prize for Innovation Programme Dec 10

Says initiative will support growth-driven ideas through education, mentorship, financing The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will on December 10 this year launch the maiden edition of the NSIA Prize for Innovation Programme (NPIP).

The NPIP initiative to be launched at an event in Lagos, was structured as a business enhancement programme to support early-stage, growth-driven ideas through education, mentorship, and financing.

The event would be attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the NSIA Board; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NSIA, Aminu Umar -Sadiq; NSIA Non-Executive Director, Mr Ikemefuna Isiekwena, Founding Parhner Ventures Platform, Kola Aina among others.

The programme is a strategybased initiative of the NSIA Board which would run for at least three years.

Through the NPIP initiative, the NSIA was poised to identify, build, and channel the country’s latent potential in innovation and technology to catalyse economic growth, enhance the nation’s productive capacity, create jobs, and optimise resource sustainability.

In addition, the NPIP was designed to encourage and support creativity and ingenuity within the technology space and to fund new ideas that could result in cost-effective, scalable, and transformative positive impact.

The NPIP priority sectors are technology-enabled businesses in key seven priority sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The key sectors are financial services, agriculture, health, education, manufacturing, renewables and power.

The listed priority sectors were selected given the appreciable impact innovations in these sectors can have on the Nigerian economy.

The programme is a three-year commitment by the NSIA to empower Nigerian tech-preneurs and upcoming innovators, in a bid to catalyse the rise of the budding digital economy.

With this programme, the NSIA Board expects to catalyse the growth and development of the Nigerian technology ecosystem by identifying budding Nigerian innovators, enhancing their capabilities, and providing a platform to showcase and scale these technological solutions globally over multiple cycles of the programme.

In line with NSIA’s vision of playing a leading role in promoting investments for Nigeria’s economic development, the strategic intent of the programme is to assist the Authority to establish direct access to the Nigerian technology sector.

This would assist in creating a strong pipeline for future investments by its Innovation Fund.

In essence, the programme would provide a platform to understand

industry modalities and gain firsthand knowledge of rising stars within the technology ecosystem.

Given the long-term significance of the programme, the initiative would also serve as a catalyst to unlock the conscious competence of the next generation of Nigerians across a myriad of fields particularly in the digital age.

The programme would also adopt a three-staged competition at the end of which ten finalists will emerge and win various prizes. The programme is expected to run for twelve weeks covering the following stages.

Pre-selection Stage: At this stage, applications are completed by innovators through an application portal. Applicants are expected to provide details regarding their digital product/service, business model and minimum viable product.

An evaluation committee of five (5) individuals comprising representatives from the NSIA, technical and venture capital partners will select up to twenty-five (25) innovators (one product/service for each) to advance in the competition. Selection of shortlisted applicants will require a 2/3 majority vote to proceed to the next stage.

Accelerator Stage: Shortlisted innovators will participate in a technical partner-led, accelerator programme designed to mentor and equip the techpreneurs with the tools required to succeed.

if the party and friends he already aligned with are interested parties in such disputes?

“How will the CJN resist the temptations of influencing judgements in favor of his allies? How will his interferences in politics deescalate tension that is already building up?

“We are now at a point where

Nigerians feel the gains recorded in the new electoral laws and the reforms INEC put in place may be truncated by the judiciary whose head is now fully a politician.”

The coalition demanded the CJN’s immediate resignation to save the country’s democracy.

"We hereby wish to invite all Nigerians to our zonal rallies

commencing next week to seek the resignation of the CJN from his partisan position," they declared.

The coalition pointed out that the country could do better by guaranteeing the processes through an integrity, non-partisan, credible judiciary, saying the CJN has shown this would not be possible with him at the helms of affairs.

Canadian High Commissioner Visits Obasanjo, Seeks More Trade Relations with Nigeria James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Teshome Nkrumah, has disclosed that the home country could do better in improving the current volume of trade, which presently stood at $2.7b.

Nkrumah disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

In a statement by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Nkrumah said his visit to the former President was as a result of his position, as a renowned farmer in the state.

Nkrumah, who is responsible

for the Commercial Relationship between Canada and Nigeria, which was part of the Canadian Trade policy, was on regional outreach to Abeokuta, which was meant to boost trade between the two countries.

"We are on agricultural outreach to try to find out the opportunities in local market to do business and boost trade between the two countries. We are meeting business people, entrepreneurs just to see where the opportunities are.

"And I am pleased to meet with the largest farmer in the State and former President. We had a nice conversation, shared his views about how to really grow the farming industry in Nigeria and we are working towards achieving synergy

between Canada and Nigeria.

"We are here to build bridges, make connections and see where we can make changes to move trade between both countries forward," the High Commissioner said.

On the state of trade between the two countries, he said, "Currently, I think we can do so much better.

There is $2.7b of trade between our two countries and happily it is in favour of Nigeria. $ Two billion is for Nigeria export from Canada and about $700m is for export from Canada to Nigeria.

"But, there is still more to grow in terms of opportunities. If we are very much focus and structured and look for where to grow opportunities we can still see our export grow," he said.

Lawmakers Ask FG to Resume $14.4bn East-West Rail Line Project Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to reverse its earlier decision on the $14.4 billion east-west rail line project by continuing its implementation because of its economic importance to the nation.

The House also urged the federal government to review its 25-year Railway Strategic Plan part of which was to unbundle and commercialise the Nigeria Railway Corporation.

It mandated its Committee on Land Transportation to liaise with Federal Ministry of Transportation and other relevant government agencies to ensure that the East-West Coastal Rail Project was captured in the 2023 budget estimates.

The resolutions of the House followed the unanimous adoption of a motion move by Hon. Dozie Nwankwo at plenary yesterday.

Moving the motion, Nwankwo said the Federal Executive Council had in April 2017, granted approval for the construction of 1,400km Standard Gauge East-West Coastal Rail Line Project linking Lagos-Ore-BeninSapeleWarri-Yenagoa-PortHarcourtAba-Uyo-Calabar-Akamkpa-Ikom with a branch line from Benin to Asaba-Onitsha-Port Harcourt-Onne Deep Seaport.

He noted that the opting out of Exim Bank of China, the contractor to execute the project, the federal government in March 2021, made arrangements for $11 billion alternate counterpart funding with Standard Chartered Bank out of the $14.4 billion required to execute the project.

Nwankwo expressed concern that the Federal Ministry of Transportation stopped the project this year, despite the concluded arrangement with Standard Chartered Bank and

the federal government’s N30 billion commitment to the contractor.

He also expressed concern that the non-completion of the rail project aggravated the challenge of travelers who suffer delay due to the deplorable state of the road coupled with check-points along Calabar- Lagos road.

The lawmaker said, "Aware that in August 2021, the Federal Executive Council approved the award of a contract valued at $11,174, 769, 000 for the project. Also aware of the importance rail line project to the socio-economic development of the country which necessitated the accelerated completion of the project.

"Cognisant that the inability to complete the project within the projected six years period will continue to put pressure on the two sea ports located in Port Harcourt and Lagos and the existing roads."

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at the 2022 Enugu Day Cultural Festival...

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate in Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai; governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, and President General of Association of Enugu State Development Unions (AESDU) in Lagos State, Chief Linus Igbudu, at the 2022 Enugu Day Cultural Festival held in Lagos…recently

Sultan: Let’s Trust Buhari on Promise for Credible 2023 Elections

Free, fair election doubtful, says CAN leadership Next year’s polls won’t be manipulated, president assures W’African elders

Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday, asked Nigerians to hold President Muhammadu Buhari to his word that he would ensure peaceful and credible election in 2023.

But the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Co-Chairman of NIREC, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said there were still doubts being expressed by people about Nigeria’s capacity and political will to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections next year.

This, nonetheless, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, ruled out the possibility that the 2023 general election could be manipulated.

But the Sultan, who was the Co-Chairman of the Nigeria InterReligious Council (NIREC),said, during the NIREC 4th Quarter 2022 meeting in Abuja that president Buhari's firm promise to deliver a credible election next year should serve enough reason for Nigerians to feel free to exercise their civic duties and vote for a candidate of their choice.

He dismissed the notion that 2023 election was a make or break for Nigeria, stating that it was only God that could decide the fate of Nigeria.

"The other day the president visited Sokoto Palace and said openly of his commitment to peaceful, credible election in Nigeria, he directed the military and other security forces to ensure peaceful, free and fair election. If the president had said so, will anybody go and do otherwise. If he said so, I have no reason not to believe him,” he said.

The Sultan, who said a lot of people were disturbed by the alarm raised by foreign nations about the situation in Nigeria, said some of the foreign countries raising the alarms

about problems in Nigeria had more serious issues to contend with.

"We know we have our own problems here but we are better than some of the countries in Europe. These European countries we think are better than us, they are not better than us. The only thing is that their systems work. If we make our system to work, we will be better than them.

"Let's stop looking at what Americans do, what the Europeans do and what the Asians do. Let's develop our home grown initiatives that will make this country better," he said.

On the fears that the 2023 election would be make or break election for Nigeria, Sultan said: "I don’t believe in that, I refuse to believe in that. It is just an election; people will go out, cast their vote in peace and whoever emerges the leader will be the leader of this country.

“So, I don’t believe it is a make or break election, and we must not play into the hands of those elements of Nigeria, who keep on parading those issues as this is the election that will decide the fate of this nation, only Allah decides the fate of this country.”

The royal father charged politicians and the electorate to go out and campaign peacefully and that whenever the elections come up, they elect the leader they thought was for Nigeria and the rest would be left to almighty Allah.

The CAN president said serious questions and doubts were still being raised about the country’s capacity and political will to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections next year.

He said since independence in 1960, violence and electoral irregularities had become constant features of the process of electing the country’s leaders and the most worrisome point was always the number of deaths often recorded

in the process.

“Politics of corruption, intimidation, exclusion and violence are now regarded by some elements in the society as necessary weapons of political victory in our country. This ugly trend robs the Nigerian voters of the opportunity to freely choose their leaders.

“As we navigate the process to the 2023 general election, the world is watching to see if there will be a relatively peaceful transition, or a repeat of the familiar ugly past always filled with pre-and post-electoral violence.

“As a faith leader, I am convinced that this ugly history of pre-or post-electoral violence will not be repeated if we all decide to halt the trend through strategic conversation that appeals to the conscience of the political class like we are doing here today.

“All these make the process tense,

frightening and disenfranchising to the weak and feeble-minded. There is no doubt in my mind that the 2023 general election hold the key to our national renaissance, freedom from insecurity, economic subjugation and all other social vices that have dotted our ugly past.

On his part, the Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, expressed delight that the meeting came at a time, when the nation was preparing for its general election, which was expected to be free, fair and credible and eventually translate into national rebirth.

He commended the leadership of NIREC for their support in stabilising the nation, and charged them to do more especially, as the country is preparing for its general election next year.

He affirmed that President Buhari had promised Nigerians and the

President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), that Nigeria would continue to make significant investments in the provision of aviation infrastructure for safe, secure, environmentally friendly and sustainable economic development of international civil aviation.

President Buhari made the commitment yesterday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving in audience, the ICAO President, Salvatore Sciacchitano.

Recalling the long history between Nigeria and ICAO, the President declared, "Nigeria has been

a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) since 1962, and has continued to make valuable contributions to the ICAO Council's work and it's activities.

"This country has been playing key role in supporting the implementation of ICAO Policies and Programmes internationally, and particularly in the African region.

"To this end, Nigeria has ratified all international air law instruments like the Montreal Protocol and amendments to some articles of the Chicago Convention".

The president told his guest that Nigeria was championing the cause of Aviation safety, security and facilitation in Africa.

According to him, "I have recently

vote whoever they want, in whatever party.

"We shall not allow anyone to use money and thugs to intimidate the people. Nigerians know better now, they are wiser, and know that it is better to dialogue than to carry weapons. Elections are even more difficult to rig now.”

Earlier, Koroma, who led a team made of Fatoumata Tambajang, former Vice President of The Gambia, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, and Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, said they had met with stakeholders across the parties, civil society, and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others, “and we commend you for making it clear both locally and internationally that the elections would be free and fair.”

2023: MbahVows to Prioritise Reforms, Ensure Autonomy of Judiciary Gets endorsement from Enugu elders

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Enugu state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Peter Mbah, has committed to full autonomy of the state Judiciary as part of his administration’s institutional reforms if elected.

Mbah also pledged to ensure law review, digitalisation of courts and ensure access to justice by the vulnerable members of the society as well as uplifting the correctional facilities to make them fit for purpose.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate spoke yesterday in Enugu at the opening of the 2022 Law Week of the Enugu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) themed “The

Role of Lawyers in Transitional Democracy”.

“I consider myself first and foremost a lawyer. So, after all the elections, after we must have won and done what we promised to do, I will still ultimately and essentially remain a lawyer.

“So, as part of our strategies to actualise our vision for Enugu State, we propose transparent and inclusive governance, which will see us strengthening our institutions and those institutions include the judiciary, the public service, and, of course, the security agencies.

“Under the judiciary, we intend to review our laws so that the laws of Enugu state will be in line with the requirements of modern times.

We are going to constitute a high-

Buhari to ICAO: Nigeria’ll Sustain Investment in Aviation Sector Deji Elumoye in Abuja

international communities of overseeing a peaceful and credible election, which would usher in new government in 2023.

However, Buhari, while playing host to West African Elders Forum Pre-Election Mediation Mission, led by former Sierra Leonean President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, at the State House, Abuja, reiterated for the umpteenth time, that the 2023 general election would be free, fair and credible, as manipulations would not be allowed in any form.

“Thank you for accepting to do this service for our sub-region,” President Buhari told his guests, citing some of the off-season elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, as pointer to the fact that the federal government would allow people to choose leaders they want.

According to him, “That right is guaranteed, we are settling down, and making progress. People should

signed into law, Civil Aviation Act 2022. This is to reposition the industry to ensure continuous compliance with ICAO standards and to meet the challenges of a dynamic and rapidly growing air transport sector," while assuring the ICAO President that "aviation industry in Nigeria is increasing by leaps and bounds."

According to him, "I have approved also the establishment of Aviation and Aerospace University in Abuja to cater for research and development in the sector as well as the managerial challenges. In this regard, Nigeria has already started receiving the support of ICAO members like Qatar under the No Country Left Behind Initiative."

The President expressed confidence that the aviation sector in Nigeria would continue to grow, affirming that, "the roadmap of the Ministry of Aviation superintended

by Senator Hadi Sirika, is on course and together with other reforms of this administration will be sustained."

While congratulating Mr. Sciacchitano on his re-election as President of the ICAO Council for the second term, Buhari also appreciated the support Nigeria had enjoyed under his leadership, which, according to him, culminated in Nigeria's re-election during the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly.

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powered committee that will review our laws to make sure that they are in tune modern realities, dynamics and global standards.

“Strengthening the judiciary also means that we will ensure full financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with the amendments to the 1999 Constitution. So, we will work with the Chief Judge of Enugu State and the Ministry of Finance to put in place mechanisms that will ensure full financial autonomy for the judiciary,” he stated.

Mbah also reiterated his determination to deploy innovation and creative alternative financing models to actualise his economic blueprint for transforming Enugu State from a public sector driven economy to a private sector-driven economy and grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years.

Meanwhile, several elder statesmen and power brokers in Enugu state have endorsed the candidature of Mbah 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.

“Peter knows what to do and how we feel about the status of Enugu. Our children have been winning laurels , but we need to give our people functional education.

The federal government will not stop us from having a comprehensive education,” he said.

He explained that while management courses are good, the state needs to concentrate on technological education, noting that with Mbah, there will be a positive difference For his part, another elder statesman, Steve Okolo, described Mbah as the ideal leader, stressing that he was convinced that Enugu will be honoured to have him lead the state.

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OBI’s outreach to displaced families and victims of Floods...

Founder of the Olayinka Braimoh Initiative (OBI), Mr. Olayinka Braimoh, distributing food and relief items to a survivor of the November 2022 flooding in Kogi State, during OBI’s outreach to displaced families and victims affected by the flooding... recently

Masari: Rejecting APC in 2023 Will Be Disastrous Choice Obi's manifesto shows he's ill-prepared, says APC campaign

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Francis Sardauna in Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, has warned that rejecting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election would be the most disastrous thing to do for Nigeria.

This is as the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the recent manifesto released by the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has shown that he was ill-prepared for the task of governing a country the size of Nigeria.

However, Masari, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, further dismissed claims by some Nigerians that the APC would be sacked next year, adding that the issues affecting Nigeria had a global dimension, hence, other countries were facing similar challenges.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with THISDAY, Masari said

the social security interventions of the federal government alone had lifted millions of Nigerians out of poverty through various women and youths empowerment programmes across the country.

In Katsina alone, he said, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government had significantly transformed the livelihood of over 148,000 households in 12 out of the 34 local government areas of the state in terms of youths and women empowerment.

The governor explained that 38,000 Katsina indigenes had benefited from the federal government's N-power programme and thousands of other citizens of the state also benefited from the Anchor Borrower programme.

He asserted that despite security, covid-19 and economic challenges that bedeviled Nigeria, the Buhariled APC government had been able to implement development projects that sustained the nation and her citizens.

According to Masari, “Nigerians do not need an angel to govern them, but somebody whose brain is working and has the capacity and knowledge to assemble the calibre of people that will take it to the next level.

"President Buhari is not Mr perfect; is not without fault and mistakes but I tell you, rejecting APC in 2023 will be the most disastrous thing to do to this country. Take the candidates, who can compete against Tinubu?

"Whatever you say about Tinubu, he has a record of performance.

Lagos is today the fifth largest economy; who laid the foundation?

Tinubu. He collected the best brains around Lagos and made Lagos the fifth largest economy in Africa.

Others who are contesting tell me their success stories?

"That is why some of us stood fervently as gentlemen that power under APC should go to the southern part of Nigeria and in the southern part of Nigeria, who

Atiku’ll Win Osun by over 60 Percent, Says Campaign Council

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Osun State chapter, has boasted that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, would garner over 60 per cent of votes at next year’s presidential poll.

This is as Atiku, has commenced a two day campaign tour of Osun State with the state chapter of the party in marathon mobilisation for the visitation.

The presidential hopeful is expected to pay a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland and the Ataoja of Osogbo.

In a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity, Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Osun State, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Atiku would round off the day with a closed door meeting with stakeholders and leaders of the party today, day of the presidential rally.

Commenting on the planned visit, the Chairman of the Atiku/ Okowa Presidential Campaign

Council for Osun, Hon Sunday Bisi, said, the state was set to host the awaiting president of the country.

"Osun is PDP and Atiku Abubakar will win Osun by more than 60 percent. Across the local governments, our party enjoys massive support. Our popular Governor, Senator Ademola

Adeleke, is a huge asset to the Atiku/Okowa campaigns," Hon. Bisi noted.

The State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Dr Akindele Adekunle, corroborated the position of Hon Bisi, declaring that Osun people were set to fully vote for the PDP and its candidates.

INEC Directs Staff in 774 LGAs to Take Inventory of Uncollected PVCs Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Ahead of the December 12 commencement of collection of Permanent Voters Cards, the Independent National Electoral Commission Commission (INEC), has directed its staff in all its local government offices to take an inventory of all uncollected PVCs. The Director, Voter Education, Mr Victor Aluko, stated this in a statement, saying the inventory was for registrations that took place between 2011 and 2021 December.

Aluko said this was to enable the commission to get the contact of the voters to pick up their cards and

also to enable INEC to generate the PVC issuance register that would be used to issue cards to voters at point of PVC collection.

INEC had last week released dates for the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

According to INEC, the PVCs would be collected between Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 22, January 2023.

INEC in a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the decision was reached after the meeting of the national commissioners and Resident Electoral commissioners.

has more credentials to govern us?

We said Asiwaju."

Meanwhile, the Director, Media and Publicity of the PCC, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement. yesterday, said as a candidate, Obi had nothing new to offer Nigerians beyond 'hawking fake statistics' and preying on the young people’s sentiments as a demagogue.

He noted that after perusing the document, which he said was very high on graphics and demagogic rhetoric and short on substance, the campaign council had come to the conclusion that the document was empty and vacuous.

Onanuga stressed that the document, which was titled: ‘It is Possible: Our Pact with Nigerians’, offered nothing refreshing to Nigerians and

came across as total anti-climax.

According to him, the subtitle ‘Action Plan’ was shamelessly parroted from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s manifesto.

"Contrary to the image of a reformer and thinker Obi and his followers have created of him, we make bold to say that the Labour Party candidate is vapid, intellectually arid, a mere impostor, who only seeks to play on the emotions of his gullible followers.

"Mr. Obi's policy document, if anything, has only exposed him as ill-prepared for the titanic task of governing a country the size of Nigeria. As a candidate, he has nothing new to offer Nigerians beyond hawking fake statistics and preying on the young people’s sentiments

as a demagogue.

"Nigerians are warned to steer clear of Obi and his party. His whole presidential ambition is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing, to paraphrase Williams Shakespeare in his play Macbeth.

"By now, many of the gullible followers must have been utterly disappointed that their man didn't offer them anything to be proud of after all the blusters and the initial leakage of the document, which contains, strangely, 15 pages of the biographical sketches of Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed," Onanuga said.

Onanuga insisted that Obi’s document contains no grand policy initiatives and options to excite right thinking Nigerians.

In a Move That May Prevent Vote Buying, CBN Sets New Withdrawal Limits and fit currency, with the attendant negative perception of the central bank.

Emefiele said there was significant hoarding of naira notes by members of the public, with statistics showing that over 80 per cent of the currency in circulation was outside the vaults of the commercial banks.

He said as of September 2022, a total of N3.2 trillion was in circulation, of which N2.73 trillion was outside the vaults of the banks, describing the development as unacceptable.

The CBN governor explained that the new and existing notes would remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023, when the existing currencies shall cease to be legal tender.

As a result, he said all banks currently holding the existing denominations of the currency might begin returning the notes to the CBN immediately, adding that the newly designed currency would be released to the banks on a first come, first served basis.

Emefiele also urged bank customers to begin paying into their bank accounts the existing currency notes to enable them to withdraw the new banknotes once circulation begins in mid-December 2022.

Meanwhile, the central bank yesterday revealed that it recorded N8 billion transactions on its digital currency platform, the eNaira, one year after it was launched.

The eNaira project which was launched on the 25th of October, 2021 by President Muhammad

Buhari.

Nigeria was the first country in Africa and one of the pioneer countries in the world to develop an official digital currency.

The Director of Information Technology, CBN Hajiya Rakiyat Mohammed, while delivering an address at the Presentation and Unboarding of e-Naira session during the Second Africa Payment Systems Conference in Abuja on Monday, assured subscribers on the eNaira platform of seamless peer-to-peer transactions at no charge.

She further explained that the eNaira was developed to broaden payment platforms in Nigeria, foster digital financial inclusion with a potential for fast-tracking intergovernmental and social transfers, capital flow and remittances.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Information Technology of CBN, Abayomi Oyeleke, the director said Nigerians who subscribe to eNaira platform stood to gain a lot benefits including real-time transactions on secured digital wallet with zero down time, adding that the digital solution was supported with a resilient blockchain technology.

She said the introduction of the eNaira has changed the business ecosystem, reduced cash transactions, eliminated the risks associated with cash transactions and opened more digital financial frontiers for bank customers.

According to her, the eNaira also opened business opportunities, enhanced financial inclusion as

the teeming unemployed youths in Nigeria can cash into the opportunities by provide financial services to bank customers in remote, unbanked, and underbanked parts of the country.

She said the eNaira platform would be expanded in the nearest future to include more financial products.

She further hinted that several layers of security and transaction limits have been consciously put in place to ensure that customers’ wallets are not compromised.

“Since its launch, a total of N8 billion, consisting of over 700,000 transactions has passed through the eNaira platform.

“As part of the CBN’s effort to further integrate and broaden the usage of the eNaira, it was assigned an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code, enabling payments by simply dialling *997# on a mobile phone” she said.

In his speech, the Director General of Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi said the future of cash was bleak.

According to him, investing in cashless infrastructure would not only reduce the cost implication of cash maintenance, curb insecurity, reduce corruption, reduce financial losses but more importantly lead to more investment in financial infrastructure, job creation and ensure that financial services are available in all parts of the country.

Gen Dr. Amb. Willam Wallace, Hon. Consul General of Antigua & Barbuda to Nigeria and more others.

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NEWS

THE NEXT TITAN NIGERIA SEASON 9 WINNER…

L-R: Executive Producer, Next Titan Nigeria, Mr. Mide Akinlaja; Marketing Lead, LUNO, Maro Majoroh; Winner of The Next Titan Nigeria Season 9, Mr. Eric Anthony; Chief Executive Officer, EFG Hermes Nigeria, Lilian Olubi; Co - Founder of Sahara Group, Mr.Tonye Cole ; and Board Chairman, NextTitan Nigeria, Mr. Kyari Bukar at the grand finale of NextTitan Season 9 in Lagos recently ETOPUKUTT

Gunmen Kill Policemen, Three Others in Sokoto Onuminya InnocentinSokoto

Gunmen have killed three policemen and three other persons when they invaded a weekly market in Yarbulutu, Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto state.

The attack on the market sources told our correspondent happened at about 12:30pm on Monday.

When contacted, spokesperson of Sokoto state Police Command, DSP Abubakar Sanusi, confirmed the unfortunate incident to our correspondent yesterday.

Sanusi said: “Yes. I can confirm

to you that four mobile policemen lost their lives in the attack. They were gallantly trying to repel the terrorists attack but were killed in the process.”

In his narration, the member representing Sabon Birni South at the State House of Assembly, Honourable Sa’idu Ibrahim said: “The the bandits launched the attack on 20 motorcycles carrying three persons each.

“First, they went to where the mobile policemen who were guiding the market were stationed.

They killed two of them and set one of their vehicles on fire.

Governor Adeleke Promises a New Lease of Life for Osun Workers Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has projected a new lease of life for workers in the state, reiterating his administration’s commitment to ensure an improved situation for civil servants in the state.

Governor Adeleke said this yesterday at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina, assuring the workers of better days under him.

He promised to govern Osun state with the fear of God and ensure that no one is denied his or her entitled benefits, calling on workers in the state to be his administration’s partner in taking Osun state to a greater height.

“You are going to have it good under me,” Governor Adeleke assured the ecstatic workers, urging them to be a bit patient

with his administration to get things in order.

The governor, who expressed optimism in the workers giving the new Head of Service the necessary support, admonished civil servants to complement the administration in its goal to transform Osun state.

“You will all agree that I made a fantastic choice. From what I can see, from how enthusiastic you are, I am sure you will all cooperate with him,” he noted.

“There is time for everything, and when it is time for work, you should all face your work.

Get to your office early and do your work. I will make sure everybody smile but you must do your work,” he added.

Governor Adeleke noted that payment of salary for workers in the state had already commenced, adding that he will not disappoint the workers and people of the state.

Group Condemns Attack on Worship Centre in Delta Niger Delta Peoples Movement (NDPM) has condemned the recent attack on a religious place of worship (mosque) in Ughelli, Delta State on December 2, 2022.

The group in a statement signed by the convener, Ejiro Ineneji, said: “We the NDPM hereby condemn, in the strongest terms, possible, the act of terror on the people, indigenes, perceived strangers, and destruction of properties of the Niger Delta People particularly and Nigerians in general.”

The group expressed its

condolences to the families and the victims of the attack and pray for speedy recovery.

The statement added: “We are tired of the negative image being portrayed of the Niger Delta Region (South-south) of Nigeria and will work wholeheartedly as we call on all Niger Delta people to work with the appropriate authorities to achieve a more progressive, peaceful, inclusive and conducive Niger Delta region. We call on the law enforcement not to let this attack slide without the perpetrators brought to book. “

“They later killed another policeman who ran into the bush, dragged his body from the bush and throw it into the burning vehicle. They also killed three other persons in the market and

injured several others.

“Right now I am with one of my brothers at Orthopaedic hospital in Wamakko because he was shot in the leg by the attackers.”

Honourable Ibrahim fingered

bandits who fled from sustained military onslaught in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states as perpetrators of the attack.

“The military operation ought to have been carried out in all the

states experiencing banditry in the North-west simultaneously but because it is not taking place in Sokoto, the state now became a safe haven for bandits dislodged in those states,” the member said.

Army to Intensify Security in Benue, Other Troubled Areas Kidnapped Benue Commissioner regains freedom

George Okoh inMakurdi

The Nigerian Army is to intensify the fight against criminalities in Nigeria territories bedeviled with insecurity as part of its renewed desire to flush out banditry.

This is just as the Benue state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ekpe

Ogbu, who was kidnapped last Sunday, has been released.

Speaking on fight against criminalities, the Commandant ,Nigeria Army 401 Special Force Brigade, Brigadier General S M Uba, stated this in Katsina Ala and Logo yesterday at the inauguration of school materials donated to NKST UBE secondary

school Katsina Ala and Gambe Tiev community secondary school Ayim,Logo LGA. According to the Commandant, the items donated were geared towards a civil military synergy towards ensuring a peaceful co- existence of all in this season of celebrations so as ensure peace and security of the populace.

He added that the army has undertake to expand its relationship with communities through the program of “Operation Enduring Peace” beyond providing security for them.

Uba also said the Chief of Army Staff has directed that the programme be sustained as part of giving back to the society.

Court Strikes out PDP’s Suit against Accord Guber Candidate in Rivers BlessingIbungeinPortHarcourt

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday, struck out suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the eligibility of the governorship candidate of Accord, Dumo LuluBriggs and his running mate to

contest the 2023 general elections in Rivers State.

The PDP had filed the suit before Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam, seeking directives to INEC to disqualify Accord Party and its governorship candidates participating in the 2023 elections, claiming that the delegates elections that brought them in was

not monitor by the INEC. However, counsel for Lulu-Briggs and running mate, Benjamin Omeje, filed a preliminary objection, asking the court to strike out the suit on lack of merit.

Delivering his ruling yesterday, Justice Pam in the separate suits also struck out PDP suit against all the

National Assembly candidates of Accord Party for lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Pam based his judgment on the recent decision of appeal court in Lagos and Rivers State which revealed that no court has jurisdiction to hear a case file by another political party bothering on internal party affairs.

IATA: African Airlines May Record $638m Loss in 2022 Chinedu Eze

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that African carriers are expected to post a loss of $638 million in 2022 and $213 million in 2023 and projected that passenger demand growth of 27.4 per cent is expected to outpace capacity growth of 21.9

per cent.

IATA also stated that over the year, the region is expected to serve 86.3 per cent of pre-crisis demand levels with 83.9 per cent of pre-crisis capacity.

“Africa is particularly exposed to macro-economic headwinds, which have increased the vulnerability of several economies and rendered

connectivity more complex,” the global body said.

IATA also said it projects a return to profitability for the global airline industry in 2023 as airlines continue to cut losses stemming from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to their business in 2022.

It said that in 2023, airlines are expected to post a small net

profit of $4.7 billion—a 0.6 per cent net profit margin and that would be the first profit since 2019 when industry net profits were $26.4 billion (3.1 per cent net profit margin).

IATA said in 2022, airline net losses are expected to be $6.9 billion (an improvement on the $9.7 billion loss for 2022 in IATA’s June outlook).

Dangote-led Flood Committee Commences Distribution of N1.5bn Items to Victims The Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), known as Dangote Flood Committee has commenced the distribution of relief materials, worth N1.5 billion to victims of flooding nationwide.

The PCFRR, which was established by the Federal

Government following the 2012 flooding, is co-chaired by Africa’s foremost industrialist Aliko Dangote and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba.

The flagging off ceremony for the relief materials distribution for this year started in Borno State and was conducted by the State Governor, Professor Babagana

Umara Zulum yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The governor thanked the Dangote Flood Committee and promised that he will ensure that the items get to the victims.

UNICEF revealed that the 2022 flood killed 600 people, displaced 1.3 million and destroyed more than 82,000 homes in Nigeria,

therefore making it the worst in decades.

The representative of PCFRR, Alhaji Umar Musa Gulani assured the people at the flagging off for the Nort-east zone that the exercise would also be conducted in the other five geopolitical zones of the country.

Abule Ado Tragedy: Gani Adams, Others Task Govt to Fulfil Promises to Victims Sunday Okobi

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, and other leaders in Soba community, Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, have called on the federal and Lagos State Government to fulfil their promises made to the victims

and community of the devastating explosion which happened on March 15, 2020.

The explosion had rocked the area, and according to report, 23 people were killed and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

Speaking at an event organised by the Soba Landlords and Residents Association (SLARA)

at the site of former Bethlehem Girls College, to unveil a memorial plaque in honour of the deceased victims of the explosion, Adams called on the government to redeem their promises to the people.

He said the government was yet to fulfil any of the promises or build any project in the area.

The Aare, who is also the

chairman of the association, said the event was to ensure that memories of the incident; the lives lost, the losses incurred and the damage to the community were not forgotten.

He added that it was also to remind the government of the promises made to the victims, and urged them not to relent in fulfilling them.

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NEWSxtra

SOPIRIALA TONYE-LEGGJACK CALLED TO THE BAR ...

L-R: The granduand, Sopiriala Tonye-LeggJack, her father, Barr. Solomon LeggJack, and Dr. Ibimina Tonye-Legg, when Sopiriala was called to the bar in Abuja …yesterday

GODWIN OMOIGUI

France, Nigeria Strengthen Ties, Tackle Insurgency in N’East, Lake Chad Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

A delegation of the French military, yesterday, met with Nigeria’s top military brass to explore ways of strengthening ties in order to contain the challenge of insecurity in the North-east and Lake Chad

basin.

The meeting was also convened to seek ways of exploring options of capacitating the military establishment.

This comes as the National Defence College (NDC), yesterday, commenced a one-week course on defence

and security management for middle cadre officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The course is designed to dissect the national defence policy and national security strategy with a view to understanding their impact in dealing with the security problems confronting the nation.

Nigeria is collaborating with

neighbouring French speaking countries under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) where France has considerable influence.

Speaking at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Director, International Relations and Strategy of the French Navy, Vice Admiral Christopher Lucas, said military partnership between

the two countries, had become imperative in view of the security challenges confronting the nation especially, in the North-east and Lake Chad.

“The partnership between France and Nigeria is necessary.

We commend the efforts Nigeria’s security forces in the fight against insecurity. The focus of the meeting will be how the

countries can work together to tackle security challenges. I hope the meeting will deepen our relations,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, who was represented by the Director, Plans, Defence Headquarters, Maj Gen Usman Yusuf, thanked the French delegation for coming for the talks.

Udora Orizu in Abuja

parent who abandons a new born child and absconds after birth; and for Related Matters (HB. 1442),” was sponsored by Hon. Sergius Ogun.

Leading the debate on its general principles, Ogun said the bill seeks to make provision within the child’s right act against the practice of child abandonment by parents by introducing a new Sub Section 3 into the extant section 14 of the principal Act.

According to him, the new sub section would stipulate that a parent who abandons a child at the time or place of his birth shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to fine of two hundred thousand naira or imprisonment for six months or both.

He said: “Section 14 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a new subsection (3) immediately after the subsisting

subsection (2), as follows: (3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no child shall be abandoned at the time or place of his birth, the conditions of his birth notwithstanding- Where a parent abandons a child at the time or place of his birth, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to fine of two hundred thousand naira or imprisonment for six months or to both such term and imprisonment.”

‘Access to Digital Resources ‘ll Enhance Learning for People with Disabilities’ House Proposes Six Months Jail Term for Parents who Abandon Newly Born Babies

Stakeholders have stressed the need for policymakers and government to invest heavily in enabling tools and resources for the disabled persons to enhance their learning. According to them, access to digital resources will enhance learning for people with disabilities.

This consensus of opinion was reached during the November edition of EdTech Mondays, an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Co-Creation Hub. The virtual roundtable featured a three-man panelist that comprised the Founder and Executive Director

of Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI), OlajideFunso Benjamin; Head of Programme, Disability Rights Advocacy Center, Amaka Ogwu and a Bio-medical Engineer, Oluwatomisin Kolawole.

In Nigeria, an estimated 32 million people, comprising mostly children, live with disabilities, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and at least 95.5 per centof these children are out of school, owing to the challenges and barriers they face in accessing education.

2023: Group Backs Makinde’s Re-election Bid

Kemi Olaitan inIbadan

The reelection bid of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday received a boost as a group, Oyo For Makinde (OFM), embarked on a statewide grassroots mobilisation campaigns aimed at ensuring the governor’s victory at the polls in 2023.

The state Director of the group, Mr. Tokunbo Olaitan, who said the group is operating with the theme: ‘Arise Larika’, stated that the governor deserves to be given the second term nod because of his achievements in various sectors

in the state.

He disclosed that the statewide programme, which commenced at Badeku, Ward 3 and Ajia, Ward 8 of Inukan Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state, saw people trooping out en masse to watch the documentary showing some of the major works undertaken by Makinde.

According to him, the strategy being deployed by the group is to ensure that the modest achievements of the governor resonate with the people, especially the grassroots, through visuals and other related means.

Bauchi Gov Assures Corps Members of Support

SegunAwofadejiinBauchi

The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has assured corps members posted to the state that Bauchi is a home away from home.

Mohammed stated this during the swearing in ceremony of the 2022 Batch C, Stream II, corps members at the Bauchi State’s NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Wailo, in Ganjuwa Local Government Area.

He urged the corps members to take advantage of the friendly

environment in the state to gain a deeper understanding of the people of the country.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Baba Tela, said: “Let me assure you that Bauchi State is for you a home away from home. Our people, as you will find out for yourselves, are hospitable, friendly and caring.

“I urge you to avail yourselves of this hospitable, friendly and accommodating environment to gain a greater and deeper understanding of the people of our great country.”

The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday passed through second reading a Bill seeking stiffer punishment for parents who abandon their newborn babies after birth.

The proposed legislation was titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Child Rights Act, Cap. C50, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to impose sanction on any

N1.4bn Fraud: Court Denies Kogi Assembly Candidate, Two Others Bail Wale Igbintade Justice Tijjani Ringim of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, turned down the bail request by the detained Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Mr. Ismaila Yusuf Atumey, and two others accused of hacking the computer network of a bank and stealing

N1,403,343,400.

Other defendants are Mr. Ngene Joshua Dominic, and Mr. Abdulmalik Salau.

The Defendants were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an 18-count charge before Justice Tijjani Ringim.

They pleaded not guilty and applied for bail through their

Counsel, Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).

But EFCC’s Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the application and prayed for an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Ruling on the application, Justice Ringim held that the defendants are flight risk, and the probability of them jumping bail is very high.

The court held that the

magnitude of the offence is such that the defendants could interfere with the law enforcement procedure and run away.

Justice Ringim noted further that extradition procedures from anywhere in the world is such a cumbersome process.

“In all, I hold that the application for bail lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed,” Ringim said.

Group Seeks Collaboration for Christians to Participate in Governance Mary Nnah

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, a religious pressure group, the Nigerian National Christian Coalition (NNCC) has called on Christians to rise and take political leadership, which is a divine mandate given to them.

The group, with the backing of prominent Church leaders across the nation, stated that negotiations are part of the engagement

process for transformational leadership.

It, however, regretted that some politicians have felt safe to dare Christians by ignoring their sensibilities, believing that the Church is in their pockets as the nation prepares for the forthcoming general elections.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, the Convener of NNCC, Apostle Titi Oluwadare, said that the NNCC would be having a

summit on Friday, December 9, 2022, where it would engage the presidential candidates and other political leaders who would be guided by the group for the general interest and wellbeing of Christians.

Oluwadare said that Christians have been systematically relegated to the background in the scheme of things, especially around the corridors of power.

She stated that these are not

cheery times for the Christians and the Church of God in Nigeria, adding that negotiations after the presidential election would indeed be a tall order.

“Christian leaders from the six geo-political zone in the country would converge at Pistib Hub,(The Elevate Church), Maryland-Lagos, December 9, 2022, to deliberate on the role of the church in nation building. We have to unite to use our voice.

25 Bag First Class Honours at Al-Hikmah Varsity Convocation Anchor varsity records 38 first class graduands

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Funmi Ogundare

The Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Professor Noah Yusuf, has announced that 25 graduates of the institution would be awarded First Class Honours while 362 graduates obtain Second Class Upper

Division Honours during the oncoming 12th convocation ceremony of the university.

Meanwhile, as Anchor University, Lagos, prepares to hold its combined convocation ceremony for the 2021/2022 academic session, it has announced that 38 students will be graduating with first class

honours degree from various faculties.

Al-Hikma University is an Islamic faith based tertiary institution in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The convocation ceremony would hold on Saturday at the main campus of the institution at the Adewole area of Ilorin.

Yusuf said yesterday at a

press conference on the 12th convocation ceremony that “about 566 graduates obtained Second Class Lower Honours while 94 graduates obtained Third Class Honours.”

He attributed the feat to the availability of qualified lecturers and students who are committed to their academic excellence.

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WEDNESdaysports

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, was the hero last night as the Atlas Lions defeated Spain 3-0 in penalty shootouts to reach the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2022 World Cup here in Qatar.

After regulation and added time deadlocked goalless, the Last 16 fixture dragged into shootouts with Spain, the 2010 champions at South Africa 2010 expected to easily cruise to the quarterfinals.

However, Bounou won is

with Spanish LaLiga club Sevilla proved to be the match winner for Morocco, stopping two kicks

by Barragan Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets. Pablo Sarabia’s first kick for Spain hit the upright and went out.

The Moroccans were far superior in penalties against the former champions, taking a 2-0 lead through Abdelhamid Sabiri and Hakim Ziyech in the shootouts.

Spain goalkeeper, Unai Simon,

Morocco Reaping the Dividends of Sustained Planning Morocco’s victory over Spain last night to reach the quarter final stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar did not come on a platter of gold. It was the result of a deliberate and sustained planning to reach where the Atlas Lions are today.

This a stroll down the memory lane of what the Royal Moroccan Football Federation have done to now be reaping the reward here in Qatar.

In July 2022, Morocco hosted a FIFA Talent Development Scheme workshop as part of the Talent Development Plan launched by FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger in 2020. The country demonstrated a strong desire to continue its development, making resources available to the youth sides that represent the future of Moroccan football.

During the workshop, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation Fouzi Lekjaa said: “The development of football in Morocco should be based on a three-pronged approach focusing on facilities, talent and well-qualified staff. My Federation colleagues and I are certain that these three elements must be in place to ensure proper development.”

Moroccan football is starting to reap the rewards of the Federation’s good work, achieving great success at all levels of both the men and women’s game.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been a dream come true for the Atlas Lions, who topped their group to qualify for the round of 16 and become the first African team to earn seven points in a FIFA World Cup group stage, all while being led by a Moroccan coach.

Morocco have also had a lot of recent success in Futsal, winning the 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations and winning their first ever FIFA Futsal World Cup matches at Lithuania 2021, defeating Solomon Islands 6-0 and Venezuela 3-2, before being knocked out in the quarter-finals after a 1-0 loss to Brazil.

According to Coach Hicham Dguig, reaching the quarter-finals was “a great achievement after facing very strong opposition”.

The Moroccan Federation played a key role, providing the team with support and hosting friendlies against teams like Argentina and Brazil.

The Moroccan Federation is not focused on men’s football alone, paying plenty of attention to the women’s game as well. The COVID-19 relief plan under the FIFA Forward Programme made grants of 500,000 dollars available to each member association in order to assist women’s football.

These funds enabled Morocco to restart women’s football. Since then, they have achieved impressive results, reaching the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 hosted in their own country only to miss out on the title after losing to South Africa. They defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the semi-finals. The Atlas Lionesses also qualified for Australia and New Zealand 2023, their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup. There was success off the pitch too, with record attendances confirming the country’s strong interest in women’s football.

Morocco women’s U-17 side also had success this year. Not only did they qualify for their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, but they recorded their first win in the competition, beating hosts India 3-0, finishing third in their group behind United States and Brazil.

A key reason for this success is that the Moroccan Federation’s interest goes beyond the senior men and women’s teams, continuing its short-, medium- and long-term work to prepare for the future.

Kylian Mbappe was not present for France's main training session at their Qatari base yesterday.

Les Bleus are ramping up preparations ahead of their World Cup quarter-final with England on Saturday.

However, talisman Mbappe was not part of the group session yesterday, instead focusing on recovery work amid a demanding tournament.

The 23-year-old has played in

each of France's four matches so far this World Cup, starting in three of them.

Mbappe is not believed to be carrying an injury, while it had been reported in the French press earlier in the day that a smaller core group would participate in open training for the media anyway.

He has grabbed five goals including a superb brace against Poland in the last 16 on Sunday - and provided two assists already

RESULTS Morocco 0–0 Spain

3-0 penalties

Portugal 6–1 Switzerland

WED & THURS Rest Days

FRIDAY Q’FINALS

Croatia v Brazil-4pm Netherlands v Argentina -8pm

gave Enrique Luis’ side hope by stopping Badr Benoun’s attempt but Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty as Morocco thus qualified for the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in history, beating Spain 3-0 at the Education City Stadium here on Tuesday.

The Moroccans who are the last team standing out of the five African representatives that began the journey here on November 20, last qualified from the group stage at Mexico in 1986. They failed to qualify from the group stage four years ago in Russia.

Although they soaked all that the Enrique men had to offer, they only lacked that cutting-edge finishing

Duro Ikhazuagbe Reporting live

in front of goal otherwise the game would have ended in regulation time in their favour.

Sponsored by:

Morocco Inflict Pain on Spain to Reach First World Cup Q’final Their performance was brilliant in defence, not allowing much spaces to the title-contenders Spain,

who thumped Costa Rica 7-0 in their first group match to play to their full strength.

Morocco manager Walid Regragui is hoisted up into the air by his squad after masterminding a victory against Spain

Brazil, Argentina S’final Clash Loading First Time in 32 Years A mouth-watering scenario is loading at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup here in Qatar.

It is the possible clash of five-time champions Brazil against Lionel Messi’s Argentina who have also won it two times.

Brazil won the trophy in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 while Messi’s country did so in 1978 and 1986.

But Brazil's emphatic last-16 win over Korea Republic has now increased the likelihood of this mouth-watering South American powerhouses meeting in the semi-finals at Qatar 2022.

However, before that will happen, both teams would have to surmount their respective

quarter final obstacles on Friday.

The Seleção have to beat runners up at Russia 2018 Croatia while Argentina has a bruising battle with the Netherlands who are equally hungry for the trophy.

Immediately after Argentina's 2-1 victory over Australia in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Albiceleste fans voiced their fears about a possible meeting with Brazil in the semi-final, a classic rivalry that has been waiting to be renewed on the biggest stage for 32 years by both sides.

These South American giants have not met in a World Cup since 1990, but the rivalry has only grown since then, with many

regional clashes. This could be one of the biggest games in World Cup history and the biggest Brazil versus Argentina match-up football has ever seen.

Brazil and Argentina have met four times in the history of the World Cup. The record is fairly balanced, with two wins for Brazil, one for Argentina and a draw. The four games took place in a span of five World Cups, between 1974 and 1990.

In 1974 and 1978, the rivals met within groups that defined the qualifiers for the final. In the first meeting, Brazil beat Argentina, but finished second in the group, which was won by the Netherlands.

Four years later, a 0-0 draw helped Argentina qualify from a group that also included Peru and Poland.

In 1982, Brazil and Argentina met again in the same phase. The Seleção defeated their rivals 3-1, in one of the great games of the mythical team that included Zico and Socrates. But the defeat to Italy ended up eliminating Brazil from the competition.

The last confrontation was in 1990, already in the current format.

In the Round of 16, Brazil played a game of great possession and scoring chances, but Diego Maradona unbalanced the rhythm with a brilliant individual play before Claudio Caniggia's goal.

Tragedy as Boxer Dies at NSF in Asaba Mbappe Absent at France Training ahead of England Clash Authorities mum, awaits post-mortem result this tournament, leading the scoring charts.

Much has been made in the English media of how the Three Lions will cope against Mbappe's obvious threat. Suggestions have been made that Gareth Southgate could revert to a back five formations, while the pacy Kyle Walker is expected to keep his place at right-back to try and go stride-for-stride with the French forward.

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

A boxer representing Imo State at the ongoing 21st National Sports Festival, Delta 2022, has reportedly died after slumping to a devastating knockout defeat in an amateur bout held at Asaba.

However, no official statement was made available to the hordes of journalists covering the tournament on Tuesday.

A member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

who would not want to be quoted said that it would be premature to speculate on the 'real cause of death of the young man' before the medical team come up with their post-mortem findings.

Nevertheless, the boxer was said to have received a hard punch to his chin, forcing the referee to step in and call the encounter to a halt when it became clear that the Imo State boxer could not recover in time to continue the fight.

THISDAY learnt that after receiving initial medical attention at the State Events Centre on Okpanam Road, the victim was subsequently rushed to the hospital where he was later confirmed dead.

Meanwhile, activities at the various centres continued unhindered on Tuesday despite the tragic news concerning the boxer whose identify was yet to be made public at the time of filing this report.

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sports

Inzaghi Claims Onana Paid the Price for Cameroon ‘Misunderstanding’

Inter Milan Head Coach, Simone Inzaghi, attributed Andre Onana's suspension by Cameroon at the World Cup to a "misunderstanding".

The 26-year-old Nerazzurri goalkeeper was dropped for his country's second group game against Serbia, subsequently leaving Qatar

before their final game against Brazil.

Onana issued a statement in the wake of his shock demotion, which Cameroon team officials put down

to undisclosed "disciplinary reasons".

Reports suggested Onana's omission came after a disagreement with boss Rigobert Song over his playing style in the 1-0 loss against Switzerland, when he had the most touches outside the box by a goalkeeper ever recorded in a World Cup match (26).

Inzaghi has spoken to Onana since his departure and does not believe he has been affected by the situation. "I've spoken to all the guys involved in the World Cup," he said. "We have four who made it to the quarter-finals.

"Romelu Lukaku and Onana are out; they will arrive between

Friday and Saturday and join the group. Physically they are all fine, we are expecting them.

"There was a misunderstanding that he (Onana) paid for, but I spoke to him and he is calm.

"I can talk about what happened at Inter. He's a positive guy; when he had to be on the bench he stayed there, when he had to play he played.

"On Friday he'll be in Appiano and will start working with us."

Inzaghi also had his say on Lukaku, who endured a torrid time as Belgium crashed out in the group stage with a 0-0 draw against Croatia in their final game.

The Inter striker was brought on at half-time by Red Devils boss Roberto Martinez, but conspired to miss a host of wonderful chances to win the game for his side.

"Clearly he was disappointed," Inzaghi added. "It's a World Cup and he cares so much about his national team.

"He played 45 minutes and he had three chances. If you are getting the chances, a striker has to stay calm."

Inter return to Serie A action on January 4 against Napoli, but have friendlies against Salzburg, Real Betis, Reggina and Sassuolo before then.

Portugal Cruise into Last Eight with Switzerland Demolition

Portugal's Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick on his first World Cup start to help his side beat Switzerland 6-1 yesterday evening and send them through to the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years, setting up a clash with Morocco.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos benched skipper and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, tasking Benfica forward Ramos with leading the line despite the 21-year-old making his debut just three days before the World Cup in a friendly.

Ramos had played only 10 minutes as a substitute in Qatar

Simone Inzaghi Inter Milan Coach

Holland Boss, Van Gaal, Dismisses Argentina, Brazil as Challengers One of football's most outspoken characters, and The Netherlands’ coach, Louis van Gaal, has gone against the grain and doubted the capabilities of World Cup favourites Argentina and Brazil.

The Oranje will face Argentina on Friday, bidding to reach the semi-finals for the second time under Van Gaal - the first when they lost to Lionel Messi's side in 2014.

Risking enraging his opponents in the quarter-finals, Van Gaal praised Messi, but said that he could also prove to be a weak link for the two-time winners.

'He is indeed the most dangerous player who creates the most chances and also makes them himself,' he told NOS (via Voetbal Zone).

'But on the other hand he does not play much with the opponent when he has possession of the ball.

That is also where our chances lie.'

Having watched Brazil eviscerate South Korea on Monday night in a performance many are labelling the best of the tournament thus far, Van Gaal again risked enraging an entire country with his rather contrarian beliefs on their play.

'I've seen them, that's just a counter team,' the former Ajax

and Manchester United boss said.

'I read in the Dutch media that it was sparkling, but that is just a counter team. South Korea has only attacked.'

Meanwhile, Holland's quarterfinal clash risks reigniting one of the great World Cup rivalries - with Argentina having largely had the upper hand over the Dutch in years gone by.

Argentina won their maiden crown in 1978 by beating Holland, ensuring their players the anguish of losing back-to-back finals.

While Van Gaal himself was personally burnt in 2014 when

he watched his side go out on penalties to Argentina in Sao Paulo.

Most modern football figures might have been expected to downplay the relevance of 2014, but not Van Gaal, who said his side have a score to settle.

'We still have a score to settle,' he said. 'I don't like to think about it because I thought we would win and then I also exchanged for the win.

'I would like to convince the people at home to just go and watch the game and cheer for us. Then we will derive a lot of support from that.'

Sports Minister, Dare, Expresses Satisfaction with National Sports Festival Despite Challenges Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has stated his satisfaction with the level of activities at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

The Minister swiftly returned to Asaba after attending the 62nd Ordinary Session of Authority of Heads of State and Government at the start of the week.

Fielding questions from the press after another tour of various game venues, Dare stated that the Festival has lived up to billing in spite the short span of time the Ministry and Delta State had to plan.

“We have not been disappointed.

We have seen very young athletes from virtually all the states compete in various sports, with the youngest at about eight years old. This speaks to grassroots development, a major focus of our administration. What Delta state has put together in just about a few months testifies to how well they have done.”

The minister stated that every room for improvement is being noted and the standard of the game will certainly continue to get better year on year.

“The most important thing is that we made this happen. We built

DELTA 2022: up a momentum in Edo State, we sustained it through Delta State and we hope that by December 10th when we announce the next hosts, we can sustain that, too.”

The National Sports Festival had suffered a six-year setback between 2012-2018 when it couldn't hold but the Sports Minister Dare says priority attention is now given to the festival, to ensure that budding talents at home do not suffer the impacts of hosting failure.

As at the start of Day 6, hosts, Delta state were comfortably leading the medals table with 69 gold, 33 silver and 25 bronze medals. Ogun state sat second with 10 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze medals, while Oyo state were third with 9 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze medals.

but the youngster looked like he belonged on the big stage with a memorable performance for Portugal who did not miss Ronaldo - a late substitute who had a goal ruled out for offside.

Ramos opened the scoring in the 17th minute by picking up Joao Felix's incisive pass before blasting the ball from a tight angle into the top corner to put the Portuguese ahead.

Portugal doubled their lead through skipper Pepe when the 39-year-old timed his leap to perfection to rise above the two Swiss centre backs and head home from a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 33rd minute, with Yann Sommer well beaten yet again.

The Swiss keeper did well to deny Ramos his second goal of the half with a fingertip save from a late counter-attack as the Portuguese went in with a 2-0 halftime lead.

But Sommer could do nothing when Diogo Dalot sent in a cross six minutes after the restart, with Ramos in the right place again at the near post to slip the ball

Ojomo Wins Olokpe 35th Coronation Anniversary Golf Kitty Esosa Ojomo has emerged winner of the Olokpe of Okpe 35th Coronation Anniversary Golf Kitty held on Saturday at Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS), Edo State, just as Prof Waziri Erameh won the best gross prize with 86.

Ojomo (hcp 12) won the men's category with a net score of 74 beating Joseph Kayoma (hcp 17) and former BCGS Captain, Dr. Bola Atua (hcp 12 ) to second and third place having both played 75 and 76 net respectively.

The kitty which featured golfing friends of HRH Oba Okhishimede Eshimokhai Idogu III (jp), the Olokpe Of Okpe Kingdom was powered by Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Dr.

Rainoil Tennis Open to Kick off December 12 Plans are in top gear for the 2022 edition of the Rainoil Tennis Open, which kicks off on Monday, 12th December 2022 at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and it is themed "Level Up Your Game”.

The seven-day tournament is co-sponsored by Stanbic IBTC Bank and will feature 144 players.

It promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Addressing media representatives yesterday, the Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, said Rainoil Limited, in partnership with Stanbic IBTC, is making this year's edition of the tournament the biggest ever by increasing the prize money to N1,500,000 and N1,000,000 for male

and female winners, respectively.

According to Dr. Ogbechie, Rainoil Limited has been sponsoring tennis for more than twelve years in Nigeria. He said tennis is a sport that can take our young boys and girls not just out of poverty but into prosperity. In his words, "The top tennis players in the world are young boys and girls in their teenage years, and they are making very big waves all around the world."

To this end, Rainoil Limited is deliberate about giving the young ones’ opportunities to play tennis, and the total prize money for this year's edition has been increased to N13 million.

Dr. Ogbechie said Rainoil

Limited is actively looking for opportunities to support any young person whose tennis career looks promising, as this will further strengthen tennis in Nigeria. He believes that the Nigeria Tennis Federation must invest heavily in tennis and attract more corporate sponsors in order to provide more opportunities for young people to shine. He added that the annual tournament is one of many ways Rainoil Limited is contributing to the society and expressed hope that the tournament will produce the world's best tennis player in the near future.

The Players Representative of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Mr. Sunday Essien, said the 2022

between his legs to give Portugal a three-goal cushion.

The Portuguese piled on the misery when they carved open the Swiss defence with another flowing counter-attack in which Ramos found Raphael Guerreiro in acres of space and the full back fired the ball past Sommer to make it 4-0 in the 55th.

Switzerland softened the blow just before the hour mark when defender Manuel Akanji sneaked in unmarked at the far post from a corner to slip a shot home after Portugal failed to clear.

But a vibrant Portugal attack roared back when Ramos was set through on goal by Felix and just when it looked like he had lost the ball with a heavy touch, the forward chipped it over the onrushing Sommer to complete a well-deserved hat-trick.

Substitute Rafael Leao then put the icing on the cake in second-half added time with a curling effort into the far corner as the stranded Sommer's shoulders sank while he watched the ball sail past him into the back of the net.

Rainoil Tennis Open will have 64 players play the men’s singles, 32 players in the women's singles, 32 players play in the men’s doubles, and 16 players in the women’s doubles. He commended Rainoil for its unwavering support for the game of tennis and urged more corporate organizations to emulate Rainoil Limited.

Lady Captain of the Tennis section at Ikoyi Club 1938, Mrs. Chizoba Onuoha, expressed gratitude to Rainoil Limited for bringing the tournament to Ikoyi Club 1938. According to her, the club is proud to be hosting the tournament and is encouraging the youth to grab the opportunities being offered by the tournament.

Charles Ajayi; Dr. Bola Atua; Kingsley Okunbor; Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro; Stephen Ebarentonbofa; Benedict Oghumah, and Princess Habiibah Oyarekhua in honour of the monarch.

In his admonition, the Deputy Governor congratulated the monarch for the peaceful reign in his kingdom while he prayed God to protect and continually guide him.

Oba Idogu III in turn, appreciated the golf section members for honouring the event. "I want to thank the deputy governor who on his own put this kitty together alongside others who supported.

On behalf of Idogu Dynasty, Okpe Kingdom, and Edo north people, we are proud of you all.

Ojomo in his victory speech said: "Today is my happiest day for having this prize to show for winning the 35-coronation anniversary golf kitty of the monarch. I pray for another 35 years again on the throne."

In the ladies category, Betty Oriakhi (hcp 28) won with 71 net while former Lady Captain, Princess Nkeiruka Awiaka (hcp 18) with 72 net placed second while Joy Omorogiuwa (hcp 34) settled for third with 76 net.

Chief Makole Azugbene (hcp 20) won the veteran men award having played 75 net. Sir Tony Aghedo (hcp 18) placed second with 75 net just as Chief Sylvester Akhigbe (hcp 20) picked the third place with 75 net. Also, the veteran ladies went to O. A. Dawodu (hcp 33) with 81 net while A Osahon (hcp 36) with 85 net came second.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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Wednesday, December 7, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE Aregbesola to Terrorists

“Whoever attempts to attack our facilities, Whoever dares should not live to tell the story.

Whoever attacks our custodial facility should be made to return to his maker...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. Train them (prison guards) to shoot the heads of invaders, not legs.

Whoever is not bold enough to shoot to kill, don’t take them to custodial centres...” --Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, ordering prison guards to shoot-on-sight, prison invaders.

Tunde Olusunle guest columnist

Reminiscing Over That Tinubu ‘Chatham House’ Pilgrimage

S

igns that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will run a government by proxy if elected, emerged at his outing at Chatham House, London on Monday. Tinubu who has made a tradition of avoiding public speaking events in the run-up to the February 2023 elections, jettisoned the Arise Television “Townhall Meeting” organised for the major presidential contenders, Sunday December 4, 2022. It was the latest in Tinubu’s nonappearance at similar engagements, since he won the presidential ticket of his party last June.

Last August, Tinubu was conspicuously absent at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA). Presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the candidate of the Labour Party, (LP), Peter Obi, honoured the invite at the conference held in Lagos. Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, stood in for him. In September, Tinubu was again absent when presidential candidates of all the political parties endorsed the “2023 election peace pact.” The National Peace Committee, (NPC), organisers of the peace pact, is chaired by Abdulsalam Abubakar, a former military head of state.

Tinubu was again represented at the event by his running mate, Shettima, at a process where the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, also attended in person. Obi, candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party, (NNPP), were also present.

In what has become his trademark, Tinubu shunned an earlier Townhall Meeting also convened by Arise Television early November, where Atiku was represented by Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa his running mate. On the eve of yesterday’s second edition of the Arise Television, Tinubu jetted out to London, supposedly to headline an engagement on Nigeria’s political process. This was by way of addressing the British Royal Institute. He was supposed to have focused on the 2023 general elections, with specific regards to national security, economic and foreign policy imperatives. Director, Media and Publicity of the APC-Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga had previously said his principal “would not be blackmailed into attending the event.”

Atiku, Kwankwaso and Obi dutifully attended the interview programme, which was simultaneously transmitted to the world from both the Lagos and Abuja studios of the organisers, anchored by Charles Aniagolu and Adesuwa Omoruan respectively. The attendees addressed issues related to poverty alleviation, and the holistic re-engineering of the critical education, healthcare and human capital development. In what was a temperate and convivial ambience, Atiku who is rigorously grounded in both the public and private sectors, promised to remove red-tapism and block wastage in government if elected. “Overheads” and “recurrent expenditures” which are often blurry and opaque, constitute major drainages to public resources, emasculating appropriations for actual socioeconomic growth.

The “question and answer” session which followed Tinubu’s address, however, visibly exposed Tinubu’s suspect capacity in one-on-one dialogue. In a visibly striking pattern which amplified this possibility, Tinubu severally

Tinubu called up members of his entourage to answer the questions posed to him. He had on his delegation, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiala; Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his Jigawa and Cross River counterparts, Abubakar Badaru, and Ben Ayade. Former Ekiti State chief executive, Kayode Fayemi, was also present.

Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; Abdulrahman Danbazzau, former Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Adams Oshiomhole, immediate past governor of Edo State were also in Tinubu’s team. There were also Dele Alake, a seasoned media practitioner and Wale Edun, a top player in the economic and financial sector. Both served as commissioners in Tinubu’s state executive council, when he was Governor of Lagos State, between 1999 and 2007. El Rufai, Ayade, Alake and Edun were variously called out

by Tinubu to provide answers to questions directed at him. The outsourcing of the questions was a watershed in political engagements anywhere. The world has taken due cognisance of our leadership recruitment prototype, at the topmost echelons in Nigeria. Shockingly indeed, subsequent online videos and images of the event, showed that the few questions Tinubu responded to, were by the grace of a teleprompter, intricately placed on the desk

before him!

What Tinubu did in London is akin to what happens in so-called “examination miracle centres” in Nigeria. Lazy and desperate youngsters enrol in nondescript “extra mural” examination coaching centres, pay a premium and other people are procured to write their West African School Certificate Examinations, (WASCE) and the National Examination Council, (NECO) examinations for them. They turn out with “A” grades, but they are barely able to answer the most basic questions posed to them, to defend their certificates as it were.

Back in 2015, by the way, Buhari, despite his well-established communicative deficiencies, never reassigned questions directed at him.

How he has outsourced authority during his term in office will constitute another discussion. It would have indeed been more dignifying for Tinubu to have attended the Arise Television Townhall Meeting, in Lagos.

Any of the governors who travelled with him would have done a better job of the delivery of the address which was well written by the way. Tinubu and his party owe Nigeria and the international community profound apologies. The much publicised Chatham House appearance was a humongous disaster.

Tinubu’s appearances on the soapbox across the country since the flag-off of campaigns,

have been characterised by concerning verbal gaffes and wobbly coordination. When he is not calling Delta State “Niger Delta State,” he is offering prayers for the success of the main opposition party, PDP. While on a recent campaign visit to Bayelsa State, the APC flagbearer struggled to pronounce the words “recreate” and “technological.” Out there at the Chatham outing, even when he had the dais all to himself, Tinubu stuttered in instances, including having difficulties with an expression as straightforward as “co-contestants.” These serial blunderings, have inspired several social media skits and videos, highlighting worrying cognitive challenges of the APC candidate.

The obvious plan of the APC is to paper up, cover up in glass and gloss and foist on Nigerians, a president with such worrying vitals. The conmen are trying to package a certified disaster, as they did in 2015, and sell it to Nigeria as a wholesome product. Or else, why the Tom and Jerry roulette about a man who intends to superintend over the lives and affairs of Africa’s most populous country, remain eternally shrouded in mystery? This is even when Nigeria is yet to recover from the long years of the locusts of the Muhammadu Buhari catastrophe, which has subsisted since 2015. A man who survives drowning, is more circumspect when he sees a large body of water.

This fraud perpetrated by the APC, has impugned the integrity of Chatham House as a centre for serious intellection. The Administrators of Chatham House should interrogate who gave approval for the staging of this blatant fraud within their premises. They should inquire about how much corrupt money changed hands. The APC has obviously exported its corruptive tendencies to London, to destroy a once respected British institution. Future participants at Chatham House engagements will be more discerning henceforth.

Nigerians must be circumspect and resist the installation of another “royal president” who will oscillate between the comfy cocoon of the presidential villa, and the world class medical facilities of Europe and America. We cannot go to the Saturday February 25, 2023 polls blindfolded, the way we did in 2015. We cannot afford another president who will be a serial medical tourist, logging a whopping 225 days of our collective life and existence. A very popular Yoruba adage tells us that even as we shed tears, our eyes are not blind to goings on around us.

Tinubu’s managers and handlers owe Nigeria the obligation of allowing us to engage with the man who aspires to make presidential broadcasts to us, post-May 29, 2023. Nigerians must prevail on Tinubu to talk to us, face-to-face like Atiku his principal challenger who is ever enthusiastic to reassure Nigerians how we can collectively rebuild our crumbled national edifice. The title of the very incisive book: This House Has Fallen: Nigeria In Crisis, by the German author, Karl Maeir, cannot be more apposite. Nigeria doesn’t need a masquerade as leader. We need a tested Atiku Abubakar who can very ably provide full-steam leadership straight out of “Eagle Square,” Monday May 29, 2023.

Tunde Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author, is Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, GCON.

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